Monday, January 5, 2009

Birthday Bash Day One-Updated

(The drawing for the dishcloths will close at 9 p.m. EST - The winner will be announced at 12 am EST on Jan. 6 2009)



(Me, age three)


Some people dread birthdays. One of my earliest memories is of me asking my grandmother how she wanted to celebrate an upcoming birthday. Her replied confused me.

"Oh, I wish my birthday would never come. I don't want anymore birthdays. There's nothing to celebrate when you get this old."

This memory is close to thirty-years-old, which means that my grandmother was only in her 50's when she concluded that birthdays should be dreaded instead of celebrated. She's not alone. Card manufacturers make a pretty penny selling birthday cards that serve more to commiserate than commemorate.

My philosophy on aging and birthdays differ from my grandmother's. Although I could do without the wrinkles, belly flab, and lower back pain, I don't mind getting older. I view my birthday not as the observance of the passing or surviving of another year, but as a celebration of being born. My birthday is the anniversary of my first gasp of air...my first cry...my first hug...my first kiss.

The annual arrival of January 10 is a time for me to remember that God chose that day for my birth. It is a day worth celebrating...not me...but life. And, it is a day to reflect on the gift of life...a day to give thanks.

Because of the blog world, I get to celebrate my birthday with a few hundred people...with friends I've known for decades and with friends I've never met. For an extrovert like me...that's birthday wish come true. And to add to the fun...I'm giving away presents.

The first prize is a set of crocheted dish cloths from Jenn at A Country Girl's Ramblings. I'm always in awe of women like Jenn who have the patience and talent to turn a string of yarn into something both beautiful and useful.

Aren't these dishcloths so cute? They almost look too pretty to use, but their texture is great for scrubbing. Would you like to win a pair? Just leave a comment on this post, and you'll be registered to win. Leave another comment on Jenn's blog for an additional chance to win. Be sure to check out her Etsy shop while your there.

Winners will be announced tomorrow along with a chance to win a new prize.

Thank you so much for celebrating my birth week with me!




65 comments:

Elizabeth said...

I love your birthday outlook! I also don't mind them. I still look forward to them like a little girl waiting to wear her party dress :)

He & Me + 3 said...

That is my MIL birthday too. I am thankful for my birthdays too. It is a day I thank my mother for having me. Great post and cute picture! Happy Birthday almost.

Anne said...

I'm turning 39 this year... I may not like next years b-day so much.

AtlantaMama said...

That picture of you is TOO cute!!! Happy Birthday week!

Daphine said...

Great post with a great outlook!

Happy Birthday almost!

Anonymous said...

I enjoy my birthdays as well. It's that one day where it's all about me. I hope you have a great birthday week!

Rune said...

I love your post, and you were so sweet on the picture.

Happy birthday:)

Wibeche

A Bite of Country Cupcakes said...

Happy Birthday to lil ol you!
I love your whole refreshing and quite truthful outlook and perspective you have about gracing another year older.
I always feel emotional on my kids Birthdays for I remeber it as their "birth" day.
Happy Birthday to you,Enjoy YOUR day!

Beth in NC said...

Those dish clothes are cute. My Mom used to make them too.

I love celebrating my birthday. What a gift to have been given another year! Happy Birthday (early).

Love,
b

Carol said...

I wish I had pictures of when I was younger. My parents never took many pictures for some reason. There are a few floating around, though. :-)

Anonymous said...

happy birthday! hope you have a wonderful day!

Amy said...

Very sweet picture of you!:)

I turn the BIG 4-0 this year. {GULP}
But it is a blessing to be able to do so, amen?:)

Happy Birthday Week!
God Bless,
Amy:)

Unknown said...

What a great way to look at our birthdays. I will view mine a little different come November.

Becky W said...

Lovely!! You are so kind to share with us on your special day!

Joy Junktion said...

I love my birthday also!!
Happy Birthday Week!
Enjoy every moment of the celebration!

Emmy said...

You know what I love about our birthdays? It's like an extension on the holidays - our holiday season isn't over until AFTER our birthdays. I'm turning 34 Wednesday. I don't think there'll be any actual celebrating, but I love thinking of it as my own, personal, special day.

Happy Birthday!

Simply Stacie said...

Happy Birthday!!!
I love those dishclothes!!!Thanks so much.

september said...

Today's my mom's birthday, so early January must be a good time to make one's arrival!

Adorable picture.

The Four Week Vegan said...

That's the way to look at it :) I never quite got the hating your birthday thing either.

Lisa Spence said...

That picture is adorable!

Unknown said...

Angela, I sent you an e-mail concerning my blog. Just wanted to explain something. Thanks for doing this! Oh, and you don't need to count this as an entry for myself! :)

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday!!! What a wise way to look at birthdays! I bet it grieves God when we play down our birthday and look at it with dread. He did choose that day just for you to be born and because he "foreordained you" he had a purpose in creating you!
God bless you on your birthday and every day of the year!

Anonymous said...

What a cute picture! :) I had my post for today all written last night already, I was just waiting for you to post your first official birthday bash post...and now I find that you've written something along the same vein. Oh well, celebrate is the theme for the week!

Wendi@EveryDayMiracles said...

Okay - so first off I have to say that picture is incredibly cute!! :)
I also want to add that I think it is so sweet that you are helping others out in the process of celebrating your birthday. :)

Tales From the Eurovan said...

