July 28, 1968 Autum Amber Alease was born. I don't remember anything about that day or any of the following days for the next 5 or so years, but in those 38 years I have made lots of wonderful memories and a few sad ones. I enter this year with quite a bit of trepidation. It is the age my mother was when she died. I cannot believe she was only 38. Too young, too soon. I miss her terribly. I feel like I've only begun to live, I have so much more living to do. So many things to teach and many more to learn. I am so grateful for these 38 years and hope to make the most of this my 39th. I thought of doing a 38 things about me list but I already did a 50 things, so I won't bore you with that.
Instead I'm going to ask for things for my birthday. No not "things" like presents, but things about me. It is my birthday if I want, it can be all about me. MEMEMEME.... Leave me comments, I know you're out there you quiet little lurkers. Tell me things you've learned about me through reading my blog, and don't say "ummm... you make purses..." that's too easy. I'm going to be a copy-cat here and do what another July birthday girl did, I'm going to give away gifts to celebrate my birthday. From those that leave a comment and tell me something about me I'll draw 2 names and make you something. You can choose a pillow, an apron, or a wristlet set. You just let me know your what you would like and your color preference and I'll go from there. I'll leave it open through the weekend and on Monday morning I'll randomly draw 2 names.
This morning the mail man came to my door with an armload of boxes, all ebay goodies. I'll just call them birthday presents from me, to me. Don't I have perfect timing? And can you stand the loveliness of this? I can't.
And this cuteness,
And what am I going to do with this?
I also got this card, so sweet...
Can you read the caption? It says ...and in their purses were candy bars. How happy were they? Well doesn't that just say it all? What more is there? A good buddy, a cute purse and chocolate... perfect. They also happen to have cute shoes and little kitties. Precious!! (thanks cookie)
Now go leave me some comments!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR AUTUMN...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOOOOO YOOOOUUUUU!!!!
I've learned that you're an amazingly crafty woman as well as an amazing mother...who's got great hair too! lol
Posted by: Pink Trees | July 28, 2006 at 01:16 PM
Happy Birthday, Autum. My oldest dd's best friend is getting married today and my dd is maid of honor. Also, dd #2's boyfriend's b-day is today.
I love reading your blog and have learned you are one great decorator, do wonders with a can of spray paint . Look out Martha Stewart!!! Also, a mother who loves her children and family very much.
I love your ebay finds, you will have to give me a hint on how to search for such lovely items.
Once again, have a great birthday, all about me is a good thing for your special day.
Posted by: Lori | July 28, 2006 at 01:21 PM
Happy Birthday sweet Autum! What I know about you is that you are very sensitive to those around you and so generous. (I have one of your purses to prove it!) What I also know is that if we were ever to meet, we would hit it off--and laugh, laugh, laugh! Enjoy your special day, xo.
Posted by: Toni | July 28, 2006 at 01:28 PM
Happy Birthday, Autum! Let's see, can I do more than 2 things? I've learned that you are incredibly talented as a seamstress, you have a wonderful family, your husband is one of the best in the world, you have adorable little furry pets, you can decorate better than Vern Yip on his best day, and you aren't afraid to tell people how old you are. I've also learned some things FROM you, like how everyday is a gift to be treasured, that we need to tell people how grateful we are to have them in our lives, that kindness is always best when being paid forward, and that we all need to just let it all out every now and then and let our friends just be our friends. You are an inspiration to me and to many others. Cheers to you, and the next 38 years! (After that, my memory may not be all that reliable to remember to toast your birthday!)
Posted by: Leanne | July 28, 2006 at 01:31 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Autum!!! I hope you're having a wonderful day!
I've learned lots of things FROM you and perhaps some of the best stuff I've learned ABOUT you! I've learned that you're happy to help out your fellow crafters with advice, patterns & encouragment and that you're grateful not just for the big stuff but also the small things in life.
Posted by: Min | July 28, 2006 at 01:33 PM
Happy birthday!
I haven't been reading your blog too long, but I can tell that you are very talented; have a nice, clean home; and have been through trials that you have grown from. You seem to have made the best out of life. And I think you look great as a blonde!
Posted by: lera | July 28, 2006 at 01:38 PM
Hope you have a wonderful birthday!
