Today I am 50

Fifty

The big 5-0

Half a century.

that is...

600 months...

2,400 weeks...

18,250 days...

crap.

that's a whole lot of time.

a whole lot of living.

so... today is my birthday.  I have mixed emotions.  

I have been almost looking forward to it.  I feel mature enough to be 50.  So with anticipation, I was ready to start "this" chapter of my life.

My forties had some great moments, wonderful events, and happy memories.

My forties also took a toll on me.  I never expected the depression, anxieties or the let down I experienced.

I have recovered from the "set back" years and ready to move forward.  I have healed and learned to grow from experiences.  I have become not only wiser but stronger and better.

bring it on Baby! Hello 50.

The one thing I absolutely wasn't prepared for was losing my mom right before my big birthday.  This obviously, is the first birthday without Mom.  No call, no birthday card or visit.  

No Mom...

On a sweeter note, my family surprised me greatly with a birthday party last weekend.

I had NO CLUE.  I was so surprised I was scared.  I have never been surprised.  I mean really surprised. I am that person that figures things out way before.  This was truly a first.  Maybe with age I am slipping.

My Babies pulled this off.

With the help of Hubby.

 Blessed with great friends...

great family...

 

great weather...

great cooking ...

and great toasting...

I know that this is the start of a wonderful chapter♥

My 50 Before Fifty

In one week I will have my last birthday of my forties.

I've been thinking a bit about it. More like embracing it. The past couple years have been, well, not the best. I've made some changes. Some readjusting. Some tweaking.

This past month has been pretty darn good. Especially mentally.

I am finally learning to breathe.

I have seen some great list on Blogs.  I have tried to give myself one.  Although mine isn't as cool (graphic wise anyway) as many I have admired.  Mine is important to me.  I have decided to put it up on my side bar. To help me see daily, and attempt to cross them off. (Well, a heart next to the item means it's completed or now a regular part of my life).

Maybe, I will even inspire others to improve their lives as well.

Although some of these are simple, they are just as important to my better living as the major ones.  Each one can only bring me a better quality of life.

A happier me.

Enjoy my list and those who know me...help me achieve my goals.

Fifty Before 50

have a job i love

love the skin i'm in
buy a cruiser bicycle

develop a budget that works for us

walk 3 miles a day

perfect my ASL
write more
learn to keep my house CLEAN
cook healthier meals
grow a garden
read my Bible
train my pets to behave
bake more often
take a baking class
finish my Baby Clothes Tree Skirts
trip to see Deb again
trip to see Janet
trip to see Shari
learn to Kayak
improve my marriage
start yoga again
be a better friend
go to a museum
go to a craft fair
spend more time with my daughters
write more letters
learn to knit or crochet...correctly
work out regularly
lose 10-15 pounds
relax more
read more
listen more-talk less
have more belly laughs
at least 6 dog walks a week (that's 2 each dog)
organize our photographs
learn to let it go
pray more
pick a church that I go to regularly again
always be kind
smile
learn to enjoy working in the yard

know & accept my limits
enjoy the parks
go to an outside music concert. maybe jazz or symphony

take more bubble baths
frequent flea markets & antique malls

go swimming
de-clutter my life as well as my house
make decisions I can be proud of
Love myself as I do others