I'm with all of the above. I'm getting there in October and I'm pulling out all the stops - which amazes my friends because all other birthdays are spent pretty much in seclusion. I always had problems with the +9ers: 39 and 49 in particular. I suppose because it struck me that I only had a year left of that particular decade.

I organized a party for my mother's friend's 80th a few years ago and had their whole 'crowd' together - some had been friends since Sunday School. Of course, a lot of the gab was about younger days; at one lull in the conversation, Aunt Jean said, "So ... just when did we get to be 'old'?" And Hazel replied, "Gee, I dunno. I was only 24 yesterday."

Nope. Go for it. Big bash. Splurge. I want to gaze into the sky some December night and see a red glow on the horizon ... and know that it's your party!

(Ummm ... in what direction should I be lookin'?)

sian