You’re Beautiful at 50!
By APOOO • Sep 6th, 2008 • Category: Thinking Out Loud •
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Almost eight years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer and at that time all I could think about was getting rid the cancer so that I could move forward with my life and continue to live. For me. For my kids. For my hubby. For me…yes I’m saying that again. After treatment, I measured my life according to breast maintenance and health stats. For five years, I had to have a mammogram every six months. Each time, I would hold my breath as I anxiously waited to hear, ”Everything looks fine, Mrs. Coleman.” Finally, after 10 visits every six months, 5 years later, I was finally told, “You’re in remission, your breast looks good, we no longer need to see you every six months, you can resume with once a year visits.”
Can I say R-E-L-I-E-V-E-D for so many reasons to include moving on with my life and really living as normal as possible, and thinking now you can get more life insurance…you no longer have to check that you had cancer in the last five years. Yeah, pre-existing conditions make many insurance companies consider you ‘unworthy’ of being insured.
Fast forward to 2007, twelve months ago this time, on the eve of my 50th birthday, I decided that I was going to act upon a wish that I made 8 years ago. If I lived to 50 years of ago, I was going to throw myself a big birthday bash like it was 1999 plus 9 years…lol. I planned to have a big birthday bash and invite 50 of my closest friends from childhood to the present. But, in February 2008, I had a little health scare, the economy went south and I decided that by the end of this year I would rather be working to get OUT of debt rather then further in debt. So, I changed gears, because afterall part of turning 50 is that I’ve lived half a century and I’m a grown arze woman who can change her mind and celebrate her birthday anyway she pleases…especially since I’M ALIVE and cancer free. For me that’s a celebration in and of itself.
Originally I planned to spend this weekend in NYC shopping, dining, sightseeing and seeing the play For Colored Girls Who Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Wasn’t Enuf but the show was cancelled and then a funny thing happened on the way to the theatre–like high school football and a son starting Varsity…this child has told me since he was eight-years old that he was going to get a football scholarship to college. Looks like he’s on his way…but just in case his B plan doesn’t work out…hopefully his A plan will as he has the potential to be a National Merit Scholar. But, I digress…lol.
So, at the last minute, I found myself with no BIG plans for my 50th birthday and given that I’m on course to be debt-free within 12 months, not doing anything BIG for my birthday has not been upsetting at all. Especially since my birthday has come in with a BANG and I’ve decided to celebrate my50th birthday every month on the 6th for the next twelve months. HEHE.
I kicked off my celebration at noon yesterday. Went out to lunch with my co-workers and since my birthday celebration began at noon( I took off this afternoon), I got to have a party drink while all of my co-workers gloated. My boss wouldn’t let them have a drink because they had to return to work…and as it should be…hehe.
I went home and found several cards including one from my favorite aunt. She has jokes…check out this card she sent to me:
You’re 50? Well don’t think of it as middle-aged…middle aged is 35.
Hmmm yeah she has jokes…mind you she’s 20 years older than me so what that make her. Don’t answer…lol.
After I got a good chuckle out of her card, I was off to spend the evening with the family watching Friday Night High School Football. Yep for the next couple of months, I will be watching and cheering the son’s team onto victory! Last night was a two-fer because daughter, who is a middle school student, cheered with her competitive cheer leading troop for her brother’s high school football team. So, I was busy trying to watch daughter’s stunts and son’s attempts to run a touchdown. Son’s team won but I can’t believe how they almost lost to a team that was beaten last week with a score of 7 to 41! Guess son’s team isn’t as good as they think they are…they’ve got work to do if they want to win ALL of the next 8 games.
As yesterday came to a close, it was my hubby who put the icing on the cake. We were all hanging out in the family room watching highlights of the game that my son’s team almost lost. I was thinking about what I was going to blog about today…when suddenly it occured to me that I could blog about my birthday and ask everyone to stop by and leave wishes and comments. As I thought about it, I shared with my family that in 18 minutes I would be 50 years old! WOW…I’m i awe because so much has happened in my 50 years of living! I pondered this for a few minutes and caught up with my family…something we don’t get a chance to do much given each of our busy schedules. 60 seconds after the clock struck midnight, my husband looked at me and said,
I love you, YOU’RE beautiful at 50!
