September 29, 2010

Happy Birthday to Us!

Happy birthday to me! I'm 29—AGAIN!

And happy birthday to my sister! You know her as Udder Hysteria. And if you don't know her, go check her out! She's way sweeter than me, but she can't help it. It's that birth order thing. I am number one of the Brady Bunch and she is number four. Yes, I'm Marsha Marsha Marsha and she's Jan. We miss number six, our little Cindy, who is sadly, sadly no longer with us.

Though we were born on the same day, my middle sister popped out four years later, and there were two brothers in between us. Yeah, if you do the math, mom was busier than a stripper at a frat party. Guess she was practicing to be Catholic. How she managed to pull off a second birth on this most sacred of days is a testament to how well she had honed her baby-birthin' skillz. That, or Dad only practiced his religion on a certain day of the year.

So my sister and I are both 29 again, though obviously I've been 29 four years more than she has. This is why she comes to me for my expert advice, because my four hard-knocked years ahead of her really mean something of incomprehensible value and teach her all the things NOT to do. You're welcome, sis.

Circa 1970:  Marsha and Jan
Speaking of hard-knocked, I had my four daughters within five years, and I wasn't even practicing to be Catholic. See, Mom, I did learn stuff from you. I'd have had a fifth kid, but I got tired of not being able to see my feet. Plus, it was either divorce or kill the sperm donor. So there's that.

Though we're not twins, my sister and I have so many moments of unspoken twin-like communication, it's scary. Our gut responses to the same stimuli (you know how I like to get all scientific) are incredibly similar if not identical. The notable difference is, she thinks things through before she reacts and then makes a plan for action. I, on the other hand, do not. Obviously, this is because I'm too busy leading the way, being the windshield that deflects the bugs. For her. Obviously.

The important thing is that nobody knows my bullshit better than she does. Nobody supports me more staunchly; nobody reads me more accurately; and nobody could make me prouder as a sister—though she's way too far away!

Happy birthday, Jan!
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53 comments:

Christine Macdonald said...

What a beatiful post and tribute to your sis. I'm off to read her now. :)

Happy Birthday, Brady!

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday to you and your sister! What a gift (year after year!)
~AM

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday to both of you. How wonderful that you share the day. I don't think that happens in families too often.

Udder Hysteria said...

Yep, that's us in a nutshell! I got your back, Marsha! Really ;-)
-Jan

Missy said...

Happy Birthday to Both of You! How I wish I had a Sister...

Kristina P. said...

That is so cool! Happy birthday to the both of you!

Katie Gates said...

Happy Birthday, Fellow Libra. I hopped over here from a recent Comment section on the amazing Jayne Martin's blog. I relate to the Marsha Marsha Marsha generation (though there were only two of us, and I came second). I posted something specifically Libran this past Monday. You may find it of interest (and note, it's much longer than my usual posts...) I hope you'll drop by.

CiCi said...

Happy birthday to you and to your sister. My brother has two boys exactly four years apart born same date four years apart too. Saves on the old memory to have them on the same day.

Nancy/BLissed-Out Grandma said...

Happy Birthday, Marsha and Jan! It's great that you have such a close relationship.

Everyday Goddess said...

Happy Birthday to both of you!!!!

Sueann said...

Happy Birthday to you both!! How wonderful to have a sister that you are close too and that you like each other!! Nowadays that is something to be proud of!!
Hugs
SueAnn

Bretthead said...

Wow, happy birthday to you two lovely young ladies. I never had that kind of relationship with my sister. She is 2-1/2 years older. I remember her kicking me in the balls once. So there's that.

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

Happy Birthday to you and your sis. The Olde Bagg

Liz Mays said...

Happy Birthday! I think the psychic-like connection you two have is pretty cool!

Hilary said...

What a lucky sister you have.

lisahgolden said...

Happy Birthday to you and Udder Hysteria! I love that photo with the matching sister skirts!

Gaelyn said...

Happy Birthday to both of you. Wonder when your Mom quit counting?

flutter said...

happy birthday, i am so glad you are back to blogging

creative kerfuffle said...

such a great post for your sister! happy happy happy birthday fragrant! I hope you have a splendiferous, fantasmagorical day!

