Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Hurry. Offer Expires Midnight Tonight!

Tuesday, September 22, 2009......

I liked the title of my blog, but not sure it captures the spirit of the entry because I'm NOT giving one thing away today. Sorry.

Today, besides the first day of Fall and the Fall Solstice, is my actual birthday and the last day of LMB National Birthday week. Tomorrow is hubby's birthday and it would be wrong to over shadow his special day with continuing MY birthday celebration.

Besides shouting from the blogsphere rooftops that it was my birthday week for the past 7 days, I bet you wondered what else I did to celebrate National LMB Week.

Well......

It meant that for the past 7 days I forced myself to stop my daily routine and do something just for me. In theory it sounds easy, but not always. Here's a snapshot of what I did just for me this past week:

- Starbucks. Went a couple of times. For some this is an everyday trek, but not for me. I only like fake coffee and although I like their drinks, I also find them sweet and don't think I could have them everyday for this reason.

- Went to a Movie in the Middle of the Day. Yeah, I can do that unemployed, but don't too often. I enjoyed it. It was as if I had my own private screening.

- Birthday Dinners. A friend cooked for me Friday night and I cooked for Yoga Girl Saturday night. I hadn't seen my friend since her trip to Arizona and my sister since Father's Day (YIKES). Yoga Girl gave me a great gift -- a cooking class at The Silo in New Milford. It is a small cooking school that attracts cookbook authors and teachers for lessons and demonstrations. I am seeing Rick Rodgers, an amazing teacher AND author of several cookbooks. He does an amazing Thanksgiving class and this year's menu is no exception (bacon mashed potatoes - how can you go wrong).

- Lunch with a gf. She is one busy mom and our schedules don't sync up often, but when they do, we have a great time together. I've known my gf since second grade and consider myself one lucky person. Her birthday is tomorrow, which makes me more mature ...I wish.

- Introspective Time. This past week I basically forced myself on a daily basis to look at me. Look at what I want and need to be happy. Unfortunately, I wasn't the happiest at what I saw. I was drifting and becoming more and more negative about any and almost things.

I admit, I'm happy I'm starting to enjoy the process of doing something and not backing down from a challenge because of my own fears of failure or success. It has really has shifted my attitude about dieting. In the past, I would have dreaded it, now, not so much. I recognize I won't be perfect, but as I continue to try and make necessary changes for a healthy lifestyle, I know I'll be fine.

However, this one change wasn't enough. Because I forced myself daily to do one special thing, I realized I hadn't a clue what I really wanted for me. I was thinking of 'early retirement' the same way I do when in a doctor's waiting room -- a period of limbo.

Typically, when I go to a doctor's office (I've been to too many the past decade) I know to bring a book to pass the time. I don't want to just pass time. I want to be an active participate during this phase of it.

In order to do this, I created a vision board (Oprah.com has an online one that is easy to use and pretty cool). It helped me focus on what I want for me.

I also got a brilliant idea from McGillicutty to do 44 new things this upcoming year. For me, that means trying new foods, doing new things or going to new places (I've never been to my town's library and that's a crime). What a simple and amazing way to open one's eyes and mind. Thanks McGillicutty!

I'm also, outside of death or coma, keeping my daily gratitude journal. List 5 things I'm happy for. I have kept one on-and-off for several years, but I stopped some time back and really need to do it again. It does shift my perspective for the day and I want that.

So, that's what I did for National LMB Birthday Week. Today, I'm off to Newport RI with hubby to celebrate our birthdays. I will not be posting a Wednesday Rant and Rave, but rxBambi, Green Eyed Momster and Matty usually do. Please check them out.

Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes and a shout out to Yoga Girl for an amazing Birthday present!

41 comments:

Suzanne said...

Happy Birthday!!!

Eyes Wide Open said...

Happy happy birthday!!!! Sorry this most festive of weeks has to come to an end.

Eyes Wide Open said...

PS: Newport RI=my digs!!! Stop by for a cocktail ;)

jane said...

wow! you´ve had some week! i think i need one of these... happy happy birthday! besos-jane

The Peach Tart said...

Happy birthday to you and hubby.

