Sit There For The Presents

4 Oct

In all the excitement of Monday’s Big Birthday, I forgot to nag the Hub into taking photos.  He did take one of me at the end of the day, exhausted, on the couch; but that’s still in his camera and I’m not allowed to touch his camera because pictures have a habit of disappearing forever (and not just the fat ones).

As I don’t have photos of the Great Present Opening Ceremony (Subtitle: Gimme Gimme Gimme), I took a collective photo of all the gifts I had to hand.  I don’t know how to do that clever thing with lines and numbers and writing to show who bought what, so you’ll have to do without, I’m afraid.

The Birthday Morning Bundle

The Birthday Morning Bundle

In case you were thinking, ‘At last!  The birthday madness is over!’ I’d better explain that at the bottom of the picture is a laminated note from my friend, Louise, which promises me an afternoon at the theatre, watching Seven Brides For Seven Brothers; followed by food. She also supplied that rather large box of Maltesers.  Have I mentioned I have the best friends?

Here’s a list of the pressies, in the order in which they appear:

  • Flowers
  • Almost all of the Dr Who series
  • Notebook & Pen
  • One of those Halogen Oven thingies
  • Silver Celtic Cross
  • Hot Chocolate Maltesers, thoughtfully provided by Spud; who knows how much I miss the real thing and who thought they might be a good substitute
  • Fart Machine Mug, thoughtfully provided by Tory Boy, my ex-son
  • Large Box of Maltesers
  • Spare Ring
  • Empty Box, home of my new Eternity Ring, which was at the jewellers, being re-sized
  • £30 Amazon Gift Voucher
  • Theatre Details
  • £20 Nando’s Gift Card

Didn’t I do well?  This lot was on top of all the other generous gifts I’ve enjoyed in the run up to my birthday.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE
who so generously donated to the cause, making fifty a big deal in the best possible way.

So, to recap: my birthday celebrations began in July and will cease at the end of October.  So much for all those celebrities with their week-long trips to exotic isles!  Four trips to the theatre and corresponding meals out over a period of four months is waaaaaaaay better.  I LOVE turning fifty!

Viv's gift.  I was wearing it when I took the photo and I forgot to include it.

Viv’s gift. I was wearing it when I took the photo and I forgot to include it.

Good news!  Looking for the photos of my gifts, I came across the pic the Hub took; he loaded it onto the computer in a pre-emptive strike against the nagging he knew was coming his way.  Good ol’ Hub.  Though not as ol’ as me.

I cain't party hearty no more; I'm OLD.

I cain’t party hearty no more; I’m OLD.

In case you were wondering: This post’s title is a slight re-write of the only thing I remember from reading Laurie Lee’s Cider With Rosie when I was at school.  Laurie starts school aged five and the teacher tells him to ‘Sit there for the present.’  Laurie waited all day but no present ever came; he was gutted; I thought it was the funniest thing I had ever read (Twilight hadn’t been written yet).

 

29 Responses to “Sit There For The Presents”

  1. Janie Jones October 4, 2013 at 12:13 #

    My. You look very content lounging on the sofa at the end. It is wonderful to see such joy and happiness come to such a good person.

    X, Janie

    Like

  2. judyt54 October 4, 2013 at 12:28 #

    50 aint old, but you have to turn 60 to find that out…im so glad you managed to milk that birthday for everything; you only get one shot at 50, might’s well roll in it. =)

    Like

  3. http://vivinfrance.wordpress.com October 4, 2013 at 14:11 #

    Tilly, you should have taken it back: since you’ve become so slim, I’ve overestimated the size: I bought the same size as last year’s sweater, and it’s too big for you. Still, when it’s really cold you can wear several sweaters underneath and become the Tilly that was.

    Like

  4. misswhiplash October 4, 2013 at 14:39 #

    wait until you are 60 and see if you can beat this 50th birthday…..what a lucky lady you are. Your photo looks tired but relaxed….but I bet it was worth it

    Like

  5. sarsm October 4, 2013 at 14:55 #

    50 is a special age. Special presents for a special lad for her special day! 🙂

    Like

  6. jatwood4 October 4, 2013 at 15:05 #

    Happy Birthday, Tilly, my friend.

