Birthdays: Better Than Veronica Mars

These are the fourth birthday cupcakes (yellow cake, chocolate frosting) that my husband has had a hand in making for me. (That first year and the year we lived with his parents, I'm fairly certain my mother-in-law helped a bit.) And, as I mentioned on flickr, it's a tradition because it's awesome. I had these waiting for me when I got home from drinks with Crystal last night. The champagne is courtesy of a co-worker, who apparently doesn't know me AT ALL. And I didn't snap a picture of the wine glass Crystal gave (paired with all the ingredients needed to make a yummy wine spritzer), but I will because it's, also, awesome. And perhaps I'll snap pictures of my other gifts because I didn't get an iPhone for either Christmas or my birthday and comforting myself with what I did get is a full-time activity nowadays.

Mike told me I could pick anywhere I wanted for dinner last night and since I had that same grueling task for our larger get-together tonight (my favorite hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant) I just couldn't decide another place. So I thought long and hard about what I really wanted and called Mike to tell him I was ordering a pizza and queuing up The Amazing Race and warming up the bed. It was one of the best birthday dinners I can remember. I fell asleep on Mike's stomach and awoke about an hour later to a rumbling sound. My "WHAT WAS THAT?" question was answered by Mike sputtering between full-body laughs, "That was you snoring. You just woke yourself up."

The sexiness reached new highs, obviously, as I welcomed twenty-six.

Anyway! Thanks for all the birthday wishes. It was just the best day.

(Although, I will say, my profile on blogger—which I worked up because blogger just about insists any non-blogger blogger comment on favorite blogger blogs by signing into your own blogger account*—that I'm listed as a Capricorn [check] and born in the year of the rooster [Wait? WHAT THE...]. I was born in 1982, and for TWENTY-SIX DAMN YEARS I thought I was born in the year of the dog, but apparently not. Apparently the year of the dog began on January 25 in 1982 and so I'm the year of the stupid effing rooster [like the worst animal of the lot] and talk about identity crisis. This almost rivals the time I stumbled upon my birth certificate and realized my middle name [Noel] wasn't listed on it and I WAS TWELVE. I was difficult and combative until my mom filed the necessary paperwork [and paid the necessary fees] to right that particular wrong.)

*Whoa. I need to lay down now. Too many mentions of the word blog.

::

So, yesterday I was all, "my only resolution will be to love everyone for what they are" and I felt all good about 2008 and just rolling with it and living in the moment and taking today for today and then as I worked my way through 266 (!) blogs in my Google Reader (note to self: never take another vacation again) and read just list after list of your really fantastic resolutions, I decided I wanted a few resolutions of my own. And after reading this detailed post, I got all antsy to make a similar one. So I'm going to follow suit. (Resolution one: be more of a leader than a follower.) Expect that shortly. (Resolution two: write resolution list.)

:

Also inspired by Stara, I'm not shopping for 30 days starting Monday. I won't buy an article of clothing (for myself), a pair of shoes (for myself) or accessories (for myself). (She's doing it for 60 days and I wish I had medals just lying around for this sort of thing because HOLY CRAP she'll deserve one after 60 days of not shopping). I'm going to try it out for 30 and if my marriage is as near-perfect as I imagine it'll be by the end of it all, I may go for another 30. We'll see. I AM HUMAN. I MAKE NO PROMISES. I won't give up shopping for birthdays/weddings/showers and you're welcome for that if you have a birthday, wedding or shower in the next 30 days. I think this is going to be good. I'll keep you posted.

BANANA REPUBLIC! STOP MOCKING ME WITH YOUR BIG ORANGE SALE SIGNS!

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I have grand plans to do a little wine tasting and drink copious amounts of margaritas tonight. If you can't be knocked up, I think tequila is a helluva consolation prize. If you're going to be with me, can't wait! If you can't be with me, fine fine, I'll have a drink in your honor.