The Sorority said...

Happy Birthday LMB and Mr. LMB! It sounds like you gave yourself an amazing birthday week - full of small personal gifts that are full of love for yourself. Way to go!

Have a great time with Mr. LMB in RI!

Anonymous said...

Happy, happy day to you! Eat some cake my friend!

Kimberly @ Bookmark To Blog said...

I love that you did something for yourself every day that week. What a great idea!!

Leah said...

Happy birthday to you and the hubby!

I will do that gratitude thingy... list 5 things to be grateful about each day. I like that. Sometimes, I tend to overlook the simple things to be thankful of each day.

La La La Leah said...

Hope you have fun on your trip... Are you going to go see the Wizard of Oz??? I think you should! And If I have not said it before.... Happy Birthday!

Melanie's Randomness said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Titania said...

It sounds like you've had a great birthweek. Happy Birthday!

Midtown Girl said...

Happy Birthday to you (Again lol) and to the HUBS!

I think I am gonna start a Vision Board as well - what a fab idea!!

XOXO MG

Green-Eyed Momster said...

Happy, happy! I hope the year ahead will be filled with all the happiness you can handle, all the love your heart can hold and all the riches to make you wealthy!

I wish you perfect health too, because without it, you can't do what you want to!

Sounds like you've been taking good care of yourself! Actually, by your title, I thought you were giving away cake! Oh well, have some for me too!

Hugs!!

Green-Eyed Momster said...

P.S. Happy birthday to your Hubby too!

Winchester Manor said...

Happy Birthday Sweetie! I loved reading about your birthday week. I always enjoy your posts and your honest and insightful view. Have a wonderful time with your hubby celebrating your birthdays!


Hugs,
Karyn

Joanna Jenkins said...

Happy Actual Birthday ! ! ! ! !
xo

betty said...

Happy Birthday! great gift from yoga girl; that sounds like it will really be fun to do!

enjoy your getaway with hubby (and happy early birthday to him)

betty

La La La Leah said...

Happy Birthday I gave you an award!

CC. said...

Happy birthday sista! Sorry I have been so removed from the blogosphere. I have some catching up to do on your little blog :) happy happy, have a blast!

Midlife Roadtripper said...

"keeping my daily gratitude journal."

An incredible tool for keeping oneself in check. Some days mine said, "The sun came up today." Please do go back to writing it every day.

Happy Birthday and have fun in Newport. One of my favorite places.

Farnnay said...

Happy {Actual} Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And does hubby get to celebrate for a week too? lol

Mike said...

If I have to say happy birthday to you one more damn time...... LOL!

I am doing Rant and Rave on my other site! I was waiting for you to do the link thing, maybe next week!

Alexis AKA MOM said...

Wow that is one heck of a celebration, I so want to come to your house to celebrate. Happy Birthday to hubby too!

Helen McGinn said...

What a fantastic list. I love going to the pictures in the middle of the day...there is a cinema in the West End of Glasgow that has sofas and will serve you cocktails or wine and snacks. Yup, you get to curl up on the sofa, drink in hand, food on a large tray watching the movie of your choice.

I hope you get to help him enjoy his birthday celebrations.

The pasta recipe is on the blog! Just for you. :O)
xx

JennyMac said...

Happy Birthday! I am not close enough to buy you a real cocktail but sending the virtual kind your way. (Not nearly as tasty, I know)

Leah Rubin said...

Happy birthdays to you and the hubster! I love that you took good care of yourself for a whole week! Yay! And I'm a true believer in the whole gratitude journal thing! Keep it up!

KaH said...

Have a blast in Newport! I love it there!!

DB said...

Happy birthday a day late to LMB! I'm glad you like your gift - I am looking forward to the class since you have always raved about Rick Rodgers. Maybe I will finally learn how to cook potatoes.....

Love, Yoga Girl

Sunshine Mama said...

Happy Birthday. I like that thing about being an active participant in things instead of reading a book to pass the time.
Happy Birthday to your husband too.

Unknown said...

A belated Happy Birthday. I'm sure we can extend LMB week a bit to accommodate the late well wishers. Sounds like you had a great week. Many happy returns.

