I love finding the origins of idiomatic expressions and words.
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Sometimes it is funny the way things happen.

If you're looking at my bookshelf, you will see here a bunch of books all permanent collection being registered at once.

These are books from my downstairs library, the bookshelf I keep in my living room because it contains items that I think are good "showpiece" books, good for browsing, good for picking up on a whim to browse through and enjoy.

I've read them all, but some I haven't read for a long time.

In the pages of this book, which clearly I haven't opened for lots of years even though I've been handling the book often by moving it around, were 2 items. 1 is a bill for a credit card back from 1999. I'm glad to say it's paid off now.

The other.. I didn't recognize at first until I read it fully and realized it was mine. It was a thank you card I had created and printed out from my computer after my 30th birthday party.

I am sitting here, 1 month and 10 days shy of my 40th birthday.

I don't remember writing this, but had a blast reading it all the same. On the front of the card I wrote a bunch of things picked up probably from other "turning 30" cards with all the lousy things thirty does to you. All of this encased in a big NO symbol.

On the inside I write:


Thirty is gathering with family and
friends for a nice afternoon
outdoors. Thirty is John's
barbeque, Dana's devilled eggs
and desserts by Mona and Aunt
Donna. Thirty is meatballs by Trish
and Gloria's special burgers. Thirty
is visiting with people I haven't seen
for a long time. Thirty is talking
and laughing and taking pictures.
Thirty is going to the doctor's and
having the nurse tell you you look
18!
(smiley face)
Thirty is being with the people you
love. Thank you for being part of my
celebration!