Birthday Musings

Today is my birthday.

Unlike many who view getting older as depressing and don't want to celebrate, I look forward to mine every year. At some point, many years ago, it might have been in high school, I started celebrating the week of my birthday. Later in my twenties, I decided I would celebrate the whole month. Now this may seem a little over the top, and I don't mean that I have birthday cake and blow out candles every day for the entire month, although that doesn't sound like a bad idea. I'd probably be sick of cake after the first week, but maybe not. I do love me some cake. But I digress. My month long celebration is more about being in the birthday spirit.

I see it as an opportunity to consciously celebrate life. My life. It's very easy for all of us to get caught up in day to day routines and responsibilities, taking life for granted. When my birthday comes around, I reflect on the past and wonder about the future. I think about all of the ways in which I am fortunate. And there are many. I feel gratitude for experiencing great joy along with great sadness. For feeling love, friendship, laughter, anger and frustration. Because all of it adds up to the fact that I am alive, right now, at this point in time, in this great big wonderful, and sometimes horrible, world that we live in. It beats the alternative, which is not physically getting younger. That is not possible.

I do not want to be sixteen again. I had some great teenage years, but there were also some growning pains and plenty of heartbreak, not to mention having to be in chemistry at 7:05 am. Nor do I want to revisit my twenties. Yes, I was young and thought I held the world by a string. But those years transitioning into full fledge adulthood had their tough moments that I would rather not relive. No, I think I'll stay right where I'm at.

Many years ago, when I was young and had my whole life ahead of me, I made a decision to embrace getting older. I usually view the glass as half full. It was a good decision.

Today I turned 42. I think it's going to be a very good year. Because along with getting older, I like to think that I'm becoming better. And I still have the rest of my life ahead of me.

A Rainbow of Koigu

This weekend Jeff asked me if I'm still knitting. What?! He said he's asking because I haven't blogged in over a month. I guess I've been knitting more when he's away than when he's at home. I think I'm going to have to post every week, now that I know he's checking in while he's out of town. Isn't that sweet? I'm a lucky gal. He reads my blog, he asks about my knitting and he never complains about my stash. So honey, this one's for you. : )




See that? That's Koigu. I've been collecting it for two years now to make the Babette Blanket and I have 30 skeins. My knitting group is doing a group knit along, I mean crochet along called "Summer of Crochet". It's the perfect time to start Babette. I'm not much of a crocheter, but I've been practicing and I will be when this is finished.


This blanket will be for our little girl whom we are in the process of adopting from China. Adoption is a long journey and not for the faint of heart. We are still a good three years away from meeting our daughter, unless a miracle happens and the wait shortens. I'm hoping for a miracle, but preparing for the long haul. Whenever it happens, she'll have this beautiful blanket to welcome her home.

Project: Dream in Color Tulip Baby Cardigan #3
Yarn: Dream in Color Classy
Needles: KnitPicks Options US Sizes 7 & 9
Start: April 22, 2009
Finish: May 17, 2009

I made another Tulip in the past few weeks. See. There has been some knitting going on. This makes Tulip #3 and it's for my friend Wendy's new baby girl, Pema, who was born on the 9th of this month. I adore Dream in Color Classy. I don't think I'll ever get bored with it. The colors are like candy.




A little luck came my way and I won a raffle! Orinda had a fundraiser for the Roseville String Ensemble, of which she is a part. She had a drawing for everyone who donated and I won the handspun called "Lame Duck". It's 175 yards of Superwash BFL in DK weight spun and donated by Nuttnbunny. Thank you Orinda and Nuttnbunny! It's beautiful!



And last, but not least, I'm hoping to have an awesome tomato crop this summer. Red ones, yellow ones, purple ones.... I can't wait. Grow little seedlings, grow!

I hope your knitting is treating you well! Until next time....