Milestones
Jul 28th 2009
Karen RoseGoddess Grins & Karen Rose
Okay, peeps, tomorrow is my 45th birthday. Egad! It seems like I was just 35, like, yesterday.
But I’m not upset about getting a year older, really. I’m not keen about the wrinkles, but overall, I’m good with my face. I’ve got good skin and makeup helps. When the time comes, I wouldn’t be opposed to a little nip/tuck, but that’s in the future somewhere.
I find that I’m looking forward to doing lots of cool things as I get older versus looking back and lamenting the cool things I can no longer do. I think this is because I was pretty boring when I was young and rarely did anything daring or fun. Indeed, most of my major milestones occurred once I’d left my twenties, or as I was leaving.
Case in point:
Started writing – age 29
Sold my first book – age 35
Hit the NYT – age 43
Skied my first mountain – age 34
Started karate – age 42
Released I CAN SEE YOU, my TENTH romantic suspense – age 45 (This is shameless promo, but it’s my birthday, okay?)
.
There are a few exceptions:
Earned a college degree – age 21
Got married – age 21
Had my first child – age 25
Now, there is loads of Stuff I still want to do:
Learn Italian
Ski bigger mountains
Drive really, really fast on a racetrack
Climb Mt. Fuji (I always just wanted to)
What are your milestones? What cool stuff have you done post-twenties or even post-thirties or forties? What cool stuff do you still want to do? Any advice for me as I turn 45?
57 Comments »
57 Responses to “Milestones”
Deb Marlowe on 28 Jul 2009 at 4:37 am #
Happy Birthday, Karen! Love your attitude. Full steam ahead, I say!
There are still many goals I want to accomplish. Must go to Australia. I really want to do a gorgeous zip line. Someday I’ll hit the NYT. Learn to surf. So many things!
Kathy on 28 Jul 2009 at 5:28 am #
Happy Birthday Karen!!!
my 45th comes in August.
And I still feel remarkably immature.
Yesterday I did something I was a afraid to do when i was younger.
I took apart my stereo, fixed the cd rack and successfully put it back together so I can listen to cds again.
Yrs ago, I would have been afraid to really ruin it or not be able to get it back together in working order.
I figured though, the cd racks won’t move or play, so I had a really expensive radio if I didn’t go for it- consequences be darned.
Freedom Writer on 28 Jul 2009 at 5:48 am #
Happy Birthday Karen!
I became a grandmother at 45.
For me I married at 22
Had my first child at 23
Graduated from college at 30
Started Karate at 35
Started first full time job outside the home at 36, which effectively ended the karate lessons due to scheduling issues.
I hope to sell my first book within the next year or so, before I reach 50 would be great, but I’ll take a sale after 50 without complaint.
Michelle B on 28 Jul 2009 at 6:28 am #
A very Happy Birthday to you, Karen!!
Got married at 23, 25 years ago
Children at 25, 28, and 33
Next week DH will retire from the Air Force, big milestone for all of us.
I’ll be 49 in a couple of months and I am looking forward to owning our first home, hopefully putting down roots. Then it will be time for me to decide on a job/career. I’m thinking part-time work. This full time stuff is way too hard. I would love to drive a Jet Ski. None of this sounds terribly exciting or daring. Maybe once we settle down my daring side will emerge.
LoriHandeland on 28 Jul 2009 at 6:29 am #
Happy birthday, K-RO!!!!
I sold my first book at 31.
Won my first RITA at 43.
Began jogging at 45.
Started building my first brand new house at 48.
I would still like to do some serious traveling–England, Ireland, Italy, Alaska, here I come. Eventually.
I want to run a marathon.
I’m really looking forward to grandchildren.
My advice to you, Karen, is live, laugh, love as much as you can and as often as you can.
Freshechelle on 28 Jul 2009 at 6:33 am #
Happy Birthday, Karen. Hopes its a month of celebrating with family, friends and another NYT best seller!
My milestones? I guess
buying my home at 37
becoming a VP at 36
moving to San Diego at 22
getting promoted to NY at 24
discovering baseball at 32
They don’t feel like milestones to me for some reason.
