I celebrated
Doll-hugging aside, let me just put this out there [here it comes...rant alert]: What is it with people and the whole, "How's it feel to be 29?" thing? I detest that. Hey - I am not one of those women, and I find that question somewhat offensive.
What, like being in your 40s is something to be ashamed of? Ladies, it's FABulous! (Don't ask my boobs, however; they don't want to hear it.)
These are empowering years! You couldn't pay me to go back to my 20s, or even my 30s, thank you very much. Fine years, all of them. But somewhere just before my 35th birthday, something changed. I call it the year I 'found myself.' More specifically, I think it was the year I learned how to be responsible for my own happiness.
That was 10 years ago - and they've been the best of my life! It was the year my friends convinced me to get on skis for the first time, the year I went blonde, the year I started grad school, and the year I discovered Feng Shui wasn't hooey.
Speaking of ... all this hooey about Zodiac signs changing? Whatever. I am still a Capricorn - a goat - and a stubborn one at that. Quit calling me an Aquarius. No offense if you are one, but I is not - I be a goat (sorry, just heard some bad grammar on the TV and went with it.)
I was born in the Year of the Dog. Oh, wait, did that change too? Are they going to add an animal to the Chinese Zodiac menagerie like, maybe, Year of the Hedgehog? Because don't think for one minute I'm buying into this and going to be standing there like a dog staring at the space where my
My appetites - for all things, especially life itself - have changed. I don't look back. I don't wish to be "younger." I'm so stinking grateful for life as it is - with all its ups, downs, hot flashes, mood swings, root touch-ups and all. Maybe some of that Aquarius, the water bearer, has rubbed off over time. I mean, I do normally have a water bottle with me wherever I go...because goats get thirsty...oh, never mind.
To quote a sassy Samantha Jones on Sex and the City, "Fine. I'm forty-fucking-five. And I'm fabulous." She didn't get caught up in astrological identity crises, and neither will I.
Who else is 45 and fabulous? My dear friends who are all celebrating this age with me. I thank you all for the thoughts this past week. And ladies, (you know who you are) I'm serious about that Fifty and Fabulous celebration in a few years!
Peace, love, and hormones,
Valerie
Happy birthday, dear Val. It's wonderful to hear your attitude about aging--I say go with it. I am (quite a few) years ahead of you, and each year brings new joys as well as challenges. The trick is to keep moving forward-- you're already fabulous.
ReplyDeleteAwesome!!! So proud of you for that rant - if I'm allowed to say that, lol! Ok, yes, proud because I couldn't agree more - I wouldn't trade these years (late 30s for me) to go back in time...for anything! You couldn't pay me to do it! Even with large bills :)
ReplyDeleteThankfully the French are either too polite..or too scared..to ask me how old I am & good on 'um I say!
What happened to growing old(er) gracefully? We should accept it & celebrate it ...or what joy is there really in life? [rant ends #2]
Ok, wishing you a tres tres Happy Birthday fellow goat!! :)
Happy Birthday, Valerie!!!! I'm sorry I missed it...I didn't know! But better late than never, right? I am with you - 45 was a wonderful age (so long ago now....sigh). My 40's were wonderful - I was comfortable in my own skin (even though it was stretched out a bit too much from the extra fat I was packing...except for the boobs...they gained weight too and I was excited about that!!!), I was confident (finally able to tell some people I didn't like to go to that certain place), and I was happy! Now that I've crossed over that threshold of 50 (yikes), its been OK except my body has been rebelling a bit with little nagging signs that I can't do things that I could easily do when I was 20!! Ugh! Enjoy these years and have fun!!!
ReplyDeleteBut, hey, what's wrong with Aquarians? I want to know cuz guess who has a birthday next month!!!
@Michele - You are so right, there are challenges too (I thought as I heard my knees crack with every step I took down the stairs this morning) - but we have learned to appreciate things in a different way. Thank you for the wishes, as you too are wicked fabulous!
ReplyDelete@Tuula - my fellow goat, I will tell you I LOVED the French people I met that last month - very polite, and some of the nicest people I've met traveling. Italians, on the other hand, have no qualms asking your age, telling you what they think, and they pull no punches - but I respect that too. If they don't like you, you know where you stand. Basta. Joyeux anniversaire a toi, aussi! It appears we had the same celebration, in the neige, 10 years apart!
@Barbara - Thank you - but...are you SURE you are a water bearing Acquarious? The Universe (or human mis-translation of such) just pulled a fast one on us. You are also right about the body's protesting, but also comes with age - confidence. I remember someone asking me a few months back, "Who's taking you to Italy?" Me: "Me. I don't NEED someone to TAKE me to Italy. When I want to go somewhere, I get on a plane and go, and I do it alone - it's the best way to travel!" I wouldn't have done this in my 20s, I don't think. I was too hung up on the career & security. Buon compleano e tanti aguuuurrrri mese scorso, cara Barbara! (PS - If you haven't checked out Carol on Facing 50 with Humour in jolly old England, I think you'll love her blog!)
You ladies - and your blogs - rock!
I thought I left birthday wishes yesterday, but perhaps not...
ReplyDeleteSo happy belated birthday! Cheers to 10 fantastic years, and so many more to come. Like you, I wouldn't trade anything for being younger. With age comes confidence, happiness, and the ability to find both.
Well thank you! Normally I don't publicize the b-day or make a big deal of it...and actually removed it from the old facebook page last year, (along with many other things before I abandoned it). But, honestly - I just liked the picture of the cake, so the astrological rant came with. Another smart lady, you are - confidence, happiness, and the ability to find both. Damn - it's good, n'est-ce pas? :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog. I envy your adventure! And I love this post and your attitude! I am 47 and I actually look forward to 50 because, thanks to Oprah, I know I can be fabulous:) Happy birthday.
ReplyDeleteHi, Karen - Thank you! Damned right we can be - and are - fabulous! I look forward to following your journey as well.
ReplyDeleteHappy Belated Birthday! Love you always! I'll be 40 on Feb 18th, an Aquarius now and always! Welcome to the water bearing world, even if you don't wanna be here! : )
ReplyDeleteYou sexy beast. Happy Birthday and it's women like you that make me proud to be a woman so thank you!
ReplyDelete@Amy - and a very happy right back at you! Love you long time and welcome to the 40s!
ReplyDelete@Sam - Thank you and likewise - you inspire me right back, that's for sure!
Cheers to be forty-fucking-five and fabulous you old goat! Much love from an aging Aquarian xoxo
ReplyDeleteRight back atcha, my water-bearing friend - and cheers to your upcoming B-day - Happy celebrating!
ReplyDelete