I ran into someone the other day that I hadn't seen in a few years and the first thing she said to me was: "You look great for someone your age". I realize that she meant that to be a compliment but what she told me was that she thought I was old. Thanks a lot!

Ready or not, this week I turn 50. But haven't you heard? 50 is the new 30! Just look at Sharon Stone. Madonna. Both of them have joined the Still Fabulous at 50 Club. And now they're giving me membership, too.

I have no complaints. Life is good; I'm healthy, happily married, my kids are grown and doing well and I'm enjoying the freedom of a freelance voiceover artist.

My husband Jeff is taking me to the Northern California coast for a couple days to celebrate this milestone. We'll spend a night in Sausalito, which is just across the Golden Gate Bridge. We'll be looking over the bay at the twinkling lights of San Francisco. We'll eat a seafood dinner at Scoma's. The next day we'll drive up the coast, stopping at Stinson Beach, funky hippy-town Bolinas and then up to Bodega Bay for a night of relaxation before we head back to reality on Thursday.

I've spent this whole year coming to terms with the fact that I'm now a half-century old. And this is what I've decided: I'm going to embrace 50. Heck, I'm admitting it on my Blog right now. I'm 50! I'm 50 and lovin' it! 50 is the best age ever! See? I've accepted it and I own it.

There is a lot of wonderful things that happen at this age: I no longer feel like I have to climb the corporate ladder, make a million dollars or impress anyone. I am more relaxed, carefree and I don't worry about the small stuff anymore. I rarely vacuum. Or dust anything. I am comfortable in my own dusty skin.

I spend more time reading. I look at my watch less and I rarely set my alarm clock. I even spend time doing nothing. I have gotten comfortable with lying in a lounge chair around the pool for days on end. I soak up the sun......and I don't feel guilty. You know why? Because I am 50 and I can do whatever I want. Gosh darn it!

Fifty is liberating.

And then Jeff and I willl click our champagne glasses in a toast and enjoy the sunset on Bodega Bay.