Neverland...how do I get there?

When people would complain about getting older it bugged me. It did. I thought...why not appreciate getting older and wiser etc.
The fact is, I am a hypocrite because this year has been the year it hit me. I dont want to get older.
I feel it already! I havent minded turning older every year but this year I am going to successfully skip over my birthday and pretend it never happened. I know its a few months away but I am already stressing.
A few things that scare me.

1- I can already tell a difference in my body. I dont have nearly the energy when I was in high school or early college. And I do not have the excuse of a having a child either. I can SEE a difference already as well.
2- WRINKLES. I love being silly with my Uncle Chuck. We recently took a picture of the 2 of us and I to my surprise...I have crows feet around my eyes!!

I have used and abused my skin and its SO SO sad. Why cant you get things through your head when you are young?
I remember my friends sister worked at a tanning salon and we would go tanning all the time! I would have to hide it from my grandma because she would always scold me about being in the sun and I thought she was just being an old ornery lady, when it turns out she was so smart.
When I lived in Hawaii I would go lay out everyday...without sunscreen!! I would get so dark, and love it, and then 2 weeks after being back in Utah it was gone. Worth it? I dont think so.
I couldnt find a picture of me at my darkest, but I found one. Its a horrible picture because its like a picture of a picture but you get the idea.

Sunspots...I got plenty.


And Im only 25! There is no way to reverse it.
Now, the first thing I do when I get to the beach or outdoors is put on 50 SPF around my eyes.
I do not want to look like this in another 10 yrs

Or this...

Its just not worth being tan for a couple weeks.

So Im going to be 26 this year. YU-UCK. To be single and 26 in Utah is like death and boy am I having fun..but really...Im pushing 30. I was having a discussion the other day with someone about kids and they asked how many I wanted and I said...4 or 5. And their response
"How old are you?"
"Ill be 26 in November"
"Thats not going to happen"

Ok. Thats ok. I dont need 5, but to not be able to do things because of your age!
Oh, and now, Ill be in a new category when I fill out the bubble sheets.

( )18-25 years of age
(X)26-100 Years of age...ugh.

But on a happy note (I really think we need one right now) I have done some amazing things in my life over the 26 years Ive been alive.
I feel really glad for the things Ive been able to do and the lessons Ive learned.
There's a quote I liked from the movie The Guardian with Ashton Kutcher & Kevin Costner, and its from the lady bartender and she says,
"Hell, I've always been old Ben. Ya' know what though, I don't mind. I mean if my muscles ache, it's because I've used 'em. It's hard for me to walk up them steps now, its 'cuz I walked up 'em every night to lay next to a man who loved me. I got a few wrinkles here and there, but I've layed under thousands of skies with sunny days. I lived and I loved, danced, sang,and sweat my way through a pretty darn good life if you ask me. Getting old ain't bad Ben. Getting old, that's earned".
Getting old is earned, Getting old is earned, Getting old is earned. Maybe if I keep repeating it It will soak in.
If not, I seriously am going to start looking for Peter Pan to take me to Neverland where I dont have to grow old.
Anyone else had a tough year to turn?

Cried like a baby

I saw this video on my friends facebook last night and seriously cried my eyes out.
I think its easy to go on your day to day things and totally forget about all the men and woman sacrificing so much for us. Its also a small reminder of what their families go through.
I feel so grateful, and touched.
Might wanna grab a kleenex. Oh maybe pause my music at the bottom as well.

July 15th!

I kind of made up my own holiday. Its worked out quite well for me the last couple of years. This year was no exception.
Its simple. July is my very favorite month of the year, and 15 is my favorite number. We are lucky enough to celebrate 2 holidays here in Utah in July, I thought Id be stingy and add one more. And there you have it, July 15th. Ive even had someone give me a gift on this day because they knew I loved it.
The BF was sure nice to me this day as well. He planned a mighty fine date.
I came home from work to a lovely surprise...a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
Then off we went on our date. This date screamed summer and couldnt have been better for the July 15th holiday- an outdoor movie at the capitol!
This picture is kind of blurry but still fun. Doesnt my ankle look broken? haha

If you look close, you can see the screen in the background. We got there just in time for a beautiful sunset.

While we watched the movie we had the most delicious picnic Russ had packed. Costco has this AMAZING chicken salad sandwhich mix. It has walnuts, and cranberries, and chicken...its so good. We had that on some nice soft pitas. Oh...so good.
One of my favorite desserts is fruit pizza. I had stopped by Kneaders for one of their fruit pie things for dessert. It was a dandy of a meal.

I had so much fun, the weather, the food, the company, all perfect.