48 Years of Happy

by Katy on January 4, 2016 · 71 comments

Today is my 48th birthday and I am happy. My family is healthy and well, my older son loves college, (he even made the dean’s list!) and I just now transferred a cash payment for his winter term of college tuition, room and board. Cash, bay-bee!

Happy.

We make financial sacrifices left and right, but they’re all in the name of supporting our big picture goals. I mend all clothing and dress like a scarecrow, and I’m genuinely content to not receive any store bought gifts. Yesterday’s dinner was turkey noodle soup assembled from our frozen turkey carcass. It produced a laughable 19-kids-and-counting amount. Seriously. The Duggers could stop by and we’d have enough to share! Sure, it would be awkward, but everyone would get a big bowl of soup.

Happy.

Our lives are far from perfect. Our winter holiday featured our first foray into head lice, so I did 75 bajillion loads of laundry over the past few weeks. I was feeling thin the other day, so I weighed myself and learned that I’d actually added another six pounds onto my already sturdy frame. Also, my middle-aged lady mustache has recently accelerated its growth. My day job is extremely stressful, I have a $2.25 library fine, I live in a 102-year-old house of unfinished projects, and I share a single bathroom with three men.

Happy.

Life is full of challenges. I can let them bury me or I can choose to keep my sense of humor and soldier on.

Happy.

I have everything I need and a creative outlet with the blog. It’s my birthday and I’m gifted with the privileged challenge to get my sons through college without massive student loan debt. My sons want to go to college and actually enjoy spending time with me. My husband loves me and I have two library books calling my name.

Happy.

If I waited until my life was perfect to be happy I’d never get there. Who knows what the future holds? Today, I choose to be happy.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”

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{ 71 comments… read them below or add one }

A. Marie January 4, 2016 at 2:54 pm

“If I waited until my life was perfect to be happy I’d never get there.” Dang me, if I could do cross-stitch, I’d hang that one on the wall! Happy 48th, O awesome NCA.

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Tara January 4, 2016 at 2:56 pm

Happy Birthday Katy, I’m so glad your happy. And I think its great that you boys like being with you and your husband loves you. What more could anyone want. Have a lovely day. X

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Heather McClain January 4, 2016 at 2:58 pm

A library fine?! I am disillusioned.

Aw, just kidding. I am bemused. Happy birthday!

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Diane January 4, 2016 at 2:59 pm

Happy Birthday! You have a great way of looking at things!

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Rachel January 4, 2016 at 3:08 pm

Happy Birthday Katy! My birthday is next week and I am inspired by you to look at it positively and to choose to be grateful and content. My kids are healthy and have everything they need and a lot of what they want. Most importantly, they know they are loved. That is the best gift I can give them, and myself.
Thank you for sharing your positive outlook. I hope you have a great day and a wonderful year!

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SKM January 4, 2016 at 3:08 pm

Happiest of birthdays! Thank you for this community and thank you for all of the inspiration you provide!

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Vonlipi January 4, 2016 at 3:08 pm

Happy B-Day! I am glad to read that your happy. I feel happy too and reading your post made me happier!

CELEBRATE! GOOD TIMES! COME ON!

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cindi January 4, 2016 at 3:14 pm

your blog today reminds me to put ‘Gratitude” by Oliver Sacks on my library hold list….one of my favorite writers and the subject calls to me….most of us have so much to be grateful for/happy about.

although your library related fiscal recklessness makes me sad….:)

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Lazyretirementgirl January 4, 2016 at 7:03 pm

It is a wonderful book. I loved it.

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Cathy January 4, 2016 at 3:24 pm

Happy Birthday Katy! I love your great attitude and the unique articles you write. Thanks for the inspiration.

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Bee January 4, 2016 at 3:25 pm

Happy Birthday! My father always said that the secret to happiness is to want what you have. I have learned how true this is! However, I am really not too fond of my lady mustache. As much as I try I really don’t want it.

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Carrie January 4, 2016 at 3:26 pm

Happy birthday! ! Your blog makes me happy . So thank you!

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Lisa January 4, 2016 at 3:30 pm

“I mend all clothing and dress like a scarecrow” – love it! I need to keep this somewhere, it makes me laugh (and sounds a bit like me…) Happy Birthday!

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Ruby January 4, 2016 at 3:39 pm

Katy, that you express gratitude and happiness in the face of an infestation of head lice makes me like you all the more. You are awesome! Happy birthday!

