2009...Some thoughts over the year

2009 started with me having some rather ambitious thoughts for where I was expecting the year to go. I think I can honestly say that I didn't exactly go "where" I was wanting to go. 2009 quite honestly kicked my ass a few times, but the one lesson that I can say that I took from the year was to pick myself up, dust off, and move on.

I switched jobs. I can safely say I didn't think things through before I took the job and don't know if it is a decision I would make if I had to do the year over, but it is what it is.

I had my first car accident, which lead to a new car and a huge headache in getting the car. I love my Hyundai, however, and am glad I chose the car I chose.

I took three trips to California, my happy place.

Had my first taste of sushi (Geisha House, Hollywood) and it wasn't too bad.

Had my first outing to The Stinkin' Rose in Los Angeles. Too much garlic for me, but they had an awesome Fertility God in the ladies room.

Fell in love with Pinkberry and Sprinkles.

I saw some amazing cinema, read some awesome books, and was tuned into some great music.

I learned who real friends were and who the fakes were.

If you want to change your life, only you can do it. You can yap until you are blue in the face to everyone around you that you are changing, don't they see the change, but the only one that can truly bring that change about is you.

I met some inspiring people, including this group of blogging ladies that are just the best.

It was a tough year for many people and some special people to me had a rough time of it.

It was also a magical year for some with all their dreams falling into place.

2009 was a tough one...I'm not sad to see it go. I am ready to wipe the slate clean and get up tomorrow morning with a big greeting for 2010.

I hope that each of you closes this year and starts tomorrow with a smile on your face and big dreams for the new year.

Some lists of 2009

I'm a list maker, what can I say!

Michelle's Top 5 movies of 2009

1. Star Trek
2. Sherlock Holmes
3. The Blindside
4. The Hangover
5. Confessions of a Shopaholic

(I'm obviously a big fan of adventures/sci-fi more than anything when I look back over my movie last of the year.)

Top 5 TV shows

1. The Big Bang Theory
2. Glee
3. Castle
4. Grey's Anatomy
5. Tie between LOST/24

Top 5 Songs

1. Anything of Lady Gaga
2. Empire State of Mind - both Jay Z./Alicia Keys & the solo Alicia Keys versions
3. Boom Boom Pow by The Black Eyed Peas
4. Use Somebody by Kings of Leon
5. Whatcha Say by Jason DeRulo

(And I must mention the one song that I hate, hate, hate and it makes me want to smash bugs -- "Fireflies" by Owl City.)

Books are a little more difficult for me. I don't always read what is currently out, but these are my tops.

Top 5 books

1. Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich
2. Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster
3. The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
4. Always Looking Up by Michael J. Fox
5. Plum Pudding Murder by Joanne Fluke

I have a sort of year in review I'm working on putting up next...

Last Hump Day of '09!

This week is slowly progressing. Mainly because it is year end at work so we are doing everything manually and we don't have a lot of invoices coming in as it is because of the holiday. Boo!

What does everyone have planned for tomorrow to ring in 2010? Big parties? Staying home and watching Dick Clark?

Do you have resolutions ready to go?

Last Monday of 2009...

In the bag, over, finit.
Yay!

I dozed off at work today. That part isn't overly shocking...it happens more than you would think. I get bored looking at the computer screen and close my eyes. That is all it takes and I doze off. Generally not for more than a couple minutes, max. Today I jolted back to reality and almost had a heart attack. There coming over the top of my cubicle were a bunch of balloons. I don't know why my mind went there but the first thing I thought was "Holy Crap, Clown Attack!" I jumped back, with a squeak and a bad word. One of my co-workers birthday balloons had come over the cubicle wall.

Eesh!

I stumbled across an interesting idea today while playing on the interwebs. Day Zero Project. It is basically 101 ideas/goals in 1001 days. It is all explained neatly on the site...I am kinda interested in going for it. I just have to see if I can come up with 101 goals.

Christmas break coming to a close

Whew!! Christmas break is always exhausting! It is so much frenzy to lead up to the one big day. Christmas Day is filled with much adrenaline and festive making. The day after Christmas, if you are like me, is a SHOPPING day! (YAY!) And then it is just over...done...for one more year. I want to hibernate, but I can't. Not only am I back to work tomorrow, but I need to do some winter cleaning to make room for the new stuff.

I can't believe that all the stores are already putting out the Valentines stuff! The holidays rush by! However I did see these cute stamps for Love Day and I am going to buy them:



Less than a week left in 2009! I have been doing a lot of reflecting on the year and preparing for the new one. It's going to be a good one, I can feel it!

Merry Christmas!!!

I wish for you all the most magical and special Christmas ever!
I hope that Santa has spoiled you rotten!
And I hope that the beautiful spirit that settles in your heart at Christmas stays with you all year through!!

