November 15, 2005
Birthday, Part Two
So, yesterday was my *cough* 31st *cough* birthday, but the anniversary of the actual moment of my birth did not occur until early this morning. You see, I was born at 11:14 PM in California, so it was not until 2:14 this morning that I marked 31 full years. Therefore, I have declared today Beth's Birthday, Part Two - let the wild partying continue.
A couple people asked what Mia got me for my birthday. It's a long list, I'll try to remember everything. She let me take a shower, she took three naps - two of them somewhere other than my lap which is the only place she will usually nap and which allowed me to change the litter boxes (three for two cats, don't ask) and empty the dishwasher, she did not pitch a hissy fit in the grocery store, she barely threw up on me at all, and she insured I appreciated every last moment of my birthday by keeping me up all night last night. She also gave me three new Dr. Seuss books and the latest Particia Cornwell book, which I know will suck but which I will read anyway because I do that.
Chris completely violated our agreement to not do birthday gifts this year (the budget, it is a little tight now that I am unemployed) and got me a gift certificate for a spa day. When I kindly pointed out that he wasn't supposed to get me anything, he said, "but you really deserve it" and how can I argue with that? My parents also gave me a spa gift certificate, so, like, woot. Do you think it is ok to go get a massage when I haven't showered in three days, because if not this is going to take a lot of planning.
Finally, Chris gave me something that I have wanted for literally 20 years and at first was too embarrassed to ask anyone for and then was unable to find. This is quite possibly the greatest gift I have ever received and I could not stop myself from doing a little happy dance when I opened it. I've posted a picture in the extended entry so you can all share in the magic.
Now, you are all going to click the extended entry and think "oh that Beth, what a card she is, what a joker." Let me assure you that I am completely earnest about this and could not be more thrilled. I'm serious about this, totally, one hundred percent serious. You may feel the need to mock my joy, but I'm so excited by this gift that I really don't care. Honest.
Mia and I are dedicating the day to deciding on the perfect place to install this wondrous device.
Totally, totally serious here.
Posted by Beth at November 15, 2005 12:41 PMSounds like you got great presents. Have fun at the Spa!!!
Posted by: liz at November 15, 2005 01:32 PMI think that's a GREAT present! And the Spa thing, I guess that's ok too (hahah). My husband MD and I are convinced that if we take the time to research and patent some kind of device (Clapper-based) that would make inanimate objects (like the remote) beep that we could be milionaires...CRAP, I just leaked our secret 'freedom 40' plan onto the internet!
The clapper! Oh, my! Well, I want the Scunci steam cleaner, so I'm there with you. What room will you put it in?
Happy birthday! (By the way, if the spa is really rockin, they should have showers there for the full treatment!)
LOL - that's a great gift - especially with a baby! I could use one to turn on my living room light - it's one of those little pull things on a ceiling fan that I'm just not quite tall enough to reach, especially when holding a wee bundle in my arms.
Have a great time at the spa!
Posted by: Marie at November 15, 2005 02:24 PMLove it! A clapper screams class, and admitting that you want one is indicative that you have fully arrived at being one with yourself.
Posted by: Caloden at November 15, 2005 02:42 PMI had a clapper! I was equally excited when I got one for Christmas some years back. I lazily put it on the lamp RIGHT next to my bed (what was I thinking?!), but I was disappointed at the volume which I had to clap in order for it to respond.
I hope that you have much more success with yours than I did with mine. :)
Posted by: Emily at November 15, 2005 03:09 PMAhhhh, the spa. Enjoy. You do deserve it.
As for the clapper... I have heard that loud, piercing noises will set it off. Have I mentioned I have 4 boys? Afraid it'd be like a disco here with the lights flashing on and off. Enjoy!
Posted by: MoMMY at November 15, 2005 03:17 PMThat is so, SO cool. I had a thing for different colored ducttape for a while. My friends (pre-crazy-internet buying) searched high and low for all different kinds of duct tape. It ruled.
happy birthday to you!
Posted by: alektra at November 15, 2005 03:20 PMhappy birthday part 2!
Posted by: shannon at November 15, 2005 03:31 PMMy response to the extended entry was "That's AWESOME!!!" So, y'know, totally not laughing at you. Grinning, though. :D
Posted by: Heather at November 15, 2005 03:32 PMdoes yours start and stop "Footlose"? Cuz I was just watching that episode of Will & Grace with Kevin Bacon and was thinking how cool it would be to be able to start and stop MY theme song like that.
Posted by: laura at November 15, 2005 04:08 PMHa! Whatever makes you happy and this gift made you happy and me laugh! Hee!
Happy Birthday!
Posted by: halloweenlover at November 15, 2005 04:22 PMThe Clapper? Is awesome. Except for when one of the cats accidentally sets it off, waking you in the middle of the night when you bedroom light turns on.
Moral of story: do not install in bedroom.
Posted by: Dawnie at November 15, 2005 04:32 PMI almost posted anonymously because I am ashamed to admit, I not only covet your clapper, but I have always wanted a Chia Head and have used through 3 (3!) Rotatoes (Rotatos? Rotati?)
Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Em at November 15, 2005 04:37 PMOooooo 2 days at the spa, that is awesome! The clapper, ha, that is great. Both Mia and Chris did a good job.
Posted by: Emily at November 15, 2005 04:41 PMokay, so I thought I was the only person on earth who actually, truly and for real, wanted a clapper.
AM.SO.JEALOUS.
