Wishing my husband a very

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

I turned 31 years old today. And I have to say… 30 was a good age!

I’d looked forward to my 30s since my mid-20s. I know, weird, right? But I always felt my 30s would be the years that I settled in to life. I figured out where I was headed and got there. It would be my banner decade of life.

And so far? It’s going that direction. In the last 365 days, I’ve suddenly felt a lot of wisdom about things: financially and career-wise. I’ve started to build a confidence in my career goals, and in the same breath I’ve found a want to do anything it takes to get there. Its not the whole, “Oh this is what I want so it should happen right NOW” mindset that I think I had an element of previously. No, now its more, “This is what I want, and I need to learn how to get there… and then DO THAT.”

So, within that fact, my 30s have, already in the first year of it, been a journey of wonderfully positive proportions. In fact at this rate, 31 should be even better! And here is hoping I am right about that.

Happy Birthday to me! Happy Birthday to me! Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday. Happy Birthday to me!

My grandpa and my dad outside the milk truck

My grandpa was the milk man.

I know. That sounds like some bad “dirty joke” pun, but it’s true! My grandpa was the milk man. And if he were still alive, he’d have been 89 years old today.

I always took great pride in being my grandpa’s granddaughter. I remember introducing myself to people growing up, and they would get this thoughtful look on their face.

“Any relation to the old milk man we used to have here?” And I grin from ear-to-ear and confirm that, “Yup. That’s my grandpa! … What’s he up to today? Oh he’s a jack-of-all-trades handyman around town.”

“Ah… good… good. I remember the time…”

Everyone always had a story about grandpa. It wasn’t until after he died that I heard the story of him pulling a family out of a burning building while on his milk route. I think that one is my favorite one of them all. That and the fact that he raised seven kids with my grandma… yes, seven. They were married over 50 years before death did they part, when my grandma passed away.

Oh and did I mention he served in WWII? Yup. He was a cook! And man… those cooks on M*A*S*H? Yeah, they weren’t my grandpa. He made GREAT food. Best hamburgers ever.  EVER.  Whataburger? In-N-Out. Pffffft. They WISH they were as good as grandpa’s burgers. They WISH.

Grandpa and Grandma

By the way, you know how I’m an Aggie? Yeah, my grandpa worked as a cook at Sibsa mess hall back in the day. So, you see, my ties to Texas A&M go way back. (My Uncle Milton, Mom’s brother, worked at TAMU at one time as well!) The first time I ate dinner in Sibsa, I looked around and smiled, knowing Grandpa was smiling down on me as well.

I remember when I got accepted to Texas A&M, my grandpa was in a VA nursing home. I got him an “Aggie’s Grandpa” bumper sticker for his motorized wheelchair.  And, you know, he put it on it and rode around with it proudly displayed!

Grandpa always said I reminded him of my grandma when she was younger. And I think that’s why he got so upset the first time I colored my hair. I still remember feeling guilty when he gave me that look of disapproval of my choice to lighten my hair.

But, I think deep down, he knew I was me and I was going to do my own thing.  That or Grandma set him straight on that. haha!!! Who knows.

I just know that if anyone asks me about my grandparents, I smile and say, “My grandpa was the milk man.” and if anyone will listen long enough, I’ll tell them all about him.

Happy Birthday, Grandpa! Make sure you dance with Grandma in heaven today and celebrate your special day… just the way I know you two danced the day you joined her up there. You had a special love… and you’ve always been a role model for me and, I don’t doubt, all your kids and grandkids. I love you!

I was safe in Grandpa's arms.

All right ya’ll. I’m here to confess. It’s my birthday, and I want attention. I want the world to go, “Hey! Happy Birthday! You rock!” even if in the grand scheme of the world, its a minor thing. Because for me, its a big deal. It’s my birthday. And I am now 30.

As if this post isn’t a blatant attempt to invite lurkers to comment beg birthday wishes, I’ve given plenty of heads up to everyone this year. Specifically here, here, here and here. On top of this, I’ve declared this my birthday WEEK since it lands on a Wednesday.

