Year In Photo's

Here it is...finally!





My year in review with photo's and links.


There is some stuff I'm quite sure I've forgotten but I wasn't as organized as I plan to be this year.





Fantastic year though!





January-


Abita Pub Crawl. Made us thankful that we are grown up's and had money because the dollar beer available was terrible haha....but we still had a great time!

February-

Luling Parade/Mel's Birthday.

Had a great time at the parade then for some silly reason went down to NOLA to eat at RockNSake and went to Pat O's where I almost got in a fight with a Jerk New Yorker...that's why locals never go to NOLA for Mardi Gras...still fun

March-

Do you remember the whole appraisal debacle?? How could you forget...I blogged about it

here

Crap

and here

poop

and here

more crap

and here

more poop

this went on for March, April, AND May!

and in the end we didn't even re-finance...we did switch insurance companies and do save 80 on our house note and some on car insurance so we're happy about that.

April-

Auntie Ashley and Uncle Winnie's Crawfish Boil...we had a blast

We also went to the French Quarter Fest which is Mr. B's and my favorite festival. I always like to think that's part of where we fell in love!

We brought friends this time!

And this is where Uncle Kenny accidentally hurt my ankle haha

I also had my Regional Retreat for work in Daytona. I won an award for the most recognized "hard worker" if you will. It didn't lead to a big raise but it did help me get the max on my annual review!

May/June-

Brought our amazing trip to Europe! Here we are at the Vatican.




Mona Lisa in Paris at the Louvre

Us in Rome

the Moulin Rouge in Paris

June-

Brings our landscaping! It really turned out great.

July-

I attempted to make this cute 4th of July cake from

I've learned a few things in how to make this look like hers haha

July also brought my families annual family reunion. Great family!

We always head to the cemetery after church.

August-

Brought my 25th birthday! It was a little though for me thinking I'm a quarter of a century old...but I got through it since Mr. B bought me my SLR!!!

Birthday's aren't complete with a cookie cake from American Cookie Company

We got dressed up and went to Texas De Brazil to celebrate!

September brought college football!!! LSU football to be exact!

Meeting some May 08 girls for the game!

Afterwards I headed to Rock N Bowl with some friends!

Waiting in the rain for the men to set up the tailgate!

The Florida game with Auntie Mo

Mel helping me make jello shots!

We also celebrated Mr. B's 33rd birthday! I made him a homemade Key Lime Pie so this will be tradition from now on.

October also brought Auntie DC and Auntie Kellie visiting NOLA/LSU. Auntie Mo came along for a night out.

Auntie DC and Auntie Kellie having a beignets at the Famous Cafe Du Monde

Cole B Photography




November-

Brought in Operation Guest Room Re-do. This got me in a lot of trouble with Mr. B but even now he says he likes it :)

Tailgating with friends continued in November.

Auntie Mel came to visit to watch Ole Miss with me...not a good night!

Then there was Thanksgiving!!! I can't believe I didn't get any pictures on my camera with my grandparents but it was fantastic!!!

December brought decorating for Christmas!..Maybe next year's mantle will have a babies stocking :)

Our Christmas Card picture!

It also brought snow on December 5th! In 2008 we got snow on the 15th...I was hoping for some on Christmas but no luck!

December also brought our great trip to Mexico!!!! Our view from our balcony

Tulum

On the beach at our All-Inclusive...

December also got me back into painting...this is the first painting that I gave as a gift. I think I did a pretty good job if I do say so myself :)

Our tiny tree...we got a fake tree since we were gone for that week in Mexico....not too many presents since Mexico was a big one and Mr. B hadn't wrapped my stuff yet haha

Mr. B opening his new Costa Del Mar's that he's told me to take back and just get his old ones fixed...he's a good man but he deserves it.

Parle opening his stocking!

Gumbo visited Parle for Christmas!

So did Mattox...

And at last so did Piper...

December also brought Auntie Katti and Uncle Dave down to Nola for New Years...

Here we are at BeerFest.

We had to eat at Drago's!!!!

The Famous Char-Broiled Oysters that Maxim Magazine said was the #5 thing all men must do before dying!!! They are that good.

Auntiepoo and I waiting for New Years!

Happy New Years! To my love this year has gone by so fast and I can't wait to experience 2010 with you!

