Ah, To Be 34 Again

Well, this week I turn 35. Normally, birthdays slip by unnoticed in my world, but this one does need attention. I mean, it is 35. Plus, with all the things happening in my life, it feels like I should stop and reflect for a moment. Just a brief one, to  make sure I'm ready.

Ever get those moments, where you pause and take inventory before heading out again on the path of life?

Now, there are good things about being 35 so I plan to enjoy the following;

-My new found power of turning the volume way down or way up with no one questioning it.

-The fact that I can ruin, and I mean ruin, any meal I want by eating ice cream before it, and no one tells my mom.

-Speaking of moms, she gave up on reforming me to her cleaning ways, and now calls my house "lived in." I feel like I won a life long battle against disappointment.

Of course, there are some weird things about being 35 too, and like some crab crawling in the sand toward me, I could see these things coming, but I ignored them until they snipped at me;

-I told someone I was 33 only to realize 2 days later how wrong I was. Doesn't matter, I don't remember who I told this to. hmmm.

-My friends and I discuss the odd-wild-untameable-grey hair, and not our out-of-control children. I suspect soon, we'll just love them for the joy they are. Denial?

-My daughter tells me I have the coolest old people clothes. Yay me?

Now giving up certain things isn't easy, yet I did give up trying to lose those prego pounds. Yay me!

I even gave up trying to understand certain things and just accept them for the pain in the back they are.

I accept the fact that some things annoy me, make me bitter, and that I am not the all motherly, loving, happy person I never used to be.

So what are my goals? I only have three, and they didn't change since the last time I took inventory. (When I turned 30.)

my goals;

-I want to learn to surf. Coming from Saskatchewan, this is HUGE. And involves swimming lessons and me standing on a beach at awe of waves I had no clue could be so noisy.

I have no logical reason for wanting to this, I just do.

-I want to actively participate in community development in another country. Don't get me wrong, I love working as a community development officer here, but when I read articles about 14 year old married girls who go through childbirth alone... well... there might be a more useful place for me and my husband to use our skills.

I have no reason for feeling this way, I just do.

-I want to hold one of my books, sign my name in it, and hand it to someone who I know will enjoy it.

Again, I have no reason for dreaming about this, I just do.

Now, based on those goals, I did learn somethings I need to... ah... work on this year;

-I need to learn to swim BEFORE I try surfing again. yeah.

-I need a better retirement plan than a library of books if I intend to volunteer in another country. huh.

-I have to actually send my MS out if I expect to see it in print. Who knew? 

So. I do have new rules for this year, just to make things easier. 

MY RULES FOR BEING 35 ;

-Always take a moment for myself, one to spoil a loved one, and one to help others outside my box.

-Enjoy a rockstar life at least once a month.  

-Never try to save an animal in danger without gloves on.

-Never catch a falling cactus without gloves on.

-In fact, there are a few other reasons to keep my gloves on, I'll just keep them handy.

-Always, always sleep with a nightlight on.

Should be fun. I'm ready. Bring on 35! I plan to kick some serious words this year! oh yeah.