Dayum he’s good and I know why I’ve been with him for 17 years!
Well, good peeps it’s September 6th and it’s my birthday! Here’s a picture blog of 17 things I plan to do during my birthday season (that would be all year) and the gifts I told my family I want for my birthday.
BREAKFAST IN BED compliments of kids and hubby.

SPA GETAWAY PACKAGE to include manicure, pedicure, facial and a massage!

LUNCH WITH GIRLFRIENDS…okay so it won’t be Santorini in Greece but I will be with friends…lol.

DINING OUT WITH ONLY HUBBY, SON AND DAUGHTER…


CAKE AND ICE CREAM (This is a Big Treat as these days I rarely eat either)

BARNES AND NOBLE GIFT CERTIFICATE

BATH AND BODY WORKS GIFT CERTIFICATE
COACH BRIEFCASE

KINDLE
MACBOOK/LAPTOP
GPS NAVIGATOR(Currently have one and I LOVE IT but it’s part of my phone as is the camera, TV, internet access and MP3…but I have to pay to have those services on my phone, so it would be cheaper for me to purchase one with an MP3 player so that I no longer have to pay monthly service fee)

What can I say…radio stations suck here. I need Satellite Radio for my listening pleasure and enjoyment.
MAMMOGRAM–This goes without saying; I get only every year around my birthday. IT’s the one gift I give to myself…ALWAYS.

TEETH CAPPED–I need to have my two/upper front teeth capped…thinking about taking the plunge and getting all of my top/front teeth capped…especially since insurance will cover at least two the caps (it’s not for cosmetic reasons but to protect the fillings that are being chipped away…)
Taking Monday OFF. Each year I take off from work on the day of my b-day. When it falls on a weekend, I take off the following Monday.

EACH MONTH–I will allow myself to escape from work and the computer to do something fun.

Next year, to culminate my birthday, we will schedule a trip to islands. preferably Bermuda, when there’s no hurricanes on the horizon or Friday Night High School football!
As soon as I can afford to purchase one with cash…I’m treating myself to the ultimate birthday gift…a BMW coupe!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
How have you celebrated a milestone(ie 18,21, 25, 30, 40, 50) birthday in the past?
How do you want to celebrate your next milestone birthday?
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APOOO is an online author and reader community dedicated to advancing African American literature. Our mission is to expose readers of all ages to a good book in any genre; to support African American authors, books, literary events and bookclubs; to provide marketing resources, tools and tips to authors; and, to promote literacy within the African American community.
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Sounds llike the ultimate celebration for your 50th.
HAVE A SMIPLY MARVELOUS TIME CELEBRATING ON THE 6TH OF THE MONTH ALL YEAR!
ENJOY IT MY SISTER, the best years are ahead of you, 50 is freeing like nothing else, I will celebrate a bit for you, my girls and I are getting together today at Cheesecake Factory and we will consume a lot of calories in your honor…ENJOY, ENJOY, ENJOY and party like it’s 2008….
Love Ya Like Birthday Cake!
angelia
Yasmin,
Happy Birthday! Thanks for inviting me to your party. You have a wonderful year lined up. Next year will be 50 for me. I think I’m going to follow your lead and take the whole year.
Happy Birthday!
DIVA!!!! Happy birthday. I like your list, and I love the idea of celebrating big birthdays the whole year. I may have to copy you for 45 and in five year increments after that. LOL Enjoy yourself. And know that I am coveting the Bimmer coupe. I know you will rock that car like a true diva!
Djuanna’s last blog post..PMS and Politics
You have a lot to celebrate. Happy Birthday to you and many more!!! Virgos rock!!! I’ll be celebrating 40 on the 16th. Girl, it’s September, celebrate the whole month through–I know I am
I’ve given out invitations to a birthday gala I’m hosting next Sunday and on my actual b’day I plan on treating myself to a spa day.
