NinjaHusband just asked me if I was getting excited about birthday time. I had kind of forgotten that my birthday is tomorrow, what with this month having been the busiest month EVER, and planning to go away this weekend (the trip is actually my Christmas present). So when he asked, I yelled “BIRTHDAY TIME!!!!!” and did a little dance in my desk chair out of sheer glee.
I’ve decided to share my delight at turning TWENTY-EIGHT, my delight with my new tattoo, and my delight at the glories of winter (I know it’s sucking the life out of you, just go with it) with you, and am hosting a contest! With prizes! And a birthday!
How To Play
(1) Simply leave me a comment telling me about your favorite/wackiest/weirdest or whatever birthday memory. Be detailed!
(2) Be sure to leave your comment with a real email address, so that if you win I can tell you about it.
(3) You have until Thursday, January 31st at midnight Central Time to get in on the birthday memory action.
(4) I’ll use a random number generator to choose who gets what prizes. Yes, there are TWO PRIZES!
The Two Prizes
(1) The First Prize:
Coffee mug, Mary Kay Satin Lips set, and 2 skeins of KnitPicks Essential Solids sock yarn
(2) The Second Prize:
Mary Kay Satin Hands set (hand cream, exfoliating stuff, and another hand cream), complete with carrying case
I was given these lovely Mary Kay items as a gift but, because my sister sells Mary Kay, I’m set for life. I like these products, though, especially in winter and especially for knitters. They’re good products, and thorough.
One of my favorite birthday memories comes to you from 1986, when the Chicago Bears beat the pants off the New England Patriots on my sixth birthday. I didn’t really know what was going on and thought that all the yelling and cheering and hoopla was for me. Because my birthday was the awesomest.
Bonus birthday memory: NinjaHusband proposed to me the first time on my 21st birthday. (Yes, we were engaged twice. The second one stuck.)
Alright, bring on the birthday memories!
My birthday is 31 Oct. For my first few years I thought that people got dressed up, gave you presents, and you gave them candy on your birthday. It helped that my mom taught pre-k so all the kids and their siblings and their parents would come by!
Otherwise my favouritest birthday present happened the night before my birthday a few years ago… and is similar to your bonus memory: That was the night E proposed to me (finally)… I still think it was the best gift I’ve ever received. The ring was an added bonus! [nb: he really didn't plan on doing it then and has no good reason for why he finally decided to do so]
PS HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
NO WAY! My birthday is February 1st. I don’t have any good memories really, but I look forward to reading other peoples!
Ummm, once on my 21st birthday, I went to Stratford-upon-Avon for the day. I fell asleep next to a river when I was supposed to be studying in the afternoon, and then I ate at what I still remember to be one of the best Indian restautants ever with my best friend and some really, really annoying guy named Dave who then awkwardly tried to pay for the whole thing. And then we all saw a mediocre version of Hamlet where the lead got a standing ovation that 1) he didn’t deserve and 2) went on way too long. And then when we all got home my friends gave me a giant dictionaries and it was awesome. And almost no one knew it was by birthday, which ruled. And I managed to not have a drop of alcohol on my 21st. Which also ruled.
The end.
Happy day-before-your-Birthday, girl!! I say this now, because it feels rude & intrusive to call you on your weekend holiday to say so in person. Heh.
My birthday’s rarely been a thing to write about, which is okay. Princess Diana died on my 19th birthday, which was surreal. My 20th was much better…I spent it in Chicago with my adorable fiance (at the time, of course…now he’s my beloved husband), hanging out at Brookfield Zoo. Afterwards, we changed into nice clothes (on top of a parking garage in broad daylight…we were spotty plan-ahead-ers at best) & went to a lovely dinner at the Berghoff, a FABULOUS German restaurant downtown that closed a year or two ago and completely broke my heart. The bastards.
My birthday is May 29th.. which typically falls around Memorial Day weekend celebrations. One year we were having a pool party of sorts in our yard (small pool, hot year) and I was in my bathing suit, before the party started.. looking for my dad. The last place I had seen him.. was hosing of the basement stairs (which makes no sense to me.. because who cares if your basement stairs are dirty?) Anyhow.. the stairs were cement.. they were wet.. and so where my feet. I went running down those stairs, slipped.. and went down to the bottom. Knocked the wind out of myself and of course, split next to my eye right open. Had to go and have stitches and I was late for my own party. I turned 7 that day.
