Thirty-six years ago today, a young woman gave birth to a squalling infant.
That infant would be me.
That squalling infant grew into a precocious child.
Precocious is generally a polite word for ‘annoying know it all’.
Gr.1. I remember that shirt. It was not the last plaid shirt with a bow around my neck that I would wear.
The precocious child grew into a sullen tweenie bopper.
She wore her hair like a boy’s and spent most of her days in red stirrup sweat pants and an over-sized red and white striped sweatshirt.
Her fashion sense has not improved much since then.
Ten. My grandma baked that cake. Sigh. Caaaaake.
Time slipped past and suddenly that sullen tweenie bopper wakes to find herself staring smack into age 36.
She wishes she had cake. Or a hair brush.
Oh yay! 36! Sweet baby Jeebus, how did this happen?
Thanks Mom, for you know, the whole gestation and birthing thing you did for me. It was probably the best gift you ever gave me. Almost as good as the bike you and Dad gave me on Christmas morning but not near as cool as that framed portrait of John Wayne you once gave me.
Still. Life. I have it.
36 years of it, thanks to you and Dad. Thanks for the giving me the gift of life.
I’m still waiting on that pony I asked for though.
Just sayin’.














Marta
Happy Belated Birthday!
I have to say that I have never worn a plaid shirt with a bow at the collar and hope to continue that =)
anurag
happy birthday .
E :-)
you are hilarious. I look forward to your blog all the time.
Ado
Oh I just loved this post! But your life went by in such a blur, didn’t it? I mean it’s still going…but the post – zip! Time flies.
How cute is that plaid shirt with the bow thing?!
The Flying Chalupa
I love that you got a framed portrait of John Wayne – now THAT is a gift. Maybe not cake, but a swell gift nonetheless.
Happy birthday!
Teri
Happy Birthday!!!
Carolina John
haha, Happy birthday Tanis!
Vicky Applebaum
Happy birthday! You’re in your best decade, take it from someone who’s ahead of you! Just started reading your blog – nice work!
OldDogNewTits
Happy birthday. Don’t sweat it. You are a baby. By the time you were born, I had already graduated from Kindergarten and lost some teeth. Enjoy the day and continue to appreciate your own mom. She rocks. You’re both invited to http://www.olddognewtits.com. I’ll have a cake there for you. What’s your favorite flavor … or will you, like me, mostly be sucking down the icing?
Vida
Happy Birthday!
Kelley @ magnetoboldtoo
and still damn hot.
Even if you are a Ranga.
Happy Birthday my gorgeous friend.
x
Kara
Ah…the plaid shirt with the bow at the neck. It almost makes me nostalgic for the 80′s. Almost. Happy Belated Birthday!
Josette at Halushki
Happy Birthday, Ms. Pretty Pretty McGorgeous!
(LOVE the boy hair cut! You were “dadorable!” – as my 5yo says.)
thebarefootindian
Happy Birthday!
Kelly
Listen. I myself turned 36 this month, and I have a suggestion for you. Drink Patron. It’s smooth both going down and coming up. Please do not ask for details on how I gained this knowledge. Anyway, a couple of shots of that brand of liquid heaven and you will no longer give a shit how old you are. Happy Birthday!!
allie
the 27th is my birthday too! happy birthday
thank you for always seeing the good in things and always managing to lift my spirits. your writing is superb.
patchhats
Happy Belated Birthday! Now Gift..Also, I thought you mom’s may be interested in the newest kids craze in my town, Patch Hats! Check out a hat you have never seen before here at www patchhats com