If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook you may have noticed some images with the hashtag 50 Good Things.
50 Good Things
Many people become reflective around a milestone birthday. It would seem that I am no exception. A few days before the calendar page turned to August I began to think about how I wanted to mark the occasion of my 50th year. Many of my friends have been celebrating with elaborate parties. I myself brought in 40 with a Marie Antoinette themed bash and My Favorite 45 was great fun too.
Something More
I wanted to mark the occasion with something truly heartfelt. A personal reflection that would be a great gift to me. So I decided that starting on August 1st I would keep track of the good things that occurred each day. My hope was that I could mark 50 Good Things before the calendar flipped to September. Would I make it?
Lovely Goodness
August 1st: I had overdone it in cleaning up our half dead garden so I had a 1/2 hour massage. It was a true delight! (1)
The hubby arrived home with pizza! (2)
August 2nd: My son and I drove to Kansas. Our destination was the Little House on the Prairie where we hung up some curtains for the new cabin. (3)
I found great joy in meeting some furry friends. I never knew donkeys were so loveable. (4)
Dinner with Little House loving friends. (5)
August 3rd: We celebrated the 148th birthday of Carrie Ingalls by volunteering more of our time at her birthplace in Independence, Kansas. (6)
A long drive home ~ I love car trips with my kids. I let them choose the books on tape and music that we listen to while driving. You learn so much about their tastes. Sweet Guy said this song reminded him of me. (7)
August 4th: Back home in D/FW Texas I put the finishing touches on an 1860’s ensemble. (8)
Mr. Decor and I also purchased some badly needed new carpeting. (9)
Spectacular Views
August 5th: We drove to Houston for a mini family reunion. My son had not seen his cousins in 4 years. (10)
We got lost coming home and ending up seeing a glorious sunset while crossing the Margaret McDermott Bridge. (11)
August 6th: Breakfast with darling Donna. It doesn’t get any better than french toast with a friend. (12)
August 7th: Enjoyed a wonderful lunch with lovely Georgeann at the charming Mason & Dixie in Grapevine. (13)
Two fantastic phone calls with my sister in law and BFF. (14)
August 8th: I am horrible at self-care appointments. But I finally got a pedicure. (15)
Then I went to go visit my friend Catherine who is cleaning out her fabric closet. (16)
August 9th: This day was the best by far! We have been worried for months about an issue involving Sweet Guy’s health. We received some VERY ENCOURAGING news from his specialist and hope it continues. (17)
Swallow Your Coffee First
August 10th: A maintenance visit for the A/C units ends with no surprises or extra costs. (18)
A trip to Walmart results in finding something fun for Sweet Guy’s upcoming Eagle Scout celebration. (19)
This becomes a trend as a few adults follow my lead and ask me to take their picture. Strangers gathered together all cracking up. (20)
August 11th: A happy phone call from the Fashionista in Nashville. (21)
Dinner out with my sweetheart at Salsa Limon. (22)
Italian gelato for dessert. (23)
50 Year Old Fashion
August 12th: Watching my son’s close friend get baptized. Hallelujah! (24 )
One of my goals for this year was to create outfits from vintage 1968 patterns. The first outfit I made is Simplicity #4489. I choose it because that is my daughter’s birthday. A VERY good thing. (25)
Finding the fabric for $3.00 a yard. (26)
August 13th: Sweet Guy survives the first week of Cross Country practice and so do I as I am the 6:20 am chauffer. (27)
My son has a fabulous group of friends. Our house has been THE house all summer long. (28)
Hubby and son go to the Scout meeting and learn that there is an entire bin of Eagle Scout party supplies free for our use. (29)
August 14th: Back to school shopping is a success. (30)
Lunch for the boys (Sloppy Joe’s) and a DVD viewing of Infinity War. (31)
Finding an AIRBNB in Paris. (32)
August 15th: After a week the rain finally stops. (33)
A happy walk with the dogs. (34)
Creating centerpieces for the ESP and they are boy approved. (35)
The day when all the parents rejoice. Back to school. (36)
A Patriotic Heartwarmer
August 16th: Healthy vet visit and grooming for the dogs. (37)
Finishing a new wreath for the front door. (38)
Smoothly ordering cakes and other goodies for the upcoming Eagle Scout party (ESP). (39)
We recently sent family members an invitation to our Scout’s upcoming Eagle Scout ceremony. We enclosed a request that “in lieu of gifts we would love the assistance of creating a special album for our Scout with a letter of memories, photos, or fantastic advice.” My son’s great-grandmother, Joyce, sent Sweet Guy an American flag belonging to his great-grandfather, Landen H. Gunn. He joined the Marines in 1928 and was a true patriot. As a scoutmaster, he taught many boys to swim and sail in Panama. The flag will be used to Present The Colors at my son’s Eagle Scout ceremony. (40)
August 17th: A haircut and highlight for me. I haven’t been in the stylist’s chair for 4 months. (41)
A quick trip to the grocery store for bananas and peanut butter. I get in line for self-checkout. A mom with a crying baby and whiny toddler is in front of me. She finishes her transaction and walks away. I unload and then notice that she left her cash back in the machine so I chase her down. She breaks down in tears and hugs me. I say, “I’ve been there. It will get better.” (42)
Big Projects Completed
August 18th: The ESP scrapbook containing 10 years worth of scouting is finished! (43)
August 19th: The ESP shadowboxes are finished. (44)
The Eagle party favors have been made. (45)
Happy Birthday!
