Turning The Big 3-0

[StacylikesSparkles]

I will be 30 in 3 weeks and I'm feeling rather great about it! While we have a nice dinner planned with the hubs and I at a favorite spot of mine in DC, I feel like I'm being a bit subdued in my plans. I don't need to go out and party, so I started wondering what everyone else did for a milestone birthday.

What did YOU do when you turned 30 (or any milestone age)?

 

[Enerchi]

30 was not an emotional issue for me (and I had a 6 month old at the time, my first son); 40 - my DH threw me a surprise party and it was fun! 40 didn't bother me. But as for 50 - I would have rather been DEAD than turn 50. It was the start of a big depression for me, I had a VERY VERY VERY bad year after turning 50. Funny - every one has a certain number that is their trigger and 50 was it for me.

Now -- I'm going to be 54 on Dec 24th, and each year is a gift! I am thrilled to have birthdays and share them with friends and family! (although, as a Christmas eve baby... not a lot of friends are EVER available! )

I think each year should be celebrated in a memorable way that has meaning and importance to you. Not every year can be a 6 month world cruise, but do something special for yourself and your SO - live each day with joy! I hope you have a fantastic birthday Stacy!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Pre-happy birthday to you!

I can't remember what I did on my 30th...we probably just went to a movie/dinner as I had two small children at that time. I'll be 40 in about 3 weeks (sounds like you and have close birthdays) and I'd like to hide in bed all day, but will have to get my kids to school so can't just hide. lol We'll probably do something on the weekend. Not sure yet. I'm kind of not too happy about turning 40

 

[vc10um]

I will be 30 in 3 weeks and I'm feeling rather great about it! While we have a nice dinner planned with the hubs and I at a favorite spot of mine in DC, I feel like I'm being a bit subdued in my plans. I don't need to go out and party, so I started wondering what everyone else did for a milestone birthday.

What did YOU do when you turned 30 (or any milestone age)?

Which restaurant? DH and I lived in Alexandria for 5 years before moving back to the Midwest (hooray for telework!) and the biggest thing I miss about DC is the FOOOOOOD. (Which reminds me, next time we visit, we have a hearty gift card to use at one of Jose's restaurants...yummmmmm!)

As for how to celebrate...DH and I always take each other's birthdays off: it's a make your own holiday! We always cook breakfast in bed for the birthday person, and then spend the entire day doing what s/he wants to do. DH's birthday is tomorrow, so he's getting Coffee and Kir Royale, popovers, grapefruit brulee, latkes with appleauce, and chicken apple sausage for breakfast, and then we're going to the ZOO (even though it'll be c-c-c-cold outside) and then out to one of his new favorite restaurants.

I hope you have a wonderful birthday!!!

 

[qtiekiki]

I was very pregnant when I turned 30. I don't remember if we even went out for a meal. I just didn't want the same birthday as my DS. LOL. But I keep thinking I am 30 still. I kept answering 30 when people ask me how old I am.

 

[NewEnglandLady]

I loved turning 30--I always said I'd rather be 30 than 20. My husband and I always try to do a trip for birthdays. I'm a big fan of low-key birthdays.

I'd also love to know what restaurant--I lived in DC for about 5 years and miss the food!

 

[StacylikesSparkles]

Thanks, ladies! I actually NEVER work on my birthday, as a rule lol...but I spend the day with my Mom doing girlie things like mani/pedis, having lunch and shopping. I totally love that she still does this with me, even though I'm going to be 30 What can I say, I'm her only baby!

DH and I are going to Marrakesh. It is AMAZING Moroccan food and you eat with your hands, except for the couscous course. YUM!!! It is so damn good that my mouth is watering right about now We will probably be going to weekend after my birthday (the weekend before X-mas) and I am definitely ready to enjoy! They have a belly dancer come out mid-dinner (you're there for about 2.5-3 hours) for entertainment.

I have to say, I don't feel like this is one of those emotionally crazed birthdays (maybe it'll be 50 for me as well, Enrichi!). I feel fabulous, I don't look my age (I like to credit this to being a redhead and staying out of the sun, not smoking and having no children or ex husbands lmao). I feel pretty empowered actually!

MC - My birthday is the 18th. When is yours?

 

[MichelleCarmen]

MC - My birthday is the 18th. When is yours?

THE SAME DAY!!!

 

[StacylikesSparkles]

MC - My birthday is the 18th. When is yours?

THE SAME DAY!!!