Posted by: choccycherry | July 28, 2006 at 01:50 PM
Happy Birthday
I've learn't that you are 2 months younger than me, and had your children young like me, do you get that comment "you have a son how old?" he's 20 by the way, yes I was 18 and yes I had been married for a year before I had him, anyway back to you, I've learnt that I am very envious of your great talent and your obviously very disiplined to get so much crafting done and keep your home looking so clean and tidy, maybe I'm going off you as I write this, only joking, you seem to be the sort of person who would make a lovely next door neighbour.
Anyway have a lovely Birthday and here's to many many more.
Posted by: Kate | July 28, 2006 at 01:59 PM
HAPPY HAPPY Birthday.
What I have learned about you.... you love your family. You have lost your mother and you still miss her. Very important, I deal with that struggle every day and it has only been a year. I keep it from my family, but reading about you helps me. I learned how to make a tote bag from you, WOOHOO!!!! Thanks, got one on the sewing machine right now in progress. Glad to know I am not the only one who does multiple projects.... sewing in front of house, sewing in back of house! Hope your day is great!!
Posted by: Emily Tharpe | July 28, 2006 at 01:59 PM
Happy Birthday Autum!
I have learned that you are a person who is living with some very serious health issues, and yet you still maintain a positive outlook on life.
I've learned that you are a religious person who strives to keep God in her daily life.
I've learned that you love your children, and even though you sometimes question the choices they make, you always support them.
I've learned that you love to redecorate your kitchen, and that you thought you really liked red couches, but they turned out to be a bit much.
I've learned that you have your good days and your bad, but you always make time for "grateful" Fridays.
I've learned that you are a woman of impecable taste that has a true eye for color and a flair for crafting.
I've learned from you to be grateful for what I have, to take life as it comes, and to try not to stress so much about the little things (really, I have!).
I hope you have a very special birthday Autum, and I know deep in my heart that you've got a lot of living to do!
Posted by: Chris Howard | July 28, 2006 at 02:03 PM
Happy Birthday, dear friend Autum!
I know that you are much younger than I am...and you are a very sensitive soul...very caring of your friends and family...you love to redecorate...and you look great in skirts!!! You also have health issues that challenge you, but you make the most of the moments..and use your time and talents to bless others.
Blessings on you today and every day!
Posted by: Dawn | July 28, 2006 at 02:17 PM
I've found that you are definately a 'cup half full' kind of girl!That you focus on making the most of what you've got.You are a truly beautiful person in more ways than one.Someone who wears her fragility with grace.I feel so blessed to have you around and even though we have never met I'm sure we would be great friends.Sharing a cup of tea in, and over, our eBay finds!
Posted by: Kristy | July 28, 2006 at 02:19 PM
Oh, and a very happy birthday by the way!
Posted by: Kristy | July 28, 2006 at 02:20 PM
Another July birthday girl. I hope you have a wonderful yummy birthday. By the way even though my birthday was last week, we are celebrating it today. So we can celebrate together. Clarice
Posted by: Clarice | July 28, 2006 at 02:25 PM
Happy Birthday!
I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. I think such a lost must be devistating at any age, let alone before your fully grown. (Which, personally? I still don't feel "fully grown.")
I know you are multi-dimentional and an awesome mom. You love your family and spending time with them, especially at the beach.
You have an awesome eye for color, and light turquoise is your favorite. It suits you well both in your home and on you.
I hope you have a really great day Autum!
Posted by: capello | July 28, 2006 at 02:36 PM
well, a big "happy birthday" to you!
i wish that i could tell you for sure how i found your blog, but i think maybe it was from artsy-crafty babe's blog? anyway, you are a wonderfully creative and accomplished maker-of-things, and you are incredibly sweet to offer to make gifts to get us lurkers to comment! so...
item #1 - we both have the same sewing machine! actually, mine belongs to my mom, but i have kidnapped it and held it hostage for the past few years.
item #2 - i have the same birthday card (given to me by my younger sister for my 34th birthday last year) with "and in their purses were candy bars. How happy were they?" it's by my computer so that i can see it everyday!
have a wonderful birthday!!!
:) cathy
p.s. your give-aways are going to rock someone's (maybe my?!) world!
Posted by: cathy | July 28, 2006 at 02:43 PM
Happy Birthday, Autum! Hope you have a great day!
