Monday, January 27, 2014

Life 5.0

So that's what's happening this week.

A. Big. Birthday.

I feel like I should be more freaked out about turning 50 than I am.  Actually, I'm happy.  Not necessarily about the age, but on the other hand, I've gotten here, relatively intact, with a good man, a home, a fledgling business, the skills to feed myself, a lot of great friends and animals and more than a few sewing machines.

What more could I want, really?

Well, travel.  Travel is always good.

And travel is what's happening in the spring.  We haven't been away for over 2 years, and it's beginning to wear on us.  A friend-of-a-friend went to Barcelona in the fall and posted tempting pictures to Facebook, and I added Spain to my list of places to randomly check airfare prices.  And late last week, it happened.

I checked the fares for Barcelona, and they were $750.  I checked with Mario, and we agreed that we were probably not going to find anything under $700 the way things have been lately.  I came back down, and clicked "buy."  And a little box came up that basically said "surprise, the fares have changed since you opened this window, your trip now costs $868 per person."  So I didn't continue, told Mario, we both sulked for a while, and then I tried again in the evening . . . and the fare was $615 per person.  WTF?

Not that I cared, really.  I clicked "buy" so fast I think I sprained my keyboard.  Airbnb has supplied us with an apartment for less per day than our last cheap hotel (really - not to mention how much fun it was to browse apartments for several hours before making a choice) and now all I have to think about is making a few new things to wear on vacation.

That's what I needed to get me sewing for myself, apparently.  An occasion to wear something new.

13 comments:

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

Congratulations on your upcoming birthday! And a trip to Spain too, so exciting. I'll be seeing you soon, right?!

annie said...

I hope you have a wonderful birthday! They are all worthy of celebration.

Graca said...

Happy Birthday! 5.0 is not so bad. And congrats on the nice deal to Spain! Sounds like a great adventure is ahead.

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday! And have a great trip.

Summer Flies said...

Congratulations - have a wonderful birthday and you will delight in Barcelona. A wonderful city!

Mel said...

Happy birthday - I like you're attitude to this birthday and you've got quite a good list of accomplishments thus far. Barcelona is great - so many great things to eat!

LyndaSewing.blogspot.com said...

Congratulations! 50 is a great birthday when you realize you are who you are and it's all good. And Barcelona is one of my all time favorite places. Enjoy your vacation!

SEWN said...

OMG, happy birthday! Can't wait to see you soon. Congrats on the trip. You'll love it I'm sure.

Rosie said...

Happy Birthday! You will definitely love Barcelona! Be on the look out for the naked tattooed man :-). Don't say I didn't warn you.

Cherrypix said...

We just visited Barcelona...it was ab-so-lutely fabulous!!! We stayed at the edge of the Barri Gotic and loved getting lost every day in its meandering little lanes full of artisan shops, galleries and food....oh the food. A brilliant way to celebrate your half century. Congratulations.

kms handmade said...

Barcelona is one of my favorite cities!! Congrats and have a wonderful time!

Claire (aka Seemane) said...

Happy Birthday and hope you & Hubby have a great trip :)

Isabelle (Kitty Couture) said...

Happy belated birthday Karen! Have a great time in Spain.