Happy Thirty-Seven!!!

Today is my thirty-seventh birthday! Huzzah!

I went back to look and see if I wrote a birthday post lastyear which in fact I did. I guess I was really excited about my birthday last year. Not to say that I am not super freaking excited about my birthday this year, because I am. I just wasn’t sure if I wanted to do a whole ‘another year older’ type post.

So instead I will give you a quick synopsis of what’s been going on lately.

I have had a chest cold for a week now. Doc says it is what it is and I just need to let it run its course. Yay! :/ I am pretty sure all of Pensacola has been sick at least once over the past month or so. Me, this is my third bout. Yuck!

I have a 5K and a half marathon next week. I am not going to PR either which I am ok with. I haven’t ran consistently for about 3 weeks. I have been nursing a nagging issue in my leg then getting sick….it’s just been a lot lately. But I know I can go out there and run/walk that half so that is what I will do. And it will be awesome! There will be lots of pictures and maybe even race updates during. You never know. I picked this race because I wanted to scout out the course for a possible full marathon next year. It’s supposed to be one of the best small races. This year, however, I am racing the Déjà vu Half+5K which is a 5K Saturday and a half marathon on Sunday. Erick and Gordie are coming along to cheer me on. I am really freaking excited! Baton Rouge here we come!

This week has been a bit surreal with all the magazine stuff going on. And I am ready to just go back to life as usual. Thankfully, so is everyone else in the world. My fifteen minutes are officially over. LOL!

Today I woke up with Gordie only to find decorations and balloons and presents all laid out for me. It was a great birthday surprise. Then I went to work and was greeted by more surprises there which just made my heart melt. I am so thankful for all of my friends and family that took the time today to send me birthday love. It was amazing to receive so many messages today.  I am not, however, thankful that my father posted a naked baby picture on my Facebook wall. That’s just a bit much. Ain’t nobody got time for that. LOL!

Yay presents! 

They have LED lights inside so they glow in the dark. How cool???

 I have the best friends...

Peonies are my FAVORITE! Love these so much! 

E has a whole birthday weekend planned out in which I don’t really know much about the specifics. I just know it starts with dinner and an overnight bag. And we’ll go from there. I know that no matter where we go or what we do it will be awesome. I am very lucky to have such a sweet and thoughtful guy in my life. I will definitely be raising a glass in his honor tonight!

Anywho, that’s about it. I am officially 37. I am 100% ok with that (not like I have a choice, right?). And in just a bit my birthday celebration weekend will begin. So for now, I bid you adieu.

Love and hugs,

Dacia

xoxoxo

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Today, as you probably already know, is my birthday. WOO HOO! I love, love, love birthdays and so far this one has been tops. My awesome friend/co-worker brought in a big box of vegan red velvet cupcakes. My other friend had flowers and balloons delivered to my work. Pretty much everyone on the surface of planet earth has taken time today to wish me a happy birthday.  It's been pretty incredible.

BEST BOUQUET EVER!!!

I am thirty-six and I totally embrace that number.

So when my friend asked me this morning how it felt to turn twenty-nine I replied with, ‘so much better the second time around’

It’s weird (and awesome) how much I have learned to love this age. There is something pretty amazing about being in my thirties. I am so thankful that I (eventually) got over the whole stigma of being thirty, being ‘old’ and in turn have made my mid-thirties the most active, the healthiest, and the happiest part of my life so far. Just further proof that life does not in fact go downhill once you hit 30.

Anywho…I don’t have much to say right now other than THANK YOU for all of the love and if you do not already subscribe to Notes From the Universe you should! Check out the awesome email I received this morning!

 

Happy Birrrrthday to Youuuu,
Happy Birrrrthday to Youuuu,
Happy Birrrrthday Dear Dacia,
Happy Birrrrthday to Youuuu!

