Thursday, February 19, 2015

Operation: Eff Yeah, I'm 40!

When my dad turned 40, we threw him a funeral.
A family friend was an undertaker, and he filled our living room with white folding chairs. There were plant stands holding dead flowers, and we even had that little stand with a guest book. My dad came home from work to find all his friends seated in the living room, crying softly while looking at a Skippy Peanut Butter jar full of fireplace ashes.

And then us kids were shipped off and they tapped the keg.

But yeah. A funeral.

I'm turning the big 4-Oh in a few months, and it doesn't feel like a death at all. It feels kind of badass. Like I'm just getting smarter and stronger and more interesting and well on my way to knowing exactly what everybody needs to be doing because I'm so smart and they would be lucky if I told them what they're doing wrong. My inner old lady who doesn't give a shit is alive and well. I like her.

So, I'm trying to decide how to celebrate my birthday. I turned 21 during finals week, so my big "party" was having a morning exam, downing beer at lunch, sleeping it off in the afternoon, and then studying all night. When I turned 30, my life was basically in the toilet, but my parents and friends conspired to throw me a wonderful, humbling party. It was lovely.

Now, looking at 40? I don't need a party. I want to go someplace special with My Guy and do something empowering. Maybe hiking or kayaking or getting a really nice coat at a deep, deep discount. The possibilities are endless.

Well, the possibilities within the continental United States, anyway.

What should I do for my birthday extravaganza? How have you celebrated big birthdays? Any advice? Operation: Eff Yeah, I'm 40! needs your input.

16 comments:

Key said...

Like you, I have a 0 birthday this year. I'm taking that 0 with me to Italy and would suggest likewise for you. But a really nice coat is smart; investing in warmth can never serve you wrong. Happy birthday. :)

smalltownme said...

I have celebrated both 40 and 50 pretty much like all the other years, not a lot of fuss but treating myself to something nice.

Kari said...

For my 21st I ate Dairy Queen with my parents.
For my 30th, I celebrated with my newborn daughter sucking on my boobs.
My 40th was spent eating, do we see a trend??
I say EAT ALL THE FOOD.
And HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Unknown said...

I say eat something really crazy weird (preferably IN another country if possible) and do something illegal (like not put $$ in the parking meter or similar) because you're 40! Freaking immortality!

8 said...

First, Happy Almost Birthday! Eff Yeah!
Second, I think you should take something off your bucket list and complete it for your birthday, especially since you are already feeling badass. Why not?
Third, eat, drink, and laugh too much. Its good for you!

cookingwithgas said...

The possibilities are endless. As a Christmas baby, I've celebrated with the masses. Now I demand dinner and a drink of my own. It's never occurred that I could go somewhere. Darn girl, go somewhere.

Trixie Bang Bang said...

Welcome back!

For 40, do 40 fantastic things. They don't have to be big things, but make a week of it and do some stuff.
But that's easy for me to say, I was going to do 40 nice things for lent, and I've not done any yet. I sort of got sidetracked. I'm doing 1 nice thing, however, which is a fantastic giveaway on my blog, so stop over if you have time and enter. It's a great gift-away prize.
Anyway, happy badass birthday. And oh, yeah, eat a great big badass piece of cake, too. Corner piece. With flower.

Anonymous said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! No matter how you celebrate, if you're with the people you love, it will be fabulous.
Though that funeral idea is pretty funny.

Becky Brown said...

Thanks, Key! A very happy zero birthday to you! It sounds like you are doing it up right.

Becky Brown said...

I like your approach. The fuss business kinda freaks me out.

Becky Brown said...

Kari, you are good at life.

Becky Brown said...

Oooh! Maybe I'll skip flossing that day, too. Danger!

Becky Brown said...

Thanks, Banjo! Bucket list item #1: Create bucket list.

Becky Brown said...

I'll go somewhere if you'll consider going somewhere, even for your half birthday ...

Becky Brown said...

Oh, Trixie. Isn't all cake bad-ass cake?

Becky Brown said...

The funeral was definitely memorable, that's for sure. And speaking of birthdays ... Happy, happy day, Green Girl!