I feel like I’ve been out of it when it comes to the excitement surrounding the new year. I’ve seen bloggers and friends write blog posts and Facebook statuses declaring their New Year’s resolutions with enthusiasm.
I wish I shared their fervor, but I feel like a bit of a Debbie Downer over here since my mind is just thinking, “Welp, it’s January 2013.”
In an effort to drink some of the New Year’s Kool-Aid, last night, after I turned off my bedside lamp and rolled over to try to go to sleep, I let my mind wander and think about what I’m looking forward to in the coming year. One word immediately popped into my mind: Weddings!
Yes, 2013 will be the year of weddings! Right now Ryan and I have five weddings on the books (I’m a bridesmaid in four and he’s a groomsmen in one), so our 2013 will be packed with wedding festivities and fun times with some of our closest friends. I’m thrilled to watch some of my very best girlfriends say “I do!”
The brides-to-be:
Big events coming up in 2013 (in chronological order):
- ZOOMA Florida half marathon
- Miami half marathon (I may have a conflict with this race, but I’m really hoping to run it with some of my girlfriends!)
- NASM exam
- Family vacation to Machu Picchu
- Laurel & John’s wedding in Orlando
- Dad’s 60th birthday
- Michaela & Kyle’s wedding in Colorado
- Minda & Clark’s wedding in St. Augustine
- Ryan’s 30th birthday + Terry & Janelle’s wedding in New Jersey (same day!)
- Merri & Pete’s wedding in Tallahassee
Plus lots of fun bachelorette parties that haven’t made their way onto my calendar yet!
Lunch
Lunch today was another simple one-bowl meal.
- Chicken sausage
- Scrambled eggs (made with a splash of milk and mozzarella cheese)
- Collard greens
That’ll do it!
Questions of the Afternoon
- What is one thing you’re really looking forward to in 2013?
- Have you ever experienced a “year of weddings” when a bunch of your friends or family members got married within the same year?
I have a friend who went to 11 weddings in one year. Insanity!
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That is a WHOLE lot of wedding stuff coming up for you. Thank goodness most of my friends are to the age where they are already married. I think I may be the only person I know who doesn’t love weddings. The traveling for them…not THAT would be fun!!
I don’t know that I have a ton of things to look forward to in 2013 but I am planning on a great family vacation. I just have to figure out where that is going to be!!
I’m looking forward to becoming a mom for the first time this May!!! 🙂 Can’t wait!
This year, I have 5 weddings, one of which I’m in (Janelle & Terry’s wedding!!) One year, I had 9-that included mine, it was crazy fun (but burnt a whole in our pockets)! Since I don’t have too much on the books, I’m hoping this year will be filled with happy surprises. 🙂
You have fun stuff on the agenda!
I am looking forward to a ski trip and a houseboat vacay 🙂 Plus meeting my brand new nephew!
My wedding is this summer! I’m so excited!
I went to 11 weddings in 2011 (my husband and I were in a total of 8!) It was fun, but also crazy to be traveling so much.
I am looking forward to my husband graduating from law school and us moving to a new city!
Our year of weddings was our wedding year 2010 – I think we went to close to 10 between both of our friends and family members!! Luckily, we both love attending them – so fun!
I’m digging this meal! And it looks like you have a great year ahead!
The year I graduated college and the year after was FULL of weddings from ladies in my nursing classes! I was a bridesmaid in two of them. Since I was much older than my classmates and new friends it was rather nostalgic! Don’t feel too bad about being ho hum about the new year. Sometimes it takes me a while to switch from the mindset of “crap, look at all the things I didn’t complete this year” into “look at all the stuff I’m going to accomplish THIS year!”.
xoxo
~Lainee
I’m the same way with the New Year. Personally, I just don’t like January because though it feels like a fresh start, I just find myself in a midwinter slump.
I’ve been trying to kick that though by starting my training for a 1/2 marathon. I have to admit, I’ve been looking to your blog a TON because it is my first 1/2 marathon and I think we have similar approaches to running. I love it, but it by no means comes naturally to me. I used to hate the mile run in elementary school!
Excited to follow you in your year of weddings!
I’m excited to start nursing school at a new college!
Holy schmoly matrimony! That’s a lot of weddings!!! My MOH, for my wedding in September, was in five weddings this past year and was the MOH in two of them. She was such an amazing MOH and I feel so blessed to have an amazing friend like her who gives so much of herself to others (obviously like you too since you’re quite the busy bridesmaid!)
Happy 2013! Here’s to an exciting year!
