Birthday Celebrations

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My birthday celebrations began on November 7 of last year. And 63 days later, the fun activities brought me to January 9, the day of my birth. It’s been interesting. And I learned a lot, following curiosity, which is why I play this birthday game.

Check out the first post, 63 Curious Things to Do for My 63rd Birthday, then read on for the final installment.

Birthday Celebrations

As with the last three birthday updates, I’m listing each activity on the day I drew the folded slip of paper out of the jar. And I’m sharing photos and details about some of the activities and adding whether they are completed or in process.

After the last birthday update, I only had five slips of paper remaining in the jar. Out of 63 activities, I still have about a dozen left to complete. These are scheduled out so that I make sure I do actually get them finished.

1/5/2021 Paint fingernails an unusual color, for me (completed)

Just painting my fingernails is a beyond my comfort zone activity! I don’t mind painted toenails, however I don’t like my fingernails painted. I keep my nails cut short due to the fact that I garden from spring until fall. And I don’t have the patience to wait for nails to dry. I invariably rush the process and mess up the nails right away.

After considering nail polish color options, I selected teal. My brand color, for Cindy Goes Beyond, is teal. Curious today, I checked the symbolism of that color, since it seems to attract me. Here’s what I discovered:

Teal combines the calming properties of blue with the renewing and healing properties of green. It’s a revitalizing, rejuvenating color that represents communication, intuition, empathy and clarity of thought. Those drawn to teal are open minded, like to keep options open and don’t quickly judge people or situations. They are creative and artistic. Those who like the color teal appreciate things that are different. They value their own uniqueness and don’t want to fit in with the crowd.

I’ve associated the color teal with Cindy Goes Beyond for at least four years and yet until I painted my nails that color, I never looked up the symbolism.  This is the most valuable aspect of my birthday celebrations game…I learn new things, about the world and about myself.

 

1/6/2021 Visit a place in Kansas I’ve never visited before (scheduled)

1/7/2021 Plan a trip to Gatlinburg Tennessee (completed)

I hoped to visit Gatlinburg, Tennessee last fall. With COVID, I chose to wait until this year, perhaps late summer/early fall. Truthfully, I don’t know if traveling will be any better this year, however, I at least planned out the trip.

Gatlinburg is a picturesque mountain town in eastern Tennessee, located near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There are numerous resorts there, a charming downtown district and lots of attractions such as the Space Needle Observation Tower and an amusement park.

As a first time visitor to Gatlinburg, I will enjoy the abundant nature trails and scenic views. Plus, my Lauderdale ancestors resided in nearby Cleveland, Tennessee before traveling to Missouri. I plan to visit Cleveland while I’m in the area.

1/8/2021 Have a day of smoothies only (scheduled)

1/9/2021 Take a virtual flying lesson (not completed but coming up)

Celebrating the Day

On my birthday, January 9, I enjoyed the progressive lunch through town, an activity I drew on 12/7. Greg accompanied me. We visited four restaurants and enjoyed four courses, finishing with vegan chocolate cake and hot tea at Bookhouse Cinema and Pub.

Because my birthday fell on a Saturday, I had opportunity to complete several activities over the weekend.

Weather played a significant role in delaying three of the four visits to places in the four state area. I have those scheduled and new places to visit picked out. And my great nephew Ethan is giving me the virtual flying lesson. A future pilot, he has a flight simulator for me to try, to experience flying a plane. At age 16 Ethan recently flew an actual plane for the first time.

I do love this birthday game. The activities create opportunities to try new things, to learn and grow, and to have fun. This year I combined a mix of curious activities, a tribute to my Year of Curiosity, and wild woman activities as a nod to the upcoming Year of the Wild Woman. It was the perfect blend as I finished 2020 and welcomed 2021.

I’m already jotting down ideas for 64 Wild Woman Activities for my 64th Birthday.

Check out the other birthday updates:

Holiday Flair

Stories to Tell

Welcoming a New Year

 

Try one of these teal nail polish shades from Amazon:

 

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