I’m Getting Old

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What happened to my 30’s? 

Where did it go?

I remember just turning 30 and thinking THAT was old!  Actually, with my lifestyle, I thought I’d not even make it to 30… let’s just say that I was a bit of a wild child before kids.  They have a way of changing you… as I’m sure that all of you already now.  I remember my mid-30’s… oh my love (ah-hem… ya know… the “s-word”) life was wonderful and I still felt that I had the world by its tail.  I was a responsible young mom.. yet, still such a free spirit.  I saw passion and “the upside” in everything.  I could and would change the world!

Now… 9 years later… that girl… that lady… she’s changed!

  I remember at 32…. I could drop 10 lbs in two weeks, NO PROBLEM.  Now, I run 4 miles and gain 3 pounds.  It’s sickening!

Now, I have age spots.  OMG!  Liver spots on my face.

And, a grey hair.

And, worst of all… a mind that knows a lot more now.  I might be able to change the world… but, by only inches at a time.  I am small in this big universe.  I see this world in a completely different light than when I was 30.  I guess that’s what we all do… grow and change.  You just never know what it feels like until you go through it.  Then, as you look at the younger ones behind you.. there is so much clarity in what is happening to them because you, yourself, experienced it (or something like it). 

Change is hard.

And, at 30… my beautiful babies… discovering the world and eating chicken nuggets.  They were too scared to go to the front doors to trick-or-treat.  Now, they go out together without me (well, I’m in the front yard and they’re with a neighbor).  But, they don’t need me to hold their hand when they go trick-or-treating.  I remember when I had to hold their hands and walk to the door with them.  Now it’s:  MOTHER!  We’re old enough… you don’t have to go through all of our candy… we know what to look for! 

They are already starting to not need me.

Monday, the big 3-9.  I don’t want to celebrate it.  I don’t want anybody to wish me anything.  I want to crawl in my bed and not come out for the entire day.  My old tradition was to buy a lottery ticket and go to the ocean’s side and sit…. pray and dream of the next year that was in store for me.  Now… those 1,000 thread count sheets and a good glass of Chardonnay should WAY better.  Depressing, huh?  Of course, I won’t stay in bed, I will go to a light dinner with twins and my brother’s family.  And, we’ll laugh and I get to squeeze my baby nephew.. the only man in my life!  I will be joyous in that moment… and forget all about the sheets!  I’m getting a mani-pedi and I’ll get my ticket and go to the ocean.

Halloween.

Well, I got my party on!  I have a haunted house every year.  This year, I added just a couple of cocktails to the party.  So, today I’m slightly hungover and I have to referee the kids’ soccer game.  Holy Moly!  What was I thinking?  But, I dress up for the event and scare all the little kids who come to my front yard.  Here’s this year’s picture:

So, it was really a lot of fun.  Less kids every year.  My ex-husband lives in my neighborhood.  He and I always compete with each other for the best haunted house.  So, as the “regulars” come… it’s a discussion of whose house is better that year.  According to the commentary… I think he won.  Although, I had better lights.  Well, that and I have better candy!

I started my novel this week.  Yes, I am… like most of you… writing a novel.  I got done the outline of a chapter.  It felt really good.

I completed several book reviews this week, two of them were book tours (my first two!).  That felt super great.  And, Douglas Carlton Abrams left me a message on my book review post!  I did the Snoopy Dance for like an hour!  That’s sooooo way cool!  It made writing the review feel so different when I knew that the author actually read it and was affected by it.  So, my love for book review blogging grows and I feel more and more grateful by the day to be a part of your world!  Lisa’s entry into my life really has made such a positive impact!  I can’t even imagine not blogging now. 

I got my new site up and running this week!  This, only possible, with the help of Judi of Doodlebug Designs and the tech support folks at GoDaddy.com.  I thank each and every one of you who has said something nice about the new site… I am sure that Judi really appreciates the praises!  Since she’s such a groovy chick, I’m giving away a gift certificate for her services in one of my challenges in November.  SO… stayed peeled on that one.

I got invited to do two more book tours in December on TLC Book Tours.  I’ll be reviewing You Lost Him at Hello by Jess McCann and The Alchemy of Less by Abigail Carter.  I’m almost finished with You Lost Him and can’t wait to start Alchemy.  I feel super privileged that Lisa felt enough of me to include me in her book tour!  She’s the best, you know!

On my challenges…

I’m doing super good on Fall Into 2008 Challenge.  I’m behind on Lit Flicks (although I’ve read the books… gotta get my butt to watch the movies).  I ordered my books for the Awards Challenge.  So, I’m on track… but never feel sated until I’m up by 4 books or so.  BTW.. how do you do it Alyce and Shana!?!  It’s like you are reading machines!

What came in the mail this week for review:

The Gifted Gabaldon Sisters

The Road

Life of Pi (CANNOT WAIT)

Wuthering Heights

The Alchemy of Loss

You Lost Him at Hello

Dating DaVinci

In the Land of Invisible Women

So… now to the contests and giveaways…

I’ve got a copy of Life After Genius and a copy of In the Land of Invisible Women available.  You have to just hit “comment” and leave your name for either one.  Click on the button below to take you to the post.  Also, on Thursday’s Thoughts, there is a second copy of Life After Genius but you must post or comment on the topic.  All book winners are announced next week.  I guess I should enter the book carnival, huh? 

So, that’s the haps for me this week.  I’ve got a lot coming up this week and my goal is to complete at least 3 books this week for my posts.  I’m also looking forward to DWTS Monday night and sharing my love for dance and gossip with y’all.

If I don’t thank you enough… I should!  You spend so much of your valuable time reading my ramblings.  And, you know… it fills this space in my heart and in my soul.  It makes me feel worthy and special.  It makes me look forward to writing and putting myself out there.  This year, by far, has been the most difficult year of my life.  Having blogging and those readers & bloggers that come to my site make my heart warm!  Thank you so much!  I’m so lucky to be meeting a group of such intelligent and fun people!

Hugs to all… kids have All-Star tryouts today and then I’m hiding under those sheets!

That’s it for this week’s The Sunday Salon.

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