47 means ...

Posted by on
Inspired by this post by Jennifer Ellison and this post by Amber Carillo, I thought I would write about what being 47 means to me ...


47 means you carry tweezers in your handbag and do not leave home without them.  Facial hairs can appear at a moment's notice.

47 means you get your kids to explain to you how to use your laptop, phone and tv.

47 means you get a shock when you look in the mirror because you don't look like that in your head.

47 means you don't go on the trampoline.  Ever.  Or sneeze on the way to the loo (fine to sneeze on the way back).

47 means it takes a lot to beat a nice cup of tea.

47 means you are on first name terms with your physiotherapist.

47 means you enjoyed the Speed Awareness course - it was interesting and informative and not a bad way to spend an afternoon at all.

47 means you always look surprised in photos - raising the eyebrows is as good as a facelift, right?

47 means you don't care so much how the shoes look as whether they're nice and warm and really comfy.

Having said all of that, 47 means I no longer worry too much about my lank lifeless fine flyaway hair, my sticky out ears, my pointy nose or my wobbly stomach.

47 also means I don't worry about whether I can sing and dance because I now know I can't but enjoy both anyway and enjoy the embarrassment factor of doing both in front of my kids.

47 also means I don't worry if I'm clever enough or good enough at stuff - I'm rubbish at pretty much everything but patchwork and I think I'm good enough at that.

And, somewhat soppily, 47 means I value my family more and more each year; husband, kids, parents, siblings as well as all the extra family extending from each of them.  When you're a kid, your family seem pretty irrelevant to the important things in life like parties and boyfriends and make-up but at 47 you realise you're like them and you like spending time with them and they are the important things in life (um along with quilting).  Go figure.

Comments

  1. stitchinpenny4 July 2013 at 19:39

    Seems like you earned you wisdom much earlier than I. It took getting me to 62 to learn some of the lessons you have already learned.

    ReplyDelete
  2. verykerryberry4 July 2013 at 19:39

    You are officially hilarious, love it x

    ReplyDelete
  3. Archie The Wonder Dog4 July 2013 at 19:41

    Well said!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Unknown4 July 2013 at 19:53

    I'm 42 (almost 43), and I couldn't agree with you more!

    ReplyDelete
  5. House of Pinheiro4 July 2013 at 19:59

    You are fabulous...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Maria4 July 2013 at 20:11

    Loved this post and all very true. I also hear it gets better at 50. Guess I'll find out in 6 months time.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Canadian Abroad4 July 2013 at 20:14

    Great post. I appreciate the laughter because this here quilter is turning a freaking scary number tomorrow and it is only today that I wrapped my head around being okay with it.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Kathleen 4 July 2013 at 20:15

    All true. For 38, anyway! Discovering the facial hair thing - scary....

    ReplyDelete
  9. Di4 July 2013 at 20:18

    Love your sentiments…I am with you all the way! Di x

    ReplyDelete
  10. heart of charnwood4 July 2013 at 20:19

    I was going to laugh and comment when i saw that title that was it a reference to your age, you're not 47 really, it's a typo should say 37!!!! And even at 37 I can appreciate most of those :o)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Leanne4 July 2013 at 20:25

    I am with you on these, you are doing great.

    ReplyDelete
  12. LJ4 July 2013 at 20:34

    I shall play along with you... although my list will start with 40 means...
    you are every bit as lovely as you should be and i'm damn sure you will be so lovely 47 years from now!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LJ4 July 2013 at 20:34

      PS happy birthday! mine is in two weeks!!

      Delete
  13. rolleiflex4 July 2013 at 20:49

    It sounds a lot like 49, except when you are 49 everything is like at 47 only nearer the ground.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous4 July 2013 at 20:59

    I love your third point - that's exactly what I think - I and I am only coming up for 44 :-)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Two Wednesdays4 July 2013 at 20:59

    Happy Birthday. I wish I looked as good at 45 as you do at 47. (BTW what is it with the facial hair? No one warned me about that one! I thought it was just me)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Debbie4 July 2013 at 20:59

    Delightful!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Kathy @ Kwilty Pleasures4 July 2013 at 21:03

    You look maaahhhvvvveeelllous! And each year just gets better and better. From someone Over the 60 hill and enjoying every wrinkly, sagging minute of it!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Sheila4 July 2013 at 21:04

    At 60 I agree with all of that, especially the sneezing and the blooming annoying hair that emerges on my neck every few weeks!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Deb4 July 2013 at 21:06

    That is so true and so funny!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Catrin Lewis4 July 2013 at 21:10

    Hilarious! I'm so with you on the tweezers - I have a pair in my handbag, a pair at home and a pair in the car -and I'm (only?) 32!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Diane4 July 2013 at 21:14

    What a great post! I'll be 47 at the end of summer and this has inspired me to start thinking...Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Cynthia Brunz Designs4 July 2013 at 21:29

    So enjoyed the post. Thanks for the chuckle! Sitting at 50 I can say life only gets funnier!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Reene@Nellie's Niceties4 July 2013 at 21:35

