40 Things I've Learned in my 40 Years...in no particular order

1. I'm a Type A personality. So much so, that it bugs me that "whoever" invented that name couldn't have come up with something a bit more catchy.."type A" REALLY? I was thinking something like "I must get everything accomplished on my list today and everyone around needs to get on board, or I will have to punch someone in the face so they will understand the magnitude of what I'm trying to make happen here, it's only for their own good-personality". Yes, that's much better.
2. If you don't marry your best friend, you better spend the rest of your life trying to make it so.
3. If you spend the rest of your life trying to make your spouse your best friend, you'll stay happily married forever.
4. My husband really is my favorite person in the whole world. Honest.
   
5. Don't dwell on what you don't have in common with your spouse. Do things that you both love together and forget about the rest.
6. I'm ok with the fact that I took a 17 year break from running and exercising. Better to start back at 36 then not at all.
7. Children don't hear you they see you. Deal with it and be ready when it comes around to look you in the face.
8. It's ok to tell your kids you are sorry when you act like a total jerk.
9. And you will...act like a total jerk.
10. Children grow up faster than you ever think they will. Everyone tells you this, but until you live it, you just don't get it.
11. Be yourself, everyone else is taken.
12. Selfishness is the root of all destruction.
13. It really is more blessed to give than to receive.
14. Don't say it, do it.
15. I really did give my parents a hard time in the teen years. Sorry!
16. I love sunshine.
17. I love fall leaves.
18. I love flowers. But only the kind you plant outside...I'm not a fan of receiving flowers. They die and are costly.
19. I just can't pay full price for anything.
20. I'm not cheap, I'm fiscally responsible :).
21. WARNING May be offensive to some. A happy marriage in most cases does center around sex. Healthy sex life = harmony. Lack of sex = strife. Think about it and do the math. It's true. AND I'm ok with that. If you think I'm shallow then keep reading to #38.
    
22. Every decade you should reinvent yourself.
23. Fear can be paralyzing.
    
24. Courage is being scared to death to jump in the pool but doing so fully clothed with your brand new cell phone in hand.
25. Music is my getaway. All kinds. It truly does take me to new places.
26. I will like loud music until the day I die. AND I'm a car singer AND I don't care who knows it or who sees me doing it at stop lights. (refer to #38)
    
27. If you are willing to stand on the very edge, you better have some pretty strong toes.
28. We all have issues.
29. Others usually see us differently than we see ourselves.
30. Having two parents who genuinely loved each other and stayed married through it all was probably the single most important lesson they taught me about life. Life is hard, work at it, deal with it, and honor your commitments. Thanks mom and dad!
31. Hypocrisy is harder to deal with when you are fully aware of what you are doing.
32. Respect for authority is a gift we should all give our children. It will make their life much easier and yours too :).
    
33. I love the south.
34. I love living in Alabama.
    
35. Southerners really are the best people in the world.
36. God will always provide means, a way, people, or resources to accomplish His will.
37. There will always be someone stronger, taller, skinnier, prettier, richer, and smarter than you. Get over it and quit whining!
    
38. I think I stopped caring about what people thought about me around age 34 or 35...WOW that feels so good!I get bored very easily.
39. Everyone that I've ever known always spends more money at Christmas than they plan to. Myself included.
    
40. I don't like to think I am high maintenance but I guess I am. Oh well. (refer to #38)