Thursday, July 3, 2014

Turning 50 is a reality check

Today is my birthday.  I am usually not one to even acknowledge my birthday on my blog but this is a big one, the big 50!  And because it is a big one I have been thinking a lot about it.  I need  to make some changes in my life so the next 50 years are ones of health and happiness.

Since Little Buddy came to live with us I have really not been taking as good of care of myself.  My exercising routine has almost disappeared, I need to get better about that.  A few weeks ago I started walking again, I was only able to do it on the weekends before, but now I get up on my days off and get moving right away.  I simply hand my husband the baby monitor and say I will see you after I put in a few miles.  I am not giving him an option, if he gets to work out so do I.  Not moving is going to do me a lot of damage, and I can not afford that with a three year old.  You can be thin and out of shape, I need to get better at taking care of myself.  In all honesty I do not want to end up like my Mom, for reasons we do not understand she stopped moving, and her health got worse but she hung on for years.  I need to start being fit now so I can stay active and alert as I age.

Here is another reality check, I need to stay out of the sun.  I have loved the sun for many of these last fifty years, the damage is done now, but I do not need to add to it.   While the pictures of Little Buddy and I at his adoption look great, the reality is that the lighting did me a big favor, you see I have deep wrinkles and sun spots.  I don't need to add to my risk of skin cancer.  This is what you see.

 

But this is more of the reality, now I have to say that I don't love my wrinkles but I am proud of them.  They tell the story of my life, and believe me it has not all been easy.  There have been lots and lots of issues that make me who I am, sometimes these issues made me stressed and other times they made me laugh.  One of my best friends just got here eyes done, botox and her neck lifted.  I say good for her if she is brave enough to do that, it is not for me, my face has a story, it may not always be a pretty story, but it is my story.  The one thing I just loved about my MIL was her wrinkles, they made her so beautiful in a way that was so special, they showed that she had lived a long and fantastic life.


This is my yarn stash.  I am coming clean about it because I own a lot of yarn.

It is located in three different areas of my house, two places in my craft studio/office and even in my closet.

Now I know my stash pales in comparison to some of yours, but I feel like I need to get a handle on it.  And I intend to squelch my yarn purchases very soon.  Actually I was going to put myself on some yarn restrictions starting today, but then yesterday I found out that my favorite yarn store in Tampa is going out of business.  I am devastated.  They are tearing down the strip mall where it is located and the lovely Caroline who owns it does not want to move to another location, she has already done that once.  So there is a yarn sale going on now to get rid of her inventory.  Little Buddy and I drove over today to get some yarn to make presents for his therapists for Christmas.  I restrained myself but still bought some,  and now frankly I am wishing I had bought some more.  She will be open until the end of July and then it will be gone forever.  I am sure I will be back before then, and then I will start my yarn restrictions.

  
Last weekend I made my husband go out and buy a new mattress.  I am turning fifty and I do not want to wake up with my back hurting anymore.  Our mattress was embarrassingly old, I mean really, really old.  It was high time to get that taken care of, our new one got delivered on Tuesday and I am already loving it.  Who knew that a mattress was supposed to support your back?   

I am not one to whine about my birthday or turning older.  When I was 35 I fought cancer and won, so to me every birthday is a special gift.  Every year I can be here and experience this life is a blessing.  A few years ago I lost two friends in their 40's to cancer, and this year alone has been rough with all the deaths we have had to those so close to us.  The next fifty years I want to be in shape and engaged in my life.  I want to be grateful and feel blessed by the wonderful life I have been given.  That is how I want to feel about turning 50.

Have a great weekend..

67 comments:

pam said...

Happy Birthday! I hopped over from your sister's blog. I hope you have a great day!!
Little Buddy is a cutie! Congratulations on the adoption. You are lucky to have each other! pam in illinois

Annaboo's House said...

Oh, Happy BIRTHDAY to you!
May I just say, you look amazing, but I totally understand your wanting to get fitter. I spend a lot of time sat down working and I also worry about all the aches and pains I get from inactivity.
Thank goodness we have a little dog- I love to take her for walks and that gets me out in the fresh air!

Have a wonderful week,
Sarah x

Mylittlepieceofengland said...

Happy Birthday, have a wonderful day and another wonderful 50 years xx

Anonymous said...

Ahh! :) Happy, Happy Birthday Mere! Wishing you the best!

Between Me and You said...

Happy Birthday Pretty Woman. 50? You don't look a day over 35!and the really great thing about being 50 is, it's not 60!!Hope you've had a wonderful day and here's to many,many,many more birthdays to come. xxx

linda said...