Hello there! I’m a bit of a lurker. I wanted to say hello, and Happy Birthday!
I LOVE your new tattoo. I have only one small tattoo, and I’m ready for a new one.
My family moved from VA to PA not too too long before my 7th birthday which is in August. Moving only a few months before my birthday didn’t allow me much time to make friends, but I managed to coerce a few kids in the neighborhood that I was pretty cool, despite not really being able to ride a bike and despite really liking matching sweatsuits. (This was the 80s.)
As per usual, my mother made me a lovely strawberry birthday cake with cream cheese frosting, and blue kool-aid. My father, thinking that he was being funny, told everyone that the blue kool-aid was Smurf Piss. Audibly, the neighborhood kids, let out a groan of “Ewwwww.” Dad’s comment did irreparable damage to the level of fun at the party with my new-found, not-set-in-stone friends… No one would drink it. Everyone abandoned their drinks.
I did manage to survive despite the embarrassment, and to this day, I cannot drink blue beverages without referring to them as Smurf Piss.
First of all Happy Birthday!
Well, my birthday memory needs some back story:
My mom would always volunteer to be in charge of Girl Scout Day Camp which was over my birthday. My mother would forget my birthday EVERY YEAR. This happened for a total of 9 years in a row starting at 8 years old. Now the first few years I actually got really depressed by it but once i got into middle school (and was able to be a volunteer myself at camp) I started to announce that my birthday was that week. Seeing that I was in charge of teaching crafts all the girls met me and knew me. At least one troop would bring cake or brownies and I would eat lunch with that troop (sometimes I would eat 2 or 3 lunches that day with different troops with some sweets at the end). I loved it. I didn’t get gifts but it was like the whole day was a huge party just for me!
Happy Birthday!
My Birthday is January 19th. My favorite birthday memory was when I turned 8- I had a cake shaped like the number 8!
Being that my birthday was not too long after Christmas, I very rarely had parties.
Mom used to let us have a friend over for our birthday dinner and we were allowed to choose the meal. I always managed to have two friends – one of my own, and I absolutely adored my Mom’s friend, Norah, so she came too! One year I was so excited about dinner because there was something new on the market and I just HAD to have it. Mom was a bit flustered about the whole thing though … I chose CUP-A-SOUP!!!
Happy Birthday!
My birthday is August 1st and I was born on my mother’s birthday. can you just imagine being in labor for hours on your birthday? LOL
The best memories are from my childhood as mom would always throw a huge party to celebrate our birthdays………….she had her friends, I had my friends…….tons of games, music, dancing, it was a blast. Now that I’m older though and my mom lives 1600 miles away………think the last birthday party I had was almost 20 years ago now………….all the good memories make up for that though
I missed your birthday! Oh no, I’m sorry. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
I usually have pretty crappy birthdays, but this past year I turned 26 and my birthday is on the 26th of May, so it was my golden and my Mom was super excited. We went to the cottage with my family, and after dinner my Mom made me go in the other room. I was thinking about cake and candles, but when i came out, there wasn’t any,and of course I started feeling really sorry for myself and mad that no one cared that it was my birthday-it’s what I do-and I looked outside and nailed to the huge oak tree in front of the porch is a giant sign-I mean like 10 feet high-that reads:
“Happy 26th Birthday from Tragdor”
And then it has a sweet spray-painted drawing of Trodgor from Homestar Runner and it is totally awesome, even more so because it is spelled wrong and it is hilarious and I coulnd’t stop laughing/crying.
When I was a Senior in college, I met my husband-to-be, and after a week of dancing around the subject, we had our first real
date on August 22. We flew (he was the pilot) in a Cesna
132 to Provincetown, where we had hot dogs on the pier and
then sat on the beach at Race Point looking at the lights of
Boston, listening to the Provincetown airport’s signal beacon
squeak as it turned.
