As I age and can now look back on my life in terms of decades versus years …
*shudder*
… I wish I could go back and tell my younger self a few things.
To Teenage Linda,
You have a lot more to offer than you give yourself credit for. Oh, and you’re not as awkward and unattractive as you think. You’ll learn all of this at your 30 year high school reunion …
Spend more time in class and less at the frats … and bars … and tailgating at Penn State football games …
To 20’s Linda,
You do realize your bikini wearing self is totally benefiting from all those years in elementary, junior, and high school doing gymnastics, right? And that it won’t last forever, right? So why don’t you give post-child-bearing 30’s Linda a fighting chance and get your skinny-you-know-what self to the gym from time to time.
You know. Pay it forward …
To 30’s Linda,
Stop wanting your kids to grow up and be able to do things for themselves. They’ll be big before you know it … so celebrate all those diaper changes and bottle feedings and spooning mushy food into their mouths. And take all the hugs and kisses and snuggles that you can get …
To 39 Year Old Linda,
Stop freaking about 40. It’s just a number …
I wonder what I’ll look back on in the next decade and tell 40’s Linda? Gravity isn’t so bad after all … well, at least not compared to 50’s and 60’s Linda? Creating the blog was the best – or worst — thing you did? Quitting smoking was well worth that impossible to lose 10 pound weight gain?
And to those brand new terracotta pots that I was inspired to age yesterday by these fabulous blogging sister sensations? I’m sorry you didn’t turn out as pretty as Heather’s (here) …
In all honesty, I skipped a few steps and just slapped on some paint with a foam brush and then hit them with sandpaper only. And I should have started sanding sooner while the paint was still wet. Like Heather did. So learn from my mistakes and work on one or two pots at a time …
But don’t worry, my not so perfectly aged terracottas. I’m not through with you yet … there may be some more paint and fabric in your future ….
Oh love the paint treatment on the pots! They look fab.
A couple of years ago I bought this decorating change your home, change your life book. What hit home for me most was a quote from the beginning of the book: “Let go of the idea that the past could have been any different”. It had a huge impact on me. Your post made me think of it so I thought I’d share.
I’m sure every one of your decades was exactly what it needed to be to create the Linda of this current decade. You’re a rockstar!
xox
Linda you are funny! Love the garden pots
the pots are gorgeous and i love your letter! i am an emotional wreck today- it happens from time to time- and i have read 3 posts that have made me cry- this being one of them! 🙂 in a good way though…. life just has so much to offer and enjoy, and we blink and it goes by, BUT there is always so much to look forward to as well.
These pots are gorgeous! And you my dear…are a gem! So glad you are in blog world and I get to “see” you every day!
I have less than a month until I turn 30, and I already notice how fast time goes. The terracottas are pretty, love how they turned out! =)
if you changed one thing from the past, you wouldn’t be who you are now, which is awesome:) love the pots–just bought some to do the same thing! i’ll check out heathers first!
Amen sister! As a fellow member of the over 40 crowd…I agree with all of it! 🙂 The pots look great too!!:)
Loved your letter to yourself! DO listen to yourself about not wanting the kids to grow up! It really does happen way too fast. My son just finished his junior year of college and my daughter just left for her last day of high school! It seems like just yesterday that they were little. I’d love to go back to the diaper changing days!!!
This was awesome. I can so relate. Your pots are beautiful, in fact I think yours look better than the inspirations. So there.
Love the post! The pots are awesome too!
–Katie
I have tried to drill all of those things into my daughter’s head! Learn from my mistakes! And those crunches…. I so wish I had done that! 🙂
I love the pots! I think they look great!
ah my friend — things do age like fine wine and these gorgeous pots are an example and so are you! you as the pots are picture perfect!!! : ) wouldn’t change a thing! can’t wait to see what is in store for these beauties — but if you are in charge — it will be BRILLIANT!!!! : ) hugs
So, at 48, you’ve gone to pot?
I would have a lot to tell myself at younger years. LOT.
Er, is it okay that I like yours better than Heather’s? Though I’m glad you linked her cause I’m a new follower now.
I now understand why the old guy on the porch in “It’s a Wonderful Life” growls “youth is wasted on the young.” I look at pictures from every decade and think, “Why didn’t I realize what I had then?” Trying real hard when I see pictures of me now to focus on what’s there rather than on what isn’t. Loved this post.
Glad you learned everything old is new again. I am here to decree 48 is the new 35! And aged pots are better than their boring, new counterparts.
Kelly
I love the 2 step pot aging technique. Quick, efficient and good lookin’. Great advice to little Linda. How are the crunches coming along? 😉
I’m definitely going to have to make a pinboard and do this! It sounds so cool!
I saw that tutorial and loved it too! Now that I see how great yours turned out I think my 49-year-old self is saying give it a try before you turn 50 and forget why you bought the pots in the first place. Loved hearing your thoughts today!
-Lynn
We shall rise up and give 40 all we’ve got. The best decade yet. Watch out world, here we come!
I am thumbing my nose at 45!!! There! I said it! I will not, however being strutting about in a bikini. I think the world is just not ready to see that!
Aging looks good on your pots and you!! They look great, and will be perfect on your porch!
Cheers! (You said wine…) Any excuse to have a glass! 🙂
xo-Lisa
P.S. I linked to the max for you with all of the contest participants!
ha! I’m really listening to your advice to 30’s Linda! If you ever want to go back, we have plenty of diapers and baby-feedings at our house:)
Jessica
stayathomeista.com
feel free to change moose and monkey’s diapers anytime.
love the anthro pots, lin. 🙂
at 32, this resonated with me. i’d tell my 18 year old self, many a thing. and at 25 as well.
perhaps, we should start a movement like all the style bloggers did with “things I am afraid to tell you”…
xoxo
n
Yay! Linda they look fabulous! I need to run now though and start doing some crunches. LOL! Thanks so much for sharing these at Inspiration Friday! 🙂
Vanessa
Love the pots — and your writing. Not sure how I feel about giving up the tailgates and frat parties, however… LITB. 🙂
We did have fun, though, didn’t we Maureen? I have some pictures to prove it! LITB.
Well first off, love the letter to yourself! You know how I’m feeling about this whole “aging” thing..haha. I’ll tell ya what, trying to get through my son’s graduation stuff with my sanity intact is really aging me. 😉 Second, I LOVE the pots! Glad I could inspire someone…I think yours are gorgeous and our pots could be BFFs or would it be BPFs?? 😉
Thanks for the shout-out and for sharing them at Inspiration Friday~
Heather
Awesome post!~ I am 46 and my Mother-in-law just told me today, that my 40’s are treating me good…what is she saying though my 20’s and 30’s were bad LOL! Nawww…it’s all good, we get better. Love your pots!
Your post made me laugh out loud! I love when I am inspired to create and laugh! Thanks for the fantastic post!
Have a happy, happy weekend!
♥Tausha
sassystyleredesign.com
What an awesome post! I keep telling myself I need to drag my 38 year old but to the gym so that my 48 year old self doesn’t hate me:) I think these look great…seriously. I really want to do this-I have a ton of plain Jane pots outside right now!
I just want my 6-months-from-now self to not be mad at me for these dark chocolate chips I keep eating. 🙂 This was a fun post and the pots look great!
This is way cool! Would LOVE it if you would link this project up at my brand new Trendy Tuesday party going on right now!! http://www.sweetlittlegals.com/2012/05/trendy-tuesday-1.html
Love your analysis of you in your different life stages! AND I LOVE THESE POTS!
whoaa…don’t diminish your process. I love this look! I think your painted pots are much more to my liking, they look authentically older. great application..grandma barbara