Friday, October 22, 2010

Birthday MONTH: Day 22

From a million miles away (or so it seems)...

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I am certain that a shockwave of happiness flowed throughout the earth today, from Louisiana to Germany...and back again.

Seriously, did you watch CNN? Did you hear about it?

Well...let ME tell you about it!

(who needs Robin Meade in the morning anyway?)

As I opened the box, this cute little handmade card was tucked neatly atop three little packages that were nestled inside.

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Have I told you lately that I'm enjoying 40?

For those of you who haven't reached this milestone yet, believe me when I tell you that it's not so bad!

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Since I've turned 40, I'm realizing how fortunate I am...

I am still married to my high school sweetheart (happily!)

My only child is 22.5 and on his own (permanently???)

The Man and I are in good health (only my mentality is ?able)

The two of us have a wonderful business together...

therefore we work hard and we PLAY even harder.

So there are some things that may be questionable (such as my mentality), but the majority of being this fortunate at 40 is such a gift in itself :)))

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   Speaking of gifts, meeting Julia of Vintage with Laces (through blogging) was one of my biggest gifts this year...

What she sent in this little box is only lagniappe!

Lagniappe in Cajun French = extra; bonus

She doesn't have to send me a birthday gift to spoil me.

no. not Julia.

She always spoils me by sending me the sweetest emails at least once a week (& I look forward to them so much!). She also lets me know what she found at the flea market (most of the time leaving me very jealous), and on a rare occasion, she'll surprise me with a phone call from Germany!!! (I just love when that happens)

We love the same things and even though we're thousands of miles apart, she really REALLY knows me.

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I asked her once...

"Julia, if there is anything you'd want from the United States, what would it be?"

Her answer without hesitation was... "Lace and coffee filters"

I sent her some plain old coffee filters (& lace of course!).

Who would have thought that I'd get the coffee filters back in the form of beautiful roses above???

I didn't know there was anything positive about being an Indian-giver...I was wrong!  

;)

While leaving me jealous when I hear of her flea market finds, Julia has such a big heart to actually share them with me...

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This little metal tin took my breath away. I love the rustiness, the foreign script, the embossing...heck! I love everything at about it!

But it's when I opened it up, I wasn't expecting this...

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Cushioned by a little button-embellished velvet pillow that Julia handmade herself was a gorgeous vintage  black beaded necklace to DIE for! I can only imagine the beautiful woman (or women) who once wore this.

It is so elegant and yet so classical, never going out of style.

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I saved the small "40" package to open last, not having a clue as to what it was.

She had the sweetest note to me, typed on onion skin paper, explaining to me what gave her the idea to make this for me.

This summer, I made a cuff for a cuff swap for Paper Cowgirl but my partner was a "no show". Even though she didn't show, I mailed my partner the one I made for her, but I never received one in return...much less received a "thank you" note for the one I sent her.

That has been months ago and Julia felt sorry for me that I didn't have one to call my own. She totally made up for it and made me the most beautiful cuff bracelet with my favorite (non) colors!

:))

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I absolutely adore it and it fits me to a "T"!!!!

I'm telling ya...this girl knows me even though we've never met in person!

She used the prettiest of vintage laces (even some that I sent her!), mother of pearl buttons, and the most gorgeous rhinestone centerpiece ever!

It's soooo me...don't you think?

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I photographed the cuff on my arm through my dining room mirror and it's amazing how it totally blends in with my decor!!!! :)

She just KNOWS me!!!!

All of the things that she sent me are so dear to my heart.

It's amazing how two people can become so close via the computer without ever meeting each other...

Blogging is better than all those online dating services! ;)

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Please excuse me for now...

I think I'm going to email Julia and thank her for making my 40th so special.

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Living in Germany, she's 9 hours ahead of me so I hope this is the first thing she reads when she wakes up in the morning :)))

Believe me...

~ There is nothing wrong with turning 40 ~

:)

25 comments:

Linda @ A La Carte said...

You so deserve everything good that is coming your way. Turning 40 has been a blast for you! I am so glad. I love the cuff! How wonderful to have made such a great friend!

Laura said...

Dearest Jodie-
I know your birthday month has been amazing.
I have kept up with all of your adventures by reading your great posts.
You are the celebration!

Happy Birthday Miss Priss!

Laura

kana said...

Ohhh LA La...which is my favorite: the beautiful cuff or black neclace?? Lucky girl.

Unknown said...

what beautiful gifts you received form julia. She is a very kind and thoughtful person. just the sweetest! you are very ;lucky jodi! happy b'day (does yours ever end??) wow..lucky..lucky gal!

trash talk said...