I would put mine in the bedroom as I do not like to read by my bedside light the DAMN FRIGGING children have lost the remote to my bedroom tv...so the clapper would definitely run those two things.
GAWD....I've got to put this on my Christmas list.
Posted by: speckledpup at November 15, 2005 04:54 PMHappy Birthday, Fellow Scorpio! My birthday is on Thursday! I'll be fortysomething.
Love the clapper. My grandniece goes around singing the clapper song all the time. It's so cute to hear a 2 1/2 year old singing the jingle!
LMAO...the clapper!!! OMG, I had forgotten about that thing! Sounds like you had a great birthday. Hooray!
Posted by: Colleen at November 15, 2005 05:13 PMHappy Birthday Part Two! Because my husband is a geek, we have X-10 boxes everywhere so we can turn on multiple lights at once.
Posted by: Kelley at November 15, 2005 05:20 PMSounds like a fabulous part two to your b-day.
I had a friend in high school who made his own "clapper" device...and it worked. Yes, he was a nerd.
(we have 3 litter boxes for 2 cats too - I fear we suffer from the same problem *sigh*)
Posted by: carrster at November 15, 2005 06:14 PMVery cool! Does it work on Mia? Can you "cry on, cry off"?
I bet you want a Chia Pet next.
Happy birthday!
Posted by: jen at November 15, 2005 06:30 PMi am totally not laughing at you. all i can think of is that song, though! ;)
Posted by: Sarcomical at November 15, 2005 06:34 PMWe got my inlaws one years ago as joke and it became one of the best gofts we we ever got 'em. Clap on... and HB!!
Posted by: Helene at November 15, 2005 07:31 PMHee, that's awesome! Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Fraulein N at November 15, 2005 08:21 PMI got the clap once, and I have to say my reaction, not as happy.
Posted by: Lisa V at November 15, 2005 10:44 PMthey still sell that??
Posted by: lizabetty at November 15, 2005 11:04 PMHappy Birthday! Congrats on the gift - I can understand embarassment at wanting it, and the excitement about getting it. I always think that it would be so convenient, but never thought about actually asking for one. I wonder if I can add it to my Amazon wish list....
Posted by: shokufeh at November 16, 2005 01:00 AM*clap clap* *clap clap*
Happy belated birthday! Have fun at the spa :)
Happy birthday, Beth!! :)
I'm so glad that you aren't one of those people who take everything they have in life for granted. You've got a beautiful, sweet, perfect baby girl. A sensitive, funny, husband who is crazy about you. A nice home, loving family, friends, over X amount of readers per day... and yet, you're so humble and appreciative of it all - what a wonderful trait that is. I truly admire you and sometimes, even get a little green with envy, haha. But seriously... enjoy the spa days and what a useful device that clapper is!! No more having to get out of bed to turn off the lights when Mia is fussy or you're too tired to get up again after reading. Thanks for the idea - I'm totally adding that to my Christmas list, haha.
Anyway... happy birthday again!! So glad it was a good one! :)
Posted by: Amber at November 16, 2005 02:38 AMThats so kick ass, Beth!
I have the same issue with Chia Pets.
It's the only thing I want Santa to bring me this yr
I'm SOOOOOO jealous!!! I found one of those at my grandma's house after she died and I decided she would have wanted me to have it. But alas, it didn't work. I was so bummed.
Posted by: Kristi at November 16, 2005 09:24 AMmmmm. TWO spa gift certificates. and a clapper. and a lapless mia nap? best birthday ever.
glad you had a wonderful day :)
Posted by: suze at November 16, 2005 09:26 AMOk, I'm counting on you for an honest assessment of how the clapper works. I have scoffed, but if you say it's awesome, I'm prepared to believe you....
Posted by: Julie at November 16, 2005 11:47 AMYou are one lucky lady getting a spa day and the CLAPPER!!! I gotta get one of those!!
Posted by: mrsmogul at November 16, 2005 12:53 PMHoly Crap that is so awesome..... I'm so jealous.
Posted by: Corinne at November 16, 2005 02:46 PMI'm going to comment before I click....It's a Glo-Worm isn't it? ;)
Posted by: Snapper at November 16, 2005 05:51 PMWho wouldn't want a clapper? I'll tell you who. A communist,that's who!
Hmm...this is the second comment I've made on someone's else's blog today that involved communists. What,if anything,does this say about me?
Posted by: Contrary at November 16, 2005 07:02 PMYou know, I think the reason why I love reading your blog is because you are truly unique person. Happy Birthday!!
Posted by: Nicole at November 16, 2005 09:36 PMHa! Years ago, I was hanging out in San Francisco with an old friend visiting from N.Y. He'd been invited to his friend's house in Marin for dinner and invited me to come along. When I asked what his friend did...my friend said, "Oh, he's the guy who sells Chia Pets...and the Clapper." :)
Posted by: Marilyn at November 17, 2005 02:23 AMCalifornia Girls rock! I am glad Mia gave you LOTS of gifts! : ) AND I am so jelly about your TWO spa days! I need one!
Posted by: Gypsy at November 17, 2005 11:39 PMI know I am way late for this (and I knew I would be, which is why I wished you happy birthday early!) but, happy birthday!
Now, about this not showering for three days thing...my friends with babies say that too, and it terrifies me. I really like showering! There's no showering with babies?
Posted by: bad penguin at November 18, 2005 12:50 PMwow, we could so do with one of these since half the light switches in our house are in the next room(I kid you not)ours is not to question why as it's solid native timber so....
Posted by: Sooze at November 19, 2005 11:23 PM
