Today I turn 40. 40!

Below are 40 lessons I’ve learned . Honestly most everything I know that is worthwhile I picked up in the past 5 years. For the first 30-35 years I was kind of an idiot. So in a way 40’s not so bad, by the time I’m 80 I’ll be a genius…

 I’ve learned that if you want to make really good mashed potatoes don’t use cold milk straight from the fridge, warm it up first

 

I’ve learned that you should never let your gas tank get much below a quarter of a tank

 

I’ve learned that anything more than 3 martinis in a single evening is too many martinis

 

I’ve learned that we are our own worst critic and if you ever compare how you look to Danny DeVito when he dressed up like the penguin in Batman Returns it’s probably not that bad

 

I’ve learned that cats are not always going to get along with other cats

 

I’ve learned that you should not buy cheap make-up

 

I’ve learned that really good friends are like precious gems – rare and valuable

 

I’ve learned that being happy is way more important than having money

 

I’ve learned that what I really want to be when I grow up is a good mom and a good friend, everything else is secondary.

 

I’ve learned that you should never brush your hair when it’s wet

 

I’ve learned that you should pay attention in math class; you really will use it all later

 

I’ve learned that you cannot take anything for granted

 

I’ve learned that jeans will always stretch

 

I’ve learned that if you need to get things done in the afternoon don’t eat a giant cheeseburger for lunch

 

I’ve learned that dental hygiene is paramount

 

I’ve learned that being quiet and listening is more advantageous than talking

 

I’ve learned that family is everything

 

I’ve learned that confidence will get you farther than actually knowing what you are doing

 

I’ve learned that you should have a little time alone by yourself everyday

 

I’ve learned that you cannot truly understand worry and fear until you become a parent

 

I’ve learned not to give a shit what anyone else thinks about me

 

I’ve learned that too much coffee will make you less productive, not more

 

I’ve learned to never pick a fight when I’m tired

I’ve learned that putting a drizzle of balsamic vinegar on the top of a bloody mary makes it perfect

 

I’ve learned that if you clean and pick up your house on Thursday night than it will be clean and weekend ready when you get home from work on Friday.

 

I’ve learned that you should never compare yourself to other people

 

I’ve learned that to have a good marriage you have to be yourself – as clumsy and foolish and exasperating as that can be at times

 

I’ve learned that both frogs and marshmallows will expand in the microwave

 

I’ve learned that making lists and checking things off of it is more gratifying than you would think

 

I’ve learned that no matter how old I get I will never feel like a grown up

 

I’ve learned that people don’t really change and you either need to accept them or move on

 

I’ve learned that it’s okay to agree to disagree

 

I’ve learned that everyone has their own personal handicaps

 

I’ve learned youth is fleeting and you should enjoy it while it lasts, but that you never will because you won’t truly understand how precious it was until its gone

 

I’ve learned that you can never know what forever means until someone you care about dies

 

I’ve learned that there really is no place like home

 

I’ve learned that there are not many things better than: a good book, hugs from your kids, ice cream on a hot day, freshly brewed coffee first thing in the morning and quiet time outside

 

I’ve learned that in order to be successful you really need to put in the time and work hard. Hand outs are rare and should never be counted on

 

I’ve learned you should try never to be beholden to anyone

 

I’ve learned that if you tell your 4 year old daughter that you are going for a ride on a ferryboat – you need to be real clear before you step on to that boat that ferry and fairy are two different things