The best christmas present I received this year:
A doorknob with a lock on it.
I have my own apartment.
I can run around in my underwear, or even naked after a shower...
I can leave my good markers out, and they'll be back where I left them....
I can not worry about certain things being found...
I have finally a place to call my own.
Thank god.
6.1.09
this must be it... welcome to the new year
It is my first chance to get around to blogging to all THREE of you (Katie- welcome to the crappiness that is my life)
A year in review.... 2008
New Years Eve 2007: Derek and I spent it at my house- just the two of us- it was nice
Photobucket" border="0">
January 2008
Derek and I spent the first day of the new year walking around the Brookfield Zoo. It was awesome- nobody was there- we got in free and spent the day frolicking, collecting every wax animal we could find...
I even got to take a picture of him as a squirrel!
derek as a squirrel" border="0">
My 19th birthday- no real blog there
February-June
I finally left Dominick's after being sick of working my ass off for nothing for Jewel. I started working with my mom and although that was a pain in the ass- I made the most important decision probably in my whole life. After a few months of not getting what I was promised (increased pay- more hours ect) During this time I was at COD full time now as a horticulture student working towards my Floral Shop Management Certification. One day I was locked out of the greenhouse at school so I started starring at the bulletin board. Late in the landscaping season- a lot of posts were already pulled down... when I saw this one:
(taken on my lap top to show Sara because I was so freakin' excited about it) After visiting www.waldenfloral.com and realizing "I HAVE TO WORK HERE!" I sent them an email, filled out an application- and got the job on the spot.
I left Jewel for Walden at the end of June.
Somewhere in there- Derek went on a cruise and it was the first time since we had been dating that we have been separate. The beauty of it- I was dog sitting... Maddux, his little sister's puggle had swallowed a sock and had it surgically removed that day (when they left) I took care of him until they got home. He's my buddy.
maddux" border="0"> There he is on my bed :)
May- Prom 2008- more floral fun....
Stephen with his date's Nosegay Benet Prom 2008 
Stephen's Matching Bout
Lindsay's bouquet
June 2008
Started work at Walden Floral. The most AMAZING JOB I'VE EVER HAD!!! I really can't explain how awesome my job is- I adore it. I really truly love what I do. I mean where else do you get to make a gigantic fuchsia pineapple out of mini-carns?
Shortly after getting my job I was put in charge of designing the Wyndham Drake Lobby arrangement in Oak Brook... every week I make the same thing. 
This is the regular one, this one, the christmas version: 
It's an amazingly large piece and hundreds of people see it everyday. It's a huge honor. I've experienced so many things working here- I can only imagine where this job is going to take me- as far as I know.. up and up and up...
July 2008
Devil's Lake... we started planning this trip in November and it seriously felt like it took years to finally come to fruition. We packed up the truck- drove a few hours, just the two of us- and then spent the next three days uninterrupted with nature. It was amazing. Waking up next to him each morning was great- and I can't wait to do it permanently. He pushed me to my limits physically(hiking people- get your mind out of the gutter!!) and I've never been more proud of myself. He finds a way to bring out the best in me- and I can't wait to make this an annual trip. So far we haven't set the date for another trip yet- but one of these days well do it.
Isn't it beautiful?
Ugh, can't wait to go back!!
August 2008
Branson, Missouri... our second trip together. Unfortunately his great grandmother died a few days before we were scheduled to leave so on the day we were to depart we had to attend her funeral. My first funeral. It was kind of awkward but it was okay. I knew the second we got out of there we were on our way to Branson... just the two of us...
funeral garb... 
our luxurious hot tubs... 
our wild west proof I made him take... this one I stole of the internet- this is the real copy
we survived the titanic! Again- I would love to make an annual trip here but it seems less likely as the time goes on- we're both just so busy it's going to be hard to find time to do such things.
September wasn't all that exciting- just going back to school and getting back into the swing of things...
October was absolutely insane at work- our largest wedding month to date of all wedding season- 14 weddings in three weekends... yeah, insane.
November 25th, 2008 marked our one year anniversary. We went to dinner at Ditka's in Oakbrook. It was really nice to sit down to a nice dinner- all dressed up. Thanksgiving was spent at my aunt's then over at Derek's Grandparent's house. It was nice to meet his dad's parents seeing as I've never met his father.
December came and went- work was finally dying down and it was nice to just go with the flow. This Christmas was very interesting...
Christmas Eve: Spent at Derek's grandma's house- a tradition in their house. It was nice being surrounded by people who liked me- I feel comfortable there- enough to make conversation and crack a few jokes- I am liked there and it's a nice feeling.
Christmas Day: Woke up early, opened presents with the family... as per tradition. I immediately showered then Derek picked me up for the trip to his dad's house in Itasca. He, very nice man. The step-mom.... a wretched woman. I totally understand how Derek is the way he is after stepping foot in that house. It was awful. It was really nice to see him interact with his dad though- it was like nothing I had ever seen before. I really enjoy spending time with his dad- it's his step-mom I can't stand to be around. I've never been that uncomfortable in my life.
And this takes us to new years.... Where we spent at The Westrom's. We were all tucked around the fire watching the countdown on the tv. We then came back to my house where he spent the night. I loved every minute of it.
