Niece is walking

I talked to my sister today. My niece is walking by herself. I have to take my camera when I go over to do laundry. I am planning on shopping tomorrow. I need gas (the past 2 weeks it has gone up 46 cents to $2.45), groceries, and shop for my birthday.

I have a girls night out with a car rental gal next door the night before my birthday after my Mom's cousin's wedding. I need a new tight shirt, some new jewelry, and I need to consider what to buy for my birthday. The only present I get is from my Mom, $10 if I'm lucky (usually $5). Last year, I received a $1 from my great-aunt, but she died last December. I receive birthday cards from all my siblings, though sometimes I have to remind them my birthday is coming. My oldest niece sends the cutest email cards. Last year, my sister took me out to the new mall with my baby niece. She bought me dinner and we watched a pay per view movie I picked. I guess that counts as a gift.

So, many years ago I started the tradition of buying myself birthday presents. At least I am not in college where I would light a candle on a cupcake, sang Happy Birthday to myself, and blew out the candle. One year a sister sent me flowers when I was in college. Everybody I ran into had to ask where I got the bouquet. When I lived with my brother he gave me a shoe organizer I hung on the door so I can gaze upon the dirt on the bottom of my shoes.

I plan on making my birthday giant cookie instead of buying it. I'll probably take it to work the Friday before. I need to buy paper plates and plastic forks. At work, I traditionally get the "Oh I didn't know it was your birthday" from my coworkers. I mention it at least 20 times the month before. One year my manager got me a bag of cookies I brought with my lunch and a bookmark she crossstiched. A coworker bought me something for my birthday after she saw what the manager gave me. I forgot what it was. One year I brought cake to work to hear my coworkers say "I'm on a diet". And the reason I brought cake was because my sister said I need to be the nice one after I was upset at their demand that I bring treats for my birthday and I told them that this was not elementary school. Only 2 people ate the cake and I was crushed. WHY do I need to be the nice one? So I can keep getting my feelings hurt realizing how little I mean to people. Hey, whatever my coworkers don't eat I can bring to the wedding. I bet my nieces would love a snack, and my cousin's kids too. I better go to bed. Bye!