Feeling rather smug but dreading the phone call

[Finedon.Dandy]

On the 20th May I received a phone call which made my heart stop. It was my sister-in-law who greeted me with the words "Have you forgotten "neices name"'s birthday. "Oh my god I have - I am soooo sorry I said" (I felt terrble) She didnt leave it there though and went on to lecture me how a 4 year old notices when people forget their birthday (as if I needed to feel any worse ) Trouble is its not the first time I have forgotten birthdays - think I am getting a bit of a name for it so I did advise her that Bluebelle was giving me a birthday book so I should find it easier in future. I should think so time/about time too was her attitude. I then made and sent a card off immediately along with the present I had found for her months before.

Now I hate chatting to them on the phone. Face to face isnt so bad - can seem to cope with that and am really quite fond of them but I nearly expire when I have to chat to them on the phone as I tend to hold my breath! - no idea why - strange but true lol! They seem so perfect to me - lovely big house in the suburbs, 2.4 well 2 children, careers they both love etc etc so I feel they are always quite judgemental of me and it makes me sad that I cant give my family anything like they can. Its not the money, more the quality time they always seem to find time for - they even seem to do better at the grow your own! I dont work as such which makes the fact I dont seem to cope with housework etc as well even more embarasing for me.

Trouble is they are ringing me in 10 mins so am in one way dreading it. BUT in another way I cant wait because you will NEVER guess - they FORGOT Bluebelles birthday!!!! LOL LOL I am looking forward to the appology but in reality they are lovely caring people and in all fairness they were on holiday (two weeks in France - oooooh I wish!) so I know thats exactly what we shall get. I will simply and truthfully reply "not to worry, its easily done, what with our busy lives and thanks for remembering in the end" I just wish that such a phone call wasnt being dreaded the way it is right now - the grass is always greener eh!

[Suky]

With four children aged 7 and under I think you definitely work full time and then some. Other peoples lives are never what we think and others often envy us the most supprising things.
Write a note to put by the phone saying 'AND ....BREATHE!'

[Florence Fennel]

Hope your phone call turned out ok. Suky's right, you've got more than a full time job, you are on duty 24/7!

[Aberdeenplotter]

I don't need a burfday book. I have a dutiful daughter who reminds me in good time for all me grand children not just her own

[Glutton4...]

I'd say you're busier enough - especially with Pompiers turning up at stoopid O'Clock in the mornings!

[pipkins]

Sweet revenge eh Tammy

[chris]

Four kids?!

*Walks right past this thread*

[julesapple]

If your SinL is so organised that she thinks she can lecture you about birthdays then, being so organised, she should have popped Bluebelle's card & gift in the post before hoofing off on her hols!

Jules

[Florence Fennel]

I have an old fashioned, hard copy Year Planner with family and staff birthdays that I copy over into my diary every January. I'd never remember all the birthdays otherwise.

[Polly Fouracre]

Finedon.dandy, you are you and they are they! Why should you be like them any more than they should be like you?
So, you forgot a birthday( I don't suppose the child gave it a thought) that only makes you human and vulnerable to a bit of absent- mindnesnes. (as is your sister-in-law, apparently!)
I also had four children aged seven and under so know how the brain goes into limbo, you wouldn't survive otherwise.

[dave_norm_smith]

Absolutely Polly! Tammy, few relationships are ever that perfect behind closed doors and often seem to be the worst ones as they use their 'perfectness' and 'phone calls' to paper over their own cracks. Holidays are nice but time and love go a hell of a lot further so breathe and and just think 'blow' them.

[Jardiniere]

you can buy cards and stamps in France......i sent my granddaughter a card only the other day and its there already!
Tell your SIL that the post boxes are yellow.

[Finedon.Dandy]

Thanks everyone. Most of the comments made me laugh - ALL of them made me smile. Phone call went ok and I felt fine after( I even remembered to breathe and smile through it!). Bashfull went to sleep before 9pm (surprising as he had 3 timeouts within 1/2 an hour of getting home yesterday) the earliest he has settled in weeks so hope that means he has a well behaved day at school today. I think the situation did unsettle me though as felt rather odd (as well as too exhausted to take advantage of having an hour or so before bedtime to get some stuff done) so just watched baby hospital which made me sob (bad idea) and the teariness has followed through today. Had thought I would try and catch up on some posts today but will instead try to get back into the vine when I feel a bit more chipper. Love you all lots. xxxx

[reetnproper]

I have an old fashioned, hard copy Year Planner with family and staff birthdays that I copy over into my diary every January. I'd never remember all the birthdays otherwise.

Lol, I have one of those too and I STILL forget birthdays (probably something to do with the fact that I keep it in the kitchen drawer and forget it's there)

Reet
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[reetnproper]

So, you forgot a birthday( I don't suppose the child gave it a thought)

Absolutely and instead of wasting precious time feeling guilty about missing the actual day, think how excited your neice will have felt getting presents on 2 seperate occasions ......

Reet
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