Life is precious and birthday's are a perfect way to celebrate it! I'm with you on the birthday philosophy.
Take care friend,
Julie

Gretchen said...

Adorable picture, Angela.

Sure, I'd love a chance to win those great dishcloths. Look like they could be great face cloths, too.

Angie said...

What a cute pic. Happy Birthday! That washcloth would go perfectly on the side of my sink. :)

Anonymous said...

Great idea! And the picture is too cute. :)

Sign me up!

Larie Carlice Proverbs 27:19 said...

I must agree with many others who tag this as a good idea. Thank you for helping me at my young age to have a different outlook on my birthday. For me, I had begun to ask what was I celebrating because I didn't do anything, it was all my mom. Therefore, I requested that my husband not get me gifts and I began giving my mother gifts as a thank you and recognition for the pain she had. I will now celebrate my birthday both ways. Thanks a bunch!

Lynn said...

Thanks for including us in the celebration! I have some dishclothes like these, and I LOVE THEM! I hope I win!

Anonymous said...

After having my Grandma in my life for 37 years I embrace growing older with grace. She lived to be 86 and never once did she complain or not want to celebrate her age.

I'll be 38 this year and I'm TOTALLY excited about it! My 13 year old helps my inner child play often, so I welcome each new birthday gratefully.

Penny said...

Happy early birthday! And a good, optimistic outlook -- and so true! Every day is a blessing.

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday!!! May God Bless you with many, many more birthdays.

Kimberly said...

Happy birthday week to someone definitely worth celebrating! ;)

I love the cute picture of you! :)
And you are super sweet to host a giveaway this week!

Ronel said...

That is such a great outlook on life and birthdays!!

Happy Birthday!!

Brandy said...

I love that you're doing a giveaway for YOUR birthday...very generous. And, I'm a big fan of Jenn. She is very sweet and very creative! Thanks for the giveaway. Have a Happy Birthday!

Leah said...

Your dishcloth is beautiful! I'd love to win a pair! I'm off to check out your etsy shop. I didn't know you had one!! I love Etsy!

Leah said...

Oh I see, I read things wrong. Your friend Jenn has an etsy shop! Very cool!

Melissa said...

Happy Birthday!

GrandCanyonMom said...

Great creativity on the "commiserate"- I loved that!

I liked your little girl picture.

I used to have a set of these dish clothes & they are THE BEST! I want to win!
pick me, pick me!
Jaime

Mel said...

i love birthdays!! they are a special day for each of us...and i love you do the whole week.

Debbie said...

Great post. I'd love a chance to win these pretties as well. Thanks.

sa061545@bellsouth.net said...

Love your blog! Those wash cloths look like they would be easy to crochet as well.
Please enter me in your contest.
sa061545@bellsouth.net
Amy's Mom from In My Life
Sandra

Unknown said...

Thanks for the opportunity - happy birthday week!

Claremont First Ward said...

Happy Birthday. I totally love your outlook!

Shannon said...

Happy first day of your birthday celebration. I never minded getting a year older until last year when I turned 30. I find myself lamenting my age instead of giving thanks for another year of this beautiful life. Wrinkles mean we've lived and that is more than many can say. Good for you for keeping a positive attitude. You're pretty good at that after all:)

Adorable photo!

Heather of the EO said...

I HATE Birthdays! Kidding, I don't. Love your positive perspective. Now pick me, pick me!

Sarah@Life in the Parsonage said...

You're adorable. Then & now :)

judybrittle said...

Have a wonderful birthday week! The dishcloths are very pretty. Thank you!

judybrittle said...

I left a comment on the Goldfinch that flew into her window.

Pattie said...

Happy Birthday. I sure hope that Your Birthday is a great one.

I just love your thoughts about your birthday week. I have always celbrated mine for a week as well but to give gifts is so me. I think I am going to have to blog steal this idea for my summer birthday.

Have a Great Week
Hugs

penlighted said...

Happy Birthday! That picture is really cute..

I just turned 20 last December 29. I don't like parties for my birthdays but I never forget to thank God for everything that He has given me.

MOre blessings to you!

Alicia The Snowflake said...

What a great outlook! I figure the old adage is true, "getting older is better than the alternative".

So Happy Birthday a few days early!

Wanda said...

You are so cute.....Happy Birthday to YOU!

Way to celebrate!

Jamie {See Jamie blog} said...

Love 'em! And Happy Birthday!

Tonya said...

I just have to say that picture of you is just the cutest. I can totally see you in it. Happy Birthday week!

Kelly said...

I know I'm too late to get in for this giveaway, but I was wondering if you still had all the html "stuff" for your birthday button? I'd like to put it on my blog! :-)

Shell in your Pocket said...

How fun and happy happy birthday to you!!!
-sandy toes

Jennifer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jennifer said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WEEK to you:)
The 10th is my sweet husbands birthday(34) as well as my best friends triplets(2)!!! I guess the 10th is ONE SPECIAL DAY!

Jennifer

Gina Conroy said...

Happy birthday a few days early!

Becca~CapturingSimpleJoys said...

I just had to say I love your outlook on getting older! I'm late for the drawing but I'll check back ealier tomorrow!

Mercy said...

Happy birthday, my birthday is feb 10. I will be 38. Yeah.

Debra Kaye said...

I used to dread birthdays...now I look at each new year as a gift from the Lord.

Happy Birthday to you, sweet one!

Mary Moss said...

I will never dread another birthday again after reading your wonderful post! What a refreshing outlook:-)

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