How do you celebrate your birthday?
I have finally learned that some people really don't care. I've long tried to be that way, but always ended up kind of mopey and glum if I didn't really honor it. Honoring it is important — but there are scores of ways to do that.
I used to have all sorts of "rules" for a real birthday: 1. There had to be cake (of some kind); 2. a balloon; 3. a present; 4. flowers; 5. someone to sing "The Song".
Ahhh, age. This year, I actually really didn't care. I have consumed enough cupcakes in my lifetime for several hundred birthdays thus far – so I completely relaxed on #1. Balloons are fun and if my house wasn't a complete mess (hole in wall and attendant rubble while yet another attempt is made to repair a pipe leak), I might care, but it would have just added to the clutter this year, so #2 gone!
A present of a bottle of 21-year-old Scotch has #3 fulfilled for a good long time! 4. Yay, several bouquets, which I was incredibly grateful for in light of the living room chaos. 5. I love when people sing on the phone, or in person, or anywhere really.
Plus, I have to say, Facebook is wonderful because all sorts of people from far and near "remember " your birthday and wish you a happy one (maybe that's why we're the fastest-growing demographic on the site).
Beauty possibilities to consider: Getting your makeup done at a department store.
I'd gone there to splurge on a high-end double-duty foundation, either the SK-II or Crème de le Mer – as a treat. As I've mentioned before, I have "every day" foundation and special occasion foundation. But I ended up getting one I've used before: Armani Shaping foundation (I swear it actually does), and saved a little money, $65 as opposed to $85–$95, plus Saks was having a gift special so I got a great bag with whole bunch of samples too, including a Chanel eye cream.
And the other item I'd been coveting for a long time, the perfume I mentioned in Have you ever fallen in love with a fragrance? – heavenly, and I'm even glad I went the delayed gratification route.
I also invested in the new Lancôme Visionnarie because the IOMA skin analyzing machine at Saks said I had forehead wrinkles; I added some Lancôme Génifique because for Genes Day they were donating to St. Jude's Research Hospital — I like it when my purchasing power can do some good.
For Wellness: I decided to zip out to see friends in the Pennsylvania countryside, take in the fall colors, visit barn sales, breath some fresh country air, and go to a Glow in the Dark Pilates class. Say what?
Yep, because doesn't that sound kind of crazy and cool? I was so tired, but my friend virtually booted me off the couch and 20 minutes later I had brightly colored glow sticks affixed to my wrists, neck and ankles.
There we all were, about 15 of us I'd say, making weird glowing neon swirls and streaks in the darkness with each lift of the leg or arc of the arm. It was beautiful.
"I need more power, bwah-ha-ha," said the teacher, Annie Maxwell, twirling her glow stick like a baton as she issued exercise instructions. She and Victoria Maxwell (no relation, although apparently if you go there long enough your surname automatically becomes Maxwell), who run Powerhouse Pilates in Doylestown, PA, concocted their Glow in the Dark Pilates as a pre-Halloween festivity.
"I think you're actually working harder," enthused Annie. Not true, in the dark I was totally cheating, but I still felt worked out all over, with that sore-in-a-good-way feeling at the post-Pilates party complete with healthy snacks and killer drinks.
Seriously, the cocktails included Brain Hemorrhage and Blood n' Guts (if you want the recipes, just tell me, and I'll post them in the comment section).
I also like Powerhouse Pilates this month for their Fight Like a Girl campaign where 25% of all the Piloxing classes (a combo of Pilates and kickboxing I think, but it feels more like dancing) goes to FeelYourBoobies.com in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month. They even have a wall of honor for those who've survived, succumbed, or are engaged in the challenge — a poignant reminder that it's actually an honor and a privilege to be able to work out your body.
All in all, it was a wonderful birthday, and frankly, I'm still celebrating. I think Life Goes Strong should have a special birthday page – what do you think?
Birthday reminders:
What 50 Looks Like Today
What 60 Looks Like Today
65 Through The Years
Celebrate with a Champagne poem
