Goodbye 2009 (or 2009 in review)
Well! Here we are at the end of another year. I would like to begin this by saying, "Wow! SO much has happened this year", but really in 365 days alot WOULD happen. Anything momentous? hmm let's see...let's go month by month.
In January, my husband bought me a new car. A much needed, wanted, anticipated new car. He took me to the lot and said pick out what you want. I wanted a PT Cruiser so bad, but once I drove one, I hated them. I wound up getting a Suzuki Grand Vitara and I love it! It so cute :)
In February, Allen and I went wine tasting at a local vineyard in West Sac. We met up (perhaps reluctantly?) with some members of our Meetup Group and followed them to the next place, which was a really neat old building with several vintners inside called the Sugarmill. It was a nice afternoon.
In March, We did a culinary event for St. Patrick's Day and I made my "Famous Corned Beef". Everyone loved it and as usual, there were NO leftovers. I also decided to try and make a sculspted cake, and with the help of Denise, made a pot of gold cake that was awesome! My birthday was at the end of March and we didn't really do anything for it, The meetup group had a disastrous b-day party for me that they insisted on having. It was horrible. Afterwards though, we all had a good laugh about it. And by "all" I mean my personal friends who attended. hehe The hostess got drunk and was rubbing herself on her neighbor who came over because?? Umm yeah I wasn't sure either. She climbed on his lap AT the table where people were eating! Then the neighbor guy left for a 'drive' with the organizer of the group and hostess lady got pissed off, so she jumped in her minivan (yes that's right) and drove off looking for them. She almost ran over my friend and Allen in the driveway on her way out! (ok that part wasn't funny)Then she came back, and told everyone to leave, just GET OUT! wtf? There were also 2 guys the were brought to the party, one of whom kept hitting on my friend Denise and he was yuck, I mean purely Ewwwww, get away!
In April, we went to Las Vegas!! My first time ever! We took the kids too. Our friend has a time share and rented the super big one and we all stayed in a 3bd condo in a hotel. It was awesome. The kids went swimming alot, due to the pool being open 24 hrs. We saw SO much STUFF.. really that's what it was, stuff. We all got to ride in a huge limo, too. Best part, going to Serendipity 3 with my kids and Allen. My mom and I always said we had to go there sometime, problem was, when we said that there was only 1, in New York. The DAY we arrived in Vegas, was the first day this location was open!! We went later in the week, but wow, I felt great!! It was the beginning of feeling normal again after my mom died. I don't know why, but it was really great. The vacation, the kids, Allen, our friends, everything. The girls had their b-days, L turned 14 and A turned 7. My baby turned 7!!
In May, Swim Team Started, so that's all I did until July. Really, it kept us So busy. 5 days a week practice and a meet on Saturday. Alex and Nick did very well and learned how to swim really well! Lily graduated from 8th Grade.
In June, We were pretty much still doing swim team. *Yawn*
I spent hours with Denise on her B-day, which was also the 1 yr anniversary of my mom's death and we had wonderful conversation. We talked alot about what had gone wrong with our friendship the year before and cleared the air. My 6 yr wedding anniversary also came and went this month. I'm so glad I have Allen!
In July, that's our BUSY month. Chelis left for the Army on July 1st. We have our 4th of July party and two weeks later we have SLIDE PARTY. It's so great to see all our friends! We had quite a crowd for the 4th, and Slide Party was a hit as always. Ian and Angie came with Connor. William and Chanda came out again, I love them! I miss them so much! Chanda is shorter than Lily and Nick now. They got a good laugh over this. At the end of July, Jake and Jessica got married. I made the wedding cake. I will probably never make another cake that size again. (at least while I still hold a full time job)
In August, we were still recuperating from July. lol
N turned 12, C turned 19 (in boot camp). School started for everyone. Nick went to go live with Martin during the week for school. The Jr. Highs down here suck. Amador County is OK, but definitely better than here. With the boys out of the house during the week, it is MUCH quieter here. almost eery. hehe
In September, It was pretty much day by day. Allen had to go to Vegas for a conference, and I got to go with him!! I got to sleep and sitesee and take pictures and walk around and party at nightclubs, whew! It was very exciting. I tried to meet up with my aunt Natalie (again) and nothing. I do not understand that side of my family (I should say that branch of my family tree) They talk about wanting to see each other, but then they just simply flake out.
I made a cake for a friend's daughter to practice my cake skills. I wish MMFondant would be more consistent. It seems almost anything can make or break it.
