more than 30 (also known as the one with the contest) (and in some circles known as the birthday post)
today, i turn 31. i loved turning 30 last year. simply loved waving good-bye to my 20s. was glad to let them be part of the past. i kind of want to stay 30 for another year though. it just feels like such a good age. i like answering that question, "how old are you?" and saying with a huge smile, "30." i think i like being an even age. and to be the beginning of a decade feels empowering. but today, i take a big step right into that decade.
last night, i was thinking about how excited i was to turn 16. how i didn't fall asleep and that at midnight i saw that my mom was still up reading, so i went into my parents' room and opened the presents my grandparents had sent. it was a pretty cool moment. my grandmother was always sending me "the latest thing" she had found. this time, it was these stretchy, metal bracelets (think almost slinky-like but rectangular). i did not realize that they were actually something you were supposed to put on the outside of your long-sleeve shirt, at the wrists, and then push up the sleeves - they were supposed to hold the sleeves in place. an odd invention that didn't seem to take off (do any of you know what i mean?). well, i thought they were just funky bracelets and put them on and when they went from being "stretched out" to resting against my skin, every single one of my arm hairs in that area of my skin was grabbed up in between the little slinky-like coils. holy crap. it hurt but it was so funny. my mom and i were cracking up until we were crying; trying to be quiet as my dad was sleeping. we had no idea what they were for. i think my grandparents also sent me a mug they bought in hershey, pa that had all the different hershey chocolates on it. and then, they sent a pretty nice-sized savings bond that they gave to all the grandchildren when they turned 16. i am sure that there was also a pair or two of super soft socks as that was something my grandma always gave me at birthdays and christmas. i guess the best part of the memory though is just thinking about sitting on the floor next to my mom's side of the bed and being in that moment with her. and, i think some hershey's chocolate was consumed as well...so fun.
lately, i have noticed several bloggers hosting little giveaways on their birthdays, so i decided i would like to join in on the fun...
a few weeks ago, i mentioned that jon helped me to count buttons. well, we were counting all these buttons:
we found this jar filled with them at an antique shop in portland. see that blue one? well, i had to have the whole jar after seeing that blue one (and the red one...oh and that green one...).
anyway, i thought it might be fun (and a bit silly i know), if i held a "guess how many buttons are in the jar" contest here in the comments. here's a hint: there are a lot more than 30 buttons in that jar, but there are not more than 10,000. oh and it took us several hours to count them (though we were nicely arranging them by color and other subcategories like "liz's favorites" and "ones that look like flowers").
just leave your guess in the comments. the person who is closest will receive a surprise of something i have made here in the little room and some other goodies (including, you guessed it, some of those buttons)!
i am going to go ahead and leave the guessing open until sunday evening, so jump on in with your guess! (though, i suppose i should have the rule that you only get one guess, so make it a good one.)
and thanks for making this last year, the year i was 30, such a good one with your friendship, support, words of wisdom, and all that good stuff. you all are just the best...
this is me
Reader Comments (47)
MMMM! Buttons-my favourite thing! I guess 679!
So glad Jon's grandma is doing better!
Happy Birthday. My son turned 16 yeasterday! :)
Happy Birthday beautiful Liz!!!
Enjoy being 31, that was 10 years ago for me and I can honestly say that time flies, seems like yesterday!
My guess is that there are 1243 buttons in that jar.
Happy Birthday Liz! I have a feeling your 30's are going to be fantastic.
I'm going to take a guess at the buttons. 562.
Have a great week. Celebrate for several days. :)
Happy 31!
I know exactly what you mean about the 30 thing (I'm exactly 3 months older than you, 3/7/76).
I LOVED 30. It was my best birthday ever and I had such amazing intentions for the year ahead of me. I decided it was the year that I was going to become the person I'd always wanted to be.
Then 31 hit and I had zero expectations and a nearly non-existant birthday. However, in the brief time I have been 31, there have been lots of wonderful, unexpected surprises and adventures.
I wish you the happiest of happy birthdays and a year that you'll never forget!
Happy birthday, Liz! I hope it's absolutely fantastic!
My guess is that there are 1152 buttons in that jar. How fun!
