A few of my favorite things.

I know this post is almost tortuous to post without a picture. As the proof really is in the pudding. But I'm just too damn happy about it to wait until I can get a good picture.

I won this really super awesome contest from one of my favorite places in the world, Blush. It's a super adorable makeup / spa services place in the Third Ward in Milwaukee. The girls who work there are fantastic, I'd literally trust any one of them to remove hair / apply makeup / pick out a lipstick / play with my eyelashes. I first started going there for Laurel's magic hands when it comes to brow waxing. Then I discovered Paulina and her fantastic waxing abilities below the belt (yes, that's right, bikini area...and legs). Then I went to one of their Laura Mercier events and FELL IN LOVE with that woman's make up. So now I'm a regular customer, spend way more than I should, and make frequent trips there.

ANYWAYS, won this great prize package, got lots of sweet stuff that I can spend between now and May cashing in on. One of the prizes and honestly, probably the coolest of them all - is a set of corner lash extensions. I know what you're thinking, those strips of horsehair you glue on from time to time when you want to look as though you've got lashes on a day lots of pictures are being taken (I know, I'm totally guilty of it).

No, no, no. These are INDIVIDUAL lashes that are glued on to your own lashes so they look like REAL LIFE LONG BEAUTIFUL lashes!?? As someone who has about 5 lashes that are neither long or full, this is one of the most amazing things ever....and they last (get ready, this is going to blow your mind)...a MONTH!?!

Seriously...I may lose my home trying to find ways to afford to keep these beauties on come February. I'm in love with my long fake lashes.

Top 9 of '09

Following the lead of Anne and Krista...(You may want to go grab a snack, it's a long one).

In no particular order, I give you my top 9 in ’09.

1. Starting a new job. While the reasons I needed to seek new employment were not ideal or something I would’ve wished for, the push it gave me to find a new job ended up being a really great opportunity. Having worked with my mom and brother for my dad was an incredible experience. One that I believe brought my family closer while providing us all with opportunities we never would’ve seen elsewhere. As my first post-collegiate career I was able to actually DO more than most and really do believe I learned so very much in my 3 years of working for them. However, venturing out beyond the family business, as scary as it was, has offered a completely different work experience and has been a truly unique journey. I’m confident in my abilities and skills, am learning a whole shitload of new things I had no idea I didn’t know (hello Adobe Acrobat, I’m looking at you!), and have met some really fantastic people who I know I’ll keep in touch with long after this job. All in all, it’s been a fantastic experience and whether I stay here ‘til I retire, or head back to the family business, I’m happy I was pushed outside of my comfort zone to try it out.

2. Twitter. Anyone who’s not actively involved on Twitter will most likely scoff at this and throw me right in the lame category for thanking 2009 for providing me with a new social networking site. However, the people I have met through Twitter, fully comprehend and appreciate it making the top 10 site. I’ve been pushed outside of my usual social boundaries, I’ve met strangers who I now consider friends. You guys, I actually went to a social gathering where I knew NO ONE in person. And it was AWESOME. I’ve found new restaurants, attended events I would’ve otherwise never known of, kept up with old friends both near and far, and had a brand new outlet for all the semi-pointless things I’d like to share. As someone who lives alone, this is quite wonderful, as I (usually) get more of a response via Twitter than I did from the dog, who was my previous outlet for useless comments. And in all honesty, when there was a rough patch during a certain break up – Twitter and the people I met on there, kept me smiling, laughing, and distracted. So, yes, one of my top 10 things of 2009 is in fact a website…judge away (you’re obviously just jealous! J).