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Crystal January 4, 2016 at 3:40 pm

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATY!!! Awww, what an awesome, inspirational post. I look forward to reading your FUN, WITTY, CREATIVE words every day. I always come away with a SMILE on my face and a GOOD FEELING in my HEART from them! Not because things are always rosy (as is the case with all of us), but because you’re just so darn good at making lemonade out of lemons! I wish you continued HAPPINESS and CONTENTMENT. I’m sure your Mom is beaming with pride for giving birth to you on this day 48 years ago. Many blessings to her for bringing you into this world and to you for making this world a better place for all of us. 🙂

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Karen January 4, 2016 at 3:45 pm

Happy Birthday Katy! Much happiness and good health to you! You made me happy with this post. I will not soon forget it!

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Queen of Fifty Cents January 4, 2016 at 3:55 pm

My life got a little happier when I stopped thinking of paying the library ‘overdue fines’ and moved on to a small ‘extended use fee.’ Semantics are wonderful. And so are happy birthdays!

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Bobbi January 4, 2016 at 3:55 pm

Happy Birthday Katy! And thanks for your continued inspiration!

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Michele January 4, 2016 at 3:59 pm

I’m turning 48 this year too! You and your blog are a daily inspiration to me. My family is undergoing a lot right now, but your perspective (and fabulous sense of humor ) are quite helpful. Happy Birthday!

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BONNIE ELLIS January 4, 2016 at 4:09 pm

Happy Birthday, my dear. As the old saying goes, “Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be”. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.

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Sherry January 4, 2016 at 4:10 pm

This is stunning in it’s eloquence and simplicity! Wishing you well on your 48th birthday!

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Deborah January 4, 2016 at 4:14 pm

Happy 48th BD wishes!! Kristen of frugal girl had a great post about natural remedies for head lice if that would help. Keep celebrating and appreciating all your blessings and I admire how you roll with the punches if need be! Much joy to you and your family in 2016.

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Susan January 4, 2016 at 4:24 pm

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Katy! Wishing you and your family another year of health and “positivity”. Your blog is a daily gift to me so I hope you know how much your creative outlet means to others. 🙂

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Stacy January 4, 2016 at 4:29 pm

Happy birthday to you!! I love your blog and am never disappointed! Hope it’s been a great day!

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Linda January 4, 2016 at 4:30 pm

Happy 48th! Love this blog!

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Canadian Girl January 4, 2016 at 4:35 pm

What a fantastic post!! You are a rock star keep on rocking!! Happy Birthday hope your day was a beautiful one!!

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Christine R January 4, 2016 at 4:38 pm

Happy Birthday, Katy! I love your outlook on life. Your posts make me smile.

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meg January 4, 2016 at 4:50 pm

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATIE!!!!!!
I absolutely love your blog and look forward to your words every day.
You are an inspiration to me to live more frugally and to be
grateful for what I already have. Thanks for all the time and effort you put into
The non consumer advocate.

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Maureen January 4, 2016 at 4:53 pm

Happy Birthday! And so glad you are happy!

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Elizabeth January 4, 2016 at 5:14 pm

My Mama told me many times that happiness is a decision you make and she was so right! I love your happy blog! And I’m so glad you had a happy birthday! 🙂 We had a run in with lice many years ago and I swore I’d shave my head if it ever happened again. I’m glad you’re dealing with it so wonderfully!

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Linda M January 4, 2016 at 5:20 pm

Happy is such a subjective term! Sounds like you are aboard the “Gonna have a good life no matter what” train….way to go! Loved when you weren’t going to wait until everything is perfect before you are happy. Happiness is a choice and you have made it….what a beautiful place to be. I don’t know you in person…but I love ya!

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Kristin January 4, 2016 at 5:30 pm

Love this, Katy, thank you!! Wishing you a wonderful trip around the sun <3

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Mary January 4, 2016 at 5:33 pm

Happy Birthday, Katy! What a wonderful birthday post to make us all smile!

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Kim from Philadelphia January 4, 2016 at 5:46 pm

I’d say you listed a bunch of wonderful reasons-to-be-happy on this special day!

Life is what you make it. You choose (and we should all choose) to savor the good stuff.

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Ann C. January 4, 2016 at 6:27 pm

I LOVE this post. 🙂 Happy Birthday!

