Setting: In front of the truly magnificent meat counter at the Fresh Market in Kildeer, IL, last night.
Me: What should we have Monday night? Those ribeyes are gorgeous but I also really like the looks of the stuffed pork chops. And yet, the mustard crusted chicken breasts are always a solid choice. Which should we choose?
Fletch: (slapping his head) Oh! I forgot to tell you - after our all-day seminar in Oak Brook on Monday I'm invited to go to a team dinner.
Me: (no words - just death glare)
Fletch: What?
Me: Monday?
Fletch: Yeah, why?
Me: (glower) MONDAY. (glower) DINNER. (glower)
Fletch: Yes, after our meetings - what's the problem?
Me: Um, you're telling me you're going to be having dinner elsewhere on Monday, the actual night of my birthday?
Fletch: Shit, I completely forgot! Should I decline the invitation?
Me: No! No, not at all! Go to your team dinner. Really? Turning 40 is no big deal. I'll just eat alone. I'll watch Chuck and I'll set up a TV tray and I'll heat up one of those special Healthy Choice frozen dinners with the little cobbler dessert on the side and I'll put a candle in it and I'll sing Happy Birthday to myself surrounded by the cats. It'll be great.
Fletch: Really? I can't believe you're OK with-
Me: (more death glare)
Fletch: (to the butcher) Two ribeyes, please.
Me: Good call.
Happy Birthday!
Mine is coming up in less than 2 weeks and this year will surely beat last year. Last year my then-boyfriend of 9 months didn't want to come to town to see me (we lived 3 hours apart) and instead gave me his pair of season tickets to Steelers game right before my big day. Nothing says happy birthday like football tickets instead of the boyfriend making a drive (and I hadn't seen him in a few weeks so needless to say I was beyond mad). We broke up 2 weeks later b/c he couldn't do the distance anymore. Whatev, at least the Steelers won and this year I'll be fabulously single and celebrating with friends!
Posted by: Jenny T. | November 06, 2007 at 12:53 PM
Happy Birthday.
I must say my 40th is refered to in my inner circle as "Taddygate 2006." He apparently took an off handed comment "nah no big tahdo over my birthday" I made six months before the actual day seriously. He then thought we were having "quiet time" from the silent treatment he was given.
Posted by: Kristina | November 05, 2007 at 06:18 PM
Eh hem... mee mee mee meeeeee...
Happy Birthday, to you!
Happy Birthday, to you!
Happy Birthday, Dear Jen!
Happy Birthday, toooooooooo yoooooooooooou!
Posted by: Kathy | November 05, 2007 at 05:45 PM
MEN.
Posted by: Katie Bonk | November 05, 2007 at 11:54 AM
OUCH. Hope he makes up for it with some serious presents!
and HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
Posted by: Rachel | November 05, 2007 at 10:42 AM
What can I say.....boys are dumb, and it doesn't matter if they're 5 or 50, they will always be boys.
This year Kirk got me a card from the local drug store....cute, but generic....so generic in fact, that when I opened the card I noticed it looked really familiar. I look at my bookshelf and what do I see?? The same damn b-day card, only from my DAD!!! Oye! Something comical about the 'old age fairy'.....again I say, boys are stupid.
Posted by: Karina in T.O | November 05, 2007 at 10:25 AM
Last year, for my birthday (which is coming up really soon... as in less than 3 weeks), my boyfriend drove home early from TN, helped me fix up my new apartment, and went to dinner with my parents and me, where he and my father proceeded to argue over who would pay the bill. (Which, admittedly, was cute.)
But the fact that I had to argue with him about coming home early to celebrate my birthday (the day after Thanksgiving last year), frustrated the hell outta me.
Posted by: The Muse | November 05, 2007 at 10:14 AM
Happy Birthday, Jen! Hope it's great! Fletch just barely survived at that meat counter, didn't he? Heehee!
Posted by: Shelly | November 05, 2007 at 09:27 AM
Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Michelle B. | November 05, 2007 at 09:26 AM
Happy birthday!
Posted by: Ami | November 05, 2007 at 09:20 AM
Hey, Happy Birthday!!!!!!!
Posted by: Ree | November 05, 2007 at 08:31 AM
Happy Birthday!
Mine is today...my boyfriend got wasted, acted like an ass, and I walked out. I expect diamonds tomorrow.
Posted by: Paige | November 05, 2007 at 12:27 AM
Does Fletch have a Y chromosome? Yes? Then, no, he is certainly not using this as a clever front to throw you off the trail of the fabulous birthday extravaganza that he has planned.
I have to give the male species some props, though. My husband is the first person in the world to properly acknowledge my birthday (Dec 23 - blargh!) with non-Christmas cake, and my father had the foresight to have me plan a big party for my mother's 60th birthday. I was annoyed at the time, but she was so happy and it really was his idea.
Happy Birthday - make it fabulous no matter how you celebrate!
Posted by: Cyndi | November 04, 2007 at 11:15 PM
Happy birthday tomorrow!!
Posted by: Liz | November 04, 2007 at 09:38 PM
Happy early Birthday!
and it it weird that i picture your death glare somewhat like the glare of Mr. T?
