Friday, May 30, 2014

This is what 55 looks like...


I am 55 today and I'm thrilled.  Earlier this year, I was a little freaked but as I started to meditate on it, I realized a few things...
  • I'm alive and in relatively good health.
  • I've lived longer than several of my high school classmates.
  • I've lived longer than several of my college classmates.
  • I have three healthy and beautiful daughters.
  • Four amazing grandchildren.
  • My Mother is in relatively good health and "right" every day!
  • I like who I am and try to live the life I want to every day.
  • Beauty fades but the essence of you lives on.
  • Still don't need to dye my hair yet but I plan on going gray gracefully.
  • Kindness trumphs everything.
  • A job/career is just that.  It doesn't comfort you when things go wrong. It doesn't rejoice in your personal triumphs ~ it is just a source of income. Don't fall for the hype!
  • Sexy is confidence ~ no matter what age you are!  
  • It doesn't matter if I'm not as young as I once was...my wisdom and experience make up for it.
  • More disposable income is a good thing!
  • Which allows me to have the sewing machines I want and to buy as much fabric as I can cram into the sewing cave.
  • I'm looking forward to retiring and doing what the hell I want!
I have either 7 or 10 years left to work...haven't decided yet...but I am thinking and planning for what I want the next phase of my life to look like.

So I'm going to revel in this year of 55, appreciate it, and make it count!

Finally an Oprah quote ~

"If you're blessed enough to grow older, there's so much wisdom to be gained from celebrating the process with vibrancy and vigor and grace."

...as always more later!



136 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday.Carolyn! You are a beautiful, talented and wise woman--revel in it!

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  2. Happy birthday Carolyn. I knew I had ice cream for a good reason.

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  3. Happy Birthday Carolyn! We should all be blessed to have your perspective every year, no every day! Have a great day!

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  4. Happy Birthday Carolyn! We should all be blessed to have your perspective every year, no every day! Have a great day!

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  5. Happy Birthday!!!!!!! and thanks for sharing ur list i just turn 55 and it hit all the right places!!!!!!!!

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  6. This is what beautiful looks like!

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  7. Happy Birthday! I always think we grow in experience and learn so much as we age, it is a gift to be savored.

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  8. Happy Birthday! 55 looks awesome!

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  9. Happy Birthday Carolyn! I look forward to seeing many more years of your creations!

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  10. Happy birthday Carolyn, you look great and by your statements you feel great too. Here's to a great 55th year.

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  11. Happy Birthday!

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  12. Happy Birthday Carolyn! What a great list! And the perfect quote to go with! Celebrate You!

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  13. Happy Birthday Carolyn. Have a wonderful day and thanks for sharing such an inspiring list. So enjoy your blog and seeing your fantastic creations.

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  14. Happy day! Welcome to 55! It is BEAUTIFUL here!

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  15. Happy birthday! and you look fab!

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  16. Happy Birthday lady! You wear it well. I hope you have a glorious day.

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  17. Have a very Happy Birthday, Carolyn. When I turned 73 last year I realised I had lived longer than my mother, who passed away 4 months before her 73rd birthday. It kind of puts things into perspective. Every birthday is a bonus, enjoy every one.

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  18. Happy birthday! 55 IS a wonderful age :) all the very best.

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  19. What a beautiful post. If I had to guess I would have said you were at least 8 years younger than your actual age. Enjoy planning for the next phase in life and enjoy all those special moments xx

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  20. Happy birthday! Hope you're enjoying your special day and all the wonderful wishes coming your way :)

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  21. Many Happy Returns and your words are so true, hope you had the most wonderful day!

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  22. Happy birthday. Have a wonderful day.

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  23. Happy Birthday to a wonderful woman. Wishing you a great day and a very happy 55th year x

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  24. Happy birthday Carolyn, have a lovely day.

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  25. Well happy birthday to you, have a wonderful day, in fact make sure your birthday celebrations last all weekend and maybe even beyond!

