Day 365: December 31, 2011

Happy New Year!! I had a fantastic 2011 and I'm looking forward to 2012! Thanks for reading along with my Year to Remember blog. 2011 certainly was memorable. I enjoyed soaking up every moment of 2011. My theme for 2012 is Make it Count!

For New Year's Eve, I celebrated by having dinner with my mom, Darrell and Grandma at one of our favorite places. Then, I met up with one of my good girl friends, Megan, and we shared a bottle of champagne and then went to a party hosted by one of my oldest friends, Tiffany.


Handsome Frankie wearing a bow tie to celebrate NYE!

Megan and I at the NYE Party!

Tiffany and I at the NYE Party!

Day 364: December 30, 2011

I like wearing boots, listening to country music, and I love being a Texan. It suits me.

Day 363: December 29, 2011

While in PHX, I took advantage of the warm weather and ran outside, around my Grandma's community. The scenery was beautiful, there is just something about mountains that is just breathtaking.

Day 362: December 28, 2011

While traveling to both Kansas and PHX, I had plenty of time to read! I've heard many great recommendations about The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, and with the movie currently in theatres, it was the perfect time to read the book, before seeing the movie.



The book was great! I'm anxious to see how it was made into a movie.

Day 361: December 27, 2011

After I got home from the Christmas trip to Kansas, I unpacked my bags and packed a suitcase for PHX to visit my Grandma Rita and Aunt Mari!


Grandma Rita and me

It was great to see them, celebrate Christmas, relax and visit with them.

Day 360: December 26, 2011

I had a WHITE Christmas!

Kansas had a beautiful blanket of snow, which made for a lovely Christmas.

Day 359: December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas!

I had a very happy holiday with my family. I am so blessed.

Day 358: December 24, 2011

I love the magic of Christmas.

The Virgin birth of our Lord and Savior, the reason for the season. And, for fun, Santa, his reindeer and little elves who spread Christmas cheer. My favorite reindeer is Frankie!

Day 357: December 23, 2011

I love all of Frankie's holiday outfits. He's the most dressed up dog for Christmas, and all year round!

Day 356: December 22, 2011

Since we'll be spending Christmas Day in Kansas, my family decided to have our 'family' Christmas (and open all our presents!) before we left. Grandma made the Christmas dinner that I grew up eating: beef meatballs (I however, unknowingly grew up eating deer meat balls), mashed potatoes, gravy and corn. It was delicious!! Then, we opened presents. I am so blessed to have such a generous family.

Day 355: December 21, 2011

Tomorrow, December 22, we're celebrating our family Christmas before we leave for Kansas. Today, I wrapped my final presents. I am expecting a package to arrive (just in time) before we open presents tonight, so I had to get smart with my wrapping! I wrapped a couple boxes like they do in the movies, that way I can just throw the presents into the wrap box and put it under the tree.

Day 354: December 20, 2011

With my new Kitchen Aid Mixer, I made crescent roll dough. I LOVE Nutella, and I figured it would taste great inside the crescent rolls, so I put a little dollop and baked the rolls for less than 10 minutes and I had a delicious, sweet snack!

Day 353: December 19, 2011

With my new Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer, I made Chocolate Chip Cookies! My favorite part about baking is sharing my delicious treats with friends and family.

Day 352: December 18, 2011

I really enjoy baking, so this year for Christmas, I asked for a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer! Mom and Darrell let me open up the Christmas gift early so that I could enjoy baking during my TWO weeks off work. I know I'll make many delicious treats to share using my new mixer. Thanks Mom and Darrell!

Day 351: December 17, 2011

I love the holiday season! One of my favorite things about this time of year are the parties!! This year, the firm holiday party was held at the Ritz in Dallas. I went with my girlfriends and we had a great time!

Day 349: December 16, 2011

Tonight, one of my audit engagement teams is having a Christmas party and White Elephant gift exchange. When I was in high school, I received Spam at an orchestra White Elephant gift exchange. I've been traumatized every since.

In hopes of getting a good gift, I bought a really nice gift I thought someone would enjoy... Maybe my White Elephant history will have a happier ending this time around.

Day 350: December 15, 2011

I'm quite lucky to have a window in my audit room at my client. Today, for the first time ever, I got to watch the window washers do their magic. I am not envious of their job. I think I'll stick to auditing.

