joyeux anniversaire stacey!

Yes, it's my birthday and I thought what more fitting a day to post a little sumtin, sumtin on my neglected blog.

I am incommunicado today (except for my adorable son here at home with me and my sweet daughter dear in the UK who I skyped with earlier). No phone calls are being accepted, no emails replied to...just me at home doing what I want, when I want with no one to interfere. I'm loving it.

Some thoughts on previous birthdays:

It's never much fun when you have to "share" a celebration.
Most people really don't know you very well and that is even more obvious on birthdays.
I love surprises, but to date not very many have ever truly been a surprise.
When you go out with people to celebrate your day, they still want to do what they want to do most of the time.
NONE of my husbands ever had a clue.
It sucks when your father always chooses your birthday to travel. (And I mean always!)
Childhood memories of this day involve really stupid theme parties and being forced to dress up as a cowgirl or some other such nonsense.
My children make me smile almost every day - my birthday is no exception :)

So...now perhaps you see why I am holed up at home just being me on my day.

A dear friend posed the question to me the other night asking if I was sure that 9/13 is my true birthday. Hmmm, now that got me wondering. As an adoptee I know little of my birth. I was picked up at (I believe) 2 weeks old from some nurse's home in Evergreen Park, IL. Given this knowledge, I can only assume that my birthday is at the very least CLOSE to 9/13 but since my birth certificate has my adopted parents' names on it, it clearly isn't the original and its accuracy is anyone's guess. So goes the life of a black market baby...

Out of sheer curiosity (and spurred by my last comment) I looked up inflation rates and found at The Inflation Calculator the amusing fact that "What cost $10,000 in 1958 would cost $73,657.59 in 2008." Wow! That still sounds pretty damn cheap and a hella deal for something/one as valuable as moi!

So, in the vein of this blog I suppose I should muse on what lessons I have learned this past year. (In no particular order.)

Children DO grow up and become your friends - yet always remain your children (interesting how that works). I've also learned how to really appreciate my children for who they are. And I have learned that my life would be very lonely without them - they are definitely my sun and moon (new tat in the design stages).
Enjoying being alone is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. And I am enjoying today big time. I've also learned that "being alone" doesn't mean having to talk on the phone to someone...being alone means just that, all by yourself - and it is a wonderful thing if you embrace it.
Vegan (and raw) foods really are better for your health and wellbeing (and taste amazing to boot). Purely Decadent Dairy Free Mocha Almond Fudge is my b'day dessert today and I am a happy camper (thanks SO much sweet boy for getting me a nice, overly indulgent supply!)
You can outgrow so many things, from clothes to lifestyles to people. And it is all good. Just go with the flow. If you don't like it today, you probably will soon.
Money...I've learned how to live with less yet still live with all I need. I've learned that it is ok to fall as long as YOU pick yourself back up. I've learned that I will always have a "rich kid" mentality and I think that serves me well. I've learned that it really is FUN to buy things (especially big ticket items) with cash. I've learned why little old ladies like to keep their cash under their mattress and I learned a new use for my gun safe. I've learned that if you surround yourself with people who are in a state of "poverty consciousness", you will likely end up broke (this little gem came from the Urban Mystic on SoulGarden.tv and applies to many other aspects of life as well).
Work: I LOVE MY CAREER! I've learned, to the depths of my being, that in this moment, real estate is exactly what I should and want to be doing. I love what I do, I love my clients (and it appears that they love me back <3), I love the paydays when they come...I love it all!
I've learned that my house isn't as important to me as I thought. I love it dearly but have learned that, as with everything, it is but a phase in my life. Some day I will most likely have a different home and that one will mean just as much to me I expect.
Spiritual "retreats" and meditation improves me and my life - I need to do more of this!
I've learned that if you don't set up expectations, you won't be disappointed. (Another reason why I am choosing to be alone today - I know I won't disappoint myself! Sometimes setting up no expectations means not putting yourself in a social situation.)
I've learned that I really do want to spend more time outside - walking, camping...or?
I've learned to avoid drama at all costs - it makes one a much more joyful person to do so.
I've learned how to avoid getting angry 99.99% of the time. What freedom this brings!
I've relearned that I am a healer - and a damn good one! Also that this gift is something I cherish and am honored to be.

I do believe that I have learned how to be happy and a whole lot about who I really am - think it took me long enough?