Birthdays

Abraham Lincoln once said, "And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."

With a birthday just a couple days away, I have been prompted to think about my life thus far. I am not old, not by a long shot. But I do like to try to look back once in a while and see how I am doing. After all, I want to get old and look back and be happy with what I see. Who doesn't?

I feel pretty content with what I have accomplished so far. My list of accomplishments are strange compared to what I was raised around. Most of my friends are married (many divorced already), have children, homes, dogs, picket fences, and fairly well-paying jobs. Compared to that, I feel weird, but at the same time, I would not change a single one of my decisions. My mileposts of accomplishment are just different, that's all.

I guess what I am saying is that I have postured myself for a happy and productive life. I am pretty productive right now (and would be even more productive today had I not grabbed the wrong USB drive from work!!! grrr) and will be even more so once we figure out where we will end up this year. I would be happy staying here for another year, but would be content to leave if it means more opportunity elsewhere. Whatever happens, I just want some LIFE in my years, like Ol Abe mentioned.

And if I dont have as much life in my years as I would like, then I guess I will just have to live longer, right? I do like what Lucille Ball has to say about birthdays, "The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly and lie about your age."

I for one plan on doing all of that. :)

Self Control

As I continue to adjust to my new job (and slight bump in income), I have continued to live, financially, the same as when I earned less. This has treated me well. I mean, my savings is back up where it should be for me to comfortable... generally, but when I think about all the things that I will be spending money on this year, it really makes my head spin.

Not only are there the travel expenses of the multiple weddings we are going to this year (4, people... 4!), but there is the added expense of our own wedding. While our basic tastes have kept costs to the bare minimum, it still is no walk in the park. This is compounded by the fact that fiance is still in school, and technically will not be finishing until the week after the wedding.

Now. Let us add into the mix the fact that I have not purchased new professional clothing for my new position, and a trip to Washington DC is only 2 weeks away. I am fairly happy with my wardrobe. I have the basics, which I mix up on a daily basis to come up with brand "new" outfits. Not a problem. However, I have one suit. I need another one. A person cannot wear the same exact suit three days in a row without the student group noticing, right?

Great. Well. I found out recently that I can no longer shop in the juniors department. I have to admit that while this is sad, it is exciting in a way, but also intimidating. I have to shop in the "misses" department??? Wear a "real" suit?

AAAAAaaaahhh!

Not that I mind shopping, but with the impending expenses of weddings, rentals, shoes, food for guests, donations, etc. I just feel bad for needing a suit. What an odd feeling. Feeling bad for needing something for your job????

That is new.