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  26. Have a truly wonderful day.

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  27. Happy birthday!! Hope you have a great day and your family treats you with lots of love and presents!

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  28. Happy birthday Carolyn! 55 is hardly old at all - I think you've got many more fashionable years ahead of you

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  29. Happy birthday! Your positive attitude will make you retirement, whenever it comes, a wonderful experience.

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  30. Happy Birthday!!! May you be blessed with many more!

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  31. Happy birthday or "Ha den äran" som vi säger i Sverige.
    You are a survivor. Life will be better and better the older you grow if you look at life as you do.
    Marianne

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  32. Preach on sista... those words are gospel.

    Happy Birthday!!!!

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  33. Happy Birthday Carolyn and thanks for sharing your wonderful attitude and very wise words.

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  34. Happy Birthday to ya in my Stevie Wonder voice!!!!

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  35. Happy birthday! I'm ahead of you by two years and have decided it's a great age. If anyone tries to get in a drama with me, I just tell them to "take a number." Seriously, I think boomer women should rule the world. And make their own rockin' wardrobes while they do it.

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  36. Happy Birthday, Caroline and may there be many more! I celebrate your age!

    A word of advice, if possible financially, retire when you are "earlier", not later. Those few dollars difference are just not worth it. I know and you will be so glad you did.

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  37. Happy Birthday Carolyn! I turned 55 a couple of weeks ago and didn't give it as much thought as you have although I do count my blessings each and every day. You certainly have a great outlook for the future. Have a great day :)

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  38. Yeah! 55 is gorgeous! I am 51 and I went to a retirement workshop yesterday. It felt early, but I learned a couple of things that I need to do right now. All the best and thanks for the post and quote.

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  39. Happy Birthday. I wish you health, happiness and lots prosperity.

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  40. Amen. We are the same age and it looks good on us!

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  41. Happy Birthday! 55 looks good on you!

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  42. Happy, Happy Birthday! Love your positive outlook and yes, 55 looks good on you!

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  43. Beautiful post! Happy birthday! Hope I look as great at 55!

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  44. Happy birthday! I hope you celebrate all weekend long!!

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  45. Happy birthday! Your list is great!

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  46. Happy birthday to an amazing lady. Thanks to the words of wisdom, I appreciate them as I am a few years behind you and need to hear that. One more thing, you share a birthday with my mom!

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  47. Very inspiring post!!! And hope you have a long and happy birthday!!!

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  48. Happy birthday. Lots of nice words of wisdom. How great there are no greys!

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  49. Happy happy day, Carolyn!! Your blog is such an inspiration!

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  50. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CAROLYN GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!!

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  51. Happy birthday to a beautiful, confident and talented woman! Have a wonderful day!

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  52. Happy, happy birthday, Carolyn!! You are an amazing and wonderful person and I'm so lucky to call you my friend :) I gotta say, I'm looking forward to you retiring too - because I can only imagine the epic stuff that is going to come out of your sewing cave then ;)

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  53. happy birthday gorgeous, funny, loving, kind, wisecracking, amazing, talented, thoughtful, AWESOME carolyn!!!!!!

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  54. Well, the bestest, merriest and funnest birthday ever!

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  55. happy birthday and thanks for those beautiful words of wisdom - a propos at any age, i think, for their grace and accuracy. keep up the great work, and keep sharing it with us!

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  56. Happy Birthday to one of my favorite blog writers, who changed my outlook on sewing for myself. I hit 60 this year, and I'd have to say that my thoughts were completely aligned with your thoughts on that momentous occasion. Thank you for writing them down, and for sharing them with us.

    Hope you have a terrific day with cake and ice cream somewhere around the edges. Happy Birthday!

    Elizabeth

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  57. Such wisdom and joy in this post! Thanks for sharing a gift with us on your day!
    Happy Happy Birthday! Enjoy!

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  58. Happy birthday, I really enjoy reading your blog and adventures in sewing, here's to many more!!

