This past weekend, Bossy’s daughter turned 13 years old and it was so much fun, here’s what happened: first she broke her arm.
She didn’t really break her arm, she sprained her wrist — or at least that’s what the emergency room doctor said a few minutes after he examined her and announced her wrist was probably broken, which was just a half hour before the x-rays didn’t reveal a break, which was one day before the x-rays were hopefully sent to a real orthopedic man for a second opinion because sister mercy Bossy can’t even breathe on her daughter’s wrist without it hurting.
Luckily the broken arm sprained wrist didn’t interfere with the pool/pizza/sleepover party her daughter had been planning for weeks. Nope, it didn’t interfere with her daughter’s plans one bit because Bossy’s daughter’s friends, one by one, had already called that morning to cancel and so there was no birthday pool/pizza/sleepover party to interfere with.
Bossy tried to cheer up the situation by suggesting the family play a board game on the back porch! In fact, a board game Bossy’s daughter had just opened for her birthday, along with a handful of other poverty presents! And so the family assembled on the back porch for the game, which was called How Many People Does It Take To Read The Instructions While Arguing The Finer Points Of The Objective On A Game Suitable For Ages Ten And Up?
And then Bossy cleared away the carnage that was Family Game Time and prepared a delicious fish dinner which she then served to her family of four plus Bossy’s friend Jim and Bossy’s mom.
Next Bossy’s daughter laid out many toppings and colored icings so the pool/pizza/sleepover guests gin-soaked adults could decorate their own mini cakes, baked earlier in the afternoon. And before you criticize Bossy for mentioning alcohol in yet another post, she’s just kidding! The adults weren’t really gin soaked! They were Merlot soaked.
Here, Bossy’s son works his way down the assembly line. He is wearing a hooded sweatshirt in July because he has Mono:
And then Bossy’s friend Jim won for best decorated cupcake, and next the family propelled themselves off the side of a cliff.
Bossy clearly remembers her thirteenth birthday: she went on a double date to the movies. Bossy can’t remember who exactly went or which movie they saw because: a boy! Who was a date!
And then Bossy went home and opened a few gifts. The following is a photo of Bossy on her thirteenth birthday opening a garlic press given to her by her father:
Bossy can sum up her thirteenth birthday in the following way: Bossy had one youthful year remaining before meeting 30-year-old boyfriend.
Which is what today’s Ten-Word Challenge is all about. In exactly ten words, can you tell Bossy about your thirteenth birthday, or the year you moved into your teens?
And be sure to check back later today for the luckiest thirteenth birthday comments on the web.
If you missed the last Ten-Word Challenge, press this link to see how Bossy’s commenters analyzed their relationships, through the eyes of a relationship expert, in ten words.
Debby says
July 21, 2009 at 10:27 am13 was 30 years ago, don’t remember a thing. *sob*
Meg at the Members Lounge says
July 21, 2009 at 10:30 amMom read diary and annotated; I promptly threw diary out.
delilah says
July 21, 2009 at 10:31 amSleepover for unfriends who just wanted cake. Horrid until 16.
vuboq says
July 21, 2009 at 10:35 amAwkward + the new kid in town = a lonely 13th year.
(symbols don’t count as words, right?)
(Here’s wishing Bossy’s Fab Daughter a speedy recovery! *smooches*)
p.j. says
July 21, 2009 at 10:35 amFriday night Bat Mitzvah, laryngitis two days before, dairy sloppyjoes.
Deb says
July 21, 2009 at 10:40 amIt’s all coming together now. Your life was the subject of a Rex Smith movie, right? Was it called “Sooner or Later?” A 13 year old girl gets a makeover at the mall, meets a much older rock star who falls in love with her. I soooo wanted to be her.
Lori says
July 21, 2009 at 10:41 amsnaggled teeth, glasses, nerd with boobies, crushing on Donnie Osmond
Alias Mother says
July 21, 2009 at 10:51 amHave no memory of it. Perhaps drunk? Or just boring.
MariaV says
July 21, 2009 at 10:52 amfighting with mother, sent to live with grandmother, very happy
Owengirl79 says
July 21, 2009 at 10:52 amNineteen sixty nine…There is really nothing more to say!
kay says
July 21, 2009 at 10:53 amI honestly don’t remember, which must mean it didn’t suck.
Cathy D. says
July 21, 2009 at 11:05 am1968. Martin. Bobby. Tet. Nixon. Chicago. Aquarius. Revolution. Students. Me.
