By Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter
With the flip of a calendar page, I sailed into 50 on Sept. 3!
Coffee on the porch with my handsome husband and fur family helped ease into the morning. This was followed by an invigorating call from my sister, Janet, and a power workout setting the day on just the right course.
Early afternoon, my good friend, Claire, treated me to a spa day at Tanglewood Resorts.
Afterward, we took an elevator ride up to the top of Tanglewood Tower.
Here is the Tanglewood Tower.
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Here is lovely Claire, presenting the inspiring Lake Texoma view!
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And me, on top of the world–or at least, on top of Lake Texoma.
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Upon returning home, my husband, Rob, asked me to close my eyes and led me to my office, where he presented:
Brand-new solid oak writing desk! I LOVE it.
The Merlot and fresh flowers as well as the pottery and wicker basket add brilliant value to his thoughtful gift!
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Our friends, Kirk and Tara, were kind enough to pay us a visit and hang out on the treetop lounge. Here are Kirk and Tara – picture from a few weeks ago.
We were equally honored they brought along their most valuable pint-sized package,
Ella Mae. This is Rob holding their NEW arrival; she is only 2 weeks old. We feel so blessed that they all 3 came to visit!
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In addition to all this, Rob prepared an amazing steak, baked potato and crusty bread dinner, accompanied by delicious beverages and followed by rich chocolate cake!
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Bella, our adopted kitty, hung out with us every chance she could get.
Here she is toward the end of the big day, crashed. I felt as relaxed as she looks after such a luxuriously divine day.
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Finally, I received many well wishes from my social media friends, many with whom my relationship extends into in-real-life conversations and face-to-face visits. Thank you to everyone who helped me feel special on this once-in-a-lifetime day!
Happy Birthday Jacqui! What a view!
Thank you, Ryan! The view was awesome! : )
Great blog, Jacqui! I’ll keep it in mind on August 21, 2014. 😉
Thanks, Brenda! Tick Tock – yes, just one more year for you before ‘everything changes’! Enjoy the last days of your 40s! Seriously, though, you will always be younger than me, you youthful bombshell! And, always keep doing what you do – traveling and imbibing life; you are a great example of living ‘fully!’
Wow, what a birthday it was. I LOVE that new desk. Gorgeous. 🙂
The spa afternoon wasn’t too shabby either. Glad you had a great day.
Erin
Thanks for adding to the conversation, Erin! Rob has excellent taste, and I’m so enjoying my new desk! … and the results of the spa day reverberate : )
~Jacqui
Dear Jacqui,
Happy belated and it’s even more important now to…
Smell the sea and feel the sky
Let your soul and spirit fly
Into the mystic ~ Van Morrison
And welcome to the club!! 🙂
Hugs,
Jackie Yun
Oh wow – inspiriting lyrics, Jackie! And timely, as Rob and I prepare to set sail on the Lake Texoma ‘sea’ for a sunset cruise tonight!
Thank you for the welcome – I’m certainly in good company!
Hugs back to you!
~Jacqui
Hi Jacqui,
Happy Belated Birthday! I love how you have allowed us to partake in your special 50th celebration.
It was not that long ago that we [particularly women] would never have openly shared our age but you have done so with pride and honor.
This may be partially attributed to the fact that you are in a wonderful place right now, with a husband who adores you, a thriving business and good health which you work at maintaining with regular exercise and a healthy diet. [Not to mention the fact that you could easily pass for 10 years younger.]
However, that is the whole picture. It is much deeper; I think you also represent what the authors of “Face It” would like for all women to feel about themselves – to feel and show confidence and pride inside and out for who you are and for what you have achieved [vs our youth-obsessed culture beliefs about beauty being primarily skin-deep].
Keep up the great work!
Warmly,
Dorlee
Dorlee,
Your comment has me reading — and re-reading — not only did I light up with your bouquet of pretty compliments (thank you!), but I was taken by your reference to “Face It.” The idea of women “feeling and showing confidence and pride inside and out …” vs. “youth-obsessed culture beliefs about beauty” — truly resonates.
We are so much MORE than skin-deep, and quite frankly, the more we take care of ourselves (physically, psychologically, intellectually, emotionally), the more we exude that je ne sais quois – a visceral, visible GLOW emanates literally from our physicality. We become increasingly vibrant as we age.
Anyway, I am now eager to go Google “Face It” and see about adding it to my Nook reading list!
Thank you so much for being your ever-thoughtful self in continuing this important conversation.
PS – Opening up about my age was a gradual process – I credit those who have gone before me (empowered women I admire and witness) as well as, as you said, the really good (wonderful, I daresay, to mirror your word), place I am in now!
Merci beaucoup, my female blogging colleague and friend!
~Jacqui
Another opportunity to wish you a Happy 50th, Jacqui!
Your birthday means so much to so many – you sculpt masterpieces of words to uplift, you encourage by example, you share with an open heart and you live life fully – something I’m sure you’ll continue to do in the next 50 years!
Hip Hip Hooray! (That’s a titanium hip hip hooray, so you’ll know it has substance! LOL!)
Warmly,
Marianna
Hi Marianna,
I love the multiple birthday wishes (feeling showered with love this month).
Wow – you not only wished me a good 50th, but you also lifted me up with your kind remarks; I am blessed to be surrounded with people on- and offline, like you, who inspire kindness and openness.
LOVE your ‘titanium’ hip hip hooray – those are the BEST!!!
Jacqui
Happy belated, Jacqui! You welcomed 50 in fine style. All the best to you in the years to come. Cheers! -Theresa
Thanks, Theresa! I love extending the celebration with your well wishes and kind words
All the best to you, as well!
Cheers,
Jacqui