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JennGM
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So what did you do when you turned 40? Or how do you plan on celebrating when you do?
My turn comes very soon, and I've been asked if I want a party of some kind, to go away...and I just don't know! Unless it's a party where everyone is invited, kids included, I don't want one. But then, I don't like all that attention on me, either.
So, I'm just curious how you celebrated....
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Family in Feast and Feria
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Maryan
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Hey Jenn,
I look like I'm going to turn 40 before you!! 
But I would be SO for the big party -- and tell Dave to please put me on the invite list if you go beyond your big extended family!!
I think age is a great thing -- older and wiser and all that -- great reasons for celebrations! I think it's nice for husbands to focus that attention on their wife etc. Besides kids love parties that have a special focus. I remember as a kid, we wrapped my Dad's present FORTY times...yeah, only a family with six girls could do that.
On a family note, we've only had two hit that milestone so far! Fr. T turned 40 last March. And we had a party at the homestead. We kept it small. There were only 5 families there..which totalled over 50 people! Erin turned 40 in August, but she was so sick from early pregnancy that she opted for a small girl's luncheon. I had a great time at lunch with her -- but I would have gone for the party!
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Maryan
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Carole N.
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Let me see if I can remember turning 40. Oh of course, it was actually a wonderful day.  My very close Catholic hs friends came over that morning with breakfast. They brought donuts, fruit, juice, crossiants, bagels, cream cheese, coffee, and all the utensils to serve and eat with.
Each one of them brought a significant religious gift as well. My best friend brought a lot of balloons. The children ate and played. We chatted. When they left, you could not tell that they had been here--everything went into a trash bag and out the door.
The secretary and the bookkeeper for our parish sent me Godiva Chocolates with black balloons attached. A close priest friend came by for a blessing. My dh took part of the day off, and we drove to Wichita to shop for furniture for the front porch, and then we had dinner at Olive Garden (I love Italian food). I only had Joshua (6) and Avery (4) then, and they were excellent in the resturant.
Of course, my birthday always falls during Lent ... but I still had chocolate and wine. After all, it is my feast day.
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Carole ... in Wales
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esperanza
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Jenn,
My dh and dc pulled off a spectacular surprise party..must have been my pregnant brain..but I never caught on for the three months that it was planned 
I went to a baby shower early that Sunday..then to pick up my dd from work late...meanwhile about 50 people were at my house having a good time..I pulled up and saw a teen beside my ds near the basketball hoop across from my house..I didn't see everyone in my front yard at first and then it took my dd in the car with me to say "Happy Birthday, mom" before I realized why those particular people were standing in front of my house. 
Great friends and family...lots of children ...lots of fun and good food!
It was the best for me because I didn't have to plan it! I am not good in that department.
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Tammy Gonzalez in VA
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JennGM
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Thanks so much for the input. I think it's my insecurities of thinking of asking so many different people that I don't get to see that often, but don't want to "impose"--isn't that terrible? I'm turning 40, get over it!
When I told dh I didn't know anyone to invite, his first thought was "Well, what about all those ladies on the Forum?" And truth is, that WAS my first thought...
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Jennifer G. Miller
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MaryM
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JennGM wrote:
| When I told dh I didn't know anyone to invite, his first thought was "Well, what about all those ladies on the Forum?" And truth is, that WAS my first thought... |
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But your b-day is in March, right? If only it were in July, I might be able to make it!
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Mary M. in Denver
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JennGM
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Oh, and Carole's post reminds me...will people celebrate someone's birthday in Lent? Yikes!
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Cay Gibson
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MY dh and dc also planned a huge surprise party for my 40th this past April. And they were able to throw it off without me knowing a thing!!! I'm more amazed that my dh was able to keep it secret.
I posted a bit about it here.
A friend asked me to take her adoration hour to get me out of the house. My husband brought me saying we'd go out to eat from there. In one hour my mother, oldest dd, sons, bil, sil, and some friends descended upon the house, got it set-up, and started dishing up the food (which had been catered and picked up by a friend). My bil had also roasted some chickens over the pit.
I asked dh to drive home before we went to eat so I could order pizza for the kids. It saved him from having to make an excuse to go back home.
The party's theme was "turning 4" instead of "turning 40". We were given Easter baskets (my birthday is in April), had an Easter egg hunt, and given party blowers.
The picture at the link shows many of my dear Catholic hsing friends. But like you, Jenn, I would have loved for all of you to have been there too. 
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Cay Gibson
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Cay Gibson
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I looked to see.
Easter last year was April 16th. My birthday fell on the 11th and I think dh threw my party on the Sunday before (Palm Sunday) which would have been April 9th.
You could say we were celebrating Palm Sunday.
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Cay Gibson
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Maryan
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Well, when's your birthday? We grew up with "birthdays were exemptions" but if it's a concern, there's always Sunday! Oh and a couple of solemnities. Although, knowing you - you probably don't count St. Patrick's Day in that list too!
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Maryan
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lilac hill
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DH had a big party-very fun.
For my 40th we stayed in NYC in a lovely hotel and went to the Met twice--once for a specific exhibit on Friday evening and then on Saturday for the whole day. After such an art rich experience I was happy to visit the Maritime Museum. Also, it was St. Pat's weekend in NYC--the East side was very fun.Unlimited time in the museum was my idea of a great way to celebrate.
