General Rules of Living

Instead of a New Years resolution I usually just try to be a better person and learn more than the year before. There is so much information out there on what is good and bad for you...often conflicting. It's hard to figure and sort it all out. It's hard to know what to believe. My general rule of thumb is balance. Nothing over the top or extreme. No having ALL of this and NONE of that. I thought I would share a list of "General Rules of Living" that I've revised from the Holistic Family Medicine (of Austin) website and that I feel to be a guide in the way I live life and take care of myself. Its a great reminder if nothing else...


Know yourself and your preferences and try to be true to them.
All things in moderation.
What goes around comes around, so do unto others as you would have others do unto you.
Make friends.
Exercise every day.
Live with no regrets.
If you smoke, quit.
Pray.
Mourn losses, celebrate successes.
Laugh, dance, and sing.
If you don't use it, you lose it.
Garden.
Try new things.
Get outside.
Wash your hands.
Recycle.
Seize the Day.
Eat your vegetables.
Hug your loved ones and tell them what they mean to you.
Love.
Avoid soft drinks, high fructose corn syrup, artificially hydrogenated vegetable oil, fried foods, burned foods, ingredients you've never heard of or more than 15 ingredients.
Give.
Learn to live with less sugar, not with replacements.
Eat anything that you crave once in a while.
Take your vacations
Eat animal products less.
Avoid boxed or canned foods.
Nap.
Give more compliments than criticism.
Support local organic farmers.
Take a media/technology holiday.
Say you're sorry.
Take walks.
Work hard at what you like.

Happy Birthday, Happy New Year and Happy Annivesary!

In addition to Christmas we have so much to celebrate during the holiday season. Although important milestones in our life, we willing played these events low key. After traveling every single weekend for over a month we decided that we wanted enjoy these celebrations in the comfort of our home in San Antonio. On the 23rd I turned (gulp) 30! Unreal. But I feel ready to be 30 because I am happy with my life. I've graduated college, married my love, started a professional career, bought a home and had my first child. I think that I've accomplished a lot. All that I've ever wanted so I can't wait to see what's in store for me for the next decade. The day before my birthday we had burgers and shakes at a local joint with my best friends. Most everyone was working, leaving town, or having babies this day, but my three best friends (Julie, Ana, and Rikki) managed to show up even from out of town. On my birthday I saw my 98 year old Grandmother and had lunch with my mom at The Cotton Seed just outside San Marcos. I dropped Jude off with his Nani in Kyle and I went home to take a nap (glorious!). Then Chris surprised me and took me to dinner at my favorite restaurant Huisache Grill in New Braunfels. We met Ana and Ben there. Ana is my birthday buddy with the same birthday as mine! It was a great way to spend the evening. The boys wanted to take us through "Santa's Ranch" a drive through trail of lights but the line was miles long! So we called it a night...a great night.
On New Years we did nothing! It was great. We had every opportunity to do it big. My brother had a huge party in Austin at The Gibson Guitar Showroom. We had our free babysitters (Grandparents) ready and willing, but alas, after so much hustle and bustle and traveling, all we wanted to do was stay at home! We did just that. Jude went to bed early and slept through the fireworks that are so crazy big out here past the city limits sign. Chris and I made it a movie night and it was the best way I could think of ringing in a new year and a new decade....together! We've done the long distance and separation for over 10 years now and it is a great feeling to know that we won't have to do it anymore! So we welcome 2011 with open arms!
Yesterday was our 7 year anniversary! It's hard to believe we've been married that long. Perhaps because so much of it we have not been together. So in many ways we still feel like newly weds. Since Chris had to work yesterday we celebrated on Sunday. My mom watched Jude and we went to see Harry Potter and ate some Greek food (my favorite) at Demos. Nothing fancy, but going to see a movie is such a big deal after you have kids so it was fabulous. I don't even remember the last time I saw a movie in the theater with just us two. We usually decide on a gift that we get together for our home. We have yet to decide on that.
Yep....30 years old, new decade and seven years of marriage. Nothing fancy....maybe we seem old or lame, but it was just perfect and just what we needed!