Year In Review...

This past year (2011) has been very eventful for me. To summarize:

1) About a year ago, I met this guy:

His name is Trent. Quite simply, he is the man of my dreams. He is smart, handsome, funny, sensitive, sweet, caring, dedicated, hard-working...I could go on and on. He is a police officer, EQ president, and no joke, good at everything he does but always so humble. I'm really, really, really lucky to have him. I cut myself out of the top picture (taken in Indianapolis when we went to visit my family in Dec) because I looked hideous, but this one is us on New Years Eve:



2) Moved to Salt Lake City. Yes, Utah County wasn't really doing it for me. I am about 10 years older than the average resident and I was really getting tired of the whole scene. So, to be closer to Trent and to try something new, I rented out my house to some awesome renters and headed north. I have always wanted to live in the downtown of a large city, and Salt Lake is a good start. I love my little apartment and I love not having roommates.

Here is a stock photo of where I live (mine looks a lot like this, just all hardwoods)



3) Started a new job. A few years ago, I lost what was a really good job shortly after purchasing a home and buying a new car. I spent the next two years scrambling to make ends meet in a bad economy with contract jobs and a lot of freelance. Luckily I was able to keep my home and everything, and a few months ago I was offered a new job (in Provo...right after I moved, lol) that has proven to be an amazing opportunity. I work as the senior writer for a company that makes healthcare products. I work from home two days a week, have an awesome boss, fun coworkers, and a salary that is double what I was making at the job I lost. I couldn't be happier.

This is where I work. I love it.


4) Started grad school. Very exciting! I applied and got accepted to the Master of English program at Weber State. It's a little bit of a drive, but I'm excited to be working towards my master's and for the additional education and doors it will open up for me.

5) Started a business. It's still in the works, and it's not exactly up and running yet, but I started a business that I've been working on tirelessly for the past couple years. My brother Andy is helping me, and I am really encouraged and excited about it. It's legal and organized right now...all I need now are customers! More about what it is and what I'll be doing when I actually find some clients :-)

So these are the big highlights from this year. I'm excited to see what this coming year will bring!

Guess who's back...back again...

Yep...back again! I guess I take about a year-long hiatus or so between blogs, but I really need to do better. Not so much because I have scads of blog followers eagerly awaiting my next post, but just because I like to look back on life and see how far I have or haven't come. Anyway, here's to a New Year's resolution to be better with my journal!

Updates

I have not blogged in ages. The three people who read this (my mother included) may have noticed ;-)

Sooo...what's been going on? Because I have the luxury of working wherever there is an Internet connection, I spent my summer divided between Indianapolis with my family and Ohio/Texas. Very wonderful summer. I also went to the Bahamas with my brother Andy (his wife just had a baby and couldn't go) which was unreal...suites, VIP everything...loved it!

I am now back home, working and playing and loving life as usual. I will try and attach some pictures from this summer if I remember how! Also can someone please tell me how to change the colors on here? Everything is in pink...not very Christmas-y!

Elder Zach....

My little brother Zach has been in Korea on his mission for about a year and a half now. Yesterday in his weekly email to all of us, he attached a bunch of pictures. This is the second set of pictures we have gotten from him! Last ones were like a year ago. It is great to see how different he looks, in a good way. He looks so happy and fulfilled. I'm so proud of him and the choices he has made in his life. He is the coolest, funniest person I know and such a good example!

My New Blog!

I don't post very often on this one as of late because my life is extremely boring. But I have started a new blog. I have a lot of people asking me for tips on how I lost a lot of weight, plus I like to track progress and stuff and it's motivating to hear other stories, so I started this new little blog. I hope it will be inspirational and have some good ideas anyone who is interested in losing a few pounds or working out more effectively.

http://jill-losinit.blogspot.com (I also linked it to the side)

I have lots of ideas for posts and stuff. It's just brand new so there's really nothing yet, but enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

I had a wonderful Christmas in Indiana this year with my family. I got to spend some time up at my brother's house as well. We celebrated a lot together in just a few short weeks...Christmas, New Year's Eve, and my niece Poppy's birthday. It was a great time but went by way too fast!!

Also, I got to talk to my brother Zach who is in Korea on his mission on the phone. I miss him so much and can't wait for next Christmas when we are all together again!

Let it snow, let it snow...

Ugh, I hate the snow.

It's just so...debilitating. You have to scrape, drive at obscenely slow rates, look out for ice, etc. Not only that, but while it's pretty when it first falls, it's not so pretty a few weeks later when giant snow mounds from the plows get all filthy and never melt. We got 4 inches or so today and it's supposed to snow all week.


This little creature seems to like it though. I gritted my teeth, bundled up, and took her out to play in it until I thought my fingers would succumb to frostbite. she loved it! (Oh and I know from the photo it looks like we didn't get much...trust me there was way more! There was just a dusting where I took the picture!)

Thanksgiving...

I spent Thanksgiving with my aunts, uncles, grandparents, and adorable cousins here in Utah. They had a bday cake for me which was very sweet, and it was fun to see everyone and hang out. And the food was delicious!!

So I was thinking about Thanksgiving and things to be thankful for. There is so much! Here are the things that top my list:

My family
Here is my beautiful family at my sister's wedding. I love how well we all get along and look out for each other. I'm so lucky!














My Zoey
I adore this little fluffball! She has so many funny personality quirks and she's the sweetest puppy!











Good friends
I've made some great friends out here. (These are just a few...) Regardless of what we're doing it's always a blast!







Getting fired
Really this was an amazing blessing in disguise. It gave me the opportunity to get my business off the ground and work from home.

There is so much more! Like I said these are just a few...