Love you all!
xoxo
Michelle

Top 5 Holiday Edition....

Christmas Eve!

And here are my last 2 Top 5 lists:

Top 5 TV Specials/TV movies:



5 – Yogi Bear Christmas Movie.
I wanted to grow up and own a lodge just so I could have the awesome Christmas festival that they had at the Lodge.



4 – This is a tie between two TV shows: Brady Bunch & Friends.
The Brady Bunch episode where Cindy asks Santa to give her mommy back her voice always makes me smile. “He’s better than a doctor, Daddy, he’s Santa Claus!”

Friends episode where Ross comes to visit Ben dressed as the Holiday Armadillo.



3 – Christmas Eve on Sesame Street.
Oscar cruelly telling Big Bird that since there was no chimney, Santa couldn’t visit him. Bird waiting all night to see Santa. Bert & Ernie each sell their most prized possession in order to buy the other a present. Love it, love it!




2 – A Very Brady Christmas.
Come on, it is the Brady Bunch!!


1 – The Night They Saved Christmas
I love this movie. I remember watching it and wanting to go live in the North Pole in Santa’s Village.


Top 5 Christmas Movies:

5 – Jack Frost.

4 – Home Alone.

3 – Elf.

2 – Christmas Vacation

1 – A Christmas Story

O-M-G!!! I can't wait!!

Fun contest!!

In celebration of reaching 50 followers, Lesli at Pretty Random Thoughts is having a contest with a very cool prize!

All you need to do is go to this link (Pretty Random Thoughts) and follow the instructions!

Congrats, Lesli! You deserve all the followers you get!

10 random odd facts about me.

1 – I love Burt’s Bees lip balm (and most lip glosses and chapstick) except I can not have anything on my lips when I sleep or I can’t sleep.



2 – If my feet are cold, the rest of my body is cold. However, I can not wear socks when I sleep, no matter how cold it is.



3 – I can not stand being in a quiet room. I always have the radio on because I need the background noise.



4 – When I type numbers I use the top row of numbers instead of the 10 key group on the side. I can type fast using the numbers up top, but not on the side.



5 – I have an irrational fear of clowns. I find their painted on faces creepy and evil. Ronald McDonald makes me want to punch him in the nose. (And Stephen King’s Pennywise from “It” gave me nightmares for months.)



6 – If my nails are painted I will peel the nail polish off when I get stressed.



7 – I have hydrophobia (fear of water) and will completely go into a panic attack around large open bodies of water. But I love sea animals.



8 – I love horses, but do not like to ride them at all!



9 – I have a lot of “crazy” friends…they fascinate me and I always want to know what makes them as odd as they are. Then I have a hard time getting rid of them once I figure out why they are crazy.



10 – I LOVE the smell of dishwasher detergent (lemon scent) and could stand and squeeze the bottle, sniffing it. I love lemon head candies because they are what I envision said detergent tasting like if it was edible.

A potpourri of things.

I have a cold still! Oh it is aggravating as can be! Tylenol Cold & Flu is my friend and what I have found works the best for me. Hopefully my voice doesn't go completely.

"National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" and "Elf" have been aired multiple times this weekend...I've watched them both multiple times already. Now to just take in the multiple viewings of "A Christmas Story" as it is the only one left that I haven't seen. (And I do leave my TV on all night Christmas Eve with it on.)

I went to the church Christmas party with my mom last night. There was a rowdy little shepherd in the nativity. Cutest little kid...I kept waiting for him to knock the whole thing down with his "staff" that was doubling as a horse. I would have died laughing if it had happened.

I made an early morning Toys-R-Us run with my mom today after Liz called to ask if she would go look for a zhu-zhu pet that she wanted picked up. (For those that don't know, Zhu Zhu Pets are *The Must Have Toy of Christmas 2009*.) And when I say early, I mean around 7AM. I had been awake since just before 6AM and was full of energy and ready to go-go-go!

After the toy store, I headed over to my local AMC Theater to check out "Did you hear about the Morgans?". I adore both Sarah Jessica Parker & Hugh Grant...the movie was cute. Pretty predictable, but cute. It was a good matinee.

The news of Brittany Murphy's death was very sad today. I loved her in "Clueless" and "Uptown Girls". Very sad death. The rumors are swirling, of course, as the media begins the feeding frenzy on getting all the "dirt" they can to sell their stories. Disgusting.

A cool blog to check out!

One of my most favorite blogs to discover this year (and to find out that the blogger is also made of all kinds of awesomeness) is Pretty Random Thoughts. Lesli is on a quest to obtain 50 followers and I want to help her out.

