mama's eve

My birthday was a real headache to my mama.
I believe she had SAD (seasonal affective disorder) in the 50's, an unhappy woman was looked upon as disruptive and irritating. She was labeled as difficult and high maintenance.
OK. Maybe she was high maintenance.
But she couldn't help it if autumn made her sad.
Guess I didn't help much.
I always felt a bit guilty for making her celebrate when she'd rather curl up in a ball and read.
Then I met this amazing man at the grand age of 16 that changed my apologetic approach to my birthday.
He actually LIKED/LOVED fall! Imagine that!
And in the nearly 40 years that we've shared earth, he's made me a royal fan of the golden season.
Dare I say that I now embrace my birthday, yes, even catching up on all those sad birthdays.
And my friends know this.
They entertain me with great fanfare and fun.

Today, the 2G's mama snuck on my porch, flying a birthday banner and balloons for all the passers by (in case they want to go do some birthday shopping for me:D)
And then Sweet Sharon brought by her stash.
Sweet Sharon has been my neighbor for 10 years and I think my friend forever since we are kindred spirits.
She was the one that introduced me around when we first moved here and helped me celebrate my first birthday in Mitchell with great cheer.

Then she went an outdid herself.
She came to my door bearing a great blue bag.
FULL of the most lovely fabrics.
For my bags.
Hand selected for me and my new business.
What a lovely and amazing gift.
What a lovely and amazing friend...
Happy Birthday Eve to me.....

Can you believe how grand these wonderful pieces will make up into functional, fashionable bags for this season?

(and below is Most Interesting/loving Friends fetching new birthday bag....
She's still in China and I presume too busy to look at little ol' me's blog, so I feel safe showing you...)

Hmmmmmm......
New fabric, new bags, new year...
Makes a person want to celebrate and share......

Better stay tuned.....:D

The Jibblies

My walk last night seemed very quiet.

The streets had a hushed sound and it was easy to feel that I was the only one in the town.

Then I remembered. First day of school.

As an ardent walker about town, I've come to appreciate the subtleties of change. Early morning Saturday is a quiet, quiet time as well. During a snowstorm, it's quite eerie. And the first day of summer vacation for the school is predictably noisy.

So without a child in the school system, I've come to notice that uncharacteristic silence that only comes when children are home early, preparing for the day/school year to come, in whatever fashion that looks like. I did observe one young boy out on his bicycle, but oddly, he was just going around and around in circles. Maybe he was stalling for time when he had to finally admit that his daily romp with his bike was ending. Or maybe he was so mindlessly bored that circling was all he could come up with. Whatever the reason, he was alone in his contemplation.

I remember the dread of a new year. I disliked having to train a new teacher all over again. I resented having to rearrange my very relaxed schedule to one of waking up before the light of day. The regimen of the school district never did coincide with my busy-ness and love of motion.

Sadly, I lived vicariously through my children with respect to the First Day Dreads. Outwardly, I was the penultimate cheerleader, complete with first day photos, special breakfasts, clothes and shoes. But it was all a sham. I hated it and I hated seeing them go. I would cry after they left for no other reason than I knew I would miss them so.

All these years later, just thinking of all the children headed back to their pre dawn bus stops and scheduled learning, I get the jibblies.

Some of us never grow up......