King of New York Hacks said...

Happy Birthday ! Sending good luck honks from the Big Apple !!

Dree said...

Happy birthday!! What a good idea to try new things and also to set aside time to do what you want to do. I especially like the lunch with your gf. It is so nice to catch up with old friends- your time together is that much more precious. Have a great weekend.

Alexis AKA MOM said...

Stopping by to say hi. I have another friend doing a Vision Board and has had a lot of luck with it.

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend. Hugs ;)

Farnnay said...

where art thou??????????????

rachaelgking said...

What a killer perspective. I'm going to take a page from your book in a month...

HAPPY BIRHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Ink Obsession Designs said...

This is a fantastic perspective!!

Candice said...

Happy belated birthday.

Kudos on pushing yourself to try new things. I've always wanted to go to a movie alone. Maybe I'll give that a shot one of these days.

Roxane said...

Happy Birthday week! SO glad you are taking time for yourself, enjoy! :)

Anonymous said...

Waaay too late by now, but it's all about the sentiment so... Happy Birthdays!

Little Ms Blogger said...

Esmerelda – Thanks!

Eyes Wide Open – Thank you and we ended up going to Jamestown because neither one of us had ever been. Although, I LOVE Newport and am envious.

Jane – You definitely do. I think everyone should.

The Peach Tart – Thanks.

The Sorority - It was a great week and has helped me sort through a lot of stuff.

Sunshinemeg – I had a Crumb’s cupcake and it was yummy!

Kimmy – You’d think it would be easy, but many days I run around and forget to just stop and do something I love. I highly recommend it.

Leah – It really helps to do it 1st thing in the morning – changes your entire perspective for the day.

La La Leah – We did not see the Wizard – we were out-and-about and it never happened. Sounded like you had a great time.

Melanie’s Randomness – Thanks

Titania – I did. It was just what I needed.

Midtown Girl – Definitely do the vision board and keep it where you can see it everyday. If anything, it reminds you what you want for yourself when you sometimes forget.

Green-Eyed Momster - No cake, but thank you for the birthday wishes. You ARE so correct about needing perfect health – however, sometimes, you it is the wake up call you need to appreciate everything you have.

Karyn Bernard - We had a great time and great weather…

Joanna – Thanks!

A corgi – It is a great gift and I can’t wait to go with her.

La La Leah - Thank you again for the award.

CC – It sounds as though you’ve been having a blast.

Midlife Jobhunter – Your right about the gratitude journal. It is probably the hardest and most important time for me to keep one.

Constructive Attitude – Thanks and no he didn’t celebrate. In fact, he wanted me to extend my week till Sunday, but even I thought that wrong.

Otin – It’s over. Now, I will begin saying it to you since I know you’re looking forward to turning 44.

Alexis AKA Mom - It was a pretty special week.

Helen – I wish we had a movie theatre around here like that. Thanks for posting the recipe, I can’t wait to try it.

JennyMac – Thanks for the virtual cocktail. Don’t worry, I had a real one in honor of me.

LeahRubin - Thanks and I can’t agree with you more about the journal.

Kelly – I love it there too! However, we ventured off the beaten path and went to Jamestown – so very quaint and cute.

DB – I don’t know if you’ll ever learn, but we just won’t let you bring scalloped potatoes to any event.

Sunshine Mama – Thanks – sometimes it’s hard to motivate self to be active, but am always happy afterwards.

Dan – Thanks.

King of New York Hacks – Thank you!

Dree – That was actually one of the highlights of my week.

Alexis AKA Mom - I really like hearing that about the vision board …I’m trying and am chipping slowly away at things on it.

Constructive Attitude – LOL – I’m back. I guess I took an extended vacation.

LiLu – I think you have – you’ve been planning a huge shindig for the past several months. What a great way to celebrate you…

InkObsession Designs – Thanks.

Candice – You should definitely go to a movie alone, It’s dark, no one is supposed to talk, greatest place to be alone if you don’t like being alone in public.

Roxane – Thanks. I’m glad I took the time out as well.

Matthew – It’s never too late….