2009: A Year in Review

January: Started my blog. I’d been reading others for about a year and decided to give it a go myself. Painted our kitchen. This was the first of many home projects over the past year. Was laid off on Inauguration Day. Turned down an offer to stay with the company in a position I knew I would be happy in. I knew I had to put myself out there to find something better.

February: Kept blogging and organizing the house while not working. Repaired and recovered our breakfast table chairs. Tore down wallpaper and painted the entryway to our home. Volunteered for my first cooking class where I discovered that I would really like to get paid to do this. Attended my first Ash Wednesday service and gave up bottled water for my first Lent.

March: Joined a small church community and we’re still growing strong. Continued to look for a job and started my current job on March 20th. It was exactly two months from the day I was laid off to the day I received an offer I accepted. Continued to volunteer at the cooking school. Hosted our first Oscar party.

April: Became a Catholic. This was by far the most notable thing about April. I also joined the church’s wedding ministry. Went to a friend’s wedding.

May: Celebrated my birthday. (They just keep coming, don’t they?) Hosted my first giveaway on the blog. Vacationed in Arizona with our friends Brittney and Jeremy. Attended a Junior League open house. Decided to join.

June: My father got married.

July: Celebrated my husband’s birthday. Both of my in-laws came to visit, not at the same time. Attended my first Junior League Social.

August: Celebrated our first anniversary! (And, had such an amazing weekend!) Counting Crows concert. Attended a friend’s 30th birthday party. Old 97s concert. Junior League Provisional Retreat.

September: Painted our hallway. Volunteered at the cooking school more. Took our niece and nephew to see The Wizard of Oz on the big screen. Ben Folds concert.

October: Entered the Cookie Bake-off at church. Didn’t win. U2 concert. Kings of Leon concert. Had anniversary photos taken. Went to Atlanta for the weekend. Made Boeuf Bourguignon for the first time.

November: First Junior League Holiday Magic. More cooking classes. Started to discuss the idea of culinary school. Hosted an early Thanksgiving in our home. Traveled to Baton Rouge for Thanksgiving. Tore down wallpaper and painted our guest bathroom.

December: Traveled to Minneapolis for an early Christmas celebration. Learned how to Curl (the sport) and was pretty good at it. Hosted a baby shower for my best friend. Hosted Christmas Eve dinner for my family. Had my very first white Christmas! Started the kitchen makeover.