I know I’m turning 40 because:

Turning XL

I know I’m turning 40 because:

  1. My bedtime is now around 9:30 – 10:00. That used to be the time I left the house to go out.
  2. I can wake up at 6am. Without help. Sometimes.
  3. I no longer could work a graveyard shift, stay up all day, and function.
  4. I take naps with increasing frequency. Didn’t use to do that. Nope.
  5. A few lines are starting to appear on my face. Yikes!
  6. Dying my hair is no longer a personal choice.
  7. I start my day off with a morning coffee. (Actually, I thought mornings were a figment of people’s imagination.)
  8. I get hangovers if I have 3 drinks or more. (Okay, that’s a good one, because it’s an incentive to stop after two.)
  9. When I look at my naked self, I notice things starting to hang that didn’t before
  10. I consider leg hair to be an extra layer of warmth in the winter

But on the more serious side of things, I feel pretty satisfied with what I’ve accomplished so far. Although I was a late starter, I can turn 40 and honestly feel contented. I say late starter because most of the things I’ve done in the last ten years are things people usually do before they turn 30. I guess it’s never too late. For example, in the last ten years I:

  • Moved to another part of the country
  • Finally got my post-secondary education
  • Followed my dream of becoming a classroom teacher
  • Found and married my soul mate

Actually, except for the moving bit, everything else was within the last few years.

I thought of waiting until my birthday in August to post this, but I decided to do it now. Why? So that all of this thinking and worrying could be done and over with by the time my birthday rolls around. Then I can sit on the beach at Sauble, wear my swimsuit, and not give a rat’s a$$ what anyone thinks. This is who I am, and I’m proud!

9 Comments

  1. Rachel Westfall said,

    February 21, 2009 at 2:27 pm

    Haha! I can relate to most of this, and could since I turned 30… 40’s a couple of years off yet, but I can see there’s more of the same to look forward to. :)

  2. Murray said,

    February 21, 2009 at 3:07 pm

    40 is when people should finally get their stuff together – put aside what other people care about and want you to do, and focus on what YOU care about and want you to do. A few months before I tuned 40 (19 years ago), I moved from the Vancouver rat-race to Whitehorse, and this section of my life has been far more rewarding than anything I ever thought possible.

  3. Baino said,

    February 21, 2009 at 3:11 pm

    40 was wonderful. 50 on the other hand, I’m still dealing with!

  4. Jennifer M said,

    February 21, 2009 at 4:02 pm

    Excellent! I too am turning 40 this year (in June actually!)…the week that I turn 40 I should graduate with an M.Ed. That is my big accomplishment in my 30’s. I have told my friends to look out – ’cause I am excited about being 40 (I may have a problem with 41, mind you). But I can’t wait for the next year to start. I think I finally know what I want and I am happy! Congratulations to you for posting this early – putting the the worries behind you and just enjoying your trip!

  5. Kara said,

    February 21, 2009 at 4:09 pm

    ahahahh maybe just deal with #10 before you hit the beach!!!

  6. Carole said,

    February 21, 2009 at 10:33 pm

    If things are anything like my 50+ friend Rita says, then it’s supposed to only get better from here. So don’t fret Rachel. As for #10, Kara, I should sign up for the Rendez-vous contest; I’d probably win.
    For those non-Yukoners out there, Rendez-vous consists of, among other things, a leg hair growing contest for women (and a beard grown contest for men). It’s actually a celebration of the Gold Rush era, and people dress up as in 1898, and there are all kinds of activities around town: sled dog races; snow carving; flour (or wife) packing; Sourdough Sams; Rendezvous Queens; air show display; and the list goes on. It’s a fun-filled week.

  7. Carole said,

    February 22, 2009 at 7:26 am

    Jennifer, congratulations on turning 40 (and on your MEd)!

  8. Lynne said,

    February 28, 2009 at 6:56 am

    ROFLMHO!!! (Rolling of floor laughing my head off)…That was just too funny! **saying this while still giggling with a tear in my eye**….not sure if I’m crying because I’m laughing or crying because that list has more truth in it than I’d like…lol Whatever the case, Sis, I can assure you that turning 40 is something to greatly celebrate!…I, like you, have never been more content…not for the same reasons as you..lol..but …

    Just enjoy the ride…it only gets better….really, it does…..and what wrinkles? I thought those were your beautiful laugh lines….you know, the ones that sit on your beautiful face…..Luv ya XO

  9. » Over the hill? Yukon Chatter Bug said,

    January 2, 2010 at 12:11 pm

    [...] my hunny a quick NYE kiss, and was konked out before the end of Auld Lang Syne. A sign of hitting my 40th this past [...]

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