Tag Archives: Birthday

And I’m 29

Posted on by
10

This is from my 18th birthday. Clearly, the candles were a bit smoky!

Today is my 29th birthday! In some ways, I feel like a kid still, but in others I feel like I’ve been an adult forever.

I enjoyed being 28, but it was definitely a crazy year. I have no idea what to expect for 29, but it’s bound to be another of change as I get used to a new job (one that I hope to start soon!) and schedule. Plus, I’ll officially become an author this year! I definitely plan on taking advantage of this last year of my 20s.

28 Things at 28

Posted on by
6

Today is the last day of being 28. About time…I’ve felt like I was 29 for a long time.

So, continuing in the tradition of 25 things, 26 things, and 27 things, here are 28 things that I did while I was 28:

1. I had a tornado pass about 1/4 mile from my house, leaving me without power for 5 days. Thankful we didn’t see the destruction that I saw elsewhere in our city.

2. Watched 5 kids for a week (which was punctuated with the tornado from #1).

3. I got pneumonia (while doing #2).

4. I edited my novel to be published when I’m 29.

5. I lost my job.

6. I moved into my own place.

7. I found out I’d be an aunt for the first time (baby Bean to come any day).

8. I learned to crochet.

9. I celebrated Thanksgiving for the first time in North Carolina.

10. I made a big life-changing decision (one that I can’t share here yet).

11. I bought and put up my own Christmas tree for the first time.

12. I faced my first hurricane…and I was rather disappointed.

13. I worked 2 elections for the first time.

14. I observed Yom Kippur in my own special way.

15. I made a 30 Before 30 list and completed 4 things on it.

16. I lost 23 pounds by walking more and making simple adjustments to my diet.

17. I visited Seattle for the first time.

18. Convinced the pickiest person I’ve ever known (my dad) to try Turkish food, and even kinda liked it.

19. Reluctantly quit helping in AWANA so I could pursue counseling training.

20. Read 141 books.

21. Used an ereader for the first time.

22. Visited the Ozarks for the first time. Also added Arkansas to my list of visited states (I don’t count airports).

23. Majorly purged my belongings, especially the books on my shelves (they’re starting to look empty!).

24. Went away again with church friends to the mountains.

25. Started recording The Chronicles of Narnia for my niece.

26. Chopped my hair off (a decision I’ve never regretted).

27. Listened to the Harry Potter series for the first time and really enjoyed it.

28. Celebrated my 5th blogiversary.

I say that’s a busy year!

‘Twas a Perfect Birthday

Posted on by
10

My birthday yesterday was just perfect.

There wasn’t anything flashy or over the top, but that’s why it was so great.

Tuesday (birthday eve), I worked from home as I had a package coming that required a signature.

What was in the package?

A Nook (thanks, Mom and Dad!).

That’s right, I’m now one of the growing population of readers who is reading electronically.  I haven’t given up paper books, but when I can, I’ll be reading electronically.  I’m a lazy reader, and prefer not to actually have to hold a book open.  I also like that it automatically remember where you were…once again, I’m lazy.

Then Wednesday, my birthday, was just right.  Lots of birthday wishes from friends and a generally pleasant day.  In the evening, a few friends came by and we had some appetizers, played some games, and of course, followed it up with some cake.  Looking back, it’s hard to describe why I enjoyed it so much, but trust me, I did.

27 Things at 27

Posted on by
8

Continuing the birthday-eve tradition of 26 things and 25 things, here are 27 things that I’ve done at the age of 27:

1.  Saw Phantom of the Opera.

2.  Saw my baby brother marry the best woman for him.

3.  Was a bridesmaid (and a maid of honor) for the first time(s).

4.  Got buried in snow in North Carolina for the first time.

5.  Watched Gone with the Wind.

6.  Added a second tax site at work.

7.  Met a US congressman…who got voted out in the most recent election.

8.  Read several books that really influenced me.

9.  Started making serious progress on making my life better for creation.

10.  Saved a (very small) emergency savings, and kept it.

11.  Left apartment life behind (though I was sad to part ways with my roommate of 3 years).

12.  Grew my first vegetable garden with moderate success.

13.  Went on my first overnight work trip.

14.  Got my car wrecked by an anonymous drunk, angry driver.

15.  Went to kids’ camp for the first time as an adult and loved it.

16.  Have finished my 5th year at my job…by far the longest I’ve worked anywhere.

17.  Helped my roommate through the first homeowner’s crisis I’ve ever dealt with: the death of a water heater.

18.  Vlogged for the first time.

19.  Got my game on, competing with friends in a diet and exercise competition.  The first time was helpful, the second time, not so much.

20.  Switched from teaching Sunday school to kindergarteners to helping with the 5th and 6th grade class.

21.  Had my first solo vacation and loved it.

22.  Voted for my first Democrats.

23.  Helped with the first ever Readathon for Hunger.

24.  Wrote a novel.

25.  Decorated my first full-sized Christmas tree not in my parents’ home.

26.  Read 164 books.

27.  Traveled to Atlanta, Wichita, Myrtle Beach, Norman, Charlotte, Roanoke, Denison (Texas, 2x), Kansas City, small town Kansas, and the middle of nowhere.

FQF: The Gift Giving Edition

Posted on by
3

1.  What do you want for your birthday? (December 15, hint, hint)

On the top of my wish list is a Barnes & Noble Nook (not the new color screen one, but the traditional kind).  Which should come as no surprise if you’ve read about my book-packing woes on Twitter.  When I wrote out my birthday/Christmas list this year, I realized that I really am grown up, as I was asking for things like cloth napkins.

2.  What was your favorite gift that you’ve received?

Though it wasn’t for my birthday or Christmas, I’d have to say my car.  When I graduated from college, my parents did what they always said they wouldn’t: they bought me a car.  A great gift and I chose well, as my Camry has had no more than cosmetic issues caused by the rough streets (a rock to the windshield, a drunk driver to the side, and a nail to the tire).

3.  What was the strangest gift you’ve ever received?

A pack of plain white copy paper.  I received this as a gift from my (younger) brother when I was in elementary school.  I had wanted paper, but I wanted colored printing paper.  Still makes me laugh.

4.  What was your favorite gift to give?

I think it’d probably be the scrapbooks I made for some friends from college the Christmas after I left OU.  I love to give gifts more than receive them, so I can’t say that there were any gifts that I didn’t like giving, but some are more meaningful than others.

5.  Are you done shopping for Christmas?

Yes.  Though I still need to mail presents to a friend and her girl.  Other than that, I’m done.  I will wrap my family’s gifts once I get to Kansas (I had them shipped direct from Amazon).