AHHH!! I personally think that only awesome people are born on 12/18!!

 

[vc10um]

Thanks, ladies! I actually NEVER work on my birthday, as a rule lol...but I spend the day with my Mom doing girlie things like mani/pedis, having lunch and shopping. I totally love that she still does this with me, even though I'm going to be 30 What can I say, I'm her only baby!

DH and I are going to Marrakesh. It is AMAZING Moroccan food and you eat with your hands, except for the couscous course. YUM!!! It is so damn good that my mouth is watering right about now We will probably be going to weekend after my birthday (the weekend before X-mas) and I am definitely ready to enjoy! They have a belly dancer come out mid-dinner (you're there for about 2.5-3 hours) for entertainment.

I have to say, I don't feel like this is one of those emotionally crazed birthdays (maybe it'll be 50 for me as well, Enrichi!). I feel fabulous, I don't look my age (I like to credit this to being a redhead and staying out of the sun, not smoking and having no children or ex husbands lmao). I feel pretty empowered actually!

MC - My birthday is the 18th. When is yours?

I never went when we lived there, but I've heard WONDERFUL things. I hope you have an AMAZING birthday dinner! And I love that you go out with your mom all day on your birthday! I haven't lived in the same city as my mom for over 10 years, but I'm hoping now that I live relatively close that we'll be able to do something like that, since our birthdays are only 5 days apart.

My birthday dinner for my 27th was at Central (thanks to a little help from an Open Table gift certificate, lol). Best. Meal. Ever.
Second best ever was hubby's 28th birthday...we went to Nora in Dupont (the US's first Certified Organic restaurant...hubby and I are all-in with the organic!)...apparently it's where the POTUS took Michelle for her birthday one year as well.

OMG I WANT TO GO BAAAAAACK!

(Although we do have some pretty darn tasty places around here, too, so I can't complain...well, not too hard anyway!)

 

[MichelleCarmen]

MC - My birthday is the 18th. When is yours?

THE SAME DAY!!!

AHHH!! I personally think that only awesome people are born on 12/18!!

There are at least two other PSers with that b-day.

 

[StacylikesSparkles]

I never went when we lived there, but I've heard WONDERFUL things. I hope you have an AMAZING birthday dinner! And I love that you go out with your mom all day on your birthday! I haven't lived in the same city as my mom for over 10 years, but I'm hoping now that I live relatively close that we'll be able to do something like that, since our birthdays are only 5 days apart.

My birthday dinner for my 27th was at Central (thanks to a little help from an Open Table gift certificate, lol). Best. Meal. Ever.
Second best ever was hubby's 28th birthday...we went to Nora in Dupont (the US's first Certified Organic restaurant...hubby and I are all-in with the organic!)...apparently it's where the POTUS took Michelle for her birthday one year as well.

OMG I WANT TO GO BAAAAAACK!

(Although we do have some pretty darn tasty places around here, too, so I can't complain...well, not too hard anyway!)

Yes, I do love my birthday tradition with my Mother. I'm sure I'll do the same thing when I have kiddos and it definitely means a lot that she takes the day off with me, every single year. Love her!

Oh it is SOOOO GOOD!! Their chicken with olives and lemon is ridiculous! It just falls apart and melts in your mouth. EVERYTHING is good though!

I certainly love exploring eateries in DC and Baltimore, as you can really find some gems! Now I'm going to need to check out Nora next Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[madelise]

Happy early 30th. I can't wait until I'm 30. Celebrate big and meaningful. Do you have anything on your "bucket list" to kick off? Tandem skydiving? Pottery class? Race car driving? Something out of the ordinary that you've been putting off?

 

[JaneSmith]

Your birthday plan sounds AWESOME!. Happy birthday to you, and all the other December PS babies.

I had planned a trip to Paris for my 30th, but got pregnant. So I booked a day at the spa and dinner at a nice restaurant with hubby.
Then I got horribly ill (hyperemesis) and was in the hospital the day before my birthday getting IV drugs and fluids. The bonus was the early ultrasound so my birthday present was seeing a wee 9 week bean.
For my 35th next year we will be in the south of France on the beach, and then Paris, so that's not too shabby.

30 was a big deal birthday, but I strangely felt worse about 29. Like it was my last year of youth. So silly!

 

[Rhea]

I was at a really rough place in my life at 30 and didn't do much. I went to see a movie with a friend and went to a nice Tapas place. I was very depressed, not because of the birthday, but because of the situation I was in. Life has since improved and I'm planning to celebrate 35 as a big birthday!

