Blogging · Lifestyle · Social

20 Minute Blog Challenge

mrspillar

The 20 Minute Blog Challenge was created by Karen at The Mommy Lady She has nominated me to help her kick off this brand new challenge! Thanks Beautiful!

Here are the rules:

  • You have 20 minutes to create your post, this includes writing, checking, proofreading, editing and adding any images.
  • Mention the person who gave you the challenge and include a link to their website.
  • After 20 minutes you must publish what you have created.
  • You can write about any topic you choose.
  • Once you have done, you must choose three of your blogging friends to do the challenge, include links to their website.
  • Let your challenge nominees know via Twitter.

 

Here is my 20 Minute Post.

NYC (1)

Having a Birthday on the One Day EVERYONE has Other Plans

My birthday is on December 31st.

Having a birthday fall on the biggest party day of the whole year was really great when I turned 21, but now, as an older woman, I find this day the absolute WORST day to have a birthday.

Everyone has things they love to do on NYE. They like to go out and drink, or spend time with their significant other or families. There are a whole bunch of things that people do on this day, and unless you are throwing the biggest party, forget anyone really having the time to come and see you for a reason that doesn’t relate.

It has made for many many lonely birthdays.

My sister, 8 years my junior, strangely enough has the same birthday as me. it really made it easier when we lived close. We just celebrated together. Now though, living in different states, a video call with a shared shot is about all we get anymore.

I have come up with a great way to celebrate though without having to brave the crowds and the dangerous drivers out and about on the last day of the year. A way that lets me see my friends without impeding on their New Year’s Eve plans.

I put a roast in the slow cooker in the morning. Make sure I have plenty of hydrating and energy boosting beverages and snacks around (as well as some drinks of the alcoholic variety) and tell everyone that I will be home all day and night, and that an open door policy is in effect.

What my open door policy entails is simple. I have drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and food. My door and home is open all day and night for you to stop by either before your night begins, and fill your belly and fortify yourself for a night of partying, OR, after your night comes to a close, to enjoy a nightcap or even spend the night so as to avoid being a danger to yourself or others on the road after a night of drinking.

I find this serves two purposes. I get to see my friends as I ring in another year of my life, and I get to make sure they are safe and taken care of while they ring in another year with the rest of the world.

It also keeps me from having to go out on what I have deemed ‘amateur night’.

For years and years, I was salty about my birthday being hijacked by New Year’s Eve. Now, I feel that this very fact is something that makes the holiday even better than it was for the people I care about. That’s a pretty great birthday gift as far as I am concerned!

Thanks for reading!

My nominees are:

Natasha

These Two Bitches

Geraldine

 

Published by mrspillar

Stay at home wife getting through life one cocktail at a time.

28 thoughts on “20 Minute Blog Challenge”

    1. Thank you! My timer went off just as I hit publish, so it was a close one. Grammarly was my savior for this I have to admit. But the subject matter was familiar, and it’s a story I tell often, so that was a big help. Not to mention, it’s getting to be that time of year so I’m already gearing up for it, making it fresh in the front of my mind.

      It is a really great challenge though. It’s great to do things like this once in a while and keep your writing chops in fighting form!

      Thanks for reading!

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    1. You may surprise yourself! I picked a subject that I have almost 40 years experience with, so that was a big help, and I happen to be a stupid fast typer, so with Grammarly working for me, it really made this pretty enjoyable. I published with only seconds left on the clock though, so it was a nice challenge.
      Thanks for reading!

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  4. Brilliant read. I’d never thought about what having a nye birthday would entail. If you lived closer I’d definitely pop into your open house for a drink or two

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    1. Yeah its crazy having your day on the nuttiest day of the year. I wish you lived closer too, It would be lovely to have a cocktail with you my dear! We are just gonna have to settle for a toast across the ocean when the day is finally here!

      Thanks for this challenge I loved doing it! It’s always nice to see what you can achieve when limits are set.

      Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for creating it for us!

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  5. Hey Kat! Cool challenge 🤗 I really like how you turned your birthday experience into something positive you’re helping your friends stay safe and that is a really good birthday gift. I always find it beautiful when people want to give rather than receive on their birthday, it’s a cool way to spend the day. Nice post 💙

    Natonya | http://www.justnatonya.wordpress.com

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    1. I am so happy you enjoyed it! I had a great time with this challenge. Finished with just seconds left on the clock.

      The birthday thing was a sore spot for a long time. When I finally realized I was looking at it all wrong. I only -want- to celebrate the years because of the people who make my whole life great year by year (I certainly have no reason to celebrate getting wrinkles, and a belly, and back aches). So with that mindset, it just seemed natural to figure out a way to provide for them as a thanks for another year I had them in my corner.

      Thanks for reading!

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  6. Oh wow!! Tough challenge!! I would definitely lose it haha I need longer than 20 minutes to do the whole thing!
    And regarding your birthday, I can imagine that it’s tough! My cousin has her birthday on the day of Christmas and it’s the same deal… everyone wants to be with the family so they don’t celebrate with her.
    But I find your ideas of having your home open all day and all night super cool! Really great idea and I’m glad it helps you enjoy your birthday again!

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    1. It really does make a huge difference after I just accepted the fact that I was going to have to get creative if I wanted to avoid being alone on my day AND stay away from the public scene.

      It was for sure a challenge, but, a worthy one. It’s good to give your writing legs a good stretch now and again.

      Thanks for reading!

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  8. Wow. I know everyone else said it, but I’ll say it too…great post in 20 minutes! I like how you flipped your birthday to an open house, it almost creates a day of surprises. My birthday is 10 days before Christmas. Not quite on a holiday but close enough it can easily be forgotten. I’m fortunate my mom always made a point to make it an event, I think it also stems from my dad, and two if my sisters all having birthdays in the same week. Love the positivity!

    Cheers xx

    Rachel | http://www.myspottedblog.com

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    1. Growing up my mother did her best to make the distinction as well, for me and then for both my sister and I after she came along.

      The thing that used to bug her most was the birthday gifts wrapped in Christmas paper and sent home with us after the holiday family gathering, then no one would show up on the 31st at all. She always made a big point to get the most obnoxious obvious birthday paper for our birthday gifts, and she would re-wrap them and give them to us along with the ones from my parents on our birthday. I always loved that.

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  11. Hot damn, this was a good post! Even more impressive that it was done in just 20 minutes. I would love to try this challenge but would likely end up publishing five or six half constructed sentences that would make little to no sense. Could be fun though. It sounds like you have come up with a good way to celebrate your birthday. Crazy that you and your sister were born on the same day!

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    1. Ha! I know right? My poor mother. lol I guess we know what time of the year she likes to get cozy though. Thank you so much for reading!

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  12. Pingback: The Boozy Guide to NYE at Home – The Boozy Housewife

  13. Super impressed you did this in 20mins and it’s a great idea for a blog challenge. Thanks for sharing and your solution to the birthday problem reminds me of that saying: when life serves you lemons make lemonade!

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