So check out her blog, follow her, and enjoy! She has a cute pug named Noodles...some awesome kitties...and cool style!

:)

Aah-Choo!!

New blog up at The Reel: Box Office Buzz

I have really been slacking with doing movie reviews and commentary over on The Reel. Luckily, my co-hort over there, Lisa, is very understanding! One of my goals for 2010 is to keep up with the movie reviews over there.

(I am not doing resolutions for 2010, just goals.)

Anyway, if you are interested, Lisa and I discussed the Golden Globe nominees today:

"Some More Golden Globe Buzz" is my offering.

Fun blog!

Lesli at Pretty Random Thoughts linked this blog and I followed on over to check it out.

What a cute and oh-so-creative blog!!



Check it out! You will love it, too, I'm sure!

Top 5 Novelty Christmas songs.

I love them hokey songs so here are my top 5 with a bonus thrown in:

5 - "I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas".

You know it is definitely getting close to the big day when the radio starts playing this in constant rotation.

4 - "Santa Claus is watching you" by Ray Stevens.

He amuses me so much anyway.

3 - "You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch" by the original, Boris Karloff!

He is the only one I like hearing sing this song.

2 - "Funky, Funky Christmas" by NKOTB.

What?
Are you surprised?!!?

1 - "Chipmunk Christmas Song - Christmas Don't Be Late".



Plus a bonus, I love the Hanukkah song by Adam Sandler!

Carol of the Bells, Christmas Style!

Beaker holds a special place in my heart.

Trouble....

I have been checking out this site for a little too long today...

Barbie Collector.

I love Barbie!

Top 5 Christmas Cartoons

5 - Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.


4 - How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
(My mom's fave. I like the cartoon, couldn't stand the movie.)


3 - Chipmunks Christmas.
(This is my brother, Mike's, favorite. He would take the cassette tape and hoard it in his room.)


2 - Frosty the Snowman.

(I love Frosty's New Year as well, when he marries Crystal. Didn't like that Frosty & Rudolph one.)

and who is shocked at what number one is...

1 - Charlie Brown Christmas.
It is just perfect from Linus telling what Christmas means to the kids dancing to Snoopy just being Snoopy to the little tree...Perfect!

I must say....

Before Tom Cruise went a little nutso and started to jump on couches and before Val Kilmer didn't age gracefully, they gave us this hot little gem...



Err, yes, I am watching "Top Gun"...how did you guess?

Holiday Top Five's...Top Five songs of Christmas

I want to get more into doing some blogging over here than just my Gratitude posts...so I thought I would do some Top Five's before Christmas.

Tonight, I offer you my Top Five Christmas Songs, from number 5 to the big #1 favorite Christmas song o' mine!

#5 - "Little Drummer Boy" by David Bowie & Bing Crosby. What a duet!!

#4 - "Frosty the Snowman" by Jimmy Durante. My love of snowmen, you know that I had to have this song in there.

#3 - "Sleigh Ride". I love every version of this I hear. This link is to one by Babyface, who I think is just a musical genius!

#2 - "Have yourself a merry little Christmas". Like with "Sleigh Ride", I love all the versions of this. The link is to Judy Garland.

And my favorite Christmas song...



"White Christmas" by The Drifters!

So there you have it, my Top 5 Christmas songs...what are yours? Stay tuned...I have more Top 5's coming.

I do have some thoughts of the direction that my blog is going to go in the new year, but you will have sit tight for that as well. :)

Happy Birthday, Liz!!

It's my sister's birthday today and it is sad that she won't be here with the family for it, but I hope her day was wonderful!

Gratitude Day 74/365

1. "Elf" was on. haha! Buddy the Elf makes me smile every time. "He's an angry elf!"
2. This was followed by "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, which next to Star Wars are my fave movie trilogy.
3. Tyson was really snuggly.
4. Almost all packages and Christmas cards are officially in the mail! Whoot!
5. The Nativity Festival at the church was really beautiful.

Gratitude Day 73/365

1. Catching up with one of my oldest friends.
2. Pei Wei still as yummy as ever!
3. Banana cupcake from Sprinkles Cupcakes.
4. Phineas & Ferb. I don't know...they were pretty amusing.
5. Christmas Decorations.

Great day today. :)

Shaaaame!!

I have it...

I went to Toys-R-Us with my mom tonight. I thought perfect time to pick up a baby present for a darling friend of mine, who is due in January.

Things went well...found a present. Then wandered the Christmas aisle.

Issue #1.


I love Snowmen! I really love Frosty the Snowman. And I caved and bought Chilly & Millie, the Frosty kids.

Okay not bad....Then I went down the aisle that I should have avoided.

Issue #2.



The Barbie collection tribute to Charlie's Angels.

Yep, I bought it.

