Not quite sure how it is already nearing the end of May, but here we are.

Spring 2023 thoughts…

Part 1: I’m a Swiftie.

I’m also 40, so understand me when I say I don’t care about the endless hints/Easter eggs and more that our queen drops. While I find that interesting, I don’t obsess over it. My “Swift-osity” lies more in how much I love her discography.

I was fortunate enough to attend her ah-may-zing “Reputation” tour back in 2018. I swore to myself after that night that I would see her every time she tours.

But, so did the rest of the world…

I wasn’t able to get tickets on that fateful day back in November. I had Ticketmaster pulled up. I was in a waiting room all day long and ended up empty handed. My bestie (another 40 year old Swiftie) and I were hoping to score tickets for her record breaking three night stint at AT&T Stadium (aka Jerry’s World), but… no dice.

I was bummed. Like, supremely bummed. It hurt to see people I knew get tickets, which is ludicrous because YAY for them, but also, “Why not me?”

And y’all. It was when I literally had that thought/moment that I truly believe the Spirit got a hold of me and said, “Misti, girl, you better pump them pity brakes and start thanking God for what you do have!!”

I have so very much. And this world has so many more hardships than not getting T-Swizzle tix.

Part 2: Hardships

While this blog is not seen by too many (by design, I suppose), I do feel the need to keep things private-ish, so obviously no name dropping here. However, this season has seen some hardships in my amazing circle. As mentioned above, T-Swiz tickets are so very minor.

Someone that I love so very much has been fighting breast cancer. And y’all, she’s kicking it’s a**. While I celebrate her amazing attitude and her strength, I also can only imagine how difficult this road has been. She’s classy and graceful, so we’ll never know her truest struggles, but she and her family have been in my thoughts and prayers.

And while I’ve blogged about (gracefully?) aging, one thing about aging is seeing our parents as who they are; they’re human. My parents have served as two super heroes in their own ways all forty years of my life. However, they are only human. Two of my very best friends have each had to say goodbye to a parent over the course of the past several months. There is absolutely nothing I can say to help that grief. I will continue to be an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, a wine steward for those nights when a glass of red is needed, and a friend who loves you with everything she’s got and prays for your peace.

I’ve asked for more prayers from my family text thread this year than I can remember in years. While my struggles are very, very mild, I’ve had a difficult season of managing expectations and emotions. I’m still learning how to deal with change, which has never been a favorite thing.

Part 3: Quirks from around the Carousel

I’m not sure where I heard the analogy of life being like a carousel; it has ups and down, it can be dizzying, but also magical. The older I get, the more I really love this analogy.

This past weekend, I was at a friend’s birthday party at this darling little spot called “The Bubble Bar.” It’s a terrifically girly local spot that mostly serves champagne related cocktails. As we were sipping on such treats like the “cotton candy champagne,” we spoke of aging. Y’all – it’s seriously my favorite topic these days. While I don’t love random back aches and lines that are starting to appear at my eyes, I LOVE being 40. I love feeling more confident in saying “no” or “not right now.” I love the amazing friendships that I have and that we all love each other and there’s never any real drama or issue. Sure, we can annoy each other, but it’s backed by so much history and love.. who can stay annoyed too long? I love being more at peace with who I am. I will never have Jennifer Aniston hair. I will never be skinny. I will always use humor and self deprecation as defense mechanisms, even though I do try to be more vulnerable. It’s all the self-actualization that makes this age my favorite so far. I’m not where I want to be, but I’m content and happy. And man, that is a first.

There’s a line from Sex and The City: The Movie with Carrie and her assistant, Louise, who is about to go meet a man after 10 pm. Carrie said, “Enjoy yourself… that’s what your 20s are for. Your 30s are the learn the lessons. Your 40s are to pay for the drinks.” I really, really love this line.

I’m on the road to becoming a plant lady. I bought a basil and mint plant at the grocery store this past week. I removed both from their packaging and mixed their soil with some (better?) plant soil and gave them a good separating and repotted. However, with the basil, I saw a TikTok about taking the mature stems and cutting them, placing them in water, allow for some root take off and then replant with the rest and you’ve doubled your basil. Will this work? I have no idea, but I find it fascinating. I’ve also been able to successfully regrow green onion in water and have used it time and time again in my cooking! Yay for never buying another bundle of that again!

I did a massive closet clean out last weekend. I was so tired of seeing the same things just hanging there, knowing I either don’t like it anymore, or the fit is wrong, or just knowing it’s taking up space. It’s made me really want to start investing in quality, classic pieces and do more of a capsule wardrobe. Let me dust off the old pinterest account…

Part 4: Is it Summer, yet?

As a public school educator, I think I speak for all of us with a loud and whiney, “Is it summer, yet?” I truly do feel like we are seeing the harm that the “pause of Covid-19” put on our kiddos. As a school counselor, I can say with certainty that most of our kiddos are socially less mature and haven’t developed age-appropriate communication skills. Academically, the masses are behind. Sure, we all have our high achievers and our naturally gifted students, but by and large we have a foundation issue with math and reading. We have amazing teachers who pour their talents into their classroom. I feel like our students also show up and truly work hard, but bridging that gap is not easy and not quick. Prayers up for all of our educators and students. We’ll make it, but it’s quite the rebuilding era.

Ha – I started this blog with T-Swizzle’s era tour and ending it with “our new educational era.” Way to bring it full circle, Misti!