As you well know by now, I have a birthday coming up. Which is fine. I’m OK with my age. However, if you ask me just how old I am I will lie through my teeth and tell you I’m 42. Just sayin’.
And because my darling husband has been deep in the trenches of researching, I’ve known what my birthday gift is going to be for some time. It doesn’t really take the polish off the event, because I’m no fan of surprises. He actually looked at me and mocked me about throwing a big birthday bash… to which I threatened to change the locks on him!
But, there is a difference between being humiliated in public and the more gentle experience of, “What?? For me? You shouldn’t have!” Which was my experience on Friday. Kathleen and I had traveled into Portland to spend the day thrifting and she brought along a birthday gift. She makes these lovely pendants (as well other stuff… check out her shop!!) and I’ve been craving one for ages now.
However, the real gift of the day was discovering how terribly cool Kathleen is. I kinda suspected, but it’s nice to have your hunches confirmed! It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to spend that much time with someone and still LIKE them when we part. I’m sorry—I’m just such an introvert, the prospect of spending all day with someone I don’t know well is scary. I was needlessly worried—Kathleen is so witty. She shares my bad habit of mocking the insanity of life and my utter disappointment that Astoria doesn’t have an Anthropologie store. I adore her aesthetic; although it is not mine, so there is no worry about fighting over finds! In all, I think we make a pretty good thrifting team. I mean, we found all our destinations and I didn’t run anyone over or break anything all day!
By the time we got to dinner we were a little punch drunk from our long day and our poor dinner companions had to keep up more than their fair share of the conversation. But we had so much fun. Hanging out with Kathleen turned out to be the best part of my day. Needless to say, future trips have already been planned.
And really, Kathleen, you shouldn’t have! But thank you!!! I’m so glad you did!!
Happy Birthday. It is nice to find *cool* friends who pay attention, are thoughtful, and care more than just about themselves and what they get. BTW, that truly is a lovely pendant!
___________________________________
I love that pendant… the colors are absolutely perfect. 😀 ~W
Happy, happy birthday! And just remember, a stitch in time is not nearly so creative. Add the other eight!
This lovely pendant reminds me of a smart and clever and wonderful play I saw this past busy weekend in Chicago (the big city is good for something). Here is a link to the theater home page:
http://www.redmoon.org/yesflash.cfm
and we saw the play about The Secret Language of Birds and there were all these tiny, intricate bird and people puppets and it was all projected up onto a screen-so you could watch either the puppet theater or the screen, each with a different perspective all they were identical. Hard to explain, very neat. And lucky you to have had such a lovely day with Kathleen!
____________________________________
You play sounds interesting! We have a blast thrifting–sadly, there wasn’t much to “thrift” despite all the stores we hit. It’s weird to discover your hometown has better thrift stores. 😀 ~W
Happy Birthday Wende!
That was such an amazing trip, I really feel so LUCKY that we’ve crossed paths and become friends too! It makes me love my husband more for introducing us, because I’m always so shy when first meeting people!
By the end of the day I was so tired, I think there was a point at dinner where my sentences actually started forming themselves backwards… you didn’t catch that?!
Thank you so much for this super sweet post, it made me forget about all of the other dreary things I need to face today… You rock!
Spoil yourself to the hilt today & celebrate! 🙂
___________________________________
Saturday is the big day and I intend to spoil myself all week. :D I think we definitely need a craft night soon…:D ~W
Happy Birthday! Hope your day is fantabulous and that you take full advantage of it 🙂
___________________________________
Thank you. My birthday isn’t until Saturday but I celebrate all week–especially when people give me reason to! ~W
You could celebrate all month if you wanted to – I would totally support you in that endeavor. Hey, I’d even buy a round of … wine? Does wine come in rounds? And is it okay if I stick to Crown Royal … by the bottle? 😀
___________________________________
I’m guessing I’ll be celebrating long past the event! And, I drink Champagne, for the record. 😉 ~W
Happy Bday darlin’! Those pendants are beautiful, I must go forth and window shop her site now *chuckle*
___________________________________
Thanks, Bug. You’ll love her stuff… Kathleen is ever so creative! ~W
Happy Birthday Week! And I must say, you make 42 look good! 😀
__________________________________
Thank you!! I should make 42 look good. Considering! ~W
That is a gorgeous pendant–and I can barely get along with my husband for that long. Especially if we are shopping, which we both hate. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
___________________________________
IZ is probably the only person I eagerly spend huge amounts of time with–but, considering the fact we both work from home, that’s probably a good thing! :D And thanks! ~W
Happy Birthday, Wende! Everyone knows, all the best birthdays take a week or more to celebrate properly. (And I *love* thrift store shopping. What a shame Sacramento is so far from Astoria!)
___________________________________
Oh, thanks! I have to tell you, I’ve been cracking up laughing at the little exchange between Bunny and BW. ~W
Happy BIrthday Week Wende! Sounds like you and Kathleen had a blast, and what a sweetheart she is (and she’s so talented it makes my head spin!)!
[Chanting] Craft Night, Craft Night, Craft Night! I promise not to bring any meaty snacks. 😉 If my house wasn’t so topsy turvy right now I’d host it. Maybe next week sometime I can! And this time we’ll actually craft!
____________________________________
Oh, I emailed you! Say Yes, say Yes! 😀 ~W