As we flew home that night, while watching the lights of
Boston, I realized it was my birthday, and that I had just
turned 21.
Happy belated birthday!
[...] is having a contest to celebrate her birthday. Leave her a comment with your favorite birthday memory and you could win some prizes. Contest [...]
Happy Birthday! Found you from Chris… Let’s see, the year I turned 30 was one of many changes (like leaving an 8 year relationship, going back to school to get an MS), and I was sitting in my new home with a friend that I’d housemated with before, sobbing, sobbing, sobbing. Lonely, confused, why why why. And she comes in from the kitchen, holding a pie she baked for me, with 30 candles blazing. She looked like the statue of liberty! And I realized I had my good friend, and others like her, and that I’d be just fine.
Happy Happy day to you! I came over from Chris’ too. The memory of a b-day that stands out is when I turned 40. My husband threw a surprise party and I was two hours late to it. I was feeling sorry for myself and had dessert at a resturant and was taking my time, not knowing that a ton of people were waiting for me, and he never let on how antsy he was getting waiting for me to hurry up and finish so he could get me to the party. I was blown away he could keep a secret so well. Hope your year is filled with fibery goodness!
By and large I hate my birthday. This horrible attitude started the year I turned 21. I woke up feeling and looking absolutely no different than I did before and at that point I realized that I was just older. I do love to celebrate others’ birthdays though. Happy birthday to you!
My favorite birthday memory? When my entire third grade class came to my house for my birthday party. And Marius Masumas, a boy I thought was so smart and so cute, gave me this wonderful music box shaped like an old-fashioned Victrola. And it actually had little records that you put on the Victrola to play different songs.
The sad part? When I was in my twenties, I asked my mom, “What ever happened to that cool Victrola music box?” And she looked at me funny and we talked about it and I realized that the whole thing…music box, party, little records…was all a dream. Man, for years that was my perfect party!
And I still wonder what ever became of Marius….
Happy Birthday!
My bbirthday is nearly here too (Feb 1), and a dear friend (who’s birthday is within a week of mine) and I decided to make a big deal of turning 30 — we rented the back room of a local pub, hired two great bands (friends & family, but great nonetheless!), I baked nearly 100 cupcakes, and we invited just about everyone we knew. I don’t think I’ve had a happier birthday-related moment than last Saturday when the band was playing, people were listening and chatting and dancing, and my friend turned to me with a huge smile, saying “These happy people are all here to celebrate US!”
Favorite? I lived in the Seattle area when I was a kid and from before kindergarten plus a few years my best friend Suzie lived behind me. Her birthday was the day before mine so in school they were always celebrated on the same day. The best part though was we alternated birthday parties. One year at my house, the next at hers etc. Her Mom used to make a strawberry angel food cake with pink 100% gooey frosting, I think made from marshmallow creme. YUM
My mom used to send us on scavenger hunts around our property for our presents. We had 5 acres!
My favorite is when I was around 8 and she sent me far and wide over the whole 5 acres and the hunt ended up in my own bedroom closet. It was a hamster! (in a cage of course)
Happy Birthday!! The one birthday memory that sticks out for me is my first day on a new job (with the same company) in a new city! Yes the big 4.0. and my sis and bro decided to do it up with a singing Gorilla of all things!!! There I stood in the midst of feeling my way around the new office with new co-workers and this dumb looking gorilla singing Happy Birthday to me!!
Needless to say, it is one I won’t soon forget.
Well, well, well! My birthday stands on Jan 19th… yes, every year
And every year it snows like crazy and the weather is ALWAYS below. This year it was -1 in Chicago. So I have decided to do two things. I officially moved my birthday this year and “my new 2008 birthday” will now be on March 14th. Thats the day I leave to go to New York and spend “my 2008 birthday” with my friends. And next year I will go back to my old bday and celebrate it in Mexico…lol. it’s funny but I am so serious. I never get to do anything but ski on my birthday.
Hey there, Happy Birthday! I am also quite the lurker, although at times i chat chat and don’t shut up! Beware of tattoo’s! (yours is so cute!) I have oh, a few! Already have the one i want for this years birthday picked out!
