The wrong side of 40......

My 40th birthday came and went with out much fanfare and thats good. The days leading up to it as well as the day itself were dedicated to my kids. We had a small party for them. School mates , family and godparents. Even with that we had 12 or so kids I had to entertain. We did the egg toss and piñata , watched a bootleg version of Iron man and they all had a good time.

     I was given some nice gifts from my parents. I asked them for a photo of them when they were young. One is of my mom holding me when I was about 4 or 5. She was beautiful. My sister looks just like her. The other was my dad, I'm guessing him to be about 25 or so. I don't really remember him having 100% black hair.

     I also got a nice bottle of blended scotch , a 40 oz of some malt liquor and some nice cigars.  The kids gave me a nice dad shirt......It was a good day. The bad part was all the bugs outside, dear god. Even while sprayed I was bitten over 15 times.

     I was asked by a friend what I would like to have as a gift when I turned 40.... I gave her a private list, but I think this list would be good too. Its not a lot to ask for even though some things are impossible to get......

1. My youth back. Youth is wasted on the young....I have one or two regrets. School and my spine.
2. My time lost back.  Work is work, but I want to see my kids grow up I want to hang out with friends.....
3. 50 lbs off of my body. Enough said.....
4. 1 gillion dollars (in my best Dr evil voice)....I'd take 3 million cash in the bank. That would set me for life.....
5. Better clothes. With work cloths work 90% of the time I just do not dress any more. I often come home, put on a pair of shorts and just sit.
6. Nice shoes. Shoes that I don't have to worry about destroying with work chemicals. Dark red/brown leather and a new pair of doc Martin's
7. 3 new tattoos. An arm band made with the "barrel of monkeys- monkeys", gears right on my knees and a cross.
8. time to learn a new language - proper Spanish, French, Japanese, Italian, Chinese
9. money to take a vacation or live in the country where I learned the new language
10. about $2000 loose money to bring up the cars to as new as they get. I love the Jeep and the Toyota but the kids are hard on the cars. If not I'd take a new Camry and Santa Fe.
11. RK surgury....still a big if, teeth whiting and a new crown and a touch of lipo.....Vanity thy name is man...
12. a work shop like the one on myth busters, god I love those guys........
13. I'd like a pop up/teardrop camper and some one to go with me to see the USA.....
14. The keys to a comic shop and one week to read what I have missed....
15. I'd like to finish my degree......
16. Honesty from my sister.....-long story--
17. I'd like a new hand gun. A colt python .357......I sold mine and I miss him.
18. I'd like a pedicure and full massage. I like to be pampered-not sexually just to be groomed by a professional.
19. I'd like to throw a big party for my friends, all of them....Downtown in a nice bar. Drinks, smokes and dinner.
20. I'd like to be healthy enough to dance at my sons wedding. Hold my grand kids and see my sons 50th birthday.

I have reached a point in my life where I don't really need too many things in my life to keep me happy. I'm touching zen.

40 is here. The one thing that I have to remember I am running on limited time. I have to keep my self in better shape if I want to be here for my kids 50th. Thats about 45 years from now.  I feel old when it rains, but at least I'm alive to feel.....

Peace and thanks for the ducks......