Hello!!!!!!!!!!!! I've been wanting to pop in and say hello all week! Hellooooooo!!!!!!!!
The weeks holiday (which was fantastic), has led to me being away from my blog longer than I anticipated, I thought I'd get back here on Monday, all bright eyed and bushy tailed, but I've been finding it hard to adjust to going from a week of no responsibilities (such a luxury), to being back in the real world of working a thirteen hour day.
This week following our return from holiday has just whizzed by.
I have been spending hours sorting through the holiday photos (274 of them to be precise), it's time consuming to do, but I'm almost there.
And recently, I've gone from having a three in one of the numbers that represents my age, to a four in the two digits.
Forty. It seems very strange to have reached this age, part of me feels like time is playing a trick on me.
I'm a little spring chicken, but our customs say I am now officially middle aged.
My sister told me that the age of sixty is now considered middle aged. It's because we're all living longer. That sounds spot on to me.
My families, (my family and Hugo's family), and my friends, made such a fuss of me. They made the day of reckoning, (which might have to be my new name for my Birthday), a really, really special day. I was dumb-struck by the generosity of the gifts, and the feelings of love and goodwill that came my way.
I was very, very touched that Hugo's boss and two of his work colleague's gave me cards and gifts. That was unexpected, very unexpected, I thought it was the nicest, most touching thing.
There was a small celebration with Hugo's family, where Hugo cooked the most amazing meal, (simple, but absolutely delicious, my favourite kind of food). My family are all hundreds of miles away so couldn't be there. My parents are in South America at the moment.
The weeks holiday we just had was partly our annual holiday (we save up for them, a little bit put aside each month), and it was also timed to coincide with the celebration of me entering my fifth decade.
We had the most wonderful time, really, really, really wonderful. I thought I'd share it with you on Monday, when I'll return to my usual blogging routine. How does that sound?
And the first two photos of this blog post show the card my seven year-old Niece Millie made for me. Very precious this card. I love the 'wish glitter' stuck on the inside. It reminds me how important it is to always make a wish on your Birthday. I'd love to know what Millie wishes for when she cuts her Birthday cake, but of course, you're never meant to reveal what your wish is, are you? I made a wish when I cut the cake Hugo made me for my Birthday.
Have a good weekend. See you Monday! Cheerio! Love Vanessa xxx
Happy Birthday! Glad you had a lovely week with many goodies! Cx
Posted by: Catherine | April 15, 2011 at 11:47 AM
Sounds like you had a great birthday - forty is definitely not middle aged these days (trust me, I'm one year away from 60 and I'm not middle aged yet!).
Posted by: Jane | April 15, 2011 at 11:48 AM
Many Happy Returns Vanessa (and I'm sorry to have to point out that you are actually entering your fifth decade.....*ducks*). It sounds like you had a wonderful time.
Posted by: Belinda | April 15, 2011 at 12:21 PM
Forty is lovely! I'm 48 and glad to be here. Happy Birth Day!
Posted by: Lamorganna | April 15, 2011 at 12:24 PM
Happy Birthday from a middle-aged follower:)
Posted by: Mary Ann | April 15, 2011 at 01:23 PM
Happy Birthday Vanessa! Forty is nothing these days! I'm so glad you had such lovely celebrations and a lots of presents. I am specially looking forward to seeing your holiday photos too...Have a wonderful weekend.
Helen x
Posted by: Helen | April 15, 2011 at 01:30 PM
Your week sounds wonderful, Happy birthday Vanessa, 40 is FAB!
Meredith
Posted by: Meredith | April 15, 2011 at 01:42 PM
Wow, you're never forty! You don't look it from your pics. Your sister is absolutely right by the way.
Happy birthday :o)
Posted by: Sue | April 15, 2011 at 01:43 PM
Happy Birthday Chick!!! Your cards look gorgeous! xxx
Posted by: amanda makes | April 15, 2011 at 01:46 PM
Wish glitter sounds like a very nice thing to have on your birthday! Have a lovely day Vanessa!xx
Posted by: Jessie | April 15, 2011 at 02:02 PM
Many happy returns Vanessa!
Posted by: Liz A. | April 15, 2011 at 02:13 PM
Happy Birthday! Sounds like you had a lovely time. I like the wish glitter too! Looking forward to hearing about your holiday next week. Have a great weekend!
Posted by: Tessa | April 15, 2011 at 02:30 PM
Welcome back to you, Vanessa, and a huge Happy Birthday, too! It's grand to hear that you've had some terrific relaxing and pampering time.
At forty, you are definitely still in the first bloom of life...a wiser child, perhaps.
(I'm in disbelief that I'll be 66 this September...how could it be true?)
xo
Posted by: Frances | April 15, 2011 at 02:33 PM
Happy, Happy, Happy belated Birthday to you! What a wonderful time the 40's are - old enough to have wisdom and young enough to play. (And just as an aside - I happen to personally know that this factor moves with you right into the 50's.)
While you were away I heard that the little paper people had quite the celebration in your honor. There was dancing, and tea cakes, and cabbage rolls, and the birds whistled Happy Birthday tunes. Everyone was dressed in their best knits. It was quite the "do".
