Sweater Blanket

So my birthday is in two days. I let Joey and Noah know the expectation: all celebrations begin on Friday and last through Sunday night, Monday if we (I) feel so inclined.

I have learned the hard way that if I have high expectations for my birthday, it's best to just let everyone know exactly what those expectations are. I only get one week for myself a year, after all, and it's pretty much the only time I get away with being, well, completely myself.

One of the most important aspects of this is just flat out TELLING my husband Joe what I want. I was once one of those silly girls who just waited stupidly for her fella to "just know" what she wanted, and then felt horrible when I was presented with socks from The Dollar Store (last year's gift).

Joe is a pretty remarkably intelligent person, and I often credit him with this bit of brilliance, something he shared with me years ago (and has since regretted): "Birthday gifts should be something you WANT, not something you NEED."

This year, I decided I really want the cream colored cable knit blanket for Pottery Barn. It is a blanket that looks like it is made out of a sweater. Hence, I call it the Sweater Blanket.

For the record, pretty much anything from Pottery Barn could be a birthday gift. Let's face it. No one really NEEDS ANYTHING from Pottery Barn. (Unless you NEED an antique jute rope.)

I mentioned the Sweater Blanket to Joe a couple weeks back, giving him plenty of time to process its frivolity, its price, and its potential to be a gift from ANYONE who said, "What does Mary Pat want?" It didn't have to come from Joe.

But this means that Joe probably forgot the Sweater Blanket by now.

Today, I sent him a subtle email that read simply, "Did you make sure I'm getting the Sweater Blanket? My hopes are on it." He replied with, "Gee, I hope so."

On the phone this evening, I said with less nonchalance, "I REALLY can't wait for my Sweater Blanket!"

Joe burst out laughing. "What?" I asked, not understanding the response.

"It's just so ridiculous. Who makes a BLANKET out of a SWEATER? If you're cold, either put on a sweater OR a blanket. Who wears both?"

"Who do you know who is cold enough to wear both at once?" I said pointedly. Joe only laughed harder.

Let him laugh. As long as I get my Sweater Blanket, Joe can laugh all he likes. Happy Birthday to me!