I got a reminder that two years ago yesterday I took this picture. We had only had Jellybean for about 2 weeks and I had just finished this sweater for myself as a birthday gift. Oh how much changes in 2 years. 
Tomorrow is actually my 40th birthday and for the first time in a couple of years I didn’t knit myself something specifically as a gift. But I’m excited to start the Tecumseh Knitalong with a lot of you when I get back because it’s going to be a rainbow sweater and that is such a great gift to myself. I’ve got a ton of projects on my needles but with leaving my old job, starting the new full time teaching gig and life I haven’t had the knitting time I’ve wanted but I think I’m finally getting into a routine and getting my schedule down. I’ve even gotten the dogs to start waking up later!
This 39th year of mine has been really good and crazy and full of changes. I told myself last year that my word of the year for 39 would be change. I wanted to make some big sweeping changes in my life to help usher in the life I really wanted to live. I think I’ve accomplished my goal and it wasn’t always easy but I knew the changes I was making were the right ones for me. So for my 40th year I’ve decided my word of the year will be joy. Focusing on gratitude, happiness and enjoying these moments in life I’ve worked so hard for because I should savor them. And all of you who read, comment, message, joined the group on Ravelry or even just read in silence, you bring joy into my life. I appreciate each and every one of you and am so excited to see what fun things we will do together this year. Thanks for coming along on this journey with me, friends. Bring on 40!
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Yards of Happiness 
Happy Birthday to you soon!! Have a fabulous little Vaca !!♥️
oh dana!! hope you have the greatest birthday year ever!!! you give each of your readers a gift every time you blog. I get such joy just reading this and seeing what is going on in your life and your knitting..i hope 40 brings you more happiness every day like you give your readers!!!
Happy Birthday! And how on Earth did you get the dogs to sleep in?!
Every day for 2 weeks I delay their walk by 15 minutes. And I try to do things to keep them in bed a little longer and it seems to work. Now instead of 6:30, I’ve got Cher staying down until 7-7:15 and we walk at 7:30.
Very best wishes for a great birthday, and many happy returns! Hope your 40th year is full of joy. Thanks for all the knitting inspiration!
Have a very Happy Birthday Dana! May your new year be full of joy as is your wish! I can say it is a joy to read your posts. They are inspiring and full of good spirits! Thank you for sharing your joy of living with us!
Happy birthday! Thanks for the joy you share with us. May it be a full and joyful year!
I just turned the big 6-0 last week, and like you, I decided to give myself a gift! I’m doing 60 Random Acts of Kindness to celebrate. The pleasure I get far outweighs the benefit to others. Hoping every act creates a ripple with no end. Here’s to us August babies! -Dianne
Happy birthday! Wishing you a joy fillled year!
Mary
Much joy to you in the coming year. Happy birthday!!
Happy birthday! Much joy and peace to you in year 40!
Happy Happy Birthday! And thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to share your thoughts and knits with us-I so enjoy it!
Happy birthday to you Dana. I look forward to your journey of joy and your knitted item parade – it is inspiring. Your blog is a breath of fresh air.
Happy 40th!!! I love that you are coming into your joyful place. May this be your best year yet!
Happy day and happy year! So glad to be on this journey with you in the knitting world — and to be cheering on the sidelines for the academic side!
May this year be the best one ever! Have a super joyful day tomorrow!
Happy birthday! I think focusing on joy is a great goal for this year. Thanks for sharing!
Well said! Bravo! Go 40!!! 🙂
Happy Birthday! Celebrate big and have a great year. Thanks for spreading the joy!
Happy birthday. I’m so glad to have found your blog as I am inspired by you. While I am well past 40, I have dedicated myself to live in the present, enjoy the time left to me, and to be thankful for what I have.
Happy, happy birthday! Wishing you a year filled with cake and yarn and joy!!!
All the best,
Sheila
Happy Birthday! I wish you all the joy you deserve for bringing the same joy to your followers through your knitting projects, posts and positive attitude!
We’re almost the same age (turning 39 soon) and I love watching my peers all over the world living their lives in their own, unique and inspiring ways 🙂
Ah and also: that birthday sweater was awesome, you look great in these colours!
Happy birthday and wishing you lots of joy in the coming year! Your posts about knitting (and your dogs 🙂 ) are always bursting with joy, they’re a pleasure to read.
Wishing you a very happy birthday. Thank you for your blog. I love seeing what you make.
Best, Tamara
Happy Birthday! Enjoy every moment of it. You couldn’t have said it much better, gratitude and happiness.😊
O happy day! Enjoy your birthday, Dana. I’m so glad I landed in your web-land.
Hi Dana- relatively new reader here, found you after you were featured on Mason-Dixon Knitting. Just wanted to say happy birthday and that joy is a great word for your upcoming year. Your knits and attitude certainly convey that and I really look forward to your posts. When I saw that you chose the word “joy” I wondered if you were familiar with the song Joy that’s out right now by the group For King and Country? Very appropriate.
Holy cow! You’ve got a lot of comments now! That’s fantastic and so deserved. Here’s wishing you a great year ahead. It already sounds like so many good things are in place for you now, and I’m sure you’re going to be making the most of it. (And I actually may have yarn in my stash to join the KAL!)
Great sweater! Happy birthday to you!
Happy Birthday!
Happy Happy Joyful Birthday Dana!! And many more
Wishing you ALL THE JOY, Dana!!!! ❤️