Look at them! They are so sweet how could you not buy them???

I'll be in the corner with my Barbies...

Another Meme!

Grabbed this one from Lesli at Pretty Random Thoughts.

Current Book(s):
I am reading "Santa Cruise" by Mary & Carol Higgins Clark at the moment, then have a sappy holiday romance.

Current Music:
I'm completely into Jay Z & Alicia Key's "Empire State of Mind". I am also loving Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance"...and listen to a lot of Christmas music.

Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure:
The silly holiday romance movies on ABC Family. They are mostly stupid and I'm hooked!

Current Colors:
Green, Red, and White! Holiday colors!

Current Obsessions:
Snowmen! George Clooney (I'm going to see the press preview of his new movie next week). Lush. Sprinkles cupcakes. Sleep, since I'm being deprived of it lately!

Current Drink:
Water & Vitamin Water Revive.


Current Song:
Heh! "Empire State of Mind".

(This is Alicia Key's solo version, which is beautiful)

Current Movie:
Well if you want to know what I am currently watching then it is "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation". If you mean what is in theaters, I'm going to see "Up In The Air" (George Clooney) next Wednesday with the parents and my friend Paula. And I can't wait for "The Princess & The Frog"...love Disney cartoons.

Current TV Shows:
How I met your mother, The Big Bang Theory, Castle, Cougar Town, Glee, Eastwick, Grey's Anatomy

Current Wish-List:
Money, a new job, a nice vacation, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (so cute), money...

Current Needs:
Sleep!!

Current Triumph:
Scoring tickets to the "Up in the Air" preview.

Current Bane of my Existence:
Probably that I can't sleep! I am not someone that can get by on 3 hours of sleep a night and that is the most I have gotten each night since last Wednesday.

Current Goal:
I'm working on something.

Current Indulgence:
Nothing at the moment...waiting for all the yummy goodness that comes soon enough for the holidays!

Current Blessings:
My family, my friends, Tyson, my health

Current Slang or Saying:
Geezo Peezo


Current (Fav) Outfit:
Black yoga pants, Wicked Witch t-shirt

Current Excitement:
Tomorrow is Friday!!!

Current Mood:
Tired! Oh so tired! Giggly from watching "Christmas Vacation".

Christmas Survey

(Grabbed this from Facebook, thought I would do it here instead.)

Candy canes or ribbon candy?
Candy Canes

Twas the Night Before Christmas or A Christmas Carol?
Twas the Night Before Christmas.

Fruit cake or fudge?
Fudge. Fruit cake squicks me.

Your favorite Christmas song?
I like a lot. "White Christmas" by The Drifters and "All I want for Christmas" by Vince Vance and the Valiants

Your three favorite Christmas movies?
Christmas Story (You'll shoot your eye out!), National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and Elf!


Who stole Christmas?
The Grinch, but his heart grew so big. :)

What was the most famous reindeer of all?
Gene Autry says it is Rudolph, but I personally prefer Vixen.

Your favorite Christmas tradition?
Hmmm....

Your favorite Christmas decoration?
Ha-ha! Does anyone need to ask? Snowmen have exploded in my room!

Traditional dinner or something different?
Traditional

Your favorite Christmas desert?
cookies!

Solid color lights or multi colored lights?
Multi and my musical snowmen lights.


Blinking lights or non blinking lights?
Non-blinking.

Do you do Christmas dinner or go to somebody's house?
Dinner here. :)

Do you beleive in Santa and the North Pole?
You have to believe in the magic of the season.

White Christmas or green Christmas?
I'm getting a brown Christmas in the desert. I wouldn't mind a white Christmas if I could be warm the whole time.

Its a wonderful life or A christmas story?
Christmas Story without a doubt. I could leave it on TNT all 24 hours that they air it and be happy.

Gratitude Day 72/365

1. Christmas cards are addressed.
2. Christmas presents are wrapped.
3. This means I can just enjoy the holiday season now.
4. Han Solo is on my TV. ("Empire Strikes Back" is on)
5. Plotting out the annual Tyson Christmas picture.

Please note that even though my Christmas cards are done and my presents are wrapped I still have not made it to the post office for stamps or boxes. I hate the post office. I loathe it! It is something I procrastinate on doing. So yeah, it could still be two weeks before that is handled! :)

Black Friday

Did anyone else get up and go out there? (Other than my sister, of course, who went at the shopping at Midnight.)

I knew that I needed to run to Target as I had my eye on a Christmas present for the folks. (And the 700 thread count sheets for myself.) I set the alarm for 4:00, planning to get up, dress, brush the teeth and hair, go to Target. Yep, got up at 4:50. I got there about 15 minutes after they opened and while it was crowded I got what I needed right off the bat. The next 90 minutes were spent in line. But I had a brilliant idea -- I went to the book section and found a short book to read. Great idea, except I then had to buy the book as I was 20 pages away from finishing it. (The book, if you care, was "Strange Bedpersons" by Jennifer Crusie and is really cute.)

