Among the craziness that was the week the blog went down, I turned 40 on Saturday.
It wasn’t quite the big birthday weekend I imagined.
Aside from a dinner out that evening (of which I will save for a separate post) and a lovely dinner with the ladies the night before, the weekend was stressful. I’m not really sure how I envisioned spending my 40th – maybe lounging on a tropical beach, maybe taking a stroll in Paris or at the very least having a relaxing picnic in the park – but certainly not like the tightly wound, overworked, sleep deprived stressball that I was.
But that’s ok.
I am not really one for large celebrations or the focus of attention. Mark and the girls were sweet. That’s all that matters.
So now that I’m 40, now that it’s finally here, 40…
doesn’t mean I’m going to suddenly cut my hair and wear pleated trouser pants.
doesn’t mean that I can’t wear the same item of clothing as a 25 year old, as long as it’s not grossly inappropriate, blatantly ridiculous or fair game for mockery.
doesn’t mean I’m going to stay up all night at a club to see if I still have it in me (or go to a club, for that matter).
doesn’t mean that I’ll start obsessively checking in on my retirement funds every week (we’ll leave that for 50).
doesn’t mean that I have everything figured out (quite the contrary).
But 40…
does mean that I don’t have to impress anyone anymore.
does mean that I’ve earned the right to not have to deal with a certain level of bullshit in my life.
does mean that I’ve accepted who I am and am comfortable with all my neurosis, idiosyncrasies, quirks and annoying habits.
does mean that if some people can’t accept that, they can suck it.
40…
feels the same as it did yesterday.
This is what 40 looks like.
… a big smile and hug from us. We wish you a wonderful year full of love, happiness and health and that the sun always shines for you. Wiebke
Amen, sister! Love it. All the goodness with turning 40! Wishing you a terrific year ahead…
Happy Belated … you look fabulous !!!
Happy birthday! great post!
Happy birthday, Jenna. You look gorgeous, and I love this post. 🙂
Well,I am so glad the blog is back up….I was having blog withdrawals always checking like I would miss out on something so spectacular. I agree with all that you said,except that I learned a long time ago that I don’t need to impress anyone…why bother trying to make people happy that are never going to be happy so it’s no use trying.anyways,40 is looking good on you…must be good genes. 🙂 I love your b-day cake…looks so good, but since I’m not a kid anymore I know that that cake would cost me hours of exercise so then I would no longer enjoy it as I could years ago. 🙂 But I hope you enjoyed it….you could gain 20 pounds and still look good.
happy birthday. what a perfect post.
that is one gorgeous 40! Something to aspire to.
Missed your blog a ton! Happy Birthday, great post-very honest and forthright, I really like those qualities in a person!
Happy Birthday Jenna!! You look amazing!
Lots of love, happiness and health to you, Jenna. You sure don’t look like how I pictured forty to look! Happy Birthday 🙂
Happy Belated Birthday! You look and sound beautiful, love your attitude towards the matter. 🙂
Awesome post! 🙂
happy birthday jenna!
i love reading your blog, especially your new new york stories 🙂
Happy Belated Birthday! It looks like you had a yummy cake to celebrate your b-day with! I think 40’s is just like 30’s, but you are more refined and wiser. Viva 40’s!
happy 40th! i hope i look as good as you when i turn 40 in 4 yrs. you look half your age.
You’re rockin at 40. And this rockin post is proof.
40 looks gorgeous! I love your blog & will be joining club 40 in August!
that cake looks heavenly! happy birthday beautiful jenna! 🙂
Well said, Jenna!
Happy Birthday!
Amazing. I want to look as good as you do at 40 🙂
Happy belated birthday Jenna……^_^
you’re rock!!!!
i can’t wait for 40 😉
Happy belated birthday, Jenna! Glad the blog is back. 🙂
Happy Birthday Jenna! Wish I could have been there for the dinner out with the girls to help you celebrate. I was the same as you (not stressed, but not a big celebration). I spent my 40th birthday last year on a quiet contemplative hike up in the Blue Mtns with Owen. Cake with the kids when I came home. Done. Now that I’m 41, I’m totally over it all 🙂
Yay for 40! I love this post as I’ll be 40 in the next year or so too. I do wish you could have had a more laid back kind of birthday but I guess being 40 is also being at a place where you can accept what happens. Happy belated birthday!
Happy Birthday!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Hapyp Birthday, Jenna! Can I ask what happened to your giveaway? I was looking forward to seeing who won!
40 looks great on you! I love what you wrote. Girl, you are so right!
Happy belated, Jenna! 40 is obviously fabulous.
Happy Birthday!! you’re so inspiring!!
happy birthday jenna! you don’t look a day older than 30. x
Fabulous at 40! I just turned 40 in November–and everything you said was spot-on! Now if I could just find a way of feeling more rested, ha (I, too, have two kiddos–a 5 year old and 2 year old.) I enjoy your blog–just found it via MWF seeking BFF’s site. Now on to 41!
Happy 40! Love the cake and sushi!
happy belated birthday!!
i’m sorry i’m late on this, but happy birthday jenna!! you look amazing!
happy (a wee bit late) birthday, jenna! 🙂
Happy Belated Birthday Jenna!
35, 40…you look great. Glad you had a great day with your family.
Perfectly said; I feel the same way (I turned 40 a few months ago). Happy birthday.
I love it. Beautiful! Happy Birthday.
happy birthday, jenna! clearly, you ARE going to age with style. so glad to hear that pleated trousers don’t make the cut.
You make 40 look pretty damn good. Happy belated birthday!
Happy Birthday Dear Jenna!You look Amazing and if you didn’t say about your number of age,I never could guess it!
You look fantastic !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
p.s.sorry about delay
happy (very belated) birthday! btw, i absolutely love your blog 🙂
happy [late!] birthday. i love this post, the lists are fantastic. isn’t it lovely to be past all those things [impressing people, bullshit, all that stuff!] i am so thankful not to be in my early 20s anymore, such a nice feeling. you look fantastic, happy 40th!
i just came across your blog and really enjoy reading it. you are so honest. I was wondering about your age, after reading your portland/seattle / nirvana posts, and it turns out we’re the same age. No wonder I can relate!