In Anarctica (where Phil lives) it is already my birthday

by BethArchives / People I know
Phil & I. We like Birthdays!
Phil & I. We like Birthdays!

Before I get started I just want to say,

. . . Happy Birthday Big Al and Happy Birthday Jen (Phil’s sister-in-law and my good friend). I know you don’t know each other, but I am glad that you are both a part of my life.

—

Phil & I. We like Birthdays!

Moments ago Phil called me. Yes, the very same Phil, who presently lives in Antarctica.

“Happy Birthday Beth.”

“Phil?”

“Yep. It’s me, and Beth, it’s your birthday. You see, down here in the Southern Hemisphere it is already April 24th and I thought having forty-eight hours to celebrate would be much better than having twenty-four.”

“You are absolutely right about that, Phil. We have been celebrating all weekend long. In fact, we took the boys to REI yesterday afternoon to buy them new summer shoes. When they noticed the flip flops, I said, ‘let’s buy them both because, hey, it’s my birthday.’ And I even encouraged Dave to buy the goofy Panama hat. Why? Because it is my birthday. It’s that one time of year when I try not to over-analyze every detail (like purchases).”

Even though I feel slightly lame announcing that tomorrow is my birthday, I had to tell you. Why? (Hey, and, what’s wrong with a little birthday love solicitation? [wink]) But really, I had to tell you because I had to express how grateful I am that Phil took the day off from his grueling schedule as supply guy at the McMurdo base so he could call me on my “real” birthday. (He told me if he took tomorrow off, my birthday would already be over — even here and he didn’t want me to feel anxious that I was forgotten.) — And moreover, how many times can I say that someone called me from the Southern Part of our planet just to wish me a happy birthday? Pretty cool, huh?

I told Phil that I thought this all might be a dream seeing as how I am concussing today. You see, I bumped my head by running head first into a piece of steel playground equipment Friday evening while chasing Eli through the park. (Thank you to the dolly-holding, sweet, little girl who rubbed my arm and asked if I was ok while Eli ran to get Dave). My head has been pounding all weekend and today we had it confirmed. All my wild emotions (yes, even more wild than my usual wild emotions), this horrible headache, wearing my sunglasses at night, my blurred vision and slurred speech are not just in my head. Get it? In my head. Seems I have a serious concussion. (There is a better name for it, but because I have a little dain bramage right now I can’t remember it. Wait. Maybe it was a Level III Concussion . . .)

So Phil, thank you! You made my day! Better yet, you made me feel loved; something I totally need on a day when I am feeling so out of my mind.

(Brenda [my big sister] thank you for calling too. I am so glad you and your fire alarm caught the basement fire before your house burned down. We love you!)

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55 thoughts on “In Anarctica (where Phil lives) it is already my birthday”

  1. You’re head injured, so I shall protect you myself and prevent you from running off with Tom Cruise.

    Happy Birthday!!

    (hope you feel better soon)

  2. Well, since you’re not feeling up to par, I won’t ask the infamous question…

    So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETH!

    And for when you are feeling better…”How Old Are You, Anyway?” hehehe

    Hope you start feeling better!

  4. i didn’t forget it was your birthday, because tomorrow is my official “worst day of the year,” and i will always remember it’s your birthday…the one shining moment of the date. 🙂

  9. Happy birthday, Beth! You could stretch this out much longer if you want – after all, how can you really celebrate when you’re concussed? It calls for at least another two days of celebrations to make up for it 😉

  10. Happy Birthday Beth! We love you! And GOOD FOR YOU for enjoying a little extra celebration! I personally always try to milk it for longer than the 24 hours by claiming “It’s birthday EVE!” Enjoy your day!

  14. Oh my gosh. Are you okay? I wish I could come over and make sure you’re not pouring cereal into the sink and dropping coffee cups on the bathroom floor over and over.

    Seriously, get some rest. Gosh. That’s so you to get a playground injury.

    Now, on to better things. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! What a gal! And what a wonderful husband you have! And what adorable boys! The only thing that could make your birthday better is if Orrin Hatch showed up at your front door and did a suggestive dance while Donny Osmond sang. Right? Am I right?

