Have you ever had a birthday that you wish you never had? I just turned 45 in February and I wish I hadn't. Don't get me wrong. Had a great day, got presents, cupcakes, flowers and such but the overall calendar date...no. Turning 35 was rough for me, too. Why you ask? I'll tell you and yes, you will be shocked at what you read. I normally don't post anything personal on my review blog.
I was wild as hell in my 20's. I partied, *gasp* slept around and overall had a good time. Trust me when I tell you this...when my parents are gone, I will write a series about my 20's. Not proud of it but at least I could finally talk about it without my parents having heart attacks. When I woke up on my 30th birthday, I breathed a sigh of relief. I made it, finally. I got out of bed, looked in the mirror and didn't like what I saw. I took steps to live healthier, stopped the partying/sleeping around and who knew that I would meet my future in a couple of years?
Okay, every thing's going great for me at this point. Have a boyfriend, great job, lots of friends and then wham!!!! Turned 35. Have you ever heard the expression that your body has turned? Well mine did. I stopped losing weight, my body rejected my BC pills and my migraines were coming back. Holy heck! Ack! Not good. I went to my doctor and he told me that I was correct, my body was turning and it would continue to turn on me. Nice, doc! Just what I needed to hear. Fast forward to my recent birthday...
Here's the rundown...I'm pre-menopausal, anemic and I'm a Type 2 diabetic. Nice, huh? Want to hear something funny? I'm back on BC pills for the "change". My hubs and I just laugh at that because honestly, we never used any type of birth control at all. I giggled at the doctor when he gave them to me and ask the question, "Do you honestly think I need these to prevent something?" This is what he said to me..."Yes, an emotional breakdown." Good thing I like my doctor and we get along or I would have gone postal at that point.
The one thing about finding out my health issues is that I can deal with them and honestly it explains alot of what's being going on with me the last few years. For that, I'm grateful that I turned 45. Of course, I DO NOT want to turn 55 anytime soon. I'm already in bifocals, by then I might need the dog. UGH!!!! Plus I'm sure AARP will be busting down my door.
Since this is a blog hop, I'm giving away something....I have a copy of Lily Harlem and Natalie Dae's new book from Total E Bound "That Filthy Book" up for grabs. Just leave a comment about either your best or worst birthday and Saturday morning thru the magic of random.org, I'll pick a winner. Don't forget to check out the other stops along the way. Below is the linkage. There is a two grand prizes of a Kindle Touch and a $60 GC to either Amazon or Barnes & Noble. All of the comments left on my blog will get thrown into a hat for the two grand prizes. Good luck. The more blogs you go to, the better your chances.
Link for Birthday Blog Hop
My worst birthday was when no one remembered and I spent it alone. A phone call would have made my day :(
ReplyDeletesumopalk (at) gmail (dot) com
I guess I haven't had a lot of memorable birthdays, though of course I've had my share at this point. Possibly the best one recently was several years ago I went to a conference in NYC and my family and I got center orchestra seats to Wicked. That blew me away--that and the diamond and sapphire ring my hubby gave me to wear that night. :) The worst one may have been the last one that didn't get celebrated at all since I had a production open that night. You win some, you lose some. LOL The next one's coming up in just a week or so, so we'll see what happens this time!
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
Mine was my last birthday in February.....I turned 60 and I am not happy about it. 60 was my grandmother's age, 60 was my mother's age....not mine. I still am 29 in my mind but my body says other things....so what's next? No more birthdays!!! LOL
ReplyDeleteGood or bad birthdays? Hmm... how about getting grounded on 16th my birthday so I couldn't go out with my friends? I never overly liked that day anyway, but getting yelled at and grounded helped to make it one of my least favorite ones.
ReplyDeleteThat or the first year that no one, not even my mother wished be a happy day.
Grounded or forgotten, not sure which was worse.
And just think, the alternative to to getting older, is not good! We would all miss you.
Happy belated b-day!
I had a KILLER 40th---semi surprise party at my fav restaurant, karaoke party (which I love, sue me), but this year sucked. I turned 45 as well Marika. And the year so far has been one long downer marked by a few up ticked (read: publication). best to you my dear, you are a dear friend!