Oh did I say Virgos rock!!! It’s your birthday–get busy–:)
Shelia’s last blog post..This Woman’s Roar by Guest Pat G’Orge Walker
I am in agreement with your aunt.. Congratulations on all of your accomplishments. I still wish I had some of your energy. Sometimes you don’t need a big celebration to know how special you and your life has been.
Enjoy your Day, Month, Year!!!
My next Milestone is 40. I want to be my own boss at that point. That is my goal. enjoy your milestone Bday!
Sis…I’m just stopping by to say how awesome you are; God knew what he was doing when He blessed your parents with you.
You’ve gone through a lot and you deserve everything on your list and more! *hugs*
Shon’s last blog post..The Kiss
Angelia…someone asked me today ‘what’s the difference between 50 and the 40s’…I told them NOTHING…lol and so far there isn’t anything different…I’m just loving the moment…hehe.
JNETTE–thanks much!
Angela…Happy Eve of 50!
Diva D–Definitely copy!
Shelia–yes we Virgo’s rock…ALL THE TIME…just ask Michael Jackson who wants to rock with us…hehe.
Cilla–I’ve have to introduce you to my aunt…lol.
Lashonda–I hear you about being your own boss!
ALL–So far I’ve accomplished # 1 -8 today! Not bad for the b-day girl and I also got cash–$10 for each year! Not bad!
Yasmin,
You are going to live a long time, because I swear I was just thinking about you a few hours ago. I said to myself, “Didn’t Yasmin tell me she was turning 50 in September? I need to drop her an e-mail and wish her Happy Birthday!” So Happy Birthday, girl!!!
I turned 50 last year and celebrated by taking a motor trip with my husband. We first went to Clarksdale, Mississippi, and went to Morgan Freeman’s blues club there both Friday and Saturday nights. (Friday the music was great authentic blues; Saturday it was more like a typical wedding reception and didn’t deserve to be called blues – we ended up leaving early.) After doing some gambling in Tunica, we drove up to Memphis, where we spent my birthday. We saw the Civil Rights Museum, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Museum, and partied on Beale Street (and ran into the same British couple on Beale Street with whom we shared a table at the club in Clarksdale. We are still in touch today!) By the time we stopped in Indianapolis and Gary, Indiana, to visit family and to celebrate the Fourth of July, we’d been gone over a week and were happy to get home!
As for that next milestone, 60, well, give me a chance to get used to being in my 50s! And I looooove your birthday list!
Happy Birthday, Wonderful Sister! Enjoy another fifty years.
Am I the oldest one here, 54? 55-Februrary 12! Yasmin–can we go spa-hopping together?
Love,
Jewell
Happy Birthday Yasmin, I’m excited for you. I know that you are going to have a blast all year. What a great book idea? A woman celebrating her 50th birthday in just the way you described above, and with a loving husband and family…surrounded by supportive girlfriends. Hmmm… you better hurry and get on that before I do
. Just kidding, not about the book idea, but I wouldn’t write your story. I’m leaving that up to you. Enjoy your year of celebration you certainly deserve it.
Happy birthday, Yas. I love your list and your attitude about turning the big 50! (been there, done that (lol) and believe me, the best is yet to come! You’ve endured a lot, but you’ve accomplished much more. The sky is the limit for you,
“Thank you for being a friend…” (really)
Hey Betty–WHAT AN AWESOME WAY TO SPEND YOUR 50TH…you just gave me some more ideas…I might need to get a second job to take another trip next year…lol.
Jewel–YOU’RE 54 years YOUNG…lol. We definitely need to go spa-hopping together…I love SPA DAYS…they’re so soothing and peaceful…great way to get away and enjoy BEING YOU.
Cheryl–if it’s a positive story, with multiple twists and turns, happy ending you can write it and name the protagonist after…me…hehe.
NIAMBI…thanks and you have my eyes tearing ova here.
xoxo
Happy birthday Yasmin,
Thanks for sharing it with us. I celebrated my 50th birthday last year. Two weeks before my birthday on my way to work I fell and broke my ankle. I didn’t know that my daughter planned a big 50th party for me. I had to walk into the party in crutches and was out of work for a couple of months. The party was great and she even got in touch with some good friends I haven’t seen in 20 years. I had a great time in spite of my ailment.
