Thursday 29 June 2017

Sixty... Really?

It is still one week to go before I celebrate my sixtieth birthday. When I was twenty the thought of being sixty felt so very, very old. Of course, now that I am almost sixty I feel just the same as I did when I was twenty apart from being totally incredulous that I could possibly be sixty... but try telling that to any twenty year old! Actually I lie, I'm sure I didn't have quite so many aches and pains at twenty but mostly I feel the same... and I've still got all my own teeth!

My sixty by sixty list has definitely slowed down and it looks as though I might be stuck on thirty things by the time my birthday arrives. But it's my list, I make the rules and so I shall keep it going throughout my sixty first year! The main problem is budget and trying to find things that don't cost the earth (if anything at all) is proving to be an additional challenge. I think "See the Northern Lights" might be one of those things that end up on a seventy x seventy list. But there have been a couple of recent additions to the list. We went to a formal dinner at a Cambridge college last month which was something I'd never done before and it was absolutely lovely. We were guests of my son Sam and his beautiful girlfriend Elle, who is completing her Masters at Clare Hall... except a week ago we got some fabulous news and I should now say Sam and his fiancee Elle! Which is just the best news ever!


Another thing I've added to the list but can't say much about is that I have nominated someone to receive a UK honours award. But the potential recipient mustn't know they have been nominated to prevent disappointment should they not receive it, and I won't know if the nomination is successful until they actually get the award... if they get it. So it's all a bit cloak and dagger I'm afraid as there people who read my blog who might put two and two together if I were to give any hints.  But it was something I'd thought about and wanted to do for a long time so it has gone on the list and been ticked off.


Something else on my list of possible ideas is to host an afternoon tea party... and I will be doing that for my birthday. At the last count I had over sixty people going... female friends from all walks of life over the past sixty years going back to school days, early working years, ante natal classes etc. My only regret was not to be able to invite more people but I had to put a limit on numbers... especially as I'm doing my own catering. Over eighty scones have gone into the freezer this week... not to mention brownies, sponge cakes and macarons!


And today I designed a menu for the tables. I designed the layout for the cover but confess I copied the design for the cup and the tea pot and must credit the original artist Rebecca Jones. As it is for my own personal use I hope she won't mind... especially as mine is a very poor copy of the original work. 

So that's where my sixty x sixty stands right now. But if any of you lovely readers have any great ideas for other things I might do, I'm all ears! Actually, I'm all one ear because that has just reminded me - I was bitten by a mosquito on my right ear last week and it turned bright red and stuck out like Dumbo's ear... just thought you might like to know!

24 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday Gina,
    I'm going to be 77 this year to the amazement of many not so well known friends.
    Suggestions? Yes, plan a trip to a far away place, a place you have always wanted to see. Start saving, it will happen. The other Gina

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    1. The list of places I want to see is ever growing but Iceland, Japan and Costa Rica are my top three!

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  2. I'm very impressed by your long list of achievements and why shouldn't the list continue through the year. Like you I can't believe I'm in my sixties...we definitely feel the same but as you say the odd ache and pain. Congratulations on the engagement and wishing you a very happy birthday for a weeks time. B x

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  3. You're doing brilliantly with your list, and no doubt enjoying it too. Great news about the engagement, I hope they'll be very happy together. I hope you have a lovely week and that the tea party goes well. CJ xx

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  4. Happy Birthday when it gets here Gina, and you are still young enough to be my daughter. My son will be sixty in October and I find that a bit strange. All your birthday party guests are in for a delectable and delicious tea.

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  5. What a lovely idea to have a tea party for your friends. Somehow very civilised! Have a lovely time.

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  6. I finally had a tattoo this year in my 70x70 quest, flew for the first time in 23 years having had help to overcome my aversion, went a river cruise and had my droopy locks cut to pixie style. The biggest thing will start its progress next week as we finally order our much longed for motor home. I have 2 years and 6 months to fulfil all the other things. I had a ladies lunch for my 65th as I have made some lovely friends throughout my life. My husband hates socialising so was perfectly happy to be chauffeur. Enjoy your special day when it comes. Catriona

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    1. It sounds as though you are very busy ticking things off your list Catriona. I have thought about a tattoo but I'm not sure what or where so I guess I'm not really convinced! Enjoy your motor home... something we have thought about too!

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  7. Your tea party sounds amazing Gina!!
    I think you're trough your list really well...30 leading up to your birthday and 30 after sounds good to me.
    I know what you mean regarding how you feel, exactly the same as 20 with just he odd ooh and ahh when you get up! ;)

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    1. that should read "getting through"!! 🙄
      ..and congrats to your son and his new fiancee!

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  8. A tea party is my idea of a perfect celebration. How do you explain to a young person that they won't feel very different when they are 60?
    Congratulations to Sam and Elle ... whose briefly met when Frances and I where with you in Cambridge ... what lovely news.

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  9. Congratulations to the newly engaged couple and how great to celebrate with them over dinner at Cambridge. Love your birthday party plans. If you run out of dainty cups and saucers, there are plenty here!

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  10. Have a great birthday, Gina. I'm looking at 65 next month and feel busier than ever! Another wedding to help plan now, your baking skills will be even more in demand

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  11. What a wonderful year you're having leading up to your 60th birthday Gina (not including the mosquito bite, of course). If you keep an eye on the Aurora prediction sites you might be lucky enough to see the Northern Lights from this country in the winter if you are in a dark sky area. I saw it here back in the 90's on a January night and it was literally awe inspiring. I felt very small watching the display. Never say never.

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  12. Wonderful news about the engagement Gina. They look very happy.I too will celebrate my 60th later in the year and one of my boxes to tick is a yoga day retreat in October. A chance to reflect and stretch those achy joints. At 20 I was told I could take my pension in 2017.I cant believe that year has arrived, at 20 that felt like forever.Enjoy your birthday, CHEERS!

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  13. Happy Birthday!! I am sure that your tea party was wonderful and that the food was delicious too! Here's to many more great years of fun to come!! xx

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  14. Have a wonderful day. You're trying to catch all us oldies up aren't you?��������. Best wishes, Vera.

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  15. I'm a bit late catching up with this post so your birthday is very imminent. Hope you have a fab day and a wonderful tea party. And keep ticking things off that list :)

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  17. Congratulations to Elle and Sam. They look good together.

    You are doing so much this year, don't burn yourself out.

    My ears stick out without mozzie bites...

    Sorry for the deletion, my fingers slipped.

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  18. Happy birthday! I'm very impressed with the baking and really love your artwork. It's so cheerful.

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  19. Gina another lovely post with so much positivity Gina. Wishing you many very happy Birthday wishes and hope there's lots of bubbly to go with all that cake you've made. Much love Liz x

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