Birthday Bash

This picture is full of awesome. Just like my birthday party.

No kidding, I went to one of the best parties I've been to in years this past Saturday, and it just happened to be my birthday party. I'm one extremely lucky girl, and to that, I owe many thanks:

To Becky, thanks for being my super awesome sister and putting this together for me. I appreciate it very much and am so glad you are in my life! I've said it all along, I've always wanted a sister and am really enjoying finally getting to know you and living in the same city as you. It's kinda fun to know someone who has the same Jerry quirks as me...

To Evan & Archie, thank you for letting us use your spot. I hope that we didn't make too many neighbors angry. Or at least if we did, they have forgiven you. Evan, you are a peach, my favorite hugger and I adore you.

To my sweet B, you rock my world. Thank you for helping put this together & spending the time to plan it out and shop for all the goodies. The food was super yummy and I might be biased, but you were the hottest chef in the pool area. Thank you for putting up with my drunk rear and making me get up, after 14 hours of sleep and still being hungover, to ride in UAR on Sunday. I love the heck out of you.

Louay, thanks for bringing deadly jell-o shots. My mom always told me to beware of boys like you...

Thank you's for coming to celebrate with me, and possible apologies for being pushed in the pool, go to everyone else. You know who you are you sweet thangs and I love you.

CHEERS!

30/30

Today begins my last year in my twenties. I think I'm supposed to mourn them, but I don't. So far my twenties have not been horrible, they were as filled with the darkest, saddest moments of my life as they were with the brightest, most self-realizing ones. I have come out with a solid group of friends and family and the realization that I am strong enough to survive anything. I know that the older I get, the better my life gets. It's true - I look forward to getting older.

So here goes - I'm beginning my 30/30 project. 30 things to do before I turn 30. I can recognize the fact that growth is a continual thing and I know who I want to be, so I'm pushing myself in that direction. This list is in no particular order, I wrote it as my heart identified my personal needs and wants. I've just tried to quantify everything and give myself a measurable goal. I'm holding myself accountable, and hoping you all will help me along this journey.

Here goes nothing:

1. Try vegetarianism for a month
2. Run a 5k &/or half-marathon
3. Paydown school debts by at least 25%
4. Write & mail 5 letters/cards a month
5. Travel! See 3 new places, 1 of them foreign
6. Make a final decision about more school or CPA testing
7. Sew & craft more - make 1 dress
8. Keep the Mini clean
9. Cook & bake more - share & blog about it
10. Learn to knit/crochet & make a pillow
11. Make 12 new friends
12. Get healthier! Lose 15 pounds
13. Grow bookkeeping business & gain 2 new clients
14. Hike a 14'er
15. Get involved in a new sport
16. Blog/photo blog on the regular
17. Get more involved with Morgan Adams Foundation
18. Grow my music library
19. Get out more, cancel plans less
20. Read 1 new book a month
21. Whitewater raft
22. Do 1 good deed a day
23. Spend a day on a real beach
24. Try 3 new ethnic foods
25. Entertain more - have 3 dinners/brunches a month
26. Budget & live by it
27. Do a once-a-month photography excursion
28. Show/create/act with love
29. Keep 1 new plant alive for an entire year
30. Be true to myself in all that I do

There it is.

Who knows, maybe I'll be persistent enough to tell the tale of my triumphs and failures as far as this list goes...

A 29th... and a 1st

I used to be a writer. "Used to". It's definitely a skill that has to be practiced, so here I go again. Be patient, friends.

On the eve of my 29th birthday, I'm writing my first ever blog post.

I just lost my blog virginity. You guys aren't going to stop answering my calls now, are you?