This is last year's Halfway to Christmas celebration. For my birthday last year, Ricardo arranged for me to get mooned. How sweet is that!? I wonder what I'll get THIS YEAR!?
I didn't have a lot of any birthday parties when I was growing up. Except this one time, on my 16th birthday, my pal - we'll call her the divine Miss M -she threw me a surprise birthday party. I don't know how she did it but she had all my favorite peeps, including a BAND we loved at the time. Because we were church youth group roadies and all. They sang Shamma Lamma Ding Dong to me - a capella. I don't know why I love that song more: because it's from one of the greatest movies ever, because Crossrodes sang it to me at my own personal birthday, or because some guy named Otis sang it. Because Otis is just a great name, whether you're a soul singer or a Pug. Either way, it's one of the best songs out there. And I don't know how I should have been our wedding song.
So, now that I'm all grown up. I throw myself a party - Mom on the Rocks style - EVERY YEAR. Yo damn right, I do!
The other day we were shopping for what has become our annual affair of the Halfway To Christmas Cookout over here. I'd dragged the kids to giant grocery shopping for meats and beer and ofcourse a cake. And yes, I buy my own damned cake. So, I was explaining to the lady at the counter what to write on it, "Happy Halfway To Christmas!" And then I explained that it was my birthday, but that I'm old enough now that I don't really want presents and all, just cake and my pals to come over, so I made my own holiday.
And that's when Lucy and Max were all, "MOM! WHY ON EARTH WOULD YOU EVER NOT WANT PRESENTS!?"
I tried to explain that the party was my present. I just would just rather my friends come hang out with me on my birthday. That's all I want. After losing Carrie, it's just clear to me that every birthday is worth celebrating with as many friends as possible. I love getting older. I mean, how do you explain to your kids, "Oh, Mommy just wants to celebrate kicking another year's ass!" How do you do that?
And it's worth it to me to do the shopping, clean the toilets, and mow the lawn in preparation for my friends to swing by and hang out with me. Because that's the only time we clean is when we have people over. Not that I have friends that hold out on an rsvp with, "Uh, you cleaned your toilets right? Yes? Okay, we'll be there!"
So, here's to getting older - it's own little gift to me. I welcome that extra year eagerly, and all my friends and family who help me celebrate. And the cake. Mama loves cake!
I have some precious peeps far away who can't make it to the Halfway To Christmas party. But I hope each of you goes and finds some cake today and then whispers right before that first bite "Yay Leslie!"
That's how I roll.
Song of the day - you got it: Shamma Lamma Ding Dong by Otis Day & The Knights
Yo Momma!!! Happy Birthday! I will so have cake on your behalf:) Wish I could be there to celebrate. I think I might just have to do that next summer! I'm so happy you celebrate the way we all should! I need to take a page from you book today and carry (Carrie) it with me every day! I love you tons! Happy day!
Bon
What a fabulous way to celebrate your birthday, enjoy a great time with friends and family, and get the house clean all at once. I can't eat cake, but I can send you lots of happy birthday - or rather, happy half way to Christmas energy.
I so did not know you had a holiday for your birthday!?! Love it! Hope it was a great one and while I didn't have any cake, I did have a cookie and think about you. : ) BTW...so get you about the cleaning only when people come over. We try to have some kind of company at least once every 2 weeks for that very reason.
Just recovered enough from David's reunion last night to listen to your message. Your 16th B-day will always be one of my favorite parties! I am so glad you had fun. I just got all teary-eyed reading your blog. You are blessing and a joy...you put the mm-awe-awe back into my life....