I think I'm Turning 27, Yes I'm Turning 27, I Really Think So...

Have I ever mentioned I love birthdays? Balloons, cards, phone calls, presents, the occasional party--what's not to love! My birthday, your birthday, I love them all! Sure, the "celebration of my birth" this year was a bit unconventional--spent mostly in the car or airport traveling back from Tennessee after saying goodbye to my grandfather. The old me would build bdays up so much that when the day finally came, it was set up to potentially dissapoint. But the new, wiser, adult me, doesn't expect to much. Because of that, they're all fabulous!

This year was no different...well, except a few things. 1) I got to have breakfast with my Daddy and sister in TN, and dinner with Charlie in UT. Next day I got to celebrate with the Earls with a scrumptious chocolate cake made by a "Squirrel". 2) I received lots of bday love from multiple channels-Facebook messages, texts, phone calls, e-mails, and cards waiting at home for me. 3) This is the first one I've thought, "Man, I'm kinda old." and "Crap, I better get going to do this or do that" or "Screw saving for a house. Let's go to France! Because soon we'll be old and tied down." (Update: I think this is a good thing. I am a planner. I plan things to death. I need reminders to just stop thinking and planning and have fun!So I am gonna do that. Charlie's on board, too. He's always subscribed to that paradigm.)

Some of the fun presents I received:

• Cheetah-print Snuggie
• Ginormous calculator
• An adorable pair of red TOM's shoes
• A mini hair straightener
• A cake slicer that looks like a high-heel shoe
• A t-shirt that reads "Georgia Girls: Sweeter than the Tea"
• A "J" Luggage tag
• Lots of really cool, inspirational quotes
• A snowboard!!!! (which I gave to myself from Charlie a little early)

And now I leave you with some pretty "amazing" photos of years past...

Hmmm..."safely" strapped in the car on top of a briefcase? Check. Stuffed bunny within reach? Check. Play shotgun in hand? Check. Cute red shoes on? Yep, got it. Let's go.

Cabbage patch kid-themed bday party. Looks like the big #3.

Work Humor

Working in health insurance, we've got to get our laughs where we can. To be completely honest, luckily we laugh a lot in the Marketing department. Today's little funny for me came when I did my usual search for photos to accompany some of my newsletter articles. Finding just the right photo can be a tricky task, you know? A quick search of "adults eating healthy" through Jupiter Image's database yielded these little treats below. This lady sure is gettin' after it. Who would sign up for this photo shoot, right?

Plans Changed

I have been away from my blog for quite some time and/or unable to write, and this is why...

When I woke up Wednesday, Nov. 18, I didn't expect my day would begin as it did. I had many missed calls and messages from my Daddy and Sister, Haley. My grandpa (Pa) had passed away in the wee hours of the morning. He was 93 and fighting lung cancer, and was seemingly "ready to go". But that didn't make it any easier. He was strong as an ox, cheerful, and we were the ones who weren't ready. My sister and I had a trip planned two weeks later to visit him.

After hearing the news and dwelling over the fact that terrible things always seem to happen around the holidays (and my birthday), my next steps were to call in to work and then spend hours on the phone with Delta/Northwest trying to arrange for my travel. And let me tell you, customer service and sympathy were sure not their strong points on this day. Luckily, I got it worked out and made the long journey to Mountain City, TN (it worked out where I would return to SLC the evening of my birthday, and would head out again the next day for Michigan with Charlie for Thanksgiving). Below is the sort of thing you will see in Mountain City. It's the kind of place that is difficult to find these days. Where everyone knows everyone; where everyone carries and knows how to use it; where everyone works with their hands; and where your word is as good as a contract.

I was dreading the emotional stress of my visit to Tennessee. But it turned out to be quite pleasant. During my travels, I had plenty of time just to think. I discovered that my outlook on death, particularly when a person dies after a long life, has changed over the years. I now see it as another step of life, something you can't stop, and something you can't dwell over. The feeling is quite liberating actually. My grandfather was honored in a service that would have pleased him greatly.

Another thing that happened was I got to spend time with family, and even go through some old photos (like the one below--oh how I love my sister) and old relics telling stories of our family's past. Pretty cool, I must say. I now have a canvas flour bag from the days of Shupe's Mill to frame for our house.

I arrived home the evening of my birthday to be greeted at the airport by my loving husband and Logan, who was donning a Happy Birthday balloon attached to her collar. Dinner, then a few winks of sleep and it was back in the air for our visit to Michigan for Thanksgiving. More to come later. I am back at it!