They say it's your birthday ...

It's officially ten minutes until my 35th birthday. 


35?!? 


Yikes! When did that happen? Seriously. I don't know about you, but I still feel like I'm 16. OK, no, I don't physically feel 16, but mentally, I sure do. Where has the time gone?


I'd like to say I've got some sage wisdom to share in my (ahem) advanced age, but that's a negative. I feel like, at 35, I'm finally learning about who I am and how best to deal with and accept myself, the way God made me, in His image. I'm still grappling with what I feel are some flaws in His handiwork, but I trust that He has made me the way I am for a reason. A reason I may never know this side of heaven, but that's for Him to decide. I digress ...


As I embark on a new year, there are many things I want to improve upon and work toward. I won't bore you with the laundry list, but I will share one of the most important things for me. I want to get my FUN back. Yes, it's as trivial as it sounds. 


I want to recapture my spunk. I think the past year has all but buried my spunk and I'm out to retrieve it, Bruce Campbell style. Out with the old fuddy duddy. In with the renewed vim and vigor of years past.


I'm gonna lay my burdens down. Lighten up. Get back my mojo. Yeah, baby, yeah! (Said in my best Austin Powers impression)


Here's to a year of fun and joy! Lots of laughter, silliness, and maybe even a game of Skipbo. Wait, we'd need a goat and a rope for that ... Scratch that. Rewind. 


Cheers! I can't wait to dance my way through all that 35 has to offer! 





Here's one more because I just can't post Sixteen Candles without good old Long Duck Dong!





Love,
Oily Bohunk


P.S. Wanna know a random fact about me? I share a birthday and a last name with Britney Spears (well, my maiden name). I've got five years of crazy on her though. Happy 30th, Brit Brit! 

31 Days of Joy ~ Day 2

It's day 2 of the challenge, which also happens to be my birthday, and I'm going strong. OK, so it's only been two days, but who's counting? 


Today, the thing that brings me joy is: family. Specifically, my family. All of it. The immediate, the extended, even that black sheep uncle of mine (listen to "The Pascagoula Run" by Jimmy Buffett for reference to said uncle). 


Family is like a warm, wonderful blanket the Lord lays over us where, no matter how much we kick or fuss, it covers us. It envelopes us, and it's always there for us. People may come and go, but family is here to stay. Isn't it wonderful that the Lord intertwines so many people in our lives to surround us and bring us joy? 


Though we choose some, most are chosen for us, a fact I find utterly fascinating. Everyone's family story is different, unique. We may have similar threads but our family quilts are knit together individually ever so delicately by the Father, who knows our every word, deed, and need. 


I truly felt the love of my family today on my birthday. While my own family is entirely across the country, I miss getting to spend my special day with them. However, they never fail to touch my day in the kindest way with their cards, letters, gifts, and packages. It's almost as good as them being here with me. Almost. 


I was blessed to spend the evening with my in-laws. I know, I said "blessed" and "in-laws" in the same sentence, but it's true. I have been given a wonderful set of in-laws who couldn't be cooler. Really. My sweet sister-in-law baked my grandmother-in-law (with whom I share a birthday, which I find totally rad) and I a heart-shaped birthday cake and brought it to dinner. We had a grand time sharing a meal and trying to keep two almost-three-year-olds from serenading the whole restaurant. It was a bit messy, loud and chaotic, but it was joyful.


Thank you, Lord, for the joy of family. 

31 Days of Joy

I don't know about you, but I often get bogged down at this time of year with my to-do list, Christmas gift list, party-planning list, etc. So many lists and so little time. 


With that said, I'm giving myself a challenge for the month of December. I'm going to focus on sharing one thing that brings me joy every day for the entire month. Why is this a challenge? Two reasons: the aforementioned boggeddownedness (yes, I made that word up) and the idea that I can commit to posting on my blog every single day for an entire month.


The Lord gave me an epiphany the other day about perspective. As I was becoming harried at the thought of the inevitable time crunch I am coming under with Christms, travel, parties, gifts, and all, I was reminded of a verse of one of my favorite Christmas songs that has touched me this year like it never has. The song is "Do They Know It's Christmas Time" from Band Aid in 1984. The verse is:

The greatest gift they'll get this year is life

If you're unfamiliar with the song, it's basically about how fortunate we are and how important it is to remember those who are in need at this time of year. I've always loved this song, but this year, it's really hit me hard that we are so very fortunate to live in America and to have a roof over our heads, warmth, clothing, and water, among a multitude of other things. There are so many in this world without these very basic needs, and we take them for granted so often. We have life, and life is a gift from God.

So, I'm going to cast off the old robe of busyness and hurriedness I usually don this time of year, and take it slow, day by day, recognizing all the joy that the Lord has given me in my life.

Feel free to join in and spread the joy around. We could always use more joy. It doesn't have to be anything big; it just needs to be something that touches your heart. Just let me know if you do join in, so I can be blessed by your joyfulness as well. :)

So, for December 1, the thing that brings me joy is: life. This is the eve of my 34th birthday, and I'm overjoyed with my life. It is everything I wanted it to be and never expected. It truly is a gift. 

*Bonus*

I've thrown in the video for "Do They Know It's Christmas Time" in case you are unaware of the song or would just love to see some seriously 80s footage. ;)

Read

Do They Know It's Christmas Time Lyrics

here.