Kathy on 28 Jul 2009 at 6:48 am #
yeah, Fresh, mine don’t really feel like milestones eieth, so I just didn’t list anything.
Karen Hawkins on 28 Jul 2009 at 7:11 am #
Karen, congrats, congrats, congrats on your coming birthday! May it be just one of many, many, many more!
I don’t do ‘which year was it that’ — I don’t know how long this took or that took. I don’t know what year I got married the first time, or when I started writing or sold my first book. I barely remember how old I or my kids are (thank goodness they have the same birthday — I don’t bother with the years, but I always remember the day and month!) so I can’t answer all of these. However I can list the things I’m glad I did:
— Had Kids – they’re the joys of my life
— Travel – to Europe and beyond. Want to do more of this, too!
— Made a Change for a Better Relationship – which took finding a new and improved husband, but hey, whatever it takes!
— Started Writing – still remains a joy even after all of these years (however many there are!)
— Over the yrs, I took up running, bicycling, kayaking, hiking, and walking – I truly think it’s necessary to remain active for long term health
— Joined tgb because it has become an online home for me
As for advice, just relax and enjoy. It’s so easy to let life’s bumps become life’s mountains!
ladydawgfan on 28 Jul 2009 at 7:32 am #
Happy Birthday, K-Ro!! My 45th is TODAY!! I didn’t realize we were so close in age (almost the same day!). Cool Beans!!!
Kelly Ann on 28 Jul 2009 at 7:45 am #
Happy Birthday Karen and ladydawg fan! I hope that you both will fullfill all of your life expectations you’ve set for yourselves!!!!! Both of you have a great day and please eat some cake for me. I love birthday cake!
SheridanLA on 28 Jul 2009 at 7:52 am #
happy birthday K-Ro AND Ladydawgfan!!
I can’t offer advice on 45, I turn 40 next year.
hrm..milestones
got married (yay!) then divorced (YAY!!)
opened my own retail store and bought another
rode 100 miles on a bike (then decided to do it 4 more times)
first international trip in 2004 and now you can’t stop me. hehe
I still plan on finishing my triathlon in Sept.
climb Kilimanjaro (next year if I can save up for it)
Visit 100 different countries and join the World Century Club.
Patty L. on 28 Jul 2009 at 7:55 am #
Happy Birthday Karen! I hope your day is great.
I will be turning 34 on the 29th of September and will be starting my freshmen year of college on September 9th. I am so excited and nervous about this newest adventure. I started writing over two years ago so that also started once I was in my thirties. I was to busy in my twenties having babies, to worry about myself. LOL
evlqn on 28 Jul 2009 at 7:59 am #
Happy Birthday Karen!
Graduated from HS at 18 and moved to another state to take a job as a nanny for the summer.
First apartment at 19 with friends from HS before moving to Cheyenne.
Married at 20, never make ANY decisions drunk, they rarely work out.
Danced in a moonlight spotlight in NYC at 21.
First child at 23, he will be 38 in four days.
Moved to LA with my sister,her daughter & my son -24.
Second child at 26.
Married husband #2 in Las Vegas at 28, the day Elvis died.
Started working in the bookstore I loved at 33. Stayed for 8 years.
Moved to Carson City , Nv at 41. And Oregon at 42.
Decided DH #2 wasn’t worth the effort anymore and my self esteem was worth everything.
Bought my first home at 50.
Became a Nana at 55 & 58 , highly recommended thing to be.
Joined TGB 59, Thank you Lori for turning me on to these wonderful people
At 60 no milestones yet but it’s only been 2 months.
Things I still want to do, go to Scotland,Ireland, Australia and take pictures of all the sunsets and sunrises I can.
Go to New Orleans for Mardi Gras and embarrass my children, it’s my turn.
Only advice I have you are doing, run at life and catch with both arms wide.
TrishD on 28 Jul 2009 at 7:59 am #
Happy B-day Karen! I’m glad we can share it with you.
