Join Me in Snarkville

today, on this very same day of the week, I was born.  Anyone over the age of 34 probably remembers that day as the day that the heavens opened up and angels sang and there was sun shining where once there was only rain….(or, maybe that was just *MY* experience.  (And no, I’m not full of myself, why do you ask.)

But today, in most parts of the world, we celebrate the anniversary of my birth.  I know that many take this day off of work in order to celebrate fully; but I’m ok if you wish to just send gifts and well wishes for many more years to come.

<SLAP>  Ok, let’s get back to reality — because certainly this is not it.

Remember, I have had this ‘thing’ about my birthday.  Seriously, I’m obsessed and I tend to talk about it to everyone who stands still and makes the mistake of speaking to me between the months of July and October.  However, all I’ve ever wanted was a perfect birthday.  Something that I can neither define nor plan myself.  So, yes, you can guess that I’m not very good at my whole birthday thing, despite my constant talking about it.

But this year, I’ve not talked about it as much.  I had no inner excitement like in years past.  I think that my son’s obsession with his birthday might have sucked it from me — but that’s a guess.  Anyway, with all that is going on in our lives lately: a cruise to Alaska; a boy’s birthday party; Prince in an undisclosed location for a week; our upcoming trip to Paris; and a more work lately than I thought I had hours for; I’m pooped.  Almost too pooped to care about my birthday.  ALMOST.

First, my best friend, Niki, (seriously, she’s my closest friend because she taught me to knit and thus is the only person who might understand my current obsession — oh, and she’s really rather neat) understands my needs and she sent me a box of goodies a week ago.  Prince had my/his camera and I’ve been a horrible friend to not take photos (never fear, I’m no better now, but I promise there will be photos up in Flickr soon (like before Paris soon).  However, wrapped in color coordinated tissue paper, Niki sent me  two balls of sock yarn (one is called coffee and cream — um, she’s knows me); a pair of socks that she knitted (which might fit me better than any other sock I’ve gotten or made); a set of amazing stitch markers that she MADE*; a green shirt that goes with the theme; a cute little bag that I can’t wait to come up with a use for; and her husband found duck magnets and duck clips.  Ok, I’m loved.  I am such a great friend, I called her instantly thanked her and promised photos.  Then I promptly got sick, Prince left for a week, and I’m just now beginning to feel like taking the promised photos and blogging about it.  Um — everyone needs a friend like Niki, for what it is worth.

Next, Prince came home yesterday.  We sat around like slugs on Saturday because after our weeks both of us were POOPED.  I even let Duke skip his nap in exchange for ‘quiet’ time in his room, so I could sit in a quiet room for an hour and I loved it.  Prince and I had been talking for a bit about the iPod touch (for him) and the iPhone (for me).  I kept teasing him that I wanted an iPhone for my birthday.  He brought me back from his trip for my birthday a bottle of beer bread mix (just add beer) and an iTunes gift card.  So, after a little chatting and twisting of his rubberish arm, we headed off to the Apple store and bought both items (I want gifts on HIS birthday this year).  We come home and put Flushed Away on the TV for Duke (if you haven’t seen it — it is REALLY rather cute).  Prince boots up his Mac and instantly has his iPod all set-up and working.  Me?  I tried to activate my iPhone, BUT it seems that AT&T has decided in celebration of my birthday to take down all the systems to activate iPhones this WHOLE weekend.  Yes, that sucks.  I have an iPhone staring at me, teasing me, refusing to do anything because of the system update.  (estimated time to activation was 38 hours!!!)  I spoke to 7 people between Apple and AT&T.  At the end of 7 people, I got exactly 1 apology and a $50 credit on my AT&T account.  Happy Birthday to me.

Finally, this morning, I was stumbling in the kitchen to make coffee and breakfast and such.  I asked Duke, “Do you know what today is?” “Wednesday?” “No, Buddy, it is Sunday and it is my birthday.” “You’re 4?” “No, I’m 34; but it is my birthday.” “Will you get to blow out candle?” “Maybe, think I should?” “Yes, and I sing to you.”

And he sang Happy Birthday to Me.  Oh, yes — it is going to be a great birthday.

*The markers Niki made for me as awesome as they are reversible — for both large and small needles.  These are awesome.  Now as a die-hard lover of my small plastic rings, I’m working hard to get used to the dangle stitch markers.  What’s also cool is that my current knitting obsession is a cardigan and I need exactly the six markers she sent me.  Now, that’s pretty awesome.