Just another birthday…

Why are birthdays so important to some people? Why are some so focused on presents and expensive meals and “all eyes on me”? I’m not knocking it, I’m simply asking, why?

Yesterday I celebrated my 35th birthday. I got up early and had an average, yet oh so lovely breakfast of oatmeal and fruit. I headed off to a Zumba class with and instructor and friend I haven’t worked out with in a while.  I then headed home before I went off for free kayayking (yes I took advantage of the free kayaking on your birthday deal) on the Allegheny River. I went to my parents where I had hot dogs and coleslaw with some of my family before heading to the drive-in with my nephews. This of course was a treat for them more than me, but I was happy to do it all the same.

My cousin commented to my friend that she felt bad dragging me to the drive-in on my birthday. Feel bad? Why? There is no reason to feel bad. If I didn’t want to go, I wouldn’t have gone. If I wanted to go out with a bunch of friends and eat a pricey meal and drink too much I would have. But yesterday was just another day. I don’t think birthdays are all that special (especially after 21 and then not again until your 80 or so). Sure it was my birthday and I immensely enjoyed all the birthday greetings both in person and online. I was appreciative of the free afternoon of kayaking. But more importantly I was happy to be here: alive, healthy and here with the people I love.

I’m not always the best at sharing my feeling for others. I’m not a hugger or an “I love you” kind of person. Unless your under 10. I find it a lot easier with the kids. But I want everyone to know how much I appreciate them for taking even one minute out of their day to make my birthday special with out anything fancy. Just you being you is all I want. And hopefully just me being me is all others want from me. I’m not so good at being anyone else.

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Almost 35…

Tomorrow I turn 35. In just a few short hours I will officially be 35 years old. I have never been bothered by a birthday before. Every year my birthday comes, I celebrate in some way and then life goes on. This year has been a bit different. There have been tears and sobbing and tears and sobbing. For what? There is no reason for this insanity. I am not going to change when the clock strikes midnight. My dress won’t turn to rags and I don’t plan to lose a shoe. Unfortunately (to continue the Cinderella theme), Prince Charming most likely won’t come looking for me. This birthday will be just like all the rest.

I, on the other hand, feel very different. I don’t feel older. If anything I physically feel better this year than I have in many years. I am healthier, thinner and more confident about myself. I feel like I am not moving forward quite like I had hoped. I am still single, working at the same job (which I do like), making the same salary, living month to month and pay to pay.

So, the question is how to I make this year the best year, ever?

I have a few things up my sleeve. The plan is to reveal one thing each day for the next 365 days. And when I turn 36 I want to reflect upon the most amazing year and wonder how It could ever get any better!

My favorite things about Kennywood yesterday

As a teenager I spent 12 hours a day, six days a week working games at Kennywood. The 12 hours I spent there yesterday were much more exhausting but well worth it.

Here are a few of my favorite things about the day:

1. While walking into the park the first things you see is the Skyrocket (a really awesome roller coaster). Max, 2 years old and cute as pie, exclaims “I want to go on that one!”
2. Riding every ride in Kiddie Land four or five times is more tiring for the grown-ups than the kids.
3. It was a beautifully sunny day. Sunscreen is my friend.
4. I waited exactly 1 hour from the minute I stepped in line to the minute I stepped off the Exterminator. I love that ride. It may be my favorite.
5. The tatoo of Jesus carrying His cross that read (use your terminator voice) “I’ll Be Back.”
6. The young girls whose shirt read “I’m the Pink in his world of Camo.” Really? Better you than me.
7. The over abundance of horribly dressed people of all ages and sizes. I don’t mean to judge but sometimes I just want to ask others if they looked in the mirror before they left the house. And if so, did the actually like what they saw?
8.  When you enter Noah’s Ark you enter an elevator that “crashes to the bottom of the elevator shaft” with lights flashing and banging noises. When the door to the elevator opens Cole confidently explains “They tricked us. They flashed the lights.” He had no fear. He may be too smart for his own good. He impressed many strangers with his smarts on that elevator.
9. The Jack Rabbit. I love it!
10. Cole and Max are tall enough to ride the Jack Rabbit but not the Racer. I can’t explain it but I am OK with it.
11. Max happily got on the Jack Rabbit but from the first hill the the end he tried to slip from the seat belt and cried, a lot. When it finally stopped I told Max we were all finished and he shouted with a great deal of excitement, over and over again, “we made it. We made it.” Yes we did, Max. Yes we did!
12. Patch fries! And a line only 3 deep. I almost hit the floor with disbelief when I saw the lines.
13. I was able to fill my water bottle five or six or seven times. Thumbs up to staying hydrated.
14. I think Max likes me. Over two years of saying I don’t think Max really likes me. His mom and Pap pap were present and he still chose to ride with me over and over again. Yay!
15. Funnel cakes for dinner!