Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Subliminal, Who?

(Tootsie on the right and her friend who we'll call Dorkanna because that's what we call her to her face and in her Christmas cards. It's okay, don't worry, she likes it)

Mr. Farklepants and I started dating in 1994. Happy Birthday to me That year was going to be our first Thanksgiving together, the first year we'd celebrate Christmas together, and our birthdays...we would be celebrating a lot of firsts that year and I'll just leave you with that image. You're welcome.

Any-old-who...the company we worked for was kind of known for their holiday parties. Happy Birthday to meeee They were the stuff of legend. They were something you planned for months in advance. They were black tie. They were the kind of parties that had our clients throwing down clamoring for a coveted super secret invitation; so much so, that come October it was the clients that were kissing our ass and not visa versa. They were the cause of large groups of us being banned from several hotels in the greater Los Angeles area. And probably the cause of the company eventually going out of business. Too much money spent on elaborate parties. But I digress much. Happy Birthday dear, Tootsie Party on Wayne. Party on Garth.

Back to the picture. More specifically the dress. And if you're still laughing at the ivory colored pantyhose we're both wearing I just want to remind you that it was 1994 and still considered a fashion staple at black tie functions. But I understand and I will give you a minute to gather yourself. I'll wait. Ahem. The dress. In October of that year I was reading Vogue and came across an ad for I don't remember jewelry or something and the model was wearing that exact dress. I told my girlfriends and probably Mr. Farklepants that THAT was the dress I wanted for that year's holiday function. Of course, it wasn't an ad for the dress and I had no idea who the designer was or where it could be found; nor did I think that I'd have the salary to afford it even if I did make some magic happen. Eventually the dress was forgotten. Well, not really forgotten but put in its special place. A place called: unattainability.

When my birthday rolled around, Mr. Farklepants gave me a box. And in that box was that dress. Apparently he had torn the ad clean out of my magazine, squirreled it away to some secret hidey-hole and was all, "I will find this dress...oh yes...I will find it". And find it he did. He was on a mission from the fashion god - the make my new girlfriend happy god [totally one of my favorite gods which is quickly replaced by the less popular but more familiar: when is your birthday again? god, reserved for wives].

It still hangs in my closet today. It is one of my most memorable presents. Sometimes it really is the thought that counts. And when I say thought I mean: think about it and actually follow through with it. Happy Birthday tooooo meeeeeee

What's the most memorable gift that you received? You'll note that I didn't say today is my birthday it had to be a good one.

Okay. Who's still laughing at my pantyhose? Or is it my Rachel hair?

55 comments:

Zoeyjane said...

Is it your birthday or something? :P

The best birthday present I ever got was a tattoo. I know, it seems silly and immature, but they COST MONEY and I wanted a new one, and after describing what I wanted, my new-to-the-scene-too boyfriend took me on a surprise bus ride to a parlor. Where I almost passed out. But besides that fact, my gift will keep on giving, until it's melted around my ankles.

BusyDad said...

I can't remember my birthday presents, which means they did what they were supposed to do. Yeah, me and Bev Mo go way back. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! - nothing gets by me, yo. I'm too sharp, too quick.

dkuroiwa said...

I have a strange desire to go and buy a coke and...to wish you a happy birthday!!! omedetou gozaimasu!! I hope you have a great one!!

Birthdays are pretty big in our family...when the K-man and I first started dating, my family (who were so excited that I was seriously dating someone...finally!) sent him cards and presents and he was shocked (birthdays are not usually a big deal here)and oh so very happy...it was something that really stuck with him so now...he rocks in the birthday (and Christmas present) dept!! It makes up for his apathy about our anniversary!!!
I wish you lots of presents, flowers, more presents, wine, ooey-gooey cake, hugs and love!!!

Anonymous said...

My 40th is Saturday and if I can pick up on the work that Mr. Secrety Secretpants is doing around here I think that I will receive my most memorable gift then.

I will report back.

Angie @ KEEP BELIEVING said...

Happy Birthday Tootsie!!!!