 

[GemFever]

30 was a big deal birthday, but I strangely felt worse about 29. Like it was my last year of youth. So silly!

Actually the same for me. The 20ies past 24 have been kind of daunting. Like a real transition between youth and adulthood. I'm kind of looking forward to 30! Then I'll be real grown up

Also loving these birthday traditions of taking a day off and doing something meaningful. Will have to institute this tradition with DH. Too bad both our birthdays just passed this fall.

Congrats on the upcoming birthday Stacy and MC (and two other PSers )!

 

[StacylikesSparkles]

Happy early 30th. I can't wait until I'm 30. Celebrate big and meaningful. Do you have anything on your "bucket list" to kick off? Tandem skydiving? Pottery class? Race car driving? Something out of the ordinary that you've been putting off?

I think it's going to be awesome! While I don't have anything out of the ordinary, we're FINALLY starting to remodel our 100 year old house and that is HUGE for me! With any luck we will start seeing more progress soon. But next year we're planning to start trying for babies...maybe I'll make a wish on my birthday candle that we can get more house stuff done and start on babies sooner than originally planned

Your birthday plan sounds AWESOME!. Happy birthday to you, and all the other December PS babies.

I had planned a trip to Paris for my 30th, but got pregnant. So I booked a day at the spa and dinner at a nice restaurant with hubby.
Then I got horribly ill (hyperemesis) and was in the hospital the day before my birthday getting IV drugs and fluids. The bonus was the early ultrasound so my birthday present was seeing a wee 9 week bean.
For my 35th next year we will be in the south of France on the beach, and then Paris, so that's not too shabby.

30 was a big deal birthday, but I strangely felt worse about 29. Like it was my last year of youth. So silly!

Thank you! Hey, I think being pregnant and getting an early ultrasound is a pretty sweet gift. too bad you weren;t feeling well though. Sounds like 35 promises to be amazing!

I was at a really rough place in my life at 30 and didn't do much. I went to see a movie with a friend and went to a nice Tapas place. I was very depressed, not because of the birthday, but because of the situation I was in. Life has since improved and I'm planning to celebrate 35 as a big birthday!

This just means that 35 will be SO GOOD for you this year!

30 was a big deal birthday, but I strangely felt worse about 29. Like it was my last year of youth. So silly!

Actually the same for me. The 20ies past 24 have been kind of daunting. Like a real transition between youth and adulthood. I'm kind of looking forward to 30! Then I'll be real grown up

Also loving these birthday traditions of taking a day off and doing something meaningful. Will have to institute this tradition with DH. Too bad both our birthdays just passed this fall.

Congrats on the upcoming birthday Stacy and MC (and two other PSers )!

I sort of felt this way as well, actually. 29 was a toughie for me because I felt like I should be in a different place by then. Little did I know that (now) DH was going to propose in a little over a month after my birthday and we'd be married before 30. Quite a change from what I thought would happen, but so refreshing and perfect! I'm heading into my 30's with an amazing spouse who loves me and a super positive outlook on the changes to come!

 

[Ally T]

Ooh, have a lovely 30th Birthday!

I was living in New Zealand as my 30th approached, in a relationship that was wrong & I didn't feel I was where I thought I was going to be, so it all felt rather depressing. I came home to the UK, my best friend flew back from Melbourne & we met up in Edinburgh for "the weekend". This ended up being 8 days of wine, shopping & general mayhem & it was fantastic. We returned back Down Under, but I came home for good the following month & ended my relationship. Met my lovely hubbie 2 years later, have 2 beautiful little girls & now as I approach 40, I celebrate all the way. I am happy that I am healthy & EXACTLY where I want to be with life. The more years I spend with my babies the better. I positively embrace my age, keep on top of my wrinkles as best as I can & promote a positive body image to my head every time I look in the mirror at my wobbly mummy tummy

 

[Dancing Fire]

MC - My birthday is the 18th. When is yours?

THE SAME DAY!!!

AHHH!! I personally think that only awesome people are born on 12/18!!

 

[Dancing Fire]

I will be 30 in 3 weeks and I'm feeling rather great about it! While we have a nice dinner planned with the hubs and I at a favorite spot of mine in DC, I feel like I'm being a bit subdued in my plans. I don't need to go out and party, so I started wondering what everyone else did for a milestone birthday.

