Happy Birthday to Me!

It's my birthday and I can cry blog if I want to!

Yeps, I am celebrating another year of being alive! I know it is normal to NOT like having birthdays when you start getting up there like I am, but when you consider the alternative...it's actually not that bad! It's better to be OVER the HILL than UNDER the HILL don't ya think?

Today I turn 40 plus... eh-hem... some odd years. I was actually going to write my true age, but my fingers just would not punch those keys. Sorry, I tried. But what can I do when they refuse to touch certain keys? But if you do the math, and the average life span is 90 or so, then I am somewhere about middle aged! WHAT? ME? No way! But then again, I never was very good at math anyway.

Now, except for my eyes not being able to read anything smaller than a billboard unless it's 20 feet away, and not being able to watch a rented movie without falling asleep, and extensive short term memory loss, and wanting to break out in a dance when I hear a disco song, and an appreciation for rocking chairs, and trying to explain to my 11 year old what an 8 track tape is... I truthfully don't FEEL old. I still feel like I did when I was 18!

However, I think the fact that I even know what "leg warmers" are qualifies me as an “old duffer"

The reality is getting older comes whether we like it or not and there really is nothing we can do about it. Looking in the mirror (at least for me) confirms that on a daily basis! Sooner or later we all have to face the fact that we are getting older. The sooner we accept that it's inevitable, the more we can enjoy life! No, it is not easy to come to terms with our bodies and faces aging and looking more and more like the people we used to think were "old", (I've noticed that my idea of what age 'old age' is just keeps going up the older I get!), but there are some perks to aging too. Here are just a few of my reasons for celebrating getting yet another year older.

♥ I am at a point where I am my own person and I don't care so much about what other people think anymore. What a liberating feeling! Go ahead, say what you want...I can take it!
♥ Many good things come ONLY with time. Life long friends, wisdom that can be learned only by experience, memories of a life well lived, etc.
♥ I love myself for who I am and I have quit trying to be who I am not.
♥ I have seen enough family and friends leave this world that I have learned that life really is short and you must treasure and cherish each and every day as the amazing gift that it really is.
♥ I have learned to worry less because it is an act of total futility to worry about things I have no control over.
♥ I no longer feel as competitive as I once did with others in my circle of friends and acquaintances. I am able to celebrate their successes just as much as my own.
♥ Even though trials and tribulations are tough, I am grateful for the priceless lessons they have taught me and I no longer fear them.
♥ I have come to understand that everything will eventually work out for the best.
♥ Though it has taken me a while to finally grasp it, one of the greatest things about getting older is the fact that I have finally come to realize that happiness is a choice. A daily choice. It is not something that just happens to us, but something that we choose for ourselves. I really wish I had known that sooner.
♥ Instead of wishing to change the cards I have been dealt in life, I am very grateful for the ones I have. The grass is not always greener. Or even if it is, greener grass is the hardest to mow.
♥ Being grateful...truly grateful, breeds happiness!

The only thing that brings the above "gifts" are years lived. There is no short cut to obtaining them. No luck. Just years. So as our physical bodies age, at least there is peace in knowing that our spirits will flourish with some pretty awesome wisdom that can be gained no other way. So see? Getting older isn't so bad after all!!!

And just in case that didn't convince you, here are 13 other reasons having another birthday isn't so bad. ☺

13 GREAT THINGS ABOUT GETTING OLDAnnonymous1. Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off.
2. Kidnappers are not very interested in you.
3. It's harder and harder for sexual harassment charges to stick.
4. If you've never smoked, you can start now and it won't have time to hurt you.
5. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.
6. Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them, either.
7. Your supply of brain cells is finally down to a manageable size.
8. Your eyes won't get much worse.
9. Things you buy now won't wear out.
10. No one expects you to run into a burning building.
11. There's nothing left to learn the hard way.
12. Your joints are more accurate than the National Weather Service.
13. In a hostage situation, you are likely to be released first.

And in case that didn't give you a laugh, then THESE photos will! Yes, I have decided to torture my readers with a few photos from my stages of youth...yep, I was young once!!! And HERE is the proof!

Ahh... now that's a face even a mother could love!

*1~That is my brother Jerry sharing the horse with me. Kinda appears I'd prefer to buck him off! *2~Gold Shoes? Gotta start em' young! *3~I think in this one he is really pinching me behind my back! (jk bro!) *4~Can't you just see the mischief in those eyes?

Most of these are of me and my brother. I always had long hair with the exception of this age when a beautician whacked it all off! I wanted it cut to my shoulders but she butched me. I thought I looked like a boy and locked myself in the bathroom and cried for two hours! As a result of that trauma, it's pretty much been long ever since. Take a look at the bottom left photo. It's me at a birthday party. I am the one on the bottom row far left. Check out the dress! (click to enlarge) I think I must have been the one to start the mini skirt fad! We all look a little less than thrilled to be there! Must have been some kind of party! Half of them look like they are about to burst in tears or already have! Good laughs! Notice the lone little boy in the tie. Poor kid! He probably got teased for days!

These are from my geeky stage! Oooooh bad! REALLY bad!

Dancing and twirling started pretty young with me. I spent a LOT of time doing that!

This Picasa program is great for cutting off heads! (anyone know how to change that?)

Click to enlarge
*1~Top photo is about 8th grade...still in "that" stage! Don't think I overcame it until college! *2~Junior in high school. Whoa...that is some glare!*3 ~One of my first jobs was at Burger King and look WHO dropped by to have it HIS way! *4~ High School graduation day *5~ Me and my friend Jody in London with the Rifle Corp *6~ College graduation (AAS degree) *7 ~ Folk Dancer at Weber State *8~ I attended Dixie College for a while *9 ~College

More head chops! I couldn't resist adding these because I KNOW some of you out there have some photos of yourself with the Farrah hair too! You know who you are...so fess up!!!

Some of my friends took me out to lunch on Thursday. We had a good time!

(Around the table from left) Julie, Audrey & Calel, Julie, Marilyn, Holly, Jen, Loraine, Me, Heidi

Today my friend Bonnie took me out for my birthday to see the movie Mamma Mia! Oh, what a great flick! It was a feel good movie and I have to say I loved it! I think the music totally made the film. Meryl Streep did an amazing job as well. Not sure if the hubs would enjoy it all that much, but we sure did! It has a mature theme and probably not for the kids. But if you like ABBA, you are gonna love this one! It made me want to get up, grab a mic, and dance in the aisles! I can't wait to see it again! And dang! I forgot my camera! Gonna get ya next time Bonnie!

After the movie, I came home and opened my presents from my fam! I also got a lot of great gifts from my friends that I will have to take photos of and post later. Thanks guys! Then we went out to eat at the Olive Garden! Mmm...mmm...mmmmmmm!

Ahh....gee...you shouldn't have! (but glad you did anyway!!!) ☺

I was secretly hoping there was a real puppy inside this one! But no such luck!

Partying at Olive Garden with my fam and parents! Yum!

No I am not standing by the wine rack because I am choosing my fav. All I want is their Chocolate Almond Amore' drink....virgin style. It is TO. DIE. FOR. We all shared a couple! McKay was enjoying the birthday cake my Mom brought for me!

In case I didn't get enough cheese....here's little more!
Yes, ANOTHER cake! Good thing I did my 10 mile long run this morning! That's one of the best things about my birthday...I don't have to make and decorate a cake! My SIL Linda and I share our birthday! BUT...she is a WHOLE year older and I might add, ALWAYS will be! hee-hee
☺Happy Birthday Linda!!!A good day! Thanks y'all!