I got a Betty Crocker Juicer Blender one year for Christmas. I begged for it and my mom kept saying that I would NEVER EVER USE IT. I really didn't think I would get it. I got it. I used it once. I hated the damn thing. The juice was awful and it was a pain in the ass to use. YOu got like a thimble of sour juice for a whole piece of fruit. It is memorable because my unforgiving family still brings it up in the "I told you so" category.

KEEP BELIEVING

{sue} said...

Happy Birthday to you!!!! What an awesome gift! (Like Carrie and the Russian in Sex and the City.)

Jessica said...

Happy B-Day! Honestly you hit on the head with the "follow-through" comment. My husband is KING of "well I wanted to get you..."

Hula Girl at Heart said...

I've always told my husband I wanted a one carat princess cut solitare by our 20th anniversary. He is not romantic with his gifts, nor is he good with surprises. While Christmas shopping last year he tricked me into a jewelry store where the most beautiful ring and anniversary band was waiting for me, already picked out and paid for. He had planned the purchase for a couple of months, and I never saw it coming. Tears in the jewelry store, oh yeah.

Nutty said...

Happy birthday and hells to the yeah, Mr. Farklepants!

Elle Charlie said...

That's a great present. Great presents are the best. I love the picture! The pantyhose were only mildly distracting.

My best present was a homemade movie my husband created for me with pictures of us set to music.

My best Christmas present was a SmartGlobe, which I wanted forever and finally got this year (from the same husband as above). My husband is an amazing gift giver. I kinda suck. It's too bad.

Elle Charlie said...

Oh, yeah, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Burgh Baby said...

I feel like I'm missing something . . . could it be . . . naaaaah . . . Oh! I know! Happy anniversary of the day you first had sex with Mr. Farklepants!

No?

Oh. Then I guess a Happy Birthday must be in order!

O'Neal (The Woman In Charge Around Here) said...

Happy Birthday!!!!

I always get the same ol, "You're in charge of the money anyway, go buy yourself whatever you want." Which kinda sucks cause I AM in charge of the $ and I KNOW I can't buy what I REALLY want!

This past year my parents bought all my son's school supplies as my gift, and not facing the crowds at Wal*Mart was a gift in itself!

O'Neal (The Woman In Charge Around Here) said...

PS - The hubs DID actually shop for me on our first Christmas together, the first and ONLY time he has ever been in a Victoria Secrets! But that's not the ideal gift when your 7.5 months pregnant! =( After that hormonal lashing no WONDER he gave up so soon!

Hair Bows & Guitar Picks said...

Happy Birthday! Mine is on Sunday :)

Laura said...

Have a great day celebrating! Happy Birthday!

LuckyMe said...

Hell, no wonder he searched up and down for that. Look how hot you looked and he knew he'd get the better end of the gift giving later that night. wink wink.

My two best surprises were a 30th bday luau in my backyard and my 25th anniversary when my husband printed 4 formal invitations and mailed them to me and the 3 boys for a private ceremony in the chapel of the college where we met.

Other than that, it's usually just a nice dinner out which is all I really want.

Happy Birthday, Tootsie!

sari said...

Happy Birthday!

That's a great guy that will go that far for a dress. And I think everyone had Rachel hair in 1994, wasn't it a national law? (and I will admit to the ivory hose as well, though I am happy to report that the ivory hose will never make an appearance in my closet ever again).

Last year my husband gave me a Hello Kitty birthday cake, which was pretty amazing. I was impressed.

FlourGirl said...

Happy Birthday Tootsie!

Past fashion crimes are always forgiven because? 1994? Speaks for itself.

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday, Tootsie!!! I love you :)

smalltownme said...

Based on the subtle hints, I will first say Happy Birthday.

The pantyhose? Forgiven. I had pantyhose in a rainbow of colors in the late 80s.

Best gift from my husband? A laptop. Or else a collectible thingie, which he gave me even though he thinks I have too many thingies already.

Anonymous said...

For my 18th birthday, my parents surprised me with an entire evening of gifts and surprises. A new dressy outfit (didn't know for what yet), followed by getting ready and putting it on, followed by champagne, a new Coach purse, a ring with 18 tiny little diamonds, a limo in the driveway, dinner at the fanciest restaurant in town and tickets to Phantom.

Best. Birthday. Ever.

Happy Birthday to YOU!

