2008 Meme and pictures behind cut!
1) Where did you begin 2008?
Beginning in earnest to prepare for our wedding, buying flowers with Rob and fashioning save-the-dates from tiny hand-punched paper leaves and hand-stamped tree cards. It was fun and exciting, but stamping tiny leaves for days made us giddy and our fingers numb :)
2) What was your status on Valentine's Day?
I think we had a quiet dinner out- we were s busy by then- maybe Indian?
We had begun to really value quiet time at this point.
3) Were you in school (anytime this year)?
Not unless you count endless tutorials on wedding crafts on youtube, Martha Stewart's website, and The Knot. Or perhaps our short-lived swing lessons over the winter. We'd like to get back to those soon.
I did earn my English Secondary School teaching license, though. I'd also like to employ that soon, when the economy levels out a bot and people realize that we still need to invest in our children and their educations.
4) How did you earn your money?
Early in the year, I was burning out on mismanagement and the squandering of truly good people at Target.
I took a huge chance and made a leap away to Zanna in February and haven't looked back since. I like it there. I like the people, the pace, and the challenge of selling in such an upscale environment. It helps that the clothing is just to die for, every piece unique and special.
5) Did you have to go to the hospital?
Once, for some post flu re-hydration. I had my first in-hand IV, which is an experience that I vow not to repeat unless I'm on my fucking deathbed and too sick to punch someone for entertaining the thought. My Gods that HURT! They started an IV, and left it capped with no fluid in it to alleviate the pain of it for four hours in a freezing hallway. Did I mention that I am super needle-phobic???!?!?!? Granted they were quite busy, and I was a low man on the triage list, as it should be, but is a little fluid in my frakking arm and an extra blanket too much to ask for? Really?
6) Did you have any encounters with the police?
A few:
1) To phone in a drunk driver on my cell who was endangering folks by driving up the oncoming lane of 116 and weaving about over both lanes... not to mention stopping and backing up on the highway to get to 7 O's!!!
2) When my neighbors had a really unfortunate domestic violence issue next door and took it out into the door yard at 1 am. They were drunk. I was scared and pissed. I came out in my nightgown to read them the riot act and see if the police needed to be phoned up, but to my chagrin, they were already there, shining their mag lights on my nightie whilst I sputtered mild profanities at my neighbors (who make a habit of this sad, mutually-abusive behavior) and then beat a hasty and apologetic retreat while our local police officers laughed hysterically.
3) A minor traffic stop where I was released with a warning.
4) A bad car accident in March, where they helped me and the other unfortunate woman out of our cars.
7) Where did you go on holidays?
Kauai,Hawaii !!!!!
Vermont to get married at a lakeside Inn, and then off to Hawaii for our honeymoon.
8) What did you purchase that was over $1000?
My wedding gown and trousseau.
Our photography.
Our wedding dinner.
Our wedding venue.
Our honeymoon.
Sensing a theme here???? lol.
Also, a newer used car to replace our old faithful Toyota, Crow, that was totaled in the March crash.
9) Did you know anybody who got married?
Brian and Jen Colby, I did their hand-fasting :) It was very, very sweet.
The Bri guy returned the favor by standing up with Rob at our wedding.
Here's a few great pics of the goons, I mean gang :) because I never tire of looking at these youthful, fun and glowing faces of our dear friends:
And last, but far from least:
Whee! Those pictures are just too fun!
10) Did you know anybody who passed away?
This year? Other than my friend Sarah's dad, I don't think so.
I was saddened to hear of the deaths of three local children though. One little Amherst boy who was struck and killed by his sister's school bus, whose funeral cortege we stepped out of the store to honor. Also a little guy and his mother hit by a car while trick-or-treating in Westfield. And the one that makes me absolutely furious to think on: the senseless tragedy of an eight year old boy who died while shooting a semi-automatic weapon at a firing range under the so-called supervision of so-called competent adults. All were horrible and sad, and I grieve for the family and friends of those little ones.
11) Did you get everything done that you wanted to in 2008?
No, but do I ever?
That just leaves me more new and interesting things to do in 2009. The oldest of sins in the newest of ways ;>
12) Did you move anywhere?
Nope. Still living in our new house, and loving it. Slowly but surely getting things looking and feeling the way we want them to.
I was tempted, however, to sell off all my worldly goods and move to a tikki hut in Hawaii.
13) What concerts/shows did you go to?
I saw Cat on a Hot Tin Roof starring James Earle Jones and Felicia Rashad in New York with my mother this spring.
We also went to a fabulous Luau in Hawaii- Luau Kalamaku at the Historic Kilohana Plantation. It was amazing.
The flowers and trees put on a pretty amazing show at the Allerton Gardens as well- all expertly hosted by Wendy, our intrepid master botanist.
15) Are you registered to vote?
Yes.
16) What was your favorite meal of the year?
I love all my little trips with Rob to Cafe Martin in Shelburne Falls, but The first married dinner out with friends was pretty sweet there. It was made even more special by the appearance of Sean mid-way through. I liked being able to thank Amy and Aaron that way, by sharing a great dinner.
Our rehearsal and wedding dinners were also pretty sweet, and dining outdoors in Kauai anywhere at night was special.
The night of our honeymoon where we stayed in and cooked and had a candlelit dinner on our lanai was fabulous, complete with singing birds and leaping lizards!
But by far, the best outing had to have been our breakfast with the gang post wedding in a little greasy spoon diner in Vermont. The kind of mom and pop place that VT is famous for. It was all about the company;
we were surrounded by our best friends.
17) Where do you live now?
In our beautiful home in Greenfield.
18) Describe your birthday?
It was a great, informal gathering at Judie's in Amherst. Also one of my favorite restaurants ever.
I love sharing a one on one dinner there with Rob. Romantic, casual, delicious, creative, and gorgeous art by candlelight. Popovers, amazing salads, and kick-ass drinks! What is not to love?
Let's see what made it great?
A new cocktail dress from Zanna that I felt like I looked and felt amazing in.
An impromptu gathering of friends and great cocktails guest appearances from Chris and Jay were very happy-making. An introduction to a fun new couple who were hanging out with Larry & Lisa. Board games and laughs afterward with friends. Toasting my husband-to-be. Having a tipsy heart-to-heart with my best friend in her car on the way to my house. All Magical.
19) What's one thing you thought you'd never do but did in 2008?
Eat so much yum-tastic fish & fresh fruit in Hawaii! OMG! Yum!
Fly in a 4 person helicopter with the doors off through the unspeakably beautiful valleys of Cathedrals on the Na Pali Coast Line.
Snorkel in the open ocean with dolphins and turtles.
See a manta ray pass under my feet as I dangled them off the prow of the boat.
Flying over open ocean seated at the prow of the boat with Rob laughing with our hair whipping in the wind.
Kiss Rob under a sacred waterfall in Hawaii.
Finally tie the knot and pull off such a big wedding!
20) What has been your favorite moment?
It's a total four way tie, but I think this moment wins out of the three:
Being announced as Mr. & Mrs. Archer for the first time and coming on to the dance floor to be surrounding by our laughing and smiling friends and family toasting us with Vermont Apple Cider. That felt incredible and there was so much love and wonder in that one single moment. I will never forget it as long as I live.
And the honorable mentions:
Coming down the aisle and turning to see Rob's face for the first time as the theme to the Last of The Mohicans Played and the sun broke loose over the trees, water and mountains cradling our wedding altar.
Seeing all of our friends and family there to cradle that moment in turn.
And stepping off the plane and grinning like fools as our feet touched ground in Hawaii for the first time and we realized that our honeymoon was real! lol.
21) What's something you learned about yourself?
I am stronger than my depression and I can change my habits for the better if I try really hard, little by little, every day.
I truly love my husband, even more than myself, and it is far beyond scary when we fight as married people.
22) Any new additions to your family?
Alivia, my niece.
Jo gets honorable mention here, though I have yet to meet her.
23.) What was your best month?
A tie between May and October. It was fun being a new bride to be in those months, and many really sweet things happened.
24.) What music will you remember 2008 by?
The Theme to the Last of the Mohicans- My wedding march
Dance Me To the End of Love- Leonard Cohen- Our Fist Dance
Somewhere Over The Rainbow/Wonderful World- IZ Cake Cutting/Honeymoon
You Can't Take that Away From Me- Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong
Fly Me to The Moon- Frank Sinatra
Swing The Mood- Benny Goodman Orchestra
Ordinary Miracle- Sarah MacLachlan
Sting- Windmills of Your Mind, It's Probably Me
Harry Connick Jr.- Recipe for Love
I'm Yours- Jason Mraz
Tiny Dancer- Elton John
Cheek to Cheek- Fred Astaire
Hey Jude -The Beatles
I've Just Seen A Face- The Beatles as performed by Jim Sturgess
Paths of Desires-October Project
Dreams- The Cranberries
Save the Last Dance For Me- Ben E. King and The Drifters
And so much more!
25) Who has been your best drinking buddy?
Rob. We had a few tropical cocktails and some tasty Riesling this year.
Aaron, we rocked out with our junk out at the wedding reception.
Good times.
26) Made new friends?
Yes. The Zanna crew are dear to me.
Elaina and I are closer after the wedding.
Great buddies at the Inn in Kauai... smiles at Daniella
27) New best friend?
No. Impossible.
Amy and Aaron will always share that title with Rob and my mom.
I have many, many bests among my friends though. They are precious like gold.
They are all best in their own way and own right.
28) Favorite Night Out?
My bachelorette party rocked the house.
My Birthday was great too.