A few years back, not so long ago, heaven and earth erupted into a major celebration with the news of your impending adventure into this very time and space. You see, someone like Dacia doesn't come along all that often. In fact, there's never been a single one like you, nor is there ever ANY possibility that another will come again. You're an Angel among us. Someone, whose eyes see what no others will EVER see, whose ears hear what no others will EVER hear, and whose perspective and feelings will NEVER, ever be duplicated. Without YOU, the Universe, and ALL THAT IS, would be sadly less than it is.

Quite simply:

You're the kind of person, Dacia,
Who's hard to forget,
A one-in-a-million
To the people you've met.
Your friends are as varied
As the places you go,
And they all want to tell you
In case you don't know:
That you make a big difference
In the lives that you touch,
By taking so little
And giving so much!

Dacia, you are so AWESOME! For your birthday, friends and angels from every corner of the Universe, including buddies you didn't know you had, will be with you to wish you the HAPPIEST of days and an exciting new year in time and space. You won't be alone!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Dacia!

Mike Dooley
Orlando, Florida, USA

PS - Dacia, this is going to be YOUR year!!

Wow! And of course, I totally agree. This is going to be my best year yet!

Love, hugs and cupcakes,

Dacia

{Semi} Wordless Wednesday: A Birthday Wish

Today is my best friend’s birthday.  She lives 1,100 miles away from me and I miss her so much!

I am thankful that I was able to see her a few weeks ago and celebrate her birthday early.

We’ve been friends for the past 15 years, which is crazy when I think back on it.

July 2009 ~ our last Phillies game together

So many memories. It’s fun to sit and reminisce and laugh about all of the crazy things we did.

 New Year's Eve 2005 into 2006, I think...

And it’s also fun to be able to spend time together (albeit limited) and create new memories.

 

 

J, me, and the husbands at Dogfish Head brewery ~ 02/2012

 



I am so thankful to have someone like her in my life. 

 Enjoying a girl's night out....

So, if you have a free minute please give her some love today:

James & Jax  BLOG

James & Jax FACEBOOK

Or on Twitter @jamesandjax

 It would really mean a lot to me.

Happy Birthday James! I love you!!!

35 in 35!

Happy Birthday to me! Today I turn 35 and as a way to celebrate this great year that is upon me I have created a list of 35 things I hope to accomplish over the next twelve months.

Running Goals

1. Run 12 races in 12 months 

2. Run in 3 different states

3. Finish a race hand in hand with Paul (optimally I would be running his pace, not the other way around)

4. Sub-30 minute 5K- current best time is 30:26

5. Sub-60 minute 10K- I have only completed one 10K and my time was 01:11:05 

6. Complete (and PR) a half marathon

7. Complete a full marathon

8. Log 750 running miles

9. Run a trail or beach race 

10. Join a running or training group

Cycling Goals

11. Attend a spin class

12. Participate in 25 group rides

13. Complete a 50 miler

14. Complete a 100K ride

15. Log 500 miles on the bike

16. Join a cycling group

Other Fitness-Related Goals

17. Attend a yoga class

18. Attend a pilates class

19. Attend a boxing class

20. Attend a Nia class

21. Attend a dance class

22. Take swimming lessons

Health Goals

23. Plant-strong for another year

24. Achieve a body fat percentage between 20-22%

25. Attend body composition and nutrition analysis through MWR

26. Complete an annual physical

Life Goals

27. Visit my parents

28. Buy my best friend a coffee (or glass of wine) and enjoy it with her

29. Meet a social media friend in real life

30. Make a new friend

31. Publish 100 blog posts

32. Read 12 books

33. Join a social group/club

34. Find a job that isn't 'work'

35. Learn a new hobby or skill

I have to admit, this list makes me really excited for this year. What a fabulous way to celebrate growing older. Maybe this is what they mean by growing old gracefully! 

I'm also going to create a page for this list and update it monthly so please check back and see how I'm doing. 

Image from http://mbaover30.com/2012/07/12/happy-35th-birthday-to-me/