Anonymous said...

Ohhh how times have changed...

Tootsies present has been ordered (like the dress) but won't even arrive until Friday, and it isn't nearly as special as that one.

If I recall that dress was only available at Macy's and Macy's had not yet arrived in California so I had to order it sight unseen from New York, I think I even had to talk them into packing it up and shipping it to Ca. The internet existed back then, but ordering stuff over the internet did not.

The other part of the dress story is that I took the ad out, scanned it along with a photo of Tootsie and then I photoshopped (only it was 1994 and I didn't have Photoshop so I used some other image editor that was popular at the time even though today I can't even remember what it was) her head on the model.

I know that today replacing someones head for a card is no big deal, but this was 1994 and I think it took me about 30 hours of work to do it.

/I didn't become a total loser after that though. Ask Tootsie one day how she got her Lexus...


HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONEY!!!!

Briya said...

They say it's your birthday day... it's my birthday too. LOL.

And if it makes you feel better. I just saw some hot pink tights in the Target yesterday.

Timi said...

I was thinking it might be your Birthday but maybe not????? I'm embarassed I don't know for sure. I really should write it down so I know for sure.
Well just incase......Happy Birthday!
Love the dress, matching hoses and shoes. It was the thing then. I had 55 pairs of shoes all in different colors at one time. Just so I had some to go with every outfit.
I use to have to have every outfit that Hope on Days of Our Lives wore. I was so happy when she got super skinny and I could no longer keep up with her!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Have a wonderful day.
Timi

Anonymous said...

I don't know why, but lately I've been thinking I ought to ask you when your birthday is so that I don't forget to tell you

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIATCH!

Seriously, have a good one. Get down wit' yo bad self.

Anonymous said...

If indeed there is a cause for celebration in the Farklepants household today, I offer my best wishes for a wonderful day!

Best gift for me? For my 30th birthday, my husband lined up babysitting for our seven month old and took me to dinner. It was only our second date since we'd become parents and I was desperate to get away.

Madame Queen said...

Happy Birthday, Tootsie!!

The best present that I received was a GORGEOUS opal bracelet. The thing is covered in different rectangular shaped opals and I fell in love with it the minute I saw it in the store. I was actually eyeing it for my mother b/c she loves opals, but it was really out of my price range for a present. Then I found out I was pregnant. And then we found out that I was not. And after having a D&C on the day after my birthday, my husband presented me with that bracelet. And I love it.

Angie McCullagh said...

Happy Birthday, Toots! And your hair is way hotter than Rachel's ever was.

One Reader said...

Happy Birthday Tootsie!

The best present I have ever gotten was from my husband on our anniversary. He went to the mall (he hates the mall). He went to build-a-bear where they were having a birthday party with a bunch of 9 year old girls (he is not a big fan of spoiled children) and he made me a doggy that was dressed just like him, and named it Dirty Dog, cause he is so fricken sweet! I love that dog - and the toy too!

Baby Favorite said...

Happy Birthday!!!

My most memorable birthday was this year's when I turned 40. I blogged about it. My friends and family went all out, and it was mahvelous... simply mahvelous.

And? It took away 90% of the sting of turning 40. That other 10%, though? That's a bitch.

Anonymous said...

Ok...but where did he find it??? See, cuz he didn't have the internet, presumably.

Melanie Sheridan said...

Happy Birthday Tootsie! Mr. Farkelpants is one righteous dude.

calicobebop said...

I'm going to go out on a limb here and wish you Happy Birthday!!

I can not for the life of me recall any birthday present that wowed my pants off but then, I am getting on in years...

I think Mr. Farklepants must be a very special guy to go out of his way for you like that. You're a lucky lady. Enjoy your day! Hope you get a Spa Package or something else equally fabulous!

AGSoccerMom said...

Happy Birthday Tootsie!
A couple years ago the diamond in my wedding ring got loose so I took it off to get it repaired. I found my box on top of the dresser and thought oh no the kids have been in here opened it up and he had replaced my 1/4 carat diamond with a flawless 1 carat diamond.
It was totally out of character.

for a different kind of girl said...

Happy birthday to you!

