Twenty-seven

What is it about birthdays that make us focus on the negative? I have to admit, 27 may have been my "scary age". You know that age that when you were younger you were sure that you would have it all figured out by, but as the age approached you realized that you probably weren't going to be where you thought you should be. Well, that's where I am today, and I have to admit, it might be easier to complain about the fact that I'm not in the career I had imagined I would be in by now, and we're still in an apartment instead of owning our own house, and we aren't really in the position to have a puppy or a baby, and unlike last year I am not in Italy...okay...maybe that's just me...and maybe last year's birthday was a little special (we were on our honeymoon after all!).

Anyway - I have decided to focus on the 27 things I love about where I am right now :)

1) While I may not be in the career I had imagined when I was 12 (though I suppose the only careers I knew about were doctors and lawyers) I work at a great company, and have the most amazing group of coworkers I could have ever imagined.
2) I married my high school sweetheart, and after 1 year of marriage we are as happy as ever.
3) Just because of some of those things I don't have right now, such as the lack of a house payment, and minimal responsibilities (no children or pets) gives my husband and I the freedom to travel. Las Vegas in December? Chicago in February? Somewhere hot in March? Sure!
4) I love that I have the room in my kitchen and the tools to really experiment with cooking and baking. Also, starting this experimentation in an apartment has allowed me to come up with what might be really important to me when the time comes to buy a house.
5) I have an amazing family - and not just the family I was born with, but also the family I inherited through marriage.
6) I love living in Minnesota. Although it is pretty much the only place I have every lived, except a brief stint in Michigan, I absolutely love it. I love the culture, the variety of things to do, the people, and even the four seasons.
7) I love being able to go to bed when I want and sleep uninterrupted until my alarm goes off. Apparently you lose that with puppies and children...as any parent will quickly tell you.
8) I love that I live a short drive to all the restaurants and entertainment the Twin Cities have to offer, but there is a wooded path outside my back door. And having a balcony that looks out on the trees isn't bad either.
9) I love that I know there is still so much out there to learn.
10) And it is great to have the support to try all those new things.
11) I love the things that I have gotten to experience in these last 27 years. Those things have all shaped who I am now.
12) I love that I have been able to cut out a little bit of room in our apartment to be able to create. The sewing machine and easel have a permanent home and I can use them whenever I am inspired.
13) My husband and I have great friends. Some are couple friends, and some are our own, but they are all wonderful. We can always find something great to do.
14) I live in walking distance to a wine shop...that's attached to an ice cream shop. I don't think you can get much better than that!
15) Even though I don't have children right now, there are plenty of them in my life. I love being able to borrow kids for the day and then returning them when they're tired (or more realistically when I'm tired).
16) I don't feel finished.
17) I love having time to myself...to read a book, to watch my favorite show, to page through a magazine.
18) Most people don't look at me like I'm 12 anymore.
19) My husband and I both have fairly stable jobs in an economy where that isn't necessarily the norm.
20) I love daydreaming about where I am going to travel next, and knowing that the dream can become a reality.
21) That I am much closer to embracing myself than when I was younger.
22) That we live close enough to family to see everyone on a regular basis (but not so close that the regular basis is daily).
23) That I'm in a place where I can start to determine what my decorating style really is...without too much commitment.
24) That I have finally watched Dirty Dancing though it may have taken 27 years.
25) That my husband doesn't mind doing the dishes...seriously...I lucked out on that one.
26) Today I love that even though it is Wednesday - I'm at home. Nobody should have to work on their birthday.
27) Did you know 27 really isn't old? And neither is 30. Frankly I've heard 30 is the new 20...so I guess that makes me 17...except without the braces.

Well, there we have it. And I have to say, I feel a lot better about this getting another year older thing after that exercise.

I'm excited to start out my 27th year from where I am right now.