Encompassing Designs
  • Home
  • Shop
    • Kits
    • Patterns >
      • Christine Little >
        • Signature Designs
        • New Designs
        • Seasonal Designs
      • Deborah Sweet
      • Susan Leslie
      • Patricia Perry
      • William Morris
    • Supplies >
      • Backings
      • Frames
      • Hooks
      • Books
      • Extra
    • Wool >
      • Abrashed
      • Custom Dyeing
      • Dyed Bundles
      • Dyed Curly Mohair
      • Dyed Spots
      • Dyed Values
      • Dyed Yarn
      • Jacquard Dice Dyes
      • Natural & Colours
      • Plaids & Textures
      • Dye Books & Swatches
  • Ordering
  • Blog
  • Workshops
  • Our Story
  • Contact Us

It's my birthday and I won't cry if I want too!

12/18/2015

6 Comments

 
Picture

Yippee, today is my birthday!  I’m 49! I’m feeling great, I still look good with my clothes on, and I can still wear the earrings I wore back in high school!   I counted up the liver spots this morning, six on my left hand and three on the right!  Not bad eh?

Usually I don’t celebrate  or pay attention to my special day, but I’ll only be 49 for a few years.....I better get all I can out of this momentous number.  Most say they’re 39 but that’s stupid, who'd believe it?  If you’re going to lie, make it reasonable.  Unless you’re backing it up with a plethora of plastic surgery it’s too much of a stretch, skin over bone that is, and stitched to your scalp.  Of course I joke about being 49, I love being 57, wouldn’t go backwards for all the wool in New Zealand! 

Someone was in the shop the other day and thought Shane was my fella and although creepy, not a bad compliment at my age, looking like I could snag a young, good looking “Big Boy” as she called him.  The flattery only lasted a moment before my intellect told me to wipe the stupid grin off my face.  I told her I wasn’t good looking enough, rich enough or Cher to snag a young man of 35.  The fact that we were talking about my son made it a bit weird but Shane wasn’t embarrassed; as a matter of fact he’s used to this.  Before he met his wife and with my hubby away most of the time he was my restaurant companion and all those that looked on wondered, some even commented.  I viewed it as comedic, the opportunity for a good chuckle.  I’m not that delusional, and my thought is always “perhaps they should look into cataract surgery”.   
 
So I don’t want gifts this year but I’m trolling for hugs and smiles.  My son pestered me, what do I want for my birthday and I thought and thought and thought, but there was nothing to say.  I’ll appreciate a funny card, not one of those sappy ones full of fluff and malarkey.   Make fun of my memory, hint that they invented fire the day I was born or perhaps with my failing eyesight, brushed my teeth with Preparation H.  Give me a laugh, that’s the best medicine!

Other than that, I have everything I want in spades.  Sure, world peace would be nice but sadly, I don’t think it’s ever going to happen.  I’d like a healthy pancreas but that’s my cross to bear, everyone has one thing that does them in physically, at least it’s a manageable illness and a lot better than some.   

I’m offered discount cards for seniors now. Quite frankly, I’d rather pay full price but it’s always nice to save.  Some of my spring has sprung, there’s cracking and aches and it takes the short jaunt to the bathroom each morning before I’m fully erect. 

My hair isn’t what it used to be although it was never what I wanted.  It’s so flat and fine it won’t even hold a curl.  Wishing it was curly and cussing that it wasn’t might have been a self-fulfilling prophecy.  Maybe it got fed up from the lack of love and left.  Thinking back from this balding position, I now realize my hair was divine, soft and silky, hair others would kill for, especially all those curly haired fools who couldn’t be satisfied with their divine crop.  We’re nuts, the lot of us.     Why can’t we be satisfied with what we have, stop comparing everything to others and get on with it?

I’d like less wrinkles but like stretchmarks, they’re badges of honour so being stripped of those numerous accolades might be defying nature’s plan and I always play by the rules.  My laugh lines aren’t deep enough to lose parts of a sandwich in and I have all my front teeth so I’m still smiling with confidence.   At 57, I have a ways to go before I’m looking like a Shar-Pei, I still have one chin and although things are shifting and eroding I look as good as most do at the halfway point. 
   
I have much to be thankful for and I know my luck and good fortune runs deep.   I married a very kind man, not by chance either, some things you can’t leave to fate once opportunity knocks. I met him at a dance, sensed he was lovely and then stalked him until we had a first date.  I chased but he let himself be caught.  The trick you ask?  Open a few strategically placed buttons and unless a man is standing over an open grave with a banana peel underfoot and has those before-mentioned cataracts as thick as shoe leather, you’ll have their full attention.   