    Aww great post. I'm 37 and most of things ring true for me. I dread to think what my body will have done to me by 47!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Sonia4 July 2013 at 21:38

    I'm 37 in a couple of months and hope I'm as wise as you in 10yrs time :) Great post x

    ReplyDelete
  25. Ella4 July 2013 at 21:54

    I'll be 39 in a few weeks, and I'm sincerely hoping I'll get to meet you in person (for a giant hug) before I'm 40. (*plots amazing pre-40th bday trip to UK*)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Christine4 July 2013 at 22:12

    love your funny wisdom!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Amy Friend4 July 2013 at 22:13

    A fun read :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. MariQuilts4 July 2013 at 22:17

    The trouble is, now I need one of those big magnifying mirrors to use the damn tweezers! Trust me the sight of my face in that sucker every morning is enough to send me running back to bed! Oh, did I mention the thing lights up as well? That's 60 for you....but I did recently read that the aging brain gets more creative, so that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

    Great Post, Lynne, Happy Birthday/11

    ReplyDelete
  29. Izzy4 July 2013 at 22:27

    Oh my I can so relate to your post.... I just turned 44 and you are absolutely right about not sneezing on the way to the washroom! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Karen4 July 2013 at 22:34

    Oh this really made me chuckle, I'm 37 and agree with nearly all of what you said!!! :o)

    ReplyDelete
  31. sew.darn.quilt4 July 2013 at 22:45

    You had me laughing and nodding at the same time! Don't forget to add coughing
    to the list ;D
    Too funny but so true, all of what you said!

    ReplyDelete
  32. carol4 July 2013 at 22:45

    Wait until you get to 67 and then tell me that stuff...........Oh honey!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Trudi4 July 2013 at 23:19

    Oh honey! Ha ha, I love Carol! And at 48 I realised I have lived more of my life than I expect I have left! Not enough sewing and quilting time I say! Love this post and it's all so true! Especially the embarrassing your children! I love that part!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Mrs Flying Blind...4 July 2013 at 23:47

    I can't wait!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Camilla4 July 2013 at 23:49

    Well said! I'm 47 next month and I concur!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Camilla4 July 2013 at 23:52

      Oh and the tweezers part is so scarily true!

      Delete
  36. Gene Black5 July 2013 at 00:05

    Yaay you! I have tweezers in my car ashtray for the "old man ear hairs" (SIGH) None the less, life is good. Sing, dance and enjoy it.

    ReplyDelete
  37. www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com5 July 2013 at 01:32

    you are a lovely 47, but more importantly, a fellow July baby! Happy Birthday my friend!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Lisa5 July 2013 at 03:26

    can't wait to see what you have to say in 5 years when you're my age!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Jules5 July 2013 at 03:28

    Lynne, happy birthday lady! xoxo. Great post, hilarious and true as always. At 38 years old, i do already understand the tweezer issue, you'd think someone would come up with a better solution for the problem.....in the meantime we will keep sewing i guess.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Vicki5 July 2013 at 03:57

    And then you turn 60...
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Tessa @ TheSewingChick5 July 2013 at 04:10

    I enjoyed reading this Lynne! I will be 47 next month and was going to write about what it means to me (I read Jennifer's post too!). Now I don't have to cause you did it for me! I agree with everything you said, ummm...especially the part about the tweezers. Cheers!!

    ReplyDelete
  42. PinkGranny5 July 2013 at 05:52

    Fabulous! I can totally relate to all of it but alas...I will be 62 ###!!!## this month. I sure look different in my head too and I have an encore for embarrassing kids but this time around it is my teenage granddaughter. Life is a hoot so enjoy. 47 is a great year.

    ReplyDelete
  43. grapes and hearts5 July 2013 at 06:27

    Happy birthday, Lynne! Love your fabulous post! Although I would never have guessed your age, you look soooo much younger (no kidding).

    ReplyDelete
  44. Charlotte5 July 2013 at 08:02

    47 sounds a lot like 40 to me! So many excellent points (especially the trampoline one!)

    ReplyDelete
  45. Judith, Belfast5 July 2013 at 08:27

    Happy birthday chick. I'm a bit worried cos I can tick off all your list and I'm only 42!!!! Hope you get spoiled rotten! Jxo

    ReplyDelete
  46. Unknown5 July 2013 at 10:02

    Missed this yesterday - happy (belated) birthday
    another downside is the list gets longer as the years increase and it's really pants when the dreaded 'M' hits ;0)

    ReplyDelete
  47. diegoagogo5 July 2013 at 10:13

    Happy Birthday!! Once you hit 51 you need the 10x magnification mirror along with the tweezers!! LOL
    Have loads of fun & cake.
    Cheers
    Lush xox

    ReplyDelete
  48. Lorraine5 July 2013 at 10:52

    Yep , you nailed it :). Happy 47th

    ReplyDelete
  49. Betty5 July 2013 at 11:33

    Wobbly stomach?
    Did you buy one?

    ReplyDelete
  50. Shrinkie5 July 2013 at 12:05

    Love it, all so true! Especially the tweezers! I put a pair in my pocket every morning and have an extra pair at work in case I forget (memories and aging not being especially good bedfellows!).