I love your idea of celebrating it all year.
Enjoy yourself…you deserve it…and welcome to the wonderful 50 club. (smile)
Stay blessed!
Adrienne
Yasmin -
Happy Birthday – “50″ is just the beginning and it gets better each year!
Enjoy all of your blessings and keeping making all of your dreams a reality.
Your positive attitude and endless energy is an inspiration to all you come in contact with.
Happy Birthday, Yasmin. Celebrate, the best is yet to come!!! ~ Celeste
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!
man, I want some of your presents, LOL!!!
Let’s see…
My 18th I celebrated by registering to vote and then dinner with family.
21st, I was in Chicago on the last day of Taste of Chicago with friends and family.
25th…I don’t remember, lol!
30th began with a surprise birthday breakfast with my two sisters and ended at a hotel suite with a then male friend of mine.
40th…I did not do anything big. Iknow, I should have but I was not feeling in the party mood. I just chilled and took the weekend off. But I partied my ass off for #41(I know that is not an official milestone, but hey I’m alive) with friends all weekend from the 4th of July cookout to a combined b-day celebration where including me the age range from 39, 40 and 41.
Happy Birthday, sis! I love your idea of celebrating this wonderful milestone birthday all year on the 6th of each month! I might have to take it when I celebrate my milestone of 40 in two years, God willing. I didn’t do anything really big for my 30th birthday, although I did complete my Doctorate that year… I suppose that was a big birthday gift to myself. But in 2010, when I hit the big 40, it’s gonna be on. Happy birthday again, sis!
Gwyneth
LISA…HEY…and I love how you celebrated each of your b-days…and 40 you celebrated…you just did it at the end of the year…on your 41st…similar to what I’m going to do with my 50th…the big getaway is coming at the end…you know taking out the year with a BANG…hehe.
xoxo
Happy birthday Yasmin. I admire your zest and your goals. My birthday is Monday, but I’m breaking tradition and am actually working. Have a wonderful day!
Gwyneth..sis don’t make light of that doctorate…I got an MBA which wasn’t easy and after those two years I knew that any doctorate I wanted I WOULD never have because I just wasn’t disiplined enough to STUDY that hard…lol. So sis that was a big accomplishment esp. since I don’t know two many folks who had their PHD by 30!
xoxo
Hey Yasmin! Your birthday celebration sounds like a blast and I pray that you will be able to enjoy every aspect of it! Happy birthday and I pray that God blesses you with many more.
Adrienne–thanks for welcoming me to the club!
Beverly–we’ve got to meet one day and thanks for being in my inner circle!
Celeste–yes the best is yet to come!
Ericka–sorry to hear you have to break tradition this year…hope you have the day off next year or better yet take off another day this month.
Iris Celeste–THANK YOU!
Renee–thanks for the greeting!
xoxo
Yasmin
Happy 50th Birthday and many more.
Happy Happy Birthday, SIS!! I am so thankful God has brought you into all of our lives. You are a blessing and full of so much energy. I appreciate all you do with making life enjoyable. I wish there were more beautiful spirits that flow in this universe like yours for you are a unique individual who I adore! Remember you are a child of God and I feel your warmth on the other side of the computer screen!
BIG BIG HUGZ…
Happy Birthday!!!
Congrats. on being a survivor. May God continue to bless you and your family.
Hey Yasmin!! A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you! I’m so jealous. LOL My 50th birthday came and went without so much as a bleep. Nobody even noticed, other than my husband. I, unlike you, was so depressed about turning 50, I didn’t do jack. I like your style! I thought you were like, 10 years, not 2, younger than me!! LOL Enjoy your special time, my sister. You have survived so much and you have done so much to further so many authors such as myself, along. You deserve all the good things LIFE has to offer you. Stay BLESSED and stay positive!!!
Yasmin your big BANG has knocked everything ova here in Chicago backwards and your birthday song was the first thing that went bopnkers sorree….
u 2 Birthday Happy
u 2 Birthday Happy
Yasmin dear Birthday Happy
u 2 Birthday Happy
I am so excited that the Lord has allowed you to spend another birthday with us. And the way you are celebrating it out of the norm really flutters my skirt, which is another reason why I sang your sang backward….Its about “doing what ever you want” but you gotta tone down those BANGS!!!!
