Friday, September 05, 2008

The Big 4-2

Yep, I turn 42 this weekend. Except for commemorating the milestone with a party hat and a mammogram (remind me to make that appointment, would you?) I was all set to pretty much let it go without any fanfare. I mean, it’s not like the big 4-0, which can be celebrated, justifiably, with lots of liquor and karaoke. When you’re turning 40, people EXPECT you to make an ass out of yourself, and Lord knows I didn’t disappoint anyone that year.

But 42? Meh. Just not so special.

Blaine, I think, wanted to do something nice for me. He runs very hot and cold when it comes to birthdays. I never know whether he’ll painstakingly select a gift weeks in advance, giving it much thought and consideration, desiring to pick the perfect-ultimately-right present ….. or if this will be one of the years he snags a People Magazine and box of Milk Duds from the checkout stand at 7-11, and hands them to me with best wishes.

The first birthday of mine we ever spent together was when I turned 19. We had only been dating a month, and he sent flowers, which I thought was lovely. He confessed later that he didn’t want to buy any kind of expensive gift in case it was a short-lived relationship …. So basically, he didn’t want to be out very much cold-hard cash in case I turned out to be a hag.

The second birthday, after we’d been dating about a year, he stunned me by planning a huge surprise party. Emphasis on the word "Surprise". To this day I can remember walking in to the house, and honestly not understanding what all those people were doing there. For me? Really!?!?!?! He planned it to take place a week before my actual birthday, which threw me off a little. Mainly, I remember thinking, “if he can get all this accomplished behind my back, without me having any idea, what ELSE could he be doing and I would never know???”

In the years since, he’s bought everything from hot rollers to books to gift cards to suitcases to jewelry. Like I said, some years he splurges, and some years …. Well, some years I wonder if he even remembered at all, or simply noticed the Labor Day Special signs at Wal-Mart, realized with a jolt, “Hey, Kristie’s birthday is around Labor Day, isn’t it???” and grabbed an orange juice squeezer out of the dollar rack.

This year? I’m pretty sure he remembered.

This year? He bought me a little something that I like to call a cruise. A cruise to Alaska.

Depending on when you’re reading this, I’m either sitting in the airport, or flying overhead on my way to Vancouver.

The bad news is my fear of flying isn’t lessened knowing my husband and kids aren’t with me. In fact, it might be worse.

The good news is *this* is why I bought that stupid laptop last week, so I can keep you updated as soon as I arrive, and blog about all the beautiful, wonderful things I’m getting to see and do. As long as I don’t go down in a fiery crash and plummet to my death before I even cross the Canadian border, that is.

Gosh, let’s hope for the first scenario.

It’ll be a pretty depressing birthday, otherwise.

39 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh wow!!!! Have fun!!!

Meg from Ga

Anonymous said...

Wow what a birthday gift, hope you have a wonderful time and can't wait to see your pictures.
Kathy

Eloise said...

Wow! What a gift! Happy Birthday! Can't wait to hear about your trip and see lots of pictures. Have a wonderful time. Happy Birthday again!

Anonymous said...

How awesome is that?!?!? Happy birthday and totally enjoy the crusie! Blaine rocks!

Anonymous said...

Wow. Cruise to Alaska... kinda puts the old karaoke party at O'Malleys and sleepover at Johnna's to shame:) Have a wonderful time and Happy Birthday!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday....

I am jealous, today is my birthday and I wish I was going on a cruise to Alaska. Have fun for me too!!!! We will be thinking about you at the crop this weekend.

Michelle B.

Karen said...

What a great birthday gift!!! I turn 42 next month, ugghhh...

The Traveling Yogi said...

Happy Birthday and have fun on the cruise. A certain someone else told me she is also on the same cruise. Hopefully you'll get to see each other.

Your husband "gives" you a cruise and I'm trying to convince my husband to "let" me cruise with my girlfriends. I think Blaine should talk to my husband.

Anonymous said...

So does a bday present like this make up for the years that he runs through 7/11 at the last minute? Hope you have a great time!
Jean in Dayton, OH
P.S. (My big 4-0 is coming up at the end of the month - any advice?)

Stacia said...

How sweet is that!
Ok, what is he trying to appologize for? Ha!
So are you taking the cruise alone?
I've never been and can't wait to hear all about it. Don't leave anything out!

Becca said...

