I'm turning 30!!!!!!

I think its only appropriate that I contribute to this blog due to the fact that I'm turning 30 in 3 days.

I'm not scared about getting older, or diving into a new decade because I've watched my 3 older siblings do it all ahead of me.  My oldest sibling turned 30 when I was 18, and I remember vividly my dad calling me to advise me to call my sister to wish her a happy birthday, but do it cheerfully because she was having a hard time with it.
Sorry to Zach and Betsey, but I don't really remember you guys turning 30, probably because you're not as age crazy as Robyn. Actually turning 40 for Robyn was quite exciting! I was with her lounging poolside. :) 

I'm excited about it, as I am always to have a birthday. I still feel 12, well probably 22 is a more acurate "feel" but time has been good to me. I get carded still (actually less in the last 6 months, but I do live in a small town where everybody knows your name) and I can (and do) still wear the same clothes/shoes as I did in high school/college.  Maybe thats because I have hoarder tendencies, or the fact that my style is timeless, or that I haven't grown in size.

20-29 have been fun years. Maybe a little too fun. There are bits and pieces to those years that others have filled me in on, and thats ok. That's why I invited them.  I've been humbled, embarrased, crazy, hungover, and really really  happy.  I've owned 2 homes, 2.5 cars, 1 cat,  and 1 dog.

I'm really looking forward to 30-39, not just because I don't have a choice in the matter, but because there are so many things I have to look forward to. Parenthood being the main one.  Who knows how many kids we'll have, but its more likely to happen in this next decade than the one after that. (although I could very likely still be popping out kids in my 40s).

Here's something I found, and decided to put my own opinions to each one. 

 Wild Statistics about Turning 30

1.         The average person has had 7.5 jobs, and will have 2.4 more by the age of 35.

I’ve had 11 that I can think of : RFBA Architects, 4-10 Drive In, Tomato Bros, Main St Grill, Zany’s, Whitworth Bookstore, Mt. Spokane, Sunbean Coffee House, Results Realty, Regence, TD&H Engineering.  There’s quite possibly more that my brain is purposefully forgetting.

2.        At age 30, you’re older than 42% of Americans.

Scary. and sad.

3.         You’re 26 percent less likely to make a New Year’s resolution in your 30s….but if you make one, you’re 26 percent more likely to stick to it.

I didn’t make one this year. Last year’s was to do something each month for 30 days. Made for an interesting year.

4.         45 percent will own a firearm in their 30s.

I do own a firearm. It’s a pretty sweet .22 rifle my hubby got for me a few birthdays ago.

5.         96 percent of gay people have realized they’re gay by the age of 30.

6.         0.036 percent of people are in elementary school at age 30.

I’m confused.

7.        One out of 33 men and one out of 25 women are virgins at age 30.

Maybe someone should hook those two people up.

8.        81 percent of women and 71 percent of men have been married by age 30.

I got married at age 22. To my bestfriend. We were young, crazy, and in love. Who could stop us?!?!

9.        The most common way to die at age 30 is by accident.

By accident? Ruh roh

10.   30 is the average age of retirement for NFL players.

Lucky them. Well, if you figure possibly having brain/mental damage 20 years later lucky.

11.     The odds you’ll make it to your late 30s are 99.003%.

Good to know. This list took a strange turn.

Thanks everyone for reading my blog, being my friend, and picking me up when I'm literally down in the dumps.

-Blake

Nov-Crochet Dec-Pay It Forward

Well, its been awhile since I’ve been on here, and I know it may seem like I’ve given up. That’s maybe part of it, but not completely true.  October’s month of reading was a success as far as I’m concerned, because I did read ALMOST every day, and I really got back into my girl who kicked the hornet’s nest book.  If you have not read that series, I highly recommend it.  Its got a little bit of everything: Sexual deviance, murder, mystery, love, yada yada.

