2009 in Review

Holy-crap-o-la 2009 is almost over... seriously? Where did all that time go?? This post will hopefully explain some of it...

January
Sadly we lost a new addition to our family... Bear
But we gain Rowdy (look how tiny he was!!)

February
I started my new job with the VA... this changed my happiness more than I can explain... sadly though... no picture...

March
Chad had his motorcycle wreck and we found out about the mass in his brain.

We also celebrated my 25th birthday.
April
We had one of the best named party "Brain Tumor Blowout" where friends shaved Chad's head


Chad proved to be a Superhero by recovering from his brain surgery in .3 seconds.
May
Looking back nothing really that interesting happened in May... with the events in March and April in May we just relaxed... I did have a nice visit to my friend Christina and her daughter.
June
We attended my family reunion for the first time in years.
I also took my first work trip to Denver.

July
Chad and I went on a Sunday trip to Elephant Rocks.
Our new living room furniture was delivered.
We also took a trip to Virginia to visit Chad's parents.
August
I finally finished the baby blanket!!
We celebrated Carrie's birthday at a drag show, which now has one of my favorite stories of the year.
And we traveled to Maine.
September
We celebrated one whole year of marriage.

October
We got a new rug for the living room...

and had a party.
November
I got 3rd place in the chili cookoff at work
And celebrated Thanksgiving where Chad got to carve the turkey.
December
We celebrated a very wonderful Christmas together.
Here's to making 2010 even better!!

New Decade

I keep forgetting that in a few short days we'll be entering a new decade. I cannot believe how fast time goes sometimes... I mean I remember Y2K and now we are about to enter 2010. So here's a quick recap on the last 10 years.

2000 - I was in high school... Sophomore/Junior year... I became a "full time" jumper on the track team. I also turned 16 and got my driver's license.

2001 - Still in high school, Junior/Senior year. Started to apply for college in the fall. Sadly, this is also the year we lost my Grandpa... I still miss him so much.

2002 - Graduated from high school. I also started at Truman State University. College was an adjustment. I also had my first real boyfriend. I got my bellybutton pierced.

2003 - Still in college, moved in that fall with a person I don't speak of these days, but had I not met her I would not have met my college friends.

2004 - Changed my major in college to business... Worked my first summer at the Arch. Moved in with a close friend into the apartment. Started dating my college boyfriend. I got my first tattoo.

2005 - Still in college... adopted Pretty Kitty. I turned 21. Worked my second summer at the Arch. Moved in with a boy (who was NOT my boyfriend.)

2006 - Graduated from college, re-met my future husband, Cardinals won the World Series, got my first "real" job. Bought my first brand new car.

2007 - Adopted Stitch. Moved into a house with Chad. Got engaged. Went to Cedar Point. Witnessed my best friend give birth to her daughter. Broke my leg.

2008 - Planned a wedding, adopted Bozley, bought a truck, oh and what else... oh yeah GOT MARRIED!! to the amazing Chad and went to North Carolina.

2009 - Adopted Rowdy, Chad's wreck and subsequent surgery, got a new job at a great place and all things that come with...

Here's to the next 10 year... tune in for a post specifically for 2009.

Christmas Recap

I just love Christmastime... it's kinda sad that it only lasts for a month. Lucky for us Christmas isn't quite over yet... but it's mostly over.

Thus far it has been a very great year. What I love most about the holidays is getting to see everyone. It's wonderful to be able to spend time with family for such a happy time. Everyone just seems like they are in a happy, friendly, loving mood.

I also enjoy being able to get gifts for everyone. I love finding that perfect gift for everyone. I feel like I did pretty good this year... there was perhaps one gift that could have been better, but I'd say that's pretty good.

Our family was so generous to us this year.

Some of the highlights in no particular order:
a corner shelf
PJs
lots of jeans
bunches of tops
a few pairs of earrings
a Coach purse
a stand-up mixer
brownie pans
Cardinals tickets (including opening AND closing day!!)
pink flats
a leather jacket
a popcorn maker for parties
a t-shirt from Bad Rap
a lamp for the bedroom
the Hangover
2 books (Super FreakEconomics and Cake Wrecks)
Last Word board game
a laptop cooler
Boogle
a cute pleaded skirt

I KNOW I'm missing stuff...

Overall it's been a WONDERFUL Christmas and thank everyone who has been a part of it.

And I'll post about my Dad's family's Christmas after Saturday.

"the best cookies ever"

For Christmas this year I decided to make just two types of cookies.

