It's my party and I can buy if I want to, buy if I want to...

It's my birthday and I bought this for myself. Some purchases were made last month but I still would classify them as "birthday presents for myself". :)

It looks less than it really is. I actually bought 13 skeins of Nector Mission Falls Wool (bottom left) and 18 skeins of Denim Mission Falls Wool (bottom right) but I didn't want those to dominate the photo :) The other 4 are sock yarn, which were purely impulse e-purchases. It's been awhile since I finished a pair of socks, lately it's been half-sock-syndrome. I have 2 on the needles which I did not even turn the heel yet.

Sooooooo... I am officially in my 30's (no more 20's + 1!)

Contrary to what many women might feel, I didn't dread turning 30 and I don't mind 31 either. Yes, I am older, but occasionnally I still get carded and still recieve compliments about how "young" I look. Everything is relative and I think our age is reflected from within.

I remember when I was in my early 20's, just fresh out of university, I was a nervous wreck. Insecure, lost, confused, stressed. What career should I persue? What job should I get? How am I going to survive with such crappy pay? How can I save up for a home (with this crappy pay)? Who will I marry? How many kids will I have? What path should I take?... etc.

A decade later, I have a decent job, a mortgage for a closet, a long-distance boyfriend... things didn't work out as my "ideal" but hey, who cares? I feel more at ease with who I am and comfortable with the way my life unravelled. I don't have a house, but it's OK. I am not married, but it's OK. I might not even have kids (ever?) but that's OK. Sh!t happens, why not relish it?

A bit sentimental perhaps, I came across this last year, and I thought I'd share it with you!

This was written by Andy Rooney from CBS 60 Minutes...Andy Rooney says:

As I grow in age, I value women who are over 30 most of all. Here are just a few reasons why:

A woman over 30 will never wake you in the middle of the night to ask, "What are you thinking?" She doesn't care what you think.

If a woman over 30 doesn't want to watch the game, she doesn't sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do. And, it's usually something more interesting.

A woman over 30 knows herself well enough to be assured in who she is, what she is, what she wants and from whom. Few women past the age of 30 give a damn what you might think about her or what she's doing.

Women over 30 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won't hesitate to shoot you, if they think they can get away with it.

Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it's like to be unappreciated.

A woman over 30 has the self-assurance to introduce you to her women friends. A younger woman with a man will often ignore even her best friend because she doesn't trust the guy with other women.

Women over 30 couldn't care less if you're attracted to her friends because she knows her friends won't betray her.

Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 30. They always know.

A woman over 30 looks good wearing bright red lipstick. This is not true of younger women.

Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 30 is far sexier than her younger counterpart.

Older women are forthright and honest. They'll tell you right off if you are a jerk if you are acting like one! You don't ever have to wonder where you stand with her.

Yes, we praise women over 30 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it's not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed hot woman of 30+, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some 22-year-old waitress.

Ladies, I apologize.