Happy 2012!

Happy New Year! Last night Tripp and I went to dinner with family and friends and rang in the new year in the lobby of James at the Mill after a fabulous dinner... then went home and watch a part of Lady Gaga's Monster Tour on HBO. Loved every minute.

We went to dinner with my parents, Memom & Rannan and the McKenzies (some of my parents' best friends growing up who recently moved to NYC). We had the 5 course dinner with wine tasting - I had never been to James at the Mill so was excited to try it! It was awesome.

My dad handed out some fun New Year gear and we all wore it and took some funny pics. Never a dull moment with him :)

We celebrated at home with Reggie after midnight too! 

Excited to see what 2012 will bring... I have 4 New Year's Resolutions:
1. Take more pictures. MUST... so much more fun when you have pics of great memories.


2. Read more books. I read The Lucky One over my Christmas break and I really love the feeling of completing a good book. Need to spend more time reading and less time on the laptop.


3. Worry Less. Over the last couple of years, my anxious side has come out to play waayyyy to often. It has such a negative affect on my life and I've got to learn to just let.it.go. This is a huge improvement area for me, but I'm aware and working on it. This is also something I won't turn to pills/meds to help me solve.


4. Spend more time with out of town family and friends. Even if it is for a short time over the weekend, time is better than no time at all!


So - here we go 2012. Let's see what you have in store for Team Hollowell!

Reflecting on 2011

Saw this on another blog and decided I wanted to try it out... here we go!

1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?

Celebrate a wedding anniversary... our first!

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

I honestly don't remember, so clearly I wasn't that committed. Another post on 2012 resolutions to come!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yep! Family babies - Molly McIllwain & Ryan Wesley Heringer II. Friend babies - Ellie Frank & Hudson Lais.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

I never got to meet this sweet boy, but I babysat for his older brother and his family has a special place in my heart! Miller McNeil Woodruff. His story and legacy is unforgettable. 

5. What countries did you visit?  

Antigua for our anniversary trip! 

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you didn't have in 2011?

Our own first house!? Pretty ambitious, I know.
 

7. What dates from 2011 will be etched upon your memory, and why?

Our anniversary date (10.16.11) and the day I started at SSX (8.4.11)! 

8. What was your biggest achievement of this year?

Resigning from my first job out of college and starting a new job.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not a fan of this question... but I do wish I would have visited out of town friends and family more that I did.


10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Nothing serious (Thank you, God)! Just some miserable sinus infections.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Hmmmm... I guess I would have to say our new car. Good investment.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Definitely Tripp's - he is seriously a rock star husband and takes care of me so well. So grateful for him.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Not a fan of this question...

14. Where did most of your money go?

Paying bills & Savings Account.

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

Our anniversary trip and my first Christmas break since college!

16. What song will always remind you of 2011?

"Sexy and I know it" by LMFAO... And I'm not gonna lie - I do love that song and Trip and I always do a little dance when it comes on. "Born this Way" by Lady Gaga too.

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

 c) richer or poorer?

a - happier

b - fatter (ugh!)

c - who cares?!

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

Read more books.

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

Worrying. Waayyyy too much worrying.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

With our family in Fayetteville & Helena. Already covered that - see previous posts!

21. Did you fall in love with 2011?

Not really... however, 2010 was hard to top because of the wedding and all of the pre-wedding festivities.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

Parenthood. My absolute fav. I also love Criminal Minds, Revenge, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Prime Suspect.

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

Not a hater... 


24. What was the best book you read?

I didn't read much, but what I loved what I read. I read two books in Antigua - "The Help" & "A Stolen Life" (Jaycee Lee Dugard's memoir). I also read "The Lucky One" this Christmas break... Highly recommend them all.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Nada.

26. What did you want and get?

New job!



27. What did you want and not get?

iPad... Someday ;)

28. What was your favorite film of 2011? 

The Help. I boo-hooed for the last hour of the movie... and for the next two at home. Probably the saddest and sweetest quote in The Help comes from Mae Mobely: "you my real momma Abey." Makes me tear up just thinking about that sweet baby! My other favorite quote below... promise I will say this to my kiddos one day.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
24 - I honestly cannot remember! Sad. Let me ask the hubby... well, asked Tripp. The REASON I don't remember is because we watched the ARK vs. ALABAMA game ;) It did end with a great dinner at Bordino's with my parents. 


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

Spending more time with friends and family that don't live closer... miss them dearly. 


31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2011?

Not exactly sure what this means, but nearly everything I purchase as far as fashion is for work. 


32. What kept you sane?

Tripp, my parents and my Rockfish girls. 


33. What political issue stirred you the most?

Not going there. 


34. Who did you miss?

Again... friends and family that aren't in NWA.


35. Who was the best new person you met?

I really cannot pick one person...

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.

Family is everything... and spending quality time with family should not be taken for granted. 


37. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year

This is not an easy question! Will have to think on this...