Reflections About My 28th Birthday

This will probably not be nearly as inspiring as the Reflections On My 27th Birthday that I posted last year. However, that was a milestone year, as I was officially an "upper-20's" person. I had assumed that my next milestone year would be 30, but Dad informs me that turning 29 is actually harder than turning 30. I guess I'll find out next year.

The first thing I want to reflect on is dry skin. For the first time in my life, I have had a problem with dry skin this year. I have never been one for obsessively applying lotion, but my hands were so dry that I did try that...to no avail. They actually got to the point that they were cracked and red and every time I put them under warm to hot water, they seared with pain. Well, that was for about a week until I found Aquaphor by Eucerin. I have to say that this saved my hands this winter. I usually apply it at night (when I remember), because it's kind of gooey on my hands until it dries. I only apply it about once a week and it cures all. Anyway, all that to say that I thought having dry skin made me feel old this year. Luke said it's probably just because it's been a really dry winter.

Ryan and I decided that because of the closeness of birthdays in our family, we, as the adults, could pick something other than a birthday cake to celebrate with...a birthday dessert of sorts. Ryan knew what he wanted right away, and I was able to pull off a sort of Oreo/ice cream dessert for him this year. I am having a bit more difficulty, though. I enjoy strawberries, but besides February being the wrong time of year to buy them, Ryan can't stand them. So, this year I made a Holy Cow Cake. It was good, but I don't think I'll make it again. It's got to be something that is so wonderful that I'll look forward to it all year long, to the one time I will make it every year. Suggestions, anyone?

Next I want to reflect on some resolutions. Ryan made some during his birthday post, and I thought this was a good time for me to do the same:

• Tardiness - It has come to my attention that I "run late" a lot. Janelle suggested that this is because I have kids, but I have to disagree. I oftentimes run off of the "ideal" schedule instead of the "realistic" schedule. Oh, a lot of times I make it on time and sometimes I am even early. But I am running late more often than I used to, and certainly more often than I would like. So, I resolve to be more "on time".


• Junk Pile - This topic is so extensive that it could have it's own post. Essentially, I have inherited a "junk pile" tendancy. When Ryan and I first got married, this included having a pile of stuff on our table. Since we've had kids, my junk pile has moved to a counter in the kitchen. I tried an experiment at Christmas by taking the whole pile and putting it in the spare 'oom until I could sort through it. In no time at all, another pile has formed! And now, we have several junk areas - the junk counter in the kitchen, the junk-to-get-rid-of pile in the basement, and the junk-that-we-don't-have-anywhere-to-put which is now consuming our spare 'oom. So, on that confession, I resolve to sort through my junk, try to get rid of it, and try to keep the kitchen counter cleaned off.


• I have been experimenting a lot this past year with new recipes. I would like to keep experimenting with meals, but to also get back to freezing some for future use. Most of my experimental meals have been from my freezer cookbooks, and I want to continue to find out what is good so that I can actually freeze them for our family's benefit. I resolve to continue to refine out family's meals for taste and efficiency.

I should say that I spent my 28th birthday scrapbooking with a friend, thanks to the Knipps who kept my kids busy (Ryan was judging a speech meet that day).