Goodbye 29...

Hello 30.
Here I am.
I survived my birthday weekend, and can honestly say that while its been a mental hurdle to jump at the thought of my age beginning with a 3, I excitedly enter the next decade.  Game.  On.

We went out for some sushi, celebrated with a couple of my girls and family, and then retired to bed before midnight.  That pretty much set the standard right there.
I found myself sitting between my two pregnant friends at dinner, and as their growing breasts kept staring at me, I suddenly felt the need to take a pregnancy test after my rainbow roll.
We've officially entered that stage in life,...where you're either lactating, about to start lactating, or talking about lactating.  I've learned quite a bit, and cannot wait for their little ones to arrive.
...A couple more young minds to influence

Here are a few pics from the evening...

The night did not end there.
I woke up the next day (my official birthday) to a notification on my phone from facebook.  There was a picture of a pink flamingo and balloons in my yard.  I was in that stage of groggy/semi-coma so it took me a few minutes to figure out what the heck was going on.
Posted by my sister-in-law, Jan, I knew this was only the beginning...
Mailbox covered in streamers,...garage door decorated with banner and napkins,...streamers in the bushes,...banners on the house and door,...
When mom and dad stopped by a few hours later, I opened the door to discover that mom was standing in a massive spread of confetti glitter. (Ironic and yet very appropriate).
Apparently Jordan and Jan came by at 2 in the morning to do all this...unbelievable.
I left it up,....mainly to prove a point to someone who has an entire flee-market collection in the front lawn,...but also because the effort it was going to take to clean it up in 90* heat was more than I was willing to give on my birthday.
It was funny and I appreciate the effort ;)
And yes, the confetti is still on my walk-way......and now in my house....

Needless to say, I felt extremely loved this weekend...by family, friends, clients, the waiter at Mt Fufi who didn't kick us out for being loud...
Thank you everyone who sent me text/email/phone calls,...it truly means a lot, and I appreciate your kind words more than you know.  You are a part of my journey, and I am grateful.

I mentioned last week that I was coming up with a list of 30 things I've learned in 30 years.  I will post it tomorrow.  It will be all that I leave with you to read.  Shockingly, it is a serious list and I genuinely put a lot of thought/time into it.  Brace yourself.
So there ya go,....anticipation mounts.

Drunk and Haggard

More often than not my Tuesday morning feels like a recovery from a Monday beating.  Apparently I took shots in my sleep because the undeniable life-hangover this morning was pretty darn intense.  Once I get my first sips of coffee I'm usually good to go,...its actually getting to that point that is the struggle...

In no way did I actually feel like working out today,...in all honesty, I was so tired before I began that my chances of passing a walk-the-line test were pretty slim.  I was tired-drunk.
You know exactly what I'm talking about...
You're so tired you feel drunk,...haven't drank,...but feel like you might as well drink,...so you just marinate in your own worthlessness.  Yeah, that is generally the state I fight at least a few times per week.
I try not to show it, but people every now and then comment "Mer you look tired!"....which we all know is code for "you look like hell"...
Yes, I know.
I promise my goal is not to look like a portrait of awful and haggard prior to 4pm everyday.
That inevitably comes later...

Despite my desperate need for sleep, I got through a great workout and stayed awake in the shower.  Yes, I have dosed off during a scrub down. 
Not my proudest moment.
Add it to the list.

* * *

...Had a great conversation with a client this morning about setting goals and just what it looks like on an individual basis.
I covered this last Saturday, and it seemed to be a eye-opener for many in terms of long-term/short-term aspirations.
One thing I've noticed is that the majority of folks fail to honestly examine the day to day goals they can set and achieve to ultimately give them momentum to reach the long term ones.  As I've said before, it is critical to acknowledge these steps and victories along the way because they are important growth steps and catalyst for greater strides.  It may look different from person to person, but in essence it is the basic steps that move you forward...wherever "forward" goes for you.  And sometimes its not these huge nutritional/workout accomplishments we traditionally think of.  It can be anything that contributes to a greater YOU and ultimately betters the mind/body/soul you present to the world on a daily basis.
Here are a few examples:
- Incorporate 2 new stretches at the end of my workout
- drink 1 more glass of water
- increase weight on ____ exercise by 10%
- Spend 15 minutes leisurely reading with no distractions
- do not skip any meals due to "busyness" 
- Get in bed 10 minutes earlier

All of these are health related, but different...and doable!

Today, my list includes earlier bedtime and not putting a teenager in a headlock for complaining...
Small steps.