Saturday 14 February 2009

VALENTINE'S DAY - A SURPRISE FOR MRS TROY

Do you make much of a fuss about Valentine's Day? We don't normally in the Troy household. Perhaps that comes of being together now for over twenty years. At the start of our relationship Mrs Troy actually got an artist to prepare a handmade card for me which I still treasure. I was going to photograph it and show it here but rather frustratingly I can't find it. But I do treasure it, honest!

More recently though we haven't exchanged valentine cards or even wedding anniversary cards. It all seems so commercial and the money saved can be put towards a nice meal or the latest Ipswich Town football programme. You may have gathered from reading previous posts that Troy is not one normally to "splash the cash". There is however one thing that I do like more than not spending money and that is buying A Bargain. During the week I was reading my Daily Telegraph when I came across a Marks & Spencer advert for their "Valentine Collection for her". This large advert showed a collection of valentine gifts - a card, a real red rose, Belgian chocolates and some heart motif lingerie for £20. I did a double take. That seems a Real Bargain for £20 I thought and given that it was M&S I was confident that the quality would be fine. So I resolved to surprise Mrs Troy this Valentines Day. Thursday morning saw me going through Mrs Troy's lingerie drawer to make sure I would be buying the correct sizes for the underwear. An alternative, which I first favoured, would have involved lining up several sales assistants in the store and by use of my outstretched hands ascertaining the correct size. However on further consideration I did not think that M&S would encourage, or even approve of this approach.

So armed with the correct sizes I then ventured into the M&S store. If any of you have seen the hilarious Father Ted sketch when the priests find themselves lost in the women's lingerie department then you know how I was feeling. But needs must, so I ventured in bravely. The heart motif underwear along with the cards, roses and chocolates were on clear display. I quickly fumbled my way through first the bras and then the knickers (so no change from usual there then), found the correct sizes and then took the collection to the "Pay Here" area. I did feel self-conscious handing over the bra and knickers. "Do you want a gift receipt so you can bring them back?" asked the assistant. "Just for the underwear" I replied "I don't think she'll be bringing back the chocolates!" I joked with the stern faced assistant. I then brought them home and photographed my bargains. Here they are:-


I then had to wait impatiently until this morning to surprise Mrs Troy. But surprise her I did. First the card, followed swiftly by the rose. "Oh" she said, in a surprised voice. Then came the chocolates and finally a small bag containing the underwear. Think of gobsmacked and then go a level higher. "I haven't got you a card because you said we wouldn't bother" she chided me whilst hastily trying on her new lingerie. However shortly afterwards she handed me a card. Apparently she had bought a card just in case I gave her one (and yes, I mean a card!).

If you were given very expensive silk lingerie or were taken on a romantic weekend to Venice please do not comment to this effect. Mrs Troy is happy so please don't spoil it.

24 comments:

Marian Dean said...

Well I think Mrs T must be well pleased with your Valentine gift! What a lovely chap you are. I got teased Himself had forgotten, as no mention of the day was made, so I just ignored it to. Then a card and a big red fluffy stuffed heart appeared mid-morning. So all was forgiven. Like you and Mrs T I thought we had an understanding, No More Gifts... too commercial and all that. The last few years we have settled for a hug and kiss and a wish for Happy Valentines Day, but he saw this fluffy heart in a charity ( charity!!!) shop.
Ain't love grand.
Love Granny

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Lucky Mrs Troy, I'm not surprised she was thrilled.

So brave of you to have to go and choose that lingerie. I find it impossible to choose for myself, so deciding what to buy someone else must be awful.

DJ Kirkby said...

Oh how lovely! So glad you bought Mrs Troy something, how wonderful to have been each other's support for so many years! Every day should be Valentine's day in some small measure but it is nice that you made an obvious show of your appreciation for her. Expensive lingere and trips to Venice? bah! I had all that many years ago and it means nothing compared to the wonderfulness of what I have with Chopper every day. (p.S. please Mrs Troy, start blogging again, I really enjoyed your posts)

Tim Atkinson said...

