Fantabulous Friday

It's finally friday (ok, almost but Thursday night is close enough for me)!! Yeah for all of us!!

Earlier this week Sam (at Believe In Yourself ) asked her followers to "Count thy Blessings". I had desperately wanted to comment but I'm getting bit comment shy these days because of others comments to my comments on other posts (one commenter made me question my relationship with in God (for a split second) and I didn't take to kindly to the feeling). Had I commented I would have posted that I am very blessed to have my husband (who is my rock), blessed to have my pug (who helps me with my patience and loves me no matter what kind of day anyone has had), blessed to have my job, and blessed to have this blog. This blog allows me to vent; express what's on my heart, mind, and soul without guilt or fear of retribution; and is a humble reminder that I am not alone.

We have all suffered in one way or another. Some have lost siblings. Some have parents. But none have lost their way. We sometimes think we have lost our way. We sometimes we feel like we've lost our way. But we haven't. We're still here fighting our battles and giving a run for the money.

So in honor of all you bloggers, I present Fantabulous Friday. Fantabulous Fridays is when folks talk about things they are fans of (or want to be fans of) and why they think the item is fabulous.

I'll start. But because some days I struggle with things to write (or run out of things to put on my list) I am going to only list 2 things. Besides it's Friday and we're not supposed to have to think so hard on Fridays.

First thing I am a fan of are bikes, most particularly the 1970's style "coaster". I think the big seats and pedal stop is FABULOUS for those of us who are not so coordinated (or have big butts). Mine is Lime green and white (with a blue pinstripe) with a white wicker basket. I bought it for myself last year for my birthday. the longest I have ridden on it is 10 miles and plan on getting a lot more on it this summer!!

The second thing I am a fan of is my Garmin wrist watch. That fabulous beauty tells me how many miles I've done, how long it took to do it and how I did them (at what pace), and downloads onto the computer. It gives me averages and inspires me to move a little further. And sometimes it makes me go faster!!

Did you ever notice...

how much easier it is to eat healthy during the summer months? Fresh fruits and veggies galor e AND available on just about every corner. Or if you're lucky enough you have your own garden to grow all your favorites. I'm in heaven right now with all the fresh items available. Instead of reaching for a bag of chips or a cookie I'm grabbing an orange, peach, kiwi, etc.

I LOVE WARM WEATHER!! :o)

years of photos...

I took tomorrow off to celebrate the hubby's birthday (he's working though! hee hee). On nights I don't have to work the next day I stay up late (usuallly-yes, I know this is a big no no but it's part of my youth I refuse to let go of right now). Tonight I was going through some disks with photos from years gone by and noticed a recurring theme. Many of these disks either had my lil FB or the St. Louis Cardinals. I also have a few of flowers, animals, and a 5k I did with some co-workers (in which I ran 1/2 of it).


Fredbird early 2008
hybiscus (sp) I planted our first summer here (mid 2008)

The "real" Fredbird at Winter Warm up 2009

Lil Fredbird Christmas of 2007

Fredbird Nov 2008 with his fave baby

I'm the second from the left...that was a great great day...such a wonderfully supportive group of runners...I miss them!!

Lordy Lordy Look who’ll be 40!!

Since you don't know me very well let me just come straight out and tell you; I LOVE my birthday. I feel as if it’s MY day, made specially for me, to do what I want-mostly anyhow. Sadly, most birthdays of recent years have been a let down because no one seems to understand what a big deal it is to me. My mom totally got it (and BTW it’s all her fault I feel like I do because she made our birthdays a REALLY BIG DEAL--HUGE) but I won’t go there…not today.

Weeks ago, when there was still 40 days left until my birthday, I had planned on doing a post titled “40 days of birthday” in which I would list 40 things I wanted to do by my 40th birthday (that I was going to post-see title a few lines above) and do one thing each day. I mean, everyone should celebrate there birthday for at least a month right!?! But I stalled out at like 25. Figures…1st thing to peter-out as I age is my “desire to do fun and outlandish things.” Notice I didn’t say memory…cuz I remember things just fine. Sometimes-too fine. But (Again) I won’t go there…not today.

So anyway, the point of the list was to do things that were cheap/free, that I hadn’t done in awhile (if ever), to get me (and the hubby?) off the couch. And let’s not forget things that would be FUN (or lead to fun). I put down take a picnic, fly a kite, go to a Grizzlies baseball game, eat raw oysters (check—did this as I was making the list), go to a drive in, go fishing, go to the botanical garden, lose 8 lbs..but I never got the list done (remember I stalled at 25) and I’m 25 days away. So what’s the point now. Besides, let me be honest…the list of things was boring and forced. The only fun thing on the list was that I wanted a party. A real party with real people doing real fun things; not just a party with family. Matter of fact if you could leave the family part out of it, it’d be even funner. Yes I know funner is not a word but I don’t care-it’s MY birthday (stomping foot). But no one around here knows how important my 40th birthday is (or any birthday of mine) so if there’s gonna be a party I’m going to have to plan it. Which I suppose I could do (I had entertained the thought of going to Vegas but who can afford that) but doesn’t appeal to me today because I don’t want people to think I’m “that kind of person”. The kind that has to be the center of attention, wear a princess crown all around town singing “It’s my birthday it’s my birthday” and expecting everyone to stop and sing happy birthday to me. Sounds a bit silly now that I think about it. So no party for me…VERY BIG SIGH.

Anyway (again)…I’ve only lost 3 of the 8 lbs and eaten the oysters. Nothing else on the list has gotten done. And I’ve lost the desire to have a to-do list leading up to my birthday. Sadly, I’ve even lost the desire to even celebrate my birthday, even at work (which I’m normally in charge of birthday treats). And I pray that the gal at work who is in charge of my birthday goes into labor before the 8th (she's due the 14th of July). Is that mean of me? To wish someone goes into labor before her due date just to get out of celebrating my birthday? What I ask, is wrong with me??!?!!?!? Ugh. Sigh. Yikes. 40. Who’d a thunk it…I didn’t plan this far ahead yah know…when I was a teenager I guess I never knew there was life after 21.

So, for those of you over 40..is 40 really ALL that? I heard it was da bomb..turning 40…but I can feel the water works starting just thinking about 40….

and a recap of the weekend...I walked 4.05 miles in honor of the Susan Komen walk on Saturday. It took us 1 hr and 10 mins and included some serious hills. I felt great once I was done. I had signed up for the walk itself that day but then heard there would be 70,000 plus other people showing up. and I don't do crowds well. at it was going to be hot. and the Komen walk didn't start until 9 so I wanted to get done and get back in.