birthday stuff

[mamajoan]

My mom asked me what I want for my birthday (only 2 weeks away) and I still haven't figured out what to tell her. I did say that I was toying with the idea of asking her to hire someone to clean my apartment, but I'm not sure whether a) I think that's a good use of my birthday gift or b) I can bear to have a stranger in my place doing that. It's embarrassing. I dunno.

Still, the place does really need a cleaning and I'm just not physically up to it right now. There are a couple of hard-to-reach places where the cat barfed a few days ago that I still haven't cleaned up because I just plain can't do it without a lot of discomfort/difficulty. And I feel bad about that because, hello, cat barf, ew. You know? So my mom said that maybe we could find someone to watch Isaac some weekend and she (mom) could come over and help me clean. I'd probably rather that than a stranger. Is that weird? At least a stranger would go away, taking his/her opinions of my slovenliness with him/her. ;) On the other hand, it's not like my mom doesn't know all about my slovenliness already.

I have to keep reminding myself that I get some slack cut for me on account of the whole eight months pregnant thing. Still, it's hard not to feel guilty about what a disaster the apartment is.

The other idea for my birthday gift could be a massage. I really want one, although I'm a little leery, because I was scheduled for one on what turned out to be the day I went into labor with Isaac. I had to cancel the massage, of course, and didn't end up actually getting it until almost a year later. Anyway, it's a possibility. Or maybe I'll think of something else I want. Whatever it is, I better figure it out soon, eh?

I decided that my birthday treat for myself will be a trip to the Chocolate Buffet at the Langham Hotel in Boston. I've been to it once before and it was awesome. Basically exactly what you'd expect based on the name: a fancy hotel restaurant doing an afternoon buffet of almost exclusively chocolate items. Cakes, cookies, chocolate-dipped fruit, cute little fake sushi made out of chocolate, fondues, truffles, crepes.... *drool* Woo! I can't wait. I just made a reservation for March 11th, the Saturday before my birthday. I emailed a bunch of friends to see if they wanted to come, and four said yes, so I made a reservation for six (one extra in case someone decides to join us at the last minute, hint hint). I'm excited. If Cosmo arrives before then, I'll be so bummed. ;) Maybe I'll just bring him/her along. ;)

In other birthday news, my brother and I did decide to get our mom that birthday gift that I posted about under friend-lock recently. I ordered it last week and expect it to be delivered today. Then we just have to figure out when to present it to mom, seeing as how her birthday isn't till April 13th, but the service plan on the, uh, item has to be activated by March 31st. Anyway, it should be cool. I think mom is really going to like it (once she gets over the shock).

Comments

[whuffle.livejournal.com]

If you want a cleaning person to come visit, I can recommend someone good. I've been using her for about 5 years now. She does a great job without really being intrusive by reorganizing stuff for you so you cant find it.

if the cat barf is an issue

[lightningrose.livejournal.com]

you could also think about getting the carpets cleaned. Yeah, you will have a new baby (not to mention Isaac) so it won't last, but it might be a nice treat to have all the cat stuff gone.

Re: if the cat barf is an issue

[mamajoan.livejournal.com]

Carpets? What carpets? :) We have hardwood floors in the living room and bedrooms, tile/formica in the kitchen and bathroom. Just the teeniest bit of carpet (like an 8x8-foot square) in the hallway. It definitely needs cleaning, but hiring professional carpet cleaners for it seems like overkill.

[skreeky]

Absolutely get the apartment cleaned. I admit it took me awhile to get over the "embarrassment" factor myself, but I've realized it's no big deal. They see so much worse. Seriously. Think "Animal House." And my dear hubby and his roommate used to hire someone before a party to clean the place, having not done A THING to clean the kitchen or bath for a year at a time. My feet would stick to the kitchen floor and I could write my name in the goop in the sink. His clothes lived on his floor in little piles because he hadn't bothered to buy a dresser. You have a little cat barf. It's all perspective.

[tiggrrl.livejournal.com]

Damn, I should come visit you just for the chance to go to the chocolate buffet!

[azurelunatic]

Oh! Oh oh oh! Supposing the item were pre-loaded with content during that 13 days?

[mamajoan.livejournal.com]

That's...actually a really interesting idea!! You have to activate the service, which requires a name and address and email address and who knows what else...but we could use one of our email addresses, and I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to change it after we make the presentation. Hmm. Definitely worth considering. Thanks!

[azurelunatic]

And it would provide instant-gratification for some of the advanced features, rather than having to explore it later.