The New Year, The New Number

A year and a half ago, when I visited Florida (and got engaged) I weighed 22 pounds less than I weighed this go round. You want exact numbers, don't you? Well, I'm not currently drunk, so, sorry, but let's say the number then was a-okay. The number now is, um, not. I kept my cover-up on while sunning on the beach during this recent mini-vacation and I tried to suck in my gut just the whole damn trip which is flipping annoying (and exhausting). Trust me.

I've slacked on Weight Watchers a whole fucking lot a bit this last month, although the scale was kinder than I feared when I trudged onto it this morning.

I have some work cut out for me this year if I want to make it different from last year and ONCE AND FOR ALL silence this broken record. But, I don't really want to make bold declarations or ridiculous promises that make me red with embarrassment when I come back here telling another tale of how my weight-loss goals were sort of kicked around by my pizza goals. I'll continue to keep you posted and I refuse to cancel my WW online subscription, as I'm not turning my back, no, I'm just focusing on today and no other day and seeing how that treats me.

It's not going to be a resolution; it's just going to be what I'm doing today and hopefully tomorrow and, yes, hopefully in three months time, but most importantly today. We'll just work on today.

I do have some other plans for 2008; plans that include more travel, seeking out writing opportunities, completing our wedding scrapbook, sending off cards ON TIME and remembering important days better than I did in 2007. I also plan to be in a new car and a new house by the time 2009 appears on the horizon, but none of these are resolutions or even goals. They're just on the "list" of things I'm thinking about and sort of crossing my fingers for. Again, we'll just work on today.

I really do feel good about 2008 and I think that's as good a place as any from which to start a new year.

::

Mike and I were sitting in the airport yesterday, waiting on our second flight of the day, with two more ahead of us. We had all of our stuff piled beside us—one of the perks of flying standby—and we were reading our magazines of choice (Mine, Glamour; His, Popular Science) when Mike read aloud from an ad to me, "Do you know what's colder than ice?" Me, "What?" Mike, "Nothing." After mulling this over I said, "I just don't think I agree with that." And he looked at me, all serious and adorable and said, "Yeah, I know. Like what about really cold ice."

If pushed to make a resolution (although, sure, no one's really pushing) I'd resolve to love people for exactly who they are this year. People are bound to disappoint, to back out of plans, to tell white lies, to judge without really meaning to, to forget the dishes or the trash because Sim City has been freshly downloaded, to underestimate the power of their words, to misunderstand your intentions, but the only way to become exactly who we are is to accept someone for exactly who they are.

People are just stunning, no changes required, and I realized this for the millionth (or perhaps the first) time while sitting in an uncomfortable airport chair on New Year's Day.

After that exchange, I said to Mike, "I'm fond of you." And he said, no pause, "I'm fond of you, too."

Yes, I think 2008 is going to be just lovely.

::

Natalie was born five days before me (granted, in a completely different year). When I was over at her house the other day, helping her with her save-the-date cards, she told me she thought for most of this year that she was turning 27, that she actually said to someone, "Ugh, I don't want to turn 27" and they said back, "You're not! You're turning 26!" She laughed and said turning 26 seemed like no big deal after that. And I laughed because, come on, that's funny shit right there. But she's got a point, that one. All we need is a little perspective.

And because I was soaking up the Florida sun when her birthday rolled around, happy belated TWENTY-SIXTH birthday, my friend, and now that I've finally caught up with you (oh how those five days dragged on), we can be 26 together. And continue to roll along, growing always older and, thank god, ever closer.

But let's not forget about Alaska, as birthday hats just don't run that big and the winters up north aren't conducive to pool parties or birthday BBQs, causing it to most likely hate the early January birthday I've sort of grown to love.

So here's to this new year and doing away with resolutions and here's to 26 (not 27!) which snuck up on me, surprisingly, but so far (a whole minute in!), so good.

::

And because I'm itching for a few flickr comments, here's the set from our recent Florida vacation.   

