Getting ready to start another 365 fresh days, looking back on birthdays of yesteryear has been bittersweet. I’ve lost (and found!) the “celebrate everyday” mantra that I was so used to pre-Rapegate, coupled with the loss of relationships, deaths and general life changes that have been no control of mine.
YOU WILL CELEBRATE. AND YOU WILL FUCKING LOVE IT.
However, peering back over my shoulder now, there are extremely important lessons that I adhere to even today, as I prepare to celebrate another year of fabulous fun.
Huff. Puff. Blow.
Still at it.
Thank God I have candle blowing help now.
1) Always take a peek in a mirror before a photo is snapped, forever capturing the loveliness of you on your special day or you may end up with something like this….
Hello Gorgeous.
Relax already.
Seriously. Stare in the mirror and give a rat’s ass or you’ll be gazing at your lovely self in something as beautiful as a crocheted vest for years to come.
Fashion at its finest accessorized with wispy bangs.
Own advice not taken. Clearly.
2) Upon receiving presents, always act like you’ve just received the best.gift.ever. Even if you have no clue what it is or have no intention of ever wearing/using/displaying/eating/drinking.
Holy shit! I love it! No, truly I do.
3) Hold up fingers to commemorate which age you were celebrating, as these photos will end up in albums and you won’t always remember what outfit you wore which year (side note: how hilarious is it that I have a shirt on that says First Mate, First Mate?).
I’m this many today.
Even if you’re not quite sure how old you are, own whatever you are saying which will demand more attention on you.
If I say I’m two and a half, I AM TWO AND A HALF, ya dig?
When you’re out of fingers on both hands, just count drinks.
Three times….infinity?
4) Cake matters. Choose your design wisely.
Everyone wants a piece of Scooby.
Then insist someone hand feed it to you.
Keepin’ it classy. As usual.
Just be careful if your cake starts on fire due to the copious amount of candles.
5) Practice your ‘birthday face’ so you can look adorable in all photos.
Oh who me? Why yes it is my birthday. I’ll just hold this pose for the rest of the day.
Adorableness fail.
Oh hi, just an adorable Mexican giddy-up for a girl who can’t keep her eyes open.
6) Be sure to have a themed party. Even if it involves you looking like an ass clown.
Send in the clowns.
Even if no one shows up, you still look like you got it going on.
7) Dance, jump and twirl to your heart’s content, acting as if you have one ounce of rhythm somewhere in your being.
Shake, rattle and rollin’ expected.
High kicks accepted.
Head banging also welcomed but you’ll regret it in the morning. Trust me.
8) Noisy favors are a must. Especially if party goers are under the age of six.
Blow out birthday party.
It’ll wear them out and force them to be couch potatoes.
Overcrowded couch? What’s better than that?
9) Always go with the celebratory flow.
Balloons in my hair? Sounds like a good birthday look.
Or at least let someone catch you when the flow gets to be too much for you to stand on your own.
Hey-oh!
10) Don’t ever turn away a birthday kiss, no matter how much you think it may hurt your face.
Always being low maintenance, scruffy faces hurt my cheek. Shave already!
Presh loves to French kiss. Don’t judge.
11) Even if you share the same birthday with a cousin (gentleman to my left in photo below with thrilled look on his face) be sure you try to be the star of the show anyhow.
Sorry. Not sorry B. Happy Birthday by the way!
12) Never, ever, ever, ever turn down a birthday shot. Ever.
Birthdays taste so good.
13) Enjoy the fuck out of the loved ones who surround you for celebration because you never know when it’ll be the last time.
Teddy B and me.
Crazy and Aunt Crazy Pants.
This year, I’ll be drinking to the wise words my Gma always told me as I bitched about growing another year older, “having another birthday sure beats the alternative.”
She was one smart lady.
I’ll drink to that!
No matter how hard I have to huff, puff and blow on my candles.
Cheers to your birthdays of yesteryear – as well as a year full of the happiest of birthdays for all of us and those we hold dear!
CBXB
Cowboys and Crossbones 