30 in 365

In mere hours my 365th day will commence. This year has been pretty amazing. It turned out to be everything I ever could have hoped for and more. I set out on the journey of this year with the idea to make it great. I didn't feel like I had accomplished all  that I had hoped to in my 20s and I was bound and determined to make 30 everything that my 20s hadn't been. I wanted to feel like I had really lived. I have to say that I fit a lot of living into the last 365 days. I couldn't be happier. I know that I will not forget all that 30 brought me, and more has happened than what the confines of this blog allows. But, here's a recap just to prove how amazing it has been:



I joined a gym and got all buffy
(the last few weeks has killed that, but not for long)





I went to LA, and ROCKED it!



I went to Australia--a dream come true





I bought a new house.
It is AMAZING!

I got back to my roots.

I went to Guatemala and learned that I have so
much when others have so little.





I rid myself of my albatross.

I visited A Christmas Story House,
fulfilling another dream.





I met Chris. Probably the most unexpected
part of this year, but a great part nevertheless.

Instead of the cross, the Albatross About my neck was hung

"The selfsame moment I could pray;
And from my neck so free
The Albatross fell off, and sank
Like lead into the sea."

The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner

3rd annual

For the last few years my friend Laura and I have celebrated my birthday at Buffalo Wings and Ribs--our favorite. I don't get to see Laura much, but I've known her my whole life and any time I see her it doesn't seem like any time has passed. I'm blessed with great friends.

So it begins

Allow the 31st birthday festivities begin

T-minus 27 hours

It just occurred to me today that I have a mere day before I officially turn 31. It also just occurred to me that 31 sounds old when you say it. Say 30 and it sounds young and hip and thriving. Um, 31, not so much. I've already begun the birthday celebrations and I'm quite excited about them. I have a few things I must post tomorrow to finish out this amazing year, but I do have to say 30, flirty, and thriving indeed I have been.

A Major Award

This weekend I had the opportunity to do something I have always dreamed of doing. I visited A Christmas Story house in Cleveland. I have loved A Christmas Story since I was about 16. Since I found out about A Christmas Story House several years ago, I have wanted to go. Thanks to the ever-wonderful Chris Mann who said "Let's go," I got to go. It was everything I hoped it would be--even better, it snowed big beautiful flakes, just like in the movie. Check it out:

The Girls

Friday night was the first official annual girls "getting ready for Christmas" party. Let me say that it was EPIC. Oh, and my girls can drink. Simply a sample of what we got into :)