Comments

[bethany actually]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I have more to say but I am already up late enough so I'll try to remember to email you tomorrow. Uh, later today, I mean.

Also, once again, I find myself blinking back tears (in a good way) at something you've written. Basically that whole second section up there.

[jodi]

Oh I hear you on the weight thing, I'm p 17 pounds from where Iwant to be. Want to be weight loss buddies again with me?

[slynnro]

Happy Birthday. I seriously dreaded 26 because I was no longer in my early to mid 20s. Now that I'm 27, I feel officially kind of old. Enjoy your youth while it lasts!

I personally am giving up shopping for the next 60 days, and attempting to take up healthy cooking. Changes. They suck. Good luck with WW.

[Jess]

Yay Florida vacations! I have the same attitude as you when it comes to WW and resolutions. Not a resolution, just an attempt to focus on health today and each day as they come.

[Someone Being Me]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! What are your plans for the night? Hang in there on the Weight Watchers. Now that the holidays are over it should be easier to lose and keep the weight off.

[Raven]

I am about to turn 33. That makes 26 seem less bad doesn't it?

Happy Birthday honey. Check your e-mail when you get the chance. Not only for the tail of endometriosis woe, but hopefully for something a little brighter. See also myspace :)

[merrymishaps]

Happy Birthday!

[Katie]

Happy birthday, dear Jennie! And I had to laugh about your magazine choices...they completely mirror mine and Jon's :)

[Angella]

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Great post, per usual :)

I'll be here rooting you along the whole way!

[Swistle]

My pizza goals hang with a VERY TOUGH CROWD.

[Kristabella]

Happy Birthday!

It is hard to just accept people as they are and not try to make them the person we want them to be. I'm trying to do that as well.

Good luck! And as far as the WW thing, the best thing is to really take it one day at a time. You know it works. Slow and steady wins the race. We're all going to stumble, but just brush yourself off and get back on that horse.

And all sorts of other cliches. :)

Hope you have a fabulous birthday!

[Kristie]

I'm always here to encourage you with the weight loss. Eric's even, sort of, doing Weight Watchers. When he realized that regular soft drinks have points, he about quit!

Happy belated birthday Natalie!!

[Erin]

Happy Birthday! Today is my step-father's birthday too! Thanks for helping me remember to call and send him loving bday wishes!

As for turning 26, that was a pretty good year for me and I hope it's especially fantastic for you!

In 32 days I'll be turning 28 and I'm not quite sure how I feel about that yet. Perhaps I ought to just be thankful for having another year!:)

[banana]

Happy Birthday!

I am right there with you on the weight loss thing. I was doing really well- exercising and eating well, yet the scale was not cooperating. So I banished it. I wasn't willing to let it sabotage me. Who knows if it worked or not (I have still avoided it's hateful judgement), but it's helping me stay focused on what is important and that is moving my body every day and eating better.

[Michelle]

Happy BIRTHDAY! I hope you've had a fantastic day and didn't worry about anything. That's what birthdays are for - your personal new year!

[Whitney]

Happy birthday! Hope you have a fantabulous day!

(So glad I stumbled across your blog during NoBloShoeMo!)

[Natalie]

Happy birthday!! I'm so glad you finally caught up to me!! I wish I could have gone to FL with you! I liked your perspective on you and Mike's relationship, yall are just so darn cute! I can't wait to party with you tomorrow!

[Unnaturally Blonde]

Happy Birthday love!! I'm glad to hear that you had a great time in Florida, I'm so jealous. Now we are in the 26 club! Hooray!

[Michelle & the City]

happy birthday!!! :D

[HoorayForSaturday]

Birthday greetings.
Here's wishing you joy & laughter this year.

[EmilyPie]

I hope you had a fantastic birthday. May you wear many pairs of beautiful shoes this year ..... (and may you meet me at blogher '08!)

[metalia]

Happy birthday! Hope the coming year brings you health, happiness, and only good things. :)