Monday, February 7, 2022

This is 41

Yesterday, I celebrated my 41st trip around the sun! It was a very low-key day and not all that different from any other Sunday. But we are playing things extra safe right now in the hopes we will stay healthy and covid-free so we can go to Arizona to visit my sister as planned in 9 days! I NEED to get out of Minnesota and the cold, to feel the sun, and to be able to get out of the house without putting my kids in multiple layers - especially Will. Getting him into winter clothing is like dressing a cat at times... 

This is how Will feels about winter clothing. And winter in general. He's not super thrilled with sledding yet.

Last year's milestone birthday was also low key since we had a 2-month old, were still in the middle of a pandemic, and none of us were vaccine-eligible yet. Maybe/hopefully by the time I turn 42, things will be more normalish? But really, it's not like I rip it up for a birthday in non-covid times. The last time I celebrated a birthday with friends, I had girlfriends over in the afternoon for wine and macarons and we worked on a puzzle! But I hope to do something similar in March. I treated myself to this puzzle for my birthday and bought it on a day when it happened to be on sale on amazon! Score!


If I can't visit Paris (my favorite city in the world), at least I can work on a Paris puzzle with friends.

Overall, I feel very nonplussed about adding another year to my age. 40 did not freak me out either. I had a harder time turning 30 since I entered that decade single and without children - which made me an outlier among my local friends who had all gotten married and started families. I was also exiting a decade where I floundered around to find the right career. I started a new job a month before turning 30 and that ended up being the perfect career for me, but it was too soon to know that at 30. 

I've been in my current industry for over a decade now and couldn't imagine a better fit. I've got a great boss who treats me like an adult which means he doesn't micromanage me and lets me do my thing. And I've got great coworkers who have been extremely understanding as I've navigated health challenges and all the kid illnesses that mean I often need to take a day off with no notice. I'm married to a fabulous person, and I have 2 beautiful healthy children. So really, could I be any luckier than I am?

That said, I am glad the last 2 years are behind me and won't need to be repeated. Covid aside, the last 2 years were particularly hard between pregnancy, which is always very hard for me with all my complications, and the first year of Will's life. I find the first year of a child's life to be particularly challenging, especially for the mom. It feels good to know that I will never be pregnant or have another infant. I know that parenting doesn't magically become easier once your kids are older, but at least I will be dealing with those challenges on a full night of sleep! (I hope?)

So how did I celebrate this quiet birthday? Phil tried to get me some macarons from the downtown Minneapolis bakery that catered our dessert table at our wedding but they have weird hours right now due to covid/low foot traffic. So instead I treated myself to some delicious treats from a local GF bakery, Sift, including this delicious cinnamon roll. I also got my free birthday latte from Starbucks. 


Phil made a Spanish Tortilla for lunch. I do most of the cooking in our house, but his mom taught him how to make this on Christmas Day so this is now his signature dish. He studied abroad in Spain during college and then I visited southern Spain in 2016 so we both were introduced to this in Spain. It's made from eggs, potatoes, and ham and it's delicious!


We went sledding after lunch to get some fresh air and then spent lots of time playing in the basement. Paul made me lots of 'presents' from magnatiles, including this creation which is a "miniturizer." He is super into the show Wild Kratts so that is where he got the idea to make this. I think it's a pretty clever creation.


For dinner, we ordered Indian take-out which was delicious. Our standard order is Malai Kofta and Chicken Vindaloo. I enjoyed some moose track ice cream with m&ms on top for dessert. We closed out the weekend by watching some of the Olympics coverage and then I headed up to bed and started Ann Patchett's new Essay collection - These Precious Days. So far, it's excellent. 

And that was my birthday! I also FaceTimed with my parents and got lots of texts and email birthday messages. So all in all, it was a wonderful day.

As a birthday treat, I've love it if you would comment and say hi! Tell me how long you've been reading my blog and how you like to celebrate your birthday!

14 comments:

Nicole said...

Happy Happy Birthday Lisa!! Your day sounds terrific! I have been reading your blog for more than 12 years... does that seem possible? I started back when I blogged too, so it has been a very long time. We both live in MN and are of similar age. I always hope to run in to you sometime at the starting line of a race, but no luck... yet! I so appreciate the time and energy you put into your posts. I love following along in your life journey and reading the stories you share about your family. Your finance posts are always so informative and remind me of so many things I should consider on the daily. Oh my gosh - and your book reviews! They guide so much of what I read! In fact, I have one of your faves from January on loan from the library right now. Thank you for continuing to write posts! All the best - Nicole

Elisabeth said...

Happy Birthday! I'm so glad we've become connected via the wonder of the internet over the last few months <3

Paris is my favourite city, too. We are kindred spirits I tell you with our lets-pay-down-the-mortgage and let's-not-go-overboard-with-girls mentalities.
That said, I am NOT into puzzles. I have a picture that reminds me of this; I'll send it to you as a birthday boost of Parisian joy.

