36

Yesterday at precisely 9:46 pm I turned 36 Years old.
This is the first age I have hit that felt weird. This is the first age I remember my mom being, and in my head I kept her at 36 for years to follow. Last month when Nuclear mom typed about her 36th birthday and mentioned this is the age her mom was when we graduated from High school it really hit me. WOW, she had it so together back then, now I am that age. How bizarre is that?

I love my birthday, always have and think it is the best holiday in February. Even though it is closely followed by one of the most ridiculous holidays ever, although any holiday that you can eat chocolate isn’t so bad either.

To celebrate I had the best day EVER!
I left work early, ran errands, had my favorite “bad for you” lunch, went for a manicure/pedicure, a massage, relaxed and read a book. In the evening E and his parents took me out to a wonderful dinner, gave me amazing gifts. Scattered throughout the day I got many phone calls, emails, cards and messages from family and friends wishing me well. I couldn’t have dreamt of a better day. Unless somehow you add snowboarding into this day, but that didn’t happen this year. I will do that this weekend…

RATS!!!

Today marks Chinese New Year and Year of the Rat. I was born in year of the rat (not so long ago…really)

I like rats. I have had many as pets in different times of my life. First there were the couple my brother and I got at a local pet store when he was 8 and I was 12. I am bad, I can’t remember their names. I do remember though it was the first, and I think only, joint purchase we made that we did not fight over. Then there were the ones I rescued from work when I was in high school, no I didn’t work at Waffle House. I, ahem… how do I say this? I worked at a place that had a lot of rats in cages. (I think I said it okay without giving too much information that could be used against me on the confidentiality form I signed way back when… Nuclear Mom knows what I am talking about… Moving on…)Lets just say, I rescued quite a few pets. My parents were not thrilled. I eventually got fired from that job.

Batman and Robin were next, but Batman ate Robins head one night (gross).

In college there was Ren and Stimpy. Stimpy had four litters of babies, and eventually ate every one of them (gross again). Ren was sweet but got old and both passed away while I left them with a sitter when I was in transition between Steamboat Springs, upstate New York and back to Fort Collins.

Per wikipedia, here is an excerpt of some traits of the Rat (at least the parts that I felt applied to me)

“…Rats are leaders, pioneers and conquerors. They are charming, passionate, charismatic, practical and hardworking. Rat people are endowed with great leadership skills and are the most highly organized, meticulous, and systematic of the twelve signs. Intelligent and cunning at the same time, rats are highly ambitious and strong-willed people. They are energetic and versatile and can usually find their way around obstacles, and adapt to various environments easily. A rat's natural charm and sharp demeanor make it an appealing friend … Rats consider others before themselves, at least sometimes, and avoid forcing their ideas onto others. Rats are fair in their dealings and expect the same from others in return, and can be deeply affronted if they feel they have been deceived or that their trust has been abused. Sometimes they set their targets too high, whether in relation to their friends or in their career. But as the years pass, they will become more idealistic and tolerant. If they can develop their sense of self and realize it leaves room for others in their life as well, Rats can find true happiness….”

Yay to New Years and Yay to Rats!!!