Continue the party through the weekend, and we'll look for you next week!
Posted by: Liz W in Missouri, USA | April 15, 2011 at 02:40 PM
Happy Birthday Vanessa! It sounds like you had a lovely day, hope you manage to eek your celebrations out a bit longer over the weekend but look forward to hearing from you next week.
Katie x
Posted by: Katie | April 15, 2011 at 02:42 PM
Happy Happy Birthday Vanessa! And welcome back!
Posted by: mlleparadis | April 15, 2011 at 02:57 PM
Good to hear your voice again, been thinking of you and the adventures you've been on. Age numbers are a funny thing aren't they. Somehow they don't go along with how you feel - good the rule book got burnt a long time ago.
X
Posted by: Bobo Bun | April 15, 2011 at 03:16 PM
Happy Birthday Vanessa, sounds like you had a wonderful time - just the way it should be! Wishing you a lovely weekend too xxx
Posted by: Jenny | April 15, 2011 at 03:33 PM
Well,if I were the sort of person who worried what number I was (ie age) then I think I would be upset with your sister as by her reckoning, I'm now middle-aged. Well, I got the spread....
I remember being forty, it was THE BEST time of my life, that particular decade. So many exciting things happened.... I went back to work after being out of the workplace for two decades... I trained as a counsellor.... I became a published writer at the very end of the decade, so more than any others, I think it was an eventful, successful, reaffirming decade and I wish the same for you.
Posted by: maggie | April 15, 2011 at 04:17 PM
happy birthday! 40 is fun!
Posted by: driftwood | April 15, 2011 at 04:27 PM
The very happiest of birthday wishes, Vanessa. My husband tried to drown me on my 40th!
xxxxxx
:)
Posted by: Cath W | April 15, 2011 at 05:20 PM
Happy Birthday x
Posted by: faith76 | April 15, 2011 at 05:48 PM
Hello! lovely to see you back again. A very Happy birthday to you Vanessa! - I honestly thought you were in your early 30's and your pictures just confirmed that for me. Anyway 40 is fine - it was 30 that was horrible for me, it seemed so ancient at the time (silly me!) I'm a few years older and so far 40's has been better than 30's. And I've met 50 somethings who say no, they are having the best time ever. Hugo's boss etc got you presents because you are nice, that's the reason but yes lovely of them.It sounds like you had a lovely and much deserved break. Look forward to seeing your pictures on Monday.
Posted by: Siobhan | April 15, 2011 at 05:59 PM
Happy Birthday Vanessa!! May I say, you are looking very fab at 40!!
Have a lovely weekend!
Rachel x
Posted by: Rachel | April 15, 2011 at 06:02 PM
40 ...smorty...
it's nothing!!
Since my 40th I've had the most exciting time..
I married after being on my own (and bringing my 2 up alone) for over 20 years
I learned to sail
My husband and I set sail from Cornwall and had a huge adventure..
We now live a completely different life in Crete,
and that's all before I'm 60 (way before I'm 60!)
40 onwards is for adventure,
so, Vanessa, spread your wings and fly!!
Take care
Jude
x
Posted by: Jude | April 15, 2011 at 06:14 PM
Aw, happy, happy birthday. Millie's card is just lovely and it's always wonderful to receive handmade ones and gives a warm feeling of thoughtfulness, effort and love. Glad you had a lovely day full of delicious food and pressies!
Posted by: Vintage Squirrel | April 15, 2011 at 06:35 PM
Oh so nice to have you back again Vanessa! Sounds like you had a thoroughly spoilt time and oh so well deserved too. My 40th last year was divine, I had a vintage tea party with bubbly and lots of cream teas xox can't quite believe that I will be 41 soon, very odd indeed. I was 15 when my mum was 40 and that just feels like the other day :0) look forward to seeing your lovely photos next week. Have a fab weekend.
Posted by: Penelope | April 15, 2011 at 06:45 PM
*H*A*P*P*Y* * *B*I*R*T*H*D*A*Y*!*!*!* - yep, I'm 62 in 10 days, so you're just a baby compared to me. I could only wish to be 40 again.
Hugs from Oregon, USA -- Teresa :-)
Posted by: Teresa Kasner | April 15, 2011 at 07:41 PM
Happy belated birthday!!! Glad you spend your birthday so well :-)
Posted by: Regina | April 15, 2011 at 07:54 PM
all I can say is you don't look 40!
Posted by: Janice Perkin | April 15, 2011 at 08:03 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY VANESSA,
glad you`re back with us
Love Carole xxxx
Posted by: Carole | April 15, 2011 at 08:23 PM
Happy Birthday young lady/ Glad you had a lovely week.
Carol xx
Posted by: Carol | April 15, 2011 at 08:43 PM
Happy birthday! My circle of friends is turning forty this year, I follow in nine months! Yay!
Posted by: Mojca | April 15, 2011 at 09:48 PM
Happy Birthday Vanessa- still a mere slip of a a girl...best wishes from one of the 'middle aged'.x
Posted by: Kate | April 15, 2011 at 10:42 PM
Happy Birthday Vanessa, here's to (at least) another 40 years!