Enjoy sis!!!
Happy Birthday Yasmin!
All of the things you want are great! I see you want the Kindle
You will love it I am sure. Enjoy your days off from work! Happy 50th Birthday and many more!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FELLOW VIRGO!
Yasmin you just go ahead and do the dang thang. My cousin Jackie (who you went to high school with) had a cute little 50th birthday party in February. On last friday I attended another 50th party of a colleague. I must say today’s 50 is not our parents 50.
LOL, I was talking to my sister and she was like, “ain’t it funny when the birthday parties you attend now are for people turning 50?” No, isn’t…hahaha.
Well I turned 44 on September 3rd. I have always taken the week of my birthday off just to relax, reflect, and rejuvenate. For my 30th birthday (that’s as far back as I can remember) I was still in the party scene and have a vague memory of some co-workers taking me out. At least that is what I think those pictures are from. For my 35th, I went to Orlando for a live TJMS broadcast and on my way back I had to stop by the office and my co-workers had planned a huge office party. Lawd, they actually had a cake of a penis and gave me some porn magazines that turned out to be of Gay men…………I think I must have been single and desperate.
Let’s see, I changed jobs later that year and for my 36th I had a big cook-out at my home. Now my 40th was the next time I did something and let me tell you, I have always dreamed of going to Jamaica. I had three friends lined up to go with me. One backed out when it was time to pay (it is hard having broke azz people around you). I decided to have a “Guess Whose Turning the Fabulous 4-0″ party with a Jamaican theme. I poured hundred’s of dollars into this party and countless hours creating invitations, games and decorations centered around celebrities who were also turning 40 in 2004. The party was to be on Labor day and we were scheduled to leave for Jamaica the following friday. Well low and behold there were 3 or 4 back-to-back hurricanes and I was forced to postpone the party and the trip. The night I ended up having the party was also the night of a big boxing match and a popular college football game. Needless to say I lost half my guests. But the biggest blow came when I was rescheduling the trip and the travel agent suggested I call my travel mates. Come to find out they had already requested refunds and had no intentions of going with me after the first trip was canceled. When I asked them about it they had the nerve to attitude and say it was their money and they could do what they wanted. No apologies or anything. Well I let them both go and haven’t had any regrets. Not sure I will plan anymore big parties in the future but I am always grateful for the blessing of another year.
Here’s to your victory over cancer, and to your 50th birthday. I wish you many more and pray that God blesses you to receive all the desires of your heart before you turn 60!
Luv Ya!
Happy Birthday Yas!! May God continue to bless you each year!!! You definitely have something to celebrate about and I just love your celebratory ideas…is celebratory a word? If not it’s a SO…a Sharon Original…LOL!!!! Yes us Virgos definitely know how to RAWK IT!!!!!!!!!!!! My next milestone will be in 2 years when I turn 50. I’m going to plan something extrordinarily special.
happy birthday DIVA and i wish you many more to come!
Yasmin! Happy, happy birthday to you!!
Here’s to a wonderful day and to continued wonderful days in the year/years to come! Enjoy your day off, try making it one day off each month for the next year. It’s your year, make it what you wanna!!
Four more years to the big 50 for me and that will also be Chel’s graduating year, so it will probably be more about her than me but once I get her settled in college, it will be my TIME!!
Andrea
Manisha, Desiree, Phyllis Ann–THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE WELL WISHES.
JennTaFur–I hope we get to meet one day because I love your spirit!
Gayle–U R so wonderful…and yeah we’re right there with age…AND IT’S ALL GOOD…hmm if I hadn’t had a wake up call 8 years ago I’m not so sure I WOULD BE PROUDLY TELLING FOLKS that I’m 50 today…hehe.
MISSY lol regarding the bangs…hehe.