Happy Birthday Meredith and here's to many more happy healthy years, drinking a toast to you my dear! We all have the age spots and the wrinkles it's a part of getting older but I have to say you do not look your age at all. You are right to look after yourself Meredith exercise is so important, I spent nearly all winter doing none at all but joined the gym a couple of months back and feel so much better for it. I didn't know that you had fought cancer when you were younger, I'm so glad you won your battle! I'm also glad you got your new mattress a comfortable nights sleep is a must. I know you are wanting to stash-bust but at the same time it's only sensible to grasp every opportunity to acquire yarn at bargain prices, take advantage of the sale and get right back there tomorrow before it's all gone! Enjoy your birthday celebrations. xxxxx

jane in tx said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to a truly beautiful
woman and THE best Mother. Hope you have a great day. And go get some more yarn---sales are to be taken
advantage of. Besides, you don't
really have a whole lot.
jane-in-tx

Anonymous said...

You mention your wrinkles, but you know what I saw when we met ---- a beautiful woman with the most beautiful smile and warm personality. I truly never saw any wrinkles --- still don't.

Fifty is a great age ---- you aren't REALLY old, but not so young that you don't know who you are. I love being in my fifties (even if I only have a little more than one year until I'm going to be a rockin' 60!!!)

Enjoy your birthday --- have fun, have cake ----and then tomorrow go for a good long walk.

I hear about Knit 'n Knibble. I hate that they are closing. But, when I get over that way, we will definitely find a new place to meet up. We don't need no yarn!!!!! Right????

kristieinbc said...

Happy Birthday Meredith! You are so wise to "take stock" and make choices now that will help you sail through the next fifty years. I have done a similar thing myself. I am not always successful, but that's okay too because one of the things I am trying to do is not be so hard on myself.

And my advice would be to not beat yourself up too much about your yarn stash. I've been giving this some thought lately, and I've come to the conclusion that as a woman, wife, mom and grandmother I spend a huge part of my time thinking about others, worrying about others and doing things for others. Knitting is one of the few pursuits I have that is for me. I'm guessing that might also be the case in your life.

Amy at love made my home said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEREDITH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope that you have a wonderful day, and 50 more great years ahead!!!!!

Your yarn is nowhere near as much as I would have thought from what you said, but it is all relative and if it feels like a lot to you, it is a lot. I have to say your stash would be an awful lot for me. Don't spend too much time worrying about it though, that won't reduce it at all, much better to get on with the get walking and exercising plan.

I hope that you are being treated and pampered today because you deserve it, and if you aren't, then make sure that you pamper yourself a little my friend!!

Happy Birthday again - just for luck! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (hopefully there are 50 there!) and one to grow on x!

CJ said...

You are absolutely gorgeous Meredith, and I'm glad you're feeling positive and making good choices about looking after yourself. I need to do this too I think. Wishing you a very happy birthday, CJ xxxxx

Una said...

You already look amazing for 50! But I know what you mean about wanting to feel fit as well. I'm enjoying my fifties. It's a whole new chapter.

A Whole Lotta Magic said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! You are the sweetest person I've ever known.

S
xo

Teresa Kasner said...

Wrinkles, schminkles! You are gorgeous no matter what! And you're doing really well for turning 50.. want to feel better? When I turned 50 I quit my executive director position, left home and moved onto a sailboat in the San Juan islands alone. LOL! Do NOT do what I did.

*H*A*P*P*Y* * *B*I*R*T*H*D*A*Y*!*!*!* to a VERY SPECIAL bloggy friend!! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Susan said...

Happy Birthday! You've only just begun.

elns said...

Happy Birthday Mere! You're gorgeous inside and out which is why you seem so graceful in all situations. Wishing you much health and happiness.

Karen said...

Happy Birthday, Meredith! I'm so glad you told us so that we can celebrate you!! This was the most inspiring post. I've been 'this side' of 50 for six years now, and I love the freedom it gives me, but I do need to work on taking better care of myself. I laughed at the photos of your yarn stash:) You could have worse habits. It reminds me of my fabric stashes from long ago. I still think about pieces of fabric that I passed on and wished I'd kept, just to look at. So don't give away a thing!

Sharron said...

Very best wishes to you on this special birthday Meredith xx

Anonymous said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEREDITH!!!I HOPE THAT YOU HAVE HAD A WONDERFUL DAY TODAY! THE GOOD NEWS IS WITH YOUR BEAUTIFUL, SWEET LITTLE BUDDY YOU ARE GOING TO STAY YOUNG ALOT LONGER!:)
DEBBI SAUNDERS
ORLANDO,FL.

Rose said...

Happy birthday, you look great! You will love your fifties!!

Crafty in the Med said...

Happy happy birthday Meredith!!! YOU DO NOT LOOK 50 and I have no reason to flatter!!! Just stating what my eyes see! I so agree with comments here Little Buddy will make you feel younger...the little ones teach us so much!!!

keep well

Amanda xx

Joy said...