So where does this leave me now? 2009 has a lot of potential. I'm in a really really great place right now and I can't even begin to explain how happy I am with the way things are going. For the first time in my life- I am in control of everything. I'm taking care of not only myself but those I love the most.
I am very excited for 2009.. are you?
A year in review.... 2008
New Years Eve 2007: Derek and I spent it at my house- just the two of us- it was nice
Photobucket" border="0">
January 2008
Derek and I spent the first day of the new year walking around the Brookfield Zoo. It was awesome- nobody was there- we got in free and spent the day frolicking, collecting every wax animal we could find...
I even got to take a picture of him as a squirrel!
derek as a squirrel" border="0">
My 19th birthday- no real blog there
February-June
I finally left Dominick's after being sick of working my ass off for nothing for Jewel. I started working with my mom and although that was a pain in the ass- I made the most important decision probably in my whole life. After a few months of not getting what I was promised (increased pay- more hours ect) During this time I was at COD full time now as a horticulture student working towards my Floral Shop Management Certification. One day I was locked out of the greenhouse at school so I started starring at the bulletin board. Late in the landscaping season- a lot of posts were already pulled down... when I saw this one:
(taken on my lap top to show Sara because I was so freakin' excited about it) After visiting www.waldenfloral.com and realizing "I HAVE TO WORK HERE!" I sent them an email, filled out an application- and got the job on the spot.
I left Jewel for Walden at the end of June.
Somewhere in there- Derek went on a cruise and it was the first time since we had been dating that we have been separate. The beauty of it- I was dog sitting... Maddux, his little sister's puggle had swallowed a sock and had it surgically removed that day (when they left) I took care of him until they got home. He's my buddy.
maddux" border="0"> There he is on my bed :)
May- Prom 2008- more floral fun....
Stephen with his date's Nosegay Benet Prom 2008 
Stephen's Matching Bout
Lindsay's bouquet
June 2008
Started work at Walden Floral. The most AMAZING JOB I'VE EVER HAD!!! I really can't explain how awesome my job is- I adore it. I really truly love what I do. I mean where else do you get to make a gigantic fuchsia pineapple out of mini-carns?
Shortly after getting my job I was put in charge of designing the Wyndham Drake Lobby arrangement in Oak Brook... every week I make the same thing. 
This is the regular one, this one, the christmas version: 
It's an amazingly large piece and hundreds of people see it everyday. It's a huge honor. I've experienced so many things working here- I can only imagine where this job is going to take me- as far as I know.. up and up and up...
July 2008
Devil's Lake... we started planning this trip in November and it seriously felt like it took years to finally come to fruition. We packed up the truck- drove a few hours, just the two of us- and then spent the next three days uninterrupted with nature. It was amazing. Waking up next to him each morning was great- and I can't wait to do it permanently. He pushed me to my limits physically(hiking people- get your mind out of the gutter!!) and I've never been more proud of myself. He finds a way to bring out the best in me- and I can't wait to make this an annual trip. So far we haven't set the date for another trip yet- but one of these days well do it.
Isn't it beautiful?
Ugh, can't wait to go back!!
August 2008
Branson, Missouri... our second trip together. Unfortunately his great grandmother died a few days before we were scheduled to leave so on the day we were to depart we had to attend her funeral. My first funeral. It was kind of awkward but it was okay. I knew the second we got out of there we were on our way to Branson... just the two of us...
funeral garb... 
our luxurious hot tubs... 
our wild west proof I made him take... this one I stole of the internet- this is the real copy
we survived the titanic! Again- I would love to make an annual trip here but it seems less likely as the time goes on- we're both just so busy it's going to be hard to find time to do such things.
September wasn't all that exciting- just going back to school and getting back into the swing of things...
October was absolutely insane at work- our largest wedding month to date of all wedding season- 14 weddings in three weekends... yeah, insane.
November 25th, 2008 marked our one year anniversary. We went to dinner at Ditka's in Oakbrook. It was really nice to sit down to a nice dinner- all dressed up. Thanksgiving was spent at my aunt's then over at Derek's Grandparent's house. It was nice to meet his dad's parents seeing as I've never met his father.
December came and went- work was finally dying down and it was nice to just go with the flow. This Christmas was very interesting...
Christmas Eve: Spent at Derek's grandma's house- a tradition in their house. It was nice being surrounded by people who liked me- I feel comfortable there- enough to make conversation and crack a few jokes- I am liked there and it's a nice feeling.
Christmas Day: Woke up early, opened presents with the family... as per tradition. I immediately showered then Derek picked me up for the trip to his dad's house in Itasca. He, very nice man. The step-mom.... a wretched woman. I totally understand how Derek is the way he is after stepping foot in that house. It was awful. It was really nice to see him interact with his dad though- it was like nothing I had ever seen before. I really enjoy spending time with his dad- it's his step-mom I can't stand to be around. I've never been that uncomfortable in my life.
And this takes us to new years.... Where we spent at The Westrom's. We were all tucked around the fire watching the countdown on the tv. We then came back to my house where he spent the night. I loved every minute of it.
So where does this leave me now? 2009 has a lot of potential. I'm in a really really great place right now and I can't even begin to explain how happy I am with the way things are going. For the first time in my life- I am in control of everything. I'm taking care of not only myself but those I love the most.
I am very excited for 2009.. are you?
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