My milestones??
Graduated college at 22
Started career in apartment management at 25
Threw it all away and went back to college at 30
Had the light of my life at 32
Got married at 33 (yeah, did that one a bit backward)
Bought 1st home at 34
Became addicted to cute shoes at 38
Trying to decided what to do with the rest of my life at 39
I’ll lift up a drink to your tonight Karen and wish you many more!
Madeline Hunter on 28 Jul 2009 at 8:11 am #
Hi, Karen!
I seem to go through life stages, and what I do does not always line up with when other people do them. So I had my academic stage that extended through getting my doctorate, then my married and kids stage, then my writing stage which I am still in. I began writing seriously later than a lot of other authors—-maybe I just needed to get one stage under my belt before I entered a new one.
I’m looking forward to the release of I Can See YOu, and I really like the cover.
elsiehogarth on 28 Jul 2009 at 8:13 am #
Happy Birthday, Karen! All the best. Age is just a number and it’s to be enjoyed no matter what that number is suppose to be. Surround yourself with family/friends and celebrate.
On Saturday, at B&N, they already had I Can See You. I was shocked to see it on the New Release table. I bought it and I finished it yesterday. Evie and Noah’s story was fantastic. Evie has been through a lot in Caroline’s, Mia’s and Dana’s books. Is David next?
Claudia Dain on 28 Jul 2009 at 8:28 am #
Happy Birthday, Karen!!
Like KarenH, I’m terrible at remembering the year in my life when important stuff happened; I’m sure this is because it has the whiff of a “math problem.” Yeah, not going there!
Advice? Follow your joy. This is my advice for any age and any stage. If you follow your joy, life is always wonderful.
TrishD on 28 Jul 2009 at 8:31 am #
Karen, my advice to you is simple… keep doing the things you love and that make you happy. Strive to be happy and the rest will follow.
LauraR on 28 Jul 2009 at 9:00 am #
happy birthdays KarenR and ladydawgfan!!
Julia London on 28 Jul 2009 at 9:21 am #
Happy Birthday, K-Ro and ladydawgfan!!
Milestones:
Finished HS, college, and began recreational dating at 25
Went to Washington and continued recretional dating at 26
married to #1 at 28
Fired by Clinton at 33
Wrote and sold first book at 38
Divorced and began recreational dating anew at 38
First book published at 39
Met Jack London and stopped recreational dating at 40
Quit the day job at 42!!
married Jack London and got health insurance at 44
Figured out how to operate the oven at 46
Hit NYT first time at 47
Became a surprise mother at 48
started running at 49 (Lori I like to call it running now. Sounds so much faster than wogging).
Lost a sister at 50 (not the runner. The non-runner).
Nicole Jordan on 28 Jul 2009 at 9:30 am #
A big Happy Birthday, Karen! I think your list looks great. If you want to ski bigger mountains, come out to Utah and visit me. My dh is an expert skiier and will be glad to show you the best places to challenge you but still remain (relatively) safe.
I think the biggest thing on my wishlist is to have more time to enjoy the little milestones. It’s really fun seeing what’s on everyone lists.
Actually, I think my latest big milestone is that I finally came into the 21st century… we got our first Ipod a couple of weeks ago! Thanks so much to all you goddesses for all the sage advice. And Karen, very soon I’m going to go check out that radio channel download site you recommended.
Karen Rose on 28 Jul 2009 at 9:46 am #
Dear Everybody,
Thank you for the birthday wishes! I remembered I forgot to do my quarterly taxes this am, so I’ve been number crunching.
I have now been informed that my cat has escaped the house. My Bella! So I have to put on clothes and search. I’ll be back soon.
For now, Happy Birthday to LadyDawg! Go girl!
I’ll be back to chat with y’all if a bit. Hope I find my sweet Bella…
Karen Rose on 28 Jul 2009 at 10:10 am #
We found Bella! Yay! Stinker kitty. She had us all scared.
