Tuesday, December 31, 2013

101 days left!!- End of Year Recap (stolen from Hannah Callaway)



1. What did you do in 2013 that you'd never done before? I got the flu shot and planned 3 weddings, lol.

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions and will you make more for next year? I don't think I made any resolutions last year but our first year of marriage to do list may start early for a group resolution type thing.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? My sister did! Little Ryan Patrick Dunne was born and I became a godmother :)

4. Did anyone close to you die? My dog Belle died :(

5. What countries did you visit? I didn't leave this one.

6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013? I would like to finally have my wedding! Which I will, only 101 days away!

7. What date(s) from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? None, it has been a year of waiting with no specific dates in mind.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? I lost 30 pounds, I gained 10 back because I fell off the wagon hard but I am still proud of my 20 lbs lost!

9. What was your biggest failure? Allowing the little things to get to me, forgetting at times that what matters at the end of the day is that you have your family.

10. Did you suffer any illness or injury? I had Pneumonia for a month straight and I dislocated my thumb.

11. What was the best thing you bought? My wedding dress, though I didn't technically buy it, my mommy did.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? I will say mine and Dusty's because we have been thrown some rough curve balls, had to re=plan our wedding twice with most details changing costing us to lose many deposits and we still pushed through, heads high, jumping back on the horse and making new plans. We have also been complimented many times this year for taking the high road when many others would not and making very mature decisions.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Society in general, through there have been a few rays of hope society as a whole has shown its dark, hateful side and it makes me sad how horrible people can be.

14. Where did most of your money go? Wedding plans that fell through, food and rent.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? I was engaged and was planning my wedding!

16. What song will always remind you of 2013? None, I am not big into music.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. Happier or sadder? I will have to say sadder only because this time last year I had JUST gotten engaged. I am however extremely happy.
ii. Thinner or fatter? Let's go with thinner, though after the wedding I plan on trying to lose some more weight.
iii. Richer or poorer? Definitely poorer, but that is life.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Saving money.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Stressing. Poor Dusty has to deal with stressed out Dianna quite often.

20. How did you spend Christmas? We woke up around 5:30 am and laid in bed for a little bit, around 6 we started a fire and woke up Noah as it was our year to have him Christmas morning, watched him open his gifts, ate some breakfast, gave him a bath and watched a movie and played with new toys until Noah's mom picked him up at 9am. Got dressed and went to Dusty's parents' house for lunch and presents where Noah's mom dropped him off so he could partake, went to my brother's house for presents and dinner, stopped at Dusty's mom's house again for a couple of presents we forgot to give Noah then brought Noah to his MawMaw and PawPaw's house, went home too tired to clean and fell asleep super fast.

21. Did you fall in love in 2013? Yes. While I was already in love with Dusty I would, at times, find myself looking at him sometimes and feel that feeling of falling in love with him all over again. He would ask me what was wrong and I would say, "nothing, I just love you."

22. What was your favorite tv program? Hmm...I was big on HGTV this year watching shows like Love It or List It (NOT LOVE IT OR LIST IT TOO), Property Brothers, Property Virgins and House Hunters.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? I don't think I HATE anyone. At work I often say that I hate people in general for being so petty and hateful but I don't literally HATE them.

24. What was your greatest musical discovery? "First Day of my Life" by Bright Eyes- OK so I am not actually not positive as to when I first hear this song but it was on a Zillow commercial and now it will be played at our wedding :)

25. What did you want and get? A big TV to make our love of movies more exiting at home!

26. What did you want and not get? A house

27. What was your favorite film of the year? Either The Conjuring or Catching Fire

28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I worked, will probably do the same thing this coming year, I turned 25

29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Buying a house rather than moving into an apartment, though I do LOVE my apartment (minus my downstairs neighbor)

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013? Um, I wouldn't.

31. What kept you sane? Dusty Haynes (and he is a who, not a what)

32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? No idea- Jennifer Lawrence maybe because she is really down to earth and seems like a really good person.

33. Who did you miss? I miss abby doodles as she doesn't live with  me since I moved. 

34. Who was the best new person you met? Dusty's friend Katie, she is pretty awesome.

35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013: Plans need to be changed sometimes, get over it, make the best of it and remember what is important.

36. Quote a song lyric movie quote that sums up your year: "When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."

Sunday, December 22, 2013

110 days left! - Honey Butter Crescent Rolls

Welcome to my first post in a new series! I have been cooking almost every day since Dusty and I moved in to our apartment (or Noah's apartment if you ask Noah) and as many of YOU send me your recipes, I thought I would share mine in a series called DSnowInTheKitchen.