So Not Mom-a-licious says
July 21, 2009 at 11:06 amAll childhood memories have erased because of really bad hair.
Looks like everyone had a great time!
Sheryl W says
July 21, 2009 at 11:14 amSkating at roller rink with friends in favorite Minnie mouse
sweatshirt.
Sorry Bossy’s daughters birthday was less than stellar.
Old wives tale says bad birthday day = great year .
The Subtle Rudder says
July 21, 2009 at 11:14 amCranky day in Omaha shopping for dollhouse furniture. Late bloomer.
terri says
July 21, 2009 at 11:19 amI have no memory of it, blessing in disguise perhaps.
Shelley says
July 21, 2009 at 11:23 amI can’t remember 13. That was a million years ago.
MariaV says
July 21, 2009 at 11:24 amGrandmother, homemade pizza, soda, grape float, black and white TV.
Catherine McP says
July 21, 2009 at 11:25 am1973. Went out to the alley and lit one up?
Shelley says
July 21, 2009 at 11:26 amBossy’s daughter seems very nice for 13. Magic spell, perhaps?
TanyaK says
July 21, 2009 at 11:26 amTrip to Valleyfair with two best friends. Best birthday EVER!
(Valleyfair is a MN amusement park)
I’ve heard that saying too, about bad party= great year. I hope it’s true for Bossy’s beautiful daughter.
RuthWells says
July 21, 2009 at 11:39 am13th birthday spent in France (Dad’s sabbatical year). No party. : (
Life is Good says
July 21, 2009 at 11:41 amDad had died 10 days before, not much of celebration.
Leslie B says
July 21, 2009 at 11:44 am1980 gift: brand new (white) Gloria Vanderbilt jeans …I was finally cool
Eloise says
July 21, 2009 at 11:47 amDinner with parents at fancy restaurant atop tall building downtown.
So sorry to hear about Bossy’s daughter’s arm! We have had many broken bones at our house, including a broken arm on a birthday . No fun. Our first broken arm (when my son was four) was misdiagnosed at an ER as not broken at all (when similarly to Bossy’s daughter, he would scream whenever anyone looked at his arm). The next day I took my son to an orthopedist who took one look at him and said he had a green-stick fracture, which is a common pediatric injury that does not show up on an x-ray until it begins to heal and has a fine line of scar tissue. As soon as this doctor’s office put a cast on my son’s arm, it felt much better. So, if Bossy’s daughter’s arm is still hurting, I’d definitely seek out a second opinion. I also bypass Emergency Rooms now and go directly to an orthopedist when we suspect a broken bone, even if that means waiting a day. (That’s assuming, of course, that no bones are protruding from the skin or anything.)
*This is obviously way over the ten-words I was allocated and is not meant to replace consultation with an actual doctor.
Joie says
July 21, 2009 at 11:47 amWait a minute, 10-word thingy can wait. Bossy’s daughter’s friends all CANCELED on her?! Bossy’s daughter is too special and too much of a delight to have “friends” who do that. Humph. 13.
Anon for this says
July 21, 2009 at 11:50 amSurprise bedroom makeover in orange. Parents = proud, Me = fake happy
Krista says
July 21, 2009 at 11:53 amStarting off teenage angst right: I got my first period.
Bobbie says
July 21, 2009 at 11:54 amDoes it count if I can remember my sweet sixteenth?
Marinka says
July 21, 2009 at 12:03 pmGot my period. Thought death was imminent. three words left.
Have the T-shirt says
July 21, 2009 at 12:06 pm13 on the 13th, stepped on a bee…bad luck!
Stacey Ball says
July 21, 2009 at 12:07 pmOh man, I am totally breaking the rules today and I hate it when people don’t stick to 13 words, but it’s off topic so that makes it ok, right?
That game is CRAZY! We took it to a cabin and spent more time arguing about it than we actually did playing the game. At the end we called the game “In the lake” cause that’s where we threw it.
GK in MI says
July 21, 2009 at 12:18 pmParents gave horse as last ditch effort. Saved my life!
Ellen says
July 21, 2009 at 12:19 pmGot my first period. Wanted to die of embarrassment. Cried.
Renee in Seattle says
July 21, 2009 at 12:20 pmParents took me and friends on a camping trip.
Donna says
July 21, 2009 at 12:23 pmFinally got my period; Lemon-up shampoo & Bonne Belle; felt grown-up.
