Thirty-Four Years and Counting

"Time and Tide wait for no man, but time always stands still for a woman of thirty." - Robert Frost

This past Monday celebrated my 34th year. Ever notice how we become more coy about describing and sharing news of our birthday as we get older? Children are always happy to remind you of their birthday. When I was kid I always wanted a surprise party. How cool to have all your friends secretly plan a big party in your honor! Growing up in a rural area, however, makes the surprise party a bit more difficult. Where do you hide everyone's cars in the middle of nowhere? What kind of excuse will get you to drive 30 minutes each way to town just so the party can be set up while you're away? How will the cows react to all that ruckus?

I finally got my wish for a surprise party after I moved to a larger city as an undergraduate. My friends fooled me really well, too. A couple days before my birthday I showed up at my friend's house unshowered, wearing sweats and my glasses to do laundry. As I walked in everyone jumped out and yelled "surprise" just like in the movies. It was at that moment that I realized why most people don't care much for surprise parties. All photographic evidence of that event has been discretely destroyed.

Generally, I don't see much point in making too much of a fuss over my birthday. I do sincerely enjoy the celebrating and the gifts (who doesn't?), but having moved 14 times in the last 11 years I am often in a new place where I don't know that many people or I'm too busy to really take the time to celebrate. I assumed that this year would be the same, but I was absolutely wrong. It seems that knitting really does bring people together. First, I'd like to thank Jennifer for the wonderful card! Even though we've never met it real life, I am always excited to check on your blog to see how you're doing. I was pleasantly surprised and touched that you took the time to send a card. I also want to thank my colleague and friend Jenn for a lovely lunch and the new knitting books. One can never have too many knitting books, right? And yes, you can borrow them. ;) Finally, I want to thank all my wonderful friends from All Things String, the local knitting group, for going out to dinner on Monday on such short notice. Anne, Rachel, Zona, and Aubrey, thank you for a wonderful end to a lovely day! And you'll be happy to know that this year I even showered!

I haven't had much of a chance to take photos, but here is a preview of some of my loot from a recent Yarn Swap. Yes, it's fun fur, but I want to make the "monster slippers" from SnB Nation so I am making an exception to my no fun fur policy.