40 things I did or didn't do in 2023

1.  Got Dexter in October
2. Got a tattoo
3. Had to say goodbye to Lunchbox in June
4. Turned 30
5. Celebrated 1 year with my Hubby
6. Went on a cruise with the parents
7. Talked about the possibility of starting a family
8. Stopped taking birth control
9. Got a nice raise and a bonus
10. Spent WAY too much money
11. Worried about my sister as she had multiple brain/spinal surgeries 
12. felt overwhelmed and overloaded
13. Fell more in love with my husband
14. Felt like a valued employee with a superior that respects me
15. Did some small home repairs on my own
16. Got to meet Asher
17. Hosted a super fun Galentines day party
18. Got my nose pierced with Ryan
19. Went to Chicago with friends for a show
20. Tried to catch up on a show with Lindsay...still working on it
21. Had to send in Ryan's ring and get a replacement 
22. Did not get a new shed yet from when our shed blew away
23. Got rid of a large portion of my plant collection
24. Got to watch Em's first dance recital
25. Went to quite a few t-ball games
26. Messed up the organization of all my photos
27. Continued some of my favorite traditions 
28. Held a Sloth
29. Had an AMAZING time in Cozumel
30.  Went to a wax museum and met "Beyonce"
31. Got Covid again
32. Made a wreath with some friends and hopefully started a new tradition
33.  hosted a few parties at the house
34.  Found out Angel was Pregnant
35.  Delphia came out for Christmas
36.  Advocated for my employees
37.  Stressed out over a lot of work drama
38.  reflected on how grateful I am for this life
39.  Had a balloon drop to bring in the new year
40. Made a list of 40 things I did and didn't do in 2023

40 things I did or did not do in 2022

1.  GOT MARRIED!
2. changed my last name
3. watched my best friend get married and helped her plan it as one of her maids of honor
4. finally got covid
5. went on a "minimoon" on a cruise to Alaska and Canada
6. got to see most of my family
7. had mom and dad over many times to hang out
8. started to look at my future a bit more
9. had a shared bachelorette party
10. picked Ryan up from a surprise bachelor party at his sisters house
11. Spent WAY too much money
12. got a Cricut Joy and also a Cricut Maker 3
13. watched my mom retire and she loved it
14. helped my mom recover from surgery
15. Celebrated mom and dad's 30th wedding anniversary
16. ran around with fairies just a few days before our wedding
17. Celebrated Gwen's 1st birthday!
18. went to a lot of weddings
19. became the Director of Events and got a raise
20. fell in love all over again with my now husband
21. did not take as many pictures of "the small things" so I could be more in the moment
22. did not play derby, but missed it while they went back
23. got very overwhelmed
24. went to the neighbors back yard to retrieve our shed that blew away
25. felt so loved and supported
26. had the most perfect private ceremony at the peach, followed by an amazing reception 
27. came up with a plan to be organized and not a hot mess in 2023
28. had plenty of date nights
29. watched Ryan's podcast hit over 100,000 downloads in his first year
30. took time to realize how lucky and grateful I am for this life
31. tried to advocate for myself and my coworkers
32. loved my job and where I finally am in my career
33. hated my job
34. signed up for another cruise- this time with Ryan's mom
35. had lots of house guests
36. saw real burn out in a lot of people, including our household
37.  spent time with friends and always had a blast
38.  ate a lot of yummy food and tried new things
39.  had a lot of wine dates/planning hang outs with Lindsay
40. Made a list of what I did and didn't do this year

2022 is one of my favorite years. I got to marry my best friend and plan my own wedding! It was a stressful year with everything going on. But we both felt the love and support. I am so grateful for this year and I have very few words to describe it, because you just had to be there. 2022 was more of a feeling than anything else. I am grateful, loved and happy...also a McJury. Stay tuned for 2023 I am hoping that next year is a year of health and maybe some surprises. 