We, as in some of my dearest friends, who by the way have become so much to me this year. Hard to believe alot of us just became friends THIS year isn't it? Seems like we've always just fit this way. My old friends and new friends like each other and it's always a blast when we get together. oops, tangent, Anyway... we attended a French Cooking Class at a french cafe in Septemeber, (can't believe I almost forgot this!)The guy who owns the place is hilarious and weird. The coolest thing was, when we were done and I was paying him, he asked if all the people were friends of mine and I said, 'Yes, we get together every week' and he said, Wow, you have great friends, what a nice group of people! Yes sir! I know that!
In October, we decided to get into our culinary adventures again. We hosted Oktoberfest again this year, at our house this time. We had about 25 people come for a HUGE German Potluck style dinner. Allen was bartending at his best, and everyone had a great time. Later that month we did an apple event. That was fun too. Then on to Halloween. Becky came up in October and we thrift & dollar store'd our way into halloween greatness. I decorated more than I ever have for halloween and we had our annual halloween shindig (so called because I refuse to say "I'm throwing a halloween party") Alex's two buddies decided to dress up as Mario & Luigi for Halloween and they tried and tried to talk her into dressing up as Princess Peach, so they could go as characters from Mario Kart. She kept refusing, but then finally decided that she DID want to theme her costume with theirs. She deicided on Princess Daisy (from Mario Kart)because Princess Daisy is cooler than Princess Peach, she doesn't have to be rescued, she has all the weapons the boys have, so says Alex. FYI, they don't SELL a Princess Daisy costume. So guess who got to make one? yup, me. They won the costume contest at Day care and were VERY PROUD of themselves. Sadly, Jake and Jessica could not attend, Jessica was hell-bent on having her baby that day. She finally got him out on Nov. 1st.
In November, WOW what a busy month!
As previously stated, Jessica had her baby. We drove to the hospital on November 1st to see the new arrival. Tyler Jacob FINALLY graced us with his presence that morning. Took pictures and then let them sleep. I went to their house the day they came home and took Lily to see him, she loved it! Alex of course went too and kissed ont he baby. Allen did a site visit to Chumash Casino down near Santa Barbara and not only did I get to go, we took Lily and Alex along too! We met up with my cousins Dena & Sarah and spent the day with them. Oh my god, how awesome!! I haven't seen Dena in about 20 yrs! I had never even met Sarah. On the way home that day, we stopped at Pismo Beach, HAD to!! So Cal beaches are so different than Nor Cal ones. The girls MUST see this! I told Allen, and he stopped for me :) The culinary group had a November b-day party again this year and we attended. Mostly I think angie does this as it is an excuse to get her picture taken with Allen (whom she lusts after...eww) (eww that she lusts, not eww Allen is gross..lol)Allen and I made the birthday cake. It was huge! about 7" tall and a 12"x 12" square. It was just like Jake and Jessica's wedding cake, vanilla buttermilk cake, with chocolate ganache and cheesecake filling. It's becoming my signature cake, because no one will ever get anything like it.(except from me) Thanksgiving was GREAT! Zoey came over on Wed. and stayed the night and she and I made all our family recipes together! In attendance: Jake, Jessica, Tyler, Irene, James, Steven, Zoey, Craig, Chelis, Lily, Nick, Alex and of course Allen and I. Our table JUST fit everyone.
And now December,
Whew! what a ride is all I can say. I tried to keep December as mellow as possible. I think I've earned it, right? I took Alex to the Santa Train and one of the guys there asked if we were related to Red, when I told them our last name (for the picture)I told the guy that Alex was his grandaughter. :) My father in law is somewhat of a celebrity in the train circuit here in Sacramento. Alex knows her place, she is rightfully the princess of trains. lol
Christmas came and went, the kids were very pleased with their gifts and everyone has been kept busy with them. Zoey came and spent Christmas week with me. She was babysitting Alex and we got alot of organizing done (YAY!!) it was very nice! Becky came up for Christmas Eve/Christmas Morning as always and we wrapped presents after dinner and watched Clerks II Our favorite xmas movie!! ( I know it's not REALLY a xmas movie, but hey, it IS at MY house!!)
I spent alot of time on Facebook this year, connecting with family and old friends. alot of people posted comments about how 2009 was such an awful year and they are glad it's over, I don't feel that way, I think 2009 was just as busy and full and happy as ever. I know some of my friends lost jobs, couldn't find jobs, there were deaths and births, isn't that the way it is every year? Maybe not to you directly, but everywhere in the world, it's just life. At least we ALL couldn't look back and say, WOW, NOTHING happened!
