Happy Birthday! Wait! What?

So my mom informed me yesterday afternoon that she and dad forgot my birthday. This is a fact I have been well aware of for almost two months since my birthday was on June 25th.

Well, half birthday that is. My real birthday is on Christmas and ever since I was little my mom always made a point of celebrating my half birthday since Christmas was always so busy with family stuff - a gesture much appreciated since it ensured I wouldn't receive any combination (Christmas/Birthday) gifts.

As I've gotten older my half birthday has been less celebrated than in years past. Which I'm fine with since I hate the birthday song almost as much as I like cake. (Almost! They don't quite cancel each other out.) It went from rainbow/50s/slumber party blowouts in my pre-teens to dinner with a small group of close friends over the last decade or so. I remember my grandfather calling me one year and asking, "are we still doing the half birthday thing?" I told him no since I preferred getting a big check once a year over two smaller checks twice a year. He appreciated the opportunity to save a stamp. You're welcome grandpa! I think my parents are the only ones who still consistently celebrate my half birthday...that is until this year.

I can't really be upset with them over this grievance though for a number of reasons:

a) I am TERRIBLE about remembering birthdays. If I forgot yours, I'm sorry. I probably wrote it down but neglected to look at my calendar for over a week (which I often do) and was so embarassed that I didn't say anything the day of that I figured it was better if I didn't say anything at all. If you had a party that involved cake, it would increase the likelihood of my remembering ten fold.

b) We are usually so busy in the summer that the celebration of my half birthday gets put off a month or two anyway.

c) I usually have such a hard time deciding what I want to do for my birthday that it gets put off an additional month or two. If I wait until after Labor Day to decide, my mom gets upset with me and threatens to not celebrate it on purpose.

d) My parents celebrate my birthday twice a year.

I'm always so surprised they insist on doing so. I'm sure there's been several years I didn't deserve it. But I appreciate that they go the distance to make sure that I have a day that celebrates me alone and not all that Christmas Day encompasses. When you have a birthday showdown with the Messiah, you rarely, strike that, never come out on top.

Besides, who am I to turn down cake in my honor twice a year? Quarter birthdays anyone? Takers? Bueller?

Global Warming

I have to admit that I don't really care about the environment all that much. If there's a recycle bin available, I will use it but I don't go out of my way to consider our earth's resources. I heard a compelling argument in college that global warming was just a geological trend and I've held to it ever since. That is, until now.

I saw an add today that said: STOP GLOBAL WARMING...OR ALL THE REESE'S WILL MELT.

I am seriously concerned.

Life is like...

I very often live in my own little world but whenever someone mentions chocolate, I pay attention. I have to admit Forrest (or his mama if I want to be accurate) was right. Life is like a box of chocolates and you never know what you're gonna get.

That's about as much as I can guarantee for this blog. You never know what you're gonna get, but it most likely will be sweet and I can assure you that chocolate will be a recurring theme. I figure I will just post things as they come to me, you can pick the pieces that you like and toss the rest out along with the box and paper cups.

My hope is that it gives some insight into who I am for those that don't know me as well and a connection for those that do know me but are far from home. My sisters and my best friend have been blogging for a little while now and even though I may not see them for months on end, it makes me feel like I get to be a part of their lives, even if I am basically just reading their diary (although this time with their permission). No matter how small the part I may play, I'm grateful they've invited me in. So I do the same for you. Have a seat, read on and may chocolate always be by your side.