Khadejah you get the award today for BEST B-DAY STORIES…gurl you got me cracking up ova here…lol. HMMM those friends they were wrong and I’m glad you got rid of them! xoxo
Sharon–two years huh…APOOO will be 10 years old…and I would love to have a MEET AND GREET with all of us…hope you can join us! xoxo
Yas,
Happy Happy Birthday!!!! I wish you many more years of living beautiful, loved and blessed!
Yas,
This is a true testament of God’s abundant love and grace. My sister, I am so very happy for you and proud of you. May God continue to richly bless you and your family. Thank you for all you do, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
With Love,
Elissa Gabrielle
Andrea…I’M loving 50…but sis don’t rush it…enjoy your 40s…hehe.
Hazel thank you and thanks for stopping by.
ONIKA…you’re right on time…thanks for stopping by!
Elisa–thanks for stopping by and we have much work to do in the upcoming months!
Happy Birthday and here’s wishing you have many, many more.
Happy Birthday Soror ! Im sorry I am so late with my greeting…I wish you many more birthdays and hope to see you this year so we can do a birthday lunch. I teared up when I read what your hubby said..that was beautiful ! For my 50, 35 folks went on a cruise with me and a few of my friends who are the same age and we had a blast. My next big birthday is next year when I turn 60 and the crew and I are planning to go to New Orleans and help out where we can.
Virgos rock, don’t they? I hit 40 in a couple of yours and I can only hope that I am as retrospective as you are. It keeps you humble and grateful… Thanks for sharing your birthday and life lessons with us!
Acutally you’re 2 years old today as far as I can tell (or is it 3rd since meeting you on myspace?) but nonethelesss…Yeahhhhhhhhh we’re celebrating life, love, fun and happiness. LOVE THE BLOG. Your shindigs are always happening….and I’m alwaysssssssss late lol. Hugs and smooches to you on this day. Its pouring here in NYC so I’m sure you would’ve been couped up in your hotel or something. So its nothing missed.
I’m wishing you much more wonderful years, with your wonderful breasts and wonderful spirit that is necessary for those of us who follow you. YOU ARE AWESOME.
so glad to have you as a part of my cyber world. Continue to enjoy this moment.
Love
Onika.
Happy Birthday, Yas! Enjoy all the bliss that your heart can handle – I can’t think of anyone more deserving.
Love,
Marcus
Marcus Harris’s last blog post..Songs Gets Mad Love From Essence Magazine!
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY Diva Yas!!
I simply adored this post. Love the visuals. I know you are jamming right about now. Continue to make those memories. You are so blessed and I am glad you’re in my life.
Break out those thongs…whoops..did I type that? Ha, I can’t go to the corner on a blog–right? (I kid, I kid)
Smooches…SHAYE
Wishing you a wonderful and relaxing 50th birthday. Wow, those pictures are luxury at it’s best.
Happy Birthday Yasmin! And many more!
Soror Happy 50TH Birthday, May all your wishes and dreams come true on this your special day. Life only gets better from this point on.
Toni Bonita
Happy Birthday Yasmin! I pray that you enjoy your day and every 6th of the month that you celebrate from now until next year.
Dance like no one’s watching;
Sing like no one can hear you;
Love like you’ve never been hurt;
Live like it’s Heaven on earth. ~Sonza~
Yas, this is the type of birthday party that I love attending!! You go Grown Woman!!! Thank you for that wonderful testimony and for sharing your goals, dreams, and reality!! May you enjoy your birthday!!!
If I could sing, I’d sing the best happy birthday song ever, LOL!
But I can’t sing a lick, so I’ll just say it-HAPPY BIRTHDAY YASMIN!!!
May God bless you with many, many more!
P.S. My uncle turned 50 today as well, so, you’re in GREAT company!
Muah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Linda
http://www.lindarherman.com
Yasmin I am blessed by your testimony and look forward to hearing each year for the next 50 years about how you celebrated your special day.
Linda!
You have the right attitude! Celebrate life, love, health and prosperity! I’m so impressed you’ll be debt-free soon. I was there once. LOL. Many, many wishes for a lovely birthday and a lovely year!
Carleen’s last blog post..Omaha
I had no idea you knew so many Linda’s LOL
Happy Birthday, Yas! Fifty is fabulous!