One of my most memorable birthdays was our first year in hawaii, so it must have been my 24th birthday. Hubby and I decided to take a rescue dive training class, the last day ended up falling on my birthday. I was the only girl with 8 other guys having to lug them around both in and out of the water, throwing buoy’s from the boat, search & rescue drills, cpr in the water, etc. (loved it!) My 2 year old daughter was having a blast building sand castles and playing with her new “uncles” as well. What touched me was once we graduated from the class the group suprised me with a birthday bar b que. They had pre planned everything! Fresh fruits, poke, rice, standard burgers & grilled sweet potato and for dessert a choc haupia cream pie complete with candle! (oh and a cooler full of refreshment) Even a few dive related gag gifts. I was sincerely touched . I think it even beat my 16th birthday at chuck e cheese (lol, that was for goofy fun, the man at the table next to me was celebrating his 60th)
My favorite birthday started out as my most horrible birthday…
My b-day is on April 7, and I turned 30 three years ago. It was totally 16 Candles….I went over to my parents’ house for dinner, and there was no mention made…not a card, not my usual bundle of yellow roses, not a single present (and we are IN to the presents!). Nothing. Just a nice, random dinner in the middle of the week.
And nothing was said again for months…no mention that I was 30, no mention of my birthday at all. I’m the oldest, so I started thinking that maybe my parents decided that birthdays stop at 30 for all of us, and had forgotten to mention it to me. And I couldn’t think of a nice way to say, “Hey people! What about my damn birthday! I didn’t turn 30 for fun!!”
Finally, near the end of May, the silence broke, and I got the best.gift.ever….a trip to England with my sisters who were all having big things that year (big b-days and graduation). It was marvelous and how I got to go is almost as good of a story as what happened on the trip.
One of my most fun birthday memories was my 39th. I had gone to Atlanta with girlfriends for Women of Faith and we were celebrating one of our group’s 50th birthdays. We had a big bag of 50 sets of 50 items for her to open. What I didn’t know was that they were scheming something for me too. We’ve always joked that my theme phrase is “It’s All About Me” and they gave me an “It’s All About Me” party. I got a blanket, socks, pillow, stickers that all said “It’s All About Me” – the blanket even had a girl on it that looked like me. The funniest thing was an “It’s All About Me” scrapbook that they had completed for me, complete with Photo-shopped pictures of me in absolutely ridiculous scenes. I laughed so hard I had to stop and go to the bathroom about 3 times before I could get through the book! (I know, you would have had to be there and seen that book.) Anyway, that was one of my most memorable b-days.
Happy birthday! Funny birthday memory…hmmm, a couple of years ago the hubby bought me birthday cake. Wht made it memorable??? It was Barney purple! Fabulous.
Other birthday memory, when I was about 6 my friend gave me underwear on my birthday. And for years after she would say, as she handed me my birthday present,”I swear, it’s not underwear”. Until my 19th birthday when it was, ahem, risque underwear!
My wife, who is not a knitter, took me to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival for my 50th birthday. She walked around with me, ohhed and ahhed at all the yarn (remember she doesn’t knit and yarn is yarn to her) bought me some very nice yarns and carried all the packages around. Then she came back with me the next day and did it all again. It was a wonderful birthday.
Hi there! Happy birthday!
I saw this contest on Ravelry and thought I’d get in on it
One of my favorite birthday memories is from when I turned 14. My family always makes a big deal about birthdays, and there’s never a shortage of gifts, but that year, they outdid themselves! Not only did I get lots of great presents, but that morning, they got me up early to go on a scavenger hunt around the apartment to find them! I was first presented with a birthday card that my brother and dad wrote a poem on. The poem gave a hint as to what my first present was, and where to find it. When I figured out the location and went to look, there was my present along with a SECOND birthday card, with a different poem/clue. My dad and brother are really good poets anyway, so just reading all the poems alone was lots of fun, but all the presents didn’t hurt, either! It was, hands-down, the best way to start out a birthday!
My favorite birthday was all of them while I was in school. My birthday was always during April vacation. I thought, when I was little, that they had the vacation just because it was my birthday. Why not…Washington’s birthday (now President’s day) had Feb vacation for it….wasn’t I just as important.