It's my birthday today.* I'm older than yesterday. All my friends are coming over to play and they'll all sing happy birthday.
And then give me 40 freakin' claps with one clap for 'good luck with that'.
Yep, the big 40-0MG.
I've been growing up for 40 years and I still don't feel like a grown-up. I am beginning to suspect that there is no such thing. Mind you, was it my mother who said "It's only your generation that thinks 40 is still young" (yep, that sounds like Mum). She has a point... only a generation ago you were basically given permission to let it all hang out past forty. No need to maintain an illusion of youthful trendiness because basically you're older and wiser and you know comfort should really be the priority. Wouldn't that be nice? Slippers. Terry toweling dresses. Pottering. Bedtime at 8pm.
Yikes. That all sounds so tempting I'm scaring myself a little bit. And I will spare a thought today for my dear Mum who must seriously be feeling every one of my 40 years right about now. If it's freakish being a 40 year old, imagine being the mother of a 40 year old. That's a right mutha, that is.
So, this week I'm grateful for...
160. Birthdays - I like to make a whole year out of my birthday.
161. Parties - oh, how I love to plan and play at a party. To make up for the fact that I didn't have a 21st or a 30th, I'm having a BIG party at home in November instead of August. Weather and all...
162. Balloons - they're not seen as cool enough to decorate many parties these days, but a balloon still makes a gal feel very happy on my birthday.
So, what's making you smile today? Add your Grateful post to the list below (and please, we love you, but it really does matter that your post is one about being grateful, not just a random), add the button (grab the code from my sidebar and paste it into your post) and pretty-please add a link back to me. Then pop over to visit other bloggers who are spreading a little sunshine.
* Well, technically tomorrow - 6 Augie.
[Image from here]