Birthday blues

On By wanderingcatyarns

Today is my 45th birthday, and I’m a little sad. Not because I’m turning 45. As far as I’m concerned 45 is the new 25.

No… I’m sad because we had a really cool sale planned for the shop, and unfortunately, the postal workers are still on strike, so the shop is still closed. The sale will keep though – we’ll just have to do it another time.

In other birthday news, Mom gave my present from her and Dad when I went to visit at the start of the month.

She made me the cutest project bag and filled it with some of her amazing handspun, and a chicken cross stitch pattern! Apparently there’s another part to the gift, but it’s stuck in the mail. It didn’t make it through before the strike began.

She was also doing a bit of destash, so I came home with a whole pile of goodies

I guess I better get knitting.

Dave bought me a nice big squishy shrimp…

Yes. You read that right – a giant squishy shrimp? Because why not? I’d been eyeing him for weeks everytime we went shopping but always talked myself out of buying him. Dave finally had enough and said he needed to come home.

He’s right at home on my loveseat of squishy things. (and that’s not all of my squishy things – I’ve got others stashed all over the house)

And we went thrifting the other night, so I gifted myself with a few things.

The pair on the left… I almost bought something similar brand new a couple weeks ago. I’d been looking for a comfy ballet-flat style shoe that was better than my cheap Walmart flats. I was on the Skechers site, but decided I had more important things to spend $80 on. So wasn’t I thrilled when I found a very similar pair at Value Village, almost brand new for 1/4 of the the price??

And the pair on the right… also made by Skechers … well they were just too fun. I figure they will be good for bopping around the yard, and quick trips to the post office, etc.

But that’s not all… I also found this pair.

I love a good bootie and these just caught my eye. The have a heel, but nothing crazy and are real leather. And the fit was so comfortable! It seemed like a deal at $10. When I got them home, I looked up the brand (Remonte) and discovered they are made in Germany, and most of the boots retail for upwards of $180 new. It wasn’t a deal, it was a steal!

And there’s one last birthday steal to share…

It’s a clay baker!!! It caught my eye, because of course, it’s a chicken! But I got even more excited when I realized what it was. One of my no-knead bread recipes recommends baking the bread in a clay baker. Of course, you can bake other things in them too.

I had no idea what they were really worth, but the $17 is was priced at seemed reasonable. When I got home and looked them up… well yeah… that’s a pretty big savings over $100-$200 for the ones for sale online (and none of those are in the shape of a chicken!)

All those gifts certainly put me in a better mood for my birthday.

18 thoughts on “Birthday blues”

  3. Happy birthday! You’ve got some wonderful things. I had to laugh at your squishy collection because now I don’t feel so bad about my Barbie obsession. We’re never too old for anything that makes us happy.

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  5. chuckandrobin20217a3606's avatar chuckandrobin20217a3606

    Valerie, Happy Birthday!🎉🎉❤️ You received some pretty incredible gifts. The clay baker! I haven’t seen one in years. And a chicken to boot! Have a wonderful day!

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  11. Betsy Saathoff Queen's avatar Betsy Saathoff Queen

    Happy, happy Birthday Val! I really enjoyed your birthday haul and am so happy you found so many deals. And a Mom who spins and gives you yarn is the icing on the cake. Her handspun is gorgeous. I really miss my wheel.

    You are a great thrifter. I need to take you with me since I never seem to find such deals here, although I bought a snowman yesterday at our Goodwill. 🙂

    Blessings and hugs,
    Betsy

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  14. jatshaw's avatar jatshaw

    Happy Birthday; hope you had a nice day! It looks like there’s a bit more knitting in your future. BTW, you are younger than all 3 of our kids, you spring chicken you!:>)

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