ReplyDeleteliz
Lol...my 30th birthday was a bit of a wake up call to me that I was no longer "young" and I really thought that my 45th would be a big deal...of course now I'm' dreading turning 50 but like others have said...my body may be one age but my mind is definitely still in it's 20's ....and go figure....hot men are still hot....lol
ReplyDeleteI'm 59 and loving it. So far, no need for the 'dog' nor has AARP beat my door down. LOL.
ReplyDeleteHaving lost my 36-year-old son-in-law to cancer this year, I had to think long and hard about those birthdays and what they mean...LIFE.
Some days I feel better than others, I have certain health issues as well, but I'm alive and basically healthy. I'm looking forward to my next...the big 6-0.
And you are so right in that sometimes just the knowing of our health issues is a huge tool in dealing with them.
Hang in there. Fifty-five and on can be the best time of your life.
Marika--I always wonder how a young kid like me can be getting so much older. I still feel the same inside as I always have. Aging sucks, but there's no way around it. I've decided to simply be the best I can be at any age.
ReplyDeleteBig cyber hugs to you!
Best~ Adele
Hey~
ReplyDeleteI hope you feel better soon. I can relate to a body turn...ugh.
I turn 39 this year and can empathize with you completely! Things that I used to take for granted about my body, no longer work the way they used to and now take more work than ever. I have a son that will be 20 this year and I've threatened him, with everything but death, to not make me a *gasp* Grandma anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your health issues and thanks for the giveaway chance!
Alyssa
I'm 48 and I like my age. Okay it helps that people think that my grandkids are my kids and when one of my sons goes some place with me they think he's my husband! Great for me, but my kids hate it!!! lol
ReplyDeleteproudarmymom32(at)yahoo(dot)com
Marika, Happy BD! You young whippersnappers don't know what old is. Like Adele, I still feel 30 inside. I don't have any really memorable BD. I remember my 30th because 30 turned out to be the best age ever. If I go to heaven, I want to be 30 again, want my hair in a long shag,and wearing bell-bottom hip-hugger jeans, a tiny top, braless, and also wearing platform sandals. Ah, those were the days. The night before my 30th, I sat in my living room nursing a drink and feeling sorry that I was leaving my 20's. My boyfriend, who is now my hubby, was working, so I was alone. Ended up loving my 30's. And like you, there are things from my 20's I won't share with anyone. The next best BD was 50. I felt good, and I was proud that I'd made it that far. Old age is awful until you consider the alternative.
ReplyDeleteI'll be 65 this month. That sounds so old but I don't feel old. I certainly don't feel as old as I thought my grandmother was when she was 65. I'll admit, 35 knocked me for a loop. I was no longer a "young adult." I was an adult. Period. And I was approaching middle age. Now any day above ground is a blessing, even if it comes with new aches and pains and fat cells that have taken up permanent residence. Here's the thing that bothers me about my birthday this year. 65 is a milestone birthday. I was expecting my kids to have a party or something. Nope. They're all parents of young kids who have their own commitments and they can't come here. I nursed the hurt feelings over that for about an hour, then remembered all the times I probably hurt my own mother by not doing what she expected me to do. I am going to the symphony on my birthday because I can and want to. Life is to short for regrets.
ReplyDeleteI'll be 48 this Aug. and I'll add my worst birthday memory to yours. I was 8 months pregnant with Baby #3,Aug 88, a young Navy wife and a few of my friends threw me a surprise birthday party, I had a good time but I just had been feeling off, and I think that's why they threw me the party. We were going to be moving again, back to the West Coast(home) from the East Coast. What I found out later made me think they threw me the party because they knew something I didn't and felt bad for me. I found a letter shoved to the back of the drawer in my desk adressed to my husband from his stripper girlfriend, dated a month before I had our 3rd baby. See the connection, it was dated around the time of my surprise birthday party. Since it was adressed to him on the boat, he must have accidently brought it home and stuffed it into the drawer and forgot to get it later.
ReplyDeleteYeah, we divorced and he couldn't understand why. But Happy Birthday Carrie Ann, enjoy tomorrow.
Z
Wow what a bday! My worst was my 17th. I had a wreck and totalled my car.
ReplyDeleteThanks for participating in the hop!
Happy Birthday Carrie Ann!
slinkydennis@yahoo.com
Oooh I know first hand how our bodies change on us--seems like over night.
ReplyDeleteI'm right behind ya, lady. I'm 44 and in the beginning stages of menopause--even been getting hot flashes for about 4 years. My eyes aren't what they use to. My bloody headaches are back, and some days when I get up I feel like road kill.
Nice, huh?
Happy bloody birthday, lol!
LOL...Sorry to hear of the hump...I'm approaching that as wll. My best birthday was 30! Thanks so much for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteviajeradelmar@aol.com
worst b-day is 2 yrs ago..I found out I have lupus.. but I try to make every one count
ReplyDeletediannaandpaul@yahoo.com
Yep, getting old sucks the big one. But I know why God let's our eyesight be the first to go. So we can't see all the wrinkles.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite birthday was when I turned 21- then i could drive, vote, and drink and it was all legal. yeah That's when I got my first car too.
ReplyDeleteJWIsley (at)aol (dot)com
I haven't had one yet, but this year will be my 45. I'm trying to convince myself that it's just a number.
ReplyDeletesqwalker2@hotmail.com
My worst birthday was my 15th because my uncle died. It was hard to be at the funeral home and see how sad everyone was.
ReplyDeletesstrode at scrtc dot com
Happy Birthday. I don't really have a worst or best birthday story to share with you. I never make a big deal about my birthday. Thanks for the giveaway. Tore923@aol.com
ReplyDeleteMy worst birthday was my 25th...well technically the birthday was great. My parents threw me a big surprise party where they acted as always...like everything was fine. This was the only party I really remember every having. But then 2 days later my dad went and ruined it by leaving my mom and going back to his ex-wife who he originally left for cheating on him. They are now remarried! Yeah it sucked!
ReplyDeletemmafsmith at gmail dot com
Happy Birthday to Carrie! And thank you so much for participating in this hop and for the great giveaway chance :D
ReplyDeleteMy best birthday was my 19th. Back then, in Iowa, 19 was the legal drinking age, so my mom and I went out and she bought me my first drink. The rest of the night became a blur as everyone else in the bar supplied my drinks, lol. She'd left at some point and my best friend poured me into her car and took me home. 'Twas a fun night from what I can remember though! :D
GFC follower robertsongena
Gena Robertson
robertsongena@hotmail.com
Well in Sept I will be turning 50, yeas I said 50. I really don't mind, because I don't feel 50(well most of the time). I don't know what age I feel. It changes on a daily bases. lol Thanks for the giveaway and doing the hop.
ReplyDeleteMy 16 birthday was my worst birthday. My parents threw me a surprise party and invited a bunch of my family. My uncle from my dads side slept with my aunt from my moms side. Oh, and my uncle was married (and his wife was there, she ended up leaving him at our house). Everyone got drunk and there was fighting. People were asked to leave. Half the family that was there, are racist, and i have a black aunt and she has a baby. So there was tension there. Those people didnt stay very long. Then my grandma was fighting with my grandpa (there exs) and his new wife hates my grandma. There were barbs thrown back and forth. In truth, the party turned out hellish. It was a sweet thought, but wasnt fun. Us kids, my cousin and siblings, we ended up leaving and went walking. We played at the playground for awhile. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteshadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com
Turning 42 last year was rough. Don't know why. But it was. It's weird turning 40 I didn't mind. I think it just all hit me at once...that year how old I actually was now. Even though I don't feel it mind you...lol will be 43 this year..
ReplyDeleteand glad to be alive.
Nichelle
ebonysbbwnikki@yahoo.com
Thanks for being part of Carrie Anne's birthday celebration hop.
ReplyDeleteMy best birthday was spent at the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina during a fall festival. The changing colors on the leaves were gorgeous and the weather was perfect. Unfortunately not every autumn is the same so the peak colors don't always fall at my birthday.
bas1chsemail at gmail dot com
I turned 62 in February, and I don't regret a single one of those years. My twenties were a blast-like you I was 'wild child' but then it was the '70's and things were much more relaxed back then. I don't think I actually settled down until I hit 35, with two failed marriages and four kids to raise as a single mom. My best birthday? The year I turned 50, with a brand new career (I'm still there) and a new sense of independence. Do I wish I had someone to share it with? Sometimes I get lonely, but then I pick up the cat and cuddle for a while and realize I am doing just fine. My kids are grown, on their own for the most part, and I get to enjoy my favorite activities (reading, writing and creating jewelry) without being told I'm wasting my life. What more can a person want, just being content where I am works for me.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, aging can't be avoided. That being said, we don't have to like it. :) Glad you had a nice birthday!
ReplyDeleteOf course, I've decided to remain 31 a few more years before moving on :D
favorite birthday was my 30th when I did a tandem parachute jump with my hubby.
ReplyDeleteCathy m
caity_mack at yahoo dot com
Well, happy belated birthday, Halie! I turn 45 in a couple of weeks! My best birthday was 40...I knew where I was coming from, I (finally) knew who I was and I knew where I wanted to go! In the past 4 months, I've lost 30lbs and dropped my cholesterol by 73 points! Happy early birthday to me:)
ReplyDeletebooks4me67 at ymail dot com
A birthday is just another day. The last birthday I celebrated was probably my 21st and we went to the club and that was it. Sad thing is after 28 years of marriage my husband finally remembers which day is my birthday and which is our anniversary! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletesuz2(at)cox(dot)net
If I may be honest, I hate my birthdays. I would just like to skip them entirely. I don't care if I get older, just let people forget it's my birthday. That would be great! They are never enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteI have at least two birthdays that I can think of that I hated. One when I was in high school and one of my older sisters came over to the house to go out to lunch with the rest of the family. My mom mentioned that we were going to Denny's for the free birthday meals for me and my twin sister. Well, that sister got PO'd and said she wasn't going for no birthday meal and left. She got mad because she forgot that it was our birthday.
Another time, that same sister brought her youngest boy (he was probably 10 or 11 at the time) by to give my twin and I gifts and my nephew gave me one of his stuffed animals that looked like he threw it in a ditch first, which knowing him, he probably did. My sister just sat there with this stupid grin on her face. My twin got an old, dirty baseball related book from him.
Well, thank you for the giveaway!
Pam
vanillaorchids69(at)gmail(dot)com
When I was a kid, birthdays were more fun. Now we go out for birthdays and have a meal. Good luck with the hop.DebP
ReplyDeleter.d1@myfairpoiint.net
Does it help any if I tell you that I started falling apart at a much younger age, lol. When I was 20, I had my first blood clot. Since then I have just developed more problems. Now at 37, I have a bad back due to an accident, and my hormones have started going crazy (and I can't take any meds to help with them).
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway.
June
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com
A 'bad' birthday for me was my 21st. I was a new mom (my son was days away from 2 months old) and I could finally enter a bar! My parents, Hubby and I went out to eat, then Hubby and I went out for a couple hours. We ended up sitting at a bar in a casino.... looking at people. So freaking boring, then to top off the night I found out I have an allergy to anything alcholic... So not something you want to find out when you finally turn 21!
ReplyDeleteemilytardy AT yahoo DOT com
Birthdays have always been a big deal in our family. So, they were all rather wonderful. I don't mind growing older.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
I love birthdays! Another reason to celebrate how awesome someone is! My favorite was my 40th. I went shopping and had lunch with my mom for the whole day! Just me and mom! It was great!
ReplyDeleteMel
bournmelissa at hotmail dot com
All of my birthdays are happiest birthdays to me because i get to spend them with my family & friends!!
ReplyDeletesweety225(at)rocketmail(dot)com
I had a rough time my 30th birthday. Our storage shed had been broken into and our Christmas layaway stolen. I had to have surgery on my toe; and my ear began to have non-stop infections. So I jokingly say my body chose to start falling apart that year! On my cake I had the inscription "She may be 30, but DON'T call her Ma'am!' (I'd been 'ma'amed' by a teenager and was sooo not ready for that yet!
ReplyDeletestorimom2@aol.com
I love Carrie Ann and I'm glad to wish her a HAPPY, HAPPY Birthday. And how sweet that she and her friends are giving away things on her special day.
ReplyDeleteI laughed with sympathy as I read your post. I turned the BIG 5-0 recently...and am post-menopausal with high blood pressure and high cholesterol and I recently flunked the vision test when I had to renew my license. I have to wear my glasses to drive. UGH. Getting old is NOT for sissies.
catherinelee100 at gmail dot com
Thanks for sharing. Happy belated birthday. I understand how you feel. It's like one minute one thing works for your ailments and the next thing you know, your body is used to it and it needs to be changed again. Ugh. Frustrating. Stay healthy! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway and participating in the hop.
trb0917 at gmail dot com
My 30th birthday was my worst. When I was growing up I always associated 30 as old, so when I turned 30 I really did not handle it well. 40 was fine, 50 was fine, but when I turn 60 this year I don't know how I will take it.
ReplyDeleteseriousreader at live dot com
My best birthday was my forty-ninth. It was the last time I saw my father alive. The last thing he said to me was Happy Birthday. We lost him soon after that.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Harlie! I have to say that each birthday brings with it new challenges ;) The older you get, the less it is about the cool presents and the cake (although I still appreciate a good cake! ;)), and more about remembering how I'm still blessed :) And boy, I don't like how our bodies start to show their wear and tear--that is just another reminder that getting old isn't for the weak! Wishing you much joy and love on every day AND especially on your birthdays!
ReplyDeletef dot chen at comcast dot net
Sorry, I forgot my email.
ReplyDeletemittens0831 at aol dot com
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday! It's a new year with new discoveries! Embrace it!
ReplyDeletejennyrlowery@yahoo.com
My best birthday was when my boyfriend at the time surprised me with a one-week vacation in Mexico (fantastic hotels, unlimited spa services, car & driver to go all touristy with!)
ReplyDeleteelizabeth @ bookattict . com
I have no high or low birthday stories. They were all pretty low key and family oriented. I will say that I'm now 49 and I swear the decades caught up to me in the 3 months I've been 49. The lines on my face are trenches!!!!
ReplyDeleteacm05atjuno.com
My best Birthdays are the ones with my family around me, low key but surrounded by love.
ReplyDeleteI hope your year and decade pick up for you! and Happy Birthday anyway!!
Birthdays have never been a big thing in my family. They are just regular days so no best or worst birthday stories. I am a few years shy of 50,but AARP is already bombarding me with emails. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteJoanne B
e.balinski(at)att(dot)net
Blog Hopping! Woohoo! Happy Birthday Carrie!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to discover new authors/blogs and visit with old friends. Everybody wins this way! LOL
I'm like Adele in that I am grateful for every birthday that I see. I am going to be 58 in august and do have some minor health issues. But I am thankful that I wake up every morning and my husband of 20+ years still loves me despite my body re-arraigning itself (seemingly overnight). I mean it. Last night I thought I went to bed with the body of a twenty something and this morning when I looked in the mirror, I saw an old woman. Where did my beautiful body go? Is it the eyes? (wearing bifocals) Where did all these bags and sags come from? Did the body snatchers come and replace mine during the night? If they did, why couldn't they replace the old body with a newer younger version? LOL
Thanks for being part of the hop and for the chance to win such a fantastic prize! <^_^>
reneebennett35(at)yahoo(dot)com
My best birthday was spent in Las Vegas.
ReplyDeletebn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
My worst birthday was probably when I wrecked my car last year. I was headed to work and a deer ran out in front of me. It was my 30th birthday last year. I wasn't hurt but my car was and so was the deer.
ReplyDeleterachel at thejeepdiva dot com
My best birthday was when I turned 30. I found out I was pregnant with my 4 baby and I was not happy(oh, I'm happy now though). I thought I was done having kids and I was just getting used to the idea of having a new baby when I walked into my mother's house and there were about 50 people yelling SURPRISE!! I walked back out the door and cried in my husband's arms. Even my dad came from out of state! I will never forget it.
ReplyDeleteLmackesy at gmail dot com
When I turned 45, all hell broke loose. I had all sorts of health issues popping up...and my weight ballooned. Since then, health issues remain, but I've seen my kids grow up, and adore my grandchildren. Not yet 65, but it's closing in fast.
ReplyDeletemarianne@mariannestephens.net
Thanks to everyone that came out and left comments. I didn't realize how polarizing this post would be for some. I know I probably sound like I was griping but I wasn't. I'm happy to be alive and really...birthdays are just a number. :)
ReplyDeleteThrough the power of random.org, the winner on my blog is Maria pronounced Mariah. Email has been sent out. No worries for everyone else. You are still in the running for the Kindle Touch and gift certificates.
ReplyDeleteMarika
Congrats, Maria!
Delete