A sad goodbye to 2008 and a great big welcome to 2009.

I'm always sad to see a year chock full of memories come to an end.  Particularly when so many of them are wonderfully soft, sweet and precious to my dear little heart.  2008 was filled with a lot of family, which living so far from them for the past several years in San Diego, we appreciate more than I could ever imagine.

Pardon mua for just a moment, while I reflect on the year:

We spent a night in Newport Beach and went to our first and probably last Ducks hockey game.  Super fun times with super fun friends.

The year quickly unfolded into the ultimate plan.... We officially decided to pack up our flip flops and move back to Colorado!  Memorial Day weekend, Denver we come.  Much preparation was put into this move, both professionally and personally, for both Ryan and I.  The stars aligned and off we go in just a few short months.

We spent Easter weekend in the Anza-Borrego Desert.  Golfing, Hiking and Relaxing.

The month before we moved to Colorado, there was a wildfire in Penasquitos Canyon (our backyard).  Absolutely frightening and surely a sign the move was a good one.

We celebrated our ONE YEAR wedding anniversary!  Our first year of marriage was a good one, filled with precious moments, happy times and excitement for one another and our future together.  It's official, we make a good team and we're thrilled for this adventure that is our lives to unfold right in front of us.

We FINALLY did it.  We moved back to Colorado Memorial Day weekend.  Second to getting married, it might be the best decision we've ever made.  Period.

The house hunt began.

My Dad surprised ME and came out to Colorado for Father's Day.  More like shocked me!  I was speechless!

We spent 4th of July in Colorado with my lovely parents.

Liza came out for Mile High Music Festival.  Ridiculous fun ensued. 

We made a few trips up to the ranch to visit the in-laws.

My sweet Mere's health deteriorated and she is now our sweet angel above.  She is with us in spirit more than I ever could have imagined, but is one reason it's sad to see this year come to an end.  The memories of her will only become more and more distant and that tugs at my heartstrings.  She was the sweetest most kind person I have ever known.  Awe-inspiring.

Ryan and I went to Newport Beach, CA for a charity golf tournament.  Fun, fun.

Mom and Dad came out for another Colorado visit.  They can't get enough of this place!!  Golfing, antiquing, and my Birthday celebration and fun.

A surprise Birthday trip to the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.  My husband is ridiculously amazing, dreamy really.  What can I say, he obviously loves me very much!  We had the most amazing weekend and as usual, packed it in.  Golf, Hiking, Mtn Zoo, Dinner at the Penrose Room.

We cheered on the Buffs at the CU Homecoming game in Boulder!  Outlandish fun in our old stomping grounds.  Such an amazing city!

Wii Rock Band.  I'm now married to a drummer.

Annual Jimmy Buffett Concert in Vegas.  Great group this year and a wonderful time as always!!  Tahiti?  Hawaii?

Annual early Thanksgiving at the Gertz' (our 1st annual.  see, so glad we moved back.)  This is a couple that knows how to entertain!  Seriously, amazing.

Spent a week in MN over Thanksgiving.  So nice to spend time with my family and be home for a low-key break.

Met my dear friends' new baby.  Precious.  Are we really here already?

Quick trip back to San Diego for Ryan's corporate Holiday Party.  He might possibly work for the most amazing people I've ever met.

Christmas in Florida with the in-laws.  Fun in the sun and a much needed break from the freezing cold.  A simple Christmas this year.... enjoying each others "presence" instead of presents this year.  What a concept!  Cards are my favorite part of the season anyhow.  :)

Wii Rock Band II.  I'm now married to a world touring drummer.

We found a house.  Maybe THE house.  December 30th, 2008, we are officially under contract on our first home.  Fingers crossed.

And tonight, we are getting ready to ring in the New Year with all of our Wonderful Friends!

Whew, what a year.  Sad to see it go, but truly looking forward to what 2009 will bring.

Wishing you health and happiness in the new year!  All my love!

Bargainista strikes again.

I may have jumped the gun just a tad bit here, but I cannot and will not resist a bargain.  Nope.  Not at all.  It is pretty typical for me to buy things I do not need in the least bit, just because it is a deal.  Ryan teases me endlessly because I often walk in the door and greet him with, "You'll never believe how much I money I saved us!!!"  The question that typically follows is, "But, how much did you SPEND?"  I suppose if you save $300 and spend $200 on things you don't really need in the first place... well, I see his point, but I have scored some pretty great finds in my days.

Soooooo.  With the house under contract and the structural inspection all clear.... I made our first house purchase today.  And oooooh boy was it a deal!  Check it out...

Pottery Barn Somerson Brushed Nickel Double and Triple Sconce

Regular Retail Price $169.00 and $129.00, respectively

Now here is the fun part, I purchased them for $15 and $10, respectively.  That is a grand total savings of $263!  I told you I'm good.  Not to mention we have gobs of Pottery Barn gift certificates from our wedding, for moments just like this.  Sooooo, with that in mind.  They were actually a very nice gift from one of our very lovely wedding guests and didn't cost us a pretty penny!  Aren't they pretty?

