The title of today’s post ought to give a great deal of confusion to Christians trolling the Internet for stories of salvation. If you’re a confused Christian hoping for a tale of inspiration, a “Come to Jesus Moment”, this is not the post for you. In fact, I’m probably not at all the writer for you because I swear a lot and have very Libertine views. But, you know… it’s all good.

Firstly, I’d like to thank Jess Witkins over at Jess Witkins Happiness Project for this post which inspired the following. Also, I stole the first 30 questions from her.

Last Saturday, I turned 40. I don’t know what 40 feels like because I still feel like I did when I was in my early 20’s, but here are 40 questions for when I turned 40.

1. Where’s your cellphone? Presently, it is on the end table nearby. Admittedly, it’s often silenced, so I don’t tend to pay much attention to it.
2. Where’s your second half? He’s at the office doing what he went to school for.
3. Your hair?  Drying. Still. It takes forever to dry.
4. Your mood? Content.
5. Your plan for today?  I’ve had a good lie-in, a work out, a shower, dinner is in the slow cooker, the load of whites is having a thorough soaking to remove the dinginess, and I’m Netflixing and chilling all by myself. Also, it’s nearing 4 PM and I’ve had some wine. It’s all good.
6. What’s the best you know? What a very vague question. I know quite a lot, but is it the best? Unsure. But, for the sake of conversation, let us go with something seasonal, shall we? ‘Tis planting season. I’m happy about this – new plants and new leaves springing forth. Who couldn’t see that as being “best”?
7. Your dream last night? Strange, weird… typical. I don’t think I ever have “normal” dreams. I don’t recall what they were exactly, but I do remember that they were weird.
8. Your goal in life? Contentment. Happiness. Travel the globe. Yes, I’d like to be my own boss, write a great novel like Harper Lee that is beloved by millions. I’d like to create something that speaks to those who come after. Mostly, however, happiness and contentment.
9. The room you’re in? The living room, on what I consider to be the most comfortable couch I’ve ever lay upon.
10. Your hobby? Blogging, reading, crocheting, cooking, baking, gardening… there are just far, FAR too many for me to list. Self-sufficiency… that can be a hobby, right? Right. That’s a good hobby.
11. Your fear? I have what I feel is an irrational fear of tornadoes. And, I suffer from “Imposter Syndrome”.
12. Where would you like to be in six years? Working on another novel or other book in the comfort of my own home after having been inspired by traveling to Africa to see the elephants before they are killed.
13. Where were you yesterday evening? At this time? Work, getting stuff done.
14. What are you not? A narcissist.
15. Something you wish? To get over my “Imposter Syndrome”.
16. Where did you grow up? In a small town in northeast Wisconsin.
17. What was the last thing you did? Watching Jane Austen’s “Persuasion” on disc.
18. Your clothes? Yoga pants, tank top and athletic zip-up.
19. Your TV? See #17 – though, for more detail, it is housed in an entertainment armoire designed and built by Mr. Muse.
20. Your computer? Mr. Muse’s laptop which we call “Brutus”.
21. The best thing you own? My journals and planners – they contain my life down to the minutia.
22. Do you miss anyone? Mostly I miss events or situations with people. Making strawberry pies and tator-tot casserole with my Great Aunt Marion during haying season. Conversations with people. Canning beans with my mom on a hot summer’s day in a house with no air conditioning. Riding… well, racing, horses through the fields with my sister.
23. Your car?A 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid we call “Evie” that has 217K miles on it. (That’s for EV, or “Electric Voltage”…. Get it?)
24. Something you’re not wearing? Socks
25. Favorite store? The grocery store. Not kidding.
26. Your summer? Well, looking forward, this summer will be filled with beekeeping, spending time in the pool, gardening, some camping adventures, and hopefully getting out in the kayak, and hiking, too.
27. Do you love anyone? Absolutely.
28. Favorite color? Black. But I like a variety of other colors, too. Mostly, though, black.
29. When did you last laugh? This morning.
30. When did you last cry? I almost cried when I was on the treadmill walking and watching CBS Sunday Morning’s episode from Sunday the 13^th of March.
31. Favorite beverage? It depends on the day and the time. Coffee and water are my usual preferences. I do enjoy a good wine or other adult beverage. I’m also a fan of root beer.
32. What is your philosophy in life? Do the best you can with what you have. Life is too short to be unhappy. Embrace who you are and live how you can to most readily satisfy who that person is. And if you can’t laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at.
33. What is one thing you would like to change about yourself? I’m confident about most things in my life, but when it comes to my writing, mostly my thinking I possess the ability to write a book that people would like, eludes me. I’d like to change that.
34. Are you religious or spiritual? I find religion tragic, but understandable. I find spirituality endearing. I am not the former, but perhaps I’m the latter, though it has nothing to do with god/God, but more about being in tune with the world.
35. Do you consider yourself an introvert or an extrovert? Definitely INTROVERT. I’m an INTJ/P (I’m on the borderline between the J and P). I prize logic and rationality above most other things. I dislike emotional displays, in fact – I really don’t know what to do with people who get emotional around me. I’m mirthful as a general rule, but stoic upon any serious situation. I don’t like making decisions based upon emotion because they muddy the waters. But I still do plenty of stupid things on a whim. A riddle wrapped in a conundrum.
36. Which parent are you closer to and why? Mom. She taught me most of what I know about how to take care of myself. She showed me how to live within my means and do what I could with what I had. That it was okay to be me and not have everyone like me and I didn’t need to care about it if they didn’t.
37. What was the best phase in your life? It’s always now.
38. What was the worst phase in your life? Grade through high schools. I never understood my peers. No, really. WHY did they do what they did?!
39. Is what you’re doing now what you always wanted to do growing up? Considering that when I was younger I wanted to: be a sniper, be a bull-rider, drive a race car, fly a fighter jet, be an oceanographer, or ride horses forever…. No. Sniper and fighter jet pilot were done away with as soon as I needed glasses. Bull rider? Yeah… I got a little smarter. Ride horses forever? Well – I need to build my confidence back up after my last horse tried to kill me. Oceanographer? Could still happen. Race car driver? STILL AN ACTUAL POSSIBILITY! And, I practice at least 5 days of the week.
40. What makes you feel accomplished? Getting shit done. My to-do lists are enormous, so allowing myself to actually complete one before I add other things to it is a great, wonderful feeling.

Feel free to copy these questions and share your own responses.