Posted by: DebR | July 28, 2006 at 02:57 PM
happy birthday birthday buddy!! july IS a good month!
things i've learned about you:
1. you are punctual (ummm..PIF exchange...i haven't forgotten believe it or not.)
2.you've got great taste in jewelry. :)
3. you've got a great outlook on life.
4. you've got a great sense of humor and can throw out these offhand one-liners in your posts that totally crack me up.
HAPPY BDAY! make it special.
Posted by: molly | July 28, 2006 at 03:00 PM
Oh, Autum, happy birthday!! I pray that this year will be filled with joy and that the cloud of fear that hangs over you will be lifted a little bit every day.
Let's see, it's hard to narrow it down to 2 things - I love reading your blog! OK: You *actually* change your home decor when the mood hits, and don't just think about it forever. (You can guess why I'm so impressed with this quality....) You are currently having a whirlwind romance with the color aqua.
Also: You seem determined to look for the blessings in your life, despite being discouraged sometimes. This is surely a valuable, wonderful trait.
Again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Posted by: meg | July 28, 2006 at 03:18 PM
What I learned from you?
Hmmm? That you are my seamstress idol! That I love reading your blog and seeing what you have created, painted, decorated. I have learned a bit more about painting stuff around my house.
I have learned that you are a highly talented person, but are way too humble see just how talented you really really are. I have learned that you are kind, real and just a mom who likes to make a home for her family.
Happy Birtday!
Posted by: kim in Camas - ScrapToMyLu | July 28, 2006 at 03:44 PM
Happy Birthday! I must say that most of what I've learned about you I know because you e-mailed me the answers for our wristlet swap (which I'm working on, by the way). But from reading your blog, I've also learned that you are a giving, caring person. You not only live your life with creativity, but with a great deal of thoughtfulness for those around you - your friends and your family (and pets!).
And you have the cutest hair!
And you don't need to put me in the drawing, because I'm already sending you a swap. And I'm sure if I won I'd be even MORE worried about your impression of my sewing skills, which are random at best. Cheers! and Happy Birthday!
Posted by: laeroport | July 28, 2006 at 04:01 PM
what I know about you? You can sew but wont'cook ;-) You are generous, sensitive, loyal and caring you are ever the optimist and if for once you feel angry or sad or down you start feeling a little bit guilty and I think you shouldn't be. you'll work through those things and then they are gone and you've grown a little bit. I wish you lots of growth this and the coming years!
Love mijk .
Posted by: mijk | July 28, 2006 at 04:07 PM
Happy 20th anniversary of your 18th birthday :) The biggest thing I have learned about you is that you don't give yourself enough credit for the talent that God has blessed you with. You have the talent of opening your heart and revealing yourself to us through your thoughts, remarks, photographs, and sewing. You have the talent for sharing your love of family and talent for reminding us how fragile life can be. Have a blessed birthday!
Posted by: Leslie | July 28, 2006 at 04:11 PM
Happy birthday girly! I know that you are extremely generous, talented & kind. You make the most beautiful goodies. And you have some of the cutest pups I've ever seen :)
Posted by: Jessica | July 28, 2006 at 04:32 PM
It's so funny that you ask this question - as I feel that I know a lot more about you than many of the people - acquaintances, if not friends - that I encounter in my "real" life.
You are:
*Genuine - The things you share ring so true. For example, I never dreamed that something like "Gratitude Friday" would become one of my favorite things to read online. If someone just told me about the concept of GF, cynical old me would probably have just dismissed it as "too precious". However, I do love GFs - it never seems cloying or over-sentimental in your hands. I feel like it makes me more appreciative of things in my own life - things that I might not take the time to recognize on my own. So I thank you for that....
*Observant - it's always you quiet ones, who don't miss a thing.
*Real - this goes hand in hand with the genuine thing, above
*Talented - goes without saying, you crafty grrrl, you!
*Loving - so obvious in the way you write about your family members (both past and present)
*Funny - and you're my favorite kind of funny, the girl that is all stealthy-funny. I bet a lot of people who know you in "real" life don't realize that - you're not all out there being the class clown, but you're making your own quiet little observations that just slay me....
*Generous - with your time, your wisdom, and your talent!
Have a very lovely 38th b'day weekend - (and please do not enter me into the drawing - you've been too sweet to me already, and I want someone else to be able to share in the fabulosity that is your work!)
Posted by: lla | July 28, 2006 at 05:01 PM