Another Year Down, This One's Just Beginning

I celebrated my champagne birthday this past Saturday and I can truly say that I celebrated. I'm so happy about it I'm nearly delirious. 

For the past few years I've dreaded my birthday. I hated it. It was the worst time of the year, right at the start of my favorite season. 

I guess it's normal, women hate their birthdays because they're getting older? That wasn't my problem. I was competing against my "ideal" self and where I thought I should be by now. Married, kids, dog, house, picket fence. I was married, sure, but I didn't have the rest of it. I was in my mid-twenties and I hadn't accomplished nearly any of my life goals. I was way behind my mom and some of my friends. What was I doing wrong? Why could these people have the things I wanted so badly? Didn't I deserve them? It wasn't fair.

It took me a while, but I've worked through the vast majority of those feelings and questions. So much so, that I could enjoy my life and what I have accomplished.

I realized that in the course of my life, I want children. I'm almost positive Ryan and I will have them in about five years, when I'm 31-32. I want to own a house but I don't need to buy one in the next year. We'll save for the one of our dreams. If it doesn't have that picket fence, we'll build one. As for the dog, well, I'll enjoy being just us two for now. It's nice to be able to drop everything at a moment's notice and go do something. 

In this past year, I've focused on what makes me happy. Making my marriage stronger. Baking when the mood strikes. Cycling nearly a thousand miles. Running. I freaking run! Committing to run the first 5k of my life by November. Committing to do five triathlons next year. And working on my relationship with my mom. 

For the first time, in my most recent years, I'm so happy about my life and where it's going. I look forward to each and every sunrise. For the first time, I realize that I'm a work in progress. I'm not defined by one outcome or one experience. I'm this winding, roving road that's headed into a pretty spectacular sunset. 

Tuesday Traveler - Lake Placid, New York

A couple of Fridays ago, I turned twenty-six. Alas, I can no longer claim I'm in my early twenties. Because, really, it's all down hill from here. And as my husband keeps mentioning, I'm "nearly thirty." Ugh. Thanks for that one.

For the weekend, my husband whisked me away to beautiful Lake Placid. It was perfect with the gorgeous weather, great company, and changing foliage. We spent time in our cozy little cabin, perusing the shops on the strip, and having a dinner with our families, who I managed to con into driving to us.

Here's some of the photos from the weekend.

pretty much all scenic shots were taken from the rapidly moving car - ryan refused to slow down 

marcy - our adorable cabin at the north pole

home of not one but two winter olympics

antique shops were abundant

and nearly every store had something dead and stuffed in it - what the hell

saturday morning was absolutely wonderful - chilly, amazing light, full of good stuff

our camping "resort" had boats you could rent down by the river

we even saw some of the locals down by the water

the setting was really picture perfect that morning

two wineries (swedish hill and goose watch) offered tastings up there - yes, please

perfect segue into this decor piece - which stayed in the store...

then we found rubber band guns

no those aren't edible - those are hand crafted soaps - fancy

i truly wish i had bought the working elephant lock - i did get to bring one home

 though so it's still a win

ryan and his father look nothing alike...

yes, there is a store with a working waterfall in it - yes, it's also three stories tall

i wish my camera did the colors justice

just out of town you can see the ski jumps in the distance

i wish this was more clear - the grass had great texture and you can see the ski jumps

for a switch we took route 9 all the way home - a perfect drive home

Have you ever been in Northern New York? Ever been to Placid? We keep meaning to go take a tour of the Olympic facilities but never get there. Hopefully we'll be able to the next time we visit.