Year In Review

[jadecat]

The year isn't quite over yet, but as I've been reviewing it in my mind I thought I might as well review here as well. It seems every year has its ups and downs, although some are more momentous then others.



At the end of 2004 I had just newly moved to Haslett to live with the DH. In late December we got Mr. Leopolde- at first my Sweetie didn't think it would be a good idea, now Leo is SUCH the Daddy's Boy! We got engaged as of New Year's Eve, and were planning an October 11th wedding- to correspond with the 3rd anniversary of our first date. Later that got changed due to logistics of a mid-week wedding. Also, as of the first of January the DH switched from working midnight shift (12am - 8am) to working afternoons (4pm-12am). This change really has been for the best- he's able to sleep during the night which really has had a positive effect on his energy level and mood.

January saw me turning 30, which in some ways felt like a big deal- but not in others. In some ways it was a bit of a bummer because I celebrated on my own. My Sweetie was at work, and all my friends were in Ann Arbor- or points beyond. My Sweetie did a good job of making it special for me even so- making a 'treasure hunt' out of finding my presents. The day was good, over all. Not the big deal that some people have made over their 30th, I even had a few friends neglect to remark on it at all. But so it goes, I keep telling myself that I'm really bad about noticing other people's birthdays- so I shouldn't expect them to remember mine.

The year went on- the DH was taking 20 credit hours to complete his AD and was working full time. Amazingly, he finished the term (getting mostly 4.0s as is his habit...) and I didn't kill him! :) I was working as a temp at a non-profit, covering a maternity leave, and while I enjoyed it I was still really hoping to find a full-time, with benefits, job. He was a stress monkey most of the winter- and I was in a strange place mentally- but we both made it through.

Sometime late spring we actually began to plan our wedding- though we'd spent a lot of time talking to each other about it- we hadn't really approached any vendors... Somewhat problematic. His sister got married at the beginning of May, and I think that may be what spurred our attention towards our own wedding. My mom and I got my dress fairly early on- first day of shopping I found the dress I wanted, and it only needed some very slight alterations.

In July I managed to finally find a full-time with bennies job. My last temp gig had ended in June and after being out of work for a month I was more than a little scared. My temp agency wasn't being all that helpful and while I had a ton of interviews at various places - I wasn't seeming to get anywhere. Then a job I had interviewed for at the end of May became open again- the person they had hired hadn't worked out. Mrs Boss then told me that they had liked me initially, but were afraid that I would get bored and leave. Being more eager for a job than anything- I was willing to risk it. So while I am bored- I have LJ! so it's not that bad. ;)

So the planning for the wedding was on, a loan was sought, and received and thus far all the wedding stuff was a go. In other news... The DH had a hassle, but eventually got into the part-time nursing program. This was quite problematic, besides being twice as long as the full time program, as it met at night. As I've mentioned above- he works from 4pm-12am. So night classes, clinicals and labs just really wouldn't work. A petition for full time status was made- and now he'll be in the program starting in January. (And right now it looks like he'll be able to continue to work full time and go to classes full time- which is good because otherwise I have no idea how we would afford it.)

September saw us heading out to see the lovely azbound getting married, which was great fun. My cousin also got married and I had my bridal shower a few weekends later. Given that the shower location wasn't all that close for people- I was most grateful to those who braved the long drive to come see me. Really, really made my day. :)

Then came the big day in October. The day was a bit overcast and chilly weather wise- but there were plenty of sunny smiles and warm wishes to make the official weather a very trivial thing indeed. There were one or two things that came up- but I don't remember ever being so happy before. Thinking about it now still brings a smile to my face. Each of my two photographers snapped shots of my DH and I holding hands while talking to other people. royal_jester's hubby got the best one though- it's just a shot of our hands (that we didn't pose for). Since the hubby and I are almost always holding hands it means something special to me.

In November Baby B! Arrived. Haven't gotten to spend enough time with the Step-Daughter and Baby B, but am working on it. It's important to me that we be a bigger part of their lives than we have been. They live relatively close- so we should be able to see them more often. They also have a better vehicle now- so I'm hoping they're willing to come see us. We also spent Thanksgiving at home, which was an oddness to me. In some ways it was very special to spend our first official holiday as a married couple with just us. Since the DH had to work at 4 pm going to see family wasn't really possible. Plus work gave me a pre-cooked turkey, so we had a feast for just us. And it was quite the yum!

Now it's December and this year is coming to a close. This weekend we will be seeing both sides of the family, though not every family member. Sadly there are some at a distance who aren't able to make the journey here this year. It's also time to put several hundred miles on my car as we drive to Allegan on one day and then to Midland the next. Even so, I'm looking forward to seeing everybody and cookies! :)



So that's my year so far. :)

Comments

[azbound.livejournal.com]

Please forgive this "all about me" post - but I have to thank you, as out of two Christmas "newsletters" we have received (one being from my man of honor), you were the first to mention my having gotten married.

Thank you so much!

[jadecat.livejournal.com]

You're very welcome. :) It was a momentous occasion- and very wonderful to see you again- and to see you so very happy. :) (Oh and that D. fellow too. ;) )

[firesign10.livejournal.com]

Very nice! A good thought, to look over the whole year and see everything that already seems far away. When I have 2 brains cells to rub together, I think I'll do the same! Certainly with getting married and all, this year was a very noteworthy one for you! :-)

[jadecat.livejournal.com]

I was inspired by friend royal_jester- to do so on LJ at any rate. I had thought about writing it up as a letter to put in my Christmas cards... and then got very lazy. ;)

This has been a pretty big year for me... I think I'll be happier with a somewhat calmer 2006. ;)

I hope you do this as well, since I didn't know you at the beginning of the year. :)