Happy Birthday to Me

Today I am 37. How do I feel about that? Okay I guess. I definitely notice that I am getting older. My hair now has almost gray streaks instead of the random gray. I am starting to notice lines around my lips, and consciously try to make myself not purse my lips when I am concentrating so they won't get worse. If I don't stretch well before and after going on a run, I get injured. I notice that I feel out of whack if I don't consistently do yoga. I still have on my Christmas weight from last year. Before, it used to just fall off on its own in the summer when I was more active. I guess I should do something about that.

I find myself getting more conservative, which is pretty weird, considering I have no assets. I always thought that people migrated to conservatism because they had assets that they wanted to keep for themselves. You know, "I worked very hard for this money and I'll be darned if the government can take it and give to some no-good-niks that just sit on the couch and collect welfare." Perhaps it's because I know quite a few of those no-good-niks that are currently sitting on their couches and getting government aid. Perhaps it's because I go to the grocery store and cringe at the rising prices, when I know those couch-sitters are getting food stamps and don't have to make the same choices I do. Maybe that's it. Maybe I'm just more cynical.

Luckily, with age, I seem to be learning to accept things as they come and to be able to realize that the plan was just that -- a plan. Things change, roll with the punches, get up running. Also, this might be due to living with Mental Micky who lives by the Mick of Time rule.

This is the year I want to finally finish my dissertation. Going to school has been a rewarding and also terrible experience. I feel very old to be working this hard and to have nothing to show for it. I really want to be done and to start my life. It feels very weird to say that, that I want to start my life at 37! That's what it feels like, though. It's been very hard to be a mom, a wife to a small business owner who needs my help all the time, working part time or full time, and studying all at the same time. Plus we have dogs.

All in all, I am happy. So, that's the good part!