One - I made Cupcake bites. I bought Red and Green chocolate and they turned out adorable. I'm going to be making another batch for my Dad's Christmas this weekend, however they may be just balls and not in the "shape" of cupcakes.
How gross my hands get when I rolled them into balls
Aren't they adorable?


Two - I stumbled to this recipe and also heard about it via the web in other ways. (isn't it amazing how as soon as you hear something new you hear about it from multiple sources/places?)

These cookies made Chad make the above comment. He's been eating them non-stop. I'm going to make a second batch sometime this week. They are super easy. Everyone who has tried them has enjoyed them. This recipe is very much a keeper!!

First you mix peanuts, sugar and cinnamon in a bowl - this is for the topping, I made way too much.
Then you mix peanut butter and powdered sugar together
Then you make it into balls
Then you wrap the peanut butter balls in store bought peanut butter cookie dough and roll them into the topping. Then bake - I baked some in muffin pans since I ran out of cookie sheets and Chad actually liked those better so I may do that again.

And ta-da you have yummy cookies - these are the 3 cookies we left in the house.

Christmas Decorations

As promised here are some of our Christmas decorations. We don't go all out but the few that we have are special to me. And as the years go on the more we'll add on, I hope. Once we get the house more settled (why I'm so slow at getting the house settled is beyond me)... Anywho... onto the (few) pictures.

Here's the tree - I am so mad at myself for not taking a picture when I had all the presents wrapped underneath it... Oh... and the tree skit was never on properly b/c as soon as I would fix it Stitch would mess it up again... silly cat
Here is my newest addition, a Santa Lamp which I adore!! My Grandma bought him for me. I just love the jingle bell on the hat.
Here's my Snowman Snow Globe Chad bought me last year
I also took a picture of all my wrapping paper... I LOVE wrapping gifts and wrapping paper!! I just noticed that all of my ribbon isn't displayed.

Merry (belated) Christmas

Merry (belated) Christmas everyone!!

I've been a bad blogger lately... I have so much to catch up on...

Here's a list of upcoming blog posts (hopefully)

Christmas Decorations
Christmas Cookies
Christmas Recap

Also in the next week I want to do a 2009-in-review post...

And if you're lucky I'll let you in on a situation that's going on with a friend...

I'm going to go (try) to play Lego Indiana Jones with Chad so check back later for these exciting posts and more...

NFL Week 16 Picks

San Diego Chargers vs. Tennessee Titans
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints
Buffalo Bills vs. Atlanta Falcons
Houston Texans vs. Miami Dolphins
Seattle Seahawks vs. Green Bay Packers
Carolina Panthers vs. New York Giants
Oakland Raiders vs. Cleveland Browns
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New England Patriots
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
St. Louis Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals
Detroit Lions vs. San Francisco 49ers
Denver Broncos vs. Philadelphia Eagles
New York Jets vs. Indianapolis Colts
Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Redskins
Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears

Chad
Me
Both

Chad's running away with it... dang it

Christmas

I'm not sure I've posted anything about Christmas yet (other than my list) which is crazy considering Christmas is my very favorite time of the year. So here are some Christmas topics...

1) Decorations are up... I find myself staring at the Christmas tree... or my snow globe snowman...

2) Rowdy peed on the Christmas tree... he just walked by, lifted up his leg and peed... yes... I get that he was just "marking his territory" but seriously?!? It's a fake tree peeps... silly male dog.

3) I absolutely LOVE wrapping gifts. It's one of my favorite things to do at Christmas. I have a whole set up and packages aren't complete without a bow. And there's finally presents under the tree which just completes that picture... and I'm done!! Pending one gift that's still on the way.

4) I baked cookies this weekend... I'll share in a different post.

5) Our shopping is finished... yay!!

6) I still want to get a 2009 ornament and a one for each animal...

7) I'm going to actually send out some Christmas cards... I only ordered 20 so the list is pretty small but I'm happy we're finally sending some out.

8) I've gotten so many awesome gifts at work... people here are so sweet. I got 2 bags of home-made cookies, a stocking with my name filled with candy, a candy jar with a J filled with puppy chow, a bag with candy, a lotto ticket, and pretzels, a gift card to Steak n Shake, a keychain with my name from Chicago, Bath and Body Works foaming soap, and finally a luggage tag with a J.