  15. Son of a goat, that sucks. Happy, happy birthday on your actual birthday! (I waited to comment until today). Concussions hurt like hell. Be kind to yourself today, and let yourself be babied. xo

  17. Happy birthday concussion grrrrl. You’re hardcore! You play so hard you knock YOURSELF out!

    Ok, that’s my lame attempt at being funny for the day.

    Feel better soon.

  24. Bethy: Wishing you a wonderful b-day! Dave you are the best husband ever! What a stupendous tribute to Beth on her birthday!!! I tried the home phone, but will try your cell shortly. I couldn’t ask for a better friend all these years. With the concussion and all you may have forgotten that we are flying to Bermuda next week for some well deserved girl time? J.K. – I wish. Love you much, Mel

  25. Having a husband write such nice things is the best present a girl could get! Happy day, Beth!
    May all your icing be on the cake and not in packs applied to your head. OUCH!

  30. Happy Birthday Beth!
    Wishing you all the best in the year to come – and for today, balloons and cupcakes!

  31. Happy Birthday Beth. May you have your best yet!

    And feel better. A concussion. My, my! I’m thinking of you.

    That post from Dave was awesome. You guys are awesome.

    Hugs & Kisses. Enjoy your day!

  35. Happy Birthday! I don’t comment too often but I love reading about you and your boys. Sounds like you are doing a great job.

  37. happy birthday beth!

    you are a fantastical magical wonderful mothe of two beautiful beautiful boys

    and a magnificent husband too

    well done

    well done

    enjoy

    xxxxx

  38. I still have about fifteen minutes before it’s not your birthday anymore here on the edge of the Northeast Kingdom where the “S” word (snow) was in the weather forecast today.

    I should have suspected something cosmic when I managed to stay up two and a half hours longer than the kids so that I could write a quasi poem for you. I wish I could say I wrote it because it’s your birthday, but . . . but . . . um . . . but I did write it because I love you. I’ll e-mail it to you. That’s actually why I logged onto your site after all this time. I wanted to find your a-mail address without having to fire up the “other” computer. It was meant to be. (I should have known a person as cool as yourself would share my favorite granny’s birthday).

    Here’s a hug and a gentle kiss for your owiiiiiieeee head. I wish it had happened to the person who got glas all over the little guy’s carseat instead. I gave myself a big owie overstretched tendon on the back of my hand a year or so ago on the monkey bars. Some people just never grow up (and if it weren’t for being so clumbsy it would be a good thing).

    Happiest of all possible happy birthdays. Here’s a turkey for you and a turkey for me crazy proctractor chin girl.

    I still love you.
    Alana

  40. I feel so guilty, I should have known it was your birthday!

    Happy Birthday to you!
    You live in a zoo!
    You look like a monkey,
    and you smell like one, too!

    My twins love that song, and I know this because I sang it to them on Saturday, which was THEIR birthday! I hope your birthday was as special and fun as their’s, concussion notwithstanding.

  41. Happy Birthday lovely Beth! Your family is SO lucky to have you–and I hope you’re already feeling better. Concussions suck. 🙂

  44. Ooouch! That smarts! That sounds like something I would do! HA!

    Well, if you have visions of former Child Stars with the last name of O dancing in your head for a few days, it can’t be all bad, right? As long as you’re not seeing some of those scary dolls Marie sells or her face after the last “tightening” job.

    Get well soon so you can actually see the right number of candles on your cake. No one wants to see double there!

  45. I have de-lurked especially for your special day!

    I am in England and your birthday will officially end in five minutes our time – but that means there’s still many hours to party hearty where you are.

    Happy Birthday!

  51. May your troubles be less and your blessings be more. May nothing but happiness come through your door. (Sorry, I don’t know where it’s from) I hope that you have had a wonderful birthday and that you have an even better year!

    Happy Birthday!!

  52. Happy Birthday Beth and Wow what a “cool” story about Phil. That was really nice of him. Someone certainly should have commented on what a great guy he his.

    love
    Phil

  53. Don’t ever feel ashamed to admit it’s a birthday. YEAH! Beth has made it to another year! I agree with everything Dave has said. I feel it so strongly, and I’ve never met you.

    And a birthday concussion!?! WOW! I hope you’re feeling better.

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