"...In the end, people either have excuses or experiences; reasons or results; buts or
brilliance. They either have what they wanted or they have a detailed list of all the rational reasons why not."

~ Anonymous
(taken from Matt Erbele's, It Takes Time to Get Good)

Saturday, July 25, 2009

I hope I don't get traded in for 2 twenties...

It is official. Today, I am 40

Honestly, I look, feel, and act younger than I did when I was 20. (ok, the 'look' part is a big, fat lie, but stay with me here people) I am pretty stoked about it. For the most part, my 20's sucked ass. My 30's were about growth, change, and empowerment and, really, a hell of a lot of fun. I expect the 40's to be where I take the empowerment of my 30's and run with it.

If you thought I was obnoxious before, hoo wee, you best delete blog this from your Reader right now!


For my lady friends:

In a random Google search for silly images, I found this article about why women should celebrate turning 40 and I liked it. It talks about a conversation with Oprah about turning 40 (Yes, even though I hardly ever watch her show, I worship at the 'Alter of Oprah'. I think she is amazing, inspiring, and deserves everything wonderful thing she has in her life. If you think or know different don't tell me. Some heroes should just remain heroes. Thank you)

Anyhoo, it ends with a Turning 40 - Top 40 List. It was written as a list of all things a black woman should have and have done by 40 and no, I am not a black woman (pick yourself up off the floor Lindy I know you are shocked ;o) ) but I thought it was a very cool list so I am posting it unedited.

The top 40 - why women should celebrate turning 40 - Column

Ebony, August, 1997 by Laura B. Randolph

1.) Peace of mind (and a piece of property).

2.) A will.

3.) Willpower.

4.) A savings account in your own name (and an IRA in the name of your future security).

5.) A mammogram.

6.) A manicure (not to mention a pedicure, a facial and a massage--all on the same day).

7.) A set of matching luggage.

8.) A ticket to some exotic place to unpack it.

9.) A great hairdresser, gynecologist and stockbroker.

10.) A passionate, fiery, unforgettable love affair.

11.) A little black dress that makes you look five pounds thinner.

12.) A sense of humor, style and purpose.

13.) A selfish streak.

14.) A spiritual foundation that gets you through a very bad night without going crazy.

15.) A facial foundation that gets you through a very long day without going ashy.

16.) A good bra.

17.) A good spa.

18.) A library card (used often).

19.) A credit card (used sparingly).

20.) At least one person in your life who says: "You call, I come."

21.) Good body language (multilingual!).

22.) A broken heart and the knowledge you can survive it.

23.) A cause celebre (domestic violence, infant mortality, save the whales--your choice).

24.) A personal relationship with God.

25.) A personal trainer.

26.) Selective amnesia ("What Saturday morning meeting?").

27.) Gall.

28.) A good skin-care regimen.

29.) The ability to converse on any subject without benefit of concrete knowledge or access to facts.

30.) A shocking secret.

31.) A pair of silk pajamas.

32.) A lifetime membership in at least one organization dedicated to uplifting Black folks (e.g., National Council of Negro Women, the NAACP).

33.) The phone number of someone who is good with their hands.

34.) At least one drop-dead, don't-speak-to-me-because-you-know-you-don't-know-me gorgeous photo of yourself.

35.) A friendship that has stood the test of time.

36.) One last chance to tell the guy you were crazy about in your 20s who treated you like cigarette ashes on the floor what you were too dumb to know when he walked out with your heart in his hands: "Thank you, thank you, thank you."

37.) A soul mate.

38.) Faith, hope and a good fantasy.

39.) A dream.

40.) A plan to make it come true.


Let's go kick some ass ladies. No matter what your age today!

32 comments:

Unknown said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

To be honest, I *love* being in my 40s. I've found that a lot of what is in that article is true.

Go celebrate everything that being in your 40s has to offer - let the good times roll!! :-)

Missy said...

You're a funny looking black chick, though!;) HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! That rocks. I'm getting close, myself so I need to start working on this list.

Aka Alice said...

I love the list! You go celebrate girl. The 40's have been great for me (all except for this lastest injury thing...but WHATEVER...this too shall pass.

