40 Sucks!

I had a birthday a couple of weeks ago. I'm not sure how this happened, but for some reason when you subtract my birthday from today's date, it looks like 40 years have past. But how could that possibly be? I mean, people in their 40s are OLD! They were my parents and their friends when I was a teenager. They were our teachers in high school—the ones who had been teaching FOREVER. When I got married they were the older couples with kids who looked wistfully at my husband and I as the lucky ones, who could go to a movie whenever they wanted to. I'm not any of these people!

Although, I guess I could have teenagers. I've been married 13 years, and I didn't get married until I was 26. I have been teaching FOREVER — maybe not consistently, but it does feel like it's been a long time! And I have to admit, I do envy those young couples who can hop off together at a moment's notice. So... maybe I am 40.

Even though it feels like I just turned 16 and finally got my driver's license. Angst filled days at university don't feel that long ago. Wasn't I shopping for a wedding dress last week? And it seems like my thirtieth birthday party, when I was nicely round and pregnant with my son, was just days before my fortieth birthday party — and somehow that baby grew 4 1/2 feet!

Time flies. We say it all the time, but it still takes us by surprise. Not long ago my baby girl wrapped her tiny hand around my finger. Now those tiny fingers are getting ready for their first piano recital. A reminder to treasure every moment! Because if this keeps up, my baby girl and I will be shopping for HER wedding dress... next week?

The lovely bouquet of lollipops above was a gift from two hilarious "over 40" ladies that I know. It has been the source of much laughter, and a great sugar fix (much better than a dozen Halloween chocolate bars!) Knowing these two ladies as I do, I'm sure that they knew I'd "get" the joke— 40 doesn't really suck. 40 can be great if I want it to be! And 40 sucks can be great, too!

Oasis

Well, Denise, twice a week isn't happening so far, but I am still going to try! It feels like I just got home from Vancouver, and it's been three weeks... Time just moves way too fast!

My wonderful husband took me to Vancouver and Kelowna last month. It was a beautiful oasis in the middle of my somewhat mundane life these days. I have to admit, I loved every minute of it -- even the 11 hours of travelling by myself to get there. I sat with my book and drank in the silence -- no "Mommy, Mommy!" or "I'm hungry!" or "I don't want to do my homework!"

I saw a beautiful part of the country that I had never seen. I spent some quality alone time with my husband. I visited friends that I never see and got to meet their lovely new daughter. I toured the Okanogan and enjoyed my first wine tastings (I actually may be able to aquire a taste for the stuff!) It was a precious gift.

I called the kids every day. I didn't miss them until we arrived at Troy and Teresa's and was surrounded by their kids. I didn't feel bad about not missing them. I knew they weren't missing me either. They were having a whale of a time with Grandma and Papa. But by the end of the week I was ready to go home. A week is the perfect amount of time to be away. Time to relax, regroup, recharge. Time to be ready to dive back into life. And I was. But I've been home nearly three weeks now. Isn't it time for another vacation?