I got a card yesterday in the mail in which my friend told me to, “Party like its 1914!” (Love that girl… she never fails to crack me up. You gotta have that kind of friend in your life.) And, well, I guess you could say I AM going to party like its 1914. We’re keeping it simple. Dinner out with my parents and husband, and then watching the CMAs on TV. I am fully prepared to throw things at the TV, but I still can’t wait to watch and root for my friends.

So there you have it. My birthday plans. I promise to go back to your regularly scheduled blogging tomorrow. For now… send me good wishes. *nods* I encourage that kind of behavior.

*Scheduled this to post at the time I was born. :)

30 Bound

I turn 30 tomorrow. I’m not bothered by that fact. I’ve actually looked forward to my 30s. For years, my gut has told me that my 30s will be the best years for me, so I embrace my third decade with open arms.

However, upon embracing my 30s, I thought I’d take a moment to look back at my 20s. Hit the highlights:

20: Started my years at Texas A&M University. Met the guy I’d eventually marry. The twin towers fell in New York. I became an aunt for the second time when my niece was born.

21: Legal to drink, of course. Started working at The Battalion. Visited Nashville.

22: Lost my last remaining grandparent. Wrecked my truck in a stupid accident. Quit The Battalion. Saw my first music video taped. Graduated from Texas A&M. Got Sully.  Took some time off due to serious burnout.

23: Bartending class. Started work at Marlin Democrat, and all the interesting things that brought along. Lots of concert travels.

24: Super emotional year of life! We will just leave it at that. Did a lot of growing emotionally.

25: Flew to Atlanta, then drove to Nashville to attend a wedding with Craig. Quit my job at the Democrat. Visited Oregon for the first time. Got engaged. Went to Hawaii. Moved to Nashville.

26: Got married. Trip to Oregon just to visit. Moved into our house. Started at the Dog House.

27: Adopted Bailey. Let the job juggling begin for hubby. Lots of house guests. Matron of honor in my maid of honor’s wedding. Christmas in Texas.

28: Christmas in Oregon. Project 365. Backstage at the Grand Ole Opry for the first time. My brother & family visit. 10 year class reunion. Got my bartending license in  Nashville. Trying to make it through life one day at a time.

29: Christmas in Texas. Much of the beginning of the year in Texas to work. Nashville flood. Stride & Ride at Cowboys Stadium. Decided to focus my attention towards writing. Lost Sully. Still taking it a day at a time. Chugging towards 30.

No idea what to expect for sure out of my 30s. My goals include starting a family, finding financial stability, and having my writing and photography really take off. All of which are reasonable and attainable goals. All of which are goals I WILL attain.

I’m ready. Bring it on!

It's an old photo of me with my parents, but one of my favorites ever.

I’m getting an early birthday present. It arrives tomorrow.

And I’m so stinkin’ excited!

My parents are driving up to see us. And they will be here for my birthday next week.

I’ve gotten to do a lot of fun and exciting things lately. The perks of being married to a musician for sure. However, I have to say, none of those things had me as excited as I am right now for my parents to arrive and be here for my birthday. The funny thing is that I didn’t know how excited I was about it until it almost didn’t happen! Its one of those things where you don’t realize what you have until you’ve lost it. Thankfully, though, everything has worked out and they’ll be on their way sometime tomorrow.

I’ve mentioned it before, and I apologize if I harp on it a little too much, but finances have me stressed — and flat out scared — much of the time these days. My birthday wish all year has been for a new camera for my birthday. A real high tech one to take my photography to the next level. To give me some credibility and maybe finally help me make some money doing it.

However, lack of funds won’t let that happen, and its also  made me realize how important our relationships are as opposed to our possessions. They are our true constants in life. As such, the thought of my parents being here for my birthday gets me more excited than ever. I realize this present that I AM getting is way more important. It means way  more and will do more for my heart and soul than a camera could possibly do.

How lucky am I? I’ll be surrounded by my parents and my husband on my birthday!!

The only thing that could make it better would be to bring my brother and his family along with all my best girlfriends in Texas along with them. Oh and an Aggie win would rock, too. But, hey, I’m not greedy. hehe

Anyway, say a prayer for safe travels for my parents as they travel tomorrow. This is definitely the best early birthday present ever.