Another down, only God knows how many remaining. Not that I intend to give the impression that I’m counting down, but it’s always a nice thing to celebrate being blessed with making it to another complete year of life, especially if it is tough. lol I was thinking about how tough I sometimes think life is when I started reading this article about Betancourt and decided that it isn’t so bad after all. Sometimes you just need a little perspective.

Anyway, I spent my 30th birthday with four of my favorite friends (well 3 and a husband, but I include him too because he’s like a distant cousin or something too). My friends knowing that I was weighted down with issues going on in my life, successfully kept me from “raining” most of the day. I was so thankful for them. I called one early in the morning on Saturday, went over her house and basically ran errands with her to get ready for our mini party. Her husband had just gotten a new barbecue grill for father’s day and had tons of grilling questions. Since I come from the family who grills in the snow and am also the same person who will almost run off of the road when I smell some good grilled food while driving, his new grilling experience was the perfect activity to keep me from thinking about my own issues. Plus, you know how I love food. We had a nice dinner.

I wanted to start this new year with a short list of things I want to keep in mind and I thought I would share them with you.

1. I am so incredibly blessed. With everything that happens, it is important to remember that, and I am so thankful. Things could always be different and it is important to keep that in mind because it will change the way you think about your own circumstances.

2. I have decided that it is my birthday for the next month. I’m not sure what that entails, lol, but I like the way it sounds and it makes me smile.

3. I’m trying to do a little something to celebrate myself every day. I know someone who might think that may be selfish, but I really don’t care. I spend way too much time stressing and worrying and that’s something I’d like to do less. So, today I had a strawberry cupcake and just enjoyed the delicious flavors. Sometimes you just have to keep it simple and take a moment to just relax and enjoy a cupcake. lol Tomorrow I think my moment will include the continuation of my new (for the 30 year old) exercise regimen to combat my sudden weight gain from, oh the last 2 weeks. I’ll be working that crap off for months! Ugh.

4. In fact, I think my last comment is worthy of being it’s own idea. Right now, exercise is a good way for me to relax, plus that extra 10 has to go. I’m not buying anymore clothes. For the last couple of days it has only involved walking, mostly because I’m horribly out of shape but I plan to step it up over the next couple of weeks.

5. Despite the fact that I had that wonderful strawberry cupcake today, I am going to watch my intake a little more closely. I am not going on a strict diet, but am just going to cook, increase vegetable intake, and other things I usually do but for some reason didn’t do for the months of May and June.

6. I think I’m going to take the dog for more walks. lol I’m sure you’re asking me why, especially since I almost loathe him. Don’t tell anyone, but I kind of like him. He’s annoying, yes, but he’s much less annoying if you take him out more, so I think I’ll do that. We have all sorts of little parks in the area, and since we’ll only be living together for 1.5 more months (THANK THE LORD!!!), I will make him and me as happy as possible for that time.

7. I’m going to try to be a better friend. I haven’t been a very good one to a lot of important people in my life, and that sucks.

8. I’m trying to make this year be a very productive one. I have a bunch of things I need to do including

- Work on my business

- Finish an analysis that I haven’t had a chance to do

- Or two… Ugh

- Or three (I’m so behind)

- Start a new project over at a nearby university (I’m really excited about this)

- Write a proposal for a research project that will fund me (another new project)

(and there is July and August in a nutshell)

9. I’m going to do a better job of enjoying the ride

10.  I do not have to work to prove myself to people.  I have been trying to do that for a long time, and it just needs to stop.  You really can’t do anything to change what people think, and I accept that.  I think I’m pretty ok (despite the fact that I just said I was a lousy friend sometimes), not perfect, can definitely improve, will certainly continue to try to do that, but at the same time I refuse to be paranoid about what everyone else thinks of me when only 1 opinion really matters.

~CR