Posted by: Jacqueline | April 15, 2011 at 10:45 PM
Happy Birthday Vanessa!!
I do like the idea of 60 now being middle-age that has cheered me up no end!!
Have a great weekend. :)
Vivienne x
Posted by: greenrabbitdesigns | April 16, 2011 at 12:48 AM
Happy birthday Vanessa! I too turned 40 recently - well November last year - and it was a weird feeling. Are we now officially 'grown up'?? I still feel 25, so am sticking to that for my 'official' age! Glad you had a lovely birthday.
Dawn x
Posted by: Dawn Nelson | April 16, 2011 at 08:39 AM
Happy Birthday Vanessa! It sounds as though you had a wonderful time. Here's to a great year ahead.
Posted by: Lynne | April 16, 2011 at 08:55 AM
Happy Birthday, you sound like you had a wonderful time, have a great weekend. Look forward to seeing some of your holiday pics.
Posted by: jeanette | April 16, 2011 at 09:02 AM
Happy Happy Birthday Vanessa, you beautiful girl ...
May I just say forty is SO young and also that anyway I never would have guessed from your photos ...!
Much love, Barbara xx
Posted by: Barbara | April 16, 2011 at 09:26 AM
Happy Birthday Vanessa. A wonderfully productive, creative, happy age to be and I think it goes on getting better personally. I speak from a far away planet age-wise! Look forward to seeing your holiday pics. I'm trawling though mine too!
Posted by: Lucille | April 16, 2011 at 10:06 AM
Happy birthday to you. From what I remember of being 40, and it's been a while, it was fab. Hope the celebrations are going well.
Posted by: Jennyff | April 16, 2011 at 11:51 AM
Happy Birthday to youuuu, Happy Birthday toooo youuuu, Happy Biiiirthday deeear Vanessaaaaaaaa, Happy Birthday toooo youuuuu!!!
That's the best singing I can do from my end of the computer! :)
It sounds like you had a fantastic birthday with lovely people around you. Here's a virtual kiss on the cheek and hug from me to add to your birthday wishes.
xx
Veronika
Posted by: Veronika | April 16, 2011 at 11:54 AM
Many Happy Returns and welcome to the club!
Posted by: paintdropskeepfalling.wordpress.com | April 16, 2011 at 01:22 PM
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday dear vanessa!!!!
Happy birthday to youuuuuuuuuuuu!!!
COngratulations on entering your 40s! Wishing you a decade of much wonderfullness!
Lots of love and special love and hugs from Raymond too!
XXXXX
Posted by: Alice and Raymond!!! | April 16, 2011 at 08:51 PM
Joyeux anniversaire Vanessa!
What cake did Hugo bake for you then?
Looking forward to your holiday pictures!
Isabelle xx
Posted by: Isabelle | April 16, 2011 at 09:37 PM
happy birthday, I was 44 this year and I'm loving my 40's - it feels to me like a decade where I am feeling very daring - old enough to realise that it's ok to try new things and that if they don't go to plan it's not the end of the world and young enough to try in the first place. have fun middle age is decades away xx
Posted by: Janette | April 16, 2011 at 10:58 PM
very nice, i think you will like this moncler jacket http://www.monclershower.com/Moncler-Down-Jacket-Branson-Navy-Black
Posted by: ella | April 17, 2011 at 01:29 PM
Gosh, Vanessa! I'd lost count. That does make me feel old. Lots of love and birthday kisses from us both.
Graham and RuthXXXXXX
Posted by: Ruth | April 17, 2011 at 05:36 PM
Happy Birthday dear Sweet Vanessa....Life gets better as we age...my 50th gave me The Bestest present ever...My dear wee Westie dog Meadow and shes Ten Zillions x better than any Diamond ring or Gold Bracelet that a Girl could ask for....You are lucky that life has kept you young and far from looking your age.Hugs.xx
Posted by: Susan young | April 18, 2011 at 03:12 AM
Happy birthday! Sounds like you had a lovely one and a great holiday!
Posted by: Delusional Knitter | April 18, 2011 at 12:30 PM
Happy Birthday! I went through all sort of angst when I had my big birthday last year (50) but from this side I feel just the same!
Just carry on as you are and keep discovering new things...
Celia
x
Posted by: Magic Cochin | April 18, 2011 at 02:48 PM
Ooh, you're a 1971 baby like me! Very many happy returns, 40 of them in fact! :-)
Heather x
Posted by: Heather | April 18, 2011 at 03:17 PM
Happy Birthday! I started to blog just before I turned forty and am still at it - writing a bit professionally and finally doing my degree - life definitely begins at the big 4-0! Enjoy.
Posted by: Janice | April 18, 2011 at 07:46 PM
Happy Birthday. Everyone should have wish glitter in every card from now on, I love it! x
Posted by: Daisyley | April 18, 2011 at 08:27 PM
Happy Birthday Vanessa :-) No way you are 40!!! You look like you are in your 20's, see its the lovely English weather, good for the complexion. Hope you made a good wish Hugs Jen xx
Posted by: Jenni at Baa-me Kniits | April 25, 2011 at 12:43 PM