Karen Rose on 28 Jul 2009 at 10:13 am #
Deb Marlowe – Australia is on my list, too! Zip line? Not so much
At least if that’s what I think it is – when you go down a cable? Then again… Why not? If it’s safe. Why the heck not? I’ll add that to my list, just down a few notches, LOL.
Kathy – you took apart a CD player – and it still works? My hat is off to you! Every time I take something apart, it never goes back together right. I can’t even refold a map.
I feel remarkably immature, too.
SheridanLA on 28 Jul 2009 at 10:14 am #
you know what I love about this post.. it is inspiring.
Karen Rose on 28 Jul 2009 at 10:17 am #
Hey Free – selling a book after 50 is nothin’ to sneeze about. I’m crossing fingers for you!
Michelle B – I’m so happy for you and your DH!!!! I hope you enjoy the roots you’ll put down. Do you know where you’re going to go? Jetski – I watch people doing it at the beach and it looks fun. You’ll have to try it and report back.
Thank you for your service to our country, and thank your DH.
TrishD on 28 Jul 2009 at 10:27 am #
I know that fear. I’m gald you found her!
SuzyQ on 28 Jul 2009 at 10:47 am #
Happy Birthday Karen and ladydawgfan!
Went to France when I was 17 (still amazed that my parents let me go)
Got my job full time job after college at 22 (and I’m still here!)
Beat cancer when I was 27
Got married when I was 29
Bought a house at 30
First child when I was 34 and another 18 months later
Started a business when I was 42
Karen Rose on 28 Jul 2009 at 10:52 am #
Lori H and Julia – you both began jogging after 40, and I find that inspiring!
Fresh – milestones may be the wrong word. I’m open to a better one? Anybody have a better one?
One thing that did happen in my 40’s – it’s a lot harder to find the right word these days. Sometimes the word is there, on the edge of my mind, quivering, saying “ME, take ME!” But it’s like the chasm that at Gandalf between me and that word.
Don’t like that about 40’s so much.
Anyway, a VP at 36, Fresh, you go!
nancyg on 28 Jul 2009 at 11:11 am #
Happy bdays to K-Ro & ladydawg! *cheers*
MILESTONES
moved to Texas – 13
University of Texas at Austin!! GO HORNS!!
met Mr. G – 23, married him – 24
1st time called “mom” by my child – 21
began going gray – 23; started coloring – 30
stay-at-home mom – 32
discovered benefits of massage, mani/pedis & red wine – mid-30’s
started golfing seriously again – 34
BUCKET LIST
sky diving, hang gliding, bungee jump – I’m terrified of heights, but love to push the envelope
taking the girls to treetop zip line in Austin this fall
learn to ski & snowboard – my brother has lived in Lake Tahoe for 10 yrs, but not been up in winter
see the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa – best racetrack E-V-E-R!!
visit Alaska, Greece, Italy & Australia
learn to ice skate backwards & double-dutch jump rope
beat Mr. G at horseshoes
finally scrapbook all my photos laying around the house
find the perfect pair of jeans
work on Mandarin fluency – Rosetta Stone, perhaps?
get my girls through college & married off, lol
As I count down this last year of my 30’s, I know great things are yet ahead of me… but I try to take each day as it comes. I’m so far ahead of the game in my family & friends it’s SICK!! ;
Sabrina Jeffries on 28 Jul 2009 at 11:14 am #
Happy birthday, K-Ro and Ladydawgfan!
Milestones:
Moved to Thailand with my parents at 7.
Moved back to the US at 17.
Got married at 25 to a fabulous man (today is our 25th anniversary and we both forgot until this very minute! That’s just sad. But really, we’d counted the London trip as our celebration so a bit of forgetfulness is understandable.)
Got my utterly useless Ph.D. at 27.
Had my son at 29 (best thing ever!).
Sold my first book at 32.
Saw it published at 33.
Hit my first bestseller list (USA Today) at 43 on 9/12/2001, I kid you not (so I’m a late bloomer with bad timing).
Hit the NYT for the first time at 45.
Hit the NYT print list for the first time at 48.
Lost 108 pounds at 50!
