Birthday bonanza

The end of March is a birthday bonanza in the Curmudgeon home. Both Long Suffering Spouse and I have birthdays right about now.

Hers comes first.

We knew it was officially the birthday season when my mother-in-law came to deliver the birthday sweaters to me and Long Suffering Spouse. Long Suffering Spouse wears hers at school.

Once -- many years ago -- my mother-in-law gave me a very nice, Irish wool sweater. (It was, of course, a special on QVC. Abuela and QVC go way back together. I think she has her own private number to call. It may ring in the office of the Chairman of the Board.)

Anyway, I liked the sweater, and I said so.

The next year, I got another one. Different color.

The next year, I got another one. Different color.

The next year... stop me if you've figured out the pattern. If a new Ice Age comes, I'm covered. And the shelf in my closet groans under the weight of Irish wool.

The other night, when I got home, Younger Daughter asked me what color my sweater was this year. Abuela had been by in the afternoon. (For the record, the sweater is dark blue this year... but with a zipper! QVC may have finally run out of colors for the pullover variety.)

Then it was Long Suffering Spouse's birthday. She's been on Spring Break this week -- but I've only taken one day off. "So," she asked, "are you going to work today or are you staying home and being my present?"

Younger Daughter was watching this exchange, so of course I mugged a bit, and threw open my arms wide as if to say here I am!

"I wonder," said Long Suffering Spouse, "if I can get a refund or exchange."