    ReplyDelete
  51. Vickie E5 July 2013 at 12:06

    I can soo relate. I'm 39. :)

    ReplyDelete
  52. Shrinkie5 July 2013 at 12:06

    Love it, all so true! Especially the tweezers! I put a pair in my pocket every morning and have an extra pair at work in case I forget (memories and aging not being especially good bedfellows!).

    ReplyDelete
  53. excuseme235 July 2013 at 12:57

    I ,oved this column and can tell you your 47 sounds a lot like my 45.x

    ReplyDelete
  54. Rhonda the Rambler5 July 2013 at 13:10

    Happy Birthday my friend. I have to say you sum up the 40s quite well!

    ReplyDelete
  55. pennydog5 July 2013 at 13:10

    My mum would have been 47 if she was still with us *tries to make you feel ancient*

    I'm actually tempted to write one of these myself but not sure what I would write that's half as entertaining as yours! No one warned me about the tweezers!

    ReplyDelete
  56. fiberchick5 July 2013 at 13:18

    Happy Birthday! Thank you for the hilarious and poignant post...

    ReplyDelete
  57. Karen @dixielandcrafts5 July 2013 at 14:11

    Does that amazing sense of humor come with age too? I sure hope so!!! You were cracking me up. I wrote one about being 38 but after reading yours, I'm thinking the best is yet to come. WooHoo thanks for the giggles

    ReplyDelete
  58. giddy995 July 2013 at 14:47

    Hear, hear! I, too, am 47... some of it can be dismaying, and yet, other bits are quite liberating, too. :)

    ReplyDelete
  59. Jennifer Mathis of Ellison Lane5 July 2013 at 15:10

    Oh this was so fun to read!! Thank you for sharing yourself with us- always fun to know you a bit better. :) xo

    ReplyDelete
  60. Julie5 July 2013 at 15:12

    I am 47 too... and you look mahvelous!

    ReplyDelete
  61. Darlington Delights5 July 2013 at 15:51

    Priceless! At 44 I can relate with all you said especially point one!

    ReplyDelete
  62. artsycraftsyivy5 July 2013 at 16:22

    You are adorable! Happy birthday! I am coming up on mine in less than two months--47 as well! Thanks for making it look so good! Seriously! :)

    ReplyDelete
  63. Shelley5 July 2013 at 17:11

    Ahh, so we're the same age (for a few more months, anyway!) All true - especially the tweezers bit. I'd like to add that 47 also means that I've got to be pretty selective about who I spend my time with and what I spend my time doing, because since I'm on the "back nine" there's no time for people and things that don't make me feel fabulously happy!! Less drama, more fun! Happy Birthday, friend :)

    ReplyDelete
  64. dlw06565 July 2013 at 17:15

    This is wonderfully entertaining and wonderfully full of wisdom. Lynne, I have ten years on you and I particularly relate to the looking in the mirror and feeling so much younger in my mind. Like, I'm really only thirty aren't I? Surgery in my forties fixed the sneezing en route to the bathroom issue and tweezers are my best friend also, although applying mascara without my specs on (how does one do that successfully) is my latest issue. Congratulations on your birthday, hope you had cake.

    ReplyDelete
  65. Benta AtSLIKstitches5 July 2013 at 18:11

    I agree with every single point !!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  66. One Shabby Chick5 July 2013 at 18:51

    Love this Lynne :-)

    ReplyDelete
  67. Florence Knapp (Flossie Teacakes)5 July 2013 at 19:25

    What a sweet and lovely post, Lynne. I loved reading this. x

    ReplyDelete
  68. Ali5 July 2013 at 19:36

    Very funny and very true (and not nearly as sickly as some of the other posts on this subject). I am 42 and am so with you on the tweezers and sneezing!

    ReplyDelete
  69. Angela5 July 2013 at 20:20

    I was dying laughing at this. Oh thank you for once again putting humor into reality and somehow making me wish I was 47 instead of a newly minted 34 (horrors!).

    ReplyDelete
  70. Strawberry Patch5 July 2013 at 20:48

    Crap I'm going to get a full on beard at 47 because at 32 I already get surprised by a rouge facial hair or two!

    ReplyDelete
  71. Dianne6 July 2013 at 06:39

    WOW! 47 sounds a LOT like 61!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  72. Dianne6 July 2013 at 06:40

    Oh and Happy Birthday! I hope 47 is the best of all possible years for you!

    ReplyDelete
  73. Katy Cameron6 July 2013 at 23:43

    Wow, I thought you were only about 37, so apparently 47 is all about ageing really well too :oD

    ReplyDelete
  74. mumasu7 July 2013 at 08:38

    Happy Birthday Lynn. I love being 47 too for all those reasons but especially the embarrassing the kids bit :)

    ReplyDelete
  75. myBearpaw8 July 2013 at 13:47

    Being 47 rocks! 1966 was a great year to be born. You made me laugh a lot with your list up there :)

    ReplyDelete
  76. KL9 July 2013 at 11:18

    Bring on 47. Less than a year to go, and after reading your post, I feel there is nothing to worry about!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Comment away peeps :-)