While reflecting on how I spent 2006, I stumbled across something I wrote Jan. 1 about how I planned to spend the coming year and laughed. "I hope to chill the hell out. 2005 was very eventful. I hope 2006 is a little more mellow for me. I'm going to take a week of vacation and do nothing. I'm always on the run, making plans, doing things, going places, vising people ... I don't even know why I pay rent for an apartment. I'm never there. Maybe I'll watch paint dry. That sounds like pure bliss right now. Or television ... crazy."
Well, I was right about one thing: I did watch a lot of paint dry. After meticulously spreading coats and coats of it throughout our entire house. This year was a lot of things for me, but relaxing certainly wasn't one of them. It had a lot of momentous highs like getting a new puppy and buying our first house, and some heartwrenching lows like losing our baby and watching many of our close friends move away. But, like most things in life, we can't control everything that happens to us, just how we react to it. And I'd say I'm getting better at handling the unexpected blips. JANUARY
Jerry discovered the gloriousness of making tampon cannons this month. We also finally saw a mouse in our apartment, sparking a very heated debate about how to treat furry house guests. I fed them. Jerry fed them poison. The Steelers fought their way to the Super Bowl, which was singlehandedly accomplished because Jerry remembered to take off his hard hat during field goal attempts and not wash his Terrible Towel all season. And we capped off the month by welcoming our own furry house guest, Toby, to which we both agreed not to feed poison. FEBRUARY
Jerry and I reconsidered that whole "not feeding our dog poison" thing. As great as it was investing all of our waking minutes concerning ourselves with puppy poop, we didn't get much sleep that month, so there were a lot of waking minutes. Fortunately for Toby, the Steelers won the Super Bowl, giving Jerry enough joy to carry him through and save Toby's noisy little throat. That and, well, he was super cute when he was little. I also was given advice about pouring liquid through my nose when I was sick, to which I said I'd rather die. Then, a few weeks later, I became a walking hypocrite. A walking hypocrite who shoved a tea kettle up to her nostril. MARCH
Jerry and I got a real estate agent, donned some camouflage and started hunting houses. Unfortunately, we quickly discovered that most homes in our price range were complete shit holes and were more deserving of a wrecking ball than our time and attention. This month we were so tired and sleep deprived that we gave up and let Toby stay in bed with us, sparking what will likely be an entire decade of waking up with a paw in my mouth. APRIL
We found our house. One with at least four walls in every room, sometimes more, no standing water in the basement and, most importantly, no dead animal carcases on the property -- which couldn't have been said for some of the other places we'd looked at. But the excitement quickly turned to dread as we realized the seemingly insurmountable task ahead of paperwork and, oh yeah, moving. MAY
This month Toby became more of a dog and less of a puppy (probably because he got his nuts snipped off), making me fall in love with him on a whole new level. Now it wasn't just because he was cute. It was because he was cute and tolerable. The countdown to the move was in full swing and boxes, newspaper and bubblewrap took over our lives. But we made it more exciting by initiating a game we titled Brewsters Millions, which actually made eating those stale crackers at least somewhat enjoyable. And it all paid off when we moved in, stomped on the floors and contemplated painting the walls a color named oil-slick black ... because no one could tell us not to. JUNE
The month of backbreaking labor, or what some people like to call home improvement. We started with a major debacle at the front door and worked our way throughout the house, sanding, painting, stripping wallpaper, plastering and painting some more. Not to mention actually settling in. But all the hard work paid off, as evident in the first of many before and after photos and a super fun housewarming party. JULY
The work continued in the bedroom, and the dining room, but we capped off the month with a much-needed vacation with Jerry's family at Myrtle Beach and a relaxing celebration of our one-year wedding anniversary. AUGUST
This month I had to say goodbye to one of my closest friends, Timberly, as she and her fiance moved to Nebraska. Although we had been busy and hadn't seen much of each other, just knowing she was around for an emergency trip to the mall or grabbing lunch at one of our favorite restaurants was enough. But I did what any good friend would do and I put my feelings aside, hugged her goodbye and promised to call often. Ironically, I reconnected with an old friend, Andrea, from New York on our way to my family's cottage. SEPTEMBER
I finally caved and agreed to get a monster plasma TV, to Jerry's utmost jubilation. Particularly while playing Guitar Hero. Work continued in the kitchen, which proved to be the most labor-intensive room redo yet, but definitely the most rewarding. We also finished up the living room, downstairs bathroom and vanity. OCTOBER
After four months of work, the house finally looked the way we wanted it to. Jerry impressed me by installing a new doorknob and chandelier in the dining room. We also found out that I had unexpectedly gotten pregnant, probably after my heart started racing watching Jerry work those fixtures. But our nervousness and excitement at becoming parents quickly turned to confusion and sorrow when we were informed it had been a miscarriage. NOVEMBER
Most of November remains a blur to me. I spent much of it in and out of doctors' offices, hospitals and even an ambulance. When I wasn't being poked and prodded, I was on the couch -- a place I normally enjoy, unless I'm told not to get up from it. Fortunately, I discovered that I have a huge support network anchored by Jerry and my family, to help get me through. And the little things, like finding out I made out with a soap star, celebrating Toby's birthday and having a pizza date with my husband, helped keep me sane. I even went to my 10-year high school reunion and pleasantly discovered that much of the high school bullshit stays in high school. DECEMBER
This month Jerry and I channeled our inner Griswolds. If we hadn't been so excited to celebrate our first Christmas in our new house, it would've been a complete disaster. With the bickering over which lights to buy, the rain storm we hung the outdoor lights in, Jerry dropping a tree stump on my face and having a visit by the cops ... it should've been the worst Christmas in history. But in our typical style, we laughed our way through it and had a lovely holiday season. And tonight, for a very appropriate end to our 2006, we're throwing a New Year's Eve party for a few close friends. Because this year I discovered that despite all of our hard work, the paint and primer didn't make our house a home. Having it filled with people we love did. And, for another year-end event, vote for the most deserving here if you'd like. Happy New Year. | 