Talk about a romantic gift! I think I totally swooned a little bit. The best gift I got, though not as romantic, was my iPod. Trust me. My husband had a lot of making up to do in the gift department when he got me that!

JoeinVegas said...

When I saw the picture I first thought 'wow, what a thin slick chick in that white dress'. Birthday? did someone say birthday? No, didn't see it.

Oh, and just how did you get the Lexus?

Anonymous said...

Oh it looks like the Lexus story was already told in an earlier blog post. Back before anyone (including me apparently) read VintageThirty.

Now I am starting to feel guilty though for tooting my own horn on TF's birthday so you can find it if you want and maybe I will provide details about how great I am on a more appropriate day.. Say like on Saturday when it will be MY BIRTHDAYYYYYY!!! yay me!

Anonymous said...

*Happy Birthday dear Tootsie...*

The MOST memorable was the kitten my BFF gave me for my birthday in high school. She just turned 14!

She's probably so memorable because she drools on my pillow, but whatever.

RuthWells said...

Ooh, how sweet Mr. FP is.

My best gift was actually a Christmas gift. Hubby arranged for me to take a private pastry class at the shop of a local renowned pastry chef (former pastry chef at Le Bec Fin, in fact). It was an amazing experience.

Allison said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOOTSIE!!!! Your hubby is so sweet. I want to see a picture of your face photoshopped onto that model. I hope you have a super fantastic day.

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday. I cannot, CAN NOT, believe that Mr. Farklepants did that. He is just perfect. No wonder you won't share a photo with us. He's likely to be kidnapped.

Mommy2Twinkies-Deb said...

Happy Birthday! What a great story. My best birthday present was an awesome trip to Savannah with my then boyfriend/now husband. We created such a great memory.

Neil said...

Happy belated!

Karen said...

Hey - happy birthday! I'm sure it was a good one because you know how to party like it's 1994. Or something like that.

That dress? Gorgeous.

That man you married? Romantic and then some. A definite keeper.

Those pantyhose? Were hot in the day.

The hair? Still looks fabulous. But I think that speaks for the area I live in. Sorry.

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

Mr. Fix-it was in Hawaii on my birthday a few years ago. I got a phone call from Anastasia in La Jolla (eyebrow waxer to the stars). We'd been driving by and I mentioned I'd love to have my eyebrows done there. He'd purchased eyebrow waxings and facials for me and my best friend.

What made it a great present? He'd been listening to my idle chatter.

Happy Birthday!

Tootsie Farklepants said...

Thanks for the birthday wishes, y'all!!

xoxo

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday!!!

I had the Rachael hair, the ivory hose. Had some business suits I had to wear those hose with for work that were so cute at the time and now seem horrendous.

My best present? We're not gift-givers to each other. We usually just buy stuff when we need it and try to save money by not worrying about gifts for each other. Can't even remember a birthday or anniversary where I got anything other than maybe dinner out. Until last year...when he showed up with a perfect, black, just as I wanted it, 350Z. I'd wanted a Z since I was 16 and never had one. Now I do! 3 kids makes it hard to drive a 2-seater, but hey, I find the time.

Tootsie Farklepants said...

I don't know why I said "y'all". Thirty seven must make you talk like a cowgirl. Now where'd I put my assless chaps?

Nanny Goats In Panties said...

You sure do scribble out a lot of words. Haven't you ever heard of White-Out or Liquid Paper? I mean, Christ! This is 2008, already!

Anonymous said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Tootsie!

I hope you have many more. Then maybe you'll catch up to me. :-)

When you turn 50 you start talking like a granny!

MamaMo said...

"Memorable presents" require (Happy), well, um... memory, which I (Birthday) seem to have little of these days (if I don't (Tootsie!!) have a photo of it, I didn't do it).

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday. A day late but have a happy! I hope that you enjoyed your eday.

Joy! said...

After listening to me cry about the dance boots I had worn out, DH surprised me by having them resoled for my birthday.

But I think the most memorable gift was the year that he gave me both a gift certificate for new hiking boots AND an amazingly sheer wisp of lingerie. In the same box. That about summed up our relationship. lol!

As Cape Cod Turns said...

Happy Birthday!!!!!! A few days late.....