This is DJ Earworm’s mash-up of 2009′s top twenty five songs, enjoy:

I found something. Something that actually keeps my attention while working out and makes time go by. I feel like I found the great key to the workout world. Something so simple and something that was right in my face or in my ear. That something, audiobooks. What!? Yep, I just stumbled across audiobooks. It started last month when I decided to test audiobooks on my book club book, The Necklace. It is something I have always wanted to try, but thought I would get too distracted, too inside my head to focus. Well, that was kind of true. I had to focus a little more than I’d hoped, but for the most part it worked really well. I listened while working on my computer at home. While some football games were on, while cleaning my office, etc. I would call it a success, I could “read” a book and multi-task. Perfect.

The second test came with the much hyped book “Eat, Pray, Love”. I decided that I needed another lightweight book to see if I can concentrate on it. I took the test to the gym. To my surprise this was a great decision. Time flew by, I completely forgot I was exercising and listening to a great tale. What a great idea. I can’t believe it took me so long to realize this.

So, there it is, the golden key to my workout world. I still read, actually read books. I’m currently involved in “The Year of Living Biblically: One Man’s Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible” and “Anna Karenina” because I do believe in reading, but being a slow reader and a hater of exercise, it turns out audiobooks are amazing.

Being a “Bride-to-be” I came across a lot of cool ideas that don’t really work for our wedding, but I still really loved, so I thought I would share.

Broomball Tournament at Brenton
Holy cow it was a cold night and a late night, the final championship game started at 1:30am. We had a great time though.

Flonase
Yep, this was a highlight to 2009, I love this little nose spray. It certainly helps with day-to-day allergens.

Nick turned 30!
He celebrated a lot. On his actual birthday we did the downtown thing, Centro, Liars Club, Hessen Haus. The next weekend he did Bockfest and then finally the last weekend of Feb. we had a little gathering at Trophys.

Amazing Concerts: NKOTB and Brandi Carlile
These were both fantastic concerts and complete opposite in every way possible. NKOTB was a giant girl-party. The whole place was screaming, singing and dancing. Super good time. Brandi Carlile was at Hoyt Sherman and it was a beautiful and intimate show. Super bummed we are missing her this January, but we underestimated her drawing power.

Surgery
Yep, finally did it. I tend to talk about it a lot, even still. I am just so mad I didn’t do it earlier in life. The results still amaze me, no back, shoulder or neck pain, I can find bras anywhere and button shirts fit so much better. I just feel balanced now.

Grandma K finally retired
This is worth mentioning since she should have retired years ago. She had a great party and now her and grandpa are snow birds to Arizona. Love it.

Evan graduated high school
It was a great, short and sweet ceremony. We celebrated with Evan’s favorite, HuHot.

Drea graduated = Harper’s Ferry Awesomeness
To celebrate some friends headed to Harper’s Ferry where we rented an awesome house and just hung out all weekend. Had a fantastic time.

Basilica Block Party
Nick and I ventured to Minnesota to see Matt Nathanson and The Hold Steady. We absolutely loved downtown Minneapolis and had a great weekend. Wonderful drinks, food and music.

Michelle got married
This summer my cousin Michelle got married, first grandkid on my dad’s side to do so. It was a nice time and great to see all the family and afterwards hanging out at Grandma’s house.

Book Club
I joined a book club, which has been great for me. It jump started my love for books again and now I’m a reading machine. We have finished: The Alchemist, The Shack, Three Weeks With My Brother, The Devil in the White City, East of Eden (I didn’t read this one), Montana 1948, Julie and Julia and currently reading The Necklace.

Engagement Photos
Hello, love them. I truly give all the credit to my photographer who is amazing.

San Jose
The trip of relaxation and shopping. While Nick was at some class I got to enjoy the California weather and atmosphere. We hit up some cool shops and yummy restaurants. However, on the way back home caught a nasty cold that lasted three weeks.

Halloween, Aurora style
We headed east for Halloween and had a wonderful time, with a ghost walk in Naperville, shopping in Lincoln Park for Magenta shoes and a great lunch at the White Chocolate Grill, who could ask for more?

Wedding Dress
I found my wedding dress in Perry! After narrowing it down to four dresses with just me and mom, we called in reinforcements and got it down to “the one”. Super excited and happy with my choice.

The Music of Star Wars
We headed back east to see the show “Music of Star Wars” which was awesome. We had a slightly annoying family behind us, but that couldn’t dampen the spirit of us fans. We also did some shopping at the outlet mall, ate again at the White Chocolate Grill, watched a lot of UCF fighting, which was funny, went to the show, ate dinner at Maggiano’s where I had the most amazing Smore Martini (complete with a toasted marshmallow on top) and flew home, that’s right we flew there and it was the greatest thing ever. Took 40 minutes!

So that was some highlights of 2009 with exception of Christmas (which I just wrote about). I hope you had a great 2009 and an even better 2010!