3. Physical Activity. Since college I have lacked a bit in this department. In 2009 I started working out with a Personal Trainer. Though I’ve had to stop the last couple months due to finances, I do attribute my desire to get in shape and exercise to this. Trainer Tyler helped correct a lot of the myths I had previously held true regarding physical activity and ability. I learned I was capable of more than I thought, stronger than I had given credit and that if I was willing, I was more than likely able. At one point I was dead lifting enough for my dad to tell me I should go out for the Dillon Panthers football team. (FNL reference…and it was 200 lbs that caused him to say it). Though I did have to give up the gym membership (stupid money), I am still focused on getting in the cardio and strength training I can at home. I’m walking my butt off and have even entertained the idea of running. Hell – I ran a quarter of a mile the other day and while it may not seem like much, I was beaming. It’s the longest I’ve run in years and hopefully a distance I’ll scoff at come the end of 2010.

4. Weddings. I’ve had a couple close friends get married in the past year, and a couple celebrate their first anniversaries. Some I attended while single, some while in a relationship, and even one when I was in the midst of a breakup. But I’ll tell you something, there is nothing like watching two people you know and love share their love for one another in front of a whole bunch of people who love them too. Each wedding I attended, each anniversary I congratulated gave me a renewed sense of love and appreciation for just exactly what marriage is. I’ve had the opportunity to learn from those I love who are married, got married and have been married and I consider myself extremely fortunate to watch such exemplary couples throughout the various stages of wedded bliss.

5. Friends. As I get older I realize the true definition of friendship. I think for so long when you’re surrounded by your peers you call so many people “friends” because of the proximity and frequency of the people around you. In school you see the same people all the time and you associate with them because they’re there too. It’s not until you’re in the “real world” that you find out who your true friends are. The ones that last no matter space and time between you. I’m so fortunate to have the core group of friends that I do. The quantity may have decreased over the years, but the quality has surely improved. I wouldn’t be who I am nor willing to figure out who I will be without the support and love of my dearest friends.

6. My family. As a foursome, we’ve been through a whole lot this year. The universe has taken our plans, spun us around a bunch of times and left us to figure out a new one. We’ve changed together, taken pain in stride together and fallen apart together. No matter what has happened this year, we’ve done it together. Though things may not be exactly how we would’ve planned for them to be, we’ve made the most of what we’ve got. And given my family, I’d say we’ve got a whole lot left. They’re my rock, my motivation, my inspiration and my everything.

7. Cheerleading. I know I complain about it and there are times I down right hate dealing with the bullshit that goes along with coaching a squad. But at the end of the day, and as my last season draws to a close, I do appreciate all it has given me. I’ve met some truly outstanding young women who have reaffirmed my faith in the younger generations. They’ve made me pissed and proud…and usually all in the same day. I know that as much as I look forward to the free time I’ll have when I’m done coaching, I’ll truly miss it. I do know, however, that I’m walking away with some great friendships with those I’ve met along the way, and a handful of lessons in life that I’ve gathered throughout the years. And at the end of it all, I’ll always be coach of a State Championship Squad.

8. My nephew. Technically he was born in ’08 but still. 2009 has given me a whole year of watching him grow into the little man he is becoming. I got to hear him make his first noises, shuffle in his first army crawl and take his first few steps. I knew I’d love any nephews or nieces I may be blessed with, but I had no idea that little boy would steal my heart the way he has. And beyond that, after numerous times alone with him, I feel far more prepared to have kids of my own some day. Thank God for that – because they don’t come with manuals!

9. Christian. It was a slightly tumultuous year for the two of us, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Our relationship has grown in ways I never thought possible. He’s taught me a whole lot about unconditional love and compassion. He’s so much of what I looked for in a man, while adding things I never even knew I was looking for. He’s my best friend. When something good happens, I can’t wait to call and tell him. When something bad happens, he calms me down and makes me smile. So much of what I’m thankful for in 2009 includes this wonderful man I’m fortunate enough to call my own.

So long...so so long.

It's been forever since I posted something worthwhile on here, I know. Unfortunately, today is not going to be the day that changes. I'm still at work, I've got a draft coming in for the project I'm working on at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow morning (due at noon) and I still have x-mas shopping to do.

However - I am still SUPER excited that Christmas and my golden birthday both fall in this very week. I can't wait to be done w/ work on Wednesday and soak up the holidays!

When I get home, I will be crawling in bed and watching a Christmas movie. And given that it was pointed out that I've watched Elf, Home Alone 2 and The Santa Clause (1, 2, & 3) multiple times already this year...it will NOT be one of those movies. Probably Love Actually. (Which should go over well, given that I'm tired, emotional because I love the holidays and have my period (yeah, yeah, TMI)...here come the water works!)

Someday soon I'll start posting about things that matter!

All grown up.

My nephew is walking...WALKING! He's almost 15 months and is walking now. I can't get over how quickly time flies with kids this age. Every time I see him it's like he's aged a year and can do all these new things he's never done before! It's ridiculous!

He has also started talking...well not in English. In what I like to refer to as "Joese" (prounounced Jo-eez). My dad calls him Joes, his middle name is Joseph and he's just somehow turned into Joes along the way (you'd have to understand my family's affinity for nicknames). Anyways, Joese is this utterly adorable make your heart melt and your stomach do these little flips it's so damn cute. It's like this sort of loud whisper, relatively high pitched and almost always ends in a question. Never actual words, but lots and lots of syllables. Ugh, it's so damn cute.

He also has his own couch now, a super sweet Toy Story one that's just his size. He used to keep his remote controls in the little pocket (until he threw them down the radiators). Now he keeps my brother's old cell phone in there and when he sits on it, he holds the phone between his ear and his shoulder and talks away to whoever he thinks it is on the other line. And if anyone gets out their phone to text, he pulls out his and just pushes buttons. He's the cutest little monkey ever. He's so good at repeating, I can't wait til he talks so I can teach him "that's what she said." Ugh, it's going to be hilarious.

She bangs, She bangs.

Also - I miss having bangs a lot. Contemplating an emergency appointment w/ Courtney for some necessary bangs being cut.

(It's possible that I have become too comfortable with the 140 characters Twitter limits me too. Blogposts seem entirely overwhelming...I will make efforts to make them longer - and more entertaining - than this one).

whoops.

I totally went MIA for a while.

Back now...even though I'm not sure what I'm going to say now that I'm back. I feel like it should be some big monumental stuff...so I'll see what I can do. And as always when I don't know what to say, I assume it will be scatterbrained and therefore, presented in bullets.

• TG (That Guy) and I have been hanging out quite a bit. We're working on things and I'm happy as...happy as a girl who's working on getting back to a healthy relationship with a guy who makes her feel all mushy & gushy inside.
• I am officially selling my house. It went on the market a little over a week ago and I've already had a showing. It's downright bat shit crazy. I can't believe people are coming over to my house to possibly BUY MY HOUSE. Kind of feels like Santa & the Elves...sure, sure, that's "real." No, but for real, it's on the market and it could be sold any minute.
• As a 2nd part to that - I have no idea where I'll be living if / when my house sells. Which has sort of made me a slightly neurotic over emotional basket case the past few days (the word slightly is applicable depending on who you ask - TG has seen more tears the past week than normal...he would probably say no, not applicable). I'm working on figuring out if I'll buy or rent. Ridiculously overwhelming decisions right now given that I've lived in the same house for the last 4 years.
• I bought partitioned Gladware today at the grocery store and was extraordinarily excited about it.
• I've had some serious cravings for cheeseburgers and pizza lately...which is definitely helping me with the whole diet & get in shape thing...though I haven't totally caved on either of them...I've spent an excessive amount of time thinking about caving on them.
• My nephew is WALKING. He looks like the cutest little drunk person ever stumbling around with the biggest grin on his face and mumbling all these syllables that aren't real words at all. Way cuter on a 1 year old than a 26 year old - for the record.

I promise to be more organized and logical in the upcoming posts. For now - I just hope this keeps Rebecca happy :)