Jeannie's 30th Birthday Party - Davenport Hotel

Girlfriends ~

Three things I have found to never fail me…Flip flops, old worn-in jeans, and my girlfriends. Armed with these, any situation can be weathered. Flip-flops are comfortable, pack well, and come in all colors. Jeans never wear out… the older they get the better they are and they go with anything. A weathered pair of jeans adds a touch of solid practicality and a little fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants attitude. My girlfriends, my real girlfriends, that is, I have, thankfully, discovered over the last several years. “Friends”… seems like such a simple word…it’s uttered everyday to almost every person imaginable. It’s funny, I used to think that my “friends”, I mean real friends, were the people that I laughed with, talked to, and hung out with. Now, as I am older, I have realized that friends are the people that touch your heart. You can spend hours with them doing nothing at all and it can be the best time of your life, just because it was with them. They're the people you share your secrets with, have similar interests with, cry with, laugh with, and just have fun with. They don't judge you or make you change. They accept you exactly as you are. They look at you and you look at them and see a great person…you don’t see good and bad qualities. You just love spending time together. It’s a complete acceptance of another person.
Girlfriends are more comfortable than old warn in jeans, they are more reliable. The older they get, the more comfortable they are. They keep you fashionable, keep you from being too vain, while letting you be as crazy as you want. Like flip flops, they can walk through the mud with you and come out undamaged. They keep you from taking yourself too seriously.

But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life; and thanks to a benevolent arrangement of things, the greater part of life is sunshine. -Thomas Jefferson

You Have A Type B+ Personality

B+ You're a pro at going with the flow. You love to kick back and take in everything life has to offer. A total joy to be around, people crave your stability. While you're totally laid back, you can have bouts of hyperactivity. Get into a project you love, and you won't stop until it's done. You're passionate - just selective about your passions

Do You Have a Type A Personality?

Approaching 30!!

As I approach 30 in April, I decided to stop ‘freaking out’ and evaluate myself and my life. Over the past six months I’ve gotten more than my share of people saying “Don’t worry about turning 30, you look great.”, “you look younger than most people your age”. I had to take a step back and think, “why is that the only advice I get? Does everyone really think that is what I’m worried about?” Is it what I am worried about? Yes, I am in good health and have a great job…But there is more. So I challenged myself….What have I learned over the years? How have I grown as a person? Which brings us to this bout of soul searching, which was long over due…
~ I’ve learned that as I’ve gotten older, I have become more comfortable in my own skin.
~ I’ve learned that doing the right thing, means doing the right thing by my standards, not someone else’s.
~ I’ve learned that I don’t have to settle. I have every day of my life to do that… why do it today, or even tomorrow for that matter?
~ I've learned that you don't have to lie to avoid saying things that are painful. It will just bite you in the ass in the end.
~ I've accepted that I am capable of doing whatever I put my mind to. And have reaped the rewards and benefits to prove it.
~ I’ve learned that trust is one of the most significant aspects of any relationship. And to lose it, usually means losing the relationship.
~ I've learned to accept the fact that I am worthy of significant relationships in my life and I don't have to click to "self destruct" mode when things get intense.
~ I’ve learned how to compromise without compromising myself in order to make life easier or happier for other people.
~ I've learned that I don't have to be perfect. As long as I am healthy that shows through and defines me more than anything.
~ I’ve learned that I am capable of independence.
~ I’ve learned that just because two people love each other, does not mean they should be together.
~ I’ve learned that people need you to understand them more than they need you to agree with them.
~ I’ve learned that being a good friend and have people depend on you is just as comforting as having a good friend. And I’ve learned the importance of my friendships.
~ I’ve learned that it is okay to ‘grow out’ of a relationship, whether it be love, friendship or business related.
~ I’ve learned that people you love will hurt you. You need to make peace with it, and move on.
~ I’ve learned that love does come when you least expect it.
~ Most of all I've learned to relish my family, my mom and dad and siblings. Those people are invaluable.
~ I’m sure that there is more that I stumbled upon throughout the last few years of my life, but I definitely don’t have all the answers. Maybe when I am 31 I will have all the answers - if not, at the very least, I know I will be able to add to the previous list! What I do know is upon my reflection, mentally and physically, I am very content with myself and my life thus far.
I’m turning 30… So what?! Bring it on… Carpe Diem!!
"It is not by muscle, speed, or physical dexterity that great things are achieved but by reflection, force of character, and judgment; in these qualities old age is usually not only not poorer, but is even richer."
– Cicero

Hmmm....

Maybe our mistakes are what make our fate. Without them, what would shape our lives? Perhaps if we never veered off course, we wouldn't fall in love, or have babies, or be who we are. After all, seasons change. So do cities. People come into your life and people go. But it's comforting to know the ones you love are always in your heart. And if you're very lucky, a plane ride away.

Some thoughts ~

Sex in the City
Ok, first off, this is one of my favorite shows. There are so many levels that this show relates to my life and thinking. The topic last night was " In a city full of so many expectations, do people just settle in relationships?" Can you really have it all? Or do people just settle to settle.
I can relate, I have dated different men and obvouisly most of all of them weren't the right one. The whole picture wasn't complete. I settled with my ex-husband, and that got me no where except a divorce. A great quote from Carrie (sara jessica parker) -

Later that day I got to thinking about relationships. There are those that open you up to something new and exotic, those that are old and familiar, those that bring up lots of questions, those that bring you somewhere unexpected, those that bring you far from where you started, and those that bring you back. But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous.

This is what I hope for.

After a while, you just want to be with the one who makes you laugh.