Hey Happy Birthday…. to many many more!!!!!!
HAPPPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!
I believe you’ve recieved the best gift of all REMISSION! Thank GOD for your blessing!
I celebrated my 47th on 9/3. (Go Virgo!) I pray you do and recieve everything that you wish, and that GOD continues to keep you and your family. GOD BLESS!
Oops sis . . . .I wasn’t watching the clock! But I wanted to dash over here and wish you a Happy Birthday and may GOD continue to bless you and keep you to see many more wonderful birthdays to come . . . .woo-hoo!
Happy Birthday Yasmine- Hope you have many more wonderful days- I love your idea about celebrating all year long:
Gwyneth- I agree that your PHD was a great milestone that year and worthy of celebration- My sister Andei has her PHD and she is 30 and I know it required a lot of hard work and discipline… probable more work and less celebrations…
My sister,Cheryl turned 50 last year and had a big Fabulous and Fifty Party with the dinner and followed by dancing .. and good old music.. she never goes to work on her birthday either and takes the day off if its on the weekend. It coming up soon.. it’s Sept. 21
My birthday is on Christmas Day so most people are with their own family but I do remember having a small 18 birthday with a few close friends before Christmas break.
I remember getting 25 quarters from my mother on my 25 birthday- I still have them ( guess I will never be completely broke)
I remember on my 32nd birthday I had come up with this great idea of A Gift a Day Says Happy Birthday to Nay: Every day in December someone had to give me a gift and I would take their picture to go in my scapbook. I sent them all a calendar on October 25 so they would have plenty of time to get their gift together/money/ etc. and if for some reason I thought that person may not come through with their gift I bought a few extra pieces of jewelry to take pictures of that day. I had made up a song and everything.. I celebrated that whole month as well. One weekend was Oldies/But Goodies- music /friends/ – One weekend Friends and Family dinner- One weekend Girls Night Out-we were playing all the old records and singing in a plastic MIC ( I have older sisters- fifty and up- so I know all that music even though I am younger…)
At 40 I had 40 red candles making the number 40 and my sister made me a cake shaped like a Christmas Tree.
I had a birthday party at a restaurant at 42 with friends and family week we got out for Christmas break and last year I had a small celebration with some of my co-workers.
Once we sent my oldest sister, 45 carnations when she turned 45. This year is my 45th birthday- I don’t know what I will do but I try to celebrate my birthday every year because it truly is a blessing.
So again I say hope you had very Happy Birthday!!!!
Roslin
Happy Belated Birthday!
I plan o go to Paris on my 40th!
Dang, you sure want a lot don’t you? LOL. Well, you deserve it. That was an inspiring storyand I can see you plan to live life to the fullest. Many blessing to you and many more birthdays to come.
Dera’s last blog post..I’ve Been Tagged
Happy Birthday, Yasmin. Boy I like that birthday list. I’ll have to put one together like that for my birthday. Maybe it’ll feel like I got it all!
Be Blessed!
Happy Birthday Yasmin,
And many more, you are truly blessed.
All the best to you, Yasmin, on your birthday and on each and every day you awaken to enjoy God’s blessings of health, family, and friends.
I learned very young while in Sunday school to count my blessings, and to this day, I still count my blessings. Much love, sister.
Happy Birthday, Yasmin. Many more wonderful ones to come.
I’ve celebrated my 30th and it was just another day. It was the day after Thanksgiving. But my next milestone, I will party like a rock star. By then I will have my BSE and warrant a party.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, YASMIN & CONGRATULATIONS!!
Your post gives me a lot to think about and something to look forward to. I smiled while reading it. You created your own little “bucket list” and it’s wonderful. Now let me pull out my pen and pad…..
You are Fabulous at Fifty!!!! You are blessed my sister, and you are loved by so many. Your wonderfully giving spirit has made people’s lives better and we thank you for it!! May you continue to celebrate many more years of healthy, happy living!
Peace,
Trice Hickman
HAP-PY BIRTH-DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hear you on all fronts, Yasmin! 50 is a major milestone. I’m looking forward to mine in another 4.5 years. Hope you get to do everything you want to do. Don’t look at not having the party as not doing anything. Getting yourself out of debt is the biggest gift you could give to yourself and your family.
