Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

| By | | 477 Comments

Three Zero

Today I turned 30. Woot.

John Birthday 3 X 10

My mom didn’t make me stand in front of an “I AM 30” banner (or fashion a crown for me) like she has in past years, but she and my dad did have us over for brunch on Sunday morning. It was actually a surprise that Sherry planned with them. I had known about the brunch (since my cousins, aunt, uncle, and little sister had traveled in from DC for the day), but was somehow oblivious to the fact that they might use the gathering to celebrate my thirtieth until a candle-filled plate of muffins was placed in front of me. Oh, but my mom did make me this:

Birthday Mom Spatula Gift

Never one to just slip money or gift cards into an envelope, my mom constructed this “flower” with a happy face spatula and paper leaf pockets that housed some gift cards to my favorite places. Oh, and the can “planter” was stuffed with new running socks (likely my dad’s contribution).

My sisters went in on this for me:

Birthday Bike Poster

It’s the Christine Berrie bicycle print that I’ve always loved over on 20×200. It’s the perfect addition to my bicycled-themed art obsession. Speaking of which, I did actually manage to secure a set of the Gap bicycle prints that I yearned for thanks to a helpful Gap manager (remember when I pined for them here)? We were truly shocked when they arrived at our PO Box. Lesson learned? If you ask enough times, a manager might take pity on you and actually send a sign your way (instead of tossing it into the dumpster). So be the squeaky wheel, folks. And hooray for recycling! (Get it? Bicycle? Cycling? See what I did there?).

We haven’t figured out where to hang my new bike collection yet, so pictures “in situation” will have to wait for another post when we pin down proper locations.

John Birthday 20x200 Print

But I do have “in situation” pictures of what Sherry gifted me. Any guesses?

Birthday Opening Robbie

Yup, it’s a white rhino. Specifically the large Robbie trophy that she bought me from Cardboad Safari. I know it’s probably one of the weirder sentences I’ve ever typed, but rhinos are kind of our thing. We even worked one into our blog header.

John Birthday Rhino Close

Sherry knows that I’ve always loved the larger Cardboard Safari creations (not that I don’t also love our little full-bodied Robbie, who makes frequent appearances in various places like our console table and our laundry room). Big Robbie is an especially fitting gift since I surprised Sherry with a ceramic rhino for V-day a while back (more on how that turned into a highly involved rhino scavenger hunt here). So apparently we like giving each other horned mammals. And they keep getting larger. Maybe we’ll end up with a life sized rhino in our kitchen someday a la the giant dog on Friends.

Oh but one word of warning for anyone else who’s eying a large trophy: be sure to consider how far they stick out from the wall when it comes to where you want to hang them (this guy comes out about 18 inches). We fortunately found this spot where no one’s gonna knock into him when they walk by or sit down (since you stand up in front of the chair and not on the chair). So while nobody puts Baby in a corner, we totally put Robbie in a corner. And we love him there.

John Birthday Rhino Far

Overall, the birthday celebrations were pretty low-key (just the way I like ’em). My family took me out to dinner last night and my mom is babysitting tonight so Sherry can have a date with her old man (aka me, in case that was too cryptic for you). Lately she has been calling me her silver fox because I’m sporting some gray hair in the front. But she swears up and down that it’s a compliment. Her rebuttal is usually “Hello? Anderson Cooper – I rest my case.”

Oh, and since I never got around to making a “to do before I’m 30” blog list (like Nicole), I was pleasantly surprised to find that I had actually made one on paper back in high school (as part of a prompt in my senior English class). Who knew keeping those old notebooks stored away would ever come in handy?

Johns15Before30List

Looks like I had gone back and updated it with “Completed” marks sometime around 2005. And sadly I haven’t checked off many more since then. No new countries (#4), bungee jumping (#6) nor movie roles (#7) for me. Though Sherry and I did visit Hollywood (#8) on our first vacation together in October 2005.

John Birthday Hollywood

And I sorta accomplished #9, if you count my run in with Kelly Clarkson at a client event in May of 2005.

