Oh Wait...

Trying out the new birthday hashtag/motto. What rhymes? Masticate? Like really chew up the year? Meditate. Don't lose your cool. Mediate? Alleviate? Try not to hate? Love your mate?

Oh wait, I've gone off on an INXS tangent now.
Oh great.

Oh! That's it! #58IsGreat or if I'm feeling old that day how about #OhGreatIts58. But mostly the first one. That's the working theme. It's great. I'm great. We're all great.

If you say great too often it loses all of its meaning, which I mean we are living in surreal times right?

So looking back at last year's birthday blog and what did I want for this year?

Well, I want to be the best version of me that I can be. I want to be a safe place for my husband and my child during turbulent times. I want to continue to be grateful for what I have and not focused on what we might all lose. I want to be healthy, I want to be happy, I want to be present.

How did I do? Well the best version of me varies from day to day but I do try. I am the shelter in the storm as much as I can be. I try not to add to their woes at least. I am super grateful for my life and what we have. I think the threat of what we are losing at such a rapid rate has made me even more grateful for everything. I am healthy, knock wood, this year has been injury free. No major medical procedures or repairs. It's been lovely. I am happy when I'm not furious and even when I'm furious I'm still fairly happy. I am present except when I need to disassociate to be happy. So... yeah. Not bad.

Fifty seven wasn't all that bad all things considered. As people ask how I'm doing I tell them really well on the personal front, it's a shit show on the national front.

The coming year is going to be one where I just want to go with the flow a little more. I don't know what it's going to look like. Midterms are coming and I think they are going to be a mess, but I don't know so no use worrying too much about that. I said don't worry, not don't prepare. Check your registration and make sure you vote. And then make sure you're ready to march and make phone calls and back the results if needed. Don't worry about it until it comes, but don't just passively let them pass you by either. Okay, wait, where was I? Oh yeah, going with the flow...

And because Brent is just over 2 months away from his last day in the office I don't know how that's going to look either. But I'm really looking forward to finding out.

I'm still thinking about guitar. I've decided to go back to the gym instead of just using the gym in the garage. I'll keep doing the things that are working for me and see what new things come in to play and what things fall by the wayside. But going with the flow. Seeing where this new adventure takes us. And trying to appreciate it all along the way.

While also being the best me I can be, being a safe harbor for Brent and Katie during trying times, being grateful for my life, continuing to find the pockets of happiness, and being present.

So a redo year. But with more flowiness...

And here are the birthday pictures:

Happy cake and compliments day! I'm having my main cake tomorrow night but might have a little treat later because...BIRTHDAY. I hope you have something yummy and know that you are fabulous and I love having you in my life.