St. Louis Site - Upper Limits

Anyone else find some great deals through Groupon? I have and this one was another winner.

Hubs turns 29 tomorrow and so I bought a groupon to Upper Limits Indoor Rock Climbing Gym. I had  wanted to go there with Hubs for over a year now, but I knew it needed to be a special occasion because it wasn't the cheapest activity. With the groupon, however, we paid $15/person for a 2-hour Rock Climbing 101 class, rentals (harnesses, belay system, chalk, and shoes), and a full day of climbing (regularly $30/person).

You know me. Always ready for a new adventure and this sounded like one for sure.

In the class, we learned all the basics to climbing and belaying - tying knots, important gear, technique, etc. Then, we practiced climbing and belaying while being supervised by our instructor. Once he passed us, we were able to climb on our own.

I think Hubs was slightly nervous about me being between him and falling hundreds of feet to the crushed rubber ground, however, I didn't let him drop. Talk about a trusting sport. I found it to be pretty hard and only made it to the top one time before my arms feeling like jello and not being able to go further. Hubs, however, made it to the top 3 times on more difficult routes before feeling the jello.

We both enjoyed it so much. Not only was it a fun thing to do, but the staff and instructors were great and I'd recommend anyone to try it.

After you take the class, they give great coupons to come back and climb again. Coupons that we will definitely be taking advantage of in the next month. Also, tomorrow (1/20) they are having a sale with 50% off their yearly membership. That's a great deal if you are interested in making climbing a full-time hobby.

twenty-seven, i mean twenty-six

(Yes, this was taken while I was driving. Taking pictures while driving has not yet been banned!)

The countdown to my birthday starts later and later each year. We are about 36 days away, but I am more concerned about savoring this beautiful weather we are having. My favorite time of the year is from October 1st through January 1st and my birthday only has a little to do with it anymore. (FYI to Hubs - this does not mean I will not want to celebrate my day.)

I've already been telling people I'm 27, though. I mean, we are close enough and really I can't wait to be 27.

Does that surprise you? I dreaded 26, but I am excited for 27?

Twenty-six really wasn't that great of an age. I felt like I was getting old the entire year. I realized I was getting farther away from my early twenties and closer to my late twenties. It was depressing, at first.

Twenty-six reeked havoc on my body. Gravity has started to take affect and I am having to work harder at maintaining firm skin. I feel like skin is hanging in places where it used to cling firmly to my muscles and bones. My stomach used to stay relatively flat no matter whether I was working out or eating right. My abdomen is now starting to have issues, on top of my giant thighs and ever-growing butt. And I used to be able to workout for a week and feel like the problem was fixed; now, I have worked out for months and realize the problem will never leave.

This is not complaining, by the way (I know you can't hear my tone, so I wanted to clarify). I am just making some general observations at what the age of 26 has done. So far, it has just motivated me to get on top of the problem and not let it fester until I reach 37, which I can only imagine will make things even more difficult. Lifestyle and eating habits are going to need to be adjusted as we enter these later twenties.

But right now, I am ready for twenty-seven. I have gotten over the lamenting for my early twenties. And actually, I would rather be twenty-seven than twenty-one again. I am happy to have gone through all the trivial trials of becoming an adult, and now I am able to look back and see the progress of maturity. It is so nice to have Hubs sharing my life and I really would rather grow older than get younger.

I feel twenty-seven. I think this if the first time I actually feel my (almost) age. Life has more perspective, more depth. Life isn't always about me anymore, and I can only hope that continues as I get older. Yesterday, I was actually looking forward to being 20 years older, just so I can (hopefully) be more spiritually mature in my walk with God. That is becoming what my life is about.

So, here is the beginning of the yearly countdown....36 days 'til BIRTHDAY TIME!

Halloween

For years I disliked Halloween. Mainly because it diverted attention away from me my birthday. Then I went through a stage where I loved Halloween - the pumpkins, the weather, the food, and the novelty of having a birthday on a not-so-important holiday.

This year, I was once again reminded why I sometimes dislike Halloween. Hubs and I ended up at the Wichita mall right in the midst of trick-or-treating time. Most of the costumes were cute and tasteful. However, the part that I dislike are the gross, scary costumes. The grotesque masks and face paint - not my thing. Dressing up as a giraffe, football player, or puppy - that's cute and fun. Dressing up as a scary thing with a yucky mask or fake blood - I don't get it.

My ideal Halloween includes spicy chili, warm gooey cinnamon rolls, hot coffee, and caramel apples. Maybe some carved pumpkins and fun games, like bobbing for apples or eating a donut off a string, too.

Nothin' scary 'bout that.

The start of my 26th year

Beautiful flowers.

A chance to sleep while Ransom went for his morning walk.

Breakfast out.

A trip to Wichita.

Two new pans.

Cold weather gear.

A Husker win.

And a beautiful day.

Not much more you can ask for on the last day of October - and your 26th birthday.

Hubs planned it all; which made my birthday (the first birthday without a test the next day) a great day.

9 days

There's 9 days left. I really like 25. Just as much as I liked 24, 23, 22, and even 21. But 26, although still mid-twenties, is almost to the late-twenties. Really? Can I really be almost 26?

Wasn't I just celebrating my 16th birthday a few months ago? Ten years goes by so fast.

This does not mean that I am dreading my birthday. You know me, birthdays are my thing. I think they should be a huge deal, full of presents, and surprises, and no cleaning or chores, or work. In my mind, it is a day to celebrate with family and friends, if possible, and do something out-of-the-ordinary.

I am definitely not dreading becoming 26, I am just a little in shock that I am going to be 26. That sounds old. My brothers are 20 and 22; that seems so young, you know, since I am at the mature age of 26.

I have never really dreaded my birthday, mostly because I don't think of the age, just the party.

What about you? Has their been a birthday that you just dreaded? What age was it?