And all the rest of the things you have planned, a la the 17 pictures, sounds like a great birthday to me! Most of all, you’ve been blessed with your life and your health. Cheers!!!
When I turn 50, I hope to do what I did when I turned 25, which was to celebrate every month for the entire year! Every month, I did something special for myself, whether it was treating myself in some way, going on a vacation, making a major purchase that I’d been waiting for, etc. And I loved it! One of my best years ever. Since then, life has brought a lot of sacrifice, even if much of it has been rewarding, like having my family, but I’m hoping to make 50 another “ME” year.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Yasmin!!!
Best wishes for many, many more.
You are such an inspiration, have a wonderful spirit and are so blessed. . .not many people can claim to have unselfishly touched so many lives as you have. I know you have been a blessing to me on my literary journey.
Do all the things on your list and enjoy life to the fullest! Time passes by so quickly and we never want to say I shoulda woulda coulda.
Love ya,
Electa
Happy Birthday my online friend.
I hope your birthday was a bless one. My 40th birthday I was a mommy again. If someone had told me I’d have another child, I’d probably laugh. Now I can’t imagine life without him.
Enjoy being 50. I look forward to it.
LaShaunda’s last blog post..Divorcing the Devil – Dwan Abrams
Happy Birthday,
Thanks for the Birthday Invite. I like the way that you are celebrating your Birthday over a period of time and not limiting it to one day. I turned 30 two years ago, but I did not do anything special to celebrate it. I think that I was in denial about turning 30, but I am working on embracing my Birthdays since life is precious!
hey Yasmin,
I apologize for the belated birthday wishes, looks like you’re celebrating all year so am I really late? lol
I miss you and hope that your 50th year is as grand as a 50th should be.
I’ll be 25 in a few days and I want you to know that I’ve incorporated things I admire about you into the blueprint for my future. You are amazing and inspirational. The honorary mother I am proud to have. I’m starting to tear up…I mean every word.
I love you!
Hey Yasmin,, Do what your heart desires.. The Lord has blessed you so enjoy… Happy Born day.. Thank You for being you.. God Bless.
Love Ya..
K. L.
Yasmin – Happy, happy, happy belated birthday! Enjoy every moment of your special year! I look forward to hearing that you’ve ticked off every single item on your to-do list.
Eugenia
I’m a little late, as usual, but that won’t stop me from wishing you the ABSOLUTE BEST!
Sounds like your birthday was a Blast. I am Nothing But Happy for you. May you live to see another 50.
Plus.
In three short years it will be my turn. How will I celebrate???
Quite a few years ago I planned on taking a trip around the world, sans kids, (all nine of them) all but one of whom will finally be grown by then.
Now???
I’ll just be Happy to Be Alive.
Cause God is Good where EVER I am, n’est-ce pas?
Yasmin,
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY and WELL WISHES!!!!
Hmm I don’t think that I have actually went “all out” for my birthday in the past five years or so. Sometimes I just hated to see another number added that I didn’t want to acknowledge it or work and a hectic schedule just kept me from truly celebrating.. Yet, reading your personal story has really put some things into perspective. I certainly will celebrate this coming birthday with a ME DAY. I so hope you enjoyed yourself and continue to the entire year. Here’s wishing you 100 more!
Since I can’t be “late” with you celebrating this way, all I’ll say is “G’on wit ya bad ass self!”
Next June I’m turning 45, and with 2 of my 4 grandparents having lived past 90, I’m declaring myself “middle-aged” THEN, no matter what auntie says. LOL
You are something else, woman, and I’m SO GLAD I know you! Happy Birthday!!!
HAPPY B-DAY AND MANNNNNNNNNNNNNY MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m all late and stuff (much apologies) however, I just want to wish you all the best! I’m celebrating with you for your good news and the fact that you’re still HERE!
God bless and keep on being you!
Dee’s last blog post..Muse With Me Musically
Happy Birthday Yasmin,
I know you enjoyed your day. I pass 50 six years ago and it gets better with time.
God bless and may you have many more.