October is my favorite month & 13 my favorite number. Can you guess why?
I grew up believing my birthday was worthy of celebration and like many of my middle class peers, birthday parties were de rigueur. I never had one of those Little Lord Fauntleroy parties replete with pony and chocolate fountain. But my folks were pretty indulgent, at least compared to my friends’ parents. I was allowed to plan my parties myself, right down to the guest list. And because I was greedy, this meant inviting as many kids as I could. One gift per kid x many kids = CHA-CHING! Don’t judge; who doesn’t like presents?
Preparations would begin weeks in advance, as I mulled over possible themes for the party. We would make a pilgrimage to the store to select goodie bags, paper plates, balloons and streamers. My mom, always generous, would let me pick whatever I wanted was deemed acceptable. After that we’d visit the bakery to order the cake. Fozzie Bear was a particular favorite.
Onto the all-important staging. Would the party be held at our house? The roller rink? Would it be a SLEEPOVER?! As one year outdid the last, my birthday parties took on a sort of life of their own, culminating in a third grade slumber party that still lives on in infamy. All of the girls in my class were invited, plus other friends. Imagine thirty 8- & 9-year olds, hopped up on candy and caffeine. Now picture my parents at 2 am when my friends had split into warring factions and the party was most definitely OVER.
My birthday parties morphed over time. At 16, a dear friend organized a surprise party for me and another best friend at her house. Which was AMAZING! Though I wish my sister hadn’t told me about it beforehand…. In my early 20s my folks were still spoiling me with toys but instead of dolls or video games, it was fat (phat) tires and rims for my Jeep Wrangler.
I met my (now) husband just before I turned 25. You might think the parties ended, but in a way they’d only just begun. Today is my 39th birthday. I am older than I’ve ever been and I love my life now more than ever. Each birthday is a reminder of who I am, where I am and where I’ve been. At 39, I have so many amazing people in my life, a loving family, and thanks to this blog, friends around the world. Thank you for celebrating with me.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgbNymZ7vqY&w=560&h=315]
Happy birthday to the best woman in the world! xoxoxoxo
OH MY GOODNESS!! Honey, you’ve just gifted me birthday GOLD. A comment from You! XOXOXO
Aww, man, how lucky! Kamran commented on my blog only once, and it was to defend me anonymously when some women were attacking me.
Happy birthday again, and I want some more teenage Dishy pictures!
Thanks babe! Those comments are serious GOLD. As for the photos, I’ll have to go through the old box. I was looking for baby pics – most of which are at my folks in Hotlanta. Should have better luck w the teen yrs – or at least early 20s. XO
Happy Birthday! What a great post. May the years keep getting better.
Jane, how lovely to hear from you! Thank you so much. Sending much love to you & your family & the rest of the crew on Beaumont! XO
Happy birthday to you my friend.I wish you more birthdays to come.Your memories of childhood and so your birthdays are quite nostalgic too..great post..
Thanks so much John!!
Oh Happy Birthday and look at that smile on your face when you were little! so cute! love the shot on the jeep in those boots! c
Yep – the cheese eating grin of a child about to eat cake. Can’t wait till tonight; you know what’s on the menu!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE COOLEST BLOG FRIEND OUT THERE!!!!! That Fozzie the Bear cake made my day!! Wish we could all go out rollerskating.
M – thank you so much!! I wish we could go skating too. The greatest feeling, to be set free on skates. 🙂
Happy birthday to youuuuuuuuuuu! Hope you have a wonderful day blogging buddy! (Love the muppet’s song, too. It’s your day to sing, “nothing really matters… nothing really matters, but MOI!)
Thank you my beautiful friend. I LOVE my birthday!!
Have a great birthday… I remember that slumber party you were talking about haha!!
Jen, hope you have an amazing time with your family tonight – please tell my birthday twin I said Hello!
I think we all remember that party – what a crazy time. BTW, I still have the wonderful teddy bear you gave me in 5th grade. Remember? My daughters cherish it now.
XO
Happy Birthday!!!
Love the pictures 🙂
And oh my goodness, SGS was literally right down the street from my house growing up! Maybe I saw you there! Lol!
I hope you have a wonderful, happy day!! Enjoy!!
SGS was (is?) the BEST!! Haven’t been back there in years, but man how I loved visiting when I was young. I saw on the website they’ve moved. Can’t imagine that place being anywhere except next to the train tracks!
Ok. We went to the same high school. I can’t believe it! I started getting suspicious so I went and grabbed my yearbook… then I had to google your maiden name to be sure it was you (am I a stalker???) and sure enough I was directed to you on facebook. You graduated a year ahead of me, but if I’m not mistaken, we are from the same hometown. How freaky is that?? Go Ghosts!
Thanks so much for the lovely birthday wishes!! And WOW – what an incredibly small world!!! Send me a friend request on FB anytime. PS: Stalker. Hhahahhahahahahhahah
I feel privileged to celebrate your birthday with you! Happy Birthday friend!
Enjoy year 39. 40 doesn’t seem to be that much different. It’s all just a number anyway. 😉
The Muppets rock!
The Muppets truly do rock!
I feel like the privileged one, getting such wonderful wishes from such special people. Thank you my friend.
