Well. I gotta say, officially:

Welcome, to the end of Richard’s Birthday. I hope you don’t take umbrage with that.

It has been a whirlwind. A whirlwind! Sunday we had a moment where I gave him a card. We had to work. Monday was the ‘no big deal’ dinner that we go out to every week anyway, only with a few surprise guests that became the *only* surprise and a ton of fun after our 4 months in the works Surprise At Wild Animal Park Saturday was spoiled by an otherwise well-intended e-card. (Run on sentence, anyone?) Tuesday was.. breakfast and lunch out. Wednesday he had cocktails with Sheila. Thursday we had to work. Friday was The Happy Hour at The Hotel Del Coronado That Turned Into Dinner and a Crashed Wedding Reception (well, we didn’t crash it, but our friends that were with us did…). Weee! And then we land on our crown jewel of Birthday Week…

Wild Animal Park. Not just a trip to the park with 7 close friends that he knew about. Oh no. Sheila and I still had one last secret. Well 2 really. But one from the original plan. 

It was a behind the scenes VIP Tour at The Wild Animal Park. I hope someone got a picture of his reaction because he was so shocked/happy it was comical. The tour was great fun. I do recommend it especially if you are a Zoo Member as it makes it more affordable. Anyhoo. So we did that. But Sheila had one last trick up her sleeve and kept us on a timeline. After the tour and a bit of fun at the park it was my job to get Richard all the way downtown by 4:30. We were to have afternoon cocktails, nibbles, and watch the sun set on a yacht. And we did. OMG.

It was an amazing and dramatic and exhausting week. The whole surprise element I thought might kill me. I am bad at secrets like that. I was confused, I couldn’t remember who I told what and whom I invited where and what lies I had told! I finally told Sheila that next year if we are gonna try and surprise Richard, just keep it to yourself and send me a bill for my share after. I don’t want to know. LOL!! But it was fun and I am thrilled that he had such a great week. Lots of pictures to come on Flickr.

Now I think I might have to go back to bed. I am pooped. Heh. *yawn*

tagged: richard birthday safari wild animal park birthday week
  happy, relieved

daniel · lunch time · say it · ping it

To the most important person in my life, the man who has stood by me through good and bad for 11 (or 12) years, my partner, my confidante, my friend, my lover…

Thank you for spending another year of your life with me! Happy Birthday!

tagged: richard birthday richardallen

daniel · mid-morning · 9 comments · ping it

OMG. It’s anniversary day! As is my tradition, seen here, I did nothing. I knew it was coming, just like last year. I still work *at* the mall so shopping or a card would be easy enough. I just can’t get it together… After reading last years post I am a bit jumpy, worried some box or something is gonna pop out of somewhere leaving me to feel like a total heel. I thought we agreed tho. We get another iPhone. That is the gift, so we each end u with killer phones! Yay!

We are spending the day at a friend’s house for a BBQ and hopefully fireworks. She lives on Coronado Island, so we should be able to see the show without too much effort! There is champagne chilling in the fridge for later tonight. And we have a week off. I think that is a pretty good start on Anniversary festivities!

Anyhoo. Happy Anniversary Richard! Thank you for keeping me company all these years…

tagged: richard iphone coronado tradition anniversary gift fireworks

daniel · mid-morning · 6 comments · ping it

My man was singing and humming the National Anthem in the shower this morning. I don’t know what was going on with that. Maybe he felt patriotic?

And so the sleep depravation posts begin…

 

tagged: richard singing shower national anthem

daniel · terribly early · 1 comment · ping it

Have you seen the gas prices lately? You must have. It’s insane. So Richard and I are trying to work it out so that we can commute together some days. Or most days. We could do it if we had too. Our places of employment are less than 5 miles apart. Our schedule are almost identical, other than that weird extra hour that they add on his closing shifts. We could probably commute everyday together saving like 200 a month in gas (or more if the prices keep rising). Imagine! The reason we don’t is that someone can’t leave work on time. So I would be like waiting around for who knows how long while Richard tries to get himself finished for the day. I understand. He has a lot going on at work, where for me it’s just a typical springtime in retail. Kinda even keel.

We are gonna try it this weekend. I’ll let you know how it goes. The last time we commuted together was when he was saving up for his new car and went car-less for a while. It was okay, although he tried to take the bus as much as possible as we tended to bicker on the ride over. Heh. Us bicker? Never… 

tagged: richard work gas gas prices commuting

daniel · late morning · say it · ping it

Those of you that have been with me a while know that Richard and I have this rule. No gifts. Not on Christmas, birthdays, or any other gift giving holiday. It has worked for us. Instead of sweaters and cologne and junk throughout the year, we do meaningful purchases. Like our bedroom set this year. That was Christmas, and then some. Over the years we have been able to get things we may not have otherwise. So it’s good. ‘No gifts’ works. Oddly though, the rule has exceptions. I guess most rules do. Heh. So Valentine’s has been one constant exception. No matter how much we discuss the ‘no gift’ rule, no matter how often he refuses any exceptions I want to make, Richard has always sent me flowers on Valentine’s. Well, until last year. That was when he hid an iPod Shuffle in the mail box. That was classic! Naughty, but classic. I think he subconsciously is compelled on VD. Scott said it well with his Valentine post:

If you are hooked-up, partnered, or married, the situation isn’t much better.  Ads on television and the radio remind your special someone that if you don’t buy them at least the Hope Diamond for VD, then you must despise them and you are little more than cow manure in human form.  Don’t think that you can get away with just one VD gift or card either.  According to a recent television ad I saw from a card company, you must find a humorous card that smartly sums up your love for this person in a funny way, a “I can’t bear to be without you” card that you slip into the person’s briefcase or tote bag, and then finally the “You are so completely perfect in every way that I need you more than oxygen itself” card.

LOL. I hope that isn’t why he does it. I am delighted every year to be surprised. This year was a total surprise! He has been so against my getting an iPhone that it has been a bit scary. We have even argued about it (I was going to get it last week as I had saved enough actual cash while still taking care of my bills). So imagine my surprise when I opened the card he had stashed in my lunch I took to work yesterday and found an enormous Apple gift card! Not an iPhone, but a nice chunk to put towards an iPhone! I am sooo excited! An still a bit shocked. I am so spoiled by that man! I love him! Heh.

I just wish I knew ahead of time so I could know how much we were spending. I figured from recent happenings (car accident) that this was to be a no gift year for reals. Now I feel cheap. I am going to take him to dinner this weekend, or lunch. He loves a good lunch out. In the meantime, I do think I did well with the card I selected for him .

tagged: richard iphone holiday love ipod lunch surprise gifts valentine
  excited

daniel · at some point · 5 comments · ping it