My husband, The Captain, and I had a bet. I lost.
I must preface this by saying I knew I was going to lose. I agreed to the bet on the undeniable fact that I was going to lose. Heck, I actually wanted to lose. But I made the bet anyway.
It was: whoever has the most shoes must buy a Keurig.
Going into this, I was aware of my not-so-small obsession collection of shoes. I am not a shoe crazed maniac or anything (unless I am in DSW with a time limit), but I like shoes. They always fit. They always look good. They are amazing.
But, I digress. I wanted a Keurig. Badly. Since our visit to my dad’s home in Houston this past spring, the Keurig was on my mind. It was so easy to use, and there are oh-so-many flavors to pick from. It was like a home Starbucks where pajamas and bed-head hair were welcomed with open arms and good coffee creamer. The Keurig was Heaven in a coffee maker. I had to have one.
Summer approached quickly, and I couldn’t justify to The Captain why I needed to drop some cash on the Keurig. Here is a sample of one of our little “discussions” on the topic:
“I really want a Keurig.”
“We have a coffee maker. We don’t need a Keurig. Plus, we are going on some vacations this summer,” he said.
“I really want a Keurig.”
“We don’t need a Keurig. Stop it with the Keurig already. Geez,” he stated, adding a classic eye roll for effect.
“I really, really want a Keurig.” By this time, The Captain has left the building (or room if I must get technical).
So, I put on my thinking cap. “I am going to get that Keurig if it is the last thing I do before the school year ends.” And then I laughed. Loud enough to sound like a complete maniac. Game on, Captain, game on.
A few weeks later, after setting around hints like leaving the computer on pages advertising the Keurig and posting Keurig sale flyers on the family bulletin board, I came up with the ultimate plan. “I’ll get you, my Keurig, and your little K-cups, too!”
The Captain was standing in the kitchen (he really likes it there, but that is another post for another day), and I began tossing jibes at him.
“You know, for a guy, you really have a massive amount of shoes.”
“No I don’t. You have tons of shoes,” he said as he began concentrating on loading the dishwasher perfectly.
“I think you have more shoes than I do. Seriously. When was the last time you counted your shoes?”
“What are you getting at? I don’t have more shoes than you do. No one but your mother has more shoes than you do,” he said.
“I think you do. Let’s bet on it,” I stated innocently as my plan was unfolding brilliantly!
“OK. What do we win if we have the fewest shoes?” he asked. Dang, I thought, this was way too easy.
“The loser buys a Keurig,” I replied trying to stop my pinkie finger from touching my lip a la Dr. Evil.
“You’re on,” he said, “but there are some stipulations.”
Ugh. I thought. He is on to me.
“OK. Spill,” I said, waiting for my plan to evaporate.
“All shoes count. Even those we don’t wear, OK?” he said, looking to me as if I was going to challenge his little rules.
“Perfect,” I said with a grin spread from cheek to cheek knowing full well the outcome of this bet.
And, as I said, I lost. My final shoe count was 126 (not including the shoes my mother had dropped off that were hiding in the trunk of my car). His was 62, although I seem to recall that his was more like 82, but I won’t get technical today.
Surprisingly enough, we are both very much enjoying the Keurig. My plan worked amazingly well. Next time, I am going to go for something bigger. A new TV perhaps. Wahhahahaha!
Bahhahahahahah! I have to admit, I’m a shoe whore, and your numbers impress me! I’ll be sure not to bet you on anything. 😉
I try not to bet if I know I won’t win (in some way!) 🙂
Clever girl. 😉
i bet for a new computer in school days , for my maths grade.i got perfect 100 , and a new PC.Even my dad enjoyed that.
well, you write simple and with touch of reality.
keep writing.
Thanks! Glad you got a new PC. 🙂
You are brilliant! I have wanted a Keurig for awhile and I keep having similar conversations with He-Who. The best part is I know he has more shoes than I do. 😉
Good luck getting the Keurig – they are amazing little coffee machines! 🙂
I think you actually have more shoes than my wife has panties, although I’m pretty sure there are a few that we missed counting. hahaha…
http://thelifeofjwo.com/2011/11/21/getting-into-my-wifes-panties/
Maybe that’s the bet… who has the most underwear. 😉
Now that would be an interesting bet! I cracked up at the title of your post! Very clever!!