Again Chad and my Christmas schedule works out perfectly. I love the fact Christmas is on a Friday this year. (and a special thank you to President Obama for letting Christmas Eve be a half day) Here's our schedule:

Christmas Eve Night: We'll be headed to my aunt's for my mom's family's celebration. I love this b/c we eat (I arrange the cheese and sausage on a platter) then watch a Christmas Story (best Christmas movie!!!!) and then open presents and play rob your neighbor.

Christmas Morning: This year is the first year we have nothing planned for Christmas morning. Chad and I are going to do our own morning gift exchange (so excited) and then we'll head down for...

Christmas Day: Chad's grandparents house for his family's celebration. Obviously this is the newest tradition for me and it's such a great addition... it's low key but a lot of fun. We also might go to my Dad's family's celebration, but I'm not sure if we'll make it or not...

Day After Christmas: We're going over to my mom's house in the morning for "Christmas Morning" after we open gifts (which we do one at a time including stocking stuffers to extend the celebration) we eat a big breakfast and then play board games. (my mom has always gotten each kid a board game for Christmas.)

A week later: We'll do my Dad's Christmas... last year everyone brought a party foods which was a lot of fun - it will be a very nice way to wrap up the Christmas season... we do a Secret Santa gift exchange between the kids and each have a "Santa" gift.

NFL Week 15 Picks

Chad's running away with it... grumble...

Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Dallas Cowboys vs. New Orleans Saints

Cleveland Browns vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Atlanta Falcons vs. New York Jets

Miami Dolphins vs. Tennessee Titans

San Francisco 49ers vs. Philadelphia Eagles

New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills

Arizona Cardinals vs. Detroit Lions

Chicago Bears vs. Baltimore Ravens

Houston Texans vs. St. Louis Rams

Oakland Raiders vs. Denver Broncos

Cincinnati Bengals vs. San Diego Chargers

Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Seattle Seahawks

Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers

New York Giants vs. Washington Redskins

Chad

Me

Both

To-date:

Chad: 144 - 64

Jenn: 138 - 70

NFL Week 14 Picks

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns
New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons
Denver Broncos vs. Indianapolis Colts
Seattle Seahawks vs. Houston Texans
Carolina Panthers vs. New England Patriots
Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Detroit Lions vs. Baltimore Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Minnesota Vikings
New York Jets vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Miami Dolphins vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears
St. Louis Rams vs. Tennessee Titans
Washington Redskins vs. Oakland Raiders
San Diego Chargers vs. Dallas Cowboys
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants
Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers

Chad
Me
Both

Chad is up 4 on me!! I can't believe it... I really need to stop letting him win ;)

::sad face::

I am so over this week... this week has not been fun...

I've started writing this post several times in the last week or so but I don't feel like I've been able to describe it correctly... I'm not sure if some would even understand unless they have knowledge of the government's hiring processes.

The basic-ness is there was a promotion available which I feel like I'm perfect for (among lots of other people) and I didn't make it to the interviews b/c my previous job experience didn't qualify me. I completely don't agree with this. It doesn't help that people who have been here less time (ie a temp whose been here about a month) got interview. I am the best candidate for this position... and I'm not stuttering when I say this sentence. I am the best candidate. It completely sucks... I am so mad and disappointed and upset.

It doesn't help that people here maybe expected me to get it... or at least get an interview... so I have to keep telling the story (b/c that's who I am)... everyone agrees that it's bs and some tend to get a little agitated by it, which is nice they feel the same way, but I'm just sick of it... I want the whole situation to go away... which it won't b/c someone will be getting that position, and it's one that I'll interact with on a daily basis. I'm just mad and sad and disappointed and upset. It's just the politics around here sometimes become draining...

With all of that being said... I am really happy where I'm at... I come into work happy (except this week) and I leave happy... I'm happy to know I'm making a difference and that I'm really good at my job. I'm knowledgeable and liked. I love the people I work with and this place is so amazing. I'm incredibly happy and lucky to have a job here.

So anywho... chili and Survivor tonight, that's a happy thing.

NFL Week 13 Picks

I gotta start picking better!!

New York Jets vs. Buffalo Bills

St. Louis Rams vs. Chicago Bears

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers

Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Tennessee Titans vs. Indianapolis Colts

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Atlanta Falcons

New Orleans Saints vs. Washington Redskins

Oakland Raiders vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Detroit Lions vs. Cincinnati Bengals

New England Patroits vs. Miami Dolphins

San Diego Chargers vs. Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants

San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks

Minnesota Vikings vs. Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens vs. Green Bay Packers

Chad

Me

Both

To-Date Scores

Chad: 120-56

Jenn: 118-58