November was successful, only because I had one thing that I knew I was going to do every day, and call it cheating, but this is my blog and I decide what I’m going to do or not do for 30 days.  So can any one make an educated guess?  Yep! You’re right!  I chose to crochet everyday J

I think it’s the first month that I actually really truly did stick to it every single day of the month.  For those who may not know about my other other business, its "blake’s beanies",  and you can find the page on facebook.  I’ve now expanded my business to blake’s beardies since they’ve become quite popular. I crochet/knit beanies for all ages, including character hats such as Hello Kitty, Elmo, owls, Angry Birds, etc.  I had a craft fair at CHS on November 12^th, and it was very successful. Thanks to everyone that came by and visited me and purchased a hat!  Right now I’ve got about 20 more orders before Christmas to fill.  So basically I had no time to choose another 30 day task.  I could have probably made time, but I didn’t want to. 

So there ya have it. 

Now. Onto December.  I could probably choose crochet everyday again,(because I probably will be doing it anyways) but I won’t. Only because it’s the last month of the year, and I’ve been doing so well these past 11 months with this personal project of mine.  This month I’m going to pay it forward.  Its not going to be an everyday sort of task, but I’m going to try my darndest.  I’ve read about people at Starbucks paying for the car behind them, but that would require me to go to Starbucks.  I probably won’t be updating this blog to say every time I paid it forward, (kind of defeating the purpose if I’m doing it for recognition) but just know that I’m using this month as a reflective month to realize how lucky I am in life.  I have had the greatest upbringing imaginable.  I have a great job (ok 3 great jobs) and a great hubby, great puppy, great roomie, great house, great new “rig” and great health.  Not much could be better besides the interest rate on my house, but that too is hopefully going to change real soon. 

I really suggest anyone that reads this blog to do the same for 2012.  2011 flew by for me, and I think it was in part bc of this project.  Each month I had a focus on something that I thought was somewhat thought provoking, and somewhat of a challenge to me (ok not so much April or November).  I learned a lot about myself and had fun!  Thanks to everyone that did read my blog.  I got a lot of “whys” when I told people what I was doing, and there isn’t much to the answer but “why not”.  If you can put your mind to something for 30 days, you can do anything!  Hey, that’s my pay it forward for the day.  I’m paying forward my knowledge and cliché saying.  

Happy Holidays everyone.  Love, Blake

Take a look, its in a book!

This month’s challenge came to me while at the Sprint store getting horrible customer service a couple weeks ago. They always ask for your security pin number, or the answer to your secret question.  I get asked more than one of my questions every time, because (and this is my theory, and I do believe it to be true) my name is Blake. 

The question was, “Who is your favorite author?” 

Ummmmmmmm…….i dunno, Shel Silverstein?  Dr.Suess?  I mean c’mon.  Not a fair question. At least not to me.  I do know how to read, and I have gotten into a few books in my life, but I’m not an active reader, or even an author connoisseur.  I don’t seek out books specifically because of the author, let alone seek out books. 

So when he asked me that, I obviously had no idea who in the world I would have chosen, and I had to admit that.  “Um, I don’t really read books” was sadly my answer.  As he was looking at his screen, and the answer, he looked back at me and with a strange smile and said, “Well, I’ll give you a hint, it’s not actually an author.”

I give up.  I really had no idea at this point.  So after giving him every bit of info I could to prove to him that I’m really Blake, I asked him for the answer because I had a feeling I would be back to that hell hole sometime soon. 

“People magazine” 

That was my answer.  I answered People magazine was my favorite author.  Wow.  It took me back to the day that I gave that answer.  I don’t remember it, but I was trying to picture what I was thinking/doing the day I said that.  What could have possibly led me to that answer?  I would love to say that I was trying to be funny; however I don’t think that was it.  I believe I was put on the spot, and realized I didn’t have one, and tried to think of what I do actually read, and that was the only option that popped into my head. 

Reading is fun, and like I said, I have gotten into some books in recent years.  I have read all but the last Harry Potter, and I have read all but the last of the dragon girl series.  (yes, I was sad both of those ended for good, so I was trying to drag it out as long as I could before it was “over” for me.)  I have also read and finished all of the Twilight series.  I have also read some Janet Evanovich books.  So maybe I’m into pop culture books, but so what? At least I was reading.