A Daft Scots Lass said...

Happy Happy Birthday, girls!

You should really share some stories of your unspoken twin-like communications with yer sis. I'd like to hear those.

Unknown said...

Happy birthday to you both.

You remind me so much of my two girls who are only 18 months apart in birth years but vastly more than that in the differences between them. I have one of both you and Jan, lucky, lucky me!

Fred Miller said...

My younger brother and I were born during the same week in June two years apart. He blames me for making him older.

anon said...

Happy Birthday to the both of you! Different dates, but hey, I'll be celebrating the 18 anniversary of my 29th year in November. Was such a great year that I hate to give it up.

Pat said...

Happy 29th Birthday! Again! Snort!

You're a real trail blazer!

foxy said...

Happy birthday to Marsha AND Jan! I only wish you were closer so we could celebrate! Miss you, hooha!

Midlife Roadtripper said...

I didn't know you shared the day with your sister. Your mom - lucky. Got two parties out in one swoop.

You look younger than 29, you liar you!

Anonymous said...

Well Happy Birthday...again...

And yes, this was a really great and creative tribute!

injaynesworld said...

Happy Birthday. I wish I'd had a sister, but only if I liked her as much as you two clearly like each other. Party hardy!

Brian Miller said...

smiles. happy birthday to both of you...and i am sure this present gave her a smile...

daisyfae said...

happy birthdays! i hope there was cake, and that no one accidently got hit in the nose with a football right before school pictures were supposed to be taken, and that Davy Jones (sigh) was able to meet you both backstage!

cheatymoon said...

Happy Birthday to both sisters. Beautiful post. xo

mac said...

This is so sweet :-)

I won't go into specifics, but I do understand your fella's motivation for 4 babies in 5 years ;-)

Steel Magnolia said...

Happy birthday to you and your sister. Hope there was cake and plenty of it with thick gooey icing and 29 candles plus one to glow on. Cheers!

Nancy said...

How wonderful to be so close with your sister. You do look like Marsha and Jan...

BPOTW said...

How cool is that! Happy Birthday to you both!

Captain Dumbass said...

Happy Birthday!

Nanny Goats In Panties said...

Happy Birthday to you and Udder Hysteria!

Also? Thank you for making my day with the pink and the flowers and the 70s - that was awesome!

drollgirl said...

well happy birthday to you both!

and what a trip that you have the same birthdate! that is wild!

there is nothing like a great sister. i have one that is my favorite person on earth. and i have another one that is....well...NOT! bah!

hope you have a fab weekend! and celebrate the 29th b'day as long as you can! :)

Hilary said...

Aww belated happy birthday to both you and your sis. Wising you many, many more.

That video below is just too adorable!

Lori said...

Happy belated Birthday to you and your sister. You so crack me up dear sweet lady! What a gift you both must be to each other. Very awesome! XX

me said...

Aw! Happy Birthday to you and your sister! :)

meleah rebeccah said...

OOPPS! That was my last comment. I wasn't finished filling out my name!

Aw! Happy Birthday to you and your sister! :)

Joanna Jenkins said...

Wishing you both a very Happy 29th Birthday.
This is a great tribute to you sis-- Hope you get to spend the day together.
Cheers, jj

Tgoette said...

Happy Birthday to both of you! This is my birthday also, except I'm turning 29 for the 19th time! Hope you both had a great one!

Debbie said...

Oh, you so crack me up! Loved all the lines about your dad practicing his religion and your mom being busier than a stripper at a frat party!
Happy belated birthday.

Cindy said...

Happy Birthday to both of you. I will pay her a visit. have a great day, it is wonderful you both share the day. take care.

bernthis said...

I am so not close to my sister that if I tell you, 'I love you like a sister" it's actually an insult. Happy Birthday! Lots of love

Madame DeFarge said...

I am so late, but happy birthday to everyone!

Mo said...

birthday party again today then. Off to see sis

secret agent woman said...

Happy Birthday to you both!!

Pseudo said...

You are both gorgeous. Happy belated birthday Liar!

Matty said...

Happy belated birthday to both of you.

Vegas Linda Lou said...

Belated Happy Birthday! I'm the Marcia of my family, too--don't you love being the oldest?