Tempting Fate at 28

Tomorrow I turn 28. Like other years when I've been either super excited for or even somewhat dreaded my birthday (or looked for hidden meaning/had an existential crisis), this year is different. I feel very calm with my life and where I am. In fact, I've never felt more sure that I'm doing this dang thing my way, and it's the right way. Shit, have I grown up? Or am I just delusional? OR am I just tempting fate? At 28? (Catchy, eh? Well, it's better than "Oh God, I'm 27.")

This year, I've decided to go with "Tempting Fate at 28" for a number of reasons. First, I feel like for the last 10 months or so, my life has changed dramatically and even though I work really, really hard, it's all totally worth it. FBG is kinda my baby, and Erin is the other parent. Not to mention that I recently landed a new, more rewarding day job where I'm respected, complimented when I do a good job and just generally valued. It rocks.

In addition, Miss Siena has been a joy to have in the house and watch her grow and change. It's really hard to imagine that at this time last year, she was just a fur ball. And while the Nut renovations are by no means complete (failed to meet a lot of these resolutions, whoops, lol), I love our house, and we've made great strides.

I also have the best family and friends possible. From a hot, loving husband to super supportive parents to friends I can't thank the universe enough for, I'm a lucky, lucky gal. Throw Obama in the mix and it's almost too much! [Head exploding with hope and happiness!]

However, I feel like things are only going to get better in 2009. FBG is gonna be bigger and better this year (read: profitable!), Siena might actually stop destroying things and the atrocious daisy wallpaper in the bedroom could get removed. I'm seriously so thankful for every moment and for every person in my life. And at 28, I'm only tempting fate to continue the mad love and grow it.

Since I never did an obligatory New Year's resolution post here, I thought I would do a combo resolutions/new-year-of-life goals to coincide with my birfday. Here goes:

1. You've probably already heard, but I'm vowing to run a 1/2 marathon this year. Running has always been my workout nemesis, and it's going down Saturday, March 28 in Olathe.

2. Eat more local fruits and veggies. The garden will continue and be expanded, as well as Ryan and I's consumption of produce from the KC area. I'm planning to join a CSA and hit up the farmer's market often.

3. Drink less. I love wine, so this one will be challenging. lol.

4. Play more. The computer must be off 30 minutes before bed. No exceptions!

5. Read more novels. I read an ishton on the computer and in the news, but there's nothing better than a good novel. A secondary goal to this is finishing Gone with the Wind. Only 100 more pages to go...

6. Replenish my soul/build creativity. These kind of go hand in hand, but this year I'm gonna love myself up by taking more breaks, doing less, buying less, taking more long baths and watching bad TV when I need to. Life isn't a to-do list. 

So, with that, I embark on 28, renewed, happy and very excited. Bring it fate. Bring it.

(My next post will look at my dream board...how darn near everything I put up there last year happened and what new things I've added to the board for this year. Stay tuned.)

Belated Easter Post; Securing Good Karma

First off, happy belated Easter to all. Here's a cartoon that cracks me up every freaking year:


I had an awesomely productive and heathen weekend. Ryan and I spent Friday night with friends, watching basketball and eating pizza. Saturday we spent the entire afternoon in the yard, puppy-proofing it and cleaning up leaves and such (oh the joys of owning of a home and a dog), and that evening we had dinner in the Power and Light District and stayed out late drinking with friends. Sunday morning, I convinced Ryan that we shouldn't go to church (honestly, we'd be one of those people who only go twice a year, and I hate being such a hypocrite), and instead I painted the office (more on that later this week when I finish up the "Mizzou Room") and Ryan played video games. (Holy, I know.) Sunday afternoon, Ryan and I did make an appearance at his parent's house to gorge ourselves on a ridiculous amount of food that his mom had prepared. It was one big tasty feast.

Siena had quite the weekend as well. She discovered a love for the water hose (I must get video of it and share; it's hilarious) and that paint really isn't very tasty.

This weekend, I also secured my good karma for at least a few weeks. While in Chicago two weeks ago, I lost a $20 bill, and Tish helped me feel better about it (it was the last cash I had left for the trip, and while I was away, Ryan had forgotten our ATM pin number and locked us out of our account for the remaining 24 hours of my trip, so I literally had no cash to get) by rationalizing that someone who needed it more than me would find it and be happy. Then, before we went over to Ryan's parent's house yesterday, we stopped for a very old dog that was obviously someone's pet and obviously very lost. Nimmer, as we came to learn after calling and then meeting her owner, was 13 years old, deaf and mostly blind. Thankfully, we found her before she went out into any of the busier streets in our neighborhood, and she had tags, and her owner was at home.

Now, according to good ole Wiki:

Through the law of karma, the effects of all deeds actively create past, present and future experiences, thus making one responsible for one's own life, and the pain and joy it brings to them and others.

Soooo...I figure my "giving" of the $20 bill and the saving of the dog is enough to make up for my flippant nature regarding church and weekend sinning...right???

I'm baaaaaack...

I'm happy to report that I have survived the eye pink ordeal and am back to living and working with the normal people of the world. (For a few days there I was having to go into work from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm to not infect anyone, and seriously, the people who are at the office that late and aren't cleaning the building are a tad odd. Some of them seemed to enjoy being there at that time. Weird.) Although I had to push back my work trip to San Diego a day due to my Quasimodo-like appearance and insanely low energy levels, I was a trooper and survived the show. I even managed to get in a few workouts while away. (However, that's really not that impressive of a feat because I'm technically required to cover early morning workouts for the mag, but I did get in a good 30 minutes each day I was there.)

While away in beautiful Cali, I took some time out to capture more than just the fitness equipment on the trade show floor. Pictured below is some of the beauty my hotel was surrounded by. My photos only do it partial justice, though. It was really like heaven in San Diego; not to mention that on the day these photos were taken it snowed in KC.

When I got back to KC, I was very excited to see the hubby and puppy. (That kind of rhymes.) According to Ryan, Siena frequently wandered around the house looking for me and whining while I was away. That simultaneously breaks my heart and makes me feel loved. Interesting combination.

Here's Siena waiting by the front door/chewing on her rope:

The last few days have been great for me. I'm feeling healthy and normal again. I'm back to working out. I'm cooking and eating nutritious foods. I'm back with the family (and Ryan can look at me without wincing). And, perhaps best of all, I'm working a regular work week with my usual hours. I'm not sure if its that darn Tolle book or what, but I feel like things are looking up for me professionally and personally. I'm taking more accountability for my happiness, and it's totally working.

Not to mention that on Thursday morning, I'll be heading to Chicago (AKA Chee town, Tish) to spend time with my kiwi pal for her 27th birthday. This trip is going to be so great, it's almost like I'm having a second birthday this year. Good times abound!!!

3 Best Friends, 3 Great Conversations

I'm feeling incredibly lucky tonight, and incredibly thankful. The last week has been a rough one for me...I've been stressed about work, time crunched in the evenings, dealing with family members' health issues, etc. They say the holidays are stressful, and sometimes "they" are right.

However, it only takes some good friends to pick you right back up. Tonight was the perfect example of that. On my way home, I chatted with Erin, discussing work, Christmas plans (dog and skiing!) and just being plain goofy and catching up. She'll be home for the holidays, and I'm so excited to see her! I need my twin.

Then, I had as much hung up with Erin, when Lizzy called me. We spent more than an hour on the phone discussing our paths to self-actualization (we seriously did), our career goals and our general life situations. Liz and I have known each other since college, and I feel like we've always grown together, making one another better.

Later on this evening, during the middle of stir frying some tofu and veggies, Tish called, telling me about her day and how she used her mad acting skills to win a game at work during their holiday party (I'll let her share all the details in her blog...because I'm sure she'll want to brag about that performance -- and rightfully so!). We discussed Christmas and how much it'll be different with her being in LA. It sucks, but we're doing what we can to make it the best it can be. (We're opening each other's gift at the same time Christmas Eve morning over the phone.) No one can stop the power of kiwi.

I love each of my best friends for who they are. Each one of them brings out something slightly different in me. While they all may have very different styles, likes, dislikes, passions, experiences, etc., they all have one thing in common. They bring out the best in me. Which, I really believe is the best barometer of a friendship.

So, even though Thanksgiving was a month ago, I'd like to take this time to give thanks for them and their friendship. It's a bit belated, but they've definitely put my unimportant stress in perspective and put me in the holiday spirit.

This year, it's definitely not about the presents under the Christmas tree (although I'm grateful to have the means to do so). It's all about the fantastic people in my life. God bless us, everyone!

The pitter-patter of little feet, er, paws?

It’s well known that Ryan and I plan on adopting a puppy in early 08 (or late 07 if I have my way). Lately, I've been addicted to http://www.petfinder.com/, which has introduced me to the following heart tuggers who are eargerly awaiting adoption:

Seriously...with those eyes...and little noses...and fuzzy ears...I want them all!

My massage therapist stole my chi

Massages are wonderful. They should make you feel wonderful. As a rule, they should make you feel better – not worse. Apparently, they can really suck though. Case-in-point:

Ryan went to Columbia Friday night, leaving The Nut and me (that sounded dirty, huh?) to a quiet, relaxing evening. In what I had titled, “Jentacular Friday Night Through Saturday Afternoon,” (catchy, I know – although for the record jentacular is an adjective describing breakfast, but I’ve reclaimed it as my own) I was to get a massage, watch girlie movies and Oprah, take a bubble bath, eat mint chocolate m&ms (my favorite!) and just generally be awesome doing everything I want to do.

So, Friday at 7 pm, I went in to get my massage. I was all excited, anticipating that Zen-like feeling you get post massage. I filled out my basic information – likes, dislikes – noting that I prefer a quiet massage therapist. I think it’s pretty safe to say that “Jessica” didn’t read the form.

She immediately started the massage by asking me numerous questions, few of which actually had to do with massage. Where was I from? Where did I go to high school? Did I have pets?

Yes, it was annoying. And, yes, it got worse.

She asked me why I came in for a massage. I explained that I really needed one after the stress of planning a wedding. She then went on to tell me a long, drawn-out story about how she almost got married once, but didn’t. Deaf to my uninterested uh-huhs, she continued, sucking me and my chi dry with every last bit of her insecurity. About half way through the massage, she finally shut up, but, alas, it was too late. I had lost it, and, at the time, I hadn’t even realized it.

When I got home, Tish called. She knew as soon as I started talking that something wasn’t right. “She stole your chi!” she declared. At first, I was like, no way…that’s not possible is it? But, then I got to thinking, and, yes, I really did feel like all my energy and spirit had been zapped out of me. There was no Zen, no nothing.

After Tish's hour-long pep talk to revive my chi, I started to get pissed. I did not buy a massage to listen to some women tell me that next time she’s going to marry a John Deere boy. No sir-ee. Nor, am I interested in the fact that I have “supple” calves. Dang it, that was my time and she should not have been running her mouth that much.

I’ve learned my lesson. Next time I get a massage, I’m getting a good referral from someone I trust beforehand. I’m also going to make it crystal clear that I don’t want idle chitchat, even if it takes telling the massage therapist during the massage that she needs to hush.

My chi is worth it!