John Birthday Kelly Clarkso

Neither Sherry nor I can remember if we still had our fish when we got Burger, so #10 is an unknown. I definitely haven’t learned how to play the bass guitar (#11)… or even the regular guitar (though I owned one for a short time in 2002). But I did work for the National Geographic Channel (#12) in the summer of 2001. It was far from glamorous, but certainly more satisfying than seeing #13 come true. Oh the lofty dreams of an 18 year old…

And although I had completed #15 by visiting Hawaii with a friend before Sherry and I even started dating, it was nice to earn some bonus points by going to Alaska on our honeymoon.

John Birthday Alaska

Speaking of which, I’m gonna earn a third check mark on #15 when Sherry and I continue the turning-30 celebration next year (Sherry hits the big 3-0 in March) by following through on our plans to vacation in Hawaii (which will also multitask as a vacation to celebrate our fifth wedding anniversary). But more on that another time. A long post like this has made these old bones weary. Just kidding. To anyone wondering, 30 feels just like 29. But Clara’s even more fun this year because she’s walking and talking (and singing hilarious songs). This morning, for example she sang this:

“Twinkle twinkle little star, how I wonder what you said.”

Anyways, thanks to my family for a fun 30th. And to everyone who made my 20’s an exciting and eventful decade. Here’s hoping the 30’s are just as fun!

Comments

  3. Elise says

    My husband totally had that exact same coat when he was about three. He was a little blonde boy too, so I did a double take when I first glanced at the page. Too funny!

    Reply

  4. Hillary says

    Happy birthday, John! A few things:

    1. Your mom is the cutest. Was she ever a teacher? If not, she missed her calling!

    2. I made the same “bucket list” when I was 17, and I also had the movie extra thing on there. Almost 10 years later and it still hasn’t happened!

    Reply

  7. Holly says

    John, this is probably one of my most favorite posts from y’all! I love the Real World: DC reference. I totally wanted to be ON the RW when I was 18….my how reality TV has changed! Happy Birthday!

    Reply

  9. Ellen says

    Happy Birthday John! I hit that mark in January of this year, and so far, 30’s not bad. Enjoy your day, week, month and year!

    Reply

  10. katD says

    Happy Birthday! Lots of awesome people were born on 11/15, like Georgia O’Keefe, Sam Waterson, Ed Asner, you, and me. I’m a year off from 30, but at least I could still make a list and see what can be accomplished in 364 days. Enjoy this amazing day!

    Reply

  11. Randi Padot says

    Since you touched on your love of ceramic animals, I thought I would send you a link to the cutest little ceramic item I just came across while browsing on online. It’s a ceramic pig speaker from West Elm. I’m not sure how well it actually works, but thought it was super cute and thought of Sherry when I saw it! It think it could work great on the built-ins or in office. You may have already seen it, but I just figured I would let ya know!! The link is below, enjoy!!

    http://www.westelm.com/products/ceramic-pig-speaker-c490/?pkey=e|speakers|1|best|0|1|24||1&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules-_-

    Reply

  12. Jess says

    happy birthday, john! i just turned 30 last month, and i really wish i had made a fun list like that in high school so i could check on my progress!

    Reply

  13. Tina says

    Happy Birthday, John! I’m still hoping you’ll house crash my place or at least let me play tour guide one day when you and Sherry come to Hawaii.

    Reply

  15. monica says

    Happy Birthday- always fun to read how people are feeling about their age. I am 52, so to me you are just a kid – but a kid whose blog I love to check in on! I did not have my first child until I was 40, then a second at 43. I did not buy my first house until I was 36. Not sure WHAT I was doing in my 20’s (well, that not technically true- I was getting a PhD and traveling the world). My guess is that is what you will be doing when you are my age (the traveling the world part, not necessarily the PhD…).

    Now – onto the REAL reason I started the comment, which was to tell you to be sure you write down all those cute little things Clara says- my kids are 8 and 12 now, and though I captured some of their funny stuff in writing, I did not get enough- always wishing I could go back in time and write it down somewhere!

    Reply

  17. Dee says

    Happy Birthday fellow Scorpio! (Mine was on the 13th, but I’m 42 now – sigh).
    I loved my 30’s and I know you will too; its the beginning of new adventures and you certainly have a lot of those planned / happening.