Thank you to everyone for making 2009 the most memorable year of my life! It was truly a blessing and I hope that everyone has an even better 2010 and I hope that you all experience it with me.

Love to all

Mrs. B

Year End Survey

1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
hmm I had never been to Belgium or Paris...I had never given a painting of mine as a present.


2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions and will you make more for next year?
I'm pretty sure my only resolution was to get out of debt which we made a huge lead way so I'm still considering this successful.


3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My aunt and uncle gave birth on December 16th...there were a ton of births in 09 just not close to me.


4. Did someone close to you die?
I wouldn't say close but Mr. B's aunt Anne passed in March I think it was...great woman.


5. What countries did you visit?
We were the snobby worlds travelers in 09 haha. Belgium, France, Italy, Holland, and Mexico


6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you didn't have in 2009?
A baby....no ifs ands or butts about it :) but we'd have to get pregnant like in the next couple of months so I'd settle for at least being 5-6 months pregnant by year end if not further along. And to be completely credit card debt free which will happen at the end of February :) A raise because I honestly deserve it.


For Mr. B to have a job that doesn't require travel and have a flat pay.




7. What dates from 2009 will be etched in your memory and why?
May 24, 2009. Our one year anniversary and when we were in Rome and some crazy stuff with family. Romance, love, and turmoil all in one.


8. What was your biggest achievement of this year?
Taking ahold of our finances even though Mr. B made a lot less due to the shitty economy. Making a name for myself at work.


9. What was your biggest failure?
Not getting more debt paid off sooner. Not being pregnant haha Not seeing family enough


10. Did you suffer illness of injury?
My ankle injury was it. That was at the French Qtr fest when Uncle Kenny accidentally kicked some heavy wood/boards onto it and my heel has never been the same.




11. What was the best thing you bought?
Trip to Europe and my SLR!!!!


12. Who's behavior merited celebration?
The Saints. Totally. Spending way too much of my childhood watching them lose has made this season even sweeter. Plus, it's bringing attention to my favorite city for something other than Katrina because seriously, we are so much more than that. (I agree with the person I stole this from haha)


13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Well I'm not getting into it but it has a lot to do with politics.


14. Where did most of your money go?
Fun trips, paying off debt, camera, bills bills bills


15. What did you get really, really excited about?
Trip to Europe, my camera, football season, Mexico, being with family


16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Paparazzi, and even though this song wasn't from 09 Time of Your Life by Green Day because Mr. B and I really did have an amazing year and that song was from my first trip to Europe 10 years before and it all brought everything back full circle.




17. Compared to this time last year, are you skinnier or fatter? richer or poorer? happier or sadder?
Ok well I shouldn't have weighed myself after being at an all inclusive, xmas, and eating in New Orleans because I am fatter haha. But I'm hitting the gym again soon.


You know it's funny because we're richer then last year when Mr. B probably pulled in 15k more. We have more in retirement, savings, and have stuff paid off or down and still can do fun things.


18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Worked out, cooked, baked, been with friends and family




19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Spent on silly things, worried about other people




20. How did you spend Christmas?
With Uncle Benny, Mr. B, and Parle. I made Biscuits and Gravy which is my family tradition, and sausage balls which is the Burns tradition.


Hung out with the fire on and cooked Cincinnati Chili all day.


Had great friends and family come with dogs.....felt just like growing up at GG's with all the craziness. I loved it!




21. Did you fall in love with 2009?
Yes because I fall in love with Mr. B over and over again (cheesy enough for you)




22. What was your favorite TV program?
oh geez haha...re-runs ok


Golden Girls, Roseanne, Reba, SATC, Glee, Grays




23. What was the best book you read?
I loved all of the Jennifer Crusie books and Jennifer Wiener books...also read Going Rogue and actually really enjoyed it.




24. What was your greatest musical discovery?
While tailgating the tailgate next to us the guy would play the washboard.


See here




25. What did you want and get?
My SLR for my birthday. My trip to Europe. SATC box set. LSU Snuggie. My grandparents for Thanksgiving. My friends and family for Xmas.




26. What did you want and not get?
Go to Destin just Mike, me, and Parle. To be pregnant.




27. What was your favorite film of 2009?
Well I honestly can only remember one movie at the theater and that was The Hangover which I can honestly say is now one of my all time favorites (I'm a huge comedy girl)




28. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
I got my camera! Mr. B and I went to Texas De Brazil and stuffed ourselves silly! I was 25....a freaking quarter of a century old!




