Alright friends, I know we’re more than a month into 2015 (January flew by, right?!), and I’ve been meaning to right this for quite some time now, but as always life got in the way and the blog got neglected. While this blog is something I hope to make more time for, a huge New Year’s Goal (not resolution) for myself, maintaining my professional life and keeping my house in working order are my top priorities.
That being said, after I uploaded my last post my life went on whirlwind. I traveled from Pittsburgh, to Florida, to State College, to NYC, to Erie, and back home to Pittsburgh in 3 weeks. Most of that traveling was done for pleasure, some for work, but it was all lovely. Unfortunately that loveliness came to an end when I arrived home to a broken washer and an imploded hot water heater. While a washer was something I could wait to purchase, a hot water heater in the middle of winter was not.
Trying not to feel a case of buyer’s remorse (as my furnace’s motor conked out a month before so it was a pretty easy feeling), I hastily called my home warranty company, thankful that this was covered. HOWEVER, after waiting a week for them to get back to me, I was told that it WOULD be covered IF the stupid previous owner had installed it correctly and up to Code. But he didn’t. So it wasn’t. Insert a huge case of buyer’s remorse and calling my mom on the phone in tears here.
But I wiped my tears, put on my big girl pants, bought a new hot water heater, had it installed (correctly and up to Code!), and took a bubble bath. Oh how I missed bubble baths. Regardless of how the last week of 2014 treated me, as a whole it was a pretty wonderful year. While it had several ups and downs, it had some definite momentous occasions.
Dear 2014,
Wow, what a roller coaster of a year you’ve been. I started the year as a 22 year old renting an apartment and just beginning serious work in my field and ended as a 23 year old owning my own home and designing for large scale clients that I wouldn’t have even dreamed about working for. Is this real life? Yes, yes it is!
As you first started I began making plans for a new roommate as I knew the one I was currently living with would be moving out mid summer. The friend that I had lined up was pretty fantastic and I was looking forward to living with her. Unfortunately for me (but yay for her!) she decided to move in with her boyfriend. I was bummed but knew I would figure something out.
Fast forward to end of March and I began looking for a place that I could rent on my own and not have to live with anyone (because I discovered that I truly am someone who needs to live alone). I was talking to one of my best friends who was searching for houses at the time with her boyfriend, and she said “Even if you’re not serious, it’s fun just to look.”
Well, fun it was. I had so much fun in fact that I began seriously thinking about purchasing a house. I had plenty of money saved up for a down payment, it would be cheaper than renting, AND I could live by myself. Was I sold? You bet.
It was a lengthy process that involved a lot of research and a lot of paperwork, but I was finally pre-approved with the bank that gave the best rate and had a kick butt real estate agent! Time to house hunt.
I knew with my budget and what I was pre-approved for I wouldn’t be able to afford the super new model homes and I was truly ok with that. I wanted something with character and that I would be able to renovate and put my own spin on. And after searching and searching online, I found a listing that had everything that I could’ve wanted.
I set up appointments to see that listing as well as others that my agent had found, but I was completely smitten and put in an offer. After a couple back and forth negotiations, it was accepted. I HAD A HOUSE!
2014, that was such a wonderful experience that is still surreal to me and I’m still so thankful for everything that happened leading up to it. But 2014, that was just one of MANY awesome memories that I’ll treasure forever.
In April, I was able to go to High Point Market with one of my best friends and our boss; something that I had wanted to do for ages. I was able to meet such wonderful people in the trade, gather awesome inspiration for future projects, and just have fun! Oh. And see Chris Daughtry in concert and find a steampunk Star Wars pillow. Super awesome.
In May, we celebrated my great gram’s 100th birthday and it was just so fun to spend time with family.
In July, I had a crazy idea to start a blog and went with it. My first blog post went live July 3rd and while I have yet to remain consistent with posting, that is a definite goal for 2015. Big plans in the works.
July was also the month I closed on my house and as I said above, it was the BEST experience I could’ve asked for.
At the end of August, I began designing for a new client: Primanti Bros. I’m sorry, what? Could you repeat that? Yes, THE Primanti Bros. I couldn’t even believe it. While it was a daunting task to take on, designing all of the new restaurant locations has been so wonderful. My installation team is top notch and I love all of the traveling I get to do. But the best part of working for them is that the first location I worked on was in my hometown of Erie, PA. Still mindblowing.
In October, I celebrated turning 23 and had my wonderful friends over for a cookout. It was great. And a couple weeks later I splurged on a plane ticket to Florida to spend time with my bestest friend and plan for her wedding in December! While a bunch got accomplished, we were also able just to relax and spend time together. I also got to see her super awesome husband’s band play and met new wonderful people. And her brother threw a kid on the ground in the mosh pit. But that’s another story…
In November, I joined my first ever link party and it was so, so, SO much fun. There are some crazy talented people out here in blogland and I am so inspired by them and their projects. Already planning for next year!
In December, which was probably my busiest month in the history of ever, I flew down to Florida again, for my bestie’s wedding! I still cannot put into words how unbelievably honored I was when she asked me to be her MOH. To be able to be there for her on her special day was one of my favorite memories that we will ever share. And yes, I bawled the entire ceremony.
The day after I got back I went on a job install for a few days and when I returned, I was able to go to NYC with my dad. He planned an amazing trip as my Christmas present. From staying at “The Chelsea Inn” (he thought he was oh so clever with the hotel reservations, and let’s be honest, he was), to seeing Wicked (I fangirled so hard), to an early morning visit to Times Square and Rockefeller Center (typical tourist), it was just the best.
The last memorable experience, 2014, was getting a tattoo with someone who’s been in my life for 14 years and counting, my best friend Christian. He’s one of the best people I know and I’m so incredibly happy to have shared this with him. And thankfully it didn’t hurt as much as I thought it would.
2014, overall, you and I shared some of the best experiences of my entire life and I am forever grateful. Now don’t get me wrong, there were some battles that I had to face, but the good definitely outweighed the bad and I wouldn’t change anything. 2015 absolutely has a tough act to follow!
