30's

As of today, I am 31 years, 7 months, and 27 days old. In more reasonable terms, I'm 31 and a half. After over a year in my thirties, I have made some observations.

1. It is a LOT harder to lose weight. I know I bragged about my success last week, but I also know that a few years ago I would have seen twice as many results from my work. Oh well, at least I am making progress.

2. My skin requires more attention. I worked outside a lot this year, and I really began to notice how much older I was looking. I blamed the elements, but I am beginning to realize that my skin is just different! I never needed to be vigilant about washing twice a day, moisturizing, toning, blah blah blah. Well my friend works for Arbonne and gave me a sample of their skin care line. Wow! When I cleansed twice a day and toned and did the moisturizers my skin immediately started looking better! Now there is just NO way I'm spending $250 on a bunch of soap and lotion, so I hit up Whole Foods and stocked my cabinet with Jason and Alba products. I can already see an improvement over the past 10 days. Maybe I'll rethink that whole botox thing. I never saw myself as a botulism in the face kind of girl....

3. I cannot drink like I used to. This clearly relates to #1 as well. Before Friday, I hadn't had a drink in over two weeks. I had one beer Friday, one beer Monday, and then came yesterday. I worked out with my trainer early in the morning, but I really cut back in my food to try and counter act those beers. I then went to graduation at my old school. I ate a small plate of the buffet dinner then faculty grad party started. I had three gin and tonics. I am ridiculously hung over. The combination of little food and not drinking is amazing. I called in sick to the barn today. Damn I feel old.

It is just amazing to me how all of a sudden it has really hit me that my 20's are gone.

I can finally share

Within the last year I took a break from teaching so that I could start my own business. It has been hard. Some parts have been amazing. I've enjoyed having time with my husband, spending lots of time with the horses, etc. I've been working hard, but let's be real, the economy sucks, and my business "partner" has not kept up her end of the bargain. DH and I want to start a family, and at this rate, we wouldn't be able to until we were 50! Where does all this lead? Well, I'm going back to the classroom. Yup, Mrs. Kingdom (not my real name) is back.

I'm excited. I want to get the debt in control, and within a year, we will start trying for a baby. I am going to be teaching at an amazing school where there are big plans for the science department. My salary is 20% higher than at my last school, and I am feeling positive about how things will play out. After getting through that stressful day earlier this week, I can finally focus on being positive about this new experience.

I got my new computer today. It is fun playing with it and learning some of the software. I have professional development scheduled over several days through June and July. Volleyball practices start the first week of August. Clearly I have some very busy weeks ahead of me. I am planning to keep the business open on the side. My wonderful husband is going to help me with it. The fact that I can finally share the news is the most exciting thing for me. I look at it as another life experience that I am looking forward to living!


PS I weighed in and took measurements with my trainer today. I lost 2 inches off my waist, half an inch from my thighs, and 1.3 inches from my calves! Pretty cool in my world. Now I have to keep it up.