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Chris January 4, 2016 at 6:46 pm

Happy birthday! 48th? (I always say, pick a number you like and stick with it!)

Seriously, I make a huge pot of soup every so often. What we don’t eat right away gets put in the freezer in smaller containers for perfect lunch servings. Husband loves it and no food goes to waste around here. (Seriously, I cleaned the fridge. . .)

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HeatherS January 4, 2016 at 6:57 pm

What an uplifting and inspiring post! Just what I needed to hear to lift me out of my “woe is me” feeling of late. It’s your birthday, but you gave us a gift with your words of gratitude! Happy Birthday!

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Lee January 4, 2016 at 7:36 pm

Happy birthday!

P.S. That 6 pounds is either sodium bloat from the dinner at Outback or muscle, pure muscle, from all your walking to your errands and lifting of free finds by the side of the road. You know I’m right.

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Kristen | The Frugal Girl January 4, 2016 at 8:08 pm

Ohhh. So very sorry about the head lice!

I did boatloads of laundry my first go-round too only to discover later on that that part of things isn’t really all that necessary. Ugh.

But. Happy birthday to you!

P.S. I paid a $2.70 library fine the other day. 😉

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Katy January 4, 2016 at 8:29 pm

Wow, you’re a real spendthrift! And we went to a clean-it-after-a-single-use towel policy which adds an extra load of laundry per day!

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Jennifer January 5, 2016 at 8:23 am

Paid $3.20 library fine recently myself. When we had a lice issue at my house I learned that lots of things can just be bagged up for a couple weeks in a garbage bag, ex. throw pillows. and that kills the lice because they can’t get to a host.

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Beth Johnson January 4, 2016 at 9:51 pm

Happy Birthday to you! You are a constant source of motivation and I look forward to your posts! Even quoted a few over the last few years…I also live in an ancient house with one bathroom and 3 boys/men :-).
Hope your year ahead is nothing but HAPPY!!

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Dorf January 4, 2016 at 10:32 pm

Happy Birthday, Katy! I think this is my favorite post ever. Getting old isn’t fun unless you make it so Thank you for your blog; I have been reading about five years and LOVE it.

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Diane C January 5, 2016 at 1:02 am

In my working years, I had to give myself the happy pep talk to get through every damn day. Now that I’m retired, it’s funny to recall, because I never need to do that any more. Thanks for the reminder. And a very happy birthday to you!
PS – Puhleeze tell me you’re charging that tuition on some sort of affinity credit card (and of course paying it off monthly) so you can get free travel or hotel nights or something.

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Carolyn January 5, 2016 at 4:12 pm

It’s probably not a good idea to pay tuition by credit card. At the colleges my kids attended, paying tuition by credit card was an option, but they tacked on a surcharge of between 3% and 6% for the privilege of using the credit card. Given that I earn, at most, 2% on my rewards cards, it would have cost me more to pay by credit card than what I earned.

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Diane C January 8, 2016 at 11:10 pm

Hmmm, I didn’t think it was legal to charge an extra fee to use a credit card. Maybe it varies by state. I’d still suggest checking into it.

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NMPatricia January 5, 2016 at 4:33 am

A truly inspirational post. Thanks.

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shelby January 5, 2016 at 6:26 am

Being present and grateful is the best gift we can give ourselves and our loved ones. I love your blog…Thank you for providing me with inspiration!

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janine January 5, 2016 at 6:58 am

I add my best wishes for a wonderful happy birthday. Loved your 19 person soup mention. Been there. Reminds me that I have to find additional containers for freezer worthy extras and keep them in a place I can easily locate and remember!

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Carolyn January 5, 2016 at 6:59 am

I think your post would make Gretchen Rubin proud!

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JD January 5, 2016 at 7:29 am

Happy Birthday and thanks for giving us the present of a great post!

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Jennifer January 5, 2016 at 8:14 am

Wow, I’m officially your 48th comment!! Happy birthday, Katy! I gotta hurry up and hit submit before anyone beats me.

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Beth January 5, 2016 at 8:23 am

Happy Birthday!!

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Vickie January 5, 2016 at 9:09 am

Hope your birthday was the Happiest!
You made me laugh, it’s all good – I’ve no clue what perfect is or where she lives, I’ve never found her, or even visited! 😉

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Kristin January 5, 2016 at 9:37 am

Happy birthday Katy! Here’s to many more happy years!

