This is ME - no shower, no makeup, no hair or teeth brushing - just me in my pjs and .... 40 years old. Today is my 40th birthday and for me that means a lot - not about being old or the number - but in some ways yes to both in that I feel that at 40 I am becoming - owning and embracing who I am without regrets or excuses or apologies. This is ME. Who am I? I am kind, loving and caring, I am generous of heart and spirit, I am creative, inquisitive, and introspective. I am stubborn, controlling, and determined. I am a do it all type of gal. I don't like being vulnerable but I am willing, I am slow to trust others but I want to, I am forgiving, I don't hold grudges, I am a great friend, I am loyal, When I get my mind fixed on something I can't let it go, I pay attention to details - they are important to me, I am an artist, a mother, a wife, a friend, and a woman. I like to draw, paint, crochet, knit, read, cook, and explore and shop I mean lets be honest right ;) and did I mention eat - I love good food. People say I am disarming and welcoming, that I am a good friend, a helpful one, a loving one and a thoughtful one - I think this is true. I love my family, my husband, my sons, my animals and my friends. I want to have purpose and meaning in my life and I think I am on the right path. I am blessed - very and grateful for it. I am learning to own who I am. This year for me is about owning my talents as an artist and pursuing them - my paintings in particular - making a commitment that this is a purpose - something I must and will commit to. My work with Free Arts is integral to my life and is part of the whole process - I can't move forward with my own work unless I give away what I have learned - I believe this is the way it works.
I LOve....
good books
Chinese food, pasta, sushi, a good steak, and bread and cheese
rich red wine
Judi's scones with clotted cream and lemon curd
coke from a bottle
caramel macciato's from starbucks
green iced tea plain with lots of ice
frozen yogurt
dark chocolate only
red licorice
ham
cupcakes
all kinds of music including opera, r&b, country, swing, rock, and folk
color - red, pale green, robin's egg blue, deep yellow, and black
a cushy comfy bed with lots of pillows and blankets
horses, cats, dogs , all animals really
gardenias
old things
barns
I don't like ...
onions
eggplant
narrow mindedness
hypocrisy
dishonesty
grudge holding
ego driven personalities
pettiness
the color purple - the color not the book - love the book
I know I have said a lot about myself - but I had to - If I am going to own who I am - truly - I have to be willing to admit it to all of you - my friends out there that I love - some who I have met and others who I have not - friends all the same - and thank you all of you who support me, believe in me, and encourage me. I say thank you for helping me become and be proud of who I am - the good, the bad, the indifferent - the whole package .
Happy Birthday Gina...how inspiring you are and I love how honest and open you write...it is fun to learn about you across the miles...have a blessed day and hope that knee is getting better by the second! Much love!
Posted by: Angela | February 16, 2008 at 08:07 PM
Happy belated birthday! I loved my fortiey, and am loving my fifties. The best is yet to be!
Posted by: Paula Bogdan | February 17, 2008 at 03:33 AM
You are beatiful even without your make up. Happy belated Birthday. I hope your day was filled with beauty. love nita
Posted by: nita from red tin heart | February 17, 2008 at 08:57 AM
WELL SAID, CUTIE!! You are a great friend - to that I can attest!! xxx G.
Posted by: Ginny | February 17, 2008 at 03:43 PM
Happy Birthday Gina!!
Posted by: kelly | February 17, 2008 at 08:36 PM
HAPPY 40!
your words on your post really hit 40 on the head! I will be 42 next month and I must tell that my 40's so far have been a blast because at long last I happy just to be me!
Do you have a list of your birthday CD that you could share? (I would love to see your mix!)
Posted by: ruth rae | February 18, 2008 at 08:20 AM