The rest of my day is going to be spent being a bum! Perfecto!

Gratitude Day 71/365

1. Sleeping in.
2. Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
3. Cranberries. (Even if my dad ate them all! Woe is me!)
4. We had a nice family dinner with my parents, my brother, and I.
5. "Home Alone" still makes me laugh.
6. It is officially Christmas season.
7. "Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving Special" is so much love.
8. Everyone is in a thankful, blessed mood today.
9. My cute little Christmas tree! (I will show pictures when I'm done decorating it. I need an extension cord first.)
10. I still have three more days off of work!
11. Leftovers!
12. Bath & Body Works Winter Candy Apple.
13. Tyson decided to help with the tree by staking claim to the base. Too cute.
14. Turkey coma induced naps.
15. The smells of the holiday season.

Hope everyone is having a lovely Thanksgiving and if you are planning to shop, shop, shop tomorrow you are successful and safe!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Normally I spend a lot of time on Thanksgiving coming up with a different note of Thanksgiving to post on my blog, post on my LJ, and to email out. This year I just wanted to make it simple and to the point. If I was to sit and name each of you by name and tell you WHY I'm thankful for you, I would be here for hours and you would be here for hours looking for your name. Suffice to say, if you are in my life, you are there because you bring something to me. Sometimes it is good, sometimes it is bad, but your presence has brought something to me and for that I am thankful. So with that, I give you my 2009 Thanksgiving message:


Here we are at the annual day of giving thanks for all of our blessings in life. I think it should go without saying how thankful I am for each of you. Through the ups and downs of 2009, I know without a doubt that I have the most amazing people in my corner. You grace me with your presence, you amaze me with your talents, and you inspire me with your passion. I have celebrated your successes with you and mourned your losses. You all stay with me in my heart and that, that is what I am most thankful for today. So thank you for just being who you are.

I hope you each get the chance to give thanks today for all your blessings and give thanks to the people that surround your life with love.

Love you all!
Michelle

Adam Sandler's Thanksgiving Song

*giggles*

Gratitude Day 70/365

1. "I want a hippopotamus for Christmas". Stupid song but once it starts playing it is Christmas time!



2. Helping Mala's "cause" along amuses me mucho!

3. One more day of work left before Thanksgiving.

4. Uh...sad, I think I only have three things to think of today...
It has been a slow week. *sighs*

Gratitude Day 69/365

1. Sheldon Monday! "The Big Bang Theory" was hysterical tonight.
2. And "Castle" is now on.
3. It is a three day work week and Monday is out of the way.
4. "Empire State of Mind" continues to rock my brain! So much love!
5. I have a Charlie Brown Christmas tree!!

American Music Awards...

My favorite performance tonight. So much love for "Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys.

The performances are pretty good so far. Black Eyed Peas, Janet Jackson (looking fierce),Keith Urban, & Lady Gaga were great!

J-Lo fell on her butt...I kinda giggled.

Shakira's performance was okay. Rihanna was not good...it was a bunch of noise.

Gratitude Day 68/365

1. "The Blind Side" was just a sweet, feel good movie. Perfect for a lazy Sunday.

2. Despite Matt Leinart kinda being a sucky QB, the Cardinals won their game. (I can't say the same for the Steelers.)

3. Janet Jackson just rocked the opening of the American Music Awards!

4. Liz's birthday present was bought.

5. Silly Christmas movies on ABC Family. They are really stupid if you think about it, but they are fun to watch when bored.

Gratitude Day 67/365

1. Delicious lunch of potato soup at Paradise Bakery with my mom. Yumm!
2. Yummy holiday scents at Bath & Body Works
3. Frustrated cashier at Hobby Lobby giving me 50% off everything I bought today, regardless if it was on sale or not. Score!
4. Snowmen Christmas lights for my tree.
5. Christmas shopping is underway.

And it is obviously holiday time out there. Kohl's and Hobby Lobby were packed and long lines were endured. (I got a little light headed in Kohl's this morning...the store was a bit warm and I just suddenly felt dizzy.) But I'm on my way to finishing up my Christmas shopping. I want it done and over with so the rest of the season can be enjoyed.

And really there is something that just makes you smile when you hear Christmas music. 99.9 KESZ is playing their 24 hours of Christmas music and it just puts me in a great mood, ready to get some holly & jolly on!

