The BIG 3-5

So I turned 35 a few days ago.  I have been dreading this birthday for a while now.  I guess mostly because it means I am halfway to 40.  After I turned 30 I fooled myself into thinking that even though I wasn’t in my 20’s anymore as long as I was under 35 I was still young.  But once I hit 35 all bets were off…I might as well be 40.  As it turns out turning 35 wasn’t so bad after all.  I had a great day with Eric and the boys.  I even got a nap and I can’t complain about that!

Anyway, since my birthday is so close to New Years I decided to lump one of my resolutions in with my birthday.  I decided that I was going to try “35 New Things” in 2011.  Now I have to admit that this resolution is not original.  I got this idea from a friend of mine who turns 30 this year (lucky girl!) and I have to give credit where credit is due.  Thanks Mary for the great idea!!

I am so excited to say that I am well on my way to trying new things.  As of today, I have already tried 5 new things!  Hooray for me!!  I am realizing that I like the feeling I get when I try something new.  It’s kinda like the way you feel when your child tries a new food for the first time and actually LIKES it!  You almost feel proud.  That is how I feel…proud of myself that I actually got out of my comfort zone and tried something new.  Anyway, I thought I would share the first 5 with you.  I am actually in the process of #6 but I am not ready to share that one with you yet.  It’s a BIG one!  Maybe I will be ready to share that in a few months (and no I am NOT pregnant!  Remember I already tried that one in 1999, 2001 and 2010) but for now, here you go!

#1 – Blogging

I already listed my reasons for blogging in my very first post and I have no intention of boring you by repeating myself.  So let’s just say that so far I love to blog!  I could probably do it every day but once again I am trying not to bore you.  You’re welcome…you can thank me for that later.

#2 - New Hair Color

I tried a new color of highlights.  I normally only get blonde highlights in the summer to go along with my tan but I have had an abundance of grey hair pop up since I got pregnant with Luke.  Since my hair is naturally dark I felt that this new unwelcomed color was really noticeable and it bothered me.  My solution to the “grey problem” was highlights.  I didn’t want to go blonde since it was winter time so I did something I NEVER do.  I told my hair stylist to do something different…whatever SHE thought.  Yes, I actually gave up control of something!  For those of you who know me you know how hard that was for me to do!!  I had to dig deep on this one!  Anyway, she suggested a caramel color to blend in with my natural color.  Sounded good to me so I went with it and I actually love it!!

#3 – Risotto

Last week I went out with some friends of mine for our monthly Girls Night Out.  Not only did we try a new restaurant, I tried a bite of my friend’s Risotto.  When I first heard her order it I thought NASTY!!  And to be honest when it came out I thought it looked nasty too.  Like a blob of mush with spinach and carrots (I think it was carrots) mixed into it.  It didn’t look good at all.  But before I could stop myself I asked her if I could have a bite.  Graciously, she agreed.  Believe it or not…I actually liked it!  Now I know that the next time I go there I can order the Risotto and I will like it.  Thanks Rebekah for letting me taste your dinner!

#4 – Homemade Pie Crust

Believe it or not I have never made a pie crust from scratch until Saturday.  I normally buy the rollout Pillsbury pie crusts that come 2 in a box.  Somehow I have managed just fine for 34 years and 364 days by using store bought pie crusts…until Saturday.  I guess I just  wanted to try something new AND I wanted a homemade pecan pie for my birthday…that was really my motivation.  I decided to try Pioneer Woman's Perfect Pie Crust recipe to see what all the fuss was about.  She is like a celebrity or something so her recipe MUST be good, right?  Right!!  It was not only amazing, it was super easy to make!  Turns out cutting the Crisco into the flour isn’t as scary as I thought it would be.  I should have tried this a lot sooner!!  No more  Pillsbury pie crusts for me!

#5 – Yoga

I always thought that Yoga wasn’t really exercise.  But according to Bob Harper on the Biggest Loser it is an excellent form of exercise!  So I thought I would give it a shot today.  Well I am here to tell the naysayers that Yoga is most definitely exercise because my muscles are feeling it tonight!  It was a lot harder than I thought it would be.  Never realized how uncoordinated I was!  Even though it was hard I did enjoy it and I look forward to doing it again later on this week.  Hopefully, in a month or so I will be able to stand in the Palm Tree position and do the Downward Facing Dog position with ease!

That’s all for now folks.  Thanks for letting me share numbers 1-5 with you!  Can’t wait to tell you all about 6-35!!