Happy Birthday to you beautiful, you deserve to be treated like a queen (a really good queen!) today and always!
You are a fantastic looking fifty Meredith, I look at you and see a wonderful bright and loving spirit shining out - keep shining for at least another fifty years! And go buy more yarn before it's lost to you, the best always sells first, you know that ….
Warm birthday hugs, Joy xo

Bridget said...

Happy Birthday Meredith! I hope the coming year - and the next 50 - are full of only good things!

(If nothing else, you can always take comfort in knowing that you are a lot younger than I am ... )

Happy July 4th!

Verónica said...

Hi, I´m Verónica. I read in your sister´s blog about your birthday. ¡Happy Birthday!, from Argentina.

Pradeepa said...

Happy Birthday, Meredith! You look great! I can't believe you are 50. Wishing you another 50 or more years of wonderful life.

Pooch said...

You are celebrating your birthday with great practicality. Good for you!

Happy Birthday, Meredith!!!

:)

Karen51 said...

Happy birthday Meredith! I just had to tell you that my favorite sisters birthday is today too. Good people are born in July.

brsmaryland said...

Hi Meredith,
Happy birthday! Hope you've had a great day.
Your words are an inspiration...keep moving. So true. And Little Buddy will help keep you young ;-)
Enjoy!
hugs,
Beth

Mrs. C said...

Happy Birthday Meredith! I didn't know how to feel when I turned 50 last year( I'm now 51). I changed my haircut, I decided that I was going to start to do more for me ( my guys are old enough now that they can self sufficient , Mom doesn't always have to be the one to get lunch for you :) Like you said, my wrinkles are me... I was looking at my laugh lines around my mouth the other week and thought, " Wow, I need to do something there..." but then I thought about it, they're called laugh lines for a reason, I have them from smiling, laughing, grinning... I wouldn't change that for the world! We are as old as we feel... :)

mamasmercantile said...

Happy birthday, you are looking good and Little Buddy will help to keep you young. Congratulations on his adoption, a very special time for you all.

Toni said...

Happy birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You look great!

Melanie said...

Coming over from your wonderful sister's blog to wish you a very happy birthday! I turned the big five-oh two years ago and it was a very hard milestone birthday for me. Even though I'm healthy, it just really hit me that I was truly middle-aged. I keep hearing and reading from different women that their 50's were the best time of their life and I'm still waiting to feel that, lol. I agree with you that exercise is important and yes, you need to make time for YOU. You can't effectively take care of anyone else until you take care of yourself first and foremost. Hugs and blessings to you...

Babajeza said...

Happy, happy birthday. :-)

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday! I hope you had a wonderful day! You have acheived so much in the first 50 years! Just think what you can acheive in the next 50 years! Plus what a wonderful birthday present! Little Buddy! Hugs, Teresa

Ladybird Diaries said...

Wishing you a very happy birthday. Here's to many more happy and healthy years.
Marianne x

Jo said...

I have loved every word of your post today Meredith. You are seriously taking stock and although people will say you look great and my oh my you do, you are definitely right to think about your future. My dad is fighting cancer at the moment and he is just beginning to see that the rest of his life might have to change a little. He is a nine lives sort of guy but it makes sense to change your odds as much as possible by making good choices. Finally, Happy Birthday you lovely lady! Jo xx

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday dear Meredith. May your every day,week,month and year be filled with happiness and love x

serendipity said...

Wishing you a very Happy Birthday and a long and healthy life! xx

Little Welsh House said...

So sorry I didn't manage to stop by yesterday in time to say happy birthday on the day, Meredith! I hope you had a fantastic day filled with love and laughter. Looking back through your blog it seems like it's been a tough few months, and I am so delighted that you have had some reasons to celebrate lately too. I'm delighted that your youngest managed to have a fab third birthday, and so, so pleased that the adoption process has gone through :)

Birthday hugs,

H xxx

gaia said...

Happy Birthday! I wish you a long and healty life with your loved ones...
Hugs,
Gaia.

kathy b said...

Meredith

So lovely to read your thoughts on turning 50.
I too have sun damage. I was surprised the dermatologist did not comment at my first :mole patrol check up

I didn't know you are a cancer survivor. WOW.

Hooray for the new mattress!

Your yarn stash is impressive. I understand. It is hard to turn down those lovely skeins.

Happy Birthday brave, dear friend

Elisabeth said...

Happy Birthday Meredith! congratulations, celebrate every moment, life is beautiful especially with such an adorable little boy filling your days. Congratulations on getting through the adoption process too <3
By the way, your yarn stash is wonderful! Mine is hidden all over the house too, in places my husband never looks to keep some of it secret :)
Have a great 4th of July weekend!xx

andamento said...

A Belated Happy Birthday to you!

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

Happy 50th Meredith! Good for you to want to get back in shape. And your little man there is adorable! You both look so cute in that first picture, too.

Becky

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday!! Fifty is a wonderful age!! It is a perfect time to start another phase in life. Fifty allows you to say..."I have to take care of myself....physical and mentally." With all of your responsibilities you must take care of yourself! When you came into the store I would have never guessed that you were 49! All I saw was beauty and kindness. As I turned 56 this year I thought of Katherine Hephburn who was more beautiful as she grew older and gained more life's experiences. Happy Birthday to a special lady.

Anonymous said...

A big happy birthday Meredith! You look beautiful and a decade younger. I hope you have a wonderful weekend and many adventures during your next phase in life xx

Linda @ A La Carte said...

BIG Birthday's are eye openers and good for you realizing you have to take care of yourself! oh buy some more yarn...I'm such an enabler!
Happy Birthday and many hugs,

Linda

Kris said...

Oh Meredith, sweet lady, dear friend of mine.......Happy belatedb50th, as I am reading this a day late!! You look fabulous! Nifty is grand, in fact, I am nowb54 and feeling groovy! However, I do need to get some more exercise myself!! You and LB ar edarling together!!! Hooray for the new mattress! Boo hiss for your favorite yarn shop closing!!!!!
Happy 4th Mere!!!!
XO Kris

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

Happy B-lated birthday to you sweet friend. You are a beautiful person, inside and out...your loving spirit always shines through in all you do. I hope your next 50 are filled with good health and much joy and love. Blessings to you always sweet friend. :)

Jay said...

Happy Birthday to you, a day late! I hope it was a great one and maybe you're still celebrating?
You're echoing so many of my thoughts lately in your post, I'm a month off 49 and do very little exercise these days, I work and run around after the kids but do nothing for me - and I'm starting to get aches and pains - I need to sort myself out! I like the idea of you going off for a walk and handing over the reins to your husband, I need to take a leaf out of your book!

Linda said...

Happy Birthday, this is a beautiful and honest post and I applaud you for that. I love your yarn stash by the way, it is happiness.
I need a new mattress too, I think you may have spurred me on to get that sorted.

take care xx

Stins said...

Happy Birthday dear Meredith!!
You look so good and natural, please stay that way!
Love from Mirjam.

busybusybeejay said...

you look great.I showed my OH the photos from the adoption and we couldn't believe you had children the age they are.You look amazing but thank you for your encouraging words about wrinkles.Mine are very bad but as you say show a life lived.Enjoy your birthday.

Sweet Posy Dreams said...

Happy birthday! Walking every day made a big difference for me in my fitness. Best wishes to you for a healthy and happy future.

cockney blonde said...

Happy Birthday and you look amazing. Hope you've had a good day, x

Gracie Saylor said...

Belated but heartfelt Happy Birthday and Happy Every Day wishes for you, Meredith!! I am cheering you on to fulfill your calling and I am celebrating your industrious, committed, thoughtful, beautiful, generous, creative self this very second :) May you and yours continue to be blessed! xx

Judy S. said...

Great post! Happy, Happy Birthday and lots more, too. Sounds like you have lots of reasons to celebrate. Best wishes today and always!

Deb said...

Happy Birthday Wishes Meredith xo
love the photo of you and your sweet boy ♥
Have a wonderful weekend!

RURAL said...

Oh Meredith, many many congrats on turning the ripe, lol old age of 50. Sweetie you look amazing, what wrinkles, and anyways who cares about them. Youth is lovely, but age is earned, and full of wisdom that youth cannot learn until it's put the time.

I'm so glad that you are taking good care of yourself, if you don't who else is going to do that for you?

You look spectacular! Happy B day.

Hugs to all.

Jen

Bonnie Schulte said...

Go for it! you only live once, buy the "dang" yarn and do what you do best,and enjoy.Happy Birthday! Live every day to the fullest!!!!! We all know life is sweet, short, so do everything that makes you happy!!

Rose Red said...

Happy happy birthday! I hope you had a lovely day with your boys!

I know what you mean about exercising and keeping fit - it is something I have been thinking about a lot too, for the same reasons as you. The time has come when it is more important than ever to get my fitness levels up.

But do buy some yarn from your LYS before it closes!

Clare said...

Happy Birthday, such a lovely positive post, live life to the full and enjoy the next 50 years
Clare x

Suzan said...

A wonderfully Happy Birthday to your Meredith!! Isn't it something how your life has changed since this time last year!! I know you are having a wonderful long weekend!!

Maureen said...

Happy belated Birthday! You look great! I thought you were in your thirties!

moonstruckcreations said...

Happy Birthday, many happy returns!

Helenxx

Mrs. Micawber said...

Mere, you are beautiful just the way you are. Happy Birthday and may the next 50 years be even better ones!

yarn and pencil said...

Hello lovely Meredith and a belated happy birthday to you :-) Good for you for claiming your fitness time...you couldn't give yourself a better gift than that.
Tracey xxx