2011 - A Year in Pictures

Hi folks!

It's been a long time, but I have decided to give this another try for the new year.  2011 was quite a year and 2012 has a lot of potential ;-)

In 2011 I...

...was snowed in for three days in January. This was the first snow in this house, and it was so beautiful for the first day - then I got serious cabin fever!

...went on B's birthday trip to Gatlinburg and stayed in a cabin with friends for the weekend.  We cooked enough food for an army, played video games, watched the superbowl, and enjoyed the scenery.

...went on my birthday trip to Savannah with B - we did everything! We stayed at the Thunderbird Inn, walked on River Street, ate at Lady and Sons, walked through several museum houses, went on a Ghost Tour, and caught a Savannah Sand Gnats game on our way out of town!  It was a wonderful weekend.

...planted a garden!  We had so much fun growing our own squash, beans, tomatoes, okra, cucumbers, and peppers.  The zucchini, okra and watermelon were disappointing, but we learned a lot about what to change for next year.

...added a member to our little family.  Killer is a Manchester Chihuahua, and the sweetest little doggie you will ever meet! He keeps us entertained with all his antics and is always ready to play with his toys or snuggle up on the sofa.

...went to Italy!!  This was my first trip abroad, and I cannot wait to go back.  We stayed in an apartment in Florence with my parents and a friend for a week, with an overnight trip to Rome and day trip to Pisa.  I might do a recap post with more pictures someday, or you can look at my facebook album

...last, but not least, on October 23rd, got engaged!  I can't wait to marry the love of my life in 2012 :-)

This post barely skims the highlights of a year that FLEW by.  We spent many happy hours with friends and family, worked on DIY projects around the house, welcomed new babies, celebrated weddings, and said goodbye to my dear Grandmother just before Christmas.  We have been blessed to have each other this year through good times and bad.  2012 here we come!!

~ Melissa

Friday...

Hmm...how about a wish list this week?

I wish for...

1) This couch from IKEA

2) A pink coat a la Lorelai Gilmore (of which there is not even a picture to be found...Google has failed me and I totally should have bought the Victoria's Secret one when they had it years ago)

3) My face to stop breaking out (thank you so much, hormones)

4) A neverending supply of really soft yarn so I can make things with it

5) Free Starbucks for a year

Friday!!

It's already been a week? Oops... Why I didn't blog on my two snow days is beyond me, I was too busy watching TV and cleaning my house I guess!! This week's five things, in pictures, are:

1) I <3 making baby hats :-)



(Available at Katia's Kloset in Stockbridge, if you're interested...I also do custom orders)

2) Amaryllis :-) I really hope this one blooms, I have high hopes since I haven't managed to kill it yet. I swear it grows an inch when I'm not looking, even when I was home with it for two days.



3) Snow people!! I am the one with lopsided arms, B doesn't have any arms. I mean, he does...just not his snowman. My arms aren't lopsided either, for the record. They kept falling off. The snowgirl's arms, not mine. And we're moving on...



4) I was little miss Martha Stewart while I was snowed in... I finally made the bedskirt for my bed and lowered my canopy (which I'm still on the fence about...too busy?)



5) I got to see my house in the snow!! Both of the other times it snowed this winter I have missed it - either it didn't stick or I wasn't home. I was super excited to see it firsthand this time, but I didn't expect to be stuck for two days. Most of this snow is actually still on my house and yard five days later. Is this really still Georgia?

Five Things Friday

Woo!! Friday fun time :-)

1) I love my electric blanket! It has been chilly in my house lately, and that top layer of toastiness makes it almost impossible to get out of bed in the mornings but I won't give it up.

2) Candy Cane Hershey Kisses are dangerous and highly addictive - consider yourself forewarned...

3) Coffee Mate Peppermint Mocha is now available all year round!!!! It's way cheaper than Starbucks and even QT (not that QT ever had peppermint).


4) I bought myself some boots with the fur from Target. I have always mocked boots with the fur (as I did Snuggies before I had one) but ohmygoodnessgracious they are warm and comfy and I LOVE THEM. I take it all back. I have worn them over skinny jeans and yoga pants, and under boot cut jeans. If I had leggings I would probably wear them with those too. Don't judge, it's really cold outside!!

5) At work we didn't order the boring business planners this year, so this week I gave my desk (and wall) some personality with my favorite Mary Englebreit calendars. The wall version from Barnes and Noble (50% off all calenders and planners during the month of January!) and the weekly desk planner from Amazon - free with my Swagbucks* Amazon credits.


*The Swagbucks link is a referral, so if you do decide to sign up please use the link! They aren't spammy, I promise, and if you work at it you can get some pretty neat stuff. Amazon links aren't affiliated, I just like Amazon. The End.

New Year, New Goals

So...let's see. Last year I refused to make a "resolution" since they are too much like rules. That seemed to work well so I think I will rinse, lather, repeat it this year. Last year's goal of maintaining a more positive outlook on life was quite a success, at least from my point of view. I learned to count my blessings first and my troubles second. I learned to be thankful for every moment rather than dwell on an uncertain future. I took chances because I believed that good would come of them, and it did - beyond even what I hoped or imagined. Some prayers were answered and some still remain unchanged. I just felt better about myself and the circumstances that I have been dealt.

So this year's goal is simply to do. No more waiting, putting off, forgetting, being late, piddling, substituting, or procrastinating. Just get things done. So far I have washed dishes every night, cooked multiple meals, scrubbed the bathroom floor, kept the piles of clothes put away in my room, painted my living room mantel, paid bills early, blogged twice (ha!) and bought planners for work and home. I am loving it, and I think my house is too. Here's to 2011: the year of do-ing!

2011!?!

Happy New Year!

2010 went by so quickly!! I feel like it was only a few months ago that I was reflecting on 2009. This year was fruitful for me personally, though work has been tough in this economy. Buying my own house was a dream come true and is probably at the top of my list of "you go girl!" moments. My heart is full of the many things and people that I've been reflecting on - my friends, family, and coworkers have been through so much this year and risen above the challenges that life has presented. I am so thankful for a job that I enjoy, a roof above my head, friends and family (and B!) that love me, and good health.

He got here as fast as he could...

Bryan probably didn't expect the reaction he got when he played me this song for the first time. Tears. And I don't mean a couple twinkling in my eyes, I'm talking big fat tears. Happy tears, but still...poor guy. He got a repeat performance when we heard Josh sing it live at the fair, it gets me EVERY TIME. In my defense, they were showing pictures of real life couples at their weddings, with kids, grandkids, etc. on the big screen. Also: eHarmony commercials make me tear up now. (that's how we met) Now excuse me while I go find a kleenex, I watched the video before I posted it.



(Please excuse the shaky live video, there isn't an official one on his youtube channel)