Five Things Before Forty

We celebrated my birthday last week. We had a nice barbecue in my parent’s backyard.

That’s my mother trying a “new” grilling technique. The smoke frightened us too.

We had cake from my favorite bakery.

In an attempt to make me relevant Patrick and the kids got me an iphone, which I love.

Driving home at the end of the evening I realized I am almost forty. When did this happen? I don’t feel almost forty, I don’t think I act like I’m almost forty, and I certainly hope I don’t look almost forty...although my mother did offer to get me Botox for my birthday. Yes, she certainly did.

But the harsh reality is that in two short years I will be forty. With this in mind I have five things I would like to do before turning 40.

This is not an earth-shattering list. I gave up negotiating world peace before I turned 30. Now I just barter for peace among the children.

Half marathon- This is the first birthday in five years that I am not pregnant or have an itty-bitty infant. I almost don’t know what to do with myself...but I have been running consistently again.

I would like to run another half marathon. Ultimately I would like to do another marathon, but I am a realist. Those long training runs are not going to happen until the kids are older.

Therefore, I will settle for a half marathon that doesn’t require nearly as much commitment training. My favorite half is America’s Finest City.

I think I will shoot for Fall 2011 or Summer 2012.

County Fair- I love county fairs. They remind me of the best things about the South and the Midwest. So since I am a California girl, born and raised, who is well acquainted with the freeway but would be lost on a country road, I am naturally drawn to them. Naturally.

I have always wanted to enter the baking contest at the county fair. I think I have the perfect recipe. It is from my grandmother. The only thing that would make it better is if it were served on a stick...hmmm.

The fair is only once a year, so I better get crackin on this one.

Traffic control- When we bought our current home five years ago one of the things I loved about it was the close proximity to the park, athletic fields and community lake. There is nothing like sitting in the backyard and hearing the first crack of the bat during the start of the little league season, or listening to the concerts at the lake from your own patio during the summer.

Don’t get me started on watching the fireworks from your front lawn- it’s awesome!

But along with this privilege is a major parking issue that rears it’s ugly head every spring and summer. Please don’t think I am an elitist that doesn’t want other people to enjoy what I have. I know people need to park in our neighborhood. The problem is the line of cars on the main street creates an atrocious blind corner when you exit our cul-de-sac. There have been so many near misses because people drive to fast and others can’t see.

Something needs to be done...and I have been bitching about it saying it to Patrick for years- he is a patient, patient man.

Last week I started putting my money where my mouth is and went down to city hall to find out how to address this issue. Much to my delight, the administrative assistant told me I was not the only person to complain bring this to their attention. I got the name of the city traffic engineer. I plan to follow up next week.

Poor man.

Chocolate Chip Cookies- I know this will come as quite a shock, but I love to bake.

It is a major stress reliever for me. Running is also a major stress reliever. Running and baking must be synonyms for stress relief. So it really doesn’t matter if I run or bake, I will achieve the same result. Are you following my warped thinking?

My favorite things to bake lately have been bars- Lemon Bars, Chocolate Malt Brownie Bars, Blondies, even Rice Crispy Treats.

The one thing that I am missing in my baking repertoire is the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe. A chocolate chip cookie that is so good the boys will be disappointed by any efforts potential mates make to ensnare them with baked goods. A recipe that Colette will pass on to her children.

This recipe has been elusive. Believe me when I tell you I have been searching.

Child Free Vacation- This is just as much for Patrick as it is for me. We really need a vacation. While we have taken long weekends away, it isn’t enough to really relax. By the time we catch up on sleep it is time to drive home.

We need 5 days, or better yet, a whole week. Crazy!

Maybe this will be put on Mommy and Daddy’s Summer Bucket List next year.

In the mean time, I am not done celebrating my two-years-until 40 Birthday. Patrick and I are going to dinner tomorrow night. Just the two of us. It’s a start!