First off, I have to say-I love when you post pics of your dog-instant pick me up! I am looking forward to getting married in 2013 🙂
Machu Picchu is on my dream vacation list! SO jealous! Can’t wait to read about it when you go. I am looking forward to the trips I have planned in 2013. We are going on a Mediterranean cruise stopping in Spain, France and Italy. We also have plans to visit the Greenbrier again. I love that hotel. Even more once I found out they have certain rooms that allow dogs. But did you know there aren’t pet friendly cruises? 🙁
Here is our last trip to the Greenbrier…
http://happyhoyt.blogspot.com/search/label/Greenbrier
Julie, I went to Machu Picchu two years ago and went with a great company (unitedmice)! I don’t know if ya’ll already have one but if you need any advice on the trip feel free to send me an email. It is AMAZING! You and your family will make great great memories.
Happy New Year
This year, honestly I’m just looking forward to my foot finally healing so I can run again. Oh, so I guess I’m looking forward to RNR Seattle and being able to run the whole marathon (God willing). And hopefully getting my 13 races in 2013.
11 weddings in one year!??!!?! Holy cow! Was there something in the water? 😉
Isn’t it fun to think about all the amazing things the year is going to bring?!
Hahah, my friend documented his spendings at weddings last summer: over $8000 (travel, accommodations, gifts). I couldn’t believe it, but I guess it makes sense! It’s crazy how fast it can all add up when everyone lives so far apart now, or opt for destination weddings.
Julie- I read your blog all of the time (especially during class) I’m in the middle of CRNA school and your blog gives my mind a nice easy break!! So thanks for that! Today I made an apple dip made by mixing vanilla greek yogurt, honey, cinnamon, and Peanut Butter!! So amazing!
That was me last year! Including my own, I was invited to 15 weddings but only made it to 12. It was seriously crazy but I’m very happy to be able to attend and be apart of some fabulous weddings!
I’m personally experiencing a “year of babies” haha. Not only am I pregnant for the first time, but I swear I have AT LEAST 20 friends who are all pregnant. It’s crazy!
I’m ecstatic to marry my best friend on May 25th of this year; we’ve been together for nearly nine years, so I’m feelin’ more than ready 😉
This last summer we attended nine different weddings. It was crazy and fun. It allowed us to get so many ideas!
Other than quite a few more weddings on the book for this year, I’m excited to train for my very first half marathon and hopefully go on some fun trips!
The year my husband and I got engaged, we were invited to 10 weddings. Clearly, it was the time! And now that most of our friends are the parents of our kids friends (so about the same age kids) we have all been married for the same length of time. Clearly marriages and births go in waves.
Sorry to be a nuisance, but can you can be a simple, effective and tasty (basic) recipe on how to scramble eggs? (hopefully not too much added to it, I need simple…plus how to actually scramble in the pan…what setting…scramble from the start or wait till later, etc. Sorry, I’m not sure ….at all.
This year, I’m looking forward to starting my first real post-college “big-girl” job. My first day is Monday–ekkk! But I’m mostly excited! 🙂
I only went to one wedding last year (besides my own!), and since my friends live on the other side of the world, the only weddings we will be going to this year will be my husband’s friends’ weddings. But hopefully there should at least one or two (I love weddings! :))
This year I am looking forward to being healthier, fitter, and welcoming my little niece into the world!
Sadie’s New Years resolution is the best! We should all strive to be as fabulous as her! “)
Happy New Year
Wohoo! Weddings are always a blast. I’ve got one on tap this year so far and it’s one I’m in so I’m particularly pumped for it!
Sounds like a great year! 2012 was our Year of the Weddings. We had SEVEN!! I even did the flowers for one of them as a wedding gift, which was actually a blast. I’d love to do that again.
I am excited for a trip to Disney in July- I am taking a dance group for their performance which is very exciting! I also will possibly be going to France this year- so that is exciting as well!
I’ve only been to 4 weddings in my life (one I was a baby, another I was the flower girl) but 2 of them were in the same year- I can’t wait for all my friends to start getting married….
You’ve got a busy year ahead! I have a wedding cruise coming up in April for my husband’s brother, so I am really excited about that. I must tell you…I am flat out addicted to Al Fresco Apple Chicken Sausage. I had no idea it existed until I started reading your blog. If you ever come up with more ways to put it in recipes, I am ready and willing to try it out! I also found a great recipe for sausage stuffed zucchini boats using the sweet Italian Al Fresco chicken sausage. Yay for chicken sausages!