Julia, I can’t believe you got fired by Clinton!
What I’d like to do? Travel some more. Write lots of books. That’s about it!
TrishD on 28 Jul 2009 at 11:20 am #
Happy anniversay Sabrina!
TrishD on 28 Jul 2009 at 11:21 am #
And happy b-day to you too ladydawg!
Karen Rose on 28 Jul 2009 at 11:48 am #
KarenH – I can see you kayaking! DH wants to learn. Maybe we will together
I can see me and Mr. R in a two person kayak. He’d be left, I’d be right and we’d never get anywhere, LOL.
KellyAnn – I shall have cake! Probably later this week as we’ve all been sick and must drag ourselves to the store for basic supplies. But I shall have cake! An ice cream cake! Yum.
Sheridan – you triathalon? How cool. And Kilimanjaro? You sound like you have an actual plan for this, which is cool too. I always think of Monty Python climbing the “twin peaks” of Mt. Kilimanjaro…
Karen Rose on 28 Jul 2009 at 11:56 am #
Patti L – a college freshman at 34 – that is a fantastic milestone!!! Good for you!
Evqln – now joining TGB is a wonderful milestone, too! I’m so glad you did.
Karen Rose on 28 Jul 2009 at 11:58 am #
TrishD – chuckling at your shoe addiction at 38. But 39 is a great year. Standing there, looking forward. It’s a pretty cool world out there!
Karen Rose on 28 Jul 2009 at 12:01 pm #
Thank you, Madeline! I’m so glad you started your writing stage. I love your books.
Elsie, I was a little surprised to see I CAN SEE YOU out so early too
Glad you enjoyed it!! Yes, Evie has been through a lot. I thought she deserved a happy ending.
And David’s book is next. I’m trimming it down now!
Karen Rose on 28 Jul 2009 at 12:04 pm #
Thank you, Claudia. I do follow my joy. Sometimes there are stumbles, but it’s always so nice to re-discover the joy and follow it again!
Julia – you are an inspiration to me – love your jogging and the way you’ve embraced CTE. Gives me a sniffle, in the best sort of way!
Had to snicker at ending “recreational dating.” The term “recreational” just puts a whole ‘nother spin on it.
Karen Rose on 28 Jul 2009 at 12:06 pm #
Nicole – I’ll take you up on the Utah skiing!
SuzyQ – Beating cancer at 27 is the best milestone of all. Thank you for telling that – it settles everything else back into the right perspective.
What new business did you start at 42?
Karen Rose on 28 Jul 2009 at 12:09 pm #
Nancy G – you’re another zip line person. I’ll have to give that some serious consideration.
Mandarin fluency? That’s a cool goal to have. When I said “Learn Italian,” my main goal is to be able to order off a menu and ask for directions
I’ll have to up my ante a bit.
Karen Rose on 28 Jul 2009 at 12:11 pm #
Sabrina – HAPPY 25th ANNIVERSARY!!!!!!!!!
And I’ve already congratulated you on the 108 pounds, but it’s so frickin’ amazing, I’ll congratulate you again
evlqn on 28 Jul 2009 at 12:12 pm #
Karen think of all the wonderful things we would miss without you goddesses.
Julia why did Clinton fire you? Was he mental??
ladydawgfan on 28 Jul 2009 at 12:13 pm #
Thanks for the B-day wishes everyone!! I can’t stay long ’cause I’m at work (shhhhh, no telling!
). But I wanted to stop by and say thanks and let everyone know how inspiring you’ve been with bucket lists and all.
KarenC on 28 Jul 2009 at 12:14 pm #
Happy Bday, Karen!