Again?! Lucky bitch. Oh, I kid, I kid. Have fun in Alaska! and Happy Birthday! Every year is special--they are all celebrating YOU!

Anonymous said...

Hey, wait! Didn't you go to Alaska last year? You get to go again??!!! I want to say "that's not fair" but I have banned that phrase from my household. I'll just say "Have fun, you lucky dog!"
Diane in Cincinnati

Pam D said...

How cool! So I guess you brought along that new camera and all those techniques you learned... can't wait to see the pics!

Anonymous said...

Shut up! A cruise to Alaska? You suck major! That is my dream trip. I'm hoping for a trip to San Francisco for my 50th (2 years away). I hope you have an awesome time. Take lots of pictures! Happy Birthday!

J-Quell'n said...

AAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!! NOT FAIR!!! You just went on an Alaskan cruise and I've never been on one! What an awesome birthday present...have fun and take tons of pictures! And trust me, the laptop is well worth it :) YAY! Happy Belated Birthday, Kristie!

Enginerd said...

Have a wonderful time - take LOTS of photos (Alaska is a photographers DREAM!) and enjoy your solitude.

Also - bring back a couple of hot guys for us single girls.

kay. Thanks!

threehandprints said...

Another Alaska trip??? Wow, what a sweetie you have :)

Happy Happy Birthday and hope you have fun on your cruise!

Alisa said...

I'm jealous! Are you off by yourself? Have so much fun and tell us all about it!

Anonymous said...

See I knew there was a reason I really liked your blog.....My birthday is Sunday! The big 40 this year. Have a great time in Alaska!

Laurie in NJ

Anonymous said...

Wow!!! That trip makes my birthday/mother's day lawn mower look pretty pathetic!

Hope you have a wonderful time in spite of the flight!

Lenaya

Anonymous said...

First Happy Birthday and what a wonderful present! Enjoy! But second, I'm confused, as usual. Didnt you just go on an Alaskan cruise and did he send you all by yourself??

Hennifer said...

Happy Birthday!

A cruise alone? or do you have friends with you?

Anonymous said...

He kinda owed you one for that bike seat/butt comment.

Have a great trip!

Anonymous said...

Very cool!

Happy Birthday!

Dixie

Anonymous said...

Dude!! You're on your way to Alaska and you didn't stop in Seattle to see me????!!!! You twirp! And did I misread your post, but did Blaine stay home?? I hope you're not cruisin' all alone! At any rate, happy birthday, old f*#t! (I can say that because I'm older).....

Anonymous said...

PS to Lenaya above: my most abject sympathies for the fact that you got a frappin' LAWN!! MOWER!! for birthday/mother's day....I'm divorced for reasons other than terminally bad gift-giving, but, it sounds like grounds to me......

Anonymous said...

Yet another WOW Kristie--- thats awesome to get away from it all, with no chores, in Alaska even! Have loads of fun!

Anonymous said...

Yet another WOW Kristie--- thats awesome to get away from it all, with no chores, in Alaska even! Have loads of fun!

Monica H said...

So jealous- have a great time! Happy Birthday!!!

Anonymous said...

A cruise? I really want to find a Blaine.

Anonymous said...

Do you want to sell Blaine??

Natalie said...

Bon voyage! Are you totally by yourself or is a girlfriend along for the ride?

Blaine rocks!

Unknown said...

I think we might be on the same cruise you are on. We are staying over in Vancouver, and boarding tomorrow afternoon.

Happy cruising!

Karen said...

You lucky dog!!!
Have fun.
My big 42 isn't until March.

Karen
Mckinney, TX

Anonymous said...

Didn't you take a cruise to Alaska for a recent anniversary?

Tammy said...

From one Virgo to another, "Happy Birthday"! Enjoy your trip, we expect alot of pictures, don't disapoint us , lol! Hugs from Fort Worth!

Renee said...

4 words....
Happy Birthday Lucky *itch :)

LOL

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday!!! Have an amazing time on your cruise!!

LOL at the lawnmower/divorce comments!! :)

Anonymous said...

Kristie,
How in the world could we have forgotten your birthday. My apologies! How about 42 sunflowers this year?
You know, this means Nicholas missed Kendrie's birthday! :( Let her know that something is in the mail! Can't wait to see the second round of Alaksa pictures. Maybe oneday we'll make it there too.
Susan Ashworth