Sally Hansen and Kelly Parker

Yes, I have been ridiculously slack about posting lately.
I have no excuse except for life.
Long days, emails when I get home, and before I know it I'm looking at 9pm on the clock and contemplating practicing my curve with the to-do list.  Some weeks are like that...first full week into my 30's and I'm already on the verge of a breakdown.
Fantastic.

Today's been great.
Went for a long run after my coffee fix,...proceeded to sweat like I ran in the amazon,...

...then the morning was capped off with a couple hours spent with good friends and what they made...
A human.
Like arts and crafts, minus the glitter.....unless you're a little cra-cra.
I hate that saying by the way.
Finish the word.
Its "crazy."  Adding the z-y won't give you arthritis of the jaw.  Try it.
Nonetheless, it was a solid start to the day.

 Hard to believe July 4th came and went.
No, I didn't set off fireworks or watch them.  The closest I came to any pyrotechnic activity was lighting my over-sized yankee candle.  I live life on the edge.  Not worth $22, but by God if it smells like a walk in the sand I'll take 2.
Autumn/pumpkin flavors are my favorite.  Little factoid for your day.

The highlight of the weekend was an accidental near death experience in the bathroom yesterday.
I kid you not.
I was distracted:...throwing on my war paint,...straightening my hair,...cursing Pandora for 15 second commercials,...there was a lot going on.  In the midst of this vanity session, I reach for the mouth wash under the sink, twist the cap and take a swig.
Dear.  Lord.
I definitely grabbed nail polish remover and my mouth was literally on fire.  Forget washing your mouth out with soap, mom should have used some 'ol Sally Hansen and I would have never muttered a four letter word again.
Pretty sure that's illegal.
But seriously, it was a horrible experience and I could still taste it hours later.  Not my greatest moment.
I quickly moved the bottle.

Well, I want to end with a birthday wish to my lovely sister-in-law, Kelly.

 She is an amazing woman who has taught me a great deal about life, relationships, and what it means to live genuinely.
One thing I admire about her is her conscious use of words.  She does not waste them.  She does not take them lightly.  She uses them wisely and speaks from a place of honesty and true concern. 
She is a true blessing to my life and pushes me to improve daily.
Here's to another year of her life and influence, and to many more!!  Happy Birthday to a beautiful woman...

My List...

As promised,...here is my list of 30 things I've learned in 30 years...
Enjoy.

·        Life is hard.

·        Our resilience is undeniably strong, but remains a daily decision to move forward.

·         If you say you’re tired,…you’ll be tired.

·         Personal growth is a choice, and biological age has nothing to do with maturity.

·         We love to the extent we understand love and what we love.

·         Mediocrity is disguised regression.

·         Poor decisions are often made when tired…..and intoxicated.

·         What doesn’t challenge you doesn’t change you.

·         It is unrealistic to think you can please everyone, and foolish to try.

·         We are merely the average of the closest company we keep.

·         There is such a thing as too late.

·         A true friend will speak the truth, especially when it’s hard.

·         Being punctual is a small and yet important way to demonstrate respect.

·         You can either complain or be the catalyst for change.

·         People will disagree with you.  Expect it.

·         You cannot control someone’s response.

·         It takes a confident human being to genuinely celebrate others’ victories.

·         It is about progress, not perfection.

·         Your body is your responsibility.

·         Sexy is beautiful, but beautiful is not always sexy.

·         Your greatest gift to the world is an authentic self.

·         The only pedestals other people stand on are the ones we give them.

·         It is absolutely imperative to surround yourself with genuine, driven people.

·         Your greatest challenge and profitable information will be in figuring out why you do what you do.

·         Majority of people will choose to live blindly.

·         Words void of action are themselves’ void.

·         There is immense liberation in asking for help.

·         Your only competition is yourself.

·         Every piece of advice comes with a bias and history all its own.

·         Comfort zones become prisons when we actively chain ourselves to them.