Dear Husband,

You don't know what I've bought yet, but you just promised not to be mad.  Then I remembered you don't really GET mad.  Ever.  You are a peach.  We could very well have five, count 'em FIVE, bathrooms to remodel in our near future.  As we've discussed, penny saving is going to be important my dear.  Aren't you proud of me?  Don't worry, I've not gone off the deep end.  Not yet anyways.  I understand 110% this house we'd like to call our home is not even close to being ours yet.  We have many a serious discussions ahead of us and several more inspections to clear before we can pop the cork on that bottle of Dom Perigon and toast to our humble abode.  You know you love me and my thrifty ways.

Love, Your Penny-Pinching Wifey

UPDATE:  Dear Hubs is super happy about my purchase!  Yay!  And if we don't find use for them, there is always C-Bay!!  Right Mummy?

A new house ANNNND a new puppy?

So, the house hunting has come to a halt, but the house purchase is far from over.  There is good news however!  We are officially UNDER CONTRACT on our first home!  A series of inspections start tomorrow, so it's not official by any means, but exciting nonetheless.  The house is beautiful, cozy and more than I ever dreamed of, or need for our first home, but some day we hope to fill it with a bustling family of four.  :)  With the economy and housing market in shambles, we weren't exactly planning to buy until 2009, but a series of special circumstances led us to a home we feel is just perfect for us in so many ways.  Location, style, price, lot size, bones, potential, curb appeal, neighborhood, proximity to our favorite places.... the list goes on and on.  Not to mention, we could live in it forever if we so choose.  Details to follow.

On a somewhat related note.  Sit down people, this is big.  Something about being a homeowner makes me want to be a pet-owner too.  I know, you feel faint.  I know, you are shaking your head.  I know, you are rolling your eyes.

I'll be the first to admit, and rightly so, this young lady hasn't exactly been fond of your four-legged furry friends in the past, but here is the deal.  I'm horribly allergic.  You wouldn't want to be around dogs and cats either if after a couple of hours your eyes are streaming down tears, your nose is so stuffy you can hardly speak, you sneeze 10 times in a row every 5 minutes and your eyes are so itchy you debate scratching them with a fork.  Dramatic?  Yes.  But very true?  Yes.  It's rather debilitating actually.  I've been known to avoid precious friends homes with allergy inducing dogs and cats for my hatred of the above referenced symptoms.  It's rather miserable and lingers long after leaving these friendly furry friends, sometimes even lingering into the next day.  Awful.

But, my attitude has changed my friends.  If not for my horrible allergies, deep down, I actually enjoy dogs and can't resist playing fetch with them, petting their cute little mugs and giving them treats.  They are lovable and oh so loving in return.  It is just a short while later that I am kicking myself for laying a single finger on them.  SO.  Why the change in attitude you ask?  Well, I always pondered the thought of a hypo-allergenic dog.  But, I quickly dismissed this idea because the only dogs on that list are the tiny-little-fluff-ball-yapper-dogs.

Then came tonight.  I spent the evening with not one, but two of the sweetest most gentle and loving dogs I've ever met.  After 5 hours of petting them (LIKE A LOT), not a single sneeze, not a single watery eye and not a single sniffly nose.  For good measure, I put my hands all over my eyes and nose just to be sure.  It's about as official as going to an Allergist, right?  And this, my friends is no wimpy yapper dog.  This particular dog is ready to be the true protector and walking companion I've been dreaming of.   Not to mention, 40-60 pounds of the most affectionate, friendly, teddy bear of a dog I've ever met! 

Isn't she just the cutest, most cuddly little thing you've ever seen!!!  

Now lets meet the beautiful Samoyed:

-Dander-Free, Hypo-Allergenic and Odorless coat!  Check!

-Average lifespan of 12-16 years

-A working breed with excellent stamina

-Males weigh 44-60lbs and Females 37-55lbs

-Shedding occurs once per year, but with weekly brushing is minimal year round

-Very good at self grooming, therefore bathing and cleaning is minimal

-Hailing from Siberia, a true winter dog, they often self bath by rolling in fresh snow

-No smell or "doggy odor" about them, making them extremely suitable for indoor living

-Very friendly disposition; An aggressive Samoyed is extremely rare

-Diligent watch dogs with a tendency to bark when someone or something enters their territory, however they are so friendly that they are not an ideal guard dog

-Soft and playful disposition and excellent companions for small children

-A youthful and energetic spirit well into their senior years

-Characterized by an alert and happy expression, otherwise called "Smiley Sammy" due to their permanent smiley face

Now if only we could teach her to use a pooper scooper, this deal would be sealed.

A White Christmas.

It was a wonderful white Christmas this year.  Although, not in the snow... in the sand!  That's right, we passed up our first Colorado Christmas to escape the cold and enjoy a little R & R in Florida with Ryan's family.  We had so much fun relaxing, beach walking, beach cruising, laughing at our electric blue convertible rental car, swimming, hot tubbing, golfing (6 times!), spending time with family and enjoying the holiday season.  

I'd be remiss if I failed to mention the accommodations.... seriously I could have mistaken the new house for the Four Seasons.  Sadly, their old house was hit by not one, but TWO hurricanes in 2004.  They finally finished the rebuild and my what a difference.  Not a single detail was spared and I've never seen so many bells and whistles in my life.  Their street was one of the worst hit areas, which means the street is brand spankin' new and beautiful to boot!  

And now my friends, a photo story of our Christmas trip to Florida.  As usual, we had soooooooo much fun.  Never a dull moment in our world...

I hope my friends and family near and far had a most wonderful Christmas holiday!  

Love to all!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.