I'm so glad you feel more confident in your 40's. I'm mid-30's at this point and am feeling like I understand my own personality so much more each year. It can be a painful process at times, but also...good. You know we've made some big changes lately and I don't think 30-year-old Elisabeth would have been able to do that.

My favourite thing to do on my birthday? Feel like the day is different. I've had some tough birthdays with infants around or my husband being away or sick...but the last few years have been lovely. I've felt spoiled with my favourite unbaked cherry cheesecake and little cards from the kids. I really do like feeling like I get to set that day apart from the rest. Sadly my birthday is in May, very close to Mother's Day, so I get this special treatment twice close together...but I like my birthday more now than I did when I was younger!

Happy Birthday! And that cinnamon roll does look delicious.

NGS said...

Happy, happy day! I'm so glad you found joy in a low-key celebration.

I found your blog recently and I'm living vicariously through you in your Twin Cities living. I lived in Minneapolis for much of my twenties when I was in grad school at the U, but we left for my husband's job.

TayaRuns said...

Happy birthday!!!!

So glad I found your blog after running you for years :)

Kyria @ Travel Spot said...

I am so glad you had a good birthday! And it's kind of nice when it falls on a weekend!

How long has it been? 12 years? I don't really even know to be honest. I do know that it has been fun getting to know you over those years, however many there were!

Jeanie said...

Happiest of belated birthdays, Lisa! It sounds like a wonderful day, filled with love and yummy foods too! I love your attitude on aging! It's so smart and it's really accurate. Birthdays over the weekend are the best -- you don't have to work and can all be together.

That's a good question about following -- It's at least 10 years, because I had been following you quite some time before Nora's wedding and we discovered we had her mom, Diana, in common as a friend. So, I'd probably tack on at least a year before that. My trip to Chicago with Diana was in 2011 and I'd been reading her for at least two years before we met. So, maybe since 2009 or 2010, following you! Birthday celebrations? My favorite is at the lake with Rick (or anywhere with Rick) -- and maybe a few really wonderful friends!

Jenn said...

Happy birthday Lisa! I think I found you through SHU's blog. I have 2 boys a bit older than yours and I'm also a big reader. I really enjoy following along. I'm in Guelph, Ontario (about an hour west of Toronto).

Grateful Kae said...

Happy Birthday Lisa!!! Gosh, time flies but I think it's coming up on 2 years this spring already that I've been reading your blog. I've so enjoyed getting to know you and really have fun with some of our email threads too! :) I'm glad you had a nice day. I respect and appreciate your relaxed attitude about birthdays and getting older. It helps to remind ME it's all good...as I inch toward 40!! (almost 38 1/2 now..). You really do have so much good in your life and it's awesome to see you recognize it, despite being in a very challenging season, too.

Carolina John said...

Happy birthday! 41 was a fun year for me, it's when my eyes started falling apart (cataracts, reading glasses). Good luck!

Stephany said...

Happy birthday, sweet friend! I have loved following along with your journey all these years. I think we've been reading each other's blogs for SO long - maybe 12 years? I know I started reading before you turned 30 because I remember your solo Paris trip for your 30th! How crazy is that?

I think you know how I like to celebrate my birthday: with Day of Stephany! Hehehe. I like going all out and pampering myself with a massage, a pedicure, and a nice long nap. :)

katielookingforward said...

Happy Belated Birthday and Happy Almost Vacation!!! I think your celebrations sound perfect especially given the different aspects of your life (travel, the kiddos, etc). I think the struggles for the newborn - toddler life aren't spoken about enough. Sure most parents deal with it, but it is a huge change in life. I agree most of my friends seem more relaxed once they are out of that stage and have older kiddos.

San said...

Happy (belated) birthday - I sent you a Whatsapp on Monday, but it looks like you haven't read it (I am wondering if you have the same number?)... anyway, I hope you had a wonderful day and from this blog post, it sounds like you did! :)
Spanish tortilla sounds wonderful - I haven't had one in ages.

I think I've read your blog for more than 10+ years, because I remember when you were turning 30 and were unhappy with the life situation you were in... but guess what, it all turned out as it was supposed to :)

Have a great trip to AZ!

The Many Thoughts of a Reader said...

Happy Belated Birthday! I was literally daydreaming about a post covid birthday party and was then trying to figure out who the heck I'd even want to invite ha! For my birthday I really prefer to spend a day hitting up breweries and trying drinks/apps along the way. Perfect day. Food and drink yum. I can't remember exactly how long I've been reading your blog. But I think it was 2007 or 2008 ish.

Anne said...

I comment rarely, and always late, but wanted to say a belated happy birthday. I hope you had a wonderful trip to AZ to see your sister!
Also, I think your experience of coming more fully into yourself in your 30s aligns with the experiences of so many of us. I don't think my 21 year old self would have ever envisioned me doing what I am doing, where, and with whom. :) Isn't life fun?