It's my 26th birthday!

I turned 26! First thing this morning I had a health screening that revealed that I have a borderline high cholesterol. And this is despite me being vegetarian, exercising nearly every day, and taking fish oil supplements daily. Apparently, it's genetic.

But I wasn't bummed for long since I found a nice card from my coworkers, as well as a Starbucks gift card from M (thank you, M!), so B and I went and got us some yummy oatmeal and iced coffee for breakfast.

Then B treated me to lunch (thank you, B!). M drove us to a nearby restaurant and we had some delicious food. Here are my awesome coworkers and friends, M and B:
Thank you, girls! That was so sweet.

Like every year, my cool mother-in-law left a happy-birthday-singing voice mail and sent cookies which I shared with my coworkers.
And here is the funny card from my coworkers. Unfortunately, you can't read the funny part because of the glare, but it says: "Man, these people stink!" followed by "why dogs stick their heads out of the car." Cute! And I was always wondering.And then my mom got me pretty, pretty flowers. One year she also got me a plant that I still have in my cubicle. (thank you , mom!) After work, I got to spend some time with my goofy hubby. He insists on making faces.
And I got lots of love from my affectionate puppy. Normally, he is not allowed on the couch, but he was so excited to see me, he took the risk and jumped up to give me a sloppy kiss despite of what the consequences may be. Then he snuggled up to me (note his paw on the laptop). This was his way of wishing me a happy birthday, and it was so sweet. (And no, he didn't get punished for jumping on the furniture.)Then hubby and I went out to dinner with my sisters. We hit the mall beforehand. The restaurant was French and expensive, and it took forever to get our food. My husband covered the atrociously high bill. (thank you, babe!) I also got presents from my sweet sisters. They know me so well. I got a Sephora gift card which they presented me with when we were at the mall. I got myself my favorite Ojon hair product (I am hooked). Then they got me my favorite loose leaf tea from Teavana, Queen of Babylon. Yummy! And of course, Godiva chocolates. I frikkin love chocolate. The card had a banana on it, which is perfect since I am a big fan of bananas (they used to call me monkey). What a nice birthday! If only I wasn't getting older.

Walks and candy and crafts

My sisters came over and brought tons of yummy Bosnian candy that we grew up on. Since it was nice-ish outside, we decided to take a walk around the lake.
There they are, hovering in the air...
...in front of the "forest"...
And smelling pretty tree blossoms.We also laughed at the adolescent geese. They looked cute and awkward.

Then we walked back home and knitted while watching Scrubs. It was a very pleasant evening.

Meeting an author: David Ebershoff

I am the leader this month for one of my book clubs (I belong to several), so I chose for us to read "The 19th Wife" by David Ebershoff (a very smart and talented writer). It just so coincided that he was speaking at the Central library this week, so some of the girls and I decided to meet for dinner at Centro and then go see him speak.David was amazing! He talked about his book and was incredibly engaging. Afterwards, I decided I'd have him sign two of his books I own. Since I am horribly socially awkward, I was a bit afraid of going up to him. But he was so nice and gracious to everybody in the line, I courageously waited for my turn.
The first question he asked me is whether I was a writer (apparently, I look like one). I told him I wasn't. Then he commented on my name and asked where it was from. I told him it was Bosnian, so he recommended a couple of immigrant authors that I might enjoy. He also told me I should become a writer. (It's decided... I am dropping everything and becoming one).
We talked some more about stuff - he seriously spent 5-10 minutes with me. But I was so intimidated and star-struck, I really don't remember much of our exchange.
What really impressed me was not only his writing, but how frikkin nice this guy was. I've never met anyone who had me at "hello" like this. I would have bought poison from this guy. It really says much about genuine kindness.
D, who was taking pictures, told him that I choose his book for our book club, so he turns to me and thanks me in a way you'd think I saved his puppy from drowning.
He even posed with me for a photo. And I know I look TERRIBLE (the worst ever) in that picture, but I always look terrible so I don't care. I looked down but looked up quickly for a second when D made the shot. Hence I look like a disturbed, demented freak.
So yeah, I'd definitely recommend reading his book "The 19th Wife". It's just brilliant. I also can't wait to get started on "The Danish Girl". A movie based on that book is in production right now, featuring some major A-listers.
Here is what the books look like.
Here is one of his notes to me. I'll give you money if you can decipher that first part of his inscription. I believe it says "With tons of good wishes for your writing. One day I will read your name". I really don't know why he pegged me as a writer. I barely speak English.
And here is the second book's signing. "With many good wishes on a fine night in Des Moines". He even dated it.

