Ready for Another Year

I can't believe it's already been a year! I feel as if I just answered these questions!

2010 ---> 2011

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?

Earned a new job with benefits (March), bought a house (April), got a puppy (July), went to Washington DC (June), celebrated a 1 year wedding anniversary (July).

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I'm not sure if I made one - so there wasn't one to keep. I'm not really planning to make a huge deal about a "resolution," but I do plan to be more of a tight-wad this year. A penny pincher! I love seeing my savings grow. However, these are a few things I will glady spend money on, if they happen: vacations, 2nd full bath renovation. Picture is our main level full bath renovation that we completed this year:

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My friend Alanna brought Zayden into this world! My other friend Ashley is due any day now, so we'll see if she gets a '10 baby or an '11 baby.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.

5. What countries and states did you visit?
Sad ... no new countries this year. I did visit two new "states:" DC (does that count?) & Virginia ... Virginia was only for about two hours or so, when I went to Arlington.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

Relaxation....haha, I said this last year too! BUT, I booked a certain number of weddings this year, which is 10 less than last year ... SO, I definitely will have a less-chaotic year - I hope!

7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Hmm...is it sad that none stick out?

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting through all 24 weddings! Pic is of me working at a wedding:

9. What was your biggest failure?
Having a negative attitude a lot of the time.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My house!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Nobody I can think of.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Home improvements.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Gosh 2010 sure was lacking in the excitement department! I can't think of anything! I think I worked too much and didn't have enough "me" time to have fun! Lesson learned!

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?

Miranda Lambert - "House That Built Me"

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? happier
b) thinner or fatter? fatter...the scale says I'm the same, but I feel fatter.
c) richer or poorer? the same


18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Vacationed

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Spending money, working

20. How did you spend Christmas?

Christmas Eve: my mom's in the morning, and my dad came over in the afternoon. On Christmas Day: to Chris' parents during the day, and to my dad's side of the family in the evening. The week before Christmas is when we went to my mom's side:

21. Did you fall in love in 2010?
I'm still in love.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

Two and a Half Men, Everyday with Rachael Ray, Paula Deen, Get It Sold with Sabrina Soto, & Sarah Palin's Alaska

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No.

24. What was the best book you read?
I'm not sure I read many this year. This is definitely on the to-do list for 2011. I love reading. I have a few checked out from the library, and I can't wait to dig in!

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
These weren't live changing or anything, but some new peeps on my playlist include: Katy Perry, David Gray, One Republic, Bruno Mars

26. What did you want and get?
A house.

27. What did you want and not get?
A house.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Valentine's Day, The Ugly Truth (saw it in 2010) ... and ANYTHING with Gerard Butler ...!!!

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I went to the Iron Ridge Inn (I think??? Why can't I remember anything about this year?) with my family.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
This is minor, because I really have had a really good, satisfying, and happy year ... but I'd say getting the house remodel projects done ... some are half finished and they're driving me nuts. I need to learn how to use power tools.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
I pretty much wear a cardigan every day.

32. What kept you sane?
Coffee and those tiny bits of blissful free time (exact same thing I said last year).

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
None!

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
None! I'm smart and stay out of that stuff now ;-)

35. Who did you miss?
Alanna who lives in Washington state. I missed seeing her at Christmastime this year, which has always been a tradition.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
Maggie (who has worked some weddings with me)

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
Life is too short & valuable to be a work-a-holic.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

"The years go by and time just seems to fly, but the memories remain."

39. Will you be looking for a new job?

Nope! :-)

40. Will you be looking for a new relationship?
No way!

41. New house?
No! New stuff in this house though!

42. What will you do different in 2011?
I think you already know - enjoy life more!

43. Any trips planned?
Darn it, no! :-(

44. Wedding plans?
I will attend (at least) 15 weddings this year - 14 clients, 1 family!

45. What's on your calendar?
Spending time with hubby, weddings, work, weddings, work! :-)

46. What can't you wait for?

Some type of vacay - even if it's just somewhere close. Any get-a-way will do!

47. Do you plan on having a child?
Maybe.... ;-)

48. Wish for 2011?

Continued happiness.

49. Where did you go on New Years?

Out to dinner, and then home. I feel asleep before 11.

50. Did you change at all this year?

Not really.

51. Did you dye your hair?
I dyed my own hair to save money ... it doesn't look terrible, just a little more reddish than usual. I don't plan on doing it often - there are people I'll gladly pay to make me look good!


52. Were you in school?
Of course, school is my life! I was never a student, but I was a sub at the beginning of the year, and then in March, I got a new job, which is the Site Manager of 21st Century Community Learning Centers. I am the site manager for all of Jefferson Junction's program, and the AM Site Manager for Lincoln Station's program. That means two schools in one day (1.5 hours at one, and then 6 hours at another).


53. Did you have a job?

See above, and all of the answers that involved being a wedding photographer. :-)

54. Did you move at all?
We moved from our Knaup Drive apartment to our HOUSE on 615 Declark!

55. Did you go on any vacations?
No...boo!! I did go to Washington DC though for work. It was a neat experience. Also, we did go camping in White Lake, WI. Not exactly a vacation, but it was some good away time.

56. Did you break up with anyone?
No.


57. Did you drink Starbucks?

Yes! A few grande Pike's roasts, tall Java Chips, and 1 peppermint mocha could be found in my hand throughout the year.


58. What are your plans for new years eve this year?
We WERE going to the Dells to stay overnight and see a band at a casino, but I decided I wanted to save some money and stay in town (remember that penny pinching thing??). So, we are going to go out to dinner with Katelyn and Josh, and then probably come back to our house for some serious "festivity" time! Bring on the wine! Pic is from last year!