For my first recipe I will share with you what I made for breakfast today: Honey Butter Crescent Rolls


Ingredients:

  • 1 package of refrigerated crescent roll dough (DON'T buy the butter flavored ones)
  • 4 TBSP of Butter (you can probably try less or can sub margarine if that is your preference)
  • 1 TBSP of Honey
  • 1 tsp of Cinnamon (I didn't use this but I WILL next time because it would be delicious) 
  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and spray a thin layer of pam for baking on a cookie sheet.
  2. Soften the butter for 10-15 seconds in the microwave.
  3. Mix the Butter and Honey (and Cinnamon) 
  4. Open each triangle of crescent roll dough and spread a thin layer of the honey (cinnamon) butter on it, roll it up and place on cookie sheet. REPEAT for all 8 rolls. Be sure to leave space for the rolls to expand (as they do).
  5. Spread the remaining honey (cinnamon) butter over the top of the rolls.
  6. Bake the rolls in the oven for 10-13 minutes or until golden brown.
  7. Allow to cool and enjoy!
With this and ANY of my recipes, if you try them and would do something different let me know. That is something Dusty and I do anytime we (I) cook anything new. When we are eating we pose the question "What would you do different?" So feel free to share your input!


Friday, December 20, 2013

112 Days left! A Special Surprise for Noah!



As stated in the video above, Noah got a special call today while we were watching the Grinch. Santa called him and told him that he was being a good son and that if he kept it up he would get a surprise and maybe even a new toy! Noah listened intently and nodded enthusiastically as Santa complimented him. His face lights up every time we listen to his message and he is very VERY excited for Christmas to come in just 5 short days!

For you parents out there, this lovely moment was brought to you by Google's Santa Tracker where you personalize the message for any of your friends or loved ones and Santa makes it a point to give you a recording to send to them. Gotta LOVE technology sometimes.

That's all for now from the Future Step-Mom D Haynes!

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

114 days left! Meet the Cast Double Feature: David and Lauren








Cast Member: David Cox
Role in Wedding: Best Man
Relationship: friend of the groom
How we met: Dusty met Dave on the bus Dusty's sophmore year of high school.
How he got the gig:  Dave is Dusty's best friend, any other questions?









Cast Member:  Lauren Dunne
Role in Wedding: Matron of Honor
Relationship: Sister of the Bride
How we met: Lauren is Dianna's big sister!
How she got the gig:  Being Dianna's big sister, Lauren was Dianna's first friend and she was the only one to fit the role :)

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

115 Days left!- Meet the Cast Double Feature- Brad and Brittany







Cast Member: Bradley Leonard
Role in Wedding:Groomsman
Relationship: friend of the groom
How we met: Dusty went to school with Brad and they became close friends in middle school.
How he got the gig:  It was a no brainer! Brad is one of Dusty's oldest friends!









Cast Member:  Brittany Mixon
Role in Wedding: Bridesmaid
Relationship: Friend of the bride
How we met: Dianna met Brittany in college, they were in the ASU college of education together and Brittany became one of Dianna's best friends!
How she got the gig:  Brittany is an amazing lady and an inspiration to Dianna. She also may have strong-armed her way in, haha, JUST KIDDING BRITTANY!

Monday, December 16, 2013

116 days left!!! Meet the Cast Double Feature: Lyle and Lily







Cast Member: Lyle Davis
Role in Wedding:Groomsman
Relationship: Step-father of the Groom
How we met: Lyle is married to the grooms's mother.
How he got the gig:  Lyle is Dusty's step dad and it was important to Dusty that he be a part of his wedding.











Cast Member:  Lily McLean
Role in Wedding: Bridesmaid
Relationship: Friend of the bride
How we met: Dianna met Lily on the bus after moving to North Carolina her sophomore year in high school and they have been friends ever since!
How she got the gig:  Lily is on of the bride's best friends and they have been through a lot together so it made sense to heave her at the bride's side on her big day!

Sunday, December 15, 2013

117 Days left! Meet the Cast: Double Feature! Michael and Heather




Cast Member: Michael Naglieri
Role in Wedding:Groomsman
Relationship: Brother of the Bride
How we met: When Dianna was born, Michael got to meet her as he is her big brother! Dianna introduced Dusty to Michael on July 4, 2012.
How he got the gig:  He is the bride's brother and she really really wanted him and Dusty's sister (below) in the wedding and to accommodate this Dianna and Dusty added 2 people to the bridal party they had already decided on!







Cast Member:  Heather Haynes
Role in Wedding: Bridesmaid
Relationship: Sister of the groom
How we met: Heather is Dusty's little sister so it is similar to the story above but backwards.
How she got the gig:  It was important to the couple that their siblings were in their wedding so the extra spots were created just for them!

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

118 Days Left!!- Here's the plan...

It has been a while to say the least. We are one day away from my first dress fitting, one month away from sending out invitations and 4 months away from being married!! Time is flying and I am so grateful because this wait is killing me! (Not literally of course).

I have decided to go ahead and finish my meet the cast and crew, it will be done fairly rapidly as a new and final series (final before wedding not final forever) will begin in 18 days. For the final 100 days I will (do my best to) post one picture a day up until the big day! Any wedding stuff will obviously be the focus but if we don't do something wedding related it will still be about me and/or my family.

I look forward to starting up again and sharing my journey with you all, <3.

-D*