So, last Saturday I had the pleasure of celebrating my 40Th birthday with my family and friends. You wouldn’t believe the reactions I received when I had first told people I was having a party! Why would you have a party to celebrate getting older? Women don’t have parties only men. Who is throwing you a party? What? I said screw it! My plans for going swimming with sharks had to be delayed due to my husbands back problems, but I was not not going down with the ship quietly. I hate to be a cliche, but when you have lemons make yourself lemonade. ( in my case you add a little vodka to it!) So in celebration of this birthday I am replacing my 10 Things I Learned this Week with 40 Things I’ve learned in 40 years and don’t expect to find eating, walking or any of that usual stuff on here. Enjoy!
In 40 years I’ve learned that: ( in no particular order)
40. as much as I wanted to wear a whore/prom queen dress for my party I just couldn’t. ( God, I hate fitting rooms, my ass and the increasingly growing size on the dress label)
39. no matter what you might think your favorite songs WILL end up on the oldies station.
38. nothing REALLY is free. ( it all comes at some kind of cost)
37. when you have no expectations, amazing things can happen.
36. the people that are most likely to criticize are the ones that are most unhappy with their own life.
35. rainy days are what you make of them. ( complain to somebody else- I make due)
34. friends can never replace your family. ( just help support you)
33. life is too short not to drink champagne. (anytime)
32. sipping wine out of a crystal wine glass DOES make it taste better. ( likewise a champagne flute)
31. your true friends are the ones that stand by you when you have nothing left.
30. I should have brought that red convertible when I had the chance.
29. the clothes I wore 12 years ago look like kids clothes to me. ( sad, but true)
28. people that talk loud usually don’t have anything important to say.
27. never stop learning. ( it keeps you fresh)
26. listening is a skill. ( this is coming from someone that talks way too much!)
25. I should have saved more money. ( sure, I dressed well and had a good time, but sometimes I wish I would have saved more)
24. the older I get the more I hate teenagers. ( this must be pay back for the know it all bitch I was)
23. giving is more important than getting. ( this always holds true)
22. I would never want to be in High school again. ( especially now with all the technology- yikes!)
21. laugh at yourself. ( don’t be too serious, life can be fun)
20. people will always have an opinion, take it with a grain of salt.
19. take care of yourself. ( no one is going to say, “oh you need a break.” take one and don’t feel guilty)
18. don’t pay full price for anything. ( everything goes on sale- learn when)
17. a good friend is someone that you can argue with, and agree to disagree. ( you can yell and scream and then play nice the next day)
16. children change your life forever. ( it’s a good thing)
15. nobody is perfect- don’t let them fool you. ( you never know what goes on behind closed doors)
14. jealousy really is an ugly monster. ( unfortunately, this still happens when you get older)
13. try not to burn any bridges, you never know when you might need to cross them again.
12. some people age much better than others. ( I have my theories)
11. people are only busy for things that don’t really interest them.
10. the people that insist on telling you what to do, don’t always know how it’s done.
9. if you keep waiting for everyone’s approval you’ll never get what you want.
8. technology has made us more connected, but yet further apart.
7. I’ve done some really stupid things. I’m so lucky to be where I am today.
6. most things can be forgiven, but not always forgotten
5. there is no joy in life better than holding my boys.
4. I love the changing of the seasons. ( it happens at the perfect time for me, just when I’m ready to move on)
3. if you’re embarrassed to tell your parents, then you probably shouldn’t be doing it.
2. some people will only be interested in you for what you can do for them. ( be warned)
1. always follow your intuition. ( experience has taught me it will never let you down.)
It’s been a good, bad, beautiful, and ugly forty years, but I wouldn’t cchange any of it for world. Thanks everyone that helped me celebrate my special day!
Tania says
I love this post what great tips thanks for sharing! You look beautiful & happy birthday!! Hope you had a blast ๐
mandi mella says
I enjoyed reading this.. thank you for sharing! ๐
Nancy says
You’ve learned a lot! Best birthday wishes to you!
Good Girl Gone Green says
Happy Birthday! You look fabulous! Great list by the way…..jealous is an ugly monster!
Nikki says
Great blog! Stopping by from the blog hop! I am your newest follower and would love it if you would follow me too! Thanks!
-Nikki
http://chef-n-training.blogspot.com/
Susie B. Homemaker says
Haha, great post and fabulous photo! I can relate to quite a few of these (I’m going to be 33 on my next birthday- shhh). I loved #24 and 1… so true!
New follower- thanks for stopping by my blog for the weekend hops. ๐
Jill says
Hi! Iโm on a blog hop and saw your blog and fell in love! Iโm your newest follower. I would love you to check out my blog at http://thenummylittleblog.blogspot.com/
Thanks! -Jilly-