Thursday, June 25, 2009

Turning....

60!

Yes, that's what is special about today. It is my 60th birthday and my life will be changing for the better. I never thought I would be excited about turning 60 but because of some unfortunate circumstances, I am excited. Most of my regular readers know that my children lost their Father to cancer last summer. As with any family, this has been hard on my kids.

One of my customers told me that I might be able to collect widow benefits from Social Security. I thought she was crazy since I have been divorced for over 35 years. After some checking, I found out she was right! As long as we were married for 10 years and I had not remarried, I could collect benefits when I turned 60.

As an older hairdresser with a shrinking clientele, I had been forced into taking a second job 5 years ago. My shop has been very good to me over the years, having supported my children and making it possible for me to buy our home but my customers are getting older right along with me. I cut back to 4 days a week and started working in a grocery store 4 or 5 nights a week. Because of the change in my financial status and having paid off my house last year, I will no longer need to work so much at the store. I could actually quit but they supply great insurance benefits. I will now be working 1 or 2 nights a week at the store.
We had to struggle when my kids were home because I received no support. This circumstance although difficult at times, also had it's good points. We had everything we needed and learned to enjoy the free things in life like family, friends and nature. Even tho this benefit has nothing to do with back support, I feel like I'm getting my due. I also believe I need the money more now. Since being transferred because of our store closing, I have worked longer shifts on register which is hard on me because of my fibromyalgia.


The best benefits are more time in the garden and more time with my darling granddaughters! All I can say is....
60 is going to be good!
Edit: You need to go over to my daughter's blog and check out the limerick my OLDER brother wrote for me. It's amazing!

14 comments:

The Smiths said...

Happyu Birthday!
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday!

Love Payton, Jerzie and Tabatha!

Kim said...

Happy 60th Mom. I hope you have a great day, and remember, the older you get... Laurie does too!!

Love ya,
Kim

Cedar ... said...

Hmmmm..... 60,.. is that ALL? From my vantage point of 67 I can tell you that the best is yet to come! Happy Birthday, my blogger friend!

Latane Barton said...

Happy Birthday...... and I am so proud you won't have to work so hard. Enjoy life to the fullest today and everyday.

Dawn said...

w00t!
Sixty???
Happy Birthday, girl!!
See you tomorrow...

Grammy said...

Happy Birthday!
That is great to be able to enjoy more free time.
Have a wonderful day.

Balisha said...

Good things come to those who wait.

So glad you will be able to live life a little easier. Have a wonderful birthday.

Heather said...

Happy Birthday! i hope you have a wonderful day today. 60 sounds like it is going to be a great year!

Darla said...

sounds like you have a GREAT year ahead of you!! Your photos are beautiful.

Deb said...

Happy Birthday, Jean! That was great news about the extra money; so good that you checked into it! And that youngest picture of YOU is SO MUCH like the picture of your grandaughter! It's amazing! I hope your day has been extra special. My 57th is one week from today! (And we'll be on vacation in Boston, MA - never been there!)

Diana LaMarre said...

Happy Birthday, Jean!! I am so happy for you. It's a good thing you listened to your friend.

I think that first pic of you looks a lot like Jerzie.

I hope you enjoy every one of those extra hours you now have.

vintage girl at heart said...

Happy Birthday!!! 60 will be a whole new adventure for you!! I love you wonderful outlook and am glad that you will be able to cut back at work and have more time to enjoy those sweet babies and your Family! Have a Blessed week!!

Suzanne said...

Happy Birthday, Jean. I'm so happy that you will be able to take it a little easier. You certainly deserve it! Have a wonderful birthday!

~~Rhonda said...

I hope you had a happy, happy birthday! Your birthday was our 32nd wedding anniversary. :) ~~Rhonda