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  59. Happy Birthday! And are you serious - you DON"T dye your hair?? It looks like that at 55??? I am beyond jealous. I started going gray - noticeably, not just a hair or two, in my late 20's. By mid 40's the hair dresser said I was 70% gray.

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  60. Happy Birthday, Carolyn!!! 55 looks beautiful on you!! You have a wonderful perspective on life and it will only make every day this year (and in the future) sweeter!! Being 59 and plus sized, I relate to all you post... especially "skinny pictures"!! But I am one who has enjoyed every age and stage and look forward to every year ahead. Today I am sad because a close friend has passed away at 59 after battling cancer for 18 years. She and I raised boys together (who are now 21). I am happy her fight is over but sad because she did not have the opportunity to live freely without that burden. It makes me want to enjoy every minute even more. You are showing us what is really important in life and that is to count your blessings every day. You are a blessing to me!!

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  61. 55 is Beautiful! Happy birthday! I turned 49 this year, and I have been having similar thought processes. Life is to be lived and enjoyed:)

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  62. Congratulations and Happy Birthday, Carolyn! You're the living embodiment of the belief that age is just a number -- and so is fabric stash yardage! LOL!!

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  63. Happy Birthday to the Beautiful Wise Well-dressed Carolyn!!! What an inspiration!!

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  64. Happy Birthday, Carolyn. Keep doing what you are doing. You are an inspiration, both with you sewing and your joy for life. It is a privilege to read your blog and have that insight into your life.

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  65. Happy Birthday Carolyn! I'm 6 months older than you are and your post on the milestone of age 55 was really uplifting to me. May you continue to thrive and grow and blog for many, many years to come. Thank you for all the positives your blog brings to my life!

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  66. Woohoo! Happy Birthday!

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  67. Happy Birthday, great observations - wishing you many more years of happy life and sewing!

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  68. Have a wonderful birthday, fifties are great. Sixties not looking so bad either.

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  69. Happy, happy, happy birthday!!! I'm so glad that we're friends!!!!! I feel so lucky and blessed to know you. :)

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  70. Happy happy HAPPY birthday! I wish you joy and health and fun and harmony. Thanks for your wonderful blog, which gives me so much joy- I always look forward to your latest post popping up on my feed:)
    btw.: that is not what 55 looks like, that's 45 at the most!

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  71. I agree with every one of your points exactly! Happy birthday. You are as gorgeous this year as you were last - and will be next year. xo

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  72. Happy Birthday Carolyn! Living well and being content looks good on you!

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  73. Happy Birthday! Thank you for reminding me about the positive side of growing older.

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  74. Happy Birthday! How amazing to be within 10 years of retirement, that is a true accomplishment!

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  75. Happy Birthday Carolyn. 55 looks great on you. I for one am enjoying my" after "55 years with relish

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  76. Happy Birthday. 55 on you is beautiful and I love your confidence!

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  77. Happy Birthday you wonderful, amazing, special, stylish lady!! I'm glad to know you and can't wait to get to know you even better!!

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  78. Happy Birthday to you!! Today is also my 55th birthday and I am excited to "know" a birthday buddy/twin. We make 55 look freakin awesome!

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  79. Happy happy birthday, you beautiful woman!

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  80. Many, many happy birthday wishes. 55 looks beautiful on you...obviously a reflection of the amazing inner person. Here's to many, many more!

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  81. Have a blessed birthday and celebrate!

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  82. Happy Birthday, Carolyn! I'll be 55 later this year. Love your thoughts on it.

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  83. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Your beauty, inner and outer, are going strong!

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  84. Happy Birthday!! I pray God blesses you with many more! I enjoyed reading your list, and I agree that physical beauty fades, but as you get older, it is replaced by an intangible beauty that has much more substance.

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  85. Happy Birthday! I love your blog! Blessings!

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  86. Happy Happy Happy Birthday!!! May you have many many more. Hugs to you!

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  87. Happy Birthday to you Carolyn - you are such an inspiring example of 55!