I am looking forward to getting married in October this year. A resolution of loosing weight is one I have to stick to this year. I think your blog will help me with that : )
Wow, 11 weddings in one year is CRAZY! My husband and I had a year where we had 4 weddings and two graduations which seemed like a lot. But I looove weddings so I always look forward to them. And this year is super exciting because my brother, my dad, and my mom are all getting married. Sounds crazy, but it’s true!! I am so excited they have all found someone to enjoy life with and can’t wait to be a part of their big days. 2013 is also a big year for my husband and I because we are planning to move to a new state in the next few months.
Wow, that’s a lot of weddings!! You have so many fun events coming up this year, good for you! Wish I could say I had more in the books, but it’s looking pretty mellow right now. On the upside – I’m really excited to focus on my new blog this year!
Jeez girl, you’re in four weddings! You’re on your say to 27 Dresses status!
I’m looking forward to (hopefully) hosting a reunion for my college roommates this year.
Ooh you lucky girl with all those weddings! You will have so much fun dressing up and dancing with your girlfriends….they best party right there. Hmm…I feel like the biggest thing coming up in 2013 for me is planning my sorority’s big Anchor Slam Basketball tournament! It’s my first time with a big position in the house….and I’ve only touched a basketball to play P.I.G haha…so we’ll see if I can pull it off! I noticed from your posts you were in a sorority, did you ever hold a position?! Anyways, have a great week Julie!
2013 is a year of weddings for me as well! Will be attending 4, a bridesmaid in 2. My Ryan will be 30 this year too! Crazy and all exciting!
I share your thoughts on new year’s resolutions and excitement – everyone keeps asking what my resolutions are, and I really don’t have an answer. But here’s some things that I am absolutely looking forward to this year.
I’m running my first 1/2 marathon in DC this March…eek!
My best friend is marrying my fiancee’s brother, so I’m getting another sister!
My fiancee’s 30th birthday, too!
You gotta love those wedding filled years!! It seems they come in spurts.
I’m looking forward to some traveling with my husband as newlyweds. I know this season is short lived so making the most of it!
Lucky you! I haven’t been to a wedding in yonks 🙁 Looks like you’ve got a very exciting and adventurous year ahead of you!
Wow I can’t believe you have so many weddings coming up! You will definitely keep busy and 2013 is gonna fly by for you and Ryan
Sounds like an intensely busy year! I’m 23, so my friends haven’t quite reached the marriage age yet. I know in a couple years, I’ll get hit with a ton of them!
I’m currently on my way to my 10th wedding in just a 15 month span. And we have at least 6 lined up in 2013! I have been a bridesmaid in only three (including this weekend)! We are having fun spending time with our friends but on the flip side, being a wedding guest certainly gets expensive! 🙂
How do you cook your collard greens? D you just sauté them?
I am looking forward to learning the guitar and hopefully running in my 1st official race!
Sounds like a fun 2013 ahead for you! 🙂 2012 was the year of weddings for me. It was my wedding, then I was in my friend’s wedding and then we had my husbands old co-worker’s wedding. It was a lot all at once.
I thought this year was going to be a ‘year of weddings’ for me too..but it certainly isn’t up the level of your year! I have 3 weddings to attend so far this year (I am a bridesmaid in one!), but I am also snooping around for some potential engagements for a few of my girlfriends.. 🙂
Looking forward to my Thursday wedding in July! Its amazing how much money we are saving, I’m so excited! And all the vendors I want are available, LOL! I also have a friends wedding in February and my sister’s wedding in September! As much as I hate to say it, this year is going to fly by! Also hoping to buy a house somewhere in between all that! Looking forward to babies in 2014! 😀
I love your blog, and have followed for a while, but never commented, but I HAD to comment on this post. Last year was my year of weddings. We were invited to twelve weddings last year, and twice two of those weddings were on the same day! But what was more amazing was that my husband and I got married in April, my sister got married in June, and my brother got married in September! 2012 has been an amazing year for my family. Secondly, my husband and I have yet to go on our honeymoon, and a family member generously has offered to send us anywhere we want. Machu Pichu is on our short list along with about six other destinations. I can’t wait to hear about your trip to Peru!
I’ve seen you make chicken sausage quite a few times and it always looks delicious! I have tried to cook chicken sausage three times now, and I can’t get it to really turn out… I thought it would be pretty easy, but I don’t know! Would you mind sharing what brand you use? And how you cook it?
Oh man, 2010 was the year of weddings for me! I got married that year, I was a bridesmaid in 5 weddings and the maid of honor in 2, one of which was my sister’s (my poor parents!). I was a guest at one other wedding and it felt so foreign to just sit and watch everything. It was a busy – but great! – year. Good luck with all of your weddings!