Sounds like a win-win for everyone. I have to admit, I had to look up what a Keurig was. I’m not a coffee drinker. Nor am I a shoe collector. I really need to lead a more exciting life. 🙂
You do lead an exciting life – you are a published author! Although, I am surprised you are not a coffee drinker. Are you a tea drinker?
I do drink tea. I need some caffeine and am trying to switch up the diet soda for tea. I don’t always succeed, but I’m getting there. 🙂
Hahah! Good one! You really showed him. I get like that too. Once I get a “notion,” as my husband calls it, I can’t let go of it until I have it in my possession. Now that you have planted the Keurig seed in my head, it’s just a matter of time before I have to get one, too! LOL!
You have to get one! Sorry it has taken me forever to reply… I need to have a cup of coffee and get busy! 😉
Lol! What an awful bet to lose 😉
Lol! I think I may have to use this tactic another time, too!
Enjoy the coffee and the shoes!
Thank you! I do love shoes and coffee. It seems like they both fit most of the time! 😉
I read this at work on my iphone (the one I don’t know how to operate too good..lol) and laughed so hard. you are so sneaky but hey, got that Keurig.. I am a tad envious as my boring Mr Coffee looks so outdated.. Enjoy that well-won machine 🙂
Glad to give you a giggle! 🙂 I had a Mr. Coffee. He now stares at me from the top shelf in the pantry. Poor guy. The Keurig is fun!
Haha, genius idea! Can’t blame you, Keurig’s are fast and so many flavors! I just wish k-cups were cheaper. 😉
So do I! They are so expensive. I have found that I wait for them to go on sale and then buy, buy, buy them! 🙂
Oh Captain, my Captian! Such a sucker! Lucky for me the Doc wants one. Christmas gift? We wouldn’t even be close on a bet like yours. I think the Doc has about 7 pairs of shoes. Seriously. 7.
I can’t believe the Doc only has seven pairs of shoes! Wow! My plan worked two-fold because we both managed to clean out shoes and toss or donate some. 🙂
You should bottle this idea and sell it.
Why thank you! I just might do that. 🙂
Well done – I’m impressed with both your brilliant and tenacious deal-making ability as well as the sheer size of your shoe collection.
Ah, the shoes collection. He made the flip flops and all of the other silly shoes (including slippers) count. I do love shoes, though. They always seem to fit!
You are much kinder than me. I wouldn’t have bet, I might have had the discussion, maybe. But then I would have said, “fine you don’t want one when I buy it don’t even think of drinking any of my fabulous selections!”
So true! I also wanted him to clean out the closet – so I won on two levels! 🙂
Hahaha – you are a genius!!! Congratulations on your new Keurig. 🙂
Thanks so much! My home-brewed Starbucks coffee was awesome this morning!
This is hilarious– and also very impressive. When I was teaching, we often talked about engaging students by using games or challenges to kind of trick them into learning. I think you managed a similar stunt with your husband. Notice in both cases, the results are positive! Keep up the good work. 🙂
I love the trick them into learning philosophy! Thank you! 🙂
I am totally going to steal this excellent plan!
Please do! It worked like a charm! 🙂
You both have a lot of shoes. Enjoy the Keurig. The way you handled the situation was pretty smooth.
I did end up giving away many pairs of my shoes. This forced both of us to clean out the closet!
We could all learn so much from you! Great idea!
Bets do take things to the next level! Lol!
You are a wise woman!!
Why thank you! I try! 🙂
OMG if he reads this, you’re dead 🙂 No seriously though you’re an evil genius who I should emulate. *goes off to get notepad and pen*.
Lol! He read it and rolled his eyes. I kind of wonder if he knew all along… clever guy! 🙂
Oh, he wanted that Keurig!
I think he is enjoying it immensely! 🙂
You are a tricky lady, me thinks. Or The Captain really wanted that Keurig and played along. Funny story though.
I am getting the feeling that he may have been playing along – although the bet was tempting for him. He likes to bet if he knows he will win! 🙂
Wow, you guys have a lot of shoes! I think I have less than 10 pairs total, and half of them are sneakers! I’m guessing you’re now going to have less money to buy shoes now that you need to buy all these Keurig cups! 😉
I love a win/win situation!