This is me on my 1st birthday. . .
before I really knew how to smile pretty.
The BIG 3-0 is fast approaching. This Friday to be exact.
And as weird as it sounds, I’m actually looking forward to it.
I mean, don’t get me wrong.
There is a big piece of me that, in a feeble attempt to cling to my youth, is in a fury of wanting to do that which I have not done before.
To tie up loose ends.
And loosen up tight ones.
To live on the edge a bit.
OK. A Little edgier than this.
But not THIS edgey.
I’m still sufficiently afraid of heights.
I’m talkin’ simple stuff.
Like paddle boarding for example.
Sure. Why not?
Check.
Naoma, Kim, and I in Huntington Harbor.
Go on a girls trip to San Francisco with one of my oldest,
dearest friends, Kim, to visit one of our equally oldest, dearest friends, Jessica.
Check.
Kim and I overlooking the Bay Bridge.
To get out, do things, be in the hustle and bustle of this
beautiful, gritty city and let it take us for a ride.
Check.
Jessica and I out for a night out on the town in Oakland.
Take public transportation, and NOT get lost.
Not even once.
Check.
Get a tattoo, San Fran style.
Check.
The M’s are a nod to the McMahon family headstone, but more
importantly, are from Travis and my wedding invitation (designed by my Pops).
Location: Left side, on the ribs. Painful? Yes. But I was a champ.
And it was all for love.
[Dad, if you are seeing this for the first time, SURPRISE! And enjoy!]
Plan a trip to the Grand Canyon with the hubs.
Check.
I can’t wait!
Go to the beach as much as possible.
And be totally irresponsible about putting on sunscreen.
Just this Summer.
Mom, I promise, next Summer I will be better about slappin’ on the SPF.
Check.
Sunset Beach, my personal local fav.
Shoot a gun.
Which I’ve pretty much been deathly afraid of my whole life.
But hey, why not? Let’s live a little.
(I’m not sure if this one comes from seeing the Columbiana previews,
but Zoe Saldana looks so badass shooting a gun, I kinda wanna learn.)
OK. This one is not checked off yet.
OK. This one is not checked off yet.
Badass, right?
Rekindle decade-old friendships.
You know who you are.
Check.
Ali and I. Friends since 1st grade.
We rarely see each other, but ALWAYS have so much fun when we do!
Get in shape now, cause it's all downhill from here.
Or so they say.
I figure I'll try to go out on high note.
And thanks to running my two chocolate labs, gym time, and yoga 84 days of the last 92. . .
(And yes, I'm keeping track.)
Check.
Get in shape now, cause it's all downhill from here.
Or so they say.
I figure I'll try to go out on high note.
And thanks to running my two chocolate labs, gym time, and yoga 84 days of the last 92. . .
(And yes, I'm keeping track.)
Check.
With all that being said. . .
I'm the eldest of my immediate group of friends, for reasons that I won't go into
too much detail beyond the fact that I went to Kindergarten twice.
Yeah. Twice. Don't judge me.
I don't know if I failed Finger Painting 101 or what. . .
. . . but the Catholic school my parents wanted to send
me to said I was too shy to enter the 1st grade.
Me. Too shy? I know, I am just as surprised as you.
I guess I have my moments.
So long story short, I have been the eldest in my group for many-a-years.
In the beginning, it was cool to be older.
Soon enough, it will be less cool. More old. Less awesome.
Pretty much since we reached the legal drinking age of 21, it kind of lost the glam factor.
Pretty much since we reached the legal drinking age of 21, it kind of lost the glam factor.
But I digress.
My point is that I am going to be the first of my friends to reach this hurtle,
and I'm looking forward to being the pioneer.
It's like an Ah-HA moment.
Life has been pretty darn good to me these past 30 years.
And I'm excited for what the next 30+ have to offer.
I even have an extra little jump in my step.
I realize that I'm pretty darn lucky to have family
who love and support me to no end.
In these next 30 plus years, there is more exciting stuff to do.
Like extending our little family.
(i.e. adding babies).
And having more career challenges. And hopefully, successes.
There are more things to learn.
Sewing for example.
Like, for real.
Your sewing is only as good as your knots, and I'll admit, my knots suck.
Maybe one day the buttons I sew back on Travis' shirts
will make it through the washer AND drier unscathed.
Maybe.
There will be more shoes to buy.
Mmm hmmm grrrl.
More love to give.
It'll be good. I have a gut feeling.
I want to grab 30 by the balls and say, come and get me.
Oooh the irony.
I'm ready for you. . .
. . .and the future you will bring.
Happy Birthday me.
My point is that I am going to be the first of my friends to reach this hurtle,
and I'm looking forward to being the pioneer.
It's like an Ah-HA moment.
Life has been pretty darn good to me these past 30 years.
And I'm excited for what the next 30+ have to offer.
I even have an extra little jump in my step.
I realize that I'm pretty darn lucky to have family
who love and support me to no end.
The McMahon Clan. Christmas ’10.
The Mandala’s.
And long-time friends who keep me young at heart and are always there for me.
No matter what.
And an awesome husband, who I probably don't deserve, but I'm happy to take!
He makes me laugh daily and is still as excited to hang out with me as I am with him,
even after 12 years of being together.
In these next 30 plus years, there is more exciting stuff to do.
Like extending our little family.
And having more career challenges. And hopefully, successes.
There are more things to learn.
Sewing for example.
Like, for real.
Your sewing is only as good as your knots, and I'll admit, my knots suck.
Maybe one day the buttons I sew back on Travis' shirts
will make it through the washer AND drier unscathed.
Maybe.
There will be more shoes to buy.
More love to give.
More love to take.
It'll be good. I have a gut feeling.
I want to grab 30 by the balls and say, come and get me.
I'm ready for you. . .
. . .and the future you will bring.
Happy Birthday me.