What did YOU do when you turned 30 (or any milestone age)?

i forgot ,it has been a long time ago...

 

[jstarfireb]

I hit 30 just over a month ago and spent the day with family.

 

[zoebartlett]

I was invited to a friend's house for dinner a week before my actual birthday, my 30th. We were going to celebrate her birthday and her husband's as well, since all of our birthdays fall within 12 days of each other. I got to their house and...SURPRISE! My friend and her husband had planned a surprise party for me. My parents were there, as were friends who had traveled a bit to attend the party. It was so much fun!

That day also happened to be the same day I had met my husband in person for the first time. We had originally met online technically, but had only communicated by e-mail a couple times before talking on the phone once and agreeing to meet in person. We hung out for the afternoon and when we talked about our plans for that night, I told him I was going to a friend's house for dinner for a birthday celebration. He told me he had another date. Lovely. It's okay though, it worked out well in the end!

I turn the big 4-0 next year. I imagine it will be very low-key since my husband isn't into parties all that much. Birthdays don't mean a whole lot to him, so I don't see him planning a party or anything. I'd actually love to plan a trip somewhere for later in the year, but I don't know if that will happen.

 

[ksinger]

If anything happens I might let those on here know. Then again maybe not.

My upcoming BIG one is 50 - mere weeks away, and while I'm not depressed about it, neither am I yippee-skippy either. Reaching the age of serious age-discrimination is not a wildly happy prospect. (I'm a 50-year old in the IT field - see thread linking article about jobs in IT after age 40) Also, considering that it falls on a Monday AND I'm in a whole week of training that week, I can imagine I'm going to be pretty meh and mostly beat. I'm hoping my husband just lets this one slide into oblivion. I'd not be the least bit upset if he forgot it completely...

 

[MichelleCarmen]

If anything happens I might let those on here know. Then again maybe not.

My upcoming BIG one is 50 - mere weeks away, and while I'm not depressed about it, neither am I yippee-skippy either. Reaching the age of serious age-discrimination is not a wildly happy prospect. (I'm a 50-year old in the IT field - see thread linking article about jobs in IT after age 40) Also, considering that it falls on a Monday AND I'm in a whole week of training that week, I can imagine I'm going to be pretty meh and mostly beat. I'm hoping my husband just lets this one slide into oblivion. I'd not be the least bit upset if he forgot it completely...

Which day is your birthday?

 

[maccers]

Your birthday plan sounds AWESOME!. Happy birthday to you, and all the other December PS babies.

I had planned a trip to Paris for my 30th, but got pregnant. So I booked a day at the spa and dinner at a nice restaurant with hubby.
Then I got horribly ill (hyperemesis) and was in the hospital the day before my birthday getting IV drugs and fluids. The bonus was the early ultrasound so my birthday present was seeing a wee 9 week bean.
For my 35th next year we will be in the south of France on the beach, and then Paris, so that's not too shabby.

30 was a big deal birthday, but I strangely felt worse about 29. Like it was my last year of youth. So silly!

That's exactly how I felt about 29. I remember the night before my 29th bday, I was getting weepy thinking about how NEXT YEAR I would be turning 30. Very strange. And the best thing was, 30 turned out to be a GREAT year! For my bday, I ran my first half marathon with my girlfriends in Vancouver then a couple months later I went to India for a few weeks and I finally became a home owner a week after returning. I guess the idea of turning 30 lit a fire under my butt.

 

[audball]

MC - My birthday is the 18th. When is yours?

THE SAME DAY!!!

AHHH!! I personally think that only awesome people are born on 12/18!!

There are at least two other PSers with that b-day.

12/18 babies ARE awesome! My boyfriend and my brother in law are both 12/18 babies. I'm a 12/1 baby...I get to kick of the 25 days of Christmas every year and always thought that was pretty cool!

Famous people that share your 12/18 birthday!
http://www.imdb.com/search/name?birth_monthday=12-18/

ETA: Congrats on turning 30! I'm so looking forward to my 30s. I'm moving into the late 20s now (26 tomorrow!) and I know my 30s will be more fruitful! I'd take 30 over 20 any day of the week.

 

[rosetta]

I spent my 30th birthday having dinner with my new fiancé at the Four Seasons in Istanbul.

 

[zoebartlett]

Happy birthday, Audball!

 

[audball]

Happy birthday, Audball!

Aww, thanks Zoe!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Happy birthday, Audball! Hope you had a great day!