Looking forward to 2010.
And so to wrap this up, here is a year of status updates from Facebook:
In January, my husband bought me a new car. A much needed, wanted, anticipated new car. He took me to the lot and said pick out what you want. I wanted a PT Cruiser so bad, but once I drove one, I hated them. I wound up getting a Suzuki Grand Vitara and I love it! It so cute :)
In February, Allen and I went wine tasting at a local vineyard in West Sac. We met up (perhaps reluctantly?) with some members of our Meetup Group and followed them to the next place, which was a really neat old building with several vintners inside called the Sugarmill. It was a nice afternoon.
In March, We did a culinary event for St. Patrick's Day and I made my "Famous Corned Beef". Everyone loved it and as usual, there were NO leftovers. I also decided to try and make a sculspted cake, and with the help of Denise, made a pot of gold cake that was awesome! My birthday was at the end of March and we didn't really do anything for it, The meetup group had a disastrous b-day party for me that they insisted on having. It was horrible. Afterwards though, we all had a good laugh about it. And by "all" I mean my personal friends who attended. hehe The hostess got drunk and was rubbing herself on her neighbor who came over because?? Umm yeah I wasn't sure either. She climbed on his lap AT the table where people were eating! Then the neighbor guy left for a 'drive' with the organizer of the group and hostess lady got pissed off, so she jumped in her minivan (yes that's right) and drove off looking for them. She almost ran over my friend and Allen in the driveway on her way out! (ok that part wasn't funny)Then she came back, and told everyone to leave, just GET OUT! wtf? There were also 2 guys the were brought to the party, one of whom kept hitting on my friend Denise and he was yuck, I mean purely Ewwwww, get away!
In April, we went to Las Vegas!! My first time ever! We took the kids too. Our friend has a time share and rented the super big one and we all stayed in a 3bd condo in a hotel. It was awesome. The kids went swimming alot, due to the pool being open 24 hrs. We saw SO much STUFF.. really that's what it was, stuff. We all got to ride in a huge limo, too. Best part, going to Serendipity 3 with my kids and Allen. My mom and I always said we had to go there sometime, problem was, when we said that there was only 1, in New York. The DAY we arrived in Vegas, was the first day this location was open!! We went later in the week, but wow, I felt great!! It was the beginning of feeling normal again after my mom died. I don't know why, but it was really great. The vacation, the kids, Allen, our friends, everything. The girls had their b-days, L turned 14 and A turned 7. My baby turned 7!!
In May, Swim Team Started, so that's all I did until July. Really, it kept us So busy. 5 days a week practice and a meet on Saturday. Alex and Nick did very well and learned how to swim really well! Lily graduated from 8th Grade.
In June, We were pretty much still doing swim team. *Yawn*
I spent hours with Denise on her B-day, which was also the 1 yr anniversary of my mom's death and we had wonderful conversation. We talked alot about what had gone wrong with our friendship the year before and cleared the air. My 6 yr wedding anniversary also came and went this month. I'm so glad I have Allen!
In July, that's our BUSY month. Chelis left for the Army on July 1st. We have our 4th of July party and two weeks later we have SLIDE PARTY. It's so great to see all our friends! We had quite a crowd for the 4th, and Slide Party was a hit as always. Ian and Angie came with Connor. William and Chanda came out again, I love them! I miss them so much! Chanda is shorter than Lily and Nick now. They got a good laugh over this. At the end of July, Jake and Jessica got married. I made the wedding cake. I will probably never make another cake that size again. (at least while I still hold a full time job)
In August, we were still recuperating from July. lol
N turned 12, C turned 19 (in boot camp). School started for everyone. Nick went to go live with Martin during the week for school. The Jr. Highs down here suck. Amador County is OK, but definitely better than here. With the boys out of the house during the week, it is MUCH quieter here. almost eery. hehe
In September, It was pretty much day by day. Allen had to go to Vegas for a conference, and I got to go with him!! I got to sleep and sitesee and take pictures and walk around and party at nightclubs, whew! It was very exciting. I tried to meet up with my aunt Natalie (again) and nothing. I do not understand that side of my family (I should say that branch of my family tree) They talk about wanting to see each other, but then they just simply flake out.
I made a cake for a friend's daughter to practice my cake skills. I wish MMFondant would be more consistent. It seems almost anything can make or break it.