In my fertile years, I gave birth to a handsome and intelligent son that I love to bits. I have lovely, wonderful friends and four dogs that are precious to me; they are my hairy prodigy; I couldn’t love them any more if they had sprung from my womb.  I have a career I love and a house as cozy as polar fleece.  What more could a gal want?   
So what is there to receive?  I’ll gladly accept a few hugs and smiles, these are the true gifts.  I’ll remember them longer than something to unwrap, Wednesday at the hook-in party I grabbed hugs from all I could get too, there was a bit of a pile up at the door and the crowd was deep.   I like to hug human beings, especially warm ones, those with a pulse that is; it’s awkward when they don’t move.  (A long story for another time.) 

Hugging is a great way to make a connection.  I have it down to a science; I bend in and draw them tight to my bosom, constrict with a bit of pressure and then pat their backs.  Over the years my personal space allowance has diminished for the better.  I’ve gone from, “Hey, back off sunshine!”, to “How about a hug?”, putting it right out there for collection.   I used to worry someone might feel my muffin top or notice how much back fat spills over my bra.  Now I don’t care.  I’m soft and squishy like bread dough and there’s comfort in that.  Probably in a few years, I’ll be the equivalent of the Pillsbury dough boy but hopefully not as pale.  No matter what age, I’ll still be happy, because what’s outside is nothing like what’s on the inside.   
 
Well I must run.  I smell bacon.  Hubby is making my birthday breakfast.  We had to get up at 6:30 AM to have the pups at the groomers for 8:00 AM for their Christmas clip.  After returning home and a short nap while parked in the driveway, I’m now fully awake and hungry.   What will today bring......


Picture
6 Comments
Patricia
12/18/2015 11:03:38 am

Very Happy birthday to YOU!

Reply
Andre
12/18/2015 12:00:57 pm

Have a lovely day Christine. It certainly sounds like it started off the right way. All the best for a healthy, happy 2016

Reply
Kathleen
12/18/2015 03:16:56 pm

May all your birthday wishes come true!

Reply
Louise
12/18/2015 03:21:52 pm

Loved your description of a real hug. In my northern NY neighborhood (not far from Canada) we call them "hippie hugs" - memories of decades ago. Whatever you call them, hugs are always welcome. Happy Birthday, Christine. I do enjoy reading your blog.

Reply
Tina
12/22/2015 08:13:10 pm

Best wishes! You are but a wee young sprout, says the 66-year-old hooker. You could have asked for something for the boat!

Reply
Ingrid Taylor
12/23/2015 12:37:54 am

Belated Happy Birthday wishes. 🎉🎂🎈

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Christine Little has been ranked #5​ out of the 60 top rug hooking bloggers by Rug Hooking Magazine!

    Picture
    Picture
    Max Anderson, Australia, recipient of my Nova Scotia Treasures rug.  An award of excellence for promoting Canada through his writing.  
    Picture
    Picture

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012

    Picture
    Picture
    Gift Certificates are available for that special rug hooker in your life!  Any denomination, no expiry date! 

    Picture

    Categories
    (Click on the categories for past blogs)

    All
    Announcements
    Beginner Class
    Christmas
    Colour Planning
    Contests
    Copyright
    Coupon
    Customer Rugs
    Cutter Servicing
    Dyeing
    Equipment
    Featured Hooker
    Giveaway Draw
    Guest Blogger
    Guest Blogger
    Health & Fitness
    Home & Heart
    Hooked Rugs
    Hooking Groups
    Hook In Talk
    Initially Yours
    Jibber Jabber
    Just A Bit Of Fun!
    Life's Experiences
    Life's Experiences
    New Design
    New Ideas
    Pattern Of The Week
    Patterns Hooked
    Pets
    Rants
    Recipes
    Rememberingfbe7326ff7
    Rug Schools
    Show & Tell
    Show-tell
    The Rant
    Tips Technique
    Tips Techniquef0cd117ab4
    Visitors
    Workshops

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture





















    Picture
    We have a pot to "Fiz" in!

Shop Hours:
Closed due to COVID.  Available for curbside pick-up and mail order until further notice.  

Toll Free: 1-855-624-0370
Local: 1-902-624-0370​
encompassingdesigns@gmail.com

498 Main Street
P.O. Box 437
Mahone Bay, N.S.
Canada B0J 2E0

​Follow us and keep up to date
on our specials, new products
​and events!
Picture
Picture
Picture


Home
Shop
Ordering
Blog
Our Story
Workshops

Contact Us




​​​© Copyright 2019 Encompassing Designs. Website by SKYSAIL