“The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven..”
― John Milton, Paradise Lost

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Cheyanne January 5, 2016 at 9:46 am

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KATY! Thank you so much for your blog, the amazing Facebook group you moderate, all the inspiration and for doing your part to reduce consumerism! Hope you have a happy, healthy year! 🙂

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Kathleen January 5, 2016 at 10:08 am

Happy Birthday, Katy from someone who is waiting for birthday #67 this year. You have a great attitude for someone so young. Believe me, it gets better and better. My mom died at 65 so I am in my “gravy years” and enjoying every minute. One exception to the everything getting better might be that mustache problem. That does tend to increase but you really don’t care so much, so it all works out. Thanks for the blog!

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Mariana Cisowska January 5, 2016 at 11:34 am

Happy Birthday Katy, you inspire many!
Love your daily updates on your and family lives (and non-consumerism of course as well 🙂

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Nancy January 5, 2016 at 11:36 am

I too had a book fine–$11.5o! I really wasn’t upset about it for a couple of reasons: I had only bought 1 new book during the year(my book club doesn’t usually select new books) and in my retirement I am a mega library user. As I told the librarian,” It’s to a worthy cause”. I save so much money by using my local library that it seemed fair.
I have to add: I don’t get washing a towel after I’ve used it to dry my clean body. I hang it up and it’s good to go.
Love your blog.

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Katy January 5, 2016 at 12:46 pm

We normally reuse towels, but Luce changed that.

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Sandy January 5, 2016 at 12:16 pm

Happy, happy Birthday to you, Katy!!!
I don’t recall ho w I found you, your blog or Facebook group, but, I’m so grateful to have you in my life!
Wishing you decades of happiness!
Sandy

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Leah @ The Frugal South January 5, 2016 at 1:18 pm

Happy Birthday! You are an inspiration to me and thousands others! This pretty much sums up happiness to me: ” My sons want to go to college and actually enjoy spending time with me. My husband loves me and I have two library books calling my name.” That is success to me. 🙂

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Sarah January 5, 2016 at 3:14 pm

Happy birthday, Katy! That was a beautiful post!

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Marcia January 5, 2016 at 6:54 pm

So glad to hear you are having a happy birthday. I have to remind myself quite often to stop worrying and enjoy!! Your 48th birthday should be one of your best. I will be seeing my 73rd before the month is out (I hope!) Enjoy every one.

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MamaMinou January 5, 2016 at 7:32 pm

Happy Birthday, and thank you for writing your blog!

Also, Katy, you crack me up! Sadly, I can completely relate to the middle-aged lady mustache comment. I have recently employed the high-tech (but frugal) device known as tweezers to mitigate this very issue.

Congratulations on an ongoing job well done to your son, and of course you and your husband, for his academic success. And doesn’t it feel great to pay off that term? (Just did the same for my part of my oldest son’s second term of college).

Thank you for the perspective reminder!

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Diane January 6, 2016 at 4:18 am

Happy Birthday!

Wanting to go to college is huge. Kudos to your sons! Too many young people today go to college as just something to do.

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tonya January 6, 2016 at 7:35 am

Happy birthday! I loved this post. And just remember, as middle aged ( and beyond) women, extra weight plumps our faces, as well as our asses. Here’s to youthful faces!!

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MICHELLE GALLO January 6, 2016 at 10:53 am

Happy Belated Birthday Katy, and thank you for such a wonderful post. We have been going through some hard times recently, and I have had a really difficult time keeping my head up and a positive attitude. It was refreshing to hear your perspective. I need to make my goal this year to focus on the positive while working to downsize the negative (debt, health issues, etc.) Thank you for sharing this with us on your birthday!

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Anne January 6, 2016 at 11:12 am

Totally related to being sure of weight loss only to have the scale pull a dirty trick on me. I don’t know how many times I have glanced in the mirror and thought “hey, your stomach is definitely flatter, you must have lost weight.” Then I would hop on the scale to be absolutely horrified. I have given up scales.

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silandmys February 6, 2016 at 4:06 pm

My family is healthy and well, my older son loves college, (he even made the dean’s list!) and I just now transferred a cash payment for his winter term of college tuition, room and board. Where did you get this information?

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Maureen February 25, 2016 at 6:42 am

Happy Birthday!!! And thanks for sharing your happiness with all of us!

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