How to Turn 40

First of all, let me just say to my Grandmother, who, as I type is rolling over in her grave, "I have not abandoned my heritage simply by deciding to wear the colour green today, and I am sorry if I've disturbed your rest. I love you." My Grandmother, may she rest in peace, was a kind, loving, giving, thoughtful, fun, and above all else Protestant woman. She was the cornerstone of our family, our matriarch, and we miss her every day. But, this is St. Patrick's Day and for this one day, I can wear the green without guilt! Yes, Protestant women are as affected by guilt as Catholic women are!!! Surprise...I guess that's one of those dirty little secretes that's not supposed to get out there, but I've said it, and I won't take it back - no matter how guilty I feel!!!

So, I'd decided to wear green...for most women my age that would be the end of it. They know what's in their closets and they can actually access their closets. I'm not sure what's lurking in mine. The "closet approach" is a little cluttered at the moment. It's not like I don't wear green. Green is a favorite colour of mine...but, then, I'm looking for not only something green, but something clean as well. Now, therein lies the trouble...Most of the clutter in front of the closet is a heap of clothing - NOT all mine, I want to be quick to point out. I'm not living in this world of disorganized all on my own! OK, no running off to finger point...back to it...So, rather than look last night, I go to bed assured that I will not only be able to get to my closet, but once there, I will be able to locate something green, that's clean, and fits (yes, let's not forget something that fits...the years have been generous to my waistline, giving it all it could want and more). I step into the clutter with all the conviction in the world that my task will be an easy one...Was that something snapping under my weight? What's down there??? Never mind...forward...Another step and my foot rolls off to the side twisting my ankle slightly. It's a special day (green beer, think green beer) and a little pain will not deter me...I'm at the closet entrance!!! I'm half way home!!! Leaning precariously to my left, I start to sift through the clothing on the top bar. Blue, blue, black, brown (brown? I own something brown?), orange...lots of orange (when did I buy so much orange??? Grandma???). Oh, green, I see something green!!! Oh...I can't wear THAT...it's a t-shirt that I bought when I was in my 20's and just haven't been able to let go of yet. So NOT appropriate for work. Keep looking...Onto the shelves (I didn't put them there, they were there when we moved into the townhouse...nice of those other handy people to put in some shelves). There it is...Green...Clean...It fits...It's a sweater!!! Oh, a low cut sweater...I need to find a "base" to wear underneath it...The search begins anew for something beige (I don't think I OWN anything beige...but that's NOT a bad thing, so never mind), or black, or even brown...Black. I've got a tank top that's kind of clean...that'll do.

Nice...For me, this is style (which just means that it's not more than 10 years old). The low scoop of the tank top looks nice with the v-cut of the sweater...I'm happy, I'm wearing green. I'm, OH, I'm LATE!!! OK, quick little nod to the puppy before I'm on the way out the door...Puppy...No, I've got to go to work...Puppy? Oh, NO!!! I guess she wasn't feeling all that well...my clean, green sweater that fit is now covered in baby puppy vomit :(

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!! I KNEW my Grandma wouldn't let a little something like death keep her from keeping me from wearing green!!!!!