1 and 2.

1. Sarah Stamm left me the raddest birthday present on the front porch. She handmade an Adirondack chair. When we pulled up I could see this wood thing on the porch and really didn't know what it was. Then it turns out it's an amazing chair that would easily cost $300 from a swanky store. And, it's made nice enough it could be in one of those swanky stores. I rushed out of the car like a kid on Christmas morning making a run for the tree. And Molly kept saying, "oh my god" over and over and over. (She's jealous and will probably sit in it more than me). I tried to sit in it but the varnish is still drying so I'm giving it until tomorrow. But, after I get back from Tacoma, you're going to have to pry me out of that thing with a crowbar. Now I can sit on the porch and spy on the neighborhood in class.

2. My birthday present to myself (besides a new truck) is going to be an oath to let my old-ass self stop wasting precious time writing to-do lists. It's sort of a tic for me, something I've done my whole life. When I feel overwhelmed or anxious, I'll just write down everything I feel looming over me and it brings a certain sense of comfort. But, it's also pretty neurotic and something that wastes a hell of a lot of time. Time that could be spent actually doing the things on the list, or time spent sitting my new Adirondack chair. So, I'm going to try to go a full year without doing it. It'll force me to a) be proactive rather than postponing stuff I "want" to do b) improve my memory since I can't use a list as a crutch c) make me do important stuff immediately so I don't forget it and d) save a ton of paper. So, to make this easier, I am allowing one grand finale type list. Something to reference when I start getting ancy about what I should be doing. It's what I envision within the next year, in a perfect world. So, without further ado, I present to you my 25th year...

- Molly's going to kill me if I spend another minute leafing through Truck Trader or cruising Craigslist. Seriously. So, I need (want) to get a new truck soon. I'd like to do it ASAP so I can stop obsessing over it. I'll love whatever I end up with. As long as it sucks gas down like it's $0.50/gal and is red it'll end up being just fine.

- I'd like to get back to my roots and start riding/training/breaking my fat fat horse. She's surly, spoiled, obese, and feels entitled to the good life. Now's the time to turn that all around. I'm going to polish up my saddle, get a new helmet (because I'll need it), buy a pair of spurs and open this can of worms right on up. Tickets going on sale 08.31 (you'll want to see this).

- I want to become a firefighter. But, since I don't want to sound like I'm entitled, I'm going to go with: testing to the best of my abilities with departments that I can fully commit myself to. (such a CHID answer). But seriously, I am going to give this my all. I fully know I am ready for this and want it and would be honored to work for either department who's list I'm currently on. I hope to expand my options but it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if I didn't have to.

- Work on the house. Specifically, I'd like to paint it something other than periwinkle, flood-proof it, build the back patio, get an easier route to the backyard, and fix up the attic. But, we'll see...

- I think I'm ready to take the plunge into winter gardening. That's right, I said it. It's not important that my summer garden (the easy one) has tomato bushes falling over each other, bolted broccoli, chicken-pecked acorn squash and stunted freakishly-small bell peppers. I'd like more responsibility and more to do!!

- Also, what would be sweet would be to go surfing. I haven't done that for a couple years. And what better place than...

- On vacation. Enough of this staycation crap. I want to spend the money on an airplane ticket, leave the state of Washington, be away from my computer and cell phone, and actually get a tan (since this summer's not cutting it). I'm thinking... February, the worst month in the Pacific Northwest. Guam??

- Something I've been putting off for a long time is going through my boxes of junk. I don't want to do it but I think Molly will light it all on fire if I don't go through it. Although, today we decided that we might do it like this: I keep her company and drink beer with her while she sorts my junk. She likes spying on my past, I like drinking beer. I hate sorting my junk. Everyone wins. I'm spoiled.

- I will be coaching UW rugby with Deb again. I'm excited to be a bigger part this year. I'm not excited for the freezing air near Montlake.

- And, last but not least, I look forward to bidding Maddie adieu. She is a good horse but I have no room for her in my life.

In less concrete terms, I have a few ideas about things I'd like to do more of: Crossfit, cooking at home, sleeping, being with friends, seeing my family, exercising Suzy, being outside, being on time, loving Molly.

And, that's that. We'll see how long I hold out. Let's see if more stubborn and proud or more crazy.