Saturday, December 31, 2011

Goals for 2012

Last year around this time I compiled a wish list of things I wanted for 2011. Now it's time to take a hard look at what I can cross off that list and write down what I have in mind for 2012! 


For 2011 I wish for the following:

* a new job that I love (obvs)
* lose the 15 wife pounds I gained since June '09
* financial planning for long-term goals
* do a mini reno on our bathroom
* get a four-legged member of the family
* learn how to do some landscaping in the spring
* finally buy my DSLR that I've been lusting over for years
* perfect a meal planning regimen and incorporate freeze ahead meals
* do a few more out-of-town trips
* focus on my pre-baby checklist



Oh gee. That's not a very good success rate. Looks like I'll have some carryover goals, huh? 


Here goes. Wish list for 2012:






* lose 15 pounds before TTC
* focus on long-term finances
* mini-reno on bathroom
* landscaping (either by me or hired out!)
* return to meal planning and less eating out
* become more organized both personally and professionally
* TTC
* be a more supportive and caring friend and wife
* kick major a$$ in my career


Happy New Year, everyone!! 


Sunday, December 18, 2011

2011 Year in Review

Oh my gosh, it's time for the third annual year in review!

January 2010 started off in Pittsburgh. With me being unemployed at the time and us not having many invites for NYE, we spontaneously hopped in the car and spent the weekend at my college bestie's apartment. 2011 felt more like 2001 as a group of us played power hour and made a beer can pyramid!


And a few days later my nephew Caden was born!


Also in January I exhibited a bridal expo with friend Shannon Confair.


February is when everything changed -- for the good. I interviewed for and was offered my current position!  Farewell, laycation! It seems I was still in my baking frenzy, making really ugly cakes.


March is when I started my job and bought my first DSLR.  It's also when I got to hold my sweet nephew for the first time.


Also in March the hubs and I took off a mini-getaway to the Finger Lakes to celebrate our engagi-versary.

April must have been pretty status quo; nothing is jumping out at me. I was settling into my job and practicing some photography on babies.


In May I spent some time getting ready for summer and enjoy nephew's visit during Wes's birthday picnic in our backyard


June marked the big occasion of my 30th birthday! (Thank goodness I still look 20, right?!)


And June introduced two new purchases - my beautiful iPhone 4 and our SUV.


In July we took a trip down memory line by visiting our favorite amusement park.


In August we went back up to the Finger Lakes, where I also got to meet Megs, one of the girls from my fabulous group of 'online' friends!


August was a huge travel month for me since I also drove up to Boston with my MIL to visit my SIL and nephew. It was overall a great time being with family (and catching up my friend Sara and her husband!), though I could have done without the car accident we had on the way back from the city.


August was also the shower/b-party I threw as MOH.


September I was back on the road again, this time to Pittsburgh to see one of my besties. While there I was asked to be a bridesmaid in her wedding next year! 


A few weeks later we traveled yet again to York for Amanda and Jason's wedding weekend. 


The fall was full of photo shoots of friends and family, including my favorite little guy who came in for a visit for a few weeks. 


In October we had a recriprocal visit from Kelly and Aaron which included a day of sightseeing in my neck of PA. Oh and I got bangs again!! 




A special birthday happened in October as Miss Raegan turned the big ONE! 

November. Oh, November. On the 10th I had my palatal expansion surgery. My four wisdom teeth were removed before the main act happened. My oral surgeon drilled through my upper jaw bone to separate my palate.  I'll spare you the pics of me post-surgery all swollen and bruised AND the pics of the giant gap between my two front teeth. Trust me, you're better off. 

Thankfully two weeks later I could nom on some turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie! 

December was surprisingly more busy than I expected. Parties and holiday gatherings and lots of family time. 





I'm sure I'm missing things. 2011 seemed so full. I'm so happy for so many wonderful things that happened during the course of the last year. So many friends, so many adventures, so much progress! I'm very much looking forward to what 2012 will bring. 




Saturday, December 3, 2011

Lemonade

A year ago today I went through one of life's game changers when I was laid off from job I had for only four months. I remember that day so vividly, especially the many tears I shed that evening. I drove home through tears on that Friday, my mind racing with disbelief, fear, and anxiety. I remember parking in the garage and seeing my husband on his way to the gym and shrieking "I lost my job! What are we going to do??" An hour later, still with tears falling, I furiously scanned job listings online and quickly updated my resume and LinkedIn. I went through a very long three months of being unemployed.

I wrote a post last year called "When Life Gives You Lemons," where I divulged my layoff and opted to forge on and reassess my life and my future.

Oh how much has changed in a year! I've been at my job now for 9 months -- and I received my first promotion this week. I can't even call it a job -- it's my career. It's my perfect fit. So many people told me last year that something better was yet to come, and they were sooo on the money. When I compare the me today to the me a year ago I am absolutely shocked at the stark difference. Life gave me lemons last December 3, but  the lemonade couldn't be sweeter.