Gratitude Day 66/365

1. Molly Puppy turned one today. No more excuses of "she's a puppy". Ha! Right.
2. It is Friday and I survived one boring day of work!
3. I got my Christmas tree!
4. James Franco appeared on GH...he is so hot.
and the biggest thing to be grateful for today:

5. My brother-in-law, Eric, returned from Iraq today in time for the holidays. Welcome Home, Eric!

Gratitude Day 65/365




1. Postcards and sweet cards in the mail. I love getting snail mail, it always beats getting a bill in the mail and I miss the days of waiting excitedly for a letter to arrive.

2. Downloading Christmas music.

3. "Grey's Anatomy".

4. Pretty glass ornaments for the Christmas tree.

5. People's Sexiest Man Alive issue. Hello Johnny Depp! Bradley Cooper! George Clooney! Dwayne Johnson! Need I go on??

Gratitude Day 64/365

1. Hump Day!
2. Tyson looks so cute sleeping that it just makes me smile.
3. "Glee" is on tonight. Such a fun show!
4. It is hot chocolate season.
5. "Cougar Town" and "Eastwick" are on tonight as well! YAY!

And a little shameless plugging for a very cool lady...



Carolyn Hennesy is one of the stars of "Cougar Town" (And is on "General Hospital"). She is also an author and has a fun series of books out about Pandora (yes, the Pandora that opened the box of seven deadly sins).

Check the books out! (She even gave me a shout out in book #3 "Pandora gets Lazy"!)

Gratitude Day 63/365

1. I didn't have a trainee today. (Actually my trainee is not one of my favorite people today. Oy! Wench springs to mind when I think of her.)
2. Jen Lancaster spoofs "New Moon". (So freakin' hilarious!)
3. Cool Christmas decorations inspire some decorating ideas.
4. Toast...perfect dinner sometimes.
5. "Friends" reruns.

Gratitude Day 62/365

1. Monday, oh Monday...you are done with!!!
2. I had a trainee today and I'm thankful we both survived. I am an impatient trainer and I have to fight the urge to just do things for myself instead of explain what is what.
3. Perused the Black Friday ads...good sales going on.
4. Sheldon!!!! The Big Bang Theory is made of win!
5. The rest of my Monday night viewing has been great as well!

Gratitude Day 61/365

1. "The Wizard of OZ" is on TV. <3 it!
2. An always enlightening conversation with Mala about life.
3. Kayleigh learning more new words each day.
4. The Cardinals beat the Seattle Seahawks. (I can't say much for the Steelers today.)
5. Pumpkin Spice Hershey Kisses. Yumm!!!

A little soap boxing on behalf of our four legged friends

Today I went to meet my friend, Terri, for lunch. She warned me in advance that there was a big pet adopt-a-thon going on in the area so I would have a hard time parking. I think everyone that knows me, knows that I am an avid animal lover. And I have to avoid the pet adoptions at all costs because I get so upset seeing the sad eyes that follow you around, begging you to take them home. The sweet faces that just want to find that "forever home" to love them and take care of them.

I saw the puppy pens set up front and center and just averted my eyes and kept walking to the restaurant, knowing that I would not only be depressed to see the poor homeless animals, but would probably have to call my parents with a sob story over some animal.

I truly understand that some animals end up in the shelters because their owners have been put in situations where they can no longer care for the animal...I have been in that situation before and know how heart wrenching it is to leave your animal behind because you have no other choice.

But a lot of animals in shelters are there because their owners didn't do any sort of homework on the type of breed they were buying, they impulse bought, or they didn't spay their pet and had unwanted babies.

I don't think it can be stressed enough -- RESEARCH your breed before you bring it home! Just because that dog is a cute and cuddly puppy, doesn't mean it is going to be a cute and cuddly adult dog. Be sure that the pet you are choosing is the kind of animal you are going to want in your life for many years to come. And spay/neuter!!

The State of Arizona is so overrun in the shelters that they did a last ditch adoption spree this weekend before the heart breaking decision has to be made to start putting animals to sleep on Monday. The State and Shelters can't keep supporting the animals with little funds coming in.



Tyson and I both thank you.

Gratitude Day 60/365

1. Sweet email from a wonderful friend from Turkey.
2. Lunch with Terri at Toby Keith's restaurant in Mesa. Good food!
3. Great conversation with Terri, catching up after a couple years absence.
4. A chill in the air.
5. "Cake Boss" marathon on TLC tonight.

Gratitude Day 59/365

Some days it feels that I am never going to hit 365 days because I lag behind so much on this...it has been a week since I have updated my gratitude. But I am trudging on! I will make it!

1. A fun surprise birthday party for Ivette that all my former co-workers attended.
2. "Ugly Betty" is on tonight.
3. Michael J. Fox's book, "Always looking up". He is truly an inspiration.
4. Friday has arrived after a rough week.
5. I'm ready to decorate for Christmas!

