Thursday 28 February 2008

Birthday Celebrations

Today is my birthday. How did I get to be half a century?

How is it that when I look in the mirror I see me, but an older version, with wrinkles round my eyes, the same brown curls but with grey hairs spread among them? (More grey hair than my mother, god dammit.)

Inside I’m still the little me, the teenage me, the me that wore very short skirts and dungarees, platform heeled shoes and – jeans. Never been a follower of fashion, me. But also inside I know that I’ve changed and that’s one hell of a relief. The teenage Flowerpot was not a happy soul, to put it mildly.

I now have more confidence, a lovely fella, my furry family and great friends. I love what I do and I live in one of the loveliest places in the world. And I’ve had two work commissions in the last week which is a wonderful present. Keep ‘em coming…

I hadn’t planned any celebrations, not being a party person, but somehow things seem to have crept up. So Himself and I and some friends are having a quick bite to eat at Miss Peapods, a very bohemian cafĂ© nearby that is great for people spotting and then Viv and I will take young Moll for a good walk, work permitting.

In the evening we’re meeting some more friends for a drink and then we will go home and sit in front of the fire with Moll and Bussie. Hopefully not the intruder – he’s not invited.

As you will have gathered, I’m not a party person. I’d rather spend the day with my nearest and dearest. Having said that, I have been persuaded to have a weekend with my cousin who’s also 50 this year and her son who’s 21. God knows when that’ll be though, given her social calendar.

And next week we’re having a girl’s night out and will go for a meal.

And my mum’s coming down on Saturday for Mother’s Day so we can have a joint celebration.

That’s the way I like it. Not one big party but lots of little ones.

Make of that what you will. Cheers!

23 comments:

Cornish Dreamer said...

Happy Birthday FP! Many many happy returns! ;@)
I'll see you later.

RT

Lazy Perfectionista said...

Happy birthday!

Lane Mathias said...

Happy birthday fp! Your celebrations sound perfect to me:-)
Enjoy x

Flowerpot said...

RT - many thanks! See you at lunchtime.

lazy P - many thanks - please call this way again!

Aoj and The Lurchers said...

Happy Birthday! I hope you have a wonderful day today and that Himself spoils you rotten!

Your celebrations sound like just what I would want to do to. Have fun!

Jenny Beattie said...

Hey, sounds perfect to me, not being one for big parties either. Hope you have a great day and lots of lovely mini celebrations.
JJx

Karen said...

I don't like birthdays much. I too still feel young in my head, and don't like that the mirror tells a different story!

Have a lovely time, anyway!

Elaine Denning said...

Happy Birthday, FP! It sounds like you have a wonderful few days ahead of you, spent with the ones you love. What could be more perfect than that?
I hope you have a great time . x

Flowerpot said...

lane - I am enjoying very much thanks!

aoj - thanks and hope you are feeling a bit better now.

JJ - thanks and hope you're feeling better as well. A poorly lot!

Kate.Kingsley said...

Happy half century!!

Enjoy your celebrations :-)

Flowerpot said...

karen - lovely to meet you and please call again. I don't usually like birthdays either but I'm really enjoying this one!

MissU - thanks for that and all the best for you and Rob.

Flowerpot said...

kate - many thanks indeed. I am!

Akelamalu said...

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear Flowerpot
Happy Birthday to you.

I was singing along as I typed!

Hope your 50th birthday has been everything you hoped for so far with more to come. x

Katherine and Pippa said...

Hello flowerpot
You are a few years in front of me, but sound awfully similar (except I am very short of grey touch wood). I don't understand who looks at me out of the mirror. It isn't the 20-something in my head.

And I would hate a big party. In fact our birthday parties are smaller than yours, me, him, and how ever many dogs we have at the time.

Many happy returns and very much hope you have had a super day and that you enjoy the rest of your on-going parties.

Katherine

laurie said...

hoooray!

when i turned 50 (just a year ago) a woman i work with who i barely know took me out to lunch. we had pancakes. they were delicious! and she gave me a present: a small glass radish that she had bought in greece.

she went to greece for the first time when she turned 50, and she was passing the radish on to me in hopes that i, too, would do something special-something i'd always wanted to do--now that i had hit the big 50.

so i did. i went to Paris.

your special thing does not have to involve travel. it should be something you've thought of, something that you've always hoped for, anything.

i symbolically pass the crystal radish on to you.

happy happy birthday, flowerpot. i have so enjoyed your blog this last year.

MarmiteToasty said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOU DEAR SWEET LADY....

Raising me glass CHEERS.... ok, its a mug of tea, but the thoughts there :)

Now you have caught up with my age :)

x

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Happy Birthday. I like the sound of your parties. It looks like you're in for quite a few days of fun, hope you have a wonderful time.

BreadBox said...

Hey! Warmest best wishes! Congratulations! Even if you did beat me to it by a couple of years or so:-)

Hope the second half is as wonderful as the first:-)


N.

Little Wing said...

Flowerpot Happy Birthday, you are my kind of celebrator, keep it simple!

Flowerpot said...

Ak - it was a wonderful day, and all the better for not having planned anything!

katherine - thanks so much for your thoughts. A kindred spirit!

laurie - what a lovely comment. And thank you so much for the crystal radish. I am honoured and delighted and proud. Gulp. sniff.

Flowerpot said...

marmite - I think the fifties is just the right decade to be in - at the moment! Cheers m'dear!

Debs - thanks and yes I intend to make the most of all my days, parties or not.

Breadbox - thanks, that's wonderful.

little wing - another small celebrator - here's to us!

the rotten correspondent said...

Happy Birthday, Flowerpot. It sounds like you've got a lovely day planned. (I know I'm late, but I'm reading in order!)

Flowerpot said...

thanks RC - it was great!