If We Learn from Our Mistakes..........I Should be a Genius!

This week I turned 35 years old. THIRTY-FIVE!?! The big One-Five? The last year I can check the 26-35 age group box on surveys? The year that starts the downhill slide to forty? Yes, exactly. 35. Crap! How did that happen? I'm not really sure, some of it is sorta just a fog. Well garbled memory or no, I should have figured everything out. Right? Well not hardly, but in honor of this monumental birthday I am composing a list. Here are some things I have figured out, and a few I think I've actually gotten right.  Well mostly.
Enjoy.

1. I have learned what true unconditional love really is.
2. I have learned that my family and my real friends will stand beside me no matter what.
3. I'm too honest, too dependable and way too opinionated and outspoken.
4. I am always late for everything. (I try to be early. I really, really do.)
5. I can take care of myself. And I will.
6. I have the attention span of a firecracker. (I put on a pretty good show at first, then I just fizzle out.)
7. Being Mrs. (put really impressive name here) is not very important to me. There are more important qualities than a dude's last name and the size of his wallet.
8. I still miss my Dad as much as I ever did. Time never eases that pain.
9. I know that wounds heal.
10. I know that a broken heart will never break me.
11. I've learned that being stabbed in the back by a friend always hurts worse than any heartache.
12. I have an addictive personality. (If your a counselor or therapist you understand what I'm talking about. If not you just think I'm the bomb.)
13. I always try to do what's right, even if its not easy.
14. I am by no means perfect, but I am as damn close as you get. O.K. j/k!
15. Don't ask me my opinion, if you REALLY don't want to hear it.
16. With age I have mellowed out a lot. I don't let too much bother me anymore.
17. Mellow or not, hit the right button and I still come unglued.
18. I smoke even though I know I shouldn't.
19. I drink because I like to.
20. And I don't like being told I should quit either of them.
21. I love old 4WD's and fast cars.
22. I hate to hurt any one's feelings.
23. I believe in Karma.......and she is not my friend.
24. I've learned that you can only help someone who wants to be helped.
25. I hate liars, cheaters and thieves.
26. I hate it when someone mistakes my positive, happy easy going nature for Stupidity or Weakness.
27. I believe there is good in everyone. Some just don't like to show it.
28. On most occasions, I'm an overly optimistic person.
29. Except when the world is out to get me and there is nothing that can help.
30. I believe that everything in life happens for a reason.
31. I know who I am, I know what I want, and I'm not going to settle for anything less.
32. I've learned that it doesn't matter what cards your dealt in life, just how you choose to play them.
33. I've learned that life often resembles a game of Blind Man's Bluff.
34. I've finally reached the age that I know that I don't know everything, and I know that I am not invincible.
35. I thank God everyday for keeping me alive until I figured that out.

Shew! That's enough education for one day. I feel better already, knowing that I actually have walked away from the last 3 1/2 decades with a little something. Now its time to go get ready for a rare night on the town to celebrate with the girls. Whoo Hoo!

There is still no cure for the common birthday. ~ John Glenn

     Except for maybe just straight up lying. :-p   ~ yours truly  2/22/2007