Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Mom's Birthday


It's my Mom's birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!

So this means she and Eddie will go out to a very nice restaurant in East Hampton tonight and the waiter will come over to the table and say, "Can I get you something to drink?"

Mom: Do you have wine?
Waiter: Yes, ma'am, we do.
Mom: How much is it?
Waiter: Well, that would depend on your selection....
Mom: How much is a glass of white wine?
Waiter: Well, our house chardonnay is $9.
Mom: $9???? How much is a carafe?
Waiter: Um, let me see if we 'do' carafes...
Mom: How much is a half a carafe?

and so on. Which is not a conversation you hear much in The Hamptons. 

But being frugal is practically ingrained in her DNA, thanks to my grandfather, who once brought my grandmother home a fur coat that he found at the dump. He was perplexed that she didn't want it.

I can still remember being sent on errands to the grocery store when I was a teenager to "return this fruit". "What should I say?" "Say it's just not very good!"

Anyway, small wallet, but big heart....this is for you Mom, Happy Birthday:

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53 comments:

  1. NatalieSeptember 9, 2008 at 7:10 AM

    happy birthday mom. sounds like a fun time. cheap wine and all!

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  2. kristinSeptember 9, 2008 at 7:18 AM

    Awww, how sweet. Happy B-day happy Mom!

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  3. Suburban CorrespondentSeptember 9, 2008 at 7:24 AM

    A woman after my own heart...

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  4. MegSeptember 9, 2008 at 7:34 AM

    A banjo-playing mom--how cool is that!! Happy B-Day.

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  5. BrittanySeptember 9, 2008 at 7:38 AM

    AWWWWW....Happy Birthday Mom!

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  6. justmeSeptember 9, 2008 at 7:57 AM

    i would love to see that happen in the hamptons.....

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  7. Linda SSeptember 9, 2008 at 8:34 AM

    That was really nice! Never thought your blog would bring a tear to my eye! Lost my mom in 2001. Your mom looks like a real treasure!
    Happy Birthday!!

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  8. sassy stephanieSeptember 9, 2008 at 8:56 AM

    OMgosh. That is too funny!

    Happy Birthday mom!

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  9. LuckyMeSeptember 9, 2008 at 9:09 AM

    Awww...nice pictures, cool mom. I see where you get your good looks. Happy Bday, Mary!

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  10. jill jill bo billSeptember 9, 2008 at 9:21 AM

    Absolutely wonderful!! And she probably has more money than Bill Gates. It's always us poor folks that spend like there's no tomorrow...

    Happy Birthday HMHH Mom!

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  11. AliSeptember 9, 2008 at 9:41 AM

    Happy Birthday Sue's Mom! What a great video!

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  12. HeatherSeptember 9, 2008 at 9:43 AM

    Happy birthday to your mom! There's nothing wrong with frugality, says the woman who is married to a serious penny-pincher....

    Oh, and I also wanted to inform you I've thrown even more bloggy love your way - http://nobody-but-yourself.blogspot.com/2008/09/blog-bling.html

    Cheers!

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  13. Former Fat ChickSeptember 9, 2008 at 9:55 AM

    OMG return Fruit, I can't get over that...I can't think of a worse thing to do to a teenager! I will save this one and use on a special ocassion of the hairy bros!

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  14. TenakimSeptember 9, 2008 at 10:10 AM

    a woman after my own heart! I return fruit, too! You look a lot like her!

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  15. Mama DawgSeptember 9, 2008 at 10:12 AM

    Oh, wow. That was awesome!

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  16. TiffanySeptember 9, 2008 at 10:22 AM

    Aww that was sweet. And your mom is so cute! Happy Birthday Mom!!

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  17. Gettysburg MomSeptember 9, 2008 at 10:36 AM

    You are just the sweetest daughter ever! Happy Birthday to your Mom... and, um, don't be surprised if I steal 95% of that idea come June. :)

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  18. JenniferSeptember 9, 2008 at 10:42 AM

    Hapy Birthday to your mom! Thanks was a sweet slideshow!

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  19. UnknownSeptember 9, 2008 at 10:59 AM

    Happy Birthday, Mom! Hope she gets to enjoy a nice glass of wine.

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  20. CarolineSeptember 9, 2008 at 11:30 AM

    Your Mom is so cute! Happy Birthday! And cheers to cheap wine :)

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  21. Shieldmaiden96September 9, 2008 at 12:04 PM

    Your mom is beautiful. She's one of those 'getting older is all good if I can look like that' moms.

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  22. I Am BoymomSeptember 9, 2008 at 12:05 PM

    Dying laughing over the returned fruit thing! My sister would do something like that...I return clothing or toys, draw the line at fruit! Happy Birthday MOM!!!

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  23. ShelleySeptember 9, 2008 at 12:08 PM

    Awwww, happy birthday HHS Mom!!

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  24. Blessings From AboveSeptember 9, 2008 at 12:22 PM

    What a great video. You and your Mom look so much alike...both GORGEOUS!

    Happy Birthday to your Mom!

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  25. RochelleSeptember 9, 2008 at 12:36 PM

    What a great tribute to your beautiful mom! Happy birthday mom! I'll toast to you with my wine tonight!