40 things I did...or did not do in 2021

  40 things I did...or did not do in 2021

1. GOT ENGAGED!!
2. did not get Covid-19
3. Got to finally go to our Colorado Family Reunion!
4. Got to go on a cruise and swim in the ocean.
5. spent new years eve with my parents and friends!
6. Delphia came and stayed with us for almost 2 weeks
7. fell more in love with my love
8. watched a lot of friends get engaged! (2022 is the year of weddings)
9. Started planning my own wedding
10. got a new fence for the back yard
11. took lunchbox to the vet because we thought she was dying
12. Lunchbox didn't die, but looks a little homely lol
13. Ryan started a podcast and it is boomin'
14. went to Fairy Sprites and Lights with my neices
15. Gwendolyn was born
16. Got to watch Em be an AMAZING big sister
17. finally met my nephew Ian
18. Found my Wedding Dress
19. Helped Lindsay Move in to her house
20. did some painting and decorating in our house including redoing the stairs
21. Officially lived in our house for 1 year. 
22. High School Bestie, Chantelle, came to Indiana and we got brunch
23. spent a lot of money
24. Had a Galentines Party
25. Bought Ryan a Ring
26. Had to get our AC Handler replaced (luckily it was under warrantee!) 
27. Had to replace our garage door opener
28. hosted our annual murder mystery party 1st one at our house!
29. Got a new phone
30. went to an awesome bach party!
31. had a hamburger birthday cake
32. had to say goodbye to my namesake :( 
33. got to meet Miss Olive <3
34. Hung out with my parents a lot and enjoyed being their adult child!
35. worked too much
36. made my first hire as a supervisor
37. Celebrated Lindsay's 30th Birthday
38. went to see Christmas Lights with Ashley and Todd
39.  was valued by my employer
40.  felt a lot of love from friends and family

2021 flew by and had a lot of big things in it. it flew by so fast, I almost forgot to make my list! Looking forward to big adventures next year, not looking forward to all my money being gone lol. 2021 still had Covid and different variants and still craziness...but hoping 2022 is healthy and full of love and laughter! 

40 things I did...or did not do in 2020

 40 things I did...or did not do in 2020

1. survived a global pandemic
2. did not get Covid-19
3. BOUGHT A HOUSE!!
4. hosted our first family Christmas in the house!
5. quarantined and got tested multiple times for covid
6. did not lose my job
7. was super grateful for a job that allowed me to work from home and have a paycheck
8. made lots of masks
9. made a giant macreme background
10. didn't hug my parents for 4+ months
11. canceled so many events at work and in my personal life
12. postponed a family reunion and cruise
13. fell more in love with my love
14. found out about 2 new babies that will be here in 2021!!
15. helped lindsay connect with a realtor to buy a house
16. our dogs became best friends
17. took a trip to jungle jims
18. struggled emotionally with the state of the world
19. marched in a protest in Muncie for BLM
20. didn't get to start a new season of derby or finish the last season
21. voted & helped elect a new president
22. went on a mini vacation to the lake with Ryan and his mom
23. spent ALOT of time at home
24. power washed the fence and deck
25. learned how to do my makeup
26. stressed a lot 
27. spent a lot of money
28. paid off my credit card
29. had lots of virtual lunch dates with mom
30. had a few zoom parties with friends
31. started my plant obsession
32. did not eat at more than 5 restaurants (takeout not included)
33. hosted our annual murder mystery party at the carriage house
34. got some to go margaritas
35. got a stimulus check
36. lost some weight 10+ pounds (also put some on)
37.  adopted a hedgehog for his last stage of life RIP Grammpy
38.  built tables for behind our couch
39.  went with Ryan to buy his new car
40. had to re-learn how to do my job with new rules and social distancing 

To say 2020 was one for the history books is an understatement. This was an awful year in general. So much happened and it was exhausting. This year felt like 5 years. But at the same time, it is hard to believe it is coming to an end. Despite how the world looked in 2020, it was actually a pretty awesome year personally. If it were a normal year, I don't think we would be in our new house and I definitely wouldn't have learned and experienced all that I got to this year. We still have some residual 2020 that will follow us into next year. Hopefully things will get better. There is def. a "new normal". There is a vaccine, and hope for another stimulus package including PPP. 

I will happily say farewell to the dumpster fire of a year, but also thank it for the good parts. fingers cross that we can get back to having events (especially since that is my livelihood), and that Ryan and I stay healthy. 

40 things I did...or did not do in 2019

1. 1 Got a new car
   2.     Glass days tornado
   3.     Threw an old town road theme surprise party for my friend
   4.     Watched my friend beat breast cancer
   5.     Brought in the new year with a 20s themed party
   6.     Hosted our annual murder mystery party
   7.     Grandpa B passed away
   8.     Visited the lake house 2 time with my love
   9.     My new car got hit
   10.  Started my 4^th year of derby
   11.  Got a raise
   12.  Hated my job and almost quit
   13.  My boss got demoted!
   14.  Stephanie helped me find my strengths in my career
   15.  Had many gym and ice cream dates with Lindsay
   16.  Looked at some houses and started thinking more about the future
   17.  Spent WAY too much money
   18.  Loved ryan more and more every day
   19.  Watched a lot of my friends get married or pregnant
   20.  Helped plan rialzo & Planned over 60 events personally
   21.  Tried to dye my hair with highlights and had to go get it fixed by Kim
   22.  Hosted a wine tasting party
   23.  Got a jean vest for derby and started collecting pins!
   24.  Had a very immature coworker who is now gone!
   25.  Took my nieces and nephews on some adventures
   26.  Watched Lindsay get basket the rabbit
   27.  Helped some friends move and or move some stuff
   28.  Played some trivia
   29.  Got closer in some friendships that I was missing out on
   30.  Emmy celebrated her 1^st birthday & Andrea celebrated her 21^st birthday
   31.  Found out glass days is canceled
   32.  Got all new bedroom furniture
   33.  Tried some new restaurants
   34.  Went tubing down the river with some friends
   35.  Spent lots of time with family
   36.  Got a ring doorbell & a security system for the house
   37.  Went to the zoo a few times
   38.  Gained A LOT of new board games
   39.  Played beer pong with my parents
   40.  Got to see my sister!
   
