Am working at the West Bend Sunday Post learning everything about putting a newspaper together, except (ironically) graphic design.
Accepted to UW-Milwaukee
Move to Milwaukee, find a roommate who happens to be the son of one of my coworkers at the newspaper. Learn how to live on my own: cook, clean and make friends who can purchase beer.
Meet my first friend, Aaron. Who plays a pivotal role in 2007.
Meet more friends whom are still my good friends today.
2001: 19 years old
Required to take an English class. Enroll in Creative Writing.
Surprise myself by being able to write poetry.
Grandpa Farold Heine dies a few days after I visit him. It’s the first time in my adult life having to cope with death. Find hidden treasures in their basement, stamp collections, handmade rifles, old pipes and jars of homemade honey.
Am pushed by Katie to get a job to curb partying, drinking and watching bad tv. I get two jobs: an office assistant at the Milwaukee Idea office and sales person at Restoration Hardware. Make many connections at Idea office some remain my freelance clients to date.
Travel with mom to California to look at Colleges to attend. Eat sushi everyday of trip, get lost in Beverly Hills.
Declare major with emphasis in Graphic Design,
Spend a week in Fort Myers Beach with my closest friends, Sara, Katie, Molly, Brooke, Tony & Aaron. Each end up loving my Grandma and still talk about her drinking and driving lecture and gin martinis.
On the first day of Spring Break, Mom dies unexpectedly. Confused. Lost. Hurt. Angry. Sad. Life is never the same. Still am reminded of her every single day.
2003: 21 years old
Ended my first real relationship with someone I really cared about. Figured out to be a good and bad girlfriend. Learned how and how not to treat an ex-boyfriend. We still keep in touch today amidst previous drama.
Visited the most Western part of the 48 states near Eureka, CA. Amazed by the redwoods. Moved friend home by helping to drive an 8 foot UHaul from Northern California to West Bend.
Had a whole bunch of fun going out, partying, dating (well I was 21 and single ready to mingle).
2004: 22 years old
Partied “Pat” who will turn out to be future fiancé’s cousin.
Dated the craziest designer/dancer who really helped me pushed my design work and he got me a job that would hire me full time in 2006.
Graduated UW-Milwaukee with a degree in Fine Arts
2005: 22 years old (I stayed 22 for two years)
Spent 3 months living in Australia, working in a small design/gallery shop. Met the most amazing friendly people. Learn how to open up and fall in love and travel by myself.
Sew my first Save the Earth bag and take to grocery store. Goodbye paper and plastic.
My friend & old roommate Molly passes away. Restore friendships.
Became a vegetarian for 6 months, right before Thanksgiving of all times.
2006: 24 years old
Started taking upholstery classes.
Meet someone who I thought could be “the one”. Look past all the red flags.
Promoted to full time status at work.
2007: 25 years old
I get a surprise Pomeranian puppy for 1 year anniversary that I don’t want.
Aaron tells me to meet him at a mutual friends housewarming party. Introduce myself to strangers in kitchen, one of them happens to be Mike. Mike helps me find a home for the puppy. Break up with loser boyfriend.
Divulge to Mike about wanting to sell my grocery totes, he connects me to the Milw. Public Market. I start selling my totes and even score an article in the Milwaukee Journal. Sales are booming.
July 14: First “real” date with Mike. Made chicken and capers, drank a bottle of wine, watched the movie the Prestige.
Spend a long vacation with Mike in Cabo, Mexico.
Moved my 10th time in 10 years into Mike’s house.
My little sister gets married! Deliver most awesomeness speech ever. Best after wedding party ever!
Mike proposes. I say yes.
Travel to the Philippines: explore culture, the land, the food and meet Mike’s family.
Quit my job. Accepted different one.
