Happy Birthday, My Sweet Boy

From this tiny baby


To this Big Kid


in the blink of an eye.

I love you so much, and feel so honored to be your Mom.

Happy Birthday, Herman

My Dad, Herman Cyrus Christianson would have been 91 today.

Everyone called him "Cy". There were a select few though, who could get away with "Herman". I was nervy enough to try, and lucky enough to get away with it.

Happy Birthday, Dad. I miss you.

If October 4th Is Your Birthday

You survived the wretched normality of a suburban childhood, and it gave you a penchant for creativity. You spend your early adult years unaware of your own hotness, and while you think you are only the "friend", it is really your own cluelessness that saves you from the clutches of many ill-fitting matches. You spend your early thirties running away from a tenacious redhead, but this just makes you more attractive, and you will wind up married.

You find balance later in life, but not on a bicycle.

Your forties finds you struggling with the satisfaction of domesticity and the pull to create, but it is in your role as a parent that you shine. Your shimmering mind and loving heart are just two of the tools in your parenting tool kit that make this job so perfect for you. You are admired and adored by your family, and your perserverence and attention to the needs of others are an inspiration to the people in your life.

You are adept with words, and your talent in this area needs to be given more attention as you move into mid-life. Your family is supportive of this endeavor, and will do what is necessary to help you achieve your goals.

You are incredibly sensual and sexual and there is little (if anything) that turns you off. You attract others like moth to a flame with your wit and self-deprecating sense of humor, and your sexy, sexy legs which you choose to show off in middle years by wearing a kilt. This is a very good choice for you - few people can pull it off like you can.

In fact, your "animal magnetism" is so strong that you do share an unspoken love with another species - mornings are especially important, and you must do your best not to let this "love" know of your commitment to your family, as he is jealous, and furry, and will hiss when unhappy.

Oh, and if October 4th is your birthday, you might just be my husband. And that would make me the luckiest woman alive.

Happy Birthday, my sweet love. You are the light of my life.

With apologies to Ellin Dodge.

If September 4th is your birthday....

You are a stickler for managing and organizing your finanacial affairs but never get the hang of learning from your experiences. You cannot manage the restlessness you feel as a youngster and leave your community to break with traditions. Basically you are down to earth and determined to be successful. It is the uncertainty and surprises of childhood that tax your methodical mind. Mid-life offers you the chance to meet people and experiences that recognize just how dependable you really are. As a child, you must be wiser than your years.

From your late twenties to your early fifties, you are productive and constructive. You are a habitual worker and practic your skills with a determination to see financial results. You want material success and to live comfortably. Real estate, farming, construction businesses, physical fitness programs and military service are stepping-stones for your technical applications. Manufacturing offers an opportunity for you to see a tangible result and a profit.

It is necessary for you to buld consistently for the future and to put your physical energy to the test. Unused energy results in destructive activities. You can be very obedient or refuse to follow any pattern.

Love and work do not meld during your early years. It's one or the other. When you reach late years, you handle your self-imposed discipines without imposing them on your family or lovers. You are devoted, trustworthy and sincere. However, your youthful follies may be a tough act to follow. You grow far from your place of birth and find life after age fifty rewarding.

From "You Are Your Birthday" by Ellin Dodge

Happy Birthday to Kimberly! If this isn't insightful, I hope it's at the least amusing.

Happy Birthday, Ms. Hoo!

If you are one of those lucky enough to call the fabulous Suttonhoo a friend, then you are lucky beyond measure. If you only know of her from her amazing blog Detritus, then let me tell you a few things about her that you might not know...

She works like a demon. She's got the goods, and then some when it comes to talent, but she's so humble you'd never guess it. She's got her arms open to life, and if you look up the word "lovely" in the dictionary, you'll see her picture. She would never write anything mean about anyone on tv. But if YOU did, and say, you got busted? She would say something to make you feel better. And then she'd laugh at you a lot. Which is why you love her.

She's one of those gorgeous smart girls. If you read her blog, you know she's tall, too, so she could kick yer ass if she needed to, but she wouldn't ever need to, because she would disarm you with her charming wit immediately, and you would never even feel foolish for having wanted to tussle with the likes of her. Just lucky that you didn't.

She's the kind of friend who shows up. When we both lived in Seattle, she helped us move (twice, in one year), and when we moved to LA and I had been there only days, I received a call to tell me my father lay dying in a nursing home three states away. She met me during a layover at the Seattle Airport with bagels and a hand to hold. She's just so kind.

She loves a great cup of coffee, The New York Times, and laughing at mortifying stories. She won't shy away from a good, cleansing cry, either. And no matter how much time or distance stands between you, she will remember your stories. Sometimes better than you do. Because she likes stories and she loves you.

D., I wish you a full cup of dark, rich, hot coffee and something chocolate to go with it.
To your next year - may it be full of adventure (the good kind), and laughs (the best kind), and dear friends (the only kind).
Love you to bits and pieces.
Mrs. McQ

From "You Are Your Birthday" by Ellin Dodge

If August 24th is your birthday:

You are sensitive, detail conscious and want all the comforts of home. In youth your pettiness, jealous outbursts and overly humble manner created disharmony in your community. When you become cooperative and maintain friendships, your youthful relationships are helpful in mid-life. Love and a peaceful atmosphere at home or business are essential to your emotional and practical well-being. A helpmate, teacher or assertive friend is inspirational and helps you to make decisions. You intend to improve your material standards, have your own home and are willing to work in youth.

In your twenties you relate best to males due to your sensitivity to your mother as a tot. You are opinionated and play devil's advocate to get a rise out of everyone. It is difficult for you to be decisive or patient until you get in touch with your true feelings. As a child, your temper tantrums or violent dislikes were ignored. If you were encouraged to share your personal opinions, develop your intellectual strengths and build self-confidence, you would not make mountains out of your personal molehills or be too self-concerned.

You are too intent upon surviving before the war begins. In mid-life you assume responsibilities and begin to recognize your exceptional talents. You are a late bloomer and begin to receive recognition after age forty.

You have lived unconventionally and sensually and learned about life as you encountered changes and surprise. The people and experiences that you met in youth are stepping-stones to your concentration in later years. You have material protection.

Happy Birthday to my fave Minivan Mom

It's Tracey's birthday over at More Than A Minivan Mom, so in her honor, I dug out my old copy of "You Are Your Birthday"

Here's what it says if your birthday falls on July 6th:

You are inclined to question established procedures and respond with an emotional commitment to work your heart out for "the cause". Whatever "the cause" may be, you stay with it until your late years bring you "the effect."

You are impatient. Childhood domestic responsibilities and financial circumstances curb your individuality. You surround yourself with inspirational talkers and group energies which bring out your very generous and very selfish attitudes. Men who relate to your early years, particularly the father, may be too authoritative, secretive or aloof or may not be reliable. Your self-motivation and inventiveness are challenged by youthful experiences, and you will desperately want approval. There is a tendency, as an adult, to allow yourself to be alternately dominated or dominating. A change before age forty opens doors to a fast-paced life-style that encourages you to discover a truer you.

A tranquil marriage, a career that maks a meaningful contribution and deep-seated friendships are high on your list of lifetime goals. Expressive and socially aware people add their interests in music, community welfare, and home improvements to your heavy sense of personal idealism. You enjoy upgrading and maintaining a consistently comfortable atmosphere. You take pride in your background, your family and your personal discrimination. Be tolerant of your opposites.

In later years you would be wise to realize that opposites are the desirable ingredients that provide the necessary grit to encourage change. You keep working. Be expansive and ready to teach and learn. Don't expect everyone to be just like you.