My milestones:
*married – 21
*graduated college, 1st child, moved from hometown – 22
*quit work to be SAHM, finished 1st bk – 27
*FINALLY had 2nd child, decided to settle permanently here & bought our house – 29
*3rd child, began serious volunteering – 31
*drivers license (+ 1st wreck, LOL) – 37
*return to non-hobbyist writing, finish 4th bk – 38
*1st requested full (still waiting – GAH), 1st time at Nationals – 39 (current)
Future milestones: The Call, finish my 5th bk (WIP), attend all 3 kids’ college graduations, tour RMS Titanic points of interest…
It would also be helpful if I *didn’t* wreck on the way to pick up the new power cord for my laptop this afternoon (old cord mysteriously disappeared while visiting family after DC). I suck at driving. Most heinously. Would’ve had it delivered to our house except Fedex can’t find us and it would’ve taken an extra day or 2 to figure out where they delivered it to this time.
Freshechelle on 28 Jul 2009 at 2:11 pm #
Tell Bella she needs to stay put. I’ve got a lot on my mind and can’t be worrying about her too!
Milestones is a good word, no need to change it. It’s me who needs to adapt. I’m going through a self-assessment experience and finding out that I don’t make a big enough deal about things that I consider ordinary. So hurray for me blogging with you all today. (ok, now I’m just being patronizing to myself)
Judy F on 28 Jul 2009 at 4:35 pm #
Happy Birthday Karen. You look awesome. Dang another person younger then me. LOL
Your book is on order and I hope it gets here soon.
Tina on 28 Jul 2009 at 4:42 pm #
Happy birthday ladies
Happy Anniversary Sabrina
I do not have much for milestones:
Started working at the County 26
Drove to Arizona 32
Lost my mother to pancreatic cancer 33
Do not date, never married and no kids
Calila on 28 Jul 2009 at 5:02 pm #
Happy Birthday, Karen!
My only milestones are ones everyone has had, turning 18 and 21. LOL
Louisa Cornell on 28 Jul 2009 at 5:31 pm #
Happy Birthday, Karen ! You are almost six years younger than me, sweetie, so that makes you a mere girl! What, no gurney race down a major city street on that list?
You are an amazing woman, Karen. That is a great list! AND I have been pimping I CAN SEE YOU to EVERYONE I know. It really is your best yet, I think. Great read as long as the lights don’t go out!
My Milestones -
Accepted to the Mozarteum at the age of 29, one of the oldest students to be accepted at that time.
Learned to speak Italian, Russian, German, Chinese, and Cherokee AFTER age 25 !
Climbed Mt. Kehlstein in Germany at the age of 29. Would love to do more of that if I can drop these pesky 50 pounds I’ve gained.
Learned to snow ski at age 29. (or at least learned to stay up more than I fell down on skis!)
Finished my first historical romance novel at the age of 48 !! Finaled in the Golden Heart for the first time at the age of 48 too!
Got an agent at the age of 50 and will finish my third historical romance novel before I turn 51.
Sang my debut role as a professional opera singer in Salzburg Austria at the age of 30.
Married at the age of 21. Had my husband taken from me at the age of 35.
KimC on 28 Jul 2009 at 7:30 pm #
Happy happy birthday my darling K-rawk!! smooches!
Donna S on 28 Jul 2009 at 8:32 pm #
Happy Birthday!!
Karen Rose on 28 Jul 2009 at 9:27 pm #
Louisa – you speak Cherokee? That is cool, too. You are a constant source of surprise!! (And good info on funeral parlors, too.) I do want that gurney race some day. You are on!
And you signed with an agent? Congratulations!
Karen C – I hope you returned home wreck-free! I hate it when power cords go AWOL. How did you enjoy your first National??
Calilia – are you only 21? Child
THanks to all for the warm bday wishes!! Now I’m back to editing and trimming this wip. Must. Finish. Soon.
Patricia Barraclough on 28 Jul 2009 at 10:35 pm #
I never got to do much event through most of college. However since then, I have taken advantage of as many opportunities as I could.
At 21 – graduated from college and left for the Peace Corps.
At 24 – finished P. C., traveled a little in Asia, my Mother died, I got engaged.
At 25 – Got married.
At 26 – had daughter, Rebecca and 15 months later, daughter, Erin
At 34 – had son, Matthew.
At 44 -1991 – husband diagnosed with rare form of cancer. So far, so good. He has beaten the odds!