PS: My (now-98 year old) grandma told me a long time ago. Age is is how you feel inside. She said she might have tissue-thin skin and be confined to a wheelchair, but she still feels 18 inside. I’ve never forgotten that.
Happy happy birthday to you!! I loved the pictures and the story about your legendary slumber party. I used to love my birthday so much back then, why not now, right? I hope your day is full of love, laughter and lots of cake. 😀
Thanks so much, Darla!! I am gearing up for the hubs arrival. Cake is imminent. Can’t wait!! 😀
Happy Birthday Dishy!! I just had my 36th and am enjoying it so far. Have a fabulous year!
Thanks so much, Jody! Happy birthdays all around!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Glad for the day you were born, and glad that you are here on earth to share your tales in bloggerville. And seriously, what is a birthday with out a fozzy bear cake? Just ask roseann, LOL
xoxoxo Hope you celebrate your life liek a rock star every year. enjoy!
C – you never fail to make me laugh. Hope Roseann doesn’t mind sharing her cake! Love ya babe!
HAPPY (first anniversary of your) 30TH BIRTHDAY! 😉
THANK YOU my friend!!
Hahaha! I love the math logic behind birthday parties 🙂 Happy Happy birthday to you!
Yes, I had the greed – I mean, math, all figured out. LOL
Thanks so much Tori!
Oh my God! Please tell me that your mom does NOT have red hair in this first picture!
Sure looks like it , huh?! Maybe it’s just the lighting and penciled in brows??! I’ll have to ask.
happy birthday Maddie’s mom!!!! 😀
Thank you Linda — so sweet of you!
Happy happy happy birthday!!!!!
Thank you my lovely friend!!
I totally agree with you that October is the best month, but it’s the 14th and not the 13th that is the best number.
Happy Birthday, Christy! And are sure that’s not a Wombie on that cake?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BINKY!!
My father in law’s birthday is today too – the 14th is most definite a good day! ENJOY, my friend!
PS: Fozzie says NO.
How adorable is it that your husband posts the first comment! 😉 And friends from the original slumber party sending you well wishes. Your post was fun to read (I feel like I remember the era), and at 42, I can tell you, it just keeps getting better and better. I think October is a beautiful month to have a birthday. Happy Birthday to you Christy!
Thank you so much, Rufina!! I am very blessed. Have a wonderful day! 🙂
Happy birthday.
I like you phrase “Each birthday is a reminder of who I am”
Yes, I think so. I’m not someone’s parent or someone’s friend. I’m who I am..
Thanks Cocomino! We all wear many hats but it’s important to – at least one day of the year – focus on ourselves. Which I most certainly DID. lol
….believe it or not I DID remember your birthday!….but spent last two days on our roof as it is being retiled, and my wireless connection did not work up there!
So how’s that for an excuse!!!
Happy BirthdayI
PS I am trying to forget mine…I’ve had too many already!…in fact if anyone reading your blog wants a spare birthday or two, they are welcome to have them!
Harry, if you really remember I’m amazed! And if you really didn’t, at least you’re a good fibber!
Hope the roof’s all done and you’re safe & sound back on the ground!
PS: no shifting any yrs on me. give them to a local. it’s the right thing to do.
omg! i’m the worst amiga. instead of wishing you happy birthday, i was having panic attacks at philly airport! aahaha. please forgive me for forgetting. xoxoxo have a great year.
no worries, pal – everyone has panic attacks at the philly airport!
hope you’re having a blast (i know you are!)
XO
Awww, I love the pictures you shared! Happy Belated Birthday!!!
Thanks so much, my friend!!
Sorry, I’ve been out on the road, very busy, with little to no access to the internet. Happy belated birthday! Congratulations on surviving another revolution around the sun. 😉
Happy Birthday to you!! Wish you all the best! 😀
Hi there, I’m new to your blog and it looks like I’ve gotten here on a most auspicious post! I hope I’m not too late to slide in some belated birthday wishes!
I love that Muppet video.
-Jackie
Happy Birthday! I’m an October baby too—though a lot closer to Halloween which definitely used to affect my childhood birthday parties.
OHMIGOD, I AM SO LATE TO THIS PARTY! I was out of the country, I SWEAR!
Happy, Happy Birthday to YOUUUUUUUUUUUU!
I especially love how “cha ching” is right above that picture where you are grinning like a maniac. LOVE.
Happy Birthday Christy….wishing you a life full of joy, good health, success , peace and tons of love. You made me smile when you mentioned that you used to plan your birthday and invite as many kids. more kids, more gifts. My son is like that now and its just adorable. My son is having his Birthday this weekend and he is all excited. He’s even doing a countdown! I hope to share it in my future post. Once again, wishing a beautiful and memorable Birthday. God bless you and your family always.
I arrived late but Happy Birthday Christy.
Happy Birthday and great post–love the muppets video, too!
Happy Halloween….I bet your kids had an awesome and fun time. My son was a pirate…the boots was to big for him he just wore his sneakers. This are the times we will always remember for our little ones. Best wishes….
Happy belated birthday!
Oh, I hope you had the happiest of birthdays!
How could I miss it?!?!
MAN! My timing is the best. Or NOT.
I’m wishing you only the very best in 39, Dishy! You really do deserve it!!!
🙂
HUGE thanks for all the amazingly lovely birthday wishes! Much appreciated!!!