This is the song that never ends...

This song has tormented by brain all day long.
I have sung it over and over...I caught myself humming it.
It is evil!

Now I pass it on to you...courtesy of Lambchop!

Oh General Hospital!

How happy I am to see the promo for James Franco doing his guest starring role...

Over The Top!

I got the Over The Top award from Lesli last week! Thanks, Lesli! You are over the top as well!!

1.Where is your cell phone: In my purse, on vibrate, so who knows how many missed calls and texts I have so far.

2.Your hair: Brown, to my shoulders. I need to figure out a new style...and color.

3.Your mother: is kinda awesome.

4.Your father: has become obsessed with NCIS and can watch hours of it at a time if allowed to do so.

5.Your favorite food: Chinese! Mmmm!!

6.Your dream from last night: I dreamed of Disneyland. Happiest place on Earth, it was a good dream.

7.Your favorite drink: I love, love Vitamin Water XXX and cherry Dr. Pepper.

8.Your dream/goal: To rule the world, of course! Seriously...to have everything that I want.

9.What room are you in: My bedroom

10.What is your hobby: Reading, blogging, photography, traveling.

11.What is your fear: Reptiles, insects, clowns, open bodies of water, failure.

12.Where do you want to be in 6 years: In my own house in that place that is just "home" to me...I don't think I have found that place I belong yet.

13.Where were you last night: At home, sick after eating leftovers from Olive Garden...I think it got too warm in the car.

14.Something you are not: Happy with my career.

15.Muffins: Yumm! Especially if they are strawberry cream cheese!

16.Wish list items: We could be here all day long if I started in on my wish list so we will just sum it up with this: To win a huge, huge Power Ball lotto so I could just buy it all.

17.Where did you grow up: I was born in Idaho, but am an Air Force brat, I got around.

18.Last thing you did: Folded laundry and brought it upstairs.

19.What are you wearing: Black yoga pants, grey short sleeved shirt, pink penguin slippers. (Yep, yep...)

20.Your TV: Is small but reliable. It is currently showing "Dirty Dancing".


21.Your pets: Tyson the cat. Much love for that spoiled little guy.

22.Your friends: Are simply amazing!

23.Your life: Is pretty blessed. My only real complaint is on the professional front.


24.Your mood: Is a good one today!

25.Missing someone: Friends that aren't here, family that is in South Carolina, my Grandpa always.

26.Vehicle: 2008 Hyundai Elantra.

27.Something you're not wearing: Makeup. I usually don't on the weekend unless I am going somewhere.

28.Your favorite store: Target! Barnes & Noble.

29.Your favorite color: Purple, blue, and pink

30.When's the last time you laughed: A few minutes ago over a tweet on Twitter

31.When's the last time you cried: Hmm...have to think on that one.

32.Your best friend: I don't have one specific best friend, I have quite a few people I consider "best friend".

33.One place you go over and over: Target, Walgreen's, and Fresh & Easy Market

34.One person who emails me regularly: My friend Jazz

35.Favorite place to eat: PF Chang's.

I'm going to pass this award on to:

Joyce at Crazy Mountain Woman

Cindy at Cynthia Jill Photography

My sister Liz

Gratitude Day 58/365

1. FRIDAY!! (Okay, I overslept and felt off all day because of it, but it is FRIDAY!)
2. Mood is 100% better.
3. "Ugly Betty"!
4. Angelina & Shelley's emails during the day! <3
5. Christmas decorations are out and that means SNOWMEN are everywhere!!

Caution...

It's been one of them days! I'm cranky and feel like biting.
Be back tomorrow for your regularly scheduled happy talk.

World Series Champions!!!

And that means Gratitude Day 57/365 is completely and 100% dedicated to the New York Yankees!

27th World Series Win! *dances*



And now I must try to sleep!

Trees at sunrise

I drive by these trees every day and there is just something so gorgeous about them as the sun is rising and they are framed by the pink tint of the sky.

Gratitude Day 56/365

1. It wasn't a Monday. (it was a long day regardless!)
2. My cool Kukui Nut necklace.

3. The hilarious morning show of Johnjay and Rich on KISS 104.7 that helps make my morning go by quick at work.
4. The smell of crayons.
5. Johnson's body care Forever Fresh refreshing lotion.

Gratitude Day 55/365

1. Orange Creamsicle fudge! mmmm!!!
2. The uber lovely Lesli at Pretty Random Thoughts gave my blog an award! Thank you, Lesli!! (And I will be passing the award love on soon!)
3. Jen Lancaster has her new cover up (and pre-order for her new book!)"My Fair Lazy". Eeep!
4. Lunch at Nothing But Noodles with my mom and Leslie today.
5. Oh yeah, and I didn't have to work today! Whoot!

