So I’m here to tell you that turning 60 doesn’t feel much different, although I’m childishly (see? no aged wisdom yet!) feeling rather sorry for myself. Stuck by myself in our Vancouver apartment with a dog who’s not exactly allowed in the building. Pater’s dad is in the hospital and his mom can’t stay by herself so he took last night’s shift with her. I couldn’t go because we’re still looking after little dog Henry whose owners (my daughter, son-in-law, and Hattie) fly home today. And while Henry’s not technically allowed in our building, he really wouldn’t work in an Assisted Living complex. So. . . And obviously, with the whole family scrambling to find solutions to a rapidly changing parental care situation, a 60-year-old is mature enough to yield her birthday morning . . .
Added complication: Once Pater is finished his overnight gig with his Mom, he’s driving out to the airport to pick up the returning travellers. In neither scenario has there been room for me, but he will stop by to pick up Henry so that I can get my party started . . . Two daughters have taken the day off work to accompany me to the spa where we’ll have facials and hot stone massages and maybe a pedi or two . .
After that, we’re meeting Pater (finally!) for drinks in a downtown hotel where I’ll be the one with the post-facial messy hair and no makeup. . . .and then Pater has reservations for dinner.
And tomorrow, I get to cuddle Harriet and find out what she really thought of the Eiffel Tower. So far I’ve only heard rumours. . .
Meanwhile, though, mySkinny Jeans and I are heading out with Henry (and a supply of wee plastic bags) for a walk on the seawall after skulking along the hallway and down the stairs, hoping everyone else takes the elevator or pretends they didn’t see a cute little dog in the building. . .
And now let’s just see what this seventh decade is all about . . .
Ah – a week after mine – and a year younger than I.
I can tell you that this decade has started out well for me. Here's hoping that it does the same for you.
Last week my day was overshadowed by TGD's preparations to leave for Denmark, but there was still time for a little self-indulgence (massage) and celebration. In the end, your birthday will be a celebration of you with the ones you love. The 10 year old in all of us has a hard time not waking up to a 'Happy Birthday' though…..so….here's wishing you a Very Happy Birthday!!!!
Yes, my inner 10-year-old can be noisy, but even she was happy by the end of the day. Glad you managed to make the most of yours last week — a good way to celebrate how well you did in the first year of what seems a daunting decade!
Happy Birthday!
i can so resonate with the small child 'I want it ALL to be Super Special on MY DAY'. We made the mistake, in retrospect, of flying out to a city break on the day of my 40th, so there was no point in Husband buying me flowers (which I love) because we were leaving the house for 4 days. Plus I was wrestling with packing and a toddler underfoot and just felt thoroughly pissed off on my 'big day'. But two years on, the 'have nots' have all but blurred out of memory and what I recall in crisp detail are the many 'haves' of that long weekend, even if technically they occurred on the day or three after my actual natal day. In the long run, it didn't matter, there was celebration around the event and I felt loved and cherished and do so all over again when i reflect on that trip.
By the way, those skinny jeans, blouse and gorgeous sandals, bloody hell woman, you so do not look what I presume sixty 'looks like', in that outfit you are totally fantabulous (fantastic/fabulous)!
Hester
Oh, I've been that thoroughly pissed off Mom, although not yesterday. Nice to know how nicely the memory smoothed out with time. . . In my childhood home, we always got a very special day all day on our birthdays, and I know I have high expectations. Happily, they were very well met by the end of yesterday.
Thanks so much for the sassy compliment — really? fantabulous?! Woohoo! đ
Here's wishing you a very Happy Birthday Mater – I'm sure that once the celebrations begin in earnest you'll have a very jolly time indeed!
Indeed I did, thanks!
Happy birthday! May it get happier by the minute:).
from your lips to God's ears, apparently . . . đ
I hope your birthday takes a happier turn, but sounds like it will. One nice thing about our age is that we can extend our B-day celebrations out for several days. In that spririt, wishing you the Happiest of Birth-weeks. đ
Yes! I like this attitude very much!
Happy birthday. Seeing your little Harriet will be a lovely birthday gift! Things have a way of working out in unexpected ways.
Thanks, and you're right, seeing my granddaughters and my children is the loveliest gift of all (although I'm not turning away anything wrapped with a pretty bow either!)
Happy Birthday! Enjoy your dinner – and enjoy the "talk" with Harriet. I know you will understand her completely.