Happy, happy birthday Liz! Hope it's a really wonderful day for you! I love that your mom let you open presents after midnight. I want to be that kind of mom! More interested in fun than "rules". *smile*
I'm going on the "it took hours to count" and going to guess 3,831.
Happy Happy Birthday : )
my granny had a big jar of buttons exactly like that which now hangs out with me in my home ... i remember once counting all the buttons which took me hours because i marveled over the pretty shapes and colours ...
i'm going to guess 2,648
Hope your year is filled with wonder and joy and many moments of bliss :)
happy birthday, sweetpea.
love.
-bee
First and foremost, HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET LIZ. I wish you happiness, contentment and peace, as well as continued success w/your business.XOXO
Any my button guess....1503.
happy birthday. and you know i know how wonderful the thirties are! calling you later, but wanted to join in the fun of guessing. so i think i'll guess 967.
xox
LIZ... the HAPPIEST of BIRTHDAYS to you my dearest friend!!!!
I will have to tuck something extra special in your package next month as a belated birthday gift!
ENJOY the day.. and spend time reveling in all the possibilities of being 31.
xoxo!!!!!!
ps... my guess... 7200... WOW that would be ALOT of buttons
I'm going to guess....3,913 buttons. Just sounds like a good number. Happy Birthday!!! If you think turning 30 was great, wait until you turn 50!!! Even better.
happy birthday my beautiful, artistic, poetic, brave, fabulous friend...
has your birthday always been the day before trey's...whose birthday is the day before johnny depp's...look how 3 of my favorite people in the world have birthday's one right after the other...
anyway...you are a light my dear and your presence is a gift to us all. you have been such a blessing to my life simply because you are you and you're willing to share the truth of who you are. i celebrate you! many blessings to you lovely one!
whoops!!!!...you know what happens to my brain when i mention the words johnny depp...i totally forgot to participate in the button quessing game...
hmmmm....i'm gonna say 13,279..i actually just closed my eyes and typed numbers...we'll see how that works out for me...
Happy Birthday Gorgeous! I hope this 31st day is fantastic and that you do everything your heart desires on this day. xoxo
Hello! I just stumbled upon your blog for the first time! I've visited your etsy shop & your bags are funky cool! Love the way you coordinate the crazy patterns...you have a great eye...
I'm throwing out a guess at the buttons...738...sounds good...
I say 7007...this is great! I'm turning 27 next Friday, and am so sad to say goodbye to 26 - it was such a good year. Moved across the world to the city of my soul, met the love of my life and married him. I hear what you're saying about wanting to be 30 a little bit longer, but my blessing to you is that 31 (and far beyond) is even better than 30.
Happy birthday!
Susan
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I've been thinking of you today. :) Can't wait to catch up with you. I will have to guess at the jar. Hmmmm...4,326. It seems quite high to me, but I guess I feel like I always underestimate. At any rate, have a WONDERFUL day! Crazy time is starting right now (after naps) and tonight I'm going to say goodbye to a friend who is moving - I will call a.s.a.p. if I don't have a chance to call today. Miss you!
Love,
Bridget
Happy, happy Birthday Liz!!! I always hear how terrible the thirties are so it's refreshing and lovely to hear someone enjoyed turning and being 30. The BIG 30 is in September for me and I always imagine people take you seriously for a change...I hope that's true.
Wishing you all the best for 31 and may you be blessed in everything you do.
Ok, now for my guess. This was with hubby's input....We say 3421...
Ka
Happy Birthday lovely Liz! May your 31st year be full of yumminess!
My guess is 1,831
Such a fun sharing bday idea :)
Vx
I loved going through the button tins (square and round tins) when I was a kid. I would sort by type or by color or by size... Sometimes I just ran my fingers through them.
Wishing you a happy 31st and hoping you make many more special memories in the year ahead.
My button guess: 6152.
I love buttons!!!
My guess is 4,562
Wheeee, this is fun!!
Happy Birthday dear heart.
And now my guess. I deliberately scrolled past the other guesses to avoid being influenced so if I choose somebody's number .... well, let's just say I didn't mean to. OK ...... mmmmm, my guess is 8,672.
Happy Birthday Liz! Hope you had a great day.
Joe's guess is 742
I say 960
Happy Birthday sweet you
Happy Birthday you jewel
Happy Birthday dear wise one,
Happy Birthday to you!