Adventures and Reflections...

So as I am getting ready to embark on my big adventure I can’t help but reflect on the year that led me to this point. I am truly blessed in more ways than I ever imagined. This year has been one of the best of my life- in a stable- self reflective -seriously great and occasionally messy-sort of way. I have learned so so much about myself. I have also learned that traveling makes me very anxious. Why is that? I have been having dreams for the last several nights about forgetting the most necessary things… and being so embarrassed. I need to remind myself that there are Walgreens on every corner in more places than just Kansas. Also, I need to monitor my television habits. Watching 12 hours of Swamp People marathon is super awesome – until I dream of myself snorkeling and getting eaten by alligators- big, fat, super toofy gators… Yes! I know I should probably focus my dreams on a shark attack but the mind does what it does… ok so I’m still neurotic- clearly that hasn’t changed! Also my claustrophobia has gotten worse with age. There is nothing more terrifying than getting on a plane with a hundred strangers. Normally, I fly Southwest. I usually do an experiment in my head about how the last people aboard choose who they are going to sit next to. I try to figure out what criteria they are using in their head. That’s a fun game until I get stuck next to a crazy person or someone who smells like they just spent a month without running water. Will assigned seats be as much fun? hrrmmmm it’s like a lottery….(realization: i've never won the lottery =( )


Ok so back to reflecting on this year. What I’ve learned…

My family is crazy… like in a funny and adorable way… but I’ve come to realize that although my relationships with them may not be Hallmark Movie material all the time or maybe any of the time -its ok… so long as I do my best to let them each know that I love them and care about them I’ve done enough. I know I get frustrated pretty easily when people/ situations don’t live up to my expectations but that’s just what they are… my expectations. I’ve been working on my relationships with them where we are at… I’ve found it to be less frustrating then trying to live up to ol’ Hallmark…at when i just can't not be frustrated... there is always booze.

“It is what it is” is sooooo over…. more like it is what you make of it….

Saying no to yourself can make you better and stronger…yeah it sucks some of the time but what you can accomplish by keeping your eyes on the prize can also be pretty amazing.

Setting boundaries is a really good concept. People will say and do things. By things I mean crazy things… like you’ll scratch your head and wonder how they made it to this point in life things, surely your parents never had any children that actually lived things, and OMG SERIOUSLY???!!! things. The beauty of boundaries is you get to determine what effect those things have on your life and what level of you they get to experience going forward. My good friend Al explains it best with his “circle”. He really has something there….This year brought changes in my inner circle… much needed changes. It’s definitely smaller but I feel strongly that it’s legit… and if I ever get arrested you know you’ll be the first people I call =)

Sitting around waiting for some big life event to happen before you start living your life is well…pretty dumb. I did this… and I admit I was dumb. I always said I’d start worrying about retirement when I had a family. Turns out there’s probably a better plan and now that I’m almost 35 (EEEEK) and I do someday want to retire… (it suits my dad well – and I think it would look good on me too) so sorry to Prince Charming and my future kids or my crazy dog lady farm-…I’ve decided to start without you…

Less is more…except when it comes to letting your loved ones know you care, puppy snuggles, exercise, and money in the bank.

So the more I think about what I learned the more I realized I learned. Getting older really is a double edged sword… its hell on this old body but good for my perspective I guess… good ol’ mother nature! Haha

I’m so excited about 2012 (and life in general)… and I plan on working on my goals when I’m sitting on the beach sipping frosty beverages and I plan on sharing them with you when I get back. I’m not positive what all will make the list but I have a few ideas brewing. One thing is for certain- no marathons or half marathons. My toenails are back and I think I want them to stay. I guess I should follow that by no blowing up like the Goodyear Blimp either. I’m just ready for something different. No noodling- there was also a marathon of Hillbilly Handfishin on the same day as Swamp People and those people are nuckin futs.

My wish for you is that you have a very merry Christmas/holiday/ or whatever it is you celebrate and a Great New Years. Like Super great!

I plan on continuing to have the best.christmas.ever! And I can’t wait to share my adventures with you when I get back! In the meantime, I’ll be sure to post a pic or two from Hawaii to gloat! =) Mele Kalikimaka suckahhhs! :P