Another birthday, another year of my life spent. At first this seemed like a rather depressing idea. But when I went back to review all the things that I’ve experienced or accomplished in my 26th year, it’s really not so bad! Here’s the quick off the top of my head list that I was able to remember, I’m sure there’s more…but my memory is starting to go.

1. Went on a fantastic ski trip to Keystone, CO with our friends in February 2009.
2. Adopted the fluffiest of fluffy cats, our beloved Attila.
3. Ran the Cowtown 5K race with two of my best friends, Carrie and Ashley…something I’m not likely to do ever again. The girls did wonderfully, but I thought I was going to cry from the cold and the pain. Plus, it’s expensive AND absolutely the least fun thing I can think of to do besides being tortured for information. (I really do hate running. Despite my hatred, I am desperately trying to get back into the habit. Wish me luck! And yes, I will grumble with every step I take!)
4. Planned a couple of pretty amazing girls’ nights out, if I do say so myself! I wish we could do it more often, but it does tend to get fairly expensive and hard to coordinate. So, bi-annually is probably the best I can offer. (Last year’s were in February 2009 and September 2009)
5. Tried Spam…which is now one of our favorite “we’re too lazy to cook anything complicated but don’t have enough money in our budget to go out for dinner” meals. If you’ve not tried it, don’t let it’s less than honorable reputation make you turn away in disgust.
6. Joined in the Fiesta festivities in Erin’s hometown at the time, San Antonio!
7. Played on a kickball team, the Bucky Ballers for two seasons! Me? Sports? Who would ever have believed it!
8. Finally got to see the fields of Texas bluebonnets in the spring.
9. Enjoyed a Trommer family vacation in a beautiful cabin in Oklahoma.
10. Celebrated Andy’s 27th birthday at a lake house near New Braunfels.
11. Had LASIK surgery, no more glasses!!
12. Watched and made somewhat unhelpful comments as the boys began their brewing process. (Okay, this may not be considered an accomplishment for me. But I’m counting it in my list because it happens under my supervision…)
13. Journeyed across the ocean to tour the beautiful countries of France and Spain. Now that I’ve got my European appetite whetted, I’m ready for more!
14. Transformed into a scary zombie…my first spooky Halloween costume. I usually tend to veer towards the happy and pretty costumes, your typical princesses, tigers, and cartoon characters.
15. Cut my hair shorter than I’ve ever had it before in my adult life…and I loved it!
16. Played Settlers of Catan for the first time, and now it’s one of our favorite board games!
17. Rode the TRE for the first time. Now if we have to go to Dallas, we always take the train from Fort Worth. We love public transportation!
18. Attended my first professional hockey game, the Detroit Red Wings versus the Dallas Stars.
19. Became obsessed with my new favorite television show of all time, Doctor Who on the BBC. Love love love!!
20. Met up with my college lab partner in Waco, Texas. We discovered that we still get along splendidly, even after five years of little to no communication. It’s nice to know that sometimes people just get along, and it doesn’t matter how much time passes.
21. Am currently in the process of trying to appreciate wine. It’s going moderately well. I’ve discovered that if I have cheese to snack on while sipping on the said bitter liquid, I can stomach it much better. No, I don’t think I’m on my way to alcoholism. When you go to a fancy meal, it would be nice to enjoy a toast to a glass of wine rather than a refined glass of Diet Coke.
22. Fell in love with my little kitten niece, Puffykin! She’s one adorably naughty furball!
23. I am currently in a job that challenges and interests me, and I think that’s more than most people can say about their careers. I’m lucky and I know it.
24. Helped my baby sister move away from the parents to a city she can call her own, the fun and fabulous Austin.
25. Cheered in 2010 with some of my closest friends. A girl simply couldn’t ask for a better New Year’s Eve!
26. Most importantly, I think I’m learning to accept new experiences as they come. I’m trying very hard to give new things a try before I dismiss them, something I used to do very quickly. There was a lot of the “You want me to eat what?! Do what?!” attitude before. And…if I am to do a similar list next year after my 28th birthday (gasp…), then I’d better do even more to surpass my comfort level.

There you have it, 26 items for 26 years. Let’s hope 27 is as wonderful as it’s started out being. My friends and I celebrated at a magnificently fun birthday party that Andy planned for me at Fat Daddy’s in downtown Fort Worth. A fun 80′s cover band, the Spazmatics, played until the wee hours of the morning.

Cathy, me, and Brittany ready to get the party started!

Jacques, me, and Ethan grooving to some tunes.

Andy and my fantastically sparkly self celebrating another year.

Thank you for all your birthday wishes and thoughts. Be prepared, 27 is going to be amazing!

One Response to “And On To 27 We Go!”