I write this in the last few hours of my birthday.  I celebrated the day with friends, capping off a wonderful weekend. 

But I do take time on my birthdays to look at what I've accomplished since my last birthday. I have to say, this has been a good year.

• I visited Alaska for the first time (Hi, Paula and Charles).
• I ran in 4 new states.
• I hosted my parents and 8 other people for Thanksgiving dinner.
• I went horseback riding for the first time.
• I made a 12 minute mile my running standard.
• I became a very good soup maker.
• I climbed a mountain.
• I went zorbing.
• I learned to make enchiladas.
• I wrote my first book.
• I became a media darling.

But most of all, I made new friends and dreamed new dreams and lived each day as the precious gift it is. 

Here's to the year ahead!