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For my birthday I am interested in becoming ... okay... dressing... like a lumberjack or a 80s euro motorcyclist.
Silly - I realize - but the fashionista in me seems to be blossoming with this college town / barista life.
I've spent this holiday doing all of my favorite Thanksgiving holiday things; road trip through the mountains, brilliant music, dinner with loved ones, door buster Black Friday shopping, pizza lunch, and cheesey Christmas movies. On top of all of that, I mixed in some napping, a bath, and lots of phone time.
The only issue is - I wasn't with any of my amazing family, and most of my friends are out of Missoula for the holiday. This Birthday has been very mellow and solitary, but I guess I'd pick that over working any day.
On my way home from the mall today I swung by my P.O. Box and found a card from my grandfather. My family (especially my Mom and Grandpa) have a really hard time understanding or supporting my life in Montana. But I was surprised to read this.

Life Legacies
Thoughts for my Granddaughter on her Birthday
LIVE DEEP
Never stop learning, playing, or finding wonder in the world around you. Live the length of your life, but live the depth of it as well.
TRAVEL LIGHT
There is no use in carrying around worry and regret. They only weigh you down. Always keep yourself open to hope and to love. They give us wings.
FORGIVE IMPERFECTIONS
in yourself and others. Imperfections keep things interesting. They're the cracks where the light shines through.
OWN BEAUTIFUL THINGS
and not just in the drawer, tucked away for a perfect day. Surround yourself with things that make you happy, that remind you of the beauty all around us if we only keep our eyes open to it.
MAKE MISTAKES
follow detours. Sometimes it takes an unexpected an unexpected turn to help us find the life that is waiting for us around the bend. Trust yourself and the path that is meant for you.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
(penned in by my Grandpa... as no one else can) And sometimes that means you need the ice cream. Be good to your body, but also to your mind and spirit. You're the only one who can.
AND ALWAYS ALWAYS KNOW YOU ARE LOVED
you are a gift to this world and a blessing to me. And that will never change.
Love, your Grand-Pa

So- I'm happy to report that I'm pretty sure I do all of those things. As I read the card and saw those beautiful feelings in writing - and realized that that IS how I live my life I was quite pleased.

I'm thinking I should work at a college or run a camp. I'm thinking as long as I'm poor I might as well take out loans and continue with my education.

I hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving and are kicking off the holidays season with all of your favorite people and traditions.