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  26. UnknownSeptember 9, 2008 at 12:38 PM

    Happy birthday Mom! You should have ask how much the dandelion wine is.

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  27. scargosunSeptember 9, 2008 at 1:00 PM

    Too funny. I want her hair when I am her age.

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  28. Julie DSeptember 9, 2008 at 1:14 PM

    Happy Birthday to your beautiful Mama!

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  29. UnknownSeptember 9, 2008 at 1:24 PM

    awwww I am such a fruga-lista that i can so relate...Happy Birthday to your BEAUTIFUL mom the photo montage was awesome

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  30. Miss LisaSeptember 9, 2008 at 1:31 PM

    That is so sweet and funny all at once---happy b-day to your mom!

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  31. AllisonSeptember 9, 2008 at 1:34 PM

    Absolutely priceless. Happy Birthday Mom!!

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  32. Insane MamaSeptember 9, 2008 at 1:42 PM

    Shes hot, tell her I said so. My family is the same, pinching pennies everywhere, even driving out of their way to get a deal on napkins

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  33. Danyele EasterhausSeptember 9, 2008 at 2:44 PM

    i like ur mom...smart lady!

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  34. BacktoBarnwellSeptember 9, 2008 at 2:55 PM

    Okay, now I'm teary eyed---for true---. My parents put the F in frugal. More stories on them later, I guess. My dad used to fish at the dump for parts, and things that were broken that he could "fix." But, I guess it's true that they would not have the stability they have now, if we had kept up with "every tom, dick, and harry."HAPPY BIRTHDAY HHR'S MOM. YOU STILL LOOK GREAT!

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  35. Beth CotellSeptember 9, 2008 at 3:20 PM

    Your mom sounds like a hoot!

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  36. Bar-bSeptember 9, 2008 at 4:16 PM

    beautifully funny post. I welled up...I am getting soft in my old age ;)

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  37. Elisa @ Globetrotting in HeelsSeptember 9, 2008 at 4:22 PM

    Happy Birthday! ROFLMAO @ the wine carafe conversation :-)

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  38. AnonymousSeptember 9, 2008 at 4:28 PM

    Dearest Sue --

    That was the greatest birthday tribute - I loved it! Yes, you're right about my getting the gene for ... shall we say ... "parsimony" from my father (Depression days, remember...).

    But hey! Lucky for you, you didn't inherit that gene! So get out there and buy some good stuff for your girlies!
    Much love from Mom

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  39. jaimeSeptember 9, 2008 at 6:39 PM

    Happy Birthday Sue's Mom!

    very cute post...and may i say your mom is rockin it!


    and i call that frugal- nothin wrong w/ dat!

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  40. The Nice OneSeptember 9, 2008 at 7:19 PM

    How sweet! Happy BDay Mom!

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  41. AletaSeptember 9, 2008 at 7:44 PM

    What a sweet post! Happy birthday to your Mom! I hope she made a wish!

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  42. SusanSeptember 9, 2008 at 8:13 PM

    It's my daughters birthday today, too!!!! I blogged about her today, as well. Elizabeth will grow up enjoying cheap wine, too!!!

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  43. McMommySeptember 9, 2008 at 8:24 PM

    Happy Birthday Happy Hour Mom!!! I have to say a huge thank you.....without you, there would be no Sue. And without Sue, my life would be BORING!!!

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  44. A New YorkerSeptember 9, 2008 at 9:01 PM

    Hamptons eh? Jitney anyone? Can't say I can afford to hobknob with those folks but it was cool to know that is where your family is. you too?

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  45. JenniSeptember 9, 2008 at 9:22 PM

    Happy Birthday to your mom! Virgos rock!

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  46. AracelySeptember 9, 2008 at 9:24 PM

    What a beautiful mommy you have, Sue. I bet she could get away with returning some fruit, I'd probably get it thrown in my face! Happy Birthday Happy Hour Mom.

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  47. Putting the FUN in DysFUNctionalSeptember 9, 2008 at 10:04 PM

    This must be so common in our senior citizens. My mom is the same way, she has the money, she just doesn't want to let go of it!

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  48. amelia bedeliaSeptember 9, 2008 at 10:50 PM

    happy birthday to your mom! loved the video!

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  49. MonaSeptember 9, 2008 at 11:17 PM

    Sending Happy Birthday wishes to your beautiful and blessed Mom!

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  50. Lisa-liciousSeptember 10, 2008 at 1:27 AM

    OK, I am crying. How amazingly touching. Your mom must be so proud of you...did you tell her you are someone's blogger idol?! Also, I think you need a better profile photo. It does NOT do you justice! Those dark glasses hide your beautiful eyes! I can shoot you one if you are ever in my area...

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  51. BusyDadSeptember 10, 2008 at 1:57 AM

    That was awesome! Happy B-Day to Happy Hour Mom. And she totally rocks because she plays the banjo. My buddy plays banjo and taught me some stuff. I try to rock.

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  52. tSeptember 14, 2008 at 10:57 AM

    Love this. Your mom is beautiful!!!!

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  53. AnonymousOctober 22, 2008 at 2:00 PM

    What a beautiful thing to see. I remain one of your Mother's biggest fans.
    mdb

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