2010

Wow. Where the heck did 2009 go? It's hard to believe that a year ago I was only starting at this job, the frightened newbie without a clue. I still feel like I haven't got a clue some days, but for the most part, all is well. One more year and I'll be fully vested with the 12% of my income the put in the 401(k)! Definitely incentive to stick around. That and the amazing insurance. But in any event, that is not what my post is to be about.

I have a lot of goals this year. Some are financial, some are not, but I believe they are all tied together in one way or another. Ultimately, they will all make me happier (I hope!).

1. Exercise regularly, thus becoming healthier and dropping 30 pounds (yes, I do have 30lbs to lose. I'm not sure where it's hidden, but it's there and I don't want it anymore!).
2. Be more focused on meal planning. And not just the usual 10 meals I rotate through. I want to find new recipes, explore new foods (even veggies), and cook at home so blue_wagon and I are healthier and happier. And save money on eating out, which we will still do occasionally.
3. I want to pay off the $750 on my Chase card. Buh-bye!
4. I want to pay off the $5000ish on my CapOne card. Some of that will be reimbursed from my freelance project (I paid for shipping, they owe me over $200).
5. I want to save up for the photographer and band for our wedding. If our parents let us pay.
6. I want to get $5000 in the Emergency Fund.
7. I want to save $10000 in other savings funds: clothing, vacation, house/pool, car, medical.
8. I want to actually finish my damned novel. And start the next one. And find a literary agent. I need to stop procrastinating and face the music. Either it gets pubbed or it doesn't. End of story. Beginning of the next one!
9. I want to get into photography again.
10. Not turn into bridezilla.
11. Have a blast at my wedding and on my honeymoon.

I guess that about covers it!

Engaged!

Twenty-six is already turning out to be a pretty good year for me! Blue_wagon proposed on our five-year anniversary, and now we're trying to plan a wedding for October 2010! Wish us luck!

Reflection on 25

Last year at this time, well, first of all, I was interviewing for a new job and thought I failed miserably, only to get called back and eventually offered the job. I was also jokingly saying how horrible turning 25 would be, that I was having a quarter-life crisis, and that I was old. As it turns out, being 25 was the best year ever! Here are some things I accomplished (or that just happened to me):

1. I saved a lot of money, and paid off some debt. I'm getting there, and learning along the way!
2. I bought a house with blue, moved in, decorated, and made it ours, all without going into horribly deeper debt (not counting the mortgage, of course)
3. Created a budget for our household and got blue on board
4. Saved for and went on a vacation with blue's family. Survived.
5. Thought really hard about working on my novel again.
6. Lost 18 pounds. Got stressed, then sick, then stressed some more. Gained back 8. Ah well. Can't win 'em all!
7. Started that new job. Trafficked 13 books through the publication process. Managed to not murder too many academics. Apparently impressed bosses enough that they haven't fired me yet.
8. Got 12% of salary put into 401(k) without me putting anything in myself (have I mentioned they have fantastic benefits?), although I do have to stay another year to get vested. I also started contributing 1% of my salary myself last month.
9. Learned the value of coupons, BJ's Warehouse, and planning out the weekly menu.
10. Got all nice and content and happy, for the most part.

Maybe 26 will be better? I'm not sure. All I know is it's not a multiple of 5, and so I'm a little skeptical.

99 Things Update

We're plugging along on this, although some have become 'NA' as we decided not to do them, or the holiday passed. I think it's more like 100 things now, and I will probably add more as I go along. But progress is being made (and we are LOVING the dishwasher)!!!

