Last year, my birthday went by in such a 38-weeks-pregnant haze that for the entire year, I thought I was still 40 years old.
This year, in a half-effort to pay more attention to myself, I’m acknowledging my birthday 1. in advance, which I rarely do and 2. buying myself stuff, which: always.
First up: Animal Crackers, not the cookie, but the board-and-train kennel 50 miles north of us in Spring, Texas. For the past several weeks, we’ve been trying in-home training. That doesn’t work for me. An hour a week does nothing for the remaining 167, and the dog was still chewing up stuff and barking her many displeasures. Michael at Michael’s Dogs answered his Internet-listed phone number at 7 am on Saturday and told me I was using the wrong Google search terms. “Doggie boot camp” was getting me nowhere except a chewed up vacuum cord. Searching “board and train” got us to Animal Crackers dog day care by 4:30 Saturday afternoon. Birthday gift #1.
Do you remember my complaining how straight Ehren’s hair was, and then Erica stepping in with the assurance that around 8-months-old, the baby’s curls would magically appear? How right she was. I cut them all off yesterday. Birthday gift #2.
The kids are walking to the neighborhood gift shop, also known as Walgreens, this afternoon as I listen to the sound of the dog not barking and as I prepare snacks for Oscar red carpet viewing. DirecTV is offering each nominated movie on-demand for $4.99. I have seen exactly zero, so that sounds like the perfect way to spend the 8-hour wait, but have I mentioned doggie day camp? I’m just happy, for free, to see what Gabourey Sidibe is gonna wear. Birthday gifts #3 and #4.
Birthday gift #5: a day’s work in my new cubiffice. Did you know if you factor in the underemployed and those working on temp contracts, no matter how long-term (like mine), the US unemployment rate is closer to 17 percent than to the currently reported 9.8?
I’ll leave the rest of my birthday up to Q, hoping at least some of it involves new shoes and, um, stuff.
Happy Birthday, friend!
Happy Happy! If you were here, I would give you cake and a big smooch on top of your noggin. Sounds like you’ve got a solid plan in place. Hugs from Minnesota, Blogger Friend!
Happy birthday, love! I wish you health, wealth and XM for your commute!
Thanks HM, Voix & Tex! You thwarted my birthday plan of taking the day off from my blog with your lovely birthday wishes! Oops, I just realized I’m sitting at my desk with no makeup on! Let’s just show the world my 42-year-old skin.
Fantastic happy birthday so far, yes?
Ehren is capital G-orgeous! And the iPod tee is sweet. Must start shopping for my SIL’s new baby- she would love that!
please tell me you eat cake on your birthday…that’s the favorite part of the day for me:)
I am the worst impulse shopper in the world. I was in Walgreens for a gallon of milk and left with that $5 t-shirt. It started at size 6 mos so your SIL won’t have long before it fits her baby.
Mmmmmm…cake. I may pick up cupcakes on the way home. Thanks for the reminder, the birthday wishes and the baby compliments!
[...] Animal Crackers Dog Day Care has stolen my puppy. Call us any time, indeed. Why would they even tell me that if they didn’t mean it? [UPDATED] With bewildered apologies to Animal Crackers, it turns out they’ve been trying to reach me on my home phone. I never answer that thing, and sometimes forget I have it. It’s installed only for the kids to call 911 if ever necessary. Kidnapped dog alert: [off] [...]