Brendy's Blog

Turning 50

I turned 50 years old in January… and am still celebrating.  Most women cringe at the thought of being a half-century old but I decided to embrace it and milk it for all it’s worth. 

The partying began back in early November, nearly 4 months before my actual 50^th birthday.   Four of my closest girlfriends, all University of Michigan-Kappa Alpha Theta sorority sisters, also turn 50 this year so we escaped to Veronica’s family cottage on Walloon Lake in Petoskey, Michigan, for a weekend celebration.  

   

We had an amazing time looking at old photos, watching chick flicks, shopping , eating, drinking, and laughing until we cried. 

Round #2 of my 50^th birthday celebration was another  girls getaway – this time to Judith’s beautiful beach house on Lake Michigan in Holland, Michigan (I really know how pick my friends!) Janine and I took off work early on a Friday to drive over and meet Judith and her boxer Bam at her “beach hut.” 

We had spectacularly sunny and warm December weather which made for great beach walks, followed by long soaks in the hot tub and of course, more laughing, eating and drinking.

 

For my actual 50^th birthday -- January 30 -- my husband flew me out to meet him in Las Vegas, where he had some business meetings.  John met me at the airport with roses, booked a fabulous suite at the Aria,indulged the foody in me with ultra-gourmet dinners every night,

treated me to a fabulous spa day and essentially spoiled me rotten.  The highlight of the trip was a wild and crazy dune buggy adventure in the desert. 

Now by this time I’m feeling pretty partied-out, but my Dad and sister Suzy are demanding a celebration of their own.  So, I oblige.  We chose the Red Ox Tavern to host my fourth 50^th birthday fete because they have an awesome shuffleboard table. 

(While most families in the ‘70s had ping pong tables in their basements, we had a shuffleboard table).   I got beat by my 11 year old son but it comforts me to know that I have passed along my love-for- shuffle- board-playing gene.

It’s now been several weeks since my last 50^th birthday party…and I’m looking forward to the next one!  I’m also feeling really grateful to be surrounded by amazingly generous and loving people, and I think this is what I learned the most about turning 50.

 

Summertime Cruise Nights in the Motor City

Summertime in the Motor City is amazing, especially if you are a car fanatic.  Seems like every night there is a cruise night somewhere, even if it's just in the local Ram's Horn parking lot.

Last week my family and I attended a Cruise Night at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills, MI.   These events are free to attend -- which make them even better -- and they give local collectible car owners a chance to show off their chrome. There's no entry fee for car owners either.

We each try to pick out our favorite, but it's always so hard. I am usually torn between a late '70s Eldorado ragtop, a late 50's Caddy and any red Corvette...what can I say...I am a GM girl.  

But that night my heart was stolen by a late 70's Trans Am which brought back SO many memories. It also made me feel really old.  I begged my parents to buy me that car when I was in high school.  Instead, I got my grandmother's old '72 Vega hatchback wagon, which I covered in Van Halen and WRIF bumper stickers. 

Classic cars are so awesome and can really bridge generations.   I'm looking forward to taking my dad to his first cruise night at Bob's Big Boy in LA next month for his 75th birthday. Hanging out at any cruise night is a great way to reconnect with your kids and your parents.  If you have not done it, try it...you'll like it.

- Brendy

PR Postscript: Hosting FREE family events is a great way for organizations to boost goodwill.