PS – RE: the missing B-day guests – my son has a mid-July birthday and for YEARS we agonized over under/unattended b-day parties. It got easier as he got older – I guess kids stopped traveling with their parents as much. When he was younger, we found that having the parties just as soon as school was over in June, or right before school started again in August was a good time to get his friends together. Bossy’s daughter has a very nice mom. They are both lucky!
Meg says
July 21, 2009 at 12:28 pmI don’t remember my 13th, probably for the same reason as Bossy’s daughter’s friends bailed on the plan… I’m a July baby too, and always hated how no one bothered to remember my birthday. I remember my 16th because my mom pulled together an awesome surprise party, but that’s it. Now that I’m on the far side of 40, I don’t care if anyone remembers, really. I’m happy to slide right under the radar.
Liz says
July 21, 2009 at 12:41 pm13 on the 13th… golden birthday. Not special; no memory.
Reeb says
July 21, 2009 at 12:42 pmToo angst-filled back then. Can’t begin to cram into 10.
Reeb says
July 21, 2009 at 12:46 pmMy aunt made away (summer) birthday fun. Maybe was #13?
lora says
July 21, 2009 at 12:55 pma party with boys! mom made tacos. farts ensued. ick
Christine says
July 21, 2009 at 12:58 pmParents announced divorce. We moved to slums. I cried heavily.
Jamie says
July 21, 2009 at 1:11 pmdressy brunch at track. wagers placed for us. Illegal fun!
Suzanne says
July 21, 2009 at 1:15 pm13 sucked. I hated life until I was twenty two.
ok…now that that’s out of the way.!! Oh sweet bossy’s daughter! Broken/sprained arm! Crappy friends! AAACK!
Pam from Ohio says
July 21, 2009 at 1:20 pm1965 Paul Revere & The Raiders-Hip hugger flowered bell bottoms
Jenn @ Juggling Life says
July 21, 2009 at 1:21 pmBoy-girl party–cute guy came, but not for me.
Hokie Deb (www.WebSavyMom.com) says
July 21, 2009 at 1:22 pm–>20 years ago and spent with slumber party of girls.
http://www.WebSavyMom.com
sugarpie says
July 21, 2009 at 1:28 pmCan’t even remember my last birthday. Happy Birthday Bossy’s Daughter!
ps Please get some different friends!
Audubon Ron says
July 21, 2009 at 1:37 pmMy IQ dropped 50 points and never returned to normal.
jp says
July 21, 2009 at 1:38 pm4 hour long Pirate Dinner Theater, with 3 screaming toddlers……….
(No,wait that was my ‘surprise’ 50th!)
my birthday is Jan. 2nd……………try and get ANYBODY to show up to play on that day!!!!
Joanna Carr says
July 21, 2009 at 2:06 pmdinner with family at the TX rotating resteraunt space needle
P.S. We have the ‘In A Pickle’ game and LOVE it! My husband & I play it with our 9 yr old. Give it another try – it’s a lot of fun!
Blog Princess G says
July 21, 2009 at 2:09 pm13 sucked big donkeys and I’m glad it’s gone forever.
Sherri says
July 21, 2009 at 2:32 pmLet’s get her braces to help with high school transition!
anne marie in philly says
July 21, 2009 at 2:36 pm1967 – dancing to top 40 songs on WFIL & WIBG AM.
PS – awww, poor bossy’s daughter…get well soon!
Lizzy says
July 21, 2009 at 2:49 pmNaturally, I absolutely don’t remember. Stupidity? Probably. Old age? Definitely.
p.s. “Crack Mom”… heh heh heh heh heh.
Birdie23 says
July 21, 2009 at 2:57 pmStood in line for a Bonnie Bell make over at Hutzler’s, then Chinese dinner.
rockle says
July 21, 2009 at 3:04 pmdon’t remember a thing, which is probably OK: teenagerdom SUCKED.
Helen+ilana=Hi says
July 21, 2009 at 3:04 pmFirst what is it with 13 year olds and wrists anyway! see the end of this post for the prequel
http://pengellypastimes.blogspot.com/2009/05/are-we-having-fun-yet.html
and
http://pengellypastimes.blogspot.com/2009/06/not.html
for the sequel.
oh and me at 13.
Gawky, never been kissed, party gone
badbeer, still unkissed.
Sewmouse says
July 21, 2009 at 3:08 pm1969. Moon Landing more memorable than stupid birthday, ’nuff said.
Black Hockey Jesus says
July 21, 2009 at 3:17 pmI will never get any tail with these fucking glasses.
