Although this was a couple weeks ago, it still deserves mention.  For Mary's 28th birthday, we went out to dinner with several of our friends.  There were 12 of us in total, and we went to Scoozi! after having a great meal there with Mary's Dad a few weeks earlier.  It was also fun because some people stopped by our place beforehand for a drink, and the rest stopped by our place afterwards.  All in all, a great evening with good food and good friends!

On a side note, Mary and I both had the exact same food and wine as our previous trip to Scoozi, tagliatelle bolognese and the gnocchi trio.  Maybe we'll try something different next time!

I have been fortunate to have almost the entire last two weeks (except for one day) off from work.  I took my birthday off right before Christmas, but my job gives all employees off from Christmas Eve through New Year's and because of how the days landed this year, it was extended through this weekend.  So, today was my last day off.  Anytime throughout my life when I would have vacations, time off of school, or even just a long weekend, I would come down with what my mom called "Sunday Night Syndrome" in that I would just start to feel punky about the fact that starting the following day, I would have to go back to normal life, be it school or work. 

I got to thinking today though about what has filled my time the past two weeks.  Clearly, Christmas celebrations with families take up a good amount of time, along with the final preparations for Christmas, such as wrapping all the gifts just right,  but I would not have any of those events any other way.  Then there was a case of food poisoning or something that really made me somewhat useless for a few days (yuck!).  Jack and I were also able to do some furniture shopping.  All of our shopping around paid off in the last few days in that we finally found some things we liked and made some purchases (hooray!).  I am not so great yet at adding pictures to our blog, so I might have to leave those to Jack in regards to the items we bought and such.  Let me just say though that we are quite pleased, and I would guess that Jack is somewhat relieved, that we won't have to keep shopping for dining room chairs.  Our New Year's Eve celebration with friends was of course a lot of fun and we only wish we could have spent it with all of our friends.  Jack and I also had a wonderful home-cooked meal on New Year's Day involving "super colossal" crab legs - yum!  My parents have long had a tradition of having their own new year's eve celebration at home involving lobster tails and crab legs, so now that I have a husband and a home, I felt compelled to institute a similar tradition for us. 

There are always things I don't get to on breaks like this.  I start it with the best of intentions and a list a mile long, but the time available and my expectations never match.  There were boxes I didn't get unpacked like I thought, though I did get to some, so I have to be at least glad for the progress.  There were things that we did get to do that weren't in my original plan for these weeks that I am glad we were able to fit in.  Tonight happened to be one of those items in that we got to take Jack's parents out to dinner to Cooper's Hawk in Burr Ridge.  It was a nice leisurely meal with wine, good food, and even better company.  There was never a quiet moment and I even learned some things throughout the night.  I am sure I will have a lot of nights in the future with them where I will learn something though.  I will say that, in and of itself, it was a great night, but it was even better for me because tonight's dinner provided just the right amount of distraction to my "Sunday Night Syndrome".  I wasn't left to stew at home on the thought that my vacation was ending, but rather, I was able to end my vacation on a high note.

Now that I have spilled my guts, what did everyone else do on their Christmas/New Year's time off?  (Leave your answers in the comments section please)

Mary and I spent NYE at Megan & Bob's house in Volo.  It was our first time seeing their house since we couldn't make it to their housewarming party in October.  It was great!  Most of our friends were there, and we missed the ones we didn't get to see.  Hopefully everyone had a safe and fun time last night!

I was just thinking yesterday that it had been a bit since I had blogged and wondered if the same was true for Jack.  When I was at my parents' house yesterday, my mom commented that she had been "thanking the troops" for a week now and was ready for a new blog.  Thanks for the prompting and reminder, Mom! :)

Jack and I really enjoyed our first Christmas together as husband and wife and had a wonderful time with our families.  We spent Christmas Eve with my family at my parents' house where there was tons of great food and lots of family all gathered together.  We were the first to arrive early on in the day to help set everything up and we were also the last to leave as we were trying to help clean up.  A good time was had by all!  Although Jack has always fit in with our family, this year it seemed like he had been there all along as he answered the door, got things for my mom, sat with my grandparents', etc.  I know he has been comfortable with them all for years now, but it seemed even more evident now that we are married.  It was a wonderful feeling for me.

On Christmas Day, we went to Mass at St. John Cantius together and then headed to his sister's condo for Christmas festivities with his family.  Once again, a great time was had by all with lots of food and good company.  Jack and I headed home and had our own little Christmas and exchanged our gifts for each other. 

We spent the Friday after Christmas furniture shopping, and although we saw a lot, nothing caught our eye enough to purchase just yet.  We did find some Christmas decorations and such on clearance, so I was happy about that.  The next day however, I had a miserable day dealing with what I think was food poisoning from our dinner out the night before, and unfortunately, it lingered for the next few days.  Yesterday was the first day where I seemed to eat some normal food, although my appetite still isn't totally back. 

Yesterday was also the day where my mom and I finally made "party mix", as I have had a taste for it for years now, but we never have been able to squeeze it in.  It is similar to Chex Mix, but is my mom's own version and boy is it good!!  Jack had never had it so I told him he was in for a real treat, and after trying it, he agreed.  YUM!

We wish all of you a happy new year and all the best in 2009!

Today brings back a lot of memories for me. One year ago today was the day that Jack proposed to me at the Planetarium and what started a whirlwind year for us.  Gosh, it is hard to believe that in the past 365 days, we were able to accomplish all that we did.  In looking back, it started with the engagement, but then led to a birthday/engagement outing with friends, tickets to Phantom of the Opera for my birthday, Christmas with family, New Years with friends and the crazy road of wedding planning.  And if that wasn't enough for us, we each fund raised $1800 and walked 39 miles in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. 

There have been many highs this year - our wedding obviously, purchasing our first home, and unfortunately some lows in the passing on of some family members and various illnesses for those that are close to us, but it is great to look back now and say that we accomplished it all -- that despite the numerous breakdowns I had, the times where I didn't think we'd get it all done -- we made it!  But I am not foolish enough to think that we are superheros and did it all.  A huge thank you to our parents, friends and family for being there at each turn of the way this year.  We could not have done it without you and I am unbelievably grateful to you all. 

I look forward to what is to come for us and getting to return the favor to all of you - to get to be there for you just like you were for us.  And thanks to my now husband, for making this an unforgettable year!