Life Is Too Short...

I think over the past decade or so I have mellowed some. Not everyone would agree with that, but I think I have, so that is all that matters. ;-) Having kids SHOULD mellow a person somewhat. I know there is plenty to worry about once you have kids, but you have to let some things go. And actually, I have come to realize the past couple of years that I am a pretty happy person. Some of it is because things are ok in my life, some of it is because I choose to let other things go. For whatever reason, I do think that you can choose to be happy for the most part. That doesn't mean that sh*t doesn't happen, or that unfortunate or unfair things don't occur. But it does mean that you can choose the way you handle those things and you can embrace the "good stuff" all the more.

So...here are some things I have found life to be too short to perseverate on:

1. Not everyone will like me. I spent a lot of time when I was younger worrying about this and trying to be "oh so perfect". While it still bothers me if someone doesn't like me or agree with me, I try to remember that they are dumb and then I move on ;-).

2. Disliking someone because they made a bad choice...People do dumb things. Life is too short for me to hold grudges against people who have not harmed me personally or intentionally. I don't have the time or energy to alienate people who wronged someone else when that someone else has forgiven them. That being said, there are some people that I just don't like. But I prefer to attribute that to good taste.

3. Changes at work...I love my job and where I work. I might not agree with everything that goes on but I'm not the boss. That doesn't mean I don't get annoyed when someone asks me to reinvent the wheel, but I have learned to move forward in a way I didn't know how to do 10 or 15 years ago.

4. Having the perfectly clean house. I have kids, and they are boys, my house won't ever be clean again.

5. Counting every calorie...If I get killed by a bear tomorrow my casket might weigh 5 pounds more than I'd like. But then again, I'll be dead so it is really the pallbearers problem, not mine. If you are in a healthy weight zone, no need to obsess.

6. Having it all...I will never be rich, I will always (hopefully) have "just enough". It is not worth thinking about what I don't have, what I can't do and what I can't afford. I could let that bother me since in the area where I live most people have "above and beyond". It used to bother me more...maybe because I am pretty happy as I mentioned above. The old saying "money can't buy happiness" is true...of course, it HELPS, but it doesn't create it ;-).

7. Flossing is a waste of time...ok, maybe not really. But I'm busy online every night trying to write entertaining little ditties for you people. I don't have time for more grooming. And yes, I may regret this later in life...but then again, life is too short to worry and I have dental insurance.

There is more of course, but that is just off the top of my head. And I am busy packing for Disney World...so, you're gettin' a short, odd numbered list this week. Life is too short for me to worry about even numbers, I am focusing on a road trip, time with my family and seeing the happiest place on Earth.

Life may be too short for some things but the key is for you to enjoy what it is, what you have and what you can do.

I Don't Look That Old...

But apparently my body has other ideas. Over the past few years various weird ailments (none critical or deadly) have befallen me. Some I will not bore you with lest I be accused of TMI. But here is just a little list of the weirdness that is me RIGHT fricking NOW!!

1. I have a cyst on my wrist...which sound kind of fun if you say it quickly. But it isn't. It is annoying and if I bend my wrist back and put pressure on it (like if I were being forced to do push-ups at aerobics class or something) it hurts. I had one of these a bunch of years ago after one pregnancy and it went away. So, I am going with the "wait and see" approach. Plus 2 doctors (an internist on my aerobics class and my dad, a retired neurosurgeon) told me to ignore it. I like that advice.

2. I have blepharitis. Google it...it is a VERY annoying eye/skin thing that is not contagious. It is annoying, did I mention that? I makes me look like I have pink eye shadow on and my eyelids get puffy. I have this steroid cream I can only use for 2 weeks at a time because the side effect is glaucoma (WTF? The side effect is worse that the condition!) It is chronic so it is supposed to come and go, but for the past 2 months it has not gone at all. I am not supposed to wear make-up and I think that is dumb, so perhaps that is exacerbating the problem. But my eyelids are all 'roided up, they can kick your ass. Whatever...

3. Allergies...spring time crap.

4. I still have this stupid swollen forearm from pruning the rose bushes last weekend. I was hoping it would be gone by now. It is smaller, so I don't look exactly like Popeye anymore. At least I got that going for me.

5. I keep getting woken up at night with a cramp in my left leg. Aren't I supposed to eat more bananas or something for that?

Stuff like this did not happen when I was in my 30's. Is there someplace I can file a grievance or something?