Tuesday, July 01, 2008

10 on Tuesday- Why I Would Rather Be 44 Than 24!

Happy Birthday


Today is my 44th birthday. Here are my top 10 reasons why I would rather be 44 than 24:

1. I like who I am (most of the time). I didn't even know who I was or who I wanted to be at 24.

2. I think before I speak (at least some of the time). I was woefully unaware of what was coming out of my mouth at age 24.

3. I know what I want. I know where I want to be in 5 years. And my goals and aspirations are not based on what everyone else expects me to be.

4. I can take care of myself, and my kids. When I was 24, I didn't know how capable I could be. If my parents or my brother didn't take care of it for me, my husband did.

5. I am more empathetic and understanding of others: when I was 30, I had the wind knocked out of my "I am better than everyone else" sails. When I was 38, my cheating husband left me. By the time I was 40, I had been divorced twice. Suffice it to say that I have been humbled in a major way publicly. There is nothing like life experience to teach you that everyone has a side to them that others don't know.

6. I have and appreciate my family. At 24, I took my parents and siblings for granted. And although I knew I wanted kids, I had no idea how valuable they would be to me. They are my greatest treasures.

7. I like country music, and I don't care who doesn't like it, or why.

8. I'm okay with being different. I am an extrovert in a family of introverts. I am a blue collar girl in a white collar job. I talk, sing, blog, and twitter, whether you like it or not.

9. I am okay with being alone. When I was 24, the idea of living without a husband terrified me. While I would prefer not to be single for the rest of my life, I am certainly not terrified of the possibility.

10. Sex is better (no explanation needed or offered).

Be sure to e-mail me for the address, so you'll know where to send the cards and gifts. (cheesy smile)

Happy Tuesday, all.

J.

22 comments:

yorksdevil said...

Happy Birthday J. Birthdays are a great excuse for cake; have fun.

You asked about my blog address. It can be found at yorksdevil(dot)wordpress(dot)com but I haven't been posting, so you aren't missing much.

Anonymous said...

Well Happy Birthday to you and to me! I'm 26 today! I hope you have a GREAT day!

Sayre said...

Happy Birthday!!!! I can guarantee you that it keeps getting better!

I love your list. I was such an idiot at 24. The only thing I would keep from that time would be my shape. It was much better back then!

Megan said...

Happy Birthday!

I agree on all accounts. Too bad they can't give you your 24-year-old body back though, isn't it? Of course I didn't appreciate it back then... I'm more comfortable in my skin now.

Jay said...

Happy Birthday Babe!

Avitable said...

Happy birthday, you old lady you!

e.Craig Crawford said...

Happy Birthday, J. Oh to be 24 and know what I know now. Maybe not. There are some things we don't "know" until we go through life's experiences.

Here's to many many more birthdays for you.

Shen-Shen said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY :)

24 is still a bit away for me, haha. And it seems that I will still have a lot of maturing to do after that!

Sushiboy said...

Happy Birthday! I don't know about 24, but you are really fun at 44! Hope you have a great Birthday!

Just Dave said...

What I said yesterday. Sorry I missed the chance to meet you and Stephen. We'll try again another day.

Southern (in)Sanity said...

Happy Birthday!!!

Superwoman said...

Happy birthday and I agree that I would like to have kept my figure from when I was 24 but life if better now! Hope your day is great!

Trukindog said...

J., Happy Happy Birthday Darlin.
Sorry I didn't realize sooner that today is your B-Day and I'm late to the party, you forgive me right...right?

Your list is cool but regarding #10 I don't want any explanations...JUST DETAILS! :-)

eatmisery said...

Happy Birthday, J!

Brother Dave said...

Happy Birthday!

In August I shall turn "67." I shall prefer "67" to "27." Nothing like experience, as we all know.

Anonymous said...

How much have you missed me? ;)

Kimmie said...

Happy Birthday! I am visiting from Jay's blog.

I am 49 and I so felt every one of your answers hit home. The only difference is my children are 29 and my daughter turned 24 Yesterday! She has the same birthday as you, how fun is that.
:-)

I hope all your Birthday Wishes come true!

Blessings,
Kimmie

Jodi said...

Thanks everybody. It was a good birthday. You all made me smile with your birthday wishes. It was as nice as getting a pile of cards in the mail.

Love you all.

J.

Jan said...

A belated Happy Birthday, J! I hope your day was as wonderful as you are! I'm sorry I haven't been around much. I do hope to get back in the swing of it again!
Big Hugzz
Jan

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday! Sorry I am shamefully tardy. :(

Rick Rockhill said...

J- Happy (belated) Birthday! 44 is way better than 24!

Unknown said...

I hope you had a great day! Happy Birthday!