• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • About
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • San Diego Momma
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
San Diego Momma

San Diego Momma

Sharing some humor, a bit of writing and way too much information

Home / Etcetera / Big Birthdays

Big Birthdays

Etcetera

 

My dad and I. Do you see the look of terror disguised as happy-go-lucky in our eyes? It’s because big celebrations frighten us. I’m pretty sure it was because my mom was German.

 

Just thinking how I’m going to be…older than I am now for my upcoming birthday, and how I never properly celebrated such things. I’ve never been a GO BIG birthday party person, or expected to do TONS OF STUFF on my special day, and I think it’s because I am the daughter of a German. My mom was pretty unimpressed by celebrations (unless they were religious) and didn’t tend to enthuse much about anything (unless it was God and His angels).

 

I remember my mom’s 50th birthday party, when my aunt gifted her with $100-an-ounce Joy perfume, and my mom was all “Thanks. Smells good. What’s next? Oh my Law! Is that a stuffed St. Francis holding a Happy 50th puffy heart?”

 

So, celebration apathy runs in my genes a little.

 

I mean, I do like to spend the day with my loved ones. Go to dinner with my husband. See a show. It’s just that the BIG stuff never made it with me, and I find it foreign when people like to really do it up for birthdays. Speaking of which, I felt the same for my bachelorette party. I just wanted to hang out with my pals, maybe dive bar it up, then grab a bite; much to the chagrin of my best friend who suggested Vegas, confetti, and Chippendale’s (We met in the middle. I stayed in San Diego wearing a miniskirt on top of a piano sipping out of plastic penises while everyone sang “Going to the Chapel.”)

 

I think it’s OK, right? To not need the hullabaloo? And I think it’s OK to want it too. That said…I have to tell you about my friend.

 

She’s the BIG person. Likes to celebrate her birthday all month, that kind of thing. For instance, Day One of her BIRTHDAY MONTH, we went to a group breakfast. Day Two we met at a restaurant for dinner. Day Three we spent 12 hours at a spa. Day Four we flew to Acapulco. You know. And her birthday was on the 22nd, so you can imagine.

 

Now, it’s her husband’s birthday month coming up, and we’re (by “we” I mean the “whole neighborhood”) going to Palm Springs for three days of golf, spa, and cheese. Of course, his “real” birthday is in the middle of the month, so after Palm Springs, we’ll probably all head to the Eiffel Tower to blow out his candles.

 

And I like that. How people see fit to celebrate and DO.

 

So to the point of this post:

 

My birthday is in November.

 

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook

August 22, 2011 · 11 Comments

Sure I’d love to see you again

Previous Post: « A Thousand Little Pieces
Next Post: Keep Writing »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. JenniferfromLaJolla says

    August 22, 2011 at 1:20 pm

    I am not big on celebrating my birthday either. I love to surprise and celebrate other people, but when it comes to doing the same for me, I tend to ruin the plans. Think it is a control thing. Also, my birthday is very close to Father’s Day, and I tend to be mopey around that time of year. So, yeah, I am with you. Though… I will very happily make a big stink (a deservedly big stink) about yours in November.

    Reply
  2. The Sweetest says

    August 22, 2011 at 1:35 pm

    Love that picture! I, too banned all bells and whistles at my bachelorette party, even the penises. Just dinner, drinking, and hanging out with my friends. I always attributed it to the face that I was 30 when I got married- too old for the silly stuff. But really? I think it’s just my personality.

    Reply
  3. Smalltown Mom says

    August 22, 2011 at 5:54 pm

    Those grimacing grins look more like my Norwegian mother. (The Lutherans in my family just couldn’t smile.) The Germans on my dad’s side could smile a little better, but maybe that’s because they were really Swiss?

    Reply
  4. Kizz says

    August 23, 2011 at 9:05 am

    I love to do something for my birthday but usually the biggest thing I do is go bowling. I like bowling. It’s expensive. I don’t get to do it a lot. For my 40th, though, I threw a blowout. Maybe I’ll do that again later. Or maybe a trip. Who knows?

    Reply
  5. julie gardner says

    August 23, 2011 at 10:06 am

    Yeah, I fall into your category and can’t even get myself worked up for a gift of religious significance (sorry, St. Francis. And Deb’s mom).

    Especially when it comes to jewelry. I mean, I get that bling is nice, but I feel selfish asking for/desiring anything for myself when there are too many other expenses lying around (household upgrades, groceries, college, wine clubs).

    Of course, the fact that I took a leave of absence from a paycheck to write (and now make absolutely no money) may have something to do with my gift guilt.

    But truthfully, I didn’t want presents even when I WAS hauling in the big bucks as a high school English teacher.

    If only I’d known about plastic penis cups, though…things may have been different for me.

    Reply
  6. green girl in wisconsin says

    August 23, 2011 at 11:08 am

    I’m with you–people make much of events and I’m not inclined to do so. Not for me, not for others. I’d rather just enjoy a fun day. Hence my LAME birthday this year!

    Reply
  7. San Diego Momma says

    August 23, 2011 at 11:59 am

    Jennifer:
    I would LOVE to celebrate with you in a non-big way!