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Viv
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JennGM
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Maryan wrote:
| Well, when's your birthday? We grew up with "birthdays were exemptions" but if it's a concern, there's always Sunday! Oh and a couple of solemnities. Although, knowing you - you probably don't count St. Patrick's Day in that list too! |
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Looks like Viv's birthday is around a similar date. Mine is the 16th, on a Friday this year! Gasp! So actual day is out, I think. But then there's the conflict of St. Patrick's Day weekend. Oh well...I didn't mean to get this into my party...just wanted to hear the great ways you celebrated. 
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Jennifer G. Miller
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MarilynW
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My big one is next Jan. We have been to a lot of big surprise parties in the last couple of years - I have already given dh and dc dire warnings about not doing so for me!!! My dream birthday is to go to a nice isolated hotel or log cabin with dh and dc - and sit in front of the fire and play games!!! But I do have hermit tendencies......
Saying that - Jenn I would be happy to gate crash your bash!!
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ElizLeone
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I turned 40 in November.
After having thrown a very-fun-if-I-do-say-so-myself surprise party for hubby two years ago, I told him with utmost seriousness that I did not want a surprise party for myself. I do better knowing what's coming than having a surprises sprung on me. So, anticipating a quiet birthday weekend at home with dh and dc, my husband surprised me one Thursday evening over a late dinner with the news that all of us were getting on a plane at 8:00 am the next morning for a five-day trip to Washington, DC, to see old friends and celebrate my birthday.
Needless to say, I sort of freaked. It was so entirely unexpected, and the thought of packing up five children ages 10 and under for a flight due to leave in just hours was so overwhelming. (We never fly with our kids.) I really was so grateful to Joe for thinking of me and going to such great and entirely unexpected lengths for my birthday, but I was having trouble getting past the oh-my-gosh-I-have-to-do-laundry-and-pack-all-these-kids-and- cancel-our-week's-activities all between now and 8:00 am. So how did I react? I cried! Not the gleeful reaction dh was expecting, and I was ashamed of myself, but I just couldn't seem to help it!
The story does improve... I spent the evening packing, got on that plane with all five kids, and had just a wonderful, memorable 40th birthday with my husband and kids. In fact, it turned out to be the best birthday yet, despite the shaky start. The story has made for great conversation, and I will always remember that very surprising birthday.
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humanaevitae
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ElizLeone wrote:
| I told him with utmost seriousness that I did not want a surprise party for myself. I do better knowing what's coming than having a surprises sprung on me. |
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I am the same way! Dh and I have had MANY conversations about this issue and he still wonders if I deep-down would like a surprise party!?!
Way to go for being able to rise above it and have a good time!
I just turned 30 and was very happy that Dh and I were able to leave for a night, do some shopping, and eat out. I didn't want a party for myself as I wouldn't feel comfortable but I love to attend other peoples' parties!
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Carole N.
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Okay, Jenn, mine is the 23rd (also a Friday). Just one week from yours. But it is your feast! Someone give us some feedback on this--can you celebrate, or should you choose another day?
I also have the same problem with our wedding anniversary. It falls in early April, so frequently it is Holy Thursday, Good Friday, sometimes Easter Sunday! What to do?
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mary
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i had the best 40th birthday party - i picked out 5 of my best girlfriends and their spouses, picked a restaurant and arranged to have a back room for the evening. my dh picked out appetizers and wines and we all sat and gabbed and laughed for a few hours. it was the most fun i have ever had at a birthday party.
so, i got a small party with my best friends. it wasn't a surprise so i looked nice. i didn't have to do any of the work except for picking out the friends, my dh did all of the rest.
hope you have a wonderful celebration!
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Marjorie
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Jenn,
I have been wondering the same thing lately as my 40th is coming up this summer. I am not a big party person but I would like to spend some time with friends and it would be a good excuse for a get together. The last time I had a "party" was my 18th! My sister gave me a suprise party with my friends from school. Nice idea - poor timing. I had been working as a house cleaner since 7 am that day and was a MESS! No make up, covered with cat hair and worse. And most of my friends were guys from my calc class.
I love reading about Alice's teas and thought about doing someting like that, but I don't want to do all the cooking. Would a potluck tea party be tacky i.e. one lady bring sandwiches, another a little fruit, I make desserts and tea/ coffee/punch etc. Oh, and no gifts allowed - just food?
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Mary G
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Jenn,
I got lucky -- we were in Austria for my 40th and my older one was finally old enough to leave the littles with so dh and I had a very romantic dinner at an Austrian restaurant then came home to a surprise party with my kids. I really enjoyed just spending the time with my dh and then with the kids.
But turning 40 wasn't a big deal to me. My parents always taught us that age didn't really matter (and the alternative to aging is either going in reverse or ending and I don't really like either of those options  ).
When I turned 41, I was 7 months pregnant and ready for the little cherub to come on out and didn't care what I did!
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MaryG
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marihalojen
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JennGM wrote:
| Oh, and Carole's post reminds me...will people celebrate someone's birthday in Lent? Yikes! |
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Didn't we just decide that Sundays aren't actually part of the 40 days of Lent?
I'm such a party freak I'd do a 3 day run, Jenn!
Friday - It's my birthday! Try to visit some cool shrine or church nearby that I might not visit usually and let ds light a candle for ME!
Saturday - St. Patrick's Day, eat fish and chips and search for beer that has not been dyed green.
Sunday - Time to celebrate with family and friends, have fun!
Which of the fun parties the ladies posted above appealed? Tell your husband, they're not the greatest mind readers sometimes give him something to work with and then sit back and have the best time ever on Sunday!
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Turning 40
