XXXX

Okay.

I'm forty.

Just like Sesame Street

and (I learned today) Monty Python

and Brady Bunch

and people landing on the moon

and Woodstock

{1969 was a good year to be born.}

So far so good!

Yesterday (and a little bit this morning, to be honest)

was about the melancholy end of 30s.

Today is about the beginning of my 40s.

I have heard that it is a fabulous time and

I am going to embrace it with enthusiasm.

Do I feel a fun midlife crisis coming on? Maybe. What if I...

Cut my hair (or different color)

Train for a marathon (and, okay, run it)

Take up painting

Write a novel

Walk or bike across England

Stop blogging (I know. But maybe.)

Get a mammogram (Monday. Short range is good, too.)

Take my kids out of school and book a trip around the world with them (I wish.)

Buy some art.

Finish my PhD.

Don't finish my PhD.

Care less about what others think.

Laugh loudly.

Prune the unnecessary stress from my life.

Wander more, wonder more.

Connect.

* * *

Happy birthday to me #1:

Swell Season (the duo from the movie Once) are coming out with a new album next week and, to celebrate, NPR is streaming the entire album. Hooray!

Here's to finding more good music in the next decade!

Happy Birthday to me, #2
(saw this on marathonbird's twitter this morning)

I'm going to give myself more silliness in my life.

Happy Birthday to me, #3

Remember the viral video of the dancing/singing DoReMi in the train station?

I just found out that friend is creating a similar public art event in a town square in Guatemala next month.

So cool.

That just makes me happy.

Happy Birthday to me, #4

I'm loving all of the happy birthday wishes via email and facebook!

So lovely to connect with friends.

Happy Birthday to me #5

I have to go to class tonight

but tomorrow G is taking off work

and we're celebrating then with

lunch+museum+movie+together

Life is good.

* * *

painting Alma y Corazon by Cassandra Barney via

Comments

[Robin]

Happy Birthday! Let's go to Guatemala and celebrate!

[calibosmom]

That video is cracking me up. I love seeing the guy climb over his desk. Have a fabulous weekend and see you next week!!! PARTY!!! Ok, maybe just a lovely little luncheon and great conversation! We'll talk marathons & mammograms.

[martha corinna]

Happy Birthday Annie.

[Linsey]

Happy Birthday darling Annie. Now you are officially 40 and fabulous!

[Michelle]

Happy Birthday beautiful! I've been trying to send you an ecard all day but Hallmark is not cooperating. If you get one by midnight you'll know I've prevailed!

I'm praying that my mid-life crisis came at 39, but I still don't feel ready to be 40. I'll call you for support come Feb. 2!

Love you! xo, m

[Celia Fae]

Happy birthday! I forgot we were the same plus or minus a year. Don't quit.

I saw your Cass Barney link and thanks to you I found an old friend! Cass and I were pregnant together with our first kids. Happy birthday to me, too.

[Annette]

Dear Annie,
I can remember the day you were born. Mom started produced Raggedy Annie items, whether you wanted them or not. I was 17 and we were in Reno for my senior year. This whole story produced a novel from me.
YOU, my dear niece, are a wonder in every way. I loved my years from 40-50. Loved them. I just thought to myself, I'm going to check Annie's blog and treat myself to some joy. You are a joy to me and to so many others.
Love,
Annette, who has always secretly wished that my name was really Annie. My cousin got it first, born three months before me.

[diane]

Happy Day!

40 is great for not caring what people think because really most people are too self absorbed to think about us.

I got another clean mammogram last week. After having some biopsies I never take it for granted. It really doesn't hurt.

[the wrath of khandrea]

*sing loudly*
ALMA Y CORAZON!
I FELL IN LOVE WITH YOU,
ALMA Y CORAZON,
THE WAY A FOOLD WOULD DO,
MAAAAADLYYYY...
BECAUSE YOU HELD ME TIGHT

don't you DARE quite blogging.

[Jenny]

Happy!Happy!
Birthday! Birthday!
40 is the beginning of a wonderful decade of discovery, independence and confidence!
ENJOY.
xo

[Christie]

You are NOT allowed to quit blogging. You may take a periodic break (begrudgingly) but you CANNOT quit. I need my daily dose of Annie. And your life is all about me, right?

Happy birthday, friend. Hope it was a good one.

LOVE that video. I want to work in a place with people like that. Hilarious.

[Kathy]

Happy day after your birthday! I turn that 4 number next Saturday and I too am feeling a lot like you! I might have to come up with a list like you - at least it will give me something to think about besides the end of my 30's!
oh and the 15th seems to be a popular day to be born - had many birthdays today to celebrate, including a new nephew born today!!

[gab]

You have accomplished a whole lot in forty short years!

Thank you for paving the way to XXXX for me. Please let me know what to expect.

I have loved getting to know you through blogging (but would completely understand if you had to take a break!) and consider you a true blue friend.

Happy happy birthday! Hope you celebrate all weekend.

[cbentley]

Oh, Annie, I love this post. I love your list of possibles for a new life. I love your great perceptions and your wisdom. I love your tenderness. I love your motherlyness. I love your humor. I love that you are MINE! Oh Happy Day!