Matching luggage? I'll have to get on that one.

BTW 36? So true, so true, so true!

Reese said...

Forty? I'm trying to remember when I turned forty. I can't.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

ShutUpandRun said...

I'd add to the list a battery operated device. Happy Birthday!!

Carolina John said...

Happy birthday! 40 is a good one (or so I hear)

ShirleyPerly said...

Happy Birthday!!

No doubt my 40's have been so much better than my 20s or 30s. I hope the same will be true for you. Scratch that. I KNOW they will be for you. Look out world :-)

Irene said...

Happy 40th Birthday!

#31) Silk pajamas? I vote for PJ's made out of wicking material... Much easier on those hot flashes and such.

Have a wonderful year celebrating!

IronSnoopy said...

Happy, happy birthday!!! :)

Lindsay said...

wait a minute... you're white?!

happy birthday!!!!!!!!!!!

have you checked everything off that list yet today or what? go spoil yourself :)

SWTrigal said...

Happy Birthday!! the big 4-0!! Turning 50 is better..
have a fabulous night!

Puisan said...

Happy Birthday!
love the list!
will keep that in mind when it's my turn to enter the big 4-0!

:)

Southbaygirl said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! I can't wait to see you tomorrow!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope you've had a wonderful birthday! Welcome to the 40 club!!!!

Jo Lynn said...

Happy birthday girlie.

You're still a baby in my book. ;)

Knock 'em dead tomorrow.

Diana said...

Is there such a thing as a great gynecologist??!!!
Happy 40th!!!

Jane said...

Happy Birthday!
You look younger than 40. Have you seen 40somethings these days? And I don't mean endurance athletes, because they distort your whole image of everything.
Love that shirt

Glaven Q. Heisenberg said...

If you thought I was obnoxious before, hoo wee, you best delete blog this from your Reader right now!

ZOMG, I'm 49 and no one ever told me that, at 40, you're supposed to start using Yoda syntax!

Do so now will I henceforth. Fun it will be, yes.

Happy 40th ...

YOU B*TCH!1!

Leah said...

Love it. Happy birthday! Life got way better once I hit 40. Enjoy!!

Anonymous said...

awwwww happy birthday!!! great list to share

Donald said...

Happens to everyone sooner or latedr, right?

Happy Birthday!

Stef0115 said...

Happy Birthday!

under my own steam said...

Happy Birthday!

I've been 40 for about 6 months and each day is better. I love it!

I like the idea of matching luggage - sounds right up my alley.

Thanks for posting.

Aileen said...

Happy birthday! I like that list, but it does mean I have a lot to do before I turn 40...

RoadBunner said...

Happy Birthday!!! I love the list, too!!

Maryland Girl aka Michelle said...

Belated Birthday Wishes

Generation X (Slomohusky) said...

Happy 40 Day.

Three years into my 40's - Diverticulitis, Ruptured Biceps Muscle with Surgery, 9-10 months recovery/rehab, root canal, Plantiar Facititus (however you spell it) twice and 20 pounds of I don't think is muscle or added brain cells.

How was the SF Marathon?

Lindy said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! That shirt is absolutely kick ass, just like you.

And wait....you're not black? LOL

Fe-lady said...

Happy Birthday! (And you are a mere babe in the woods my dear)
I remember when I was 40-! Almost 16 years ago! (sigh)
And I am STILL out there kicking butt...so you have plenty of time to do the same!

Regina said...

Sorry I got to the dance late, but HAPPY (FREAKIN') BIRTHDAY!!!!

Welcome to the club. I've celebrated twice since. It's a nice decade to be in.

As for #33...please elaborate.

Hope you had a great one!

Herself, the GeekGirl said...

http://www.someecards.com/card/it-would-be-significantly-easier-to-wish#

There, I said it.

;-)

montisse98 said...

Happy 40! Did you actually wear that shirt? Too funny!

the Dread Pirate Rackham said...

how much do I love you?!

Happy birthday, RBR - my 40th birthday was Monday. it seems I too have a little catching up to do.