...to my fifties! Hello, sixties! Yes, today, January 16, 2015, I begin my seventh decade of life (my younger brother had that little gem to pass on to me, making age 60 sound even older!). Although I have dreaded this day, I think the lead-up to it was worse than actually waking up this morning and realizing I'm now 60 years old. What changed my mind? Well, in a visit to my hairdresser last week, I was bemoaning the fact that I would be turning 60 on the 16th. He smiled and asked, "Aren't you happy about that?" I sighed and said that I was honestly dreading it. And he said something that really made me think: "Aren't you happy to be in good health and doing a job you love? Aren't you happy to look like you're not even 50 (I think he may have been angling for a big tip with that one!!)? Aren't you happy to just be?" He's right! 60 is only a number and I do feel so blessed with generally good health, a job I love, a supportive and loving family, and let's not forget all of you wonderful blogging friends! Yes, I am happy to have reached 60 and still feel much younger--I truly am!
My first birthday--smiling with glee
at my new Raggedy Anne doll being
given to me by my dear Dad!
As is often the case on my birthday, I reminisce about my past and the people, places, and events that have helped shape me into who I am today. Many of you may remember this post from my last birthday recalling some of the great old images that children of the fifties and sixties most remember. I got so many comments about that post, that I thought I would add to it with some new "old" memories today.
DO YOU REMEMBER...
Paper dolls... I still remember how frustrating
it was when the clothes just wouldn't stay on!
Music class in Kindergarten--
I always wanted to play the triangle!
A ballerina jewelry box lined in satin
The Ed Sullivan Show on Sunday nights--
who can forget the little mouse, Topo Gigio, ending
the show with the words, "Eddie, kiss me good night!"
Candy cigarettes--yikes, what were they thinking?
Silly putty--I loved using this stuff to
reproduce the Sunday comic strips
Paint By Number kits--they made me feel artistic
when, in real life, I can't even draw a stick figure!
The classic pink Wolverine refrigerator--
loved the food printed inside the door!
Camp Fire Girls--was anyone else one?
Or were you the more well known Girl Scout?
Duck and cover drills in school--yep, we
certainly would have been safe from a nuclear
attack as we hid under our desks!
TV dinners--we thought it was a real treat
on the rare occasions mom let us have these!
Tang--I can still taste that imitation orange flavor.
Gum wrapper necklaces--and back then,
the gum wasn't even sugarless! No wonder
our generation has so many cavities in our teeth!
Ugh--the hideous blue gymsuits. I still
remember the smell of those
locker rooms after gym class!
Mini-skirts--my mom thought the
lengths of mine were scandalous :)
"The Mod Squad"--oh, I so wanted to be Peggy Lipton!
But, I thought Marlo Thomas in "That Girl"
was adorable, too (never understood what
she saw in Donald, however!).
Anyone else a Bobby Sherman fan? Loved
his hair--and "Tiger Beat" magazine!
Who else had a bunch of these purple lucite
grapes in their home? My church group made
our own and then we "forced" our parents to buy
them to fund our trips to help in Appalachia!
Tanning with baby oil--crazy, but true! Little
did we know the damage the sun would do
to our skin down the road...
Peace signs and flower power--I remember
doodling both on my notebooks during class.
Much lower prices!!! Look--a new Buick for only $2438.88!
Did you enjoy my flashback? I'm sure some of you have no recollections of any of these, do you? You're just too young... I know I'm one of the older cross stitch bloggers, but there are a few others in your 50s and 60s (are any of you in your 70s???) who will recall some of these things, too. Compared to the 21st century, life was lived at a slower pace back when I grew up. I so worry about all the "stuff" that children are exposed to these days--and at such a young age, too. It must be very hard growing up in these uncertain times...
BIRTHDAY GIFTS RECEIVED... Well, enough of my trip down memory lane! I got some lovely birthday gifts from blogging friends which I want to share with you now... A few people have emailed me saying "Your gift is in the mail," too, so I look forward to seeing what the mailman brings me next week!
From my friend, Robin (no blog), in Virginia, I received a lovely package of goodies! She stitched a beautiful blue "Welcome Friends" pillow which I have placed on the shelf of my new corner cupboard in the kitchen. She also included a set of pretty blue and white notecards and 8 cuts of fabric which I know will come in handy for my finishing. Thank you so much, Robin--you really spoiled me!
Birthday gifts from Robin
From dear June, in England, came another package of lovely blue and white note cards and an assortment of pretty fabric, lace, ribbons, and buttons. Thank you so much, June--all of your gifts will be put to good use!
Birthday gifts from June
From my friend, Cindy, in Tennesee, came a striped, zipper pouch stuffed with treats. Cindy stitched the most intricate little flower and inserted it into a necklace for me (which you can see in the lower right corner). It is so delicate and pretty! Along with that she also stitched a birthday card and sent a LHN chart, some Lily of the Valley scented soap, a small frame, and some buttons and ric-rak for my finishing. Such a great group of gifts, Cindy--thank you so much!
Birthday gifts from Cindy
From sweet Christina, in England, came this darling birthday rosette... I certainly smiled when I opened the package because it is just such a fun and unique gift! Christina did an amazing job on it--just look at all those pretty details. I shall be sure to wear it on Sunday when my family is here to celebrate my big day, Christina--thank you so much!
Birthday rosette from Christina
From my friend, Elizabeth (no blog), in Texas came a lovely blue project pouch filled with two cute charts and some delicious chocolate. You can never have too many project pouches, can you? Or too much chocolate! Or too many charts!! Thank you so very much, Elizabeth, for helping make my 60th birthday so special!
Birthday gifts from Elizabeth
And more thanks... Although not a birthday gift, I do have someone else to thank today and that is my friend, Liz, in Idaho, who recently had a giveaway for some of her cute wool ornament patterns. Just look what I won--isn't it sweet. I so need to get out of my comfort zone and make that cute snowman and reindeer wool pillow one of these days. I wish I had Liz here by my side to give me some lessons! Thank you Liz--and if you're not familiar with her blog, please do pop over and check out her latest creations... You won't be disappointed!
Giveaway win from Liz
GIVEAWAY WINNER... I have to tell you, I was extremely surprised at just how many of you were interested in the "Christmas Portraits" book that I offered on my last post. I just threw all of the names into a hat (well, really a paper bag!) and the one that came out first was "Pam in Virginia" (no blog). Congratulations, Pam! Please email me with your mailing address and I'll get the book out to you so you can begin stitching one of those great Santas!
Winner of the Christmas Portraits book:
"PAM IN VIRGINIA"
Although I had planned on showing you more ornaments this time, you will have to wait for my next post--this 60-year-old stitcher is just plain tuckered out!! I'll leave you with a series of photos of the deer that visited me on Wednesday... They came up to the house to eat the birdseed that had fallen from the bird feeder. First one, then two, then three, and so on until five had appeared! Don't they show up well on this snowy January landscape?
A young buck looks longingly at the bird feeder.
Then he settles for the birdseed on the snow
"Do you think I can jump and knock the feeder down?"
One last look...
Finally, the quintet ambles off into the woods
after eating their mid-afternoon snack.
Thank you all for your many kind comments on my previous post. Unfortunately, so many of you are "no-reply" bloggers, I can't thank you personally in an email. Just know that I do read and appreciate each and every comment so very much... And, if you've asked me a question and I haven't answered it, please ask it again, but, this time--leave your email address in your comment so I can answer you. So, it's on to another year and a new decade! What will the sixties hold for me? I can't wait to find out! Bye for now...