4T,. I mean.... FORTY. Yeah.....40! YAY 40!

I"m 40. How the heck can it be? I never pictured myself making it to 18 let alone FORTY. I'm not going to be at goal weight, I don't have the perfect haircut, I don't yet have the job / career I desire. What do I have?

- The husband I dreamed of and whom I started dating when I was 16 (yes, he has his faults -- but I would not trade him for the world).
- A successful career in management that will translate well to the classroom when I someday get a teaching job (at least the same skills applied when student teaching!).
- A Bachelor of Science in Public Relations AND a teaching certification in a double major of English and Speech Communications (I have more college credit hours than any member of my family... wow, seems like I should be smarter....)
- 2 of the most wonderful kids in the world (I am blessed)
- Good friends.
- Great stories.
- An old house (early 1900s) that needs a lot more work.
- I have survived the loss of my mother (don't join this club if you can avoid it!).
- I have survived: a mini stroke, 2 blood clots, minor heart surgery, and a terrible car accident that left me in chronic pain.
- I have survived migraines (thank goodness my frequency is low now -- just every month of so).
- I have survived working with family (glad I have, I respect my older brother and my father so much more now!)
- I have survived my own depression and that of my husband.
- I have survived my husband's unemployment and the failure of his business with his father -- it's the economy stupid :-).
- I have loved.
- I have been loved.
- I have white water rafted.
- I have climbed sand dunes! (remember my bunny trail)
- I have embarrassed myslef and my family (sorry again1)
- I have danced on the bar in a South Side Chicago bar (clothes on thankyouverymuch!!!!)
- I have met some famous people and gotten autographs (most are nicer than I thought...)
- I have been responsible for 83 million dollars in sales (yeah, little old me).
- I have attended my children's halloween parades yearly at their school.
- I have rescued a greyhound.
- I have tamed a pug (okay, somewhat!).
- I have reconciled with my sister.
- I have reconciled with my mother inlaw (also known as Satan depending on how evil she is behaving)
- I have been married 15 years.
- I have held my mother as she passed away and found my faith deepen.
- I have found wonder in the simple and small.
- I have improved my handwriting (a little!).
- I have fallen on my face and gotten back up.
- I have been suicidal and gotten past it. (middle school sucked).
- I have convinced people to get counseling and been thanked for it.
- I have diagnosed illness because I read too much. I have gotten people to get treatment and find healing.
- I have eaten and drank too much.
- I have learned to have patience and to enjoy the now.
- I have been sunburned too many times to mention.
- I have learned to appreciate and LOVE sunsets.
- I have learned to adapt to memory loss and to make memories anyway ("promise you will remind me of this story" has become a favorite saying).
- I have blogged and taken photos to capture the JOY of NOW.
- I have encouraged students, believed in them, and watched them FLOURISH!
- I have learned to cook a decent meal.
- I have learned that faith is a gift.
- I have fallen in love with hope.
- I have learned to force myself to be an optimist.
- I have learned what it is to lose financial security and SURVIVE! YAY!
- I have learned to cross stitch and latch hook (want to learn to knit and crochet).
- I have worn a patch over an eye for the better part of 2 years and survived.
- I have done a cartwheel on a balance beam.
- I have climbed a waterfall in Jamaca.
- I have had hot flashes before 40.
- I have taken a cruise.
- I have seen Mayan ruines
- I have been to the Grand Old Opry.
- I have been to the Grand Canyon.
- I have won money in Las Vegas.
- I have been lost and found my way.
- I have planted and harvested.
- I have learned that the best place in the world to be is my own front porch.

I have learned, survived, accomplished and experienced. I LOVE FORTY. I am here and I am excited about squeezing more out of this life... Most of all, I'm just glad to still be here. YAY 40!