Happy even though her underwear's displayed for all to see, eh?! Or hasn't she seen the blog yet?

Troy said...

GotW - its nice to be romantic and frugal. Thanks for your comment.

Debs - It is not a comfortable place to be. Often they put lingerie next to the ladies changing rooms so I have to hang around there whilst Mrs Troy tries things on. I make frequent glances at the changing rooms to show I'm not just lurking around the underwear. But people probably just think I'm trying to look into the changing rooms!

Denyse - I think the surprise factor is the key. I don't like to be predictable.

Dotterel - Mrs Troy is a stripper in a lap dancing club so the underwear on display is not a problem. I actually asked her permission before I did the blog. She read the draft first and approved it. Oh, and the first sentence here is NON FACTUAL!

HelenMWalters said...

Glad Mrs Troy liked her presents. What a nice hubby you are.

Dave said...

Just got back from a romantic weekend in Venice, wearing the silk underwear I was given - oh no, you didn't want to hear about that, did you?

Troy said...

Helen - I cannot argue with your observation.

Dave - you should have stayed until Monday - or did you run out of clean underwear?

Ladybird World Mother said...

What a hero you are. Forget guns and risking life... M&S Lingerie Department is what True Grit is all about. Well done!! (I am somewhat disappointed you didnt go for the thongs and tassles. But there you go.. cant get everything in M&S.)

Troy said...

LWM - yes I did feel a hero. But thong and tassle??? what do you take me for, some sort of pervert?

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Oh blimey, another blog I've got to hide from my wife!

Catharine Withenay said...

Great to hear that true romance isn't dead!!

Troy said...

Ken - only for a few weeks I hope!

Catharine - I'm sure Mrs Troy is already looking forward to the next time, probably 2015.

Leigh Forbes said...

Well done, Troy. I think you did very well there, and were very brave too. I am glad Mrs Troy appreciated your efforts.

I did not receive very expensive silk underwear, and nor was I treated to a trip to Venice, but I did get to go to Model World's 2009 exhibition in Brighton. Sadly, this was not a display of fit young men, but a very large collection of miniature trains/planes/boats/tanks/circuses/doll houses/and so on. Rather odd, but fascinating. The kids loved it!

Troy said...

Leigh - I don't think the lingerie department will seem as daunting in the future. The Model World exhibition sounded fun but I often find those sort of events get too busy to really enjoy them - too many heads and elbows get in the way.

Anonymous said...

Your Mrs Troy is a very lucky bunny. However, I never do Valentines as I'm just not romantic and neither is the farmer. Wouldn't have said no to the chocs though..!

CJ xx

Troy said...

CJ - I'm not actually a fan of dark Belgian chocolates, preferring milk chocolate Galaxy or the like. Oh, wait a minute, the chocolate wasn't for me!
If Mrs Troy is a lucky bunny then please keep the farmer and his shotgun under control when we visit Northumberland!

Suzanne Ross Jones said...

Mrs Troy is very lucky.

(Loved that Father Ted episode - and think you're very brave.)

Trixie said...

Sooo...did she have that card waiting for quite a few years? Or does she get a new one each year hoping you will do something?

Troy said...

Suzanne - hello and welcome to my blog. That Father Ted episode is silly but VERY funny.
I see from your blog that you work 8 hours a week more than me - its a hard life isn't it.

Trixie - that's a good question. It had a sticker for one shilling and eight pence on the back if that helps?

The Accidental Author said...

I got a new garden path for Valentine's Day. Lingerie would have been nicer but sadly wouldn't have stopped my shoes getting muddy on the way from the car to the house. VLiF (found you via Hadriana)

cheshire wife said...

Now we all know what you spent! Bargain or not. Discretion is the better part of valour.

Unknown said...

So I guess the question is did you get suitably rewarded, after such an excellent effort...(snigger!)

Troy said...

VLiF - welcome to my blog. Now you have the new path you can look forward to nice silk lingerie next year.

Cheshire Wife - hello there, I will consider myself deservedly rebuked and admonished.

Sarah!!!! I always get suitably rewarded for just being me!