belgianwaffle

39 today


Posted in: Boys, Family, Mr. Waffle, Princess, Work

Do you think you can get a card with a badge on it that says that?

I think I will launch myself into a prolonged period of mid-life crisis which I might wind-up next year when I turn 40. How enjoyable for everyone. Let us do a tally of my achievements:

Marriage

Seems sound, husband is lovely. Tick.

Children

Three is a good number, they are nice little things but tiring. Why would I want more? Why? I am 39. That appears to be a full answer. Half tick.

Career

Job is fine. I am very fond of my colleagues who are a joy to work with. Yet the actual work is only moderately interesting. I feel that out there somewhere is the perfect job for me, if only I could find it. I also think that it has nothing to do with my experience to date so it’s probably quite poorly paid, at least initially, before they realise that I am a genius at it. I am a round peg in an oval hole. Imagine what I could achieve, if I could find a round hole. I think this metaphor is becoming unfeasibly stretched. A friend of mine says that there is no perfect job which is why she has focussed on her social life. There may be something to be said for that. Half tick
Family and friends

I have lots of both. I like them, they like me. Tick. At least, I hope they do. Half tick for manifest lack of self confidence at 39.

Car

I have no desire to buy a sports car. Tick.

Hobbies

You’re reading it. I also like reading. I wish I had some form of hobby that did not involve sitting on my bottom. All through my teens and twenties, I played hockey but it’s a bit demanding for a parent. Half tick.

Feeling my age

Unlike many people of my age, I do not feel like I am 20. But yet, I am very surprised to be 39. My oldest friend the Ambassador (clang) will be 40 next month, though, mind you, she is an Ambassador so I think that’s pretty good going for a 40 year old. Almost.

My mother says that having children keeps you young. Maybe this is true when they are teenagers but at the moment, I’m not so sure. I am sometimes so tired and stretched I feel like I am 60. I also find myself criticising young people’s grammar and marvelling at their odd musical taste. Oh yes, indeedy, I am cruising towards middle age. Half tick.

In other birthday news, if you were to take a day off work and leave your children with the childminder and decamp to Ghent to celebrate your birthday, you should a) remember, if it is Monday, the museums will be closed and b) bear in mind that cities built around canals are not so pleasant in stormy weather. Furthermore, when you return home and your three children rush into your arms and sing happy birthday to you, you should try not to be overwhelmed by love and guilt.

The day has also brought a birthday poem from my sister, a birthday missive from my parents, several nice emails, a present from husband and children – pretty good all round. You could make it even better by delurking. Go on, I know you’re out there. I think you’re out there. I hope you’re out there. Half tick.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Year 40 is off to a good start. Happy day. (I used to think I would always feel 24. Now, at the end of the day, I struggle to remember that I’m under 50.)

  5. Happy Birthday – well, what else do you say on a birthday?
    If there isn’t a card with a badge on, couldn’t you con your children into making you one? 😉
    I, of course, am attempting to ignore my birthday but I’ve delurked as per instructions!
    E

  6. Happy birthday! I turned 38 two weeks ago (or so)… and am feeling a similar middle aged crisis coming on. I’m glad I’m not the only crazy middle aged woman who thinks she’d like another child (I think it is a way of denying my age!)

    emxx

  8. Well, it’s still the 10th over here, so happy birthday! I’ve been reading you for some time now, and I couldn’t think of a better opportunity to delurk, so… here I am. How are the museums in Ghent when they’re not closed?

  9. Delurking to wish you a Happy Birthday-cha cha cha….at least that is how the kids sing it here!

    I turned 38 this past June, so 39 is coming quick! You know that the years never came so quick as when there are bills to pay and gray hairs to pluck!

    Best Wishes!

  13. Happy Birthday!
    My 39th is in the beginning of May and I am due with my second child at the beginning of June. Being an ‘older’ mom doesn’t make me feel any younger either…more like utterly exhausted…and I don’t even have twins! So hats off to you!
    P.S: Am reading A Suitable Boy as per your NaBloMo book rewommendation. Good stuff, even if I notice how little I know about Indian culture. What is ‘paan plain, sweet or with tobacco’ anyway?!

  14. Happy birthday. You can take heart in the fact that the pain of celebrating another birthday will soon give way to a sort of numbness. Take it from me. And, oh, did I mention Happy birthday?

  15. I’m not lurking as such, I just haven’t had much to say recently.
    Happy birthday.

  16. oh, happy happy birthday! i’ve been reading your blog for years now and it always makes me laugh. how you retain your sense of humour in the face of overwhelming situtations is awe-inspiring! hope your next 39 years are just as fun.

  17. Happy Birthday & what everyone else said. I shall shortly be turning 39 too – but I haven’t got as far as planning my midlife crisis yet. (already you are making me feel inferior). I have started planning my 40th birthday celebrations though, as a fellow 39-er is also interested in marking the occasion by learning to drive a tank.

    I think I’d feel worse about it if I hadn’t just achieved one of my lifetime ambitions. (not the tank, although that’s up there).

  18. Oooh, I love you all. Particularly the breastfeeding mother typing with only one finger. That’s the kind of dedication I like to see.

  20. Delurking (on demand) to say happy birthday.
    Have a fabulous year up to and including 40th – my 40th birthday was sort of dreaded but turned out to be a fantastic 6 week long celebration. It’s the ones since then that have been a bit depressing!!! I’m only 43 but not really enjoying the ageing.
    Thanks for the site – we have almost nothing in common but I love your writing.

  21. I’m delurking to say Happy Birthday too! I’m only 23 so I’m nowhere near as old as you 😉

    I’ve been reading you for a long long time now and love your writing. About time I commented really isn’t it?

  22. Belatedly wishing you happy birthday – you have a whole year (minus a day) to plan a good 40th cleebation – something a little cheerier than Ghent in March I suggest. I’m a year and a bit ahead of you and it’s grand so far, but a colleague remarked that while she loved being feted be all and sundry when 40, turning 41 was absolutely awful. Can’t wait!

  26. I prefer to imagine you much, much older than you actually are, so i can convince myself that i have plenty of time to accomplish half as much as you have. why yes, it is all about me.

    happy, happy birthday, waffley!

  30. You’re my favorite blogger, intelligent and fun to read and I’ve waited for a good moment to delurk – thanks for providing the perfect occasion. I’ve been reading you for about 2 years now, redirected from Heidikraut’s blog while she was ‘enjoying’ Switzerland. Go on blogging!

    And yes, of course, many happy returns! I’m 42 – the answer to life the universe, and everything – and enjoy it.

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