August 20th: Our new carpeting is being installed today. (46)
I have a stack of cards from friends and family members waiting to be opened. (47 )
It’s just 5 days until my son’s Eagle Court of Honor. Lovely family and friends are coming from all over to join us on the happy occasion. (48 )
It’s just 21 days until I leave for France! (49)
I am 50 years old, healthy and happy! (50)
I really like that last one.
I was worried that setting a goal of marking 50 joyous occasions in just one month would be hard to meet. As you can see I still have ten days left and easily met my goal.
One thing I have learned is that in actively SEEKING joy I have found it. It is abundant and I am filled with gratitude.
I am SO thankful for you dear readers. (51++++)
Laura
What a wonderful way to celebrate, not just a month but an entire lifetime.
Our daughter just posted an interesting article about brain development (or lack thereof) in negative people. Maybe this explains why you are so creative and clever and have such smart kids!
Enjoy your day! You deserve the best XOXO
A very sweet post today! Good luck with the ESP and congratulations to Sweet Guy.
What a sweet way to celebrate! Sounds like a wonderful birthday month!
Love this post Laura. Happy 50th Birthday. May your day be spent celebrating with family and friends.
Oh I am so happy to call you a dear friend and to wish you a very Happy Birthday. I am also thrilled for Sweet Guy and wish him congratulations also. I hope today is the best day ever. Miss you and wish we could have lunch.
Happy Birthday, Laura! What a great way to celebrate your milestone year.
I love your my sweet friend. You’ve inspired me to do something special for my #49 this week. Happy Birthday friend. May this be your most richly blessed year yet. God be with you always. ❤
Dear Laura,
I love this post. Wishing you a most wonderful Birthday as you continue to rejoice in all of the good things of life.
Love, Linda
What a wonderful birthday of 50 good things, Laura! Happy, happy birthday! I was with my Panoply sisters this weekend, and I was bragging about you! I shared your Ingalls legacy, how you turned my vintage clothing into really special things, and how creative you are. I love Sweet Guy’s good news, and the gifts he will receive for Eagle Scout ceremony. Your 60s dress is right up my sisters’ alley (wish I had this post to have shown them too!). My hubby and I played around with those heads at WalMart too, lol. Our city’s university mascot is a golden eagle, so that’s the one I sported (my alma mater) too.
When I turned 50, the team I was working with framed a 50 things we like about Rita….it’s a keepsake memento of time with them. I hope your future trips around the sun are as bright as these 50 things have been for you! XO
Dear Laura,
I think this is THE BEST post ever. What a wonderful way to reflect on life and see the good things life has to offer.! Congratulations to Sweet Guy on his accomplishment of Eagle Scout! His years of dedication and hard work are something you and he must be extremely proud of! Wishing you a very Happy 50th Birthday as well! I myself reached that milestone 3 years ago and I really admire the way you take stock of your blessings. You are such a thoughtful person and I can’t tell you enough how I enjoy your posts. I hope you have a lovely trip to Paris and I look forward to seeing your pictures and reading all the descriptions of the fun you have! I am also looking forward to a European trip for the first time in my life – I am going to Italy next month with my 17 year old son and my sister! Best wishes to you and may you have at least 50 more beautiful years ahead!
Janet Johnson
Laura your post is inspiring. We should all be thankful and find joy in all that we say or do.
In our Bible Study, we are studying 1 John and how God wants us to find a joy and contentment…in all things. You certainly did that. And I love the song your son said reminds him of you. How wonderful that is too. You make the term celebrate your birthday have a special meaning and not meaningless birthday wishes. God Bless you. What a fun trip you have in store for you with Paris. Hugs
And you deserve every of joy dear friend.
Laura, Happy Birthday. You have had a very special month and I hope it continues. Hugs.!
Beautiful post Laura! Thank you for reminding me to seek joy every day. It the simple things that bring joy to my heart too❤️ Continue your birthday joyful and happy
Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday,
we love you
Happy Birthday,
and may all your dreams come true.
When you blow out the candles,
one light stays aglow.
It’s the lovelight in your heart,
where’er you go.
(Sing to tune of Marry Widow Waltz.) By Tom Chapin (Harry’s brother.)
Happy Birthday Laura and fellow Leo! Welcome to the 50’s!
Dear Laura,
Fifty looks phenomenal on you!
*hugs*
Kelley~
Happy Birthday, Laura. This is such a sweet post and a wonderful way to count your blessings. Wishing you many more!
What a wonderful idea for your 50th, you young thing, you! Happy 50 to you. I found my 50’s to be an exceptional decade. Blessings.
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy blessed Birthday. What a wonderful list!
Happy birthday my dear friend!! I just loved this post. Tell your sweet guy I am our school’s cross country coach. Keep running!!
The dress you made is lovely- you’re so talented!
A very Happy Birthday to you Laura! The dress you made is awesome!!
I love your 50 things and by now, 50 more, I’m sure! This is just terrific! I know I said HB before or on FB but I say it again because I believein celebrating as long as someone can!
I’m late Laura – but I know you had a wonderful special day and I wish you many, many more Happy Birthdays!!!
Love your dress.