Archives of Our Lives

{a narrow and broad look into the lives of people I love}

Thursday, September 18, 2008

{Call Me Greedy, But Say it Softly}

***Preface: This post is about birthdays. Specifically mine. I was raised in a family where birthdays were celebrated. I have come to embrace the tradition of celebrating birthdays with loved ones. I like birthday presents. Call me greedy if you want, but say it softly so I can't hear. I don't think presents have to cost any money at all. If Poor Kyle were to simply write me a long, juicy love letter, I would consider myself gifted.

Since I know that would never happen, I wrote this post.***

Every year when my birthday rolls around, I set out to be close-lipped about it. I always want to see who will remember and who will forget. By not mentioning my birthday, I can assess who really loves me and who doesn't. I'm pretty big on martyrdom, in case you haven't noticed.

Unfortunately, I can never make it all the way to my birthday without blabbing to the world, so I never get to find out who my real friends are. I may never know.

This year is no different.

My birthday is coming up next week. I'll be turning 22. [I kind of chuckle to myself when I realise that I'm turning 22, because most people I associate with are significantly older than me. Even the kids I went to school with are all turning 23 this year. I kind of have it in my head that everyone who reads this blog is older than me, and wiser to boot. So when I come to conclusions about marriage and money and life in general, I always feel like I'm the last one to know.]

Anyway, despite all my efforts not to remind Poor Kyle of my upcoming day, I have a niggling doubt in the back of my mind: "What if he actually does forget? How will I respond? This is the first birthday he's ever been faced with as my husband--what if he totally embarrasses himself?"

Not wanting to answer any of those potentially dangerous questions, I decided I'd better make sure he remembers. So for the past few weeks, I've been mentioning it.

And I'm easy to please, for sure. In fact, I've gone so far as to flat-out tell him things I would like for my birthday. None of them are expensive or out of our budget, because--though I do think birthdays should be celebrated--it's not worth breaking the bank.

Any of the following items would make me a very happy birthday person indeed:

1. The best chapstick I've ever used. I've gone through three tubes and am due for another. Highly recommended (along with Burt's Bee's Pomegranate, my second-favourite).

Image from here.

2. Heather Bailey's Trash Ties. One set of long, one set of short. I've been intrigued by these since before they became available, but they're more costly than I would spend normally on hair dohickies. As far as birthday presents go, however, they're pretty cheap.

Image from here.

3. A self-hosted blog. What a nice gift from Poor Kyle this would be. It may or may not be in the works right now. Stay tuned for more [or no] details.

4. A stipend to paint my kitchen. The purple walls are cramping my style, and I think I've finally picked a colour I like. I've got the time, I've got the vision...now all I need is the cash flow. Maybe once it's decorated how I'd like, I can finally post photos of my house and put Jami's curious mind to rest.

Twenty-two is coming soon. Let's hope he doesn't blow it.

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7 Comments:

Blogger angela hardison said...

Happy almost birthday. I LOVE birthdays and I can never keep quiet about my own.

September 18, 2008 at 9:47 PM  
Blogger chelsie said...

I can attest that I am your true friend!!! I will (selfishly) tell you that I did already get your present even before you reminded the world that next week is your birthday. That my friend is why i asked for your address. (which, one might say a good/best friend should have however in the coming home process I lost my address book.)

September 18, 2008 at 11:33 PM  
Blogger Tanner said...

Oh Camille, I will tell you that I am the king of not telling people my birthday is coming, and I think it has only made birthdays less meaningful. You are doing the right thing in my eyes, just tell poor kyle what to get. Men love that, well I am a man, and I love that. Oh, Happy birthday :o)

~poor tanner

September 18, 2008 at 11:57 PM  
Blogger Jonathan and Sarah said...

Camille~
I laughed when I read your comment on my birthday post. Jonathan's birthday is in November and I am the same as you... it makes me feel better because he has to set the standard for my birthday and then I will figure out what to do for him. lol I must say that celebrating his first "married birthday" I stressed. It is sooo hard to figure out what to get for guys! I think this year will be a bit easier though. I don't know the exact day of your birthday... :( Sorry. Happy Birthday my kindred September Sister!

September 19, 2008 at 9:31 AM  
Blogger HeatherPride said...

Well now I'm just dying to know what he gets you!! Do tell!

September 19, 2008 at 12:11 PM  
Blogger Chris and Andrea said...

Happy soon to be birthday!! I think we share the same birthday. I understand your dilema. I went through the same thing with my husband, and he did a wonderful job. I think your hubby will do a great job!

September 19, 2008 at 12:34 PM  
Blogger RatalieNose said...

Haha I tried to do that this year,and guess what? Almost all of my friends forgot! AND I had to start A.I.M.S. testing on my birthday!!!! It sufficeth me to say this,not the greatest of my birthdays!!

September 19, 2008 at 5:40 PM  

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