Gratitude Day 54/365

1. Sprinkles Cupcakes! mmm mmm!
2. Delicious scents at Bath & Body Works
3. Fun vacation plans that are starting to take shape.
4. My darling friend, Minae, and her wickedly open sense of humor.
5. And it should go without saying....The Yankees won! Yankees won! Yankees won!! One more game and the World Series is theirs!

Gratitude Day 53/365

1. "This is it", the Michael Jackson movie. No matter the horrible mess that his private life was, there are really no performers as amazing to watch as Michael Jackson and this movie was just incredible.

2. Fun lunch at Margaritaville.

3. Cute Sleeping Beauty came over to visit. (Michaela)

4. Fun Halloween night with Leslie.

5. YANKEES WIN!!! Whoot!

Now this little ghoul is going to find her coffin and crawl in to snooze.

Happy Halloween!!!

Hope it is a spooktacular day for you all!
xoxo

(Tyson just prays I don't stick a costume on him!)

GO YANKEES!!

And I'll have pictures from the Howl-o-ween bash at the zoo later. :)

Gratitude Day 52/365 (10/30/09)

1. Halloween sugar cookies in my favorite color of purple! Yummm!
2. "Monster Mash", "Thriller", "Ghostbusters", and "This is Halloween" - LOVE spooky tunes!


3. Leslie is here for the weekend!
4. Islands Burger french fries.
5. The start of a three day weekend for me!

Gratitude Day 51/365

1. GO YANKEES! GO YANKEES!! GO YANKEES!!!
2. The work day went really quick, thankfully.
3. Watermelon at lunch. Delish!
4. Tyson and Molly "playing" is the funniest thing ever to see.
5. Lovely chats with Jazz and Nicole

I really, really need to post more than just my gratitude posts...must work on that!

Gratitude Day 50/365

I wish I could start the top 5 off with cheering about a Yankees win, but alas, it was not to be tonight. Tomorrow...

1. Hump Day means the work week is almost over and I have company coming this weekend.
2. Cool weather has arrived and hopefully here to stay now!
3. Yummy fruit bowl from Fresh & Easy for lunch.
4. Cougar Town. Carolyn Hennesy steals the show! (Even Entertainment Weekly thinks so! So pleased for Carolyn to have this amazing success.)
5. Eastwick!

Gratitude Day 49/365

1. The day was gorgeous!
2. Packages in the mail from darling friends!
3. Getting ready to read Michael J. Fox's "Always looking up" (which was in the package from Jazz).
4. This also came from Jazz!


Poor Tyson. hehe!
5. Castle is such fun TV! Everyone should be watching!

Gratitude Day 48/365

1. Allie turned five! That is a whole lot of attitude packed into a little body and I love it!
2. I spent a couple hours in the dark with Vince Vaughn this afternoon, "Couples Retreat" was hilarious!
3. Steelers won!
4. Carindals won!
5. And let the celebrating continue...YANKEES WON!!! World Series bound!

Happy Birthday, Allie!

She is the big 5 years old today and she already knows everything! And she can outdo everyone in the field of "guess what?"



Happy Birthday, Princess Allie!

Gratitude Day 47

1. Pretty flowers.

2. "The Goonies" is on the television currently.
3. Did some major cleaning and de-cluttering this afternoon.
4. My pink penguin slippers are heaven.
5. Sometimes it is just therapeutic to pick up some crayons and color.

Gratitude Day 46/365

The Dodgers have made me sad tonight, but I will rave on the goodness of Wednesday night tv...

1. Glee! Who else is watching this show? It is fabulous!!
2. "Modern Family" - Al Bundy makes me snicker!
3. "Cougar Town" - Hilarious!
4. "Eastwick" - I loved the movie, I heard the book was good, I adore the series!
5. Tomorrow is Thursday! Whoot!


Dang Dodgers. :( I didn't want to see the Phillies go to the World Series.

Gratitude Day 45/365

I spent the day home sick so I really only have one thing to put on the list today...



Go Yankees! Go Yankees!!! GO YANKEES!!

Gratitude Day 44/365

1. Go Steelers! Go Steelers!
2. I shopped at Target.
3. It was a warm and sunny day here. (Okay, I'm not really grateful for the warm part of it, but it could be worse.)
4. Tyson's treats were bought and he is back to his addict behavior over it.
5. Still have a cold, but at least I don't feel "sick".

Gratitude Day 43/365

1. Yankees won!!
2. And Derek Jeter looked mighty hot in doing so!
3. I managed to restrain myself from going crazy shopping.
4. It was a beautiful Saturday.
5. Did I mention the Yankees? