Young House Love

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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

  1. Deborah says

    HAPPY HAPPY, JOY JOY…..30’s are absolutely great!!people think you are no longer a kid although your heart can still live that way! Made 30, 29 years ago (Nov 22)or am I still 29? hmmm….November birthdays rock(and so do Scorpians/Sagitarians..Ha!)

    Reply

  2. Melanie says

    Happy Birthday John! It was my birthday and my mom’s birthday today too!! Except we were 35 and 59, respectively. :)

    Reply

  4. Tonya says

    Happy birthday! Tomorrow, I turn four zero. And all this time since I discovered your blog I was trying to be all, oh yeah, they’re about my age……thanks for bursting my bubble. Ha!

    Reply

  13. Brenda says

    Happy Birthday John! Sounds like you need to take a drive up to Canada to mark that foreign country trip off your list, though I guess that’s an easier solution here in Seattle than in Richmond..lol

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Ha! Definitely true. And for the record, I have been to Canada (and England) but both before that list was written – so even if I ventured up north again it wouldn’t count as new. Bummer!

      -John

  16. Rosie says

    I’m with Sherry on the silver fox status of salt-&-pepper and grey-haired men. My husband (29) is starting to go a little salt & pepper at the temples and I LOVE IT! Happy birthday, John!

    Reply

  17. Amelia R. says

    Happy 30th! For my part, I’m enjoying them way more than my twenties. Parenthood + not living paycheck-to-paycheck = winning!

    (btw, your blog is showing up on my Blogspot reading list as “Suspended”; what’s up with that?)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hmmm, not sure. Weird! Maybe it had trouble reaching our server for a moment and put that up. We’re not that familiar with Blogspot so not sure I can diagnose it that well…

      -John

  18. Stephanie B. says

    Birthdays: a great day to celebrate life and all the awesome things you’ve been blessed with. Hope today was just that for you! (And that you guys had an awesome date night! That’s one of my favorite parts about birthdays…built in date night!)

    Reply

  21. Kathy says

    I love your guys’ blog and this is my first time commenting. I hate to be negative in my first comment ever, but did you change something about your photo feed? I read you guys often from work here in Hong Kong via Google Reader (on internet explorer – I know, how antiquated!) and today I suddenly can’t see any of the photos! I didn’t have a problem yesterday with your Z Gallerie giveaway entry or the trimming entry, but today none of the photos are showing up.

    This makes me really sad because the photographic journey of your projects is often just as interesting as the words (and sometimes the words don’t make as much sense without the photo to go with it). I hope this is something that can get fixed soon!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hi Kathy,

      So sorry your photos aren’t showing up. Unfortunately it’s not the first time we’ve heard this. It seems our image server (Amazon) periodically fails in limited geography, but usually comes back in a day or two. We haven’t found anything that we can do to remedy the problem besides just waiting it out – so hopefully you’ll see the photos again with 48 hours. Please keep us posted. We’ve got our fingers crossed for a quick return!

      -John

  22. Elisabeth says

    Happy birthday!
    Why not come to Germany, France and Switzerland,
    and visit the “Europapark in Rust”/ Black Forest!?
    Elisabeth

    Reply

  24. Monica says

    Ok, this post was hilarious! Love the wittiness. And Happy Birthday!! Pretty soon you’ll have to start calling your blog “Old House Love!” heheheh…j/k . Enjoy!!

    Reply

  25. Shauna says

    If you’re still interested in being an extra, I might be able to send some contacts your way. There are a few movies being filmed in Virginia, and extra work is super easy (and only mildly profitable).

    Happy 30th!!

    Reply

  26. Jane says

    OMG! I cannot believe we have the same birthday!
    But different year, I’m 2 years older than you..
    So welcome to the 30s! I have to say it has been so far much better than the 20s.
    Wishing you another happy 30 years ahead.

    Reply

  27. Sarah says

    Come celebrate in Maui if you can! My husband and I (well, mostly just I- he’d think I’m crazy!) would love to share this beautiful island with you. :) Maybe we could even find you some kinda cool Hawaiian white ceramic animal to remember your vacation by…

    Reply

  28. Andrea B says

    Happy birthday! And welcome, as I like to say, to the best decade. My husband just turned the big THREE OH on the 7th. I beat him to it last year. Oh yeah … younger man!

    Reply

  30. Donna says

    Happy Birthday, John! I am 37, and I can tell you almost 99% of life after 30 is better than ever, but prepare yourself for some weird random pains for NO reason! It sucks, but the rest is great. Hope you stay well and happy, and I love your blog!

    Reply

  31. diana says

    Happy one, it seems! All the best for the next 30! You’ve achieved the most important in the fist: finding love, having a home, having child(ren). Nothing can top that. When peeling potatoes with the slightest smile on your face – that’s happiness.

    Reply

  32. Patty says

    Happy birthday!! I really shouldn’t read blogs when I wake up in the middle of the night (thanks, lower back pain!). I totally read #9 as “meet a Mexican ” instead of musician. First thought “Why does it have to be a Mexican?” So…on that note, I’m going back to sleep!! :-) Glad you had a great birthday, John!!

    Reply

  33. Violeta S. says

    hahahah Clara is hilarious… Love that girl! Happy Birthday, John! Great job with the list, don’t you think it is time for the “Things to do untill i am 30×2 years” list?

    Reply

  37. Stacey says

    Happy B Day from a fellow resident of the 232… Glad you had a good one! And I just have to say that I LOVE the Dirty Dancing reference! Such great music and dancing in that movie…
    Here’s to the next 30 :)

    Reply

  38. Jen Bekman says

    Happy birthday, John! Everything got exponentially awesomer in my life once I hit the big 3-0, and I wish you the very same.

    So glad you got your Berrie bicycles too — love that print. (Keep an eye out for some other cycling-themed goodness from us in the coming weeks/months, there’s some good stuff on tap.)

    Reply

  40. Gillian says

    Happy Happy birthday John :-) Thnkfully I still have 2 years till i turn 30 – do u think its too late to write a list and try to achieve it?!
    Now, on a totally selfish note, i notice in the background of one of your pics, there appears to be a fireplace with shutters above it, is there a tv hiding in there? If so, I’d LOVE to see that & hear how it was done!!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Definitely not too late! And as for the fireplace, that’s at my parents’ house and it’s a built in nook above the fireplace that hides the TV. It was something the builder put in originally so I don’t have any DIY details about how it was accomplished. Sorry!

      -John

  41. Meredith says

    You guys definitely need to work on the 2 pets at a time thing. ;) I’d love to see how you keep your house clean with a 44 pounder like my dogs! hehe (seriously, I’m sure you’d figure out something great)

    and happy birthday, John!

    Reply

  42. Jeni says

    Happy birthday!

    Good choice on the Hawaiian vacation. I highly recommend Kauai, it is the best place on the planet. I rent an amazing condo on a cliff above the ocean with 180 degree views–cheaper than a hotel!

    Reply

  44. Snob on a Budget says

    I love the idea of having kids take a picture next to a poster of their age on their b-day. I will have to do this when I have kids!
    Are you doing the tradition with Clara?

    Too funny with the things to do before you are 30 list. I should start one for 40 since I am already 32.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Not sure if we’ll do the door banner tradition necessarily, but may do some sort of spin on the weekly/monthly fabric photos we’re taking with her. We’ll see!

      -John

  45. Emily Lundie says

    We have the white Buffalo head from Cardboard Safari. Buffalo’s are our thing. They are great conversation pieces.

    Happy Birthday!

    Reply

  46. Tracey says

    High school lists are amazing. My hubby did something similar and I’m glad to see yours was more creative and optimistic. His was like, “#3 Get out of this place.” LOL. Happy Birthday, John!!! You’re an old man now, but still two years younger than me! ;P

    Reply

  47. Janna says

    I love the cardboard rhino! I picked up a moose from them when they were on joss and main sale-at a steal too! It’s going in our little guy’s room(after the room is insulated, wired, drywalled-all that good stuff). It’s my subtle hint at my Canadian roots!
    Happy b-day-looks like it was a good one!

    Reply

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