So, my goal is to read every day, at least 30 minutes.  I think I’ll start with the last dragon girl book.  I loved the first two and I highly recommend them.  I guess the main reason why I don’t read regularly is because I have a TV and I have crocheting to do (and those two just go hand in hand). 

I will admit that last month was probably my worst month doing this project.  It was soooo hard to keep track of everything that I eat, mainly because I’m constantly eating.  I wake up starving, and am starving again at 10am, then again at about 1, then again at 4:30, and AGAIN around 7/8.  I eat very healthy, so its not like I’m some vacuum eating everything in sight, its just that documenting that many meals was not only time consuming and annoying, but next to impossible when I got even a day behind. 

P.S.  I’ve changed my author with Sprint, if you wanted to access my account. J

September-startin early

I’m starting this month early  because its Monday, and I can. This month,  September, I am not going to starve myself of something I love, or am semi-addicted to.  I’m going to do a behavior change for 30 days.  This is something that I’ve tried, and failed.  Every time.  So, here goes it.

I’m going to be super healthy girl for the next 30 days.  I’m still going to allow myself a drink, a dessert, hamburgers and french fries, but this time, I’m going to be keeping track of it.  I’m going to keep a food journal, and  exercise 4-5, maybe 3 days a week. 3 at its minimum.  I know that this summer has been tons of fun, but I’m out of shape again, and my body shows.  I am going to log my food/exercise  into my iTouch, and it will keep track for me of all of it. 

Here’s my logic.  I initially thought this whole project was going to be something I did for fun, to see if I could do or not do something for 30 days, and, well, I’ve actually seen a change that has extended past the 30 days.  I still don’t have cable TV, I don’t eat as much meat or fast food, I don’t really miss coffee as much as I thought I would, and I actually do take in less celeb gossip. So, I thought if I can train myself to be healthier all around, then it will last further than the 30 days (fingers crossed). 

Sorry to my family for the lack of potty humor in this post.

Tastes so good once it hits the lips

I'd gone 17 days without coffee or caffeine....until I got horrible sleep.  I woke up this morning to being lightly punched in the back by my sleeping hubby (he said sorry) and I knew right then it was time to stop the drought. I need espresso to get me thru this 8.75 hour work day.  I wondered if the girls at The Steamery missed me or my money.  They didn't say anything other than, "Your usual?"  I'm getting used to them knowing how predictable I am, simply because I was too tired to say, "12 oz iced soy double latte with a splash of vanilla"  (sounds so snobby, doesn't it?).

Making this conscience effort to go without my espresso has really helped me realize that I don't normally need one.  I had started going multiple times a week, and that is just downright dumb (read: expensive).  I thought about it the other day.  If they are 4.50/drink x 3 x 52 = 702 bucks a year.  Thats $1.90/day.  I don't really like to do these types of calculations, because to me, its a scare tactic parents use.  That $702.00 is mine to do what I want with it, and I choose to drink it in the mornings to help me start my day.  If I wasn't into espresso but was into lets say shoes, I would be out more than 702/year.  So I guess I looked at it as something I like to spend my money on.  But since these two and  a half weeks not drinking it, I have actually been quite satisfied with myself for a few reasons.  One, I don't have coffee breath that could curl a nose hair, and two, I'm not making mad dashes to the bathroom every 20 minutes. 

I know for sure sure (thanks to Cedric for that new phrase I annoying overuse) that I'm not going to be drinking coffee as much.  Only after a toss and turn kind of night, or if I need a good colon cleanse. 

You know you have a problem when……

The Barista has your drink waiting for you when you pull into the drive thru window. 

MONDAY AUG, 1^ST, 2011

Wouldn’t you know that August 1^st would come on a Monday.  And wouldn’t you know that I chose to go without caffeine/coffee this month. I pretty much look at this month as torture.  I know its do-able.  Obviously.  I mean, every month has been do-able.  Its just that I, along with millions of people not only rely, but look forward to that morning cup of joe.  Especially on Mondays.  That’s why The Steamery has their double punch card day on Mondays.  They understand the importance of that caffeine jolt before starting the work week. 

The reason I say caffeine/coffee, is because I don’t really drink pop.  Occasionally I will walk over to my next door neighbors that have a pop machine outside their business only because if I’m lucky, and most times I am, the machine gives me 5 pops for the price of one.  Granted, in order for that to work, I have to get a flavor I don’t really want.  Its like the candy claw game. You will always get 1 piece.  But if you’re lucky you’ll get a few!!!   Also, if you hit the button more than once, sometimes that works too J  I’m sure they love me telling people their machine is broken, but I guess until they fix it, its their problem. 

Coffee doesn’t even really taste that good.  Its kinda like beer. It has that “adulthood” taste to it.  You remember tasting it as a kid, and it doesn’t taste any different now than it did then, but somehow we can drink copious amounts of it.  When I started working at Regence 3 years, I would fill up my coffee cup up to 4 times a morning.  Now, the free work coffee is starting to taste sooo bad, that not even the Vanilla Caramel fufu helps. 

Today is a perfect example of a necessary coffee day.  I normally would have either gone straight to the coffee bar to fill up, or I would have stopped at The Steamery.  I made a deal with myself that if there are cars in the drive thru, I will keep driving, and if there are none, it’s an iced 12 oz double shot soy vanilla latte and two punches on my card.  I can really feel the espresso getting to all the tired body parts and giving them a little jumpstart.  That dang drink has ruined me.  Hopefully if nothing else comes out of this month, I will drink less of them, and more of the free coffee here at work.  Maybe after a small hiatus from it I won’t hate the flavor, or at least can drink it for a few more months.

FRIDAY, AUG 5^TH, 2011

So I actually survived a work week without any caffeine.  Honesty, I thought it was going to be harder.  Granted, I got enough sleep this week, so that helped.  A few years ago, at my old “desk job” I was sooo tired, that I actually crawled under my desk and fell asleep.  I worked with my sister, so she watched guard for me.  I’m pretty sure I drank coffee that morning too.

So an update on last month’s No Fast Food.  I went until the 29^th.  And THE ONLY REASON WHY I ate it that day, was because we were headed out of town for a quick overnight camping trip, and the hubby wanted Sharps.  That was my kryptonite.  My knees buckled at the thought of a hot fry being dipped in secret sauce. 

Arby's and Taco Time, and Sharps....OH MY

I’ve decided to renounce fast food for the month of July.  Should be easy! Ya, until my mom calls me this morning to say that instead of Fazarri’s, we’re having Skipper's to celebrate my grandpa’s birthday.  I’m not going to say anything, because it IS a birthday dinner after all, and the 96 year old DOES deserve fried fish.

Have you been to a fast food restaurant in the "big city" lately?  Wow.  Culture shock for this small town gal.  First off, you can't just run to the bathroom immediately upon your arrival.  You have to get the attention of someone that works there, and they buzz you in....Next, you don't give your order to a real life human.  Apparently, those jobs are not needed anymore because they have handy dandy atm lookin machines that take your order.  What if I wanted extra mayo?  Too bad. Oh and they now help you out by telling you the calorie content of each item.  Did you know that the triple cheeseburger has over 1100 calories?  Yikes. And that adding cheese to your Jumbo Jack only ups it 30 calories!?!? totally worth it.

Fast food has never been something that I've struggled with, however.....I will say this town has the best fast food that almost tricks you into thinking its not really as bad for you as you might think. Taco Time in Clarkston is a step below heaven if you ask me.  After they had a fire about 18 years ago, they remodeled that place to feel like you're in a clean Mexican restaurant south of the border(do they even exist?)  They serve alcohol, and they have a condiment bar that most restaurants should be jealous over. 

I cannot resist Taco Time most nights when I don't feel like cooking.  Another go-to quick meal is Sharps.  Man I can't get enough of that secret sauce.  Maybe thats the secret.  Its got some crack in it that I can't quit.