Nana F says
July 21, 2009 at 3:59 pmPoodle perm, corrective loafers, no boobs, kill me now (1962)
Amelia says
July 21, 2009 at 4:01 pmMoved away – had to share room with mean 15-year-old sister.
(On another note – When I was 10 I fell and injured my wrist while visiting relatives in Texas. The ER said it was just a sprain – was not until I returned home to Oklahoma and my mom took me to the pediatrican that they diagnosed it as fractured and set it in a cast. So definitely get a second opinion!)
Heather says
July 21, 2009 at 4:55 pmOMG, Deb (#6)! That was the best tv movie EVAR. You are totally right.
Dorothy Stahlnecker says
July 21, 2009 at 4:58 pmI totally agree with the 60th comments it’s so embarrassing how are you and would you let me know what you think of our new front page on my grammology site.
Thanks Dorothy
grammology.com
Martie says
July 21, 2009 at 5:18 pmNo boobs and parachute pants made the hayride no fun.
Tatiana says
July 21, 2009 at 5:29 pmFirst kiss. Then dumped because wouldn’t do more. LAME BOY.
Em says
July 21, 2009 at 5:30 pmFirst boy girl party. I’m lesbian. Dancing with boys? Yuck!
To Bossy’s Daughter: Happy birthday! Summer is tough on parties. I agree with adopting an official birthday at the end of the school year, like late May or June.
Eliza says
July 21, 2009 at 5:33 pmAbusive step-dad moved out days before. Teens still sucked.
Gette says
July 21, 2009 at 5:35 pmPizza and sleepover. Not very exciting, but also no trauma.
Michele P says
July 21, 2009 at 5:49 pm13 was rough. Chubby, short hair and no boobs. Sad.
My son turned 13 in March and its freaking me out–he had a great birthday, but…puberty? So wasn’t ready for that. Bossy’s (totally adorable) daughter needs a re-do. We’re big on “birthday week” and ‘birthday month” in our house.
Tracy (Oklahoma) says
July 21, 2009 at 6:00 pmI think Elvis died when I turned 13….I know my dog did. It sucked. (They didn’t die on my birthday but close to it.) I hated being 13. I really didn’t like my age at all until I was about 22 and married. Then my life took a turn for the BEST! Still married after two plus decades…..and it’s still the best!!
Jean says
July 21, 2009 at 6:13 pmDon’t remember birthday party, adored older brother died month later.
Dharmamama says
July 21, 2009 at 6:17 pm13? Rough. Parties? Never. Smart, skinny, nerd in KMart clothes.
Beth says
July 21, 2009 at 6:28 pmI’m violating the 10-word rule because I want to reach out to Bossy’s Daughter and say that everyone canceled on my 13th birthday too! It was supposed to be a surprise, and there was a huge blizzard, and the hosts came in their 4-wheel drive to pick me up for the “sleepover” I thought it was, and on the way home they confessed to me that everyone else had called them and said they could not make it through the blizzard. It was never rescheduled, and the next birthday party I had was my 40th. Happy birthday anyway, Bossy’s Daughter, and I hope you were not sad.
Deedle says
July 21, 2009 at 6:31 pmSmoking Thai Stick at the Algonquin; I’m no Dorothy Parker.
Please make sure that your daughter has broken the “buckle” bone – not always obvious to ER folks but will be to an ortho. If she has broken it and doesn’t know and hurts her arm – it could be really bad.
Deedle says
July 21, 2009 at 6:32 pmThat was supposed to say “not broken the buckle bone”.
Bush Babe says
July 21, 2009 at 6:36 pmHorse mad. Tom boy. Home from boarding school. Family only.
Bush Babe of Oz says
July 21, 2009 at 6:42 pmPS Bossy’s daughter… fret not pet… you’ve had a MEMORABLE birthday and it’s all up from here!!!
BB
PS Bossy, why won’t your comment box remember me? I am far too lazy to type all my details in each time I want to say somethin’… ta
Mimi says
July 21, 2009 at 6:44 pmCondoms baked in cake. Cake mysteriously falls onto floor. Sad.
MeanOne says
July 21, 2009 at 7:33 pmI’m in the boat with Life Is Good. My mother died ten days before my thirteenth birthday.
However, there were a lot of sympathy gifts, which were very cool at the time.
Margie says
July 21, 2009 at 7:43 pmI can’t believe all her friends cancelled!!! What a bunch of losers! Ok, now for the 10 words…
Slumber party, pizza, frozen bra, parents yelling, “:Be Quiet!”