29. What one thing would have improved your year immeasurably?
To be pregnant when I thought we were because Mr. B actually was excited about it.



30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2009?
2009 was a miserable year for me in fashion. With the weight gain I just never felt good in my clothes and refused to buy new because I was working out. And I still won't until I lose more.




31. What kept you sane?
The blog. Other people's blogs. Drinking...I'm not going to lie about that one.




32. What political issue stirred you the most?
The health care thing. I agree that the system is broken, but the changes aren't practical, there are still many without health care, and I hate that everyone was so shady and the agenda is nuts because this wasn't for the normal people at all...and when you say you don't care if you do get your seat next year but you're doing this no matter what you're not listening to the very people you're supposed to be protecting.


There were plenty other things that could be done to improve the system that just didn't fit into their agenda which pisses me off royally.




33. Who did you miss?
All my friends in different states and countries.




34. Who was the best new person you met?
Well even though I had met her before I would say Auntie Shannon because she made tailgating that much better and I truly know if I needed anything I could call her and I love her kids and want to steal Miss Amanda haha....and


Auntie Mel even though we knew each other before our friendship has blossomed so much and I know that if I called her at 2am she'd make the drive up here (would get lose but still would figure it out) and I would do the same for her.




35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
That you can't change how people think or feel no matter how right you maybe and how wrong they will be. That patience truly is a virtue.





That if you believe in something keep going...you just may need to change your tactics. That opening your mind to what others are thinking and feeling will make a huge difference in life.





That sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do but once you do them you know it's making a difference. That getting out of debt really can solve many issues. That family and friends aren't always who you think they are and that sometimes you just have to put on a happy face even if you don't believe them....





That sometimes you will be tested with the way people treat you and it's truly a lesson in how you react...you may not always get it right but as long as you learn from it that's all that matters. That sometimes you must stand up for what you believe in even if it means you will disrespect some, lose others, or be bruised forever. That if your spouse truly isn't one of your best friends you will forever be miserable. That life is too short to settle!



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

For what it's worth it was worth all the while...it's something unpredictable but in the end it's right


I HOPE YOU HAD THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE!!!


Because I know with all of my heart I did...





Thank all of you my friends, family, Mr. B, Parle, May 08, Facebook friends, ex-friends, and all of you bloggers who keep me sane everyday when all I want to do is drink 3 bottles of wine and cry myself to sleep.


There are so many of you whom I've never even talked to (who you don't even know I follow your blog) that have made a difference in how I think and feel and have taught me how to process things and make a difference in my world.





I don't know what I'd do without everyone!





I truly hope 2010 is better for everyone even those that I can't stand and will never like or see eye to eye with because everyone deserves happiness.





I know I will be happy because I create my own destiny and won't allow anything other then that.





Love ,


Mrs. B

Viva La Mexico!!!

These pictures are going to be in random order...one thing I will learn how to do is be able to upload the pictures without them always going to the top...anywho

The trip to Mexico couldn't have come at a better time truthfully because I had put in 60 hours the week we were leaving...actually I was working until 1:30am and had to be up for 4:30 that morning.

Our little Peacock that was on our bed.

Beach weeee

Waiting in the lobby to check in having a drink

Drink in hand baby

Elephant

These Indian swing guys...crazy its just a rope

Our last night

Last night how cute!

Babe's in Playa Del Carmen known for their big ass margaritas

me in Playa

How beautiful is Playa???

The pool bar and our great bartender Louis!

Us

Our Room

Our Swan

Tulum

Us for an A La Carte

Cute

The view from our balcony

Mr. B and I in Tulum

Xel-Ha

The day we were leaving...so sad

It was a really great trip and of course went by too fast....it was rough not having Internet or a phone but refreshing at the same time...well worth the money and we got a great deal.

Its the Sunset Princess. It is huge you will do a lot of walking haha but its great and all of the food was great and of course the staff was fantastic as well.

Well it's a little late and I'm not doing a daily update but hey this if finally updated so I can move onto Christmas, then New Years and the Sugar Bowl...oh and my year end review...lots to update tomorrow!