Deep Thoughts from "Fried Green Tomatoes"

One of my favorite movies from the early 90's is Fried Green Tomatoes.  It's a great story of friendship and family.  Yesterday, during my day of rest and rejuvenation, this movie was on HBO.  It's one of those movies that you stop what you are doing and watch it - so that is what I did!

Kathy Bates plays a middle aged lady trying to find herself and her place in the world.  One of her quotes really hit me:

"I'm too young to be old and I'm too old to be young."

At 42, I really understand that.  I don't think I'm old, but I also know that I'm not young.  How do I know this?

• OLD - I need reading glasses to read and write in addition to needing my contacts to be able to see far away.
• YOUNG - Put Duran Duran on the iPod and I can dance like it's 1984!!
• OLD - Like Kathy Bates's character, I have great insurance!!  I am excellent driver!
• YOUNG - I can recite any scene from any John Hughes movie. 
• OLD - I can still drink like a fish, but instead of taking one night to get over it, it can take the rest of the weekend.
• YOUNG - I remember high school and college like it was yesterday.
• OLD - I color my hair to cover my gray as much as I color it because I like being a blonde.
• YOUNG - My heart still goes pitter-patter when I see John Cusack as Lloyd Dobler.
• OLD - My mind pops awake when the alarm goes off - my body isn't as quick at getting out of the bed.  My feet crack and pop like an old lady.
• YOUNG - Nothing makes me happier than cruising down the freeway with the sunroof open and jamming to music. Makes me think back to when I cruised Denton in the Nissan Sentra jamming to Vanilla Ice.  (I probably look/looked like a fool, but I don't care!!)
• OLD - I have staff members on my campus that were born when I was in high school.... and..... .... college!!
• OLD - Smart enough to know that the Bachelor doesn't work.... but.....
• YOUNG - Still want to be the eternal romantic optimist!!

It's funny because I do feel that high school and college were yesterday, not 20+ years ago!!  I'm happy with my age (except the gray hair, creaky feet and inability to digest alcohol!) and I'm looking forward to what the future brings!!

Off to watch the Bachelor,
:) Mo

It's finally here - the Big 4-0!!

Well, so after a year (or more) of speculation, my birthday is finally here!

And it was rather anti-climatic...... and I mean that in a totally good way!!

There has been build up... surprise party at school, trip to NYC, etc... so it was kind of nice when I woke up today and it was a rather calm and peaceful day. I answered texts and FB wall comments, but I also paid bills, did laundry and worked on my to-do list for the move.

Mom and Sarah took me to Cheesecake Factory tonight for dinner. Sarah gave me a gorgeous Tiffany necklace and two charms - I love it - so beautiful!! Mom gave me money and a book.

The celebrations continue tomorrow and Wednesday, lunches and dinners with friends and other family members to keep celebrating..... I love when you can drag a birthday out much longer than just one day!!

Thanks to everyone for their texts, notes, cards, and phone calls. 40 isn't that bad.... so far!!

My Surprise Birthday at Work!

Today is exactly one month before I turn 40. I turn on the street that my school is one and I start driving down the road. There are several signs, including this one:

I suddenly realize that my staff is celebrating my birthday! I figured they were still angry and hurt from the announcement on Wednesday, but apparently not. There were 40's everywhere. Here's the door to my office:

All of the footprints around my office each have a year that I've been alive, so there were 40 of them. How cute!! The inside of my office was full of 40's everywhere too. I couldn't believe how much work went into my day.

Each team gave me 40 of something: dollar bills, blow pops, candy, sharpies, pit balls, dog biscuits for Maude.... it was so cute. They had a delicious potluck lunch for me that was so yummy. And then they ended the day after school with a cake. A Walmart cake - white with white buttercream - my favorite!!

I'm so lucky to have such a great staff to work with - I sure will miss them and their creativity!! They started off my 40th birthday celebration with a BANG!! Next in the celebration - our trip to NYC on June 16th.

I love turning 40!!!

Me and My Big Mouth.......

I'm hoping I don't regret that I told my good friend to make sure no one does anything for my 40th birthday. I hate surprises and get really embarrassed. I need a head's up. The absolute worst thing that could happen is me showing up somewhere and everyone is there to surprise me. I wouldn't like it and I'd act like an ass about it. (How do I know? I've done it before!) We are doing a girls trip to NYC, which I cannot wait for.... June 16th can't get here quick enough!

I was a kid who worked hard to find out what I was getting for Christmas. I could act excited and surprised, but I never had to worry that my face would give away my disdain like I did if I didn't know what it was. You can tell what I'm thinking and feeling by taking one look at me - I don't hide my feelings well. So I told this friend to just make the day go away.

But then if no one don't do anything, will I be sad? I'll already be alone - how alone will I really feel if the day goes by with no acknowledgement? Am I setting myself up for disappointment?

Which is more important - get over my control issues and just go with it? Or just accept the day is gonna come and go without a big deal because I asked for it.....?

Hit me with your best shot.......

Moving from 39 & Flab to 40 & Fab!

In case you hadn't heard, I'm turning 40 in June. (hehe) And I'm going to NYC to celebrate with some girlfriends.

I'm not healthy. I'm fat. I don't exercise. I haven't had a physical in probably 7 years.

So as I prepare for 40, I want to be healthier when I turn 40 than I was at 39. I have appointments scheduled with doctors for most of my Spring Break, so I can get checked from head to toe and make sure I'm in perfect working order - or find out what I need to do so I can be.

We started Weight Watchers today at our school. My awesome AP coordinated it, so they come to our school to weigh us and do the meetings. We have 20+ people in our group from our school and around the district. Our superintendent is also part of our group! It's great to have people locally who can help us be accountable.

I'm really ready to get fit. I don't care about how much I weigh, as long as I'm healthy and can do what I want to do physically. I'll know when I'm where I need to be.

And guess what I bought?? The Shake Weight!! It was $19.99 at Target and you get a $5 Target gift card for buying it. (Thanks Heidi for the heads up!!) Six minutes a day to better toned arms - woo hoo!! I'll also be walking and doing some exercise DVDs too.

I'll post on here my progress, but you may NOT judge!! And if you know any great WW tips or recipes, please share. I have a freezer full of Skinny Cows and a frig full of water bottles, so I'm ready!!

It is the Final Countdown!!

So you can see I added a timer to my page to countdown to the big 4-0. On June 17, 11 friends and I are heading to NYC to celebrate my birthday (also other birthdays, college graduation, and victory over breast cancer), so you can tell it's going to be a fun time.

So here's what I'm lining up for the big trip:

1. "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" - I've put in a request for tickets and would LOVE to go to the show. Status: Wait and see

2. "Live with Regis & Kelly" - I've mailed a request for tickets to this show and would also LOVE to go to this show. Status: Wait and see

3. "The Early Show" - Misty has us confirmed with tickets for the VIP section as well as a backstage tour of the studio. Status: It's a go!!

4. "Sex and the City" Tour - I did the Sopranos tour the last time I was in town for a long stay, so I'm excited to go on this tour. The movie comes out three weeks before we go, so it should be a lot of fun!! Status: Ready to buy my tickets, but waiting to see if we get Regis & Kelly first!

Of course, we'll do all the regular touristy things as well, but these are new things that I've yet to do in the city. I can't wait!!

I'm also going to go see "Rock of Ages" again. I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE that musical!! It is so good!! See for yourself:



My favorite line from that clip? "Is there a Tony for bad-assery?"

There should be!!

Any other ideas of things to do and see for my trip? June 17th can't get here quick enough!!