    Like

  7. Al October 4, 2013 at 16:23 #

    Happy Birthday again. I notice that you lifted your “no compliments” ban for this special occasion so let me take advantage of this and say what a pleasure it has been (and is) being your blogging pal. You are one of the nicest and wittiest people I don’t know and I truly look forward to the day I can tell you that in person.

    P.S. Please tell Tory Boy for me he gets the award for best birthday gift ever! (Maltesers notwithstanding)

    Like

  8. laurieanichols October 4, 2013 at 17:12 #

    Happy Birthday and you look deliriously exhausted with either Molly or Toby. A fart machine, Tory Boy is quite the comedian, Spud had a great idea with the Hot Chocolate Maltesers and the Hub did a bang up job with your birthday all around. I’m so glad that it isn’t over and you are ending it with 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, one of my favorite musicals of all time! xoxo

    Like

  9. SchmidleysScribbling October 4, 2013 at 17:19 #

    Happy Birthday without ending. Dianne

    Like

  10. slpmartin October 4, 2013 at 17:52 #

    Oh my they may have to make another version of that movie called “The Never Ending Story” and rename it ‘Tilly’s Never Ending Birthday’…I’m certain it would be a theatrical hit…here’s wishing you many more wonderful birthdays!

    Like

  11. granny1947 October 4, 2013 at 19:05 #

    So glad you had a good birthday…I am sorry I missed it.

    Like

  12. Grannymar October 4, 2013 at 19:07 #

    Goodness you have enough goodies to open a shop. 😆 Enjoy each and every one of them.

    Like

  13. Rorybore October 4, 2013 at 19:30 #

    congratulations on all the spoiling! 50 used to frighten me — but now that I know how to do it right, I think it will be lots of of fun. for me. which is kinda the point anyway, right?

    Like

  14. benzeknees October 4, 2013 at 20:58 #

    You got a big haul – so nothing for the next 10 years, right?

    Like

  15. Tom Merriman October 4, 2013 at 21:04 #

    Happy Birthday once again, Tilly.
    I have a late birthday present / early Christmas present for you. Not a Malteser in sight, although at one point there were many… your new header is / are(!) ready.
    Would you like me to send it to you now… or hang on for a little bit?

    Like

  16. colonialist October 4, 2013 at 21:34 #

    That is certainly one long birthday! At least it isn’t like the 39th one, which often lasts seven years or so!
    You did extremely well, I’d say.
    The ‘sit fot the present’ could have been entered in the ‘ambiguous’ theme! As we say in SA,, ‘Ag, shame!’

    Like

  17. Hattie October 4, 2013 at 22:06 #

    Happy Birthday! I should look so “old.” But I will b 75 next year and will also be celebrating my 50th wedding anniversary. There’s gonna be a celebration!

    Like

  18. thehutts October 5, 2013 at 08:07 #

    With my approaching 50th, I was told life beings at 60 now but I hope the 50s decade has lots to offer too – e.g. some more publications for you – maybe another joint one with my mother? Poems for children? Let me know if you need any help. Sally

    Like

  19. Musings October 5, 2013 at 08:12 #

    You really partied to the max. A lot of people LOVE you. I love that last contented photo of you. Happy Birthday!!!

    Like

  20. sharechair October 5, 2013 at 11:51 #

    How did my dog get on your couch? 🙂

    Like

  21. viveka October 6, 2013 at 14:29 #

    Linda, congratulations to the BIG 50…. looking fantastic! Have you lost weight, you are looking so small and tiny there in the sofa. Maybe it was the day in question, who wore you out.
    Sorry, that I missed it completely. Good luck with tomorrow and … all the the days that follows.

    Like

  22. bluebee October 9, 2013 at 12:32 #

    Yay for a stretched out birthday for a shrinking Tilly.

    Like

  23. Indira October 10, 2013 at 05:08 #

    Happy Birthday, I’m 66 and know 50 is young and more comfortable.

    Like

I welcome your comments but be warned: I'm menopausal and as likely to snarl as smile. Wine or Maltesers are an acceptable bribe; or a compliment about my youthful looks and cheery disposition will do in a pinch.