Day 348: December 14, 2011

Typically, audit rooms and quiet, and quite frankly, boring. This week, my client is remodeling, and my audit room has been anything but quiet and boring!! There were times I thought the contractors were going to bust through my audit room wall with a saw. It made for an interesting work experience!

Day 347: December 13, 2011

Tonight, I hosted Girls Night at my apartment. I made Turkey burgers and sweet potato fries, and served my favorite wine. My girl friends brought the salad and dessert.

We had a great time visiting and catching up before everyone heads out of town to celebrate Christmas. I am so blessed to have amazing girl friends.

Day 346: December 12, 2011

I am FIVE days away from my Christmas vacation! I can't wait to spend the holidays with my family. My favorite Santa Frankie is going to get spoiled to pieces during my time off from work. I have quite the calendar of plans during my vacation- I can't wait!

Day 345: December 11, 2011

After reading the Holiday Book List 2011 (book recommendations from one of my favorite blogs, Eat Live Run), I ordered How to Love an American Man: A True Story. This is the perfect time of year for reading, before the rush of busy season in January!

Day 344: December 10, 2011

After a couple weeks of cold, chilly, and rainy weather, Saturday the sun was out and it got to over 50 degrees!! I took advantage of the weather and went for a run outside, rather than running on a treadmill at the gym. I'm training for The Big D Climb in January and my FOURTH half marathon in March. Nothing warms my spirit up as much as a good run outside.

Day 343: December 9, 2011

One of my favorite things about Dallas is the variety of restaurants! We have so many awesome places to eat!! On Friday, I went to The Cedars Social with my Mom and Darrell and a few family friends for a lovely dinner. Good food, good drinks, good company.

Day 342: December 8, 2011

Some days I wish there were more than 24 hours in a day.

Day 341: December 7, 2011

Grandma to the rescue!

I got ready for work this morning, piled on my winter coat and gloves and hurried to my car, because it was a chilly 26 degrees out this morning. (If it is going to be that cold, could mother nature at least reward us with snow and a snow day?!) I put the key in my ignition, and my car would not even turn over. The battery was as dead as a door nail, as my grandma would say. With Darrell out of town and Mom on her way downtown on the DART train, it was Grandma to the rescue! She quickly hurried over to my apartment so that I could jump my car. Before we knew it, the jumper cables were hooked up and my car was running! Thanks, Grandma for saving the day!

Day 340: December 6, 2011

After nearly a year and a half of living in the 'stone' ages, I finally got internet today!!!

I'm glad to be living in the 21st century again, with a new LED TV, a blu ray player and internet!

Day 339: December 5, 2011

Post race, I am enjoying a day of rest. Luckily this time, no ice bags are needed for my knees!



I won't rest for long, as this week I'm starting to train for my FOURTH half marathon. I'm looking forward to running the Dallas Rock'n'Roll Half Marathon on March 25, 2012.

Day 338: December 4, 2011

Today is race day!!! Someone must have forgot to tell mother nature, because she made it a cold, wet, windy, and rainy day to run! By the time I finished my 5 mile leg, I wasn't sure if I ran or swam, and my leg (leg 2) was all up hill!! My mom is such a trooper, she came to watch me start and finish my leg, while braving the traffic and the weather. She's the best cheerleader ever.

White Rock Marathon Relay Course

Elevation Chart



Relay Medal


Medal Collection

It was fun to participate in my first relay. I'm looking forward to my next big race in March 2012!

Day 337: December 3, 2011

The White Rock Marathon Relay race is tomorrow! The projected high is 46 degrees, with the chance of rain of 80%. At least I have a cute running outfit!

*Not pictured- rain poncho suit

Day 336: December 2, 2011

The White Rock Marathon Relay is just two days away. So that makes today my 'Last Chance Workout'. Bob and Jillian would be so proud. I ran 4 miles and I think I'm ready for my 5 mile leg on Sunday.

I don't watch The Biggest Loser religiously, however I do try to catch a few episodes a season. It is inspiring watching people change their lives, for the better. I'm known for tearing up during almost every episode. It is truly amazing watching someone who once thought running was impossible run and FINISH a marathon.

Day 335: December 1, 2011

WoW! Three hundred and thirty four days ago I started this blog, as a way to remember the year. I've had fun chronicling and documenting this year. I hope you've enjoyed reading it. I can't wait to look back on this blog years from now and realize that 2011 was a year to remember. With one month to go, now I have to figure out what my 2012 resolution will be. I'm open to ideas. :)