Birthday Candles

Last year for my 25th birthday I went to Deadwood where I won a ton of money, did some great shopping, froze my rear end off, and did I mention I won a ton of money?

On our way to Deadwood we made a pit stop at my Aunt Kim and Uncle Bill's house in Chadron.  It is hard to find the words to describe my Aunt Kim.  She is funny, kind, smart, and she always knows the right thing to say. The best part part about her though is how she can do the littlest thing and that action can still mean the world to someone years later.

Last year at her house when I woke up on my birthday, I woke up to this.

Reason #143 why my Aunt Kim is the best:  She knows you are never to old to blow out candles on your birthday.

26

One week from today I will be turning 26 years old.  To say that I don't cope well with birthdays is a significant understatement.  It isn't so much the number that freaks me out, it is the haunting thoughts of "this isn't where I thought I would be in my life at this age."  This causes crying, whining, curling up in the fetal position, and a severe case of denial.

If you were to ask the 18 year old Quana where she would be at 26, she would have told you that she would be married with children and living back in my home town as a CPA.  For those of you that know the 25 year old Quana, this plan did not work out.

Every year I beat myself up thinking I am not where I am supposed to be in my life, and this year I finally realized that I am exactly where I am supposed to be in my life.  I have the most wonderful family anyone could ever ask for.  Their unwavering support for me means so much.  My friends are the best that anyone could have.  I have a car that is paid for, I have a wonderful job that I love going to every day, and I live in a country where I can go to sleep at night knowing I will be safe.

So why do I put myself down with thoughts of "everyone else is married" and "all of my friends are pregnant"?  Now, please don't get me wrong, I am so happy for all of my friends that are getting married and having children.  Most of the time I am simply jealous of you all.  But when I really sit down and think about it, I am in no way ready for any of that.  I will be someday, but not today.

This year for my birthday gift to myself, I am going to quit putting a timeline on my life and just go with the flow.  Things will happen when they happen, and in the mean time I am going to make sure I have as much fun as I can.

Happy birthday to me :)

My Favorite Fall Read

The leaves are changing and the weather is getting colder and before you know it the first snow storm will be here.  I know that many of you hate to think about the first time it will snow especially the kind that will stick to the ground and not leave until April, but for me it means it is time to find "To Kill A Mockingbird" and prepare to enjoy my favorite book. 

I usually read this book a few times a year, but I always like to read it when the weather gets cold because it makes my heart feel warm and full. 

If you haven't read this book you are simply missing out. 

So as it gets colder and colder and you find yourself cooped up inside and bored out of your mind, give me a call and I will lend you this book.  You can thank me later :)

No-Shave November

In my opinion, November is the best of all the months.  There is Thanksgiving to celebrate, football playoffs, my birthday is on the 20th, and of course deer season.  But the real reason that November is better than the other 11 months is because it is No-Shave November :)  No worries, I am not a follower of this tradition, but I sure enjoy seeing all of the men that do.  And in honor of this, here are a few of my favorite bearded guys.

There is Conan.  I adore him because he is funny and has red hair, but I really adore him when he has a beard. 

And then there is Billy Mays.  Gotta love a guy who can sell me hundreds of dollars of worthless crap because I am disctracted by his full beard. 

Hehehehe.  Hangover or not, the beard still looks good.

Ok, so I know that he cant grow a full beard, but it is Johnny Depp, he doesnt have to.  So if you are a guy that cant grow a full beard, just remember Johnny cant either.

And you have Honest Abe.  He freed the slaves and knew how to grow and amazing goat. 

And of course you have everyone's favorite bearded guy, Jesus.

Happy No-Shave November everyone!  I hope you are all enjoying it as much as I am.