Further more, I took a few days off from blogging, twittering, txt’ing to spend some time with family that was in town. I feel all of us who embrace the social media world need to be reminded from time to time that spending time with our real family is more important that spending time with our virtual families.

Now that my disclaimer is out there, I have a few hours here before I leave to go see the Arizona Cardinals take on the Atlanta Falcons and it gives me time to reflect on 2008. What a year it was for my life. Here is a Harper’s Weekly style summary for everyone.

January – Diane and I Celebrated New Years, by accidentally being allowed into a $200 per person private party at a fine Italian restaurant here in Vegas. (no names, don’t want them to find out).

February – Turned 29, went to see Artie Lang at Mandalay Bay and Diane got to meet him after the show, super cool.

March – Diane and I purchase a house and construction begins.

April – House construction was in full swing, started choosing options for the house.

May – The house started looking like a house and Diane and I already sold almost everything we owned.

June – Selling Source / PartnerWeekly eliminated my position to change their corporate structure.

July – Go to work for Black Diamond Digital Imaging.

August – Closed on the house and hours later on our way to Idaho with VegasGeek for a two day concert. This was one of the most fun trips I have ever taken. Can’t wait to do it again in 2009. Any excuse to wear a cowboy hat.

September – Economy really started to fall apart, but was able to get away and visit my parents in Wyoming. That is always a party.

October – New theme for JakeLudens.com and Diane and I went to a record number of Halloween Parties. Normally I am not one to dress up a lot.

November – Diane and I got engaged! Yeah how crazy is that? I am excited, should probably set a date for the wedding, 2010, 2011?

December – 30 day blog challenge. My parents came to Vegas to see the new house and stay with us for a week. It was great, our first Christmas in the new house and we had all of the family here.

2009 is starting out great, I spent yesterday spending gift cards from Christmas and watching football. Now I am off to see an NFL playoff game in Arizona. I can’t wait to see what 2009 has in store for the bloggers, tweetfreaks, and this crazy life of mine.

In an attempt to simplfy my life and to make better content here at JakeLudens.com I will be transfering over some of the content of my other blog FeedingTheBlind.com and slowly phasing that site out for future uses. Not to worry, it will return. For now check out my new page where I will be listing books that I have read that I think others would enjoy. In the next few weeks look for small review snippets for each book listed. I am constantly ready, so please leave a comment on the books page me know any books that you recommend.

I have also updated my blog roll, check out Diane’s Recipes. She has been creating great, low fat, heart healthy foods and getting some great responses over at Recipe Zaar.com

Finally, watch for the closing blog post on Diane’s and My new house. We are finally moved in and have some great finished photos.

The month started out in a rush, I have a new job that promises to be a lot of fun and work, but I am ready. Diane and I got the keys to the new house on the 7th of this month and after having the keys for only about 20 minutes, we jumped in to John’s car and raced off to Idaho.

John wrote a great recap of that adventure here

My parents have been going to the Sturgis Motorcycle Classic for as long as I have been around and I always knew it was a good time there, I think the Braun Brother’s Reunion could easily become the same type of yearly ritual for us.

Also Diane has posted more photos up on Flickr – Check ‘em out.
First Set
Second Set

Once we got home from the Idaho trip, Diane and I were in full moving mode and were able to move most of our belongings into the house using just our cars. We hired movers to get all the large stuff.

That was the week of August 11th, so now we are finally settled, all the waiting for utility companies and deliveries is over

Apart from that we have been moving forward with expanding Black Diamond Digital Imaging. I am excited to see how great this company is going to be. Check out the website and I will be blogging over there as well.

Finally, now that the house is built and we are moved in, what in the world am I going to blog about?

Maybe one of my other passions – Advertising, Hockey, Football, Books - nah already blog about that, I will think of something.

I wish PartnerWeekly and The Selling Source the best of luck in the future and thank them for the experience.

I am looking forward to bigger and better things. Watch for new updates to JakeLudens.com, I will be posting my full resume and ways that you can get in touch with me.

Well with the last weekend in 2007, Diane and I decided we needed to finish up a few things. Actually, there was one thing that Diane has been wanting to do. On Saturday, in a tear jerker, she traded in her faithful 1998 Mustang GT Convertible, for this new one.

And Thanks to my Mom and Dad, Diane and I can have wine at the perfect temp.

Looking forward to another great year in 2008.