Sunday, December 5, 2021

ANOTHER MILESTONE

Yup, to quote Robin from her 12:15 a.m. email....It's official, it's my birthday.  Of course I was sound asleep when her email came in but read it this morning.  Interesting how I've handled those milestones ~ some okay and some not as time is slipping by.  
December 1981 you'd have thought that birthday would put me in a deep depression because I was 7 months a widow, just moved back to the east coast from California without a job, my world had been turned upside down and just turned the big 40.  Think it was the love of family and my wonderful step-father Pat who kept me grounded.

Here it was November/December and he went to the beach area and somehow found a T-shirt store to make a "39 and Holding" long sleeve T-shirt for me.  Even my  mother told  me it was his idea. He was such a beautiful person and I miss both of them.

The next milestone birthday was when I turned 50 and this photo was taken at work.  My real estate lawyer boss set this up for me while he and the CEO were out of town doing due diligence for an acquisition.  
Who the heck could be depressed with this kind of celebration, I ran my first 10K that year, got married (turned out to be an unwise decision) but not depressed at all for being more than halfway thru my life on earth.

Even 2001 when I turned 60 my age didn't bother me but the year I turned 70 I could feel a panic attack beginning and knew the symptoms all too well.   Between ages 60 and 70 discovered my husband cheating AGAIN which put me in the hospital with a panic attack and stroke high blood pressure.  And life at home was strained to say the least but I survived the divorce and kept myself busy with my dogs, craft shows and rug hooking. 

Below is the rug I was working on mid-divorce.  I only hooked the initials of my first name because as part of the divorce I asked for my previous last name back ~ that of my deceased first husband and father of my son.   
But 2011 when turning 70 the realization that many of my classmates had passed away, had no companion and what was there to look forward to I felt the twinge of a panic attack coming and talked myself down.  Thanks to GOD's help for getting me thru that and I've not had another panic attack since.   

With this 80th birthday milestone can honestly say I'm happily celebrating and thankful for just being here.  I've a good outlook on life, enjoying surrounding myself with the rugs I hook, my family, friends (particularly the on-line friends).  Still enjoy rug hooking and don't really need any more wool (tho I'm sure I'll buy more) what I really need is  more time. 

Thank you to everyone who has wished me a happy birthday and thanks for your friendship.  Happy hooking.

Saundra

15 comments:

  1. A very happy birthday and it is always good to look on the sunny side of things!
    Cathy

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  2. What???!!! You need no more wool???? Said no one EVER! πŸ˜‚ Seriously, I wish you the happiest of days... Thanks for sharing the reflection of your "milestones" with us. I think there are many of us who can relate to some of the up and down rollercoaster of emotions that we call life....and birthdays. It is snowing to beat the band here...so, in honor of your birthday, I plan of making a big pot of soup, some homemade bread, and even hook a bit. I hope you spend the day doing what you love best (hooking, I am sure LOL) and hopefully with the ones you love best (even if we're online LMBO). Hugs & Smiles ~Robin~

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    1. Oh...and I am sure a few glasses of wine may be involved at some point. 🍷

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  3. Happy Birthday! & your outlook is great throughly enjoy your blog!

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  4. Oh Saundra ...this post sure was moving , we all have a lot of ups & downs & it always makes us feel better , when we know that we all have a story, all the bumps in our lives , no one is perfect . It's our friends and family that mean the most and help us thru life .
    So here is a Toast to you My Rug Hooking Friend that you have many , many more wonderful years Hooking away & sharing your story with us !!!

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  5. Happy, happy birthday, Saundra! Here's to you with congrats, best wishes, and happy hooking.

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  6. You're rocking it! Happy birthday! πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‚πŸŽ‰

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  7. Happy Birthday again! You sure do ROCK! Janice

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  8. Happy Birthday Saundra! You brought tears to my eyes reading your milestone stories at 40, 50, 60, 70 and where you've landed earlier today at '80' ~ it's been a wild ride indeed! What is a LIFE w/o the hurdles, twists & turns... the waaay UPS and the waaay DOWNS?! Every wrinkle, crease, and bump is a badge of honor as we age... no one ever thinks we're going to live forever, but as we've heard before, it's the LIVING that matters. You've LIVED my friend and where you've landed now...is comfortable with memories to fill your heart with warmth. To many more 'comfortable years' doing what you love and loving where you are.♥ ~Diane

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  9. Happy birthday, my friend. May you be blessed with many more years of the three Hs ~ health, happiness and hooking.
    You were one hot mummy dearest at 50...and I'm sure you still are ;-)
    xoxo

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  10. Oh Happy Day 🎼🎢 Now I don't sing for just anybody, you know :-) Happy Birthday. You've had quite the ride~ enjoy this day you are given & be blessed πŸ’•

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  11. Saundra, I’m one day late but I cannot miss wishing you a grand, super duper Happy Birthday especially on such a milestone day! Interesting read of your life and some of your trials, but you have persevered and are here to shout from the roof top! Dec. 5 must be the day for milestones, my sister-in-law turned 70! Here’s to an awesome year ahead for you........keep on hooking!!πŸŽ‰πŸŽˆπŸŒΈπŸ₯°

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  12. Happy ,happy birthday!!!!wow,,,,What a story,,,,You are a tough strong lady!!!hard to believe how much u get done,,,,
    I am 70 ,,,,and can feel it,,,,!!
    Hope u had a great day,,,,
    Always enjoy UR chats and pics!!!!
    Thank you,,,,♡♡

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