I'm 40 today and I'm trying really hard to have a nice time but my DH got me a cookbook

[VoluptuaGoodshag]

He promised other things on the card but the shine has been taken off those already. God I feel so pathetic and childish but every other person seems to have made such a nice effort in sending me flowers and wee pressies.

I think I feel so sad that my nearest and dearest can't think of anything original or personal to get the person with whom he shares his life.

Sorry for your loss R. I'm over my birthday blues now and still getting lovely cards from my pals

Actually I think men are selfish bastards. There I've said it!!!

I never hint. My 'hints' have the subtlty of being smacked in the face with a brick and he still makes excuses.

Have already conceded that going to the hotel that I wanted to go to are logistically too complicated so I said "Let's go to this one just over an hours drive away and we can do lots of mountain biking" (something we BOTH enjoy) and I get nothing but hmmms, haaaaas as a comment.

Later I then peek over his shoulder to see what he's browsing on the web and it's to see if he can find another hotel. Believe me the one I've picked is the best and he tells me the money isn't important, so why despite saying to me, and I quote "It's whatever you want dear, wherever you want to go". So why is he looking for other hotels. Grrrrrrr. Still no date sorted out yet.

Voluptua, I really do think this was a piss-poor effort by your DH. I would somehow mention to him that the hotel he is planning will have to be way beyond of your expectations to make up for it.

My 40th is next year (gulp!), but DH already knows he's gotta do something special for me - it was his 50th last year & I organised a massive surprise party, week away, rose gold cufflinks etc., so I have set the benchmark!

It's my 40th today and I didn't even get a card. I know how bad he is at thinging or organsing anything (although he would say I have no faith in him and it's my fault - the most romantic birthday I had was a bag of fish and chips in the car before going to the cinema - if I knew than that I would of dreamed of that today I would have been shocked).....so for weeks I've been saying I want to do something special and that I had booked the friday and monday off work so we could go away. Knowing he wouldn't organise anything I suggested visiting friends in turkey, which he agreed to, but he didn't have a passport. So I ordered a passport and looked at flights but it wasn't possible, so I suggested a city break and tried to organise but nothing was suitable at our price...he had also shown no interest.

Finally I said I would settle for a chicken run (which I bought - I bought last years present as well and he never offered me the money back - apparently this year he was repaying me the money...see I have no faith!)

I still had a long weekend booked so decide on a lunchtime meal today at Jamie Olivers in Newquay. Take the dog for a run on the beach and a lovely meal overlooking the beach and then rush back home (cos he had agreed to work in the pub tonight!!!!!!!!)

Well I mentioned the Jamie Oliver idea three or four times over the last couple of weeks...he even said I should book it...I did!!!

Two nights ago I was really excited and my mum phoned and asked what I was doing for my birthday. I told her we were going to JO's in Newquay. My DH looked shocked and started playing up. Didn't I trust him to organise my birthday, he didn't know about this...show he has selective hearing.

so I told him I would cancel the reservation and did.

Today I was taken to my local pub (nice meal - but nothing special and not Jamie Oliver meal and now I am sitting at home alone while he is at work. I'm drinking cheap red cos he didn't even get any bubbly in!

He has just sent one of his friends from the pub round to get me... I'm not going as I've already drunk nearly a bottle on my own.

I booked time off work cos I wanted to spend time with him cos I love being with him...I feel so let down.

A card would have been nice...a cookery book would have meant he had actually though about me a bit.