Annual Birthday Update
Last Sunday was my birthday, and I wanted to do an update to remind myself where I am right now.
This is a few months ago, but you get the idea. The last few years have been absolutely amazing. For those of you not following my other blog, this is my pat-myself-on-the-back post for the year 
Here goes:
-I have an amazing partner. We’ve weather many storms, and things are truly spectacular. We have so much in common, we’re more committed with each day. We’ve had to work very, very hard to get here, but it’s been worth it. I love him.
-I still live in heaven. No, really. I can see mountains almost everywhere I go. It’s incredible. I get to hike, hunt wild foods and mushrooms, see bears, and all kinds of other fun things on a regular basis. I look out onto a river every day when I walk out onto my front porch.
-Business is booming! My Personal Chef clients are wonderful, and I am fortunate that they enjoy my services. I get to do nutrition counseling, as well!
-I’ve taught at an Internationally-known MacArthuer Foundation Award winning urban agriculture organization, and I’ve just been asked to teach and present at their annual conference.Yes, paid. How cool is that?
-I’ve got fabulous friends–those who I’ve known for many years, and those who I am still getting to know.
-Local food is my main diet: meat, dairy (raw milk, yay!!!), produce, fruit, even fish. Soon, legumes and grains will be added to that. I get to play on farms, keep in touch with my farm-girl roots, and play with goats
-I am in the best shape of my life. In addition to hiking and generally being active, I teach spin, p90x, yoga, and some other stuff. I swim regularly. I look awesome in a bikini. I love how I feel–strong, energetic–and how I look. I get guessed at 24-27 by strangers. Thank you, grams, for the genetics!
-I am still a total nerd. Sci-fi books and movies, podcasts, RPGs, and even food. Total. Nerd.
-My kitties are doing well. I suppose they’re “middle-aged” now, but they love where we live (lots of windows and birds!), and spend a lot of time happily chasing ghosts.
-I get to volunteer with urban and at-risk youth, teaching them cooking and nutrition. I love watching their faces light up as they eat good, wholesome food they’ve prepared.
So, what’s bad? There’s always negative things in life: my grandparents are aging, and there’s a lot that goes along with that, most of it difficult and stressful for everyone involved. But, they love me, and I love them, and I still have them to love, and that’s what’s important. I miss my friends in MI, but I do still get to see them once in a while. Not as often as I’d like, but courtesy of the internet, it’s pretty easy to keep in touch. I haven’t won the lottery; but, since I don’t play, I can’t say that’s totally unexpected.
The good outweighs the bad, by a lot. I never thought I’d be here, even though Patrick assured me that everything would change after I hit 35. He was right: a place I love, doing something I love, and doing well at it. It’s been a good year. I am looking forward to 38.
(crosspost from LJ)