We, as in some of my dearest friends, who by the way have become so much to me this year. Hard to believe alot of us just became friends THIS year isn't it? Seems like we've always just fit this way. My old friends and new friends like each other and it's always a blast when we get together. oops, tangent, Anyway... we attended a French Cooking Class at a french cafe in Septemeber, (can't believe I almost forgot this!)The guy who owns the place is hilarious and weird. The coolest thing was, when we were done and I was paying him, he asked if all the people were friends of mine and I said, 'Yes, we get together every week' and he said, Wow, you have great friends, what a nice group of people! Yes sir! I know that!
In October, we decided to get into our culinary adventures again. We hosted Oktoberfest again this year, at our house this time. We had about 25 people come for a HUGE German Potluck style dinner. Allen was bartending at his best, and everyone had a great time. Later that month we did an apple event. That was fun too. Then on to Halloween. Becky came up in October and we thrift & dollar store'd our way into halloween greatness. I decorated more than I ever have for halloween and we had our annual halloween shindig (so called because I refuse to say "I'm throwing a halloween party") Alex's two buddies decided to dress up as Mario & Luigi for Halloween and they tried and tried to talk her into dressing up as Princess Peach, so they could go as characters from Mario Kart. She kept refusing, but then finally decided that she DID want to theme her costume with theirs. She deicided on Princess Daisy (from Mario Kart)because Princess Daisy is cooler than Princess Peach, she doesn't have to be rescued, she has all the weapons the boys have, so says Alex. FYI, they don't SELL a Princess Daisy costume. So guess who got to make one? yup, me. They won the costume contest at Day care and were VERY PROUD of themselves. Sadly, Jake and Jessica could not attend, Jessica was hell-bent on having her baby that day. She finally got him out on Nov. 1st.
In November, WOW what a busy month!
As previously stated, Jessica had her baby. We drove to the hospital on November 1st to see the new arrival. Tyler Jacob FINALLY graced us with his presence that morning. Took pictures and then let them sleep. I went to their house the day they came home and took Lily to see him, she loved it! Alex of course went too and kissed ont he baby. Allen did a site visit to Chumash Casino down near Santa Barbara and not only did I get to go, we took Lily and Alex along too! We met up with my cousins Dena & Sarah and spent the day with them. Oh my god, how awesome!! I haven't seen Dena in about 20 yrs! I had never even met Sarah. On the way home that day, we stopped at Pismo Beach, HAD to!! So Cal beaches are so different than Nor Cal ones. The girls MUST see this! I told Allen, and he stopped for me :) The culinary group had a November b-day party again this year and we attended. Mostly I think angie does this as it is an excuse to get her picture taken with Allen (whom she lusts after...eww) (eww that she lusts, not eww Allen is gross..lol)Allen and I made the birthday cake. It was huge! about 7" tall and a 12"x 12" square. It was just like Jake and Jessica's wedding cake, vanilla buttermilk cake, with chocolate ganache and cheesecake filling. It's becoming my signature cake, because no one will ever get anything like it.(except from me) Thanksgiving was GREAT! Zoey came over on Wed. and stayed the night and she and I made all our family recipes together! In attendance: Jake, Jessica, Tyler, Irene, James, Steven, Zoey, Craig, Chelis, Lily, Nick, Alex and of course Allen and I. Our table JUST fit everyone.
And now December,
Whew! what a ride is all I can say. I tried to keep December as mellow as possible. I think I've earned it, right? I took Alex to the Santa Train and one of the guys there asked if we were related to Red, when I told them our last name (for the picture)I told the guy that Alex was his grandaughter. :) My father in law is somewhat of a celebrity in the train circuit here in Sacramento. Alex knows her place, she is rightfully the princess of trains. lol
Christmas came and went, the kids were very pleased with their gifts and everyone has been kept busy with them. Zoey came and spent Christmas week with me. She was babysitting Alex and we got alot of organizing done (YAY!!) it was very nice! Becky came up for Christmas Eve/Christmas Morning as always and we wrapped presents after dinner and watched Clerks II Our favorite xmas movie!! ( I know it's not REALLY a xmas movie, but hey, it IS at MY house!!)
I spent alot of time on Facebook this year, connecting with family and old friends. alot of people posted comments about how 2009 was such an awful year and they are glad it's over, I don't feel that way, I think 2009 was just as busy and full and happy as ever. I know some of my friends lost jobs, couldn't find jobs, there were deaths and births, isn't that the way it is every year? Maybe not to you directly, but everywhere in the world, it's just life. At least we ALL couldn't look back and say, WOW, NOTHING happened!
Looking forward to 2010.
And so to wrap this up, here is a year of status updates from Facebook: