Countdown to 40 and Fabulous - 1

May 16th - 1 day to 40

It's not the years in your life that count, but the life in your years.

Ain't that the truth? No doubt that i have lived life. I have had the good fortune to have traveled to some wonderful places, both inside and outside the United States. I have been fortunate to have gotten a good, no great education, from childhood into adulthood. In fact, the learning never ends. I've loved and lost and loved again, finding my life partner. I've had lots and lots (and lots) of fun. There are many witness especially in Syracuse and Albany.

In the past 9 days, I've talked about who I am, where I come from, and who I come from. I've discussed the events that have shaped the 4 decades I have lived through and what I am doing or not doing on my birthday. For the final day of the countdown, I thought I'd look at little bit at where I am going.

To be honest, I don't know. I have goals. I have expectations of myself. But it's not like when I was 25 or 30 where I was in graduate school with a clear finish line. I hope to move forward in my career in higher education, but that comes with years of experience. I've been in my profession almost 10 years so I am well on my way. I certainly hope to have another child and adoption is not out of the question. But that's a longer term goal. I look forward to continuing to build on my marriage and my parenting skills. And I want to still be a good friend, colleague, cousin, niece, daughter, sister, wife and mother. (I want to be an auntie but my brother is not cooperating!) So even though I don't know exactly what's around the corner, who does? I'll take it one day and time and embrace what comes and handle what doesn't.

Then there are the obligatory goals like  losing weight, saving more money and finishing this dam dissertation, being a better housekeeper (hahaha), reading more, creating more, gardening more. I'm not really interested in cooking more, however. Not my thing! Thank God for Ron. He'll make a grilled cheese sandwich gourmet just for the hell of it.

Yes people, shotgun wedding. Just in the nick of time too. Ethan was born 4 days later.

So I look forward to the wisdom and continued experiences that 40 (and beyond) will bring. I have been thinking about why I am so open to what 40 will bring. I hated turning 30. It was not a great time for me. And that of course is the key. I am going into 40 with a good job, great friends and a wonderful family and network of people who love me and accept me for  who I am. If you have been and/or still are part of that network, THANK YOU. I would not be who I am without support. I want to pay that forward and ensure that I am always there for my family and friends, even though their support is unconditional.

So 40 and fabulous, here I come. I hope you are ready for me.

Don't you love these old fashioned photo booth photos!?! So fun.