Yes I will — we're kindred spirits! đ
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Have been away from the blogworld for a while and am just catching up with you, Mater. What a year it has been so far – so many challenges, so many emotions. But this is your day and, even if it isn't going entirely as you might have hoped, it warrants celebration, actual and virtual – and many, many good wishes. So here come mine, winging their way across an ocean and between continents. I'm five years into my seventh decade and continue to be surprised at the unexpectedly good things that these post-60 years are bringing. I am sure that with your zest for life, your sassy style, your open mind and your good heart, there are many good things ahead for you too.
(Apologies, pressed the wrong button and managed to delete my original comment . . .)
Thank you! I must say that you are one of my inspirations for the rich possibilities of the 7th decade, although you've also realistically recorded its challenges. Your birthday wishes are much appreciated here — still looking forward to meeting you one of these years. . .we're hoping to make a UK stop next year. . .
Happy birthday! You and I were born the same year, only my BIG birthday is in the fall. I must say I was taken aback by your reference to "this seventh decade"! How can we be starting our seventh decade?? Enjoy every moment of your celebration, and I hope the upcoming trip is fabulous!
I know! Turning 60 is one thing but decade 7??? Thanks for the good wishes!
Happy birthday! I hope that you and the pooch made it outside without encountering any whistleblowers and that you had a nice walk along the sea wall! Have a wonderful time at the spa and snuggling with little H!
We were very stealthy . . . .;-)
Thanks for the birthday wishes.
Have a wonderful birthday! Where do you go for your facials and massages in Vancouver? I just might treat my daughter to them for her birthday. I hope you have a wonderful pampering day getting the "works". You deserve it.
We went to Breathe Spa, and I was very happy with the treatment there — My daughter chose it because it's right downtown, so easy for us to get to (right on Granville, next to Scarlet, so you could splurge on fancy new lingerie as well! đ
Happy birthday! Whenever elements of my birthday celebration get delayed, I use it as an excuse to celebrate a birthday WEEK (like Pseu said above). Actuall, in your case it could be a birthday MONTH because of your big trip. I hope it is all wonderful! Murphy
That's it, Murphy, I'm declaring a Birthday Month in honour of my 60th! Thanks for the inspiration and the birthday wishes. đ
Happy birthday! One of my best friends turned 40 today and we took her for lunch (my husband and I had the day off) and tomorrow we're going to a big dinner party at her house. I must say, you're being very mature about how things have transpired. đ You have accomplished SO much in the first 6 decades – you really are an inspiration. And you look good in skinny jeans so who cares.
Thank you! I am mature, aren't I? Besides the numbers, I mean!
Happy Birthday!
Please share where you spend your day getting pampered.
A lovely way to celebrate you and sharing it with your girls!
It all sounds lovely.
I hope the dog is not a barker or your cover may be blown đ
There were a few barks but he was pretty good — I could always pretend I was watching Rin-tin-tin reruns or something, right?
We were happy with our experience at Breathe Spa, on Granville, both visits — very serene and professional and I love the line of products they use.
Happy Birthday!
thank you!
Happy Birthday!! You do know what a high bar you've set for the rest of us as we approach milestone birthdays?!? Enjoy the celebrations with your family.
They take a deep breath, those milestone birthdays! Thanks for the birthday wishes!
For the big decade birthdays, I believe, like Murphy, in Birthday Week- so this is is merely a 'soft opening'. And we get to spend it with you first! Fond wishes for an exciting year and a happy, healthy seventh decade.
I love it — a soft opening, what a great concept and one I think I'll run with. . . Thanks so much for the birthday wishes.
Happy Birthday mater. I'm sure sixty is the new something! Either way you are a wonderful ad for living life to the full whatever your age. I'm sure you will continue to do so in your seventh decade!! Enjoy carpe diem Iris H
Thanks very much, Iris. It probably is the new something or other, isn't it?! We'll see what I make of the 7th decade. . .
May this prove to unexpectedly be a very happy birthday, little baggies and all.
A very happy birthday to you! Reassuring to hear that 60 isn't so bad. Although it must help in your case to be surrounded by a connected family, be fully engaged in life and still rock a pair of skinny jeans. I'll look forward to observing your fine example of life in the 7th decade.
I'm glad to see you had a good birthday after all, and do make it last as long as you can! Birthday Month FTW!!
Because My Big Day is on a Monday, I'm having friends over for pulled pork sandwiches and red velvet cupcakes on the Saturday before. On the day itself, I'm going to ask a friend to join me for a massage at an Ayurvedic Spa, followed by something tasty at a posh resto, just us two.
My favorite family b-day tradition is that we call each other and sing "Happy Birthday." One year I was in Tokyo for my step-dad's birthday, so called him and left the message on the answering machine. My mom told me that he refused to erase it for months afterward! The old softy.