Some girls go crazy for actors and musicians, I go nuts for historical fiction writers. :)

Roses are red, and pink, and peach, and orange...

I came home from work yesterday, to find this on my counter:
Roses from my hubby! What I like about my husband is that he, unlike most men, never buys flowers for an occasion or to apologize. He gets them randomly. And he is not a mushy type at all. When I asked him why he got them, he mumbled "I saw them and thought of you". Awwww... that's love to me.

Mystery plant munchers

Something (or someone) is eating my plants. Every single one of my plants is missing its top half. So frustrating! Didn't have this problem last year. So what I ended up doing is blending 15 cloves of garlic with some water, strained the liquid and put it into a spray bottle. Then I sprayed all my plants. They stink and taste bitter, so I am hoping whatever has been eating my plants will be taught a lesson. Don't get mad - get even!

Most of my Wednesday evening was spent ironing clothes while watching "So you think you can dance" (fascinating - those dancers are not human) and "Wristcutters: A Love Story" (quirky and morbid movie with a happy ending). Entertained and productive! Before I knew it, I had freshly pressed clothes on hangers and folded in the basket. See?

Me and my Shark are steaming machines!

Craft night

Last night, I got together with my sisters to start our weekly craft night series. One day of the week, we will get together, and do different sort of crafts - whatever floats our boat.

This first night, we taught ourselves to thread the sewing machine and do a straight stitch. Then I showed Z how to increase and decrease stitches, and helped M cast on. It was awesome. I must add, we spent hours at the fabrics store, deciding on different fabrics for our first project, but ended up buying some cheap remnants at the last minute - we didn't want waste pretty fabric with our (yet) unskilled hands.
I must make a note that while my sisters and I spent our time acquiring new skills, my super-mom took my car keys and deep-cleaned my car. She is a champion of cleanliness and order. I don't think my car has been this clean since I bought it. Thanks, mom! I'll try to maintain it.

When I got home, I decided I will turn my husband's unused study desk in the guest room into a craft corner. Can't wait to get it all organized. That's my Crofton sewing machine (it's a mystery manufacturer - I believe an Aldi private brand), which I received as a gift. It works pretty well so far. It's been tested by various seamstresses in my family, and they all gave it thumbs up..
I had a $10 gift certificate to Borders, so I got this book by Lotta Jansdotter. It has simple, cute, IKEA-like sewing projects for home. We are starting our sewing "class" with placemats (with pockets).

And then I also found this gem: a zine dedicated to various crafts - knitting, sewing, crocheting, building stuff out of things lying around the house, etc. It's absolutely fascinating. And the projects are pretty nifty, too.

I'll definitely be devouring this one. Maybe we can use one of the projects for our next craft night.

Congratulations baby sisters!

On Sunday, my two baby sisters graduated from high school! Both ended up in the top 3 percent of class - and they go to a very large and competitive school. I am soooooo proud!I remember your first day of school as if it was yesterday...Here they are, both on the stage at the same time (and we had some sweet seats):And here is my whole family. It is hard to find a picture in which every single one of us looks good. Photogenics are not in our genes.
Congratulations, my little sisters! May you always be as sweet, smart, successful as you are right now. I wish you all the happiness in the world! I am proud of you and love you more than life itself!

I'll always be there for you. You turned this lonely only child into a perpetual baby-sitter. :)And boy, am I glad you are not leaving far for college. I must always have a grip on you. :)