   

2019 was definitely the end of a decade. If 10 years ago I would have read this list and the 10+ more items I wanted to put on here…I wouldn’t believe you were talking about me. It wasn’t a bad year, or a good year, but a lot did happen. I am ready for the 2020s! Next year already has a lot of amazing adventures in store. I can’t wait to read next year’s list!

40 things I did... or did not do in 2018

1. Played in a Roller Derby Tournament in Muncie and won all 4 games
2. Got on the Charter for Season 9
3. Introduced mom to texting by getting her a smart phone
4. Started my 1 second a day video
5. Went to Colorado again
6. Got to see Delphia, Naomi, and Charlize TWICE in one year
7. Got a matching meaningful tattoo with my sister
8. Got a raise!
9. Did not get a new car...but shopped for one
10. Got to meet Emmalynn Rose Benedict (My Niece)
11. Got to work with quite a few new coworkers
12. Went black friday shopping with my mother
13. Planned a lot of weddings
14. Went to the St. Louis City Museum
15. Completed ACL class
16. Gained too much weight
17. Got a new comfy mattress
18. Started working out with my best friend as a workout buddy
19. Saw BEYONCE
20. Continued traditions with nieces and nephews (fairies, sprites and lights & elf adventure)
21. lead parent tours of downtown
22. Went to Warped Tour
23. Lost Toby, the best hedgehog in the world :(
24. Celebrated 1 year (about to be 2) with my love
25.  Spent more money than I should have
26. Bought a full sized skeleton and had too much fun with it!
27. Still haven't met my nephew, Ian
28. Fell in love even more  with Ryan every day
29. Hosted a friendsmasgiving party and murder mystery party...and other get togethers just because
30. Got upset over peoples stupidity and outdated rules
31. Smiled
32. Went on A LOT of date nights with my love
33. Got matching PJs for Ryan and I....and the dogs
34. Bought Elf...FINALLY
35. Made a beer advent calendar
36.  Installed a closet organizer
37.  Worked A LOT of Saturdays
38.  Went to Zoolala for halloween
39.  Bought a lot of things from Amazon
40. Made a list of things I did and didn't do in 2018

40 things I did...or did not do in 2017

1. officially started dating Ryan
2.  Moved into a purple house with my boyfriend
3.  Went to Colorado
4.  Realized I have made some mistakes in my life
5.  tried every day to make up for them and move on
6.  Got promoted
7.  fought for a promotion
8. Made some new friends
9. Planned a wedding from start to finish at my job
10. planned a VERY extravagant Indian wedding
11. got a dog named lunchbox
12. didn't go to New York 
13. realized I am an adult, who doesn't always have to be ok with opinions of the ones I love
14. cried
15. smiled
16. fell in love every day with Ryan
17. fell in love with his family
18. found it hard to believe how petty some people can be
19. got my own office
20. hung a tapestry in my office
21. loved my job, even when the people there weren't always the greatest
22. had to deal with some unfortunate trouble
23. Sublet my apartment
24. celebrated Ryan's Birthday with a birthday month
25. got a new phone for my birthday
26. got a new smart watch for Christmas
27. got matching tattoos
28. went to the doctor and found out I had costochondritis (inflamed cartilage in my ribs) 
29. saw the solar eclipse 
30. Spent time with Grandpa after Bertha passed away
31. put together a lot of puzzles
32. had about 3 flat tires
33. stole the Bivens kids a few times to take them on adventures
34. hosted a house warming party and murder mystery party
35. stopped having social media on my phone to focus on my relationship
36.  Worked a wedding on NYE
37.  forgot some important dates and remembered the day after
38.  still haven't met my nephew, Ian
39.  Realized how lucky I am to have the people in my life that support me when others don't
40. Made a list of things I did and didn't do in 2017

2017 went by sooo fast. My hopes for 2018?  To keep growing in who I am. To accept the things I cannot change and hopefully changed some peoples thoughts for the better. To be happy and in love! To experience new things. To save some money for my/our future. To smile more than not. To make a list at the end of 2018.