Wrangler Dani

So, I was going to write an incredibly bloated list of peaks and pits and everything I loved about last year and how very awesome marriage is and holy cow my wedding was pretty… but I realized that such a thing would tough to write and even tougher to read. Being all about ease and breeze, I stole this list of leading questions instead. You’re welcome.

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?

Got married! Heck yeahs. I also learned to appreciate a Crock-Pot… but that’s pretty small potatoes compared to the whole marriage-til-death-do-us-part-pretty-wedding-live-with-a-boy-shebang.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I’m not much on resolutions, mostly because I hate failure. (haha). But I love the idea of getting better every year and setting goals, so perhaps I shall change my mind.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Kim! (and Brent, sorta.) If you want to see pictures of our adorable nephew, I don’t know what to tell you. There’s not a single image of him anywhere on the ENTIRE INTERNETS.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

One of Adam’s buddies’ little sister passed away this year. While I wasn’t close to her, it was a rough time for his old small group.

At the same time, it was really neat to see a bunch of young people pull together to support the family, and handle tough time with great maturity and poise. I was really proud of all the guys.

5. What countries did you visit?

COSTA RICA!

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you didn’t have in 2009?

Childlike faith.

7. What dates from 2009 will be etched upon your memory, and why?

January 18th, 2009, when I married the love of my life.

8. What was your biggest achievement of this year?

Becoming a NARHA certified registered instructor. I’ve never been so scared and proud and grateful and excited all at once.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Being a worry-wart…. hence the need for some child-like faith in 2010.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Hallelujah no.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

A plane ticket to Nashville for an awesome wedding-filled girlfriend getaway and time with The Hubs in a new place. 🙂

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Do you need to ask? Adam’s, without a doubt. I know that I say this all the time, and I really am getting sappy in my old age, but he is the best, kindest, strongest, and most incredible man for me.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

I’m a Conservative. Guess.

14. Where did most your money go?

Rent and Trader Joe’s. REI might be a close second, since we got sort of excited by the idea of married outdoorsy pursuits and might have overspent a wee tad.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

I would say getting married, but you’re tired of that answer. So I’ll totally get away from the marriage theme by saying TIME WITH MY HUSBAND. Tricksy, I know.

Oh, and fresh, strong coffee.

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?

“Sea Breeze” is what I walked down the aisle too. Also, the new Acappella album “Find Your Way” was our theme music for the roadtrip this year, and we went to an Allison Krausse show in Nashville, which just might have rocked my world.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?

Happy, happy, happy.
Fatter (but this should be taken with a grain of salt, as last year I only had time to eat a cracker before rushing to the next wedding-related activity. Now I actually eat meals, which unfortunately kindof screws up the whole “skinny” thing.)
Poorer.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Given myself a break, but, on the other hand, pushed harder towards freelance writing goals.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Worrying and not sticking to a budget.. which probably led to the worrying.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

Hanging out with the fam and ripping open oodles of presents. Eating Mom-Food and playing in the snow. Watching Adam become more and more a part of my family.

21. Did you fall in love with 2009?

Ummmmmm.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

LOST. American Idol. Heroes finally got good again, and we also got hooked on The Sing-Off.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Ummmm… hate is a strong word. Dislike or feel icky about? Multiple politicians come to mind. Hate? That’s reserved for cancer, diabetes and Satan.

24. What was the best book you read?

“My Life in France ” by Julia Child was fantastic. So was the “Most Important Year” book. However, I’m about halfway through “Going Rogue” and “Arguing with Idiots” and am quite enjoying politically-connected chuckles with both.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Tufts Beelzebubs and Ingrid Michaelson.

26. What did you want and get?

A job with kids and horses and sunshine aplenty.

27. What did you want and not get?

A svelte bod? I really don’t know. 2009 was good all ’round.

28. What was your favorite film of 2009?

Julie and Julia. (Star Trek made a close second.)

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 26, and Adam and I spent the day pelting around Disneyland in the rain with Rocky, Jennifer and Rick… capped off with a splendid Mexican dinner and a midnight ride down Splash Mountain for good measure.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

We always think that there is one thing that would make us happier… but really, I can’t say that that gorgeous dress from Sundance or a bigger house or another vacation would have made me more satisfied. Like I said… you done good, 2009.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2009?

Accesorize. Slim and simple.

32. What kept you sane?

Jesus.

33. What political issue stirred you the most?

Ha. That’s like asking if I love coffee or Diet Coke more.

I found that I actually care most about the viewpoints going into politics, not just the individual issues. If you have bad logic on one issue, it’ll bite you in the butt on another one too.

34. Who did you miss?

I actually had a fantastic year of seeing many of my most favoritest people. The only friend who I really miss is my wrangler buddy Ami. She was at the wedding, but I barely saw her in the bustle of it all. She’s a busy new momma this year and I wish we lived closer so I could share in this exciting time for her.

35. Who was the best new person you met?

Annie Parsons and Joey‘s wonderful fiance, Sam. I also reconnected with a childhood girlfriend, whom I realized that I had missed dreadfully.

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.

You can’t take it back once you say it. People are most important. Don’t hold back. Don’t be afraid. Be generous, honest, forthright, hospitable and willing to say “I’m sorry”.

37. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Find your way to the Lord, and He will make a way for you… Acappella