Friday, March 14, 2008

Happy Birthday

An update! "Beware the Ides of March are upon us." This ominous warning is brought to you by Ralph's wife Char. Ralph came home sick from work yesterday and as Char and I visited on the phone about it I asked her if he was "Cliffing." As we laughed about that I could hear him in the background with a raspy voice saying, "I'm really glad you guys are having a good laugh over me being sick." I could tell she was treating him tenderly when I heard her say as an aside to Ralph, "Get your own phone if you want to talk to Cliff, you're not contaminating this one." So say a little prayer for Char. She's the one who must live with him. Now back to this post.
This sweet young thing is my bride of 36 and 1/2 years. Today is her Birthday.
She celebrated by getting ready and leaving the house at 6:20 this morning and traveled to Blair, Ne to pick up a van load of dogs. She brought them home, groomed all eleven of them, with some help, and is now on the way to deliver them. Our daughter went along this time. I'm keeping the kids while they deliver the dogs and then they plan to go to dinner and a movie. The kids and I are going to a fish fry at the local Catholic church.
I usually go with Marilyn because she'd rather take me along so she doesn't have to give me a kiss goodbye.
I smoked a half rack of baby backs for her at noon and we also had cheese cake with strawberries.
No regular birthday cake. There are so many things I could say, and indeed want to say about the tradition of spanking on birthdays. But I'll wisely leave mention of that alone. For now.

27 comments:

eyes_only4him said...

Aww happy birthday to her....

now u shoulda picked the dogs up for her..dang it cliff..

today is my hubbys birthday too..

;)

Maria said...

A special happy birthday to Marilyn and a blessing from St, Blaze to keep you safe at the fish fry.

1 plus twins said...

omg, i can't get the spanking visual out of my mind now. help talk about something else hurry hurry or i am not gonna be able to look you two in the eye at blogstock. lol

bobbie said...

Happy Birthday, Marilyn! Enjoy!

Jim said...

Happy Birthday Marilyn!
Happy Birthday Marilyn!
Happy Birthday Marilyn!
Happy Birthday Marilyn!
Happy Birthday Marilyn!
Happy Birthday Marilyn!
Happy Birthday Marilyn!
Happy Birthday Marilyn!
Happy Birthday Marilyn!
Happy Birthday Marilyn!
Happy Birthday Marilyn!
Happy Birthday Marilyn!
Happy Birthday Marilyn!
Happy Birthday Marilyn!
Happy Birthday Marilyn!
Happy Birthday Marilyn!
Happy Birthday Marilyn!

That's all the better I can sing, Marilyn, and it is a day late. I hope it is happy!
You could do like Mrs. Jim and Karen, celebrate their birthdays for a couple of weeks.
Cliff could take you out to the Marina in Decatur or some other romantic place for a nice candlelight dinner tonight. Or next week!

Again, even though a day late, Happy Birthday Marilyn!
..
In case people don't know, spanking is a Midwest birthday tradition that started in childhood and doesn't stop.

And Marilyn, I know you are just posing a goodbye, you wouldn't drive like that. I see a backseat with a childseat for the grandkid!
..

Jim said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ramblings of a Villas Girl said...

Happy Birthday to Marilyn. That picture is priceless, as is the caption. Spanking...HUMMM...
Hope you have a good day. Lisa

Rhodent said...

Happy Birthday to Marilyn!

Ralph said...

Happy birthday Marilyn. Cliff, you know when my birtday is - I'll take some of those ribs.
Ralph

Anonymous said...

UPDATE--he is still sick, wants spicy Mexican food, and I AM STILL NOT SHARING MY PHONE!

1 plus twins said...

ha ha i see ralph is like all the other men when sick, a big baby!! lol

Peter said...

Happy Birthday Marilyn.

Jerry in Texas said...

Now Cliff, you're just being mean to your wife and buddy Ralph. Poor Ralph is Cliff'ing all over the place, with not a bit of sympathy from you or Char. I'm rootin' for ya, Ralphie Boy!

And then comparing your blushing bride to Britney. Now I'm sure Marilyn wears underwear in public. I mean, it's cold in Nebraska. She's got more sense than that! I'm rootin' for you too, Marilyn!

Just wait until Blogstock. We'll have to gang up on ol' Cliff! :-)

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday Marilyn!

LZ Blogger said...

Cliff ~ Now this is a classic line..."because she'd rather take me along so she doesn't have to give me a kiss goodbye" ... Althought most would (and could) understand that... NONE of us actually believes it buddy!
I hope that Marilyn had a GREAT Birthday?! ~ jb///

JunieRose2005 said...

A very Happy Birthday to your Marilyn!


Junie

Ralph said...

I sincerely hope my dying in the background didn't interfere with you and Char having a good conversation.
Ralph

Jamie Dawn said...

I hope Ralph is feeling better and has stopped contaminating Char's home.

I hope Marilyn had a great birthday. Sounds like she worked very hard grooming dogs on her special day.
The lunchtime baby back ribs and cheese cake sound like you provided her with a nice celebration. Maybe she rewarded you with a peck on the cheek.
I look forward to meeting the love of your life.
She has put up with your shenanigans for over 36 years, and that makes her worthy of great praise and adoration.

Cliff said...

No offense taken Ralph.

Paul Nichols said...

Happy Birthday, Marilyn.

I'll have whatever Cliff's having.

Janell said...

Happy Birthday, Sweet Marilyn! You go, Grandma!

Ribs and cheesecake? Cliff, will you cook for my day in November?

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Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, Marilyn. You look radiant! Wish you hadn't had to have worked on your b-day. As for a "spanking good time", I hope your birthday celebrations were as special as you are.

-gel

Rachel said...

Ralph is my buddy. You should be kinder to him!! I'm sticking up for you Ralph!!

I do hope Marilyn had a wonderful birthday. It was sweet of you to cook her the ribs and cheesecake!
We won't discuss the spanking thing!!

Shannon said...

Woohoo, a half rack of ribs AND you kept the kids....you ROCK!!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday Marilyn.
We will leave the spanking alone, lol.

Lucy Stern said...

Happy Birthday to your sweet Marilyn.......Those ribs sure sound good..

sonia a. mascaro said...

Happy Birthday to Marilyn!