30 by 30

   I ran across and article on another blog about 30 things you should do/have/whatever by 30  -so I figured I'd go through and see where I'm at since I turn 29 in July. Yikes.
 

By 30, you should have:

1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you’ve come. ((I don't have one I can imagine going back to, but I do wonder how life would have been - aka: probably not great since he couldn't keep his keep his zipper up while dating. Haha! And I have one that reminds me of how far I've come, that's for sure.))
2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family. ((Does my mattress count? We LOVE our mattress, and we got it brand new.))
3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.
4. A purse, a suitcase and an umbrella you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying. ((I'm a purse whore, so I've got that down. I do want some awesome luggage and  a "happy" umbrella.))
5. A youth you’re content to move beyond. ((Amen!))
6. A past juicy enough that you’re looking forward to retelling it in your old age.((Bahaha - you have no idea!))
7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age—and some money set aside to help fund it.
8. An e-mail address, a voice mailbox and a bank account—all of which nobody has access to but you. ((Rich has access to everything, and vise-versa.))
9. A résumé that is not even the slightest bit padded.
10. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry. ((I have some of the most AMAZING friends, I love them oh-so-much!))
11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill and a black lace bra. ((All but the bra- I hate those things.))
12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it. ((Again, purses make me happy.))
13. The belief that you deserve it. ((Oh, I do. I may  not get to have them but once in a blue moon now, and trust me, I miss getting a new purse. But, I know I deserve it.))
14. A skin-care regimen, an exercise routine and a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life that don’t get better after 30.
15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship and all those other facets of life that do get better. ((I'm a SAHM who's learning as she goes. I've also fought for my marriage when hell came barrelling through it when he came home with PTSD.))

By 30, you should know:

1. How to fall in love without losing yourself. ((That one is tough, and I didn't learn it til a few years ago when I fell in love with Rich all over again.))
2. How you feel about having kids. ((It took having Braxton for me to realize it - but, hey, I'm ready for another!))
3. How to quit a job, break up with a man and confront a friend without ruining the friendship. ((I can do the friendship one, the rest, nah.))
4. When to try harder and when to walk away. ((That takes years of practice, and I'm still learning.))
5. How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t like to happen next. ((Yes sir!))
6. The names of: the secretary of state, your great-grandmother and the best tailor in town.
7. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to. ((Deployment will teach ya that!))
8. How to take control of your own birthday.
9. That you can’t change the length of your calves, the width of your hips or the nature of your parents.
10. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over. ((You take the good and the bad.))
11. What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love. ((We've choosen to be happy and not make a lot of money instead of being unhappy, apart and making a bunch. WE come first.))
12. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs or not flossing for very long. ((Oh I so can't drink anywhere near as much as I used to - and don't see how I did back then. Ouch.))
13. Who you can trust, who you can’t and why you shouldn’t take it personally. ((That's another one that takes years of practice. I still hold hope you can trust just about anyone, but I know in my heart you can't.))
14. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault. ((Amen!))
15. Why they say life begins at 30.

   I guess I've still got a while to go. Turning 30 used to freak me out - and, in a way, it still does, but not like it did before Braxton. Having B turned my life upside down, inside out, and then pooped on it  - all in a good way.
   Now when I look at 30 it makes me want to be wiser - not neccessarily older, come on - but to not make the youth filled mistakes I did. I've spent all of my 20's married to Rich, thinking of going into our 30's just makes it that much sweeter.