At 51 – Grandson, Gideon born
There have been weddings, wonderful trips with the family and now wonderful trips with just the two of us and sometimes the grandson.
We still want to travel – Ireland, Scotland, England, Australia, New Zealand, Europe. Just need money.
Hope we stay health enough to do all we’d like.
At 45 you are a spring chicken. Enjoy what you like and take advantage of all those wonderful opportunities out there. Happy Birthday! Enjoy your new year!
Barbie Furtado on 28 Jul 2009 at 10:50 pm #
9 months old: Started to speak — way too soon for my family.
(Had to mention this one because it was in my list of things to do before I died!!!!)
3 years old: Learned to read (HUGE milestone) and write.
11 years old: Leaned Spanish as second Language
14 years old: Started learning English as third language
16 years old: Was fluent in English, which soon became second Language
17 years old: Graduated High School, Started Law School
18 years old: Started DRIVING! Life changing! (we can only drive at 18 in Brazil)
19 years old: Lived in the US for 5 months. Alone!
19 years old: Traveled around the US. Alone.
19 years old: Had a one night stand in Los Angeles. NOT alone!
20 years old: Quit Law School to study Languages.
And now I’m 21, hence my “milestones” having nothing to do with having husband, kids, let alone grand kids. Wonder when I’m gonna get published.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAREN!!!!
Lorena on 29 Jul 2009 at 7:56 am #
Happy Birthday, Karen!!
Wow, I am so inspired by y’all (that’s the plural of ya’ll, remember). Seems like maybe, if things work out, there are a few things I haven’t left to too late after all…
I will be 44 at the end of October. Halloween, in fact, so feel free to remember that
Some of my milestones:
Went to Greece as an exchange student at 17
Graduated college: 26 (the 8 year plan)
Graduated law school: 29
Discovered I like studying law more than practicing: 30
Sold first story (ero/rom, e-pub): 42
Hopefully selling first (print, mass pub) novel: 43!!!!
Successfully lost 30+ pounds: 43 (more to come. Or go. Or something.)
Pres of my RWA chapter: 43
Lots of things left to do, even if I don’t count the 8 gazillion stories left to write…
Jamie on 29 Jul 2009 at 9:59 am #
Happy Belated Birthday!!!
All my milestones have been after I was 30 and they are not much. I have always wanted to see Disneyland, England and Hawaii. Yes, sounds strange to put those 3 in a combination – but I was a little girl when I made the list. The one I wanted most of all was England, where my family came from in the 1880s. I got to Disneyland when I was 13 via my brother in law being stationed at Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base.
I got England not only once but twice! I got to go with my buds in March 2000. We went and had dinner on the ship that our fandom is based on – Horatio Hornblower. I don’t know how they did it, but we got dinner and a personal tour of the Grand Turk, the ship in the mini-series Hornblower. I got to England in Oct. 2005 for the Trafalgar celebrations. This time I brought my Mom and niece and we toured part of England that our family came from. In 2007, I got to Hawaii because my nephew was stationed at the USMC base in Hawaii. That place is paradise.
There is not much I searched out to do, maybe if I did, I would have done more and there is always time to do more in the future.
KarenC on 29 Jul 2009 at 10:47 am #
You should always, always, ALWAYS listen to your gut. I’ve certainly learned my lesson about p’shawing mine. I didn’t *wreck* the van, but only because I’d slowed to turn onto a side street (which at that time of day was deserted) when my tire blew. Ka-BOOM. I swear, it echoed. Then, my cell ph battery died, mid-call for help because some nimrod at Dodge decided to stow the stinking spare UNDER the fricking fracking van. Yeah, like Arnold Swarzenegger types are the usual minivan drivers. Or maybe they think your road rage once you realize freeing your spare will require Herculean effort will give you the extra oomph you’ll need. GAH.
$125 later, got my power cord so at least I’m back in business.
LOVED National, btw. I was so exhausted & burned out immediately after, all I could think was, people are energized by this? But once I got home…Whoa. Losing my power cord couldn’t have happened at a worse time.