I'm kinda like Kana above. I don't which is my favorite...the cuff bracelet (which is gorgeous) attached to the arm or the girl attached to the arm attached to the gorgeous bracelet (who btw is also gorgeous)! Believe...it only gets better being 40!
Debbie

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

I barely remember 40 anymore...I am so much older than you!! I love the cuff. Now I don't normally like those, but yours is perfect. She did a lovely job on it! Well, what is next girl??

Tara said...

Girl, you are too DANG spoiled! Happy Birthday month Jodie and enjoy all your beautiful gifts and blogging friendships!

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

Sweet Jodie, It's 6.45 am over here. I'm having my first coffee and your post is indeed the first thing I read this morning :-). I'm glad you like my package. It's great to see that the cuff fits and you don't have to make any alterations :-).
Enjoy the rest of your Birthday month, my dear friend!
Big HUGS to you,
Julia

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Hey Jodie, I've just caught up on all your recent birthday posts. What a great time you have had. You truly enjoy life and all it has to offer and that comes back to you in the form of wonderful friendships and gifts galore. So fun to enjoy the ride with you. best wishes always, Tammy

Boxwood Cottage said...

OMG she did it again!!! Julia creates the most wonderful things and makes the best surprises I have to add and wow she's such a great friend for spoiling you! Everything she sent you is gorgeous and that cuff really is to die for! I'm a bit jealous although I shouldn't cause I just had a beautiful swap with her last month(come see!.
Do you think I'm overreacting here when I say that I find it kinda unfair that you have a whole birthday month? My birthday is at the end of January so I can't start celebrating on the first, it's New Year's anyway and February is too late, cause it is not by birthday month anymore. I feel stuck lol
You are one lucky duck Jodie and your life sounds wonderful!
Best wishes from Germany!
xoxo~ Carola

Lululiz said...

What a wonderful birthday package from Julia, she really is the sweetest person. You are so lucky to have her as a friend. The cuff is gorgeous and looks great on your arm. Aahh, and then those roses, they are so pretty!

Jacqui said...

Watching your Birthday month with great enjoyment ( I share the same Birthday month) and wow, what fabulous things are coming your way. My favourites are the coffee filter roses. WOW.

Have a lovely weekend.

p.s 40 is the best.

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Ok...7 more days...but seriously, what could top that box full of gorgeousness!!!

xo
Sandi

Vicki said...

Oh my goodness...that cuff is unbelievable! You must be so thrilled! She is incredibly talented. I love the rhinestone she picked. I am crazy for the tin as well. What a find and what a present! Love that you are sharing these with us.

Kathy said...

Happy Birthday! What a wonderful treasure trove of goodies. Funny how we find each other even though we are miles and miles away, isn't it? Have a great day. Cheers! - Kathy

Robin Thomas said...

Ummmm, yowza.

Also. What is the deal with not sending a thank you? It really irks me...

But your cup, nay, your trophy cup runneth over...

40 hugs...

Tina said...

Oh - that´s a very very lovely birthday present Jodie. Julia is such a sweetie, as are you. Loe the stuff she send you and the cuff is awesome.
xo Tina

Suz said...

Jodie,
I am soooo glad you got your cuff. Not much could be as elegant as this. As for the tin, I am with you. Nothing thrills me like rusty, different language, tin...or anything, rusty or in a different language. Wonderful!
Hugs,
Suz

Secondhandrose said...

I love simple things and there is nothing better than the roses she sent you made of coffee filters! I wonder how she did that. They are amazing. if you find out, please let me know.

karen

clustres said...

So glad you are still having a great birthday month!

Diane said...

Wow! I am soooo impressed. What a beautiful cuff! The coffee filter roses are just the sweetest...
What a wonderful birthday you are having =)

Dorthe said...

Dear Jodie,-
Julia, is the dearest woman,and she send so much beauty to her loved friend-the cuff is gorgeus, and looks so wonderfull on your arm.
Hugs,Dorthe

liszha said...

Isn't it great, people like that still exist? I have been 40 for 4 years now and it doesn't hurt one bit? :-)

Shabby Vintage Junk said...

Oh Jodie Love what a WONDERFUL Friend you have in Julia....!!!!

I think if I was to receive a parcel like this I would just sit & cry like a baby for HOURS....!

Each piece is STUNNING however, I ADORE the cuff the most & agree TOTALLY....It suits your wrist PERFECTLY....!

You're makin' me wish I could do 40 AGAIN....hahahahaha....!!

Cheers,
Tamarah :o)

Payton said...

Aunt Jodie, you are sooo talented. Your blogs are just hilarious, yet so sweet and loving:)