Item	Room	Completed
Call Steve about security deposit	apartment	9/25/2009
spackle holes in apartment walls	apartment	9/18/2009
clean shelf in bathroom	apartment	9/18/2009
research and buy shed-Spring	backyard
dig up garden spot	backyard
brick garden-spring	backyard
trim edges of yard	backyard
find place to buy dirt	backyard	9/13/2009
schedule dirt delivery	backyard	10/5/2009
buy rocks?	backyard	10/17/2009
research and buy patio furniture	backyard
Get firewood, stack nicely	backyard	9/26/2009
Fill in dirt along fence	backyard	10/10/2009
Regrade flower bed	backyard	10/11/2009
Research tulip planting	backyard	10/8/2009
seed grass? Or do this in sprng?	backyard
dig out flower bed along back of house	backyard
plant bushes along back of house	backyard
plant bushes/trees along fence	backyard	10/17/2009
decorate bathroom shelf	bathroom	10/9/2009
Get hooks for robes	Bathroom	9/12/2009
install hooks for robes	bathroom	9/12/2009
clean white couch	master bedroom
call Windsor	boiler	9/14/2009
car inspection	car	9/12/2009
Get runner	dining room	10/17/2009
Get rug for dining	dining room
hang pictures in dining room	dining room	10/5/2009
research chandeliers	dining room
find wine rack	dining room
wax and buff hardwood floor	dining room	10/17/2009
get added to Blue's credit card so I can pay the bill	finances	9/15/2009
Repair sidewalk	Front walk
Research maple trees	Front yard
dig out front triangles	front yard	10/17/2009
plant bushes in front triangles	front yard	10/17/2009
plant tulips in front triangles	front yard	10/17/2009
clean front closet	hallway	10/1/2009
shelves in office closet	My office	10/18/2009
organize front closet with towels and tools	hallway	10/1/2009
call Slomins	house	9/25/2009
research STAR tax break	house	9/22/2009
buy plants	house	10/17/2009
research house numbers	house
touch up ceilings	house
carve pumpkins	house	NA
buy halloween decorations	house	9/26/2009
get nice nightlights	house	9/29/2009
Put Mom's pictures of house online	house
Pop open the chapagne	house
plan appetizers for housewarming	housewarming	10/12/2009
create housewarming invitations	housewarming	9/14/2009
create guestlist for housewarming (family)	housewarming	9/14/2009
send invitations (family)	housewarming	9/14/2009
Paint kitchen	kitchen	9/20/2009
measure kitchen drawers	kitchen	9/12/2009
buy organizers	kitchen	9/14/2009
paint kitchen ceiling	kitchen	NA
clean toaster oven	kitchen	10/1/2009
clean coffee pot	kitchen	9/19/2009
install dishwasher	kitchen	11/6/2009
pick up dishwasher	kitchen	10/30/2009
create meal plan for September	kitchen	9/18/2009
create meal plan for October	kitchen	10/5/2009
research microwaves	kitchen
clean island	kitchen	10/12/2009
wash all of blue's dishes	kitchen	9/19/2009
wash all sheets and towels	laundry	9/19/2009
Get rug for living room	living room	10/4/2009
hang pictures in living room	living room	10/31/2009
find couch art	living room	10/18/2009
pick up console	living room	9/19/2009
install surround sound	living room	9/26/2009
research blinds for LR/DR	living/dining
get LR/DR curtains hemmed	living/dining	10/5/2009
Put up curtains in master	master bedroom	9/20/2009
paint bedroom doors	master bedroom
Reroll wall	master bedroom
stain nightstand	master bedroom	10/11/2009
hang Renoir	master bedroom	9/20/2009
find art for bedroom	master bedroom
hang mom's painting	master bedroom	9/20/2009
Look for rug(s?) for bedroom	master bedroom
clean blinds bedroom	master bedroom	9/20/2009
Paint my office	My office	9/13/2009
Get rug for my office	My office	NA
Put up curtains in my office	my office	9/20/2009
find pillows	my office
hang pictures in my office	my office
spray paint desk and nightstand black	my office	NA
organize folders in filing cabinet	my office	11/11/2009
file papers	my office	11/11/2009
clean shelves in office	my office	9/26/2009
clean blinds office	my office	9/20/2009
Stock and organize pantry	Pantry closet	9/26/2009
pick photos to print for photo album	photos
add pictures to photo album	photos
wire upstairs	upstairs
wash banister	dining room	9/12/2009
assemble grill	backyard	9/13/2009

Top 5 Worst Gifts for Your Boyfriend!

Top Five Worst Holiday Gifts for Your Boyfriend
Advice on how NOT to shop for your boyfriend
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An article I wrote for AC.

Some Before and Afters

Well, things seem to have finally calmed down here a bit. I sent off this round of my freelance project, so I should have a few weeks of evenings to myself. Of course, I have all of my own personal projects I want to get done, such as finally organizing our filing system and updating my blog! So here we go!

As you may recall, our house is a cute little yellow house. As cute as the house itself is, the landscaping is definitely lacking. While not overgrown, it is just...blah. It needed some life. Here is the house before:


After some autumnal decorations (already also shown previously) and some flowers and shrubs, it looks a little more lively. We still have a lot of work to do, but this will keep us happy throughout the winter:




And in the backyard, where once was just divets and dirt, we have some lovely bushes and mums, all 50% off at an end-of-season sale!



They have since been planted into the dirt, but I don't actually have a "done" photo. Oops! I'll get on that when it's nice out again. It's currently raining, yet again.

And just for fun, a shot of a tent we used at our housewarming that, while we were away, the wind decided to send for a joy ride. We borrowed it from my brother, so I'm hoping I can clean it all up! It managed to land in our dirt pile in the driveway (of course!) and crack our fence a little:

Turkey Day Trivia!

A piece I just put up on Associated Content. It's amazing how popular my trivia pieces have been. I don't know why I don't put up new ones daily!

Thanksgiving Day Trivia!
Test your Turkey Day know-how!
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