The close to 2010

On the last day of 2010 I both reflect on how much has happened and how great 2010 was, while also holding in a lot of excitement for what 2011 will bring.

The happenings of 2010 (in no particular order):

• 3 big weddings in one Summer (one which was ours and one which was actually in the Fall)
• My first real life, adult vacation which also happened to be a wonderful honeymoon
• Our 1st niece's 1st birthday
• My 30th birthday
• renting a house together
• meeting more of Lynette's family whether at the wedding or randomly at Schmidt's
• miraculous bonding with Cissy (I can even pick her up almost whenever I want)
• Gracie's tumor (although sad, it's really made me consciously appreciate her so much more)
• some debt paid off and more being quickly being paid down
• a sweet ass KitchenAid mixer!!
• Being a family (one of my favorites)
• and so much more.

I'm sure I've missed something very important that I will soon be reminded of by my wife. :-)

There are so many things to look forward to and that I'm excited about for 2011.  It's almost hard to reflect on the great stuff that happened in 2010 without it being overshadowed by how excited I am for 2011.

Stuff that I'm excited for in 2011:

• paying off more debt
• saving for and possibly starting the search for a house
• maybe some baby makin'
• buying more locally sourced food and getting to know the people, farmers, families, etc. involved with that food
• making some of our own food instead of buying (bread probably being the #1 thing)
• hopefully successfully growing a garden this year and if there is enough, canning for the 1st time
• Lynette finding a new job
• the list could probably go on and on and on

What should also be on the list is this blog, but I wanted to expand on it a little.  I'm really excited to push out a lot more content.  I should really say "we" because I think Lynette will really be a great source of information and I hope she looks to it as an exciting time to share.  One of my goals for this blog in the coming year is structure.  

I'm not going to fool myself and say that I can come up with new, unique information everyday.  This is why a few days a week I'd like to throw up a quick and easy post about a new website or link that I've found helpful, a recipe that we made recently and really liked or maybe a secret family recipe, and maybe even some skill or tradition that I feel is slipping in today's "modern" world.  

I've recently come to the realization that I love traditions and the way things used to be done.  Don't get me wrong, I love the modern society and I think there are a lot of things that are better off left in the past, but there are some things that I feel should still be done today.  Whether it's because doing it yourself saves money, is actually more efficient than using some new gadget, or food wise, is just healthier than buying it from a store.  

More to come on that structure once I chat with Lynette about it, but I think it'll be a great way to get, what I hope to be good information out, in a more consistent manner.  As for 2010:

Dear 2010,

You were an awesome year and most definitely a year that I will never forget!  You held more good times than bad and more great times than good.  I plan to usher you out with a glass of wine, some good friends, and a kiss from my beautiful wife.  

Sincerely Yours,

Eric