36 Never Looked So Good, Felt So Good

Happy Birthday to me!  It's taken me 36 years, but I am finally beginning to feel at peace with myself.

No make up, no shower.  It's okay that I'm wearing yoga pants because I plan to workout later. It's okay anyways because it's my birthday and I can wear what I want.

I'm in just about the best shape of my life.  I have a wonderful husband, awesome kids, and a lovely home.  I've learned to embrace my quirks and feel comfortable in my own skin.  I've embraced my domestic side.  Over the past year, I've rediscovered a love for teaching after getting seriously burned out and questioning whether I made a mistake pursuing teaching as a career.  I've slowly been finding ways to take time for myself--gym time at the Y, lunch/dinner/coffee dates once a month with friends, book club, and occasional pedicures.  Sometimes all it takes is a little coffee and chocolate.  After taking a leap of faith and moving, we found an amazing school community.  Life isn't perfect, but it is definitely good.  Now that I am creeping toward being "over the hill" it is about time I start to enjoy it.

I celebrated my birthday by running away to Omaha, Nebraska.  I desperately needed a break from the demands of being "Mama."  My friend, Heather, lives in the middle of nowhere Nebraska.  Now that there are direct flights to Omaha, it doesn't seem quite as burdensome to get there.  I hate flying.  I am not a good flier.  Any slight amount of turbulence causes a flurry of "Hail Marys" to spew from my mouth until the sky calms.  Tears and vomiting on flights are no strangers to me.  Anyways, I miss my friend and couldn't think of a better way to relax than spend it with Heather.

The weekend started out promising. I got a massage at the airport and had time for a nap at the hotel before Heather arrived.  We went to the movies and had girly cocktails.  And then we woke up Saturday morning.  Heather didn't feel well.  This turned into Heather barely making it back to the hotel before becoming violently ill.  Needless to say, I spent Saturday wandering around the Old Market while Heather alternated between puking and sleeping.  Some people would be mad about the change in plans, but I tried to just enjoy the fact that I was responsible to no one but myself.  I got a lovely pedicure.  Instead of indulging in the hotel hot tub, we hung out in our jammies and watched two Lifetime movies and lots of Law and Order (SVU and Original).

I missed my babies terribly and I was so glad to see them.  We had already decided to celebrate my birthday a day early due to things like cub scouts and karate.  When I came home I saw they had hung balloons everywhere and there was a bouquet of flowers with a special balloon picked out by Eileen.  One of my favorite things about parenting is seeing what kids come up on their own when it comes to presents and celebrating.  I felt very loved.

I spent today, my actual birthday doing regular "mama" things.  I took the kids to school (but made them get hot lunch so I didn't have to make lunches), went grocery shopping with Robin, did several loads of laundry, folded laundry, picked up books at the library, and claimed my free drink at Starbucks.  Later I plan to get in a  workout during karate and then indulge in some cheesecake and wine once the kids are in bed.

I needed a break this weekend.--to sleep, to be accountable to no one, to just breathe, to watch Lifetime movies guilt free.  I feel so refreshed.  I think I need to do this yearly, although I don't know that Omaha will be my destination  of choice.  A hotel in Seattle sounds just dandy.  I've already given Dave permission to take a weekend.  He sounded ready after the past three days.  

Being 36 never felt so good.