“It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to!” OR Goodbye, youth – hello, adulthood: NOT!

Well here we are – 3 hours and counting until the end of my perceived youth. Yes folks, tomorrow is THE day. The BIG one. WOOHOO! I am turning forty! I have to confess though, my birthday has never been a big deal to me. Let’s just say, I’ve had a few less-than-stellar birthdays in my life so, to me, it’s just another day on the calendar. Don’t get me wrong, the people with whom I’m close hug me a little tighter and longer, my crazy office mates bring me a Little Debbie with a candle while singing “Happy Birthday” slightly off key; and, this year, I’m getting a red velvet cake I bought for myself. They all make me feel special and remind me of how lucky I am to have such great friends. Thank goodness for Christopher’s school fundraiser that just happened to be selling those frozen dessert things and had red velvet as an option. Hey, seriously. Do any of you really think anyone in THIS household would know or remember that red velvet was my favorite cake?

So, what do I have in store for the next forty years? I don’t know but I’m sure it includes laundry, chauffeuring, refereeing, cleaning, working, and being poor. As my new favorite byline goes – I’m just sayin’. I had this thought the other night while at a get-together with some of my BFF’s. Tomorrow, I could go one of two ways: a) I could go all healthy-like and get a regularly scheduled exercise routine, stop drinking, and cut out bad foods OR b) I could go all Bacchanalian and just use-and-abuse myself to my life’s content. While I can totally support both proposals (I’m such the Type-A personality that can justify anything, i.e. a Diet Coke and a candy bar cancels each other out, or the food that you eat at the movies is part of the entertainment package and, thus, has no caloric value since a movie is not an edible thing), I know that I must somehow find a happy medium. And, quite honestly, that sucks! Nobody embraces mediocrity, well, okay, so, maybe I do, but, you know where I’m going with this…

This is a time in life where one assesses where she’s been and where she’s going. Oh my lord – what a ride it’s been! Part of me can’t believe I’m still alive while the other part says, “Holy, sh*t! How long has this been going on?” But, for the most part, I’m excited. Seriously! I am so blessed. I have a husband who, on some days I would classify as my oldest child, but on most days is my best friend, lover, confidant, and partner in all things life. I have three children that I have been trying desperately to sell on e-Bay but, at the end of the day, would be just as happy if there were no buyers and the inventory had to return to the owner. While my parents – biological and in-laws – seem to find new and unique ways to keep me on my toes, I know I am blessed to have them and their support. My siblings and siblings-in-law, those in heaven and those here on earth, are people with whom we can relate, seek solace, rage at, and with whom I can laugh. There is also the extended family with whom we rarely connect but love at all times. Then there is all the rest – for all the rest.

For those of you who were waiting for a witty and satirical blog, I have to apologize. I had this great smart*ss blog entry started about Halloween (which I will finish and post next time), but this occasion just seemed to warrant some melancholy, introspection, and thanksgiving. So, in order to at least leave you with a chuckle, let me recap last night’s “Simpson’s” highlight. For a little background Intel, every Halloween they run what they call “The Treehouse of Terror.” Right now, while between the start of the new season and the Neilson sweeps, everyone saves money by running re-runs. This particular episode had Homer choking on broccoli and dying. Upon arriving at the Pearly Gates, St. Peter informed Homer that he had not done ANY good deeds during his life. After negotiations, Homer was allotted an hour to go back to Earth to fulfill the good dead in order to get into heaven. Homer appears to Marge while she is sleeping and appeals to her to help him. After waking up and assessing the situation, she pulls out her list that she had for him and informs him that he could clean the garage, paint the house, organize the entryway closet, etc. Homer responds to this by saying, “Marge, I just need to do a good deed – I’m not running for Jesus!” Clearly, Homer, too, is confused about what he needs to do!

Alright, so the chuckles from this blog are few. It is now two hours until I turn forty. No, it doesn’t take me that long to write. It DOES take me that long to get everyone in bed and make sure they stay there, make and set the automatic coffee maker, do some homework, and figure out what I’m wearing tomorrow. But wait – that isn’t something that is special to my special day. That is something that we moms/parents do on a daily basis. Everyday we celebrate the birth of our children. Okay, so maybe we don’t have cake and balloons but we get up and realize the amazing feats we have accomplished. WE HAVE CHILDREN AND WE ARE PARENTS! That alone should warrant a cake every morning of the world! And, you know what? This little family of mine couldn’t have come into existence without me. So, you know what? Happy Birthday to ME! After all, this is what I’ve been waiting my whole life for! I can’t wait to share the next year with you all! Thanks for reading!