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  88. You are one wise woman. Thank you for the reminder that I should spend more time count my blessings and less...no....make that NO time counting what I don't have. I am a couple of years older than you are but have learned much in reading your blog. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I needed this reminder today.

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  89. Happy Birthday!! You are a blessing!

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  90. Happy Birthday Carolyn. Thank you for continuing to inspire me by making the kind of designs I love which are those that are corporate :)
    Mel

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  91. Happy Birthday!!!!!!!
    Hope your day is as beautiful as you

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  92. Great sentiments. Happy Birthday!!

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  93. Amen to that! I turned 55 in March, so a little ahead of you. Everything you said is true, and I'm looking forward to the "next half." :) Happy Birthday. K

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  94. Happy Birthday to you.

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  95. Happy birthday! You look marvelous at 55! Really liked your list. I hope your day was a good one and celebrate that birthday all weekend.

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  96. Happy Birthday! I hope you had a marvelous day!

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  97. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, young woman! i have you beat by 2.5 years!!!!! You look great, and I'm extremely jealous of your dark hair as I have been dying since around 42 years old!!!!! You go, girl!!!!!

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  98. Happy B-Day,I'm so thankful I came across your blog.

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  99. Many happy returns on your birthday! Lovely to read your list of meditations/ruminations. It's refreshing to remember that growing older is a privilege that comes with many benefits. Enjoy yourself. Rachel ☺

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  100. Happy Birthday Carolyn!! I so much agree with your list

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  101. Happy Belated Birthday! I hope your special day was awesome! I love your list. Enjoy your weekend.

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  102. Belated Happy Birthday wishes from another gal who just turned 55. You look and ARE fabulous!!!

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  103. Happy Birthday Carolyn! Thank you for so generously sharing your craft, thoughts, and wisdom with us throughout the year. You are an inspiration.

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  104. Happy Birthday and be Blessed! You make 55 look good!

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  105. Happy Birthday. I send my wishes for a year filled with health and happiness- and lots of fabric and sewing time. Everyone would do well to take your above comments to heart. Age is just a number. It's how we feel inside that really matters. Congratulations - and you look great.

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  106. Happy Birthday Carolyn! You're wearing 55 well!

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  107. Happy Birthday Lady. I totally forgot we shared the same B-day. You look FABULOUS!!!!

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  108. Wishing you a Very Happy Birthday Celebration!! May you get the chance to celebrate it all year through!!

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  109. Happy Birthday Carolyn! I agree, you look FABULOUS and hope you did exactly as you wanted to for your Birthday!

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  110. Happy birthday Carolyn!

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  111. Happy belated birthday. Life is for enjoying and 55 is fantastic I can vouch for that. I hope you enjoyed your day and every day after !

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  112. I was away from the computer last week, so I'm late...but I'm just a few weeks behind you. Such good thoughts on the double nickles!! Hope you had a great day.!

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  113. Happy belated birthday! So excited to have met you in your 54th year, and can't wait to wish you a happy birthday for many more fun-filled years to come!

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  114. 55 looks pretty good to me! I hope I can look that good in the few years it's going to take me.
    Happy Birthday!

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  115. I absolutely love this post!! Happy belated birthday, Carolyn. You have such a positive attitude and outlook on life, and it truly comes across in everything you write and share with your readers. Thanks for inspiring us, as always! :)

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  116. A very belated Happy Birthday to a fellow Gemini!

    Also:
    A job/career is just that. It doesn't comfort you when things go wrong. It doesn't rejoice in your personal triumphs ~ it is just a source of income. Don't fall for the hype!

    --
    Truer words were never spoken.

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  117. Ms. Carolyn, I don't know how I missed your birthday post. My apology. Happy Belated Birthday. I simply love what you said about wisdom, experience, and sexiness. God bless you! Life is good and am happy that you are well.

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  118. Late poster as I only just found your blog. you look fantastic and i love all your quotes. Definitely food for thought for the non-youngsters

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