Welcome to my new blog

Okay, I know what you're thinking when you see a blog title such as "My Not So Fabulous 40s". You think I'm going to complain and moan about hitting the big 4-0, and how it's all downhill from there. Not at all!

Actually, 6 1/2 years ago when I turned 40, I couldn't be happier, and I felt great even about the way I looked. I've always been a bit of a late bloomer, and when I hit that milestone birthday I still wasn't married or had children. I actually felt like this was going to be my decade. I was going to meet the one and be a mom. Of course, I tucked the mom part towards the back of my head, because if not, I would be dating desperate for a child, and that never ends well. It usually makes you blind to your partner's imperfections and whether or not those flaws are deal breakers! Plus, even though I wanted a child or two of my own, I knew if that didn't happen I would be an awesome stepmother and even was open, and still am, to adoption.

Yes, I was ready to date like I never dated before, have some fun and all that good stuff. I was even thinking it was time to change jobs and go for something more fulfilling. Then life got in the way. The decade that I thought would kick off great new things turned into a time in my life where everything was turned upside down.

The last 6 1/2 years have been filled with loss. I'm talking loss of family members, jobs and even my home of almost 20 years. (Well, not that it was my house or anything, but the move was still rough!) Oh, and on top of all that, despite all the stress, I thought I would keep at it when it came to dating. Yes, that's right, I chose to add more stress to my life! Because when you don't have your act together, or you have things pulling you one way or the other, dating just isn't going to be as enjoyable as you thought.

Now while the last few years haven't been as enjoyable as I thought they would be, and there were some times there I thought I couldn't bear any more, I feel like I have made it through to the other side. I knew I would. I had experienced rough times before in my life, and while my life wasn't the best, I knew it wasn't the worst. However, there were some big bumps in the recent leg of my journey of life!

A lot of tears have been shed over the last few years, and a lot of memories that were tucked in the back of my mind and bottom of my heart were brought to the surface and had to be dealt with again and properly this time.

This blog is how I got through the last few years and the sad memories, but most important of all, how I have been able to turn things around. Sometimes I'll share my experiences, sometimes I'll share what I have learned from others. Maybe I'll even post a helpful article or two that I find on the web.

I write this, because I know that I'm not alone when it comes to the things I have dealt with. I know there are other 40-somethings who thought they would be settled down and content right now, but instead are dealing with loss. Or, are out there dating and trying to figure out how to date at this age and in this age of texting and social media.

I also write this, because just like I did when I turned 40, I believe this is going to be the decade that fabulous things happen. My 40s may not have started out on a fabulous foot, but I am determined to end this decade fabulously!