    Smalltown Mom:
    My dad IS Norwegian. This is explaining a lot.

    Kizzie:
    I went bowling for my 40th too! True story.

    Julie:
    I promise, the plastic penis cups were not life-changing. Really.

    Melissa:
    I bet your b-day was anything but lame. XOXO

    Reply
  8. Mama Mary says

    August 24, 2011 at 8:03 am

    We compliment each other well. I am the “celebrate all month long” kinda girl and you will support me, just as I’ll go bowling with you on your special day.

    Reply
  9. Kim Tracy Prince says

    August 25, 2011 at 9:25 pm

    How am I the first person who is commenting that you are going to Palm Springs for THREE DAYS OF CHEESE?! I want to go to that party.

    Reply
  10. tinsenpup says

    September 21, 2011 at 6:50 am

    I’ve always struggled to know quite what to do with birthdays. I tend to suffer guilt when fuss is made. Ridiculous, I know, so I’ve been working on it. This year I took my babies to the zoo on my birthday, which was one of my best birthdays ever. I might work my way up to something spectacular for my 40th or something.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. San Diego Momma » Blog Archive » Big Birthdays « Feeds « Local News Feeds says:
    August 22, 2011 at 7:55 pm

    […] read from original news source: San Diego Momma » Blog Archive » Big Birthdays […]

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

I love words. Every one, every time. (Except “moist.” That word can go.) …read more

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Sure. I’d love to see you again.

Categories

Archives

Blogroll

  • Blog This Mom
  • Da Goddess
  • Dirt and Noise
  • Discover San Diego
  • Foolery
  • Juggling Life
  • Mama Mary Show
  • Mel, A Dramatic Mommy
  • Mom Zombie
  • Mommy’s Martini
  • Motherhood is Not for Wimps
San Diego Momma

Footer

Archives

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Categories

sandiegomomma

sandiegomomma
Back in Lake Geneva after 36 years… Circumstance Back in Lake Geneva after 36 years…
Circumstances have changed since post-Prom-picnic-circa-1986-vibes…
#WhereIsBryanAdamsNow
Dorm drop! 🏫👩‍🏫🥲💕 Dorm drop!
🏫👩‍🏫🥲💕
💫Travel poster for Saturday wine tasting.💫 💫Travel poster for Saturday wine tasting.💫
Celebrating the new 16-year-old with a quick Santa Celebrating the new 16-year-old with a quick Santa Monica trip.
And now she knows she doesn’t want to live in LA….
#LifeLessons
It’s happening….. It’s happening…..
Barely tolerating me….. Barely tolerating me…..
Beach day with my “little” one while big sis e Beach day with my “little” one while big sis explores Cal Poly…
Life transitions. Beautiful but I haz the olds.
#NotAboutMe #Whhhhyyyyy
A rare Bubbie sighting. Spotted in the wild. #HeDo A rare Bubbie sighting. Spotted in the wild. #HeDoesntLikePictures
Sunset squad. Brought a picnic and drinks to Del M Sunset squad.
Brought a picnic and drinks to Del Mar and watched the waves and horizon. Not too crowded or cold - another good hang with the neighborhood gang! ❤️❤️
Imprinting 2021 holidays on my brain (and in my In Imprinting 2021 holidays on my brain (and in my Instagram) (and in my antibodies). It’s a COVID New Year’s Eve…
Husband and I down for the count(down).
BUT. We’re doing decent and it’s cozy up in here…
Winery times! Winery times!
Guys on couch watching football; girls in kitchen Guys on couch watching football; girls in kitchen talking about everything.
Smells like a Sunday neighbor night. ;)
Line dancing lessons… My two left feet did nothi Line dancing lessons…
My two left feet did nothing right - but they did it with gusto.
Looking for a new book to read! #BookClub Despite Looking for a new book to read! #BookClub Despite the seeming divine intervention from above, we weren’t struck with the “perfect” next book to put on our list…..
Post-white-water-rafting super exhaustion. (Oh my Post-white-water-rafting super exhaustion.
(Oh my gosh you guys…! No! I’m not a sports model! But I totally understand how you might think so.) 😜😜😜
I wanted my hair to do that. #NordicSisters I wanted my hair to do that.
#NordicSisters
Dad’s hats on the people who loved/knew/laughed/ Dad’s hats on the people who loved/knew/laughed/sang with him.
Miss you Dad. Hope we do your hats justice. Lord knows we’ll have fun in them, just like you did. 😇
Paso Robles! Wine tasting beauty. It’s stunning Paso Robles! Wine tasting beauty. It’s stunning here. And the landscape is nice too ;).
Found my brother’s old ad copy. Good fun-writing Found my brother’s old ad copy. Good fun-writing inspiration...
Just in case I wasn’t feeling ancient enough, th Just in case I wasn’t feeling ancient enough, the rainbow jumper and white bobby socks oughta do it. No but wait! There’s a bowl cut. Annnnnnnddd giant gold-rimmed specs.
#CentennialFashion
Load More... Follow on Instagram
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Hello Chicky

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT