ProcrastiNATION

We, at least I am, are a nation of procrastinators.  I'm not sure how this develops.  It's not like I get some big rush by waiting to the last minute, having my blood-pressure rise, upset the spouse, the dog, and my bowels--is it worth it?

I've been getting better about planning ahead, but I still drift back to my old, comfortable ways and let the procrastination wash over me.  For example, this Blog.  I don't know how many times since my first post, I've said, "Hey, I should post something today!"  Well, I'm finally motivated, so I'll be posting a lot in the next few days to get all these random thoughts out of my head.

Well, my 30th birthday has come and gone.  I'm not sure what I was expecting.  Pigs to fly?  Hell freeze over?  It was just another "Day in the Life."  I spent the weekend prior to my birthday with a bunch of girls that I have been friends with for quite some years.  We ventured down to Hermann, Missouri and went to the winery and brewery there.  It was quite an interesting day, I saw several sides of people, including backsides.  It was a beautiful day and when I looked at the pictures, I'm not as fat as I imagined--you know you look at the same thing in your pictures!  On my actual birthday, which was a Monday (M-O-N-D-A-Y, S-U-C-K-S), I spent the day at a work in-service.  Ryan, the husband, had the day off and dinner was waiting for me when I came home.  It was very nice and low-key.

I plan on doing this every year, but here's a snapshot of me at 30.  It will be interesting to see what stays the same and what changes occur:  WARNING: This may be more than you will want to know about me!  ALSO: some of this is just listed so I won't forget...it gets a little random towards the end, because I keep thinking of things to write down.

The "Looks"--brown hair, shoulder length with bangs, brown eyes--I wear contacts and glasses, the crows-feet are beginning to appear as is cellulite.  Which brings us to weight, 135 lbs. and height 5'8", I'm not sure of my measurements, but that's probably a good thing.  Adult acne has made an appearance on my face.  "The girls" are still doing ok at 34DD, but gravity is beginning to take its toll--this is what I really fear the most, well, not the most, but I hate to think my girls are going to rest on my belly one day!  Shoe size is 8, at the LOFT I wear a size 6 or 8 and medium in shirts.  Ears pierced and one tattoo.

Family Status--my parents are both still alive.  My father will be 73 in January and my mom just turned 67.  I am an only child (that's pretty much a done deal) as are both of my parents.  I have been married to my husband Ryan, for 2 years this past July and currently we do not have any children.  However, we do have one hairy baby, Lola, our 1 year-old beagle.  We live in our first home, I drive a Corolla and Ry drives a Gallant.  Ryan's parents live in Iowa and his brother lives in South Carolina.  KyKy is still single.  We root for the Cubs, Bears, Chiefs, Mizzou, and the Royals (sometimes).  The Cubs still have not won a World Series since 1908.

Favorites--my favorite color is green, my favorite show is The Golden Girls, however Ry and I both really like Mad Men, Parenthood and Modern Family.  Favorite band is The Beatles, favorite word is Imagine, favorite book is To Kill A Mockingbird,  and favorite movie It's A Wonderful Life.  Favorite teachers: Mrs. Gee and Mr. Snelling.  History is my favorite subject.  Songs: Imagine, A Day in the Life, Hey Jude, Wish You Were Here,  and Don't Stop Believin'

Education and Career--Bachelors Degree from Northwest Missouri State University, Masters Degree from Baker University, have taken 4 hours past that.  I currently teach in the North Kansas City School District.  I teach  8th grade Social Studies, which happens to be American History, which I love!!!

Odds and Ends: I'm obsessed with cheese and I think it's cute when Lola toots.  I'm trying to follow The Maker's Diet, which is really just eating foods that are not processed.  I'm really bad at come-backs, I don't floss as often as I should or keep up my nails.  I have not had major surgery or stitches (knock-on-wood), I've been to 25 states, Mexico, the Bahamas, and Europe (England, France, Switzerland, and Italy).  I am getting better at posting pictures, but I'm still bad, actually I'm just cheap, about printing them.  I dislike spending my own money.  Most days I like my job.    I'm really bad at come-backs.  I can run 2 miles without dropping dead.  I don't always speak my mind, but I'm getting better about focusing on me and not worrying about what everyone else thinks and says.  Lola is the cutest dog ever!  Concerts/Shows: Ray Charles 2x, The Steve Miller Band, The Allman Brother (I think), Live, Counting Crows, Blink 182, MXPX, Blues Traveler 2x, Alanis Morisette, The Urge, The Violent Femmes, Matchbox 20, Garth Brooks, Michael Buble 2x, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Billy Joel, AC/DC, Larry the Cable Guy, Ron White, Beatles LOVE, RENT, Wicked, CATS, Fiddler on the Roof, Wizard of OZ, Annie, Grease, Will Rogers Follies, The Sound of Music, Hello, Dolly!, The Lion King, A Christmas Carol, Evita, Footloose, South Pacific, Little Shop of Horrors, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Miss Saigon, Man of La Mancha, Oklahoma!

Whew!

The countdown begins...

As I sit here pondering...no I'm not pondering.  I'm thinking how did I get here, to the age of 30?  These past 30 years have gone by so incredibly fast and I think that's what makes some of us panic about the looming  age of 30.

We're finally adults, although some of us don't want to accept that yet, but the world sees us that way, so ready or not!  I decided to do this blog a few weeks ago when I saw a post on Facebook.  A young man had taken a picture of his face, every year, for seven years and for some reason that really got me thinking.  First, what an awesome idea, not to mention the decidation involved and that my impending 30th birthday was just around the corner.

I have several reason for creating this blog.  First, as you might have guessed, is my turning 30 tomorrow, Ocotober 11th at 10:06 PM (I don't need to be refering to myself as 30 until that exact moment) and that I wanted a place to document my thoughts about turning 30 and my experiences during my 30s.  I've always thought, besides puberty, that my 20s were my most "life-altering" years.  I decided up on a career as a teacher, I graduated from college and I earned my Masters Degree.  I have survived 5 years of teaching middle school-aged children, I met and married my husband, I've purchased my first car on my own, I own a home, and I own a furry baby, named Lola.  That's a lot to experience in 10 years, but as I get older and hopefully a little wiser, I have a feeling that my 30s are going to be just as eventful, as they should be.

So...as my last night, as a twenty-something, I'm going to embark on a journey tomorrow and I'm not going to look back (ok, maybe a little).  So are you in, or are you out?