Comments

[Katie]

Oooh, me, me, have a drink in my honor! Also, how cute is it that Mike baked you cupcakes? And he even put them in the holder!! (I have that same one and I LOVE IT!). Oh, and I'm the year of the Rooster, nothing wrong with that :) And one more thing: 30 days without shopping? That is so much harder than NaBloPoMo ever was. I can't even fathom that one! Good luck, hon!

[Jess]

Okay, first of all I can trump you with my year, which is that of the Rat. At least they don't refer to Rooster as Cock because then you would trump me again. Also this is the year that I will be 24 which means that it's about to be the year of the Rat again, and I am slightly excited about this, which shames me.

Also, why did the font suddenly get smaller? My vision is good but not THAT good. Jesus.

[slynnro]

You could fashion me a medal out of J.Crew gift cards. Just a thought.

Thanks for the props- sixty days does still seem interminable, BUT I do feel oddly sort of cleansed by this whole deal (which sounds ridiculously dramatic- I gave up shopping, I'm not going on a hunger strike for world peace or something). I was feeling bad about my purchases, and now I have no purchases to feel bad about. It's nice.

[Michelle]

I think the year of the rat is way worse. I have no idea what my year is... in animals anyway.

[Kitty]

Happy belated birthday, dear! Glad it went well. =)

[Someone Being Me]

Sounds like you had a wonderful birthday. Sorry to hear about the whole Dog/Rooster thing. And although I don't know you beyond your blog, from what I read on Wikipedia Rooster seems to fit you pretty well. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rooster_%28zodiac%29 . Like this quote "Roosters always appear attractive and beautifully turned out. They are sociable and love to receive attention." It also says you are Brave, enthusiastic, witty, loyal, hardworking, meticulous, generous, talented. You are even semi-compatible with my Monkey sign. Doesn't sound all bad does it?

[anne]

And I will have one (or three) in your honor. Well I will be having them anyway!
And since I AM shopping becuase my holiday season blew - I am in LOVE with those shoes on your side bar from Anthro and I think I may buy them. Sorry.

[Kristabella]

Yummy cupcakes!

Also, Blogger fixed all that nonsense and you can post a comment with your nickname and URL. It only took them like a month to figure out it was a stupid thing to take out in the first place.

I'm the year of the Snake, I think. Which is good, because my favorite ASU QB was Jake "The Snake" Plummer. Which I'm naming my first born after, boy or girl.

Have fun tonight!

[Loralee]

First: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Second: Mmmm...Cupcakes...

Third: It's not unusual for me to go 60 days without buying shoes or clothing or accessories, but then, I'm a SAHM and so a lot of the pressure is off.

(NOT that I don't still love it.)

[Closetmom]

Have a great time!
30 days, wow, I really don't think I could do it. Good for you!

[Kristie]

20 WHOLE days of not shopping!! WOW! I commend your goal. I will not presuade you to buy anything, I swear! See you in mere hours!

[ALF]

found your site from dooce's - just stopped by to say hi!

[Erin]

I thought I was born in the year of the monkey (at least so said all those chinese restaurant placemats!) and blogger rudely corrected me. I don't remember what year it said I was born in (Feb 1980), but I no longer use blogger and I've blocked it from my mind. To me, you will always be born in the year of the dog!

[alyndabear]

Hahaha..... oh dear. The snoring part just made me laugh out loud! How sweet that he made cupcakes for you. Happy Birthday! xo

[Amanda Brown]

You're only 26?! That's how old I am! I have always felt like you're more mature than I am, what with the career and all, and just the tone of your writing. I mean that in the best way, you know! Not, like "I thought you were older because your neck is wrinkly" but, you have a wisdom beyond your years. Happy Birthday!

[Lisa]

A bit late, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I was born 1982 myself. Year of the dog. Don't worry about it, we're adopting you as one of ours because we love you and have gotten used to you for 25 years now. Haha. About Blogger, a whole bunch of us whiners got them to bring the "Other" option back. :)

[Constance]

I love the cupcakes idea! I also love the "thinking about what you REALLY want and doing THAT" idea. That's the BEST.

[Unnaturally Blonde]

I think that sounds like a great birthday night with Mike. I love spending nights at home, relaxing together, especially in bed!