33: The Year of Me

My birthday is coming up in one week! I love my birthday! The weather is turning cooler, pumpkins are everywhere, and the presents. I love the presents. Just in case anyone didn't know. Lol! Every time my birthday rolls around, I think back to all my birthday parties. I have so many fond memories of many giggly sleepovers and one famous hayride that put an end to all hayrides. Let's leave it at that, shall we? I also remember one birthday sleepover where two dozen chocolate cupcakes and at least two loaves of bread worth of grilled cheeses were eaten by about 4 or 5 girls. I remember my birthday parties at home with homemade cakes and family gathered around singing happy birthday so off key that wolves would howl. I may not remember all the presents given, but I remember the love I felt. So much love! I was born on a very special day and that day is not Columbus Day. I was born on my Papa's birthday. I have always shared my birthday with him. My heart aches. This will be the 2nd birthday without him here. It just doesn't feel right blowing out my candles without him here. Every time I smell a cigar, see a cow or cowboy hat, hear a lawn mower, hear "Yellow Rose of Texas," or see John Wayne, I think of him and how much I miss him. I miss him so much. I wonder what birthdays in heaven are like? I'm sure there are some Bible scholars out there that would say we don't have birthdays in heaven...to those people, I say, "hush." I just know that Jesus likes to party and birthdays are fun. Maybe they celebrate your heavenly birthdays up there. We don't know. I like to think that we will party with lots of yummy food and not a pound gained. :) Speaking of pounds, I've lost some. Not a ton, but some pounds have been lost. My hubby finally put my elliptical together last night. We've had it for a month, but it is finally together. I ellipted (?) for 25 minutes. Go me. As for food, I totally stink at this whole diet thing. I tried the no carb, no sugar life. I really tried. And I really stink at it. I love the carbs. I just cannot deal with high protein. I only like chicken, pork, and beef. That's it. I don't eat the water animals. I also don't like mushrooms. Or avacado. Or olives. Or carrots. Or kale. Or or or or or. I'm picky. I admit it. I like cheese and bread. I could seriously eat a grilled cheese every day. A grilled cheese and chips. This is not healthy. I am just counting calories. It's all I can do. And even then...fitness pal yells at you if you eat certain things. I am doing the best I can, fitness pal. I know my choice isn't awesome, but it is under my calorie count so...shove it. I'm going to have to chill out when Halloween gets here. I cannot lose my mind when the chocolate is everywhere. Someone needs to send me a sweet gift that is not candy and remind me to not eat the candy. I love Halloween though. I love the cute decorations. Not the scary ones. The scary ones need to go. Here are things I'm excited about: Harry Potter, Hocus Pocus, Nightmare before Christmas, Halloweentown, pumpkin patches, trick or treating with Macy (she is going to be a peacock), and Holiday House. Who else goes to Holiday House? I love this new tradition that me and my girlfriends do every year! We have the best time! You should go if you get a chance. Lastly, I am calling this year, 33 year of me. It's not that I'm trying to be selfish. I need to focus on my spiritual and physical health. I need to get healthy for my family and myself. I need to get close to the Lord and grow in Him more than I ever have before. I always have good intentions, but that just doesn't cut it. I need the Lord. I need His guidance. I need His strength. What about you? Where are you spirtually? If you feel like me, join me in drawing near to the Lord. Find a good Bible study, join a community group or a Group at church, make a decision to read the Bible in a year, start a journal, etc. I'm excited about what the Lord is going to do in my life this year. Are you?