Mo says
July 21, 2009 at 8:53 pmEars pierced at the mall.
islaygirl says
July 21, 2009 at 9:06 pmSerious 80s: wearing white polka-dotted mini skirt, received beige phone. With cord.
Kate says
July 21, 2009 at 9:55 pmTreated like a queen and mom made my favorite dinner.
PS~Thanks for dropping by my site. I’m still laughing at your Cusak video I just discovered. It’s genius.
biddy says
July 21, 2009 at 10:21 pmmuch like bossy’s daughter, no one showed. red lobster w/family
Sallie says
July 21, 2009 at 10:27 pmSomeone said “teens best years of life.”
Wrong. Got better.
(much much better)
Cupcake Murphy says
July 21, 2009 at 10:36 pmI think I spent the day blow drying my hair.
Maggie says
July 21, 2009 at 11:45 pmBoathouse slumber party. 8 girls midnight skinny-dippping. Also July 18.
Lisa says
July 22, 2009 at 12:22 amexperiencing too much “sneaky freedom” Lawd, puleeeese dont let my children do what I did!!!
smoked dope, drank vodka, and allowed a cute blonde boy to go to 2nd base, all in like a week!
OYYYY! the joys of the teen years.ACK..
Chesapeake Bay Woman says
July 22, 2009 at 12:58 amBossy is the most awesome crack mom I’ve ever met.
kimi says
July 22, 2009 at 1:32 amasian with home perm, glasses, no need for a bra
Elsewhere says
July 22, 2009 at 3:43 amHow reassuring not everything in Bossy’s household goes to plan. Just a dull day, it happens. BTW, Bossy’s daughter, get well soon and HOW DID YOU SPRAIN/BRAKE YOUR ARM?
JD at I Do Things says
July 22, 2009 at 7:46 amI want one of those giant cupcakes. And I want to wish you luck (not that you’ll need it) on Friday. Looking forward to meeting you!
Annette Relation says
July 22, 2009 at 9:17 amI really like your photos darling :)) you look so happy and your family too :)) everything look just perfect
Christina says
July 22, 2009 at 9:19 amEVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM CANCELED? These are not real friends, my dear.
dexter says
July 22, 2009 at 9:23 amHad my bar mitzvah used the cash to buy drums
Em says
July 22, 2009 at 11:06 am@Christina: Unless they were at the mercy of their parents. Which happens at 13.
Almudena says
July 22, 2009 at 11:12 am“This year I’m getting boobs!
Any minute now………………………..um………………….hello??”
kat says
July 22, 2009 at 3:18 pmAcquired boyfriend, lost virginity, changed continents, cried, learned, grew up.
Susanne Hill says
July 22, 2009 at 9:56 pmsad; all granny’s stuff on driveway for sale…new bike!!!!!
Gail Kimball says
July 23, 2009 at 12:49 pmcan’t remember. Turn 44 this coming Friday. All bets off.
Lisa says
July 23, 2009 at 11:42 pmHuge monster zit and first period. Worst 13th birthday ever.
Lisa V says
July 24, 2009 at 2:08 amMy 8th birthday party was snowed out. After 6 guests would brave a storm warning to play pin the tail on the donkey, my mom bundled me up and took me to see Dr.Chivago and eat Chinese food.
I’m still not over it.
Kelly says
July 24, 2009 at 2:21 amBirthday one week before Christmas; don’t remember. Family strife was going strong, though.
AND — Deb (#6) and Heather (#63) — I OWN a VHS copy of “Sooner or Later.” Have the soundtrack album too, w/ Rex Smith on the cover. Please come over. I’ll make popcorn!
Skippy says
July 24, 2009 at 10:20 am10 words
Mom gave Sis own Rubik’s cube to calm jealousy fights.
more words…and 27 years later, I still bring it up.
David says
July 27, 2009 at 12:07 amI can sum it up in two words: Bar Mitzvah.
Maggie says
July 28, 2009 at 1:06 pmKelly (#104) I bought myself the dvd for christmas a few years ago – and it was well worth it.
Amy G. says
July 29, 2009 at 10:06 amYou couldn’t pay me enough money to be 13 again.
foolery says
July 29, 2009 at 1:32 pmForgot. Bossy Daughter, you’ll forget, too. Except the family LOVE.
A big fat hug for the girl and my heart broke a little for her, reading this. I hope other sleepovers will ensue SOON. : )