My birthday is March 25. On the Catholic calendar, it’s the day of the Feast of the Annuciation. In other words, the day that the angel Gabriel came down from the clouds, scared the you-know-what out of a poor Jewish girl, AND told her she was carrying God’s kid. Nine months to the day later, we celebrate his birth by putting live fir trees in our house and courting a fat, bearded man with milk and cookies.
Anyway, I’ve always liked that my birthday is a feast day. Everyone’s birthday should be one. Not that I need an excuse.
So the kids have been talking about what we should do, as a family, on my day. I overheard my girl going through the options.
“Well, Mom really likes her computer…” I know she’s thinking, “When Mom’s on her computer, I can’t go to Webkinz world, so forget that.”
Then she says, “Mom likes books.” I imagine a day where we all sit around reading. That’s my vision of heaven. Books, yes. Give me books. Better yet, a gift certificate from Malaprop’s.
I hear her say, “Mom really likes her camera.” There’s a pattern emerging here, I think. All the things that she thinks I really like don’t necessarily include the kidlings. Hmmmmmmmm.
Then I hear her quiet voice. “Mom kind of likes baseball. That’s it, we’ll go to a baseball game!” Then the realization hits her. “I really like baseball,” she says.
“Yeah,” chimes in the boy. “I don’t think Mom wants to go to a baseball game.” Hurrah, I think, he’s starting to get sarcasm!
More musing. “Mom likes to go out to eat! Let’s take her out and she won’t have to cook.” This sounds promising.
“Marco’s or Mellow Mushroom?” asks the boy, offering the two local pizza joints we frequent.
At this point, I have to intervene. “How about we try a new restaurant. One that Mom really wants to go to?” I know I’m wheedling when I start talking about myself in the third person.
“What kind of restaurant?” asks the boy, fear lighting up his hazel eyes.
“How about an Indian restaurant?” I say.
“Nooooooooooooo!!!” Screams of terror emanate from their tiny bodies. I must have misheard myself. Did I just threaten to make them drink poison? Did I ask them to give their allowance back? Did I try to force Vindaloo down their soft throats?
The drama continues for several minutes. Forget the fact that this is about MY birthday, and I should get, just once, to make a unilateral decision. As always, the noise does me in.
“Okay, okay. We’ll go somewhere where there’s pizza, french fries, or waffles. Okay.”
Slowly, the noise level decreases, though the boy is still hiccupping back sobs.
Do you think I could ask the chef at Mela could make waffles out of pappadum flour for my kidlings? After all, it’s my birthday.
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Whyn’t you get takeout pizza then go to the Indian place where you can have all the pappadum flour you want?
Your birthday in 3 easy steps:
1. Babbysitter.
2. Domino’s delivery.
3. Shaag bhaji.
Or, grab the lamb korma recipe off my blog and make it at home one day. Don’t tell them it’s Indian food. The kids will love it, and then the next time they scream at the thought of eating Indian…
If you ever get to go to Mela, you gotta promise to write a review here. Or on your paper blog.
Looks and sounds and smells lucious. Haven’t had the pleasure yet…
Happy birthday. Gettin’ your license this year?
JA
Good idea, Hoss!
Rattling, I’ll try, but the kidlings are vegetarians. Except the boy loves bacon. Who doesn’t?
Thanks, JA. I have been to Mela a couple times, and it’s delicious! The lunch brunch is particularly amazing–it’s like $8 for a taste of all different kinds of dishes and all those lovely bright saucies.
I personally advocate leaving town on one’s birthday and joining one’s friends at a particular beach where fried shrimp and beer and cake are available.
Great pic!
Very sensible, not forsaking bacon. I honestly don’t know how my veg friends do it. You can substitute dumplings or mixed veg (cauliflower, potatoes, peas, green beans) for the lamb.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EDGY MAMA! I sure hope it’s as sweet as you are
Thanks, ND! I’m having a very laid back day–but the Tarheels better win!
Happy happy birthday! I hope you went to the Mellow Mushroom. They have one in Jax, and I love going there… like, totally.
Happy Birthday EM! Yes, ask for whatever you want, on your birthday you always have a better chance of getting it.
Also…
If you read PN and my recent rant please remember to take it with a grain of salt, I love the Earth and I love saving it. I just love people too.
Hope you have a Happy Birthday!!
Happy Birthday!!! I’d be very pouty at not having complete veto power on MY day. Wishing you lots of happiness in the upcoming year!
Happy B-Day, EM!
Great picture. Happy Birthday!
My word verification is Brad X. Probably that crazy Angelina girl’s idea.
Happy belated, hon!!!!!!!!!!!