Posted by: tia | November 04, 2007 at 09:20 PM
Jenn, Jenn, Jenn.
Let him go to his team building event. Guess you havent been married long enough. .you dont have to have the big "do" on the actual day.
Sometimes it's more fun to have your little "me" celebration, then go with Fletch on Friday for a big blowout at your fave place.
I don't know. We have been married for 26 1/2 years - we even buy some of our own gifts . ."Honey, you got me "XXX" for Christmas, K?" And he replies "Of course I did, I am wonderful!". Or vice versa.
It's the being together for what seems like forever that counts. And mind reading each other. And sometimes taking the stress off and letting the other person team build while you order in the BEST MEAL YOU CAN AFFORD and enjoy it. And watch Chuck. And wait for Fletch to come home and share the event. It actually could be nice.
Posted by: Becki | November 04, 2007 at 08:44 PM
They are kinda cute when they don't immediately recognize the death glare, and not so cute when they never recognize it. Fletch pulled it out at the last minute! Can't wait to hear if he purchased a gift, because it doesn't sound like he remembered. Then again, he may be messing around and planned to stay home the whole time and has something fabulous planned. Keep us posted!
Posted by: Jessica | November 04, 2007 at 08:36 PM
Yeah Jen, I think there is something in the male DNA... my birthday was Oct.23rd and as I am celebrating the last year of my 30's I thought the husband might make some attempt to make it special... noooo - he decides to stay out until 1am the night before with his "band" then throws in an old KT Tunstall album and a Rite Aid purchased card into the gift bag my Mom left for him to give me on my birthday... no cake, no rib eye just dated KT and an American Greetings message.
Not to worry I took an all Tom expense paid trip to Sephora the day after my birthday and treated myself to some beauty products to help preserve my 30-something skin...
Happy Birthday! Enjoy!
Posted by: Sandy | November 04, 2007 at 07:58 PM
He better be ponying up more than just ribeye for that faux pas. Happy birthday!
Posted by: Beth | November 04, 2007 at 07:21 PM
Happy Birthday, Jen!!! From a fellow Scorpio, my birthday is today and I had to take my husband to the mall to buy my gift today!!! I love him but I'd love one day for him to surprise me!!
Posted by: Lucy | November 04, 2007 at 06:20 PM
Happy Birthday. Hope it turns out to be a wonderful year for you.
And ribeyes ARE always a good call!
Posted by: motherofbun | November 04, 2007 at 06:17 PM
I turned 40 two years ago this December. For MONTHS before my birthday myself, and close friends, told my husband there had better be a party. Was there? HA, hell hath not froze over yet. To this day I still consider him an asshat for that one!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Posted by: Kath | November 04, 2007 at 05:21 PM
Happy Birthday, Jen!!!!
Fletch better come through on the gift...should we check the obits on Tuesday?
Posted by: Regina | November 04, 2007 at 04:55 PM
My birthday is tomorrow also. I have no boyfriend. I hope you're happy now.
I blame Fletch for EVERYTHING, including me not having a boyfriend
Posted by: Suzy | November 04, 2007 at 04:18 PM
Happy Birthday (one day early)! Glad Fletch made the right choice. I think otherwise his head may have exploded under the force of your death glare. At least, I know that's what would have happened had it been my husband.
Posted by: Jessie | November 04, 2007 at 04:12 PM
Typical male! :)
Happy Birthday Jen!
Posted by: Amy | November 04, 2007 at 04:07 PM
yummmmm ribeyes. Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!! now that you've hit 40 you can celebrate un-birthdays!!
Posted by: Leah | November 04, 2007 at 03:54 PM
Guys are so cute when they're clueless.
Posted by: Karen Vogel | November 04, 2007 at 03:52 PM
Happy Birthday!!!!!!!
Posted by: a real librarian | November 04, 2007 at 02:49 PM
I can totally see this story occurring in my life, except I would be Fletch.
Posted by: tutugirl1345 | November 04, 2007 at 02:31 PM
Classic.
Posted by: Susan | November 04, 2007 at 01:48 PM
Is it at all possible this might be a massive fake-out to conceal the fact that a fabulous surprise party is in the works for your BIG 4-0? Is Fletch that good an actor?? I mean, I know he gave you corn for your anniversary, but seriously, could he possibly forget Monday is your birthday? Really????
Posted by: Ginny | November 04, 2007 at 01:45 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! And may God be with Fletch on Monday, sitting on 290 to get to and from Oak Brook. That's why I finally broke down and moved to the burbs (I work in Oak Brook)... I was sitting on 290 for 2 1/2 hours a day. UGH!!
Posted by: Stephanie | November 04, 2007 at 01:32 PM
I definitely think you could turn this into a stellar gifting opportunity so don't be afraid to think big!!
Happy early birthday by the way!!
Posted by: Mimi | November 04, 2007 at 01:22 PM
Um, Fletch is not too bright in this installment. He's going to have to come up with some SERIOUS bling bling for your birthday to make up for it.
Or alligator shoes. Nevermind. You couldn't trust him to buy the right ones.
Posted by: Jennifer McKenzie | November 04, 2007 at 01:08 PM