Hello 40!
On July 24, 1969, a future mediocre karaoke singer made her debut.
Well, HELLLO 40!
I wasn’t quite sure what you’d look like on me. Not much different than yesterday. OH! Was I supposed to compare to my 30 look? Well then, I’ll be getting new hair next week so I’ll let you know then. Yes, I’ve noticed those fine lines setting in a bit deeper. Sigh.
I’ve been waiting for you to arrive. I’ve determined to embrace you with grace. But I’ll be honest, all day I’ve asked, “is it hot in here?” Let’s face it—we already know my hormone levels are erratic. I don’t need a boost in this area already, thank you very much.
I didn’t expect to embrace you with the new title of Nanny. Yes I know I’ve been called Nanny for many years now. It means many things for me. But this year it will take on a whole new meaning: Grandmother.
Now that we’ve been introduced, I’ll share my Bucket list of 40 things to do in my 40s so you can help make it happen.
- Become a grandmother (Yea, I cheated. We all know it’s coming.)
- Listen more
- Share the love of Christ daily
- Make peace with a strong-willed child
- Get published
- Get out of debt and become financially free
- Teach my girls to become financially free
- Return financial blessings to my family and Joe’s
- Buy ocean front property
- Build the beach house of my dreams
- Sit on the beach again and again and again
- Put a message in a bottle and toss it out to sea (*Note to self: You’ve always wanted time in a bottle—put thyme in a bottle with a recipe.)
- Swim without holding my nose
- Cruise the Bahamas
- Get laser hair removal
- Meet favorite bloggers (3 down! Woohoo!)
- Get reacquainted with the art of cooking (Where have you been the past three years? Oh yea! Sophie arrived.)
- Write stories that bring life to people
- Rally my siblings and their families and take a family portrait with my parents
- Start playing cards with family again
- Become a Wheel of Fortune contestant and win BIG MONEY
- Travel the East Coast
- Help Joe prepare for and obtain his LA Adjuster’s License
- Cruise again
- Chronicle my Dad’s stories of “Tater Town” and write a best seller (at least for Pensacola, FL)
- Tap into the abilities the Lord has given me
- Exercise daily
- Take Latin dance lessons with Joe and film them for YouTube
- Take a Disney Cruise with the family
- Go on a missions trip
- Go to Israel
- Buy house plants that refuse to die
- Invent dog hair repellent
- Love greater
- Create a safe haven in the home
- As much as possible, be at peace with all men
- Learn something every single day
- Write a stand up comedy script with notes from Sophie
- Laugh every day (guffaw even)
- Walk closer with Christ (Saved the best for last!)
Thank you, Lord, for another year! Here’s to growing older with grace. And less facial hair.
From the words of Sophie Gunther, “and that’s all I got!”
YES, that's MY GRANDSON!
Spunky Sophie wearing a Southern Spunk Pillowcase Dress
12:25 am on July 24th, 2009
You look AWESOME for 40! We can only hope we all look that good! So fab to meet you Monday. Sophie was just a doll. I don’t think she knew what to think of Wyatt–and he didn’t know what to make of her, either. So funny at that age.
9:00 am on July 24th, 2009
Happy birthday!! I agree with Jennifer! I want to look like you when I turn 40!
Oh, and I’m waiting to see the Latin dances on YouTube! =)
11:01 am on July 24th, 2009
Praise the Lord! That’s one strong list. Thinking I should fwd a response to each one, how about that dog hair thing already!! Lovin’ Tater Town and more… Those cards work 4 me! So miss that! Let’s see, no debt, financial blessings… and let’s not forget the God thing!! What blessings we share!! Happy 40th sister and FRIEND!!!
Ginger
11:56 am on July 24th, 2009
Happy birthday Rena! No one would have ever guessed you are turning 40. You are gorgeous, both inside & out!
11:59 am on July 24th, 2009
oh rena happy birthday! the fabulous forties – it’s the new twenties! you’ve a blessed life in front of you; and i look forward to you blogging about these forty tasks.
now…when can i help you with number 16??
6:32 pm on July 24th, 2009
hey girl….
your list is fabulous.
so fab that it makes me want to make my own top 40.
do you mind if I copy?
i have no doubt that you will accomplish many if not most of your list – not sure about 32 and 33, but thinking that #1 alone is going to be a trip! Yippee!
you are an amazing woman and i wish you (again!) the happiest of birthdays.
and by the way, from my point-of-view, you don’t look a day over 30!
9:44 pm on July 24th, 2009
Happy Birthday! That’s one great list! I hope you accomplish all that and more! xoxo, Brandee
10:54 pm on July 24th, 2009
31. Israel is AMAZING! We went in the Spring and I am ready to go back! 30. Praying on a Mission Trip to Vietnam if he provides the means for me to go. It is to Orphanges. Hope this trip brings some peace to my dad who suffers from Post Tramatic Stress Disorder from that war. I have prayed for him to have joy on earth….look at GOD go! 32. Pothis-I think that is how you spell it. Can’t kill it and can start new plants just by cutting it off, putting it in water, and allowing it to grow roots. MIL had one that the steam from the shower was moisture enough-you can do this one!
Have fun with your list….it looks like you will! Oh yeah, I am all over that financial peace too!
5:00 pm on July 25th, 2009
Well this is beautifully written and heartfelt, I know. I haven’t actually seen you in person since the big day, but I know you are as gorgeous and youthful as ever – surely one day can’t make that much difference! You are brave and full of faith to make a list like that!!! Maybe one day (like ina year) I’ll be bold enough to do the same…
I love you & I’m grateful for your friendship.
I’m a Believer!
Laura
9:53 am on July 27th, 2009
Hi Rena! Love your list!! I’ve got you beat on the laser hair removal, been doing it for years, and it’s not all it’s cracked up to be! But give it a go, everyone needs to have the hair burned off their body at least once. I’ve got 10.5 months until I’m 40, I’ll be thinking about my list. Let’s both get published, sooner rather than later. But let’s see, that will actually require us to do some writing.
Hope you had a wonderful birthday and here’s to many more!
8:44 am on August 8th, 2009
Rena, I stumbled on your blog through Lisa’s The Preachers Wife’s blog comments. Today is my 40th birthday and I am not sure how I feel about turning 40. Your blog on turning 40 made me feel so much better and gave me comfort that I am not alone in anticipating yet not quite sure I am excited about turning 40. Thank you for sharing it. I now am trying to come up with a bucket list for my 40s! Congratulations on soon becoming a grandma, everyone says there is nothing to explain the love until you experience it. So enjoy it when the day comes! Praise God for giving me encoragement through people like you!!