    All the best and LOL’d at Clara’s song – what a sweetheart :)

    Reply

  19. Melody says

    Happy Birthday John! Oh how I wish I had made a bucket list (and kept it) when I was a teen. I’m sure my goals would have been just as lofty. Love the rhino!!

    Reply

  21. Eva says

    Happy Birthday! It’s my birthday too! I would also love that bicycle print. Low key birthdays are the best. I hope your day continues to be great.

    Reply

  23. Angela says

    HAPPY B’DAY JOHN! Great post. I love your list too. You’ve actually achieved quite alot from that list, which most people probably wouldn’t or would forget about. You must be true to yourself all the time, to be able to carry those interests around in your subconscious. If you want to tick off a few more, why not come to Australia for a visit & you can bungy jump at the same time. Or visit our neighbour N.Z. & go to one of the original bungy jumps. I used to want to jump when I was 18-20yrs old but now at 36yrs old my mature side has taken over & it terrifies me!! LOL!! Hope you had a great celebration & stretched it as long as you could.

    Reply

  24. Mandy says

    Happy birthday John!! I love me a low key birthday :) And Robbie is awesome, and I think you found the perfect spot for him. Can’t wait to see where your bicycle(s) go!

    Reply

  25. Melanie says

    Happy Birthday John! Hope you and Sherry have a great evening out.

    Clara’s version of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” made me laugh! My son’s rendition at Clara’s age was “up above the world so high, like a TIGER in the sky.”

    Love following your blog!

    Reply

  30. Connie says

    When Clara’s a bit older, perhaps she’ll be singing one of these versions:

    Scintillate, scintillate, globule vivific!
    In vain do I ponder thy nature specific—
    Precariously poised in the ether capacious,
    Closely resembling a gem carbonaceous;
    Scintillate, scintillate, globule vivific,
    In vain do I ponder thy nature specific!

    Scintillate scintillate globule vivific
    Oft have I pondered thy nature specific
    High above the aether capacious
    Like a mineral, carbonaceous.
    Scintillate scintillate globule vivific
    Oft have I pondered thy nature specific.

    Scintillate, scintillate, globule vivific,
    Fain would I fathom your nature specific;
    Loftily poised in ether capacious,
    Somewhat resembling a gem carbonaceous,
    Scintillate, scintillate, globule vivific,
    Fain would I fathom your nature specific.

    MY grandmother used to recite the last one but I admit to never learning it until I found it online.

    Reply

  32. Beth says

    Happy birthday! My husband’s gray hair has been coming in pretty steadily since he was like 21 and it’s true, Anderson Cooper makes gray look good. Go Silver Foxes!

    Reply

  35. Vanessa says

    Happy Birthday John. It sounds like it was a good one. I am right behind you, I turned 29 last week. I hope your 30s are just as great as yours 20s have been to you and even better!!

    Reply

  36. Anne says

    Happy Birthday! I’m exactly one month older than you. It’s so strange being 30. I still think that I’m 25 and just out of college (that magical place). But really I’m 30, been working at my job for 5 years, and now I’m somebody’s wife. Almost 8pm. Time to go to bed! :P

    Reply

  39. Chris says

    Happy Birthday!
    I turned 30 in May and agree that is feels just like 29. I also agree about more fun because of kids. Our daughter Claire (turns 4 in January) has been saying “I love you in pieces” and “The musuem is about to open, the dinosaurs are starting to sing.”

    Reply

  44. mp says

    Happy birthday, John! I hope your 30th year is as rewarding as mine was. I accomplished #3 on your list — moved to Columbia, SC to attend grad school.

    Reply

  46. Kathryn says

    Happy Birthday, John! Glad to see you’ve had a great celebration. I love the idea of a “Before 30” list. I am going to make one (and hope that I accomplish a least a couple before I turn 30 in 5 years!).

    Reply

  47. Maggie Rose says

    Happy birthday John! Enjoy date night! Hmm, and now I’m feeling like I should start my 30 before 30 list (I’ve got three and a half years to finish…). Live to see a Real Housewives of anywhere that is actually REAL? Nah, that’ll never happen in my lifetime!

    Reply

Stuff We Love

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *