Monday, October 5, 2009

Quilting Bee #26


This darling quilt "Pumpkin Party" is by Jackee


Good morning all!! I hope you had a lovely Autumn Weekend! It was just stunning here!! I looove fall, you all know I do!! A lovely start to my birthday week..yup the beans were spilled by my sister Barb..so I guess ..there it is the big 49!! But more about that in a minute..first we have to have cake!! Yup cake today!! A great big carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, a double chocolate fudge cake with sinful chocolate frosting, a simple white cake with butter cream frosting and some brownies for good measure! My friend Sarah has come by with her latte machine and chai mix. What can I get for you today? I have racked a fun silly quilt..just working on the details today so we can chat more...So very glad you joined me today! I love sharing cake!!

Well...Barb (my sis) spilled the beans about it being my birthday this week. Wednesday to be exact. My sister Anne had one yesterday..so I went ahead and decided to let y'all know too. I know some of you already knew...but honestly I had not intended to post about it. So..here it is, a post about my birthday..well sorta..more about what they mean really..birthdays. I am not a big birthday fan. I am not much for huge surprises..I like to know what is coming. Turns out Nonni is like her Mama it would seem. Her birthday is in November - big six this year. She has informed me several times with great seriousness that she wants to pick out her own gifts..period!! No surprises for her - she knows what she wants and that's all she wrote. Yeah a girl after her Mama's heart.

I have been asked of late..does this age bother me..49 is almost 50. Not so much - I kind like it!! I like who I am alot more now, I really do. I have no interest in being 30 again. Although fewer wrinkles would be nice and few less aches and pains..but overall..I'm very happy to be almost 50.

Years ago I was told that in centuries past when women reached the milestone of about 50 they took a couple of years off to contemplate the next chapters of their lives. Serious contemplation about who they were and what they wanted from themselves now that the children were grown and gone. I always thought that was a wonderful idea. Maybe not a couple of years..but maybe a week or a weekend. Most of us cannot leave work or or lives..but how about some time everyday to meditate and consider. A couple of weekend retreats perhaps? I have always wanted to go to a monastery..any sort to just spend a weekend in quiet meditation. Maybe I will plan a trip to do that. Perhaps a weekend at a yoga retreat or in the woods or at the beach..all alone!Ok the dog can come.

Seriously ..I think this is something we should all do as women around our birthdays. Plan some "me" time and find ourselves again. Just a quick bit of time every year and contemplate our direction in this fast paced life we live. Maybe you can't get away for a weekend..but maybe even just an afternoon with a journal and some nature. It is so easy to loose ourselves in everyday things. I think we should all have the right to just breathe a bit..don't you?

So sometime this week I am gonna hike Tubbs Hill and just sit with my journal and camera for a few hours. I'm gonna watch the boats float by and the birds fly. I am gonna journal and take a few shots with the camera. Next year when I turn 50..I think I will try to plan that weekend at a monastery. What changes will that bring do you suppose?

So if you ask me am I concerned about getting older..I will tell you ..Nope, I'm excited! I am looking forward to what comes. I want to thank you for having cake and lattes with me today!! I love it when you come by and see me!! Have a wonderful week and please share with me how you feel about this idea! Namaste & a hug, Sarah

22 comments:

Holly said...

And, you already know how I feel about your birthday...I love it because it means I am friends with you! I'm starring down the barrel of 55, so no whining from you!

Sarah Sullivan said...

LOL Holly..thank you for your sweet gift - you touched me deeply hon!

Unknown said...

I didn't know it was your birthday until I read this!!! Happy Happy Birthday Sarah!!! You are going to love it. I'm 53 and I've been happier the last few years then anytime in my life. Wisdom comes with age. Now if the face in the mirror would just match how I feel inside. LOL Just kidding, I think we are both still beautiful women!
Ron said Happy Birthday too!
Hugs and hugs
Sherry

Emmy said...

Happy Birthday!!! This is the birthday week (it is also my son and mother-in-laws birthday)

I totally agree, I think some time to myself (probably getting a massage though) is a perfect birthday present.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

I once did a 48-hour silent retreat at a former convent turned retreat centre. It was great -- very centering -- not talking really means you get to go deep inside. So I love your idea!

Anja said...

Happy birthday! And I totally agree with you, about me time, about beeing excited getting older... I'll be 30 tomorrow! And I'll have a big cake :o) somehow I love birthdays, really!

Anonymous said...

Of course I will return on Wednesday, but I can't leave without wishing you a blessed happy birthday! I'm so joyful that you are comfortable with your age. I am loving my age as well(38) and looking forward to 40. The older I get the more peace I am finding.

I love you sweet Sarah and I'm grateful you are here for another year. (:

Snap said...

Oh, boy. I think I'll have a cupcake or two on Wednesday and think of you! Happy, happy, happy!

I love getting older. I wouldn't want to be younger. I am comfortable with who I am (finally) !!!!!

Hugs!

holdingmoments said...

I'm sure whatever you do on your birthday Sarah, you'll enjoy it.
60 has me in its sights; the only downside I can see is it takes me longer to do most things these days lol
The hike to Tubbs Hill sounds a great idea. I'm in my element when out with the camera, and no time restrictions.
Have a great day.

Alicia @ boylerpf said...

Happy Birthday, young lady! I'm right there with you...turned 55 this year and looking forward to the years to come with great excitement. I am always of the opinion that the years before this have all been learning years...time to gain wisdom..and it will continue on. What a great idea to take time to savor the passing years and the time to come. Enjoy every single moment...it is so precious!
Happy Birthday to you...a wonderful woman ;)

stregata said...

Sounds like a great idea! I will try to do something like that when my birthday comes around...

Renee said...

Happy birthday beautiful. I love birthdays and I love lots of gifts and celebration.

Love to you.

Renee xoxo

Wildflowerhouse said...

Happy Birthday! I look at it this way, I am thankful to be having another birthday. Each day and tear is a celebration. Sharon

Wildflowerhouse said...

Oops! I ment to say each YEAR not tear. LOL Sharon ( what a slip up!!)

Mama Rose said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH!!!
I really love your idea of taking time for oneself, especially on your special day, and why not? I think as mother's we tend to forget about ourselves and just take the "me time" at night after the children are in bed. It's great to just have time to yourself to just enjoy being!
Happy birthday to you hon!! Enjoy your b-day week. Many blessing to you!!!

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

Sarah - may you get your wish for some time alone to contemplate, journal, and take some photographs - you so deserve it.
If for some reason I am not able to come here on Wednesday - Happy Birthday to you!!!

Life Potentials Network said...

Sarah, i love your idea for retreating around our birthdays! And Happy Birthday you youngster you! 50's were my favorite decade so far! Happy Birthday blessings to you girl!

Dede said...

Happy Birthday Sarah! I love birthdays, maybe it is the cake. LOL The older that I get, I seem to be more at peace with not only myself, but others around me.

(((HUGS)))

Joanna Jenkins said...

Wishing you a VERY Happy Birthday!!!! I hope your day is wonderful and your year even better!
xo

Christine said...

The weekend at a monestary sounds great! You could go down to the convent in Cottonwood. I think it's call St. Gertrudes. I've thought about doing that many times. Just quiet reflection and reading for the entire weekend.

Blessings,
Christine

yoborobo said...

Happy Birthday to yoooooou! (me singing!). I hope it finds you on top of your hill, just soaking up the sun and the birds, and your thoughts. Have a happy day! xo Pam

Cindy said...

Hi Sarah, happy birthday for Wednesday. I am glad you are so comfortable with you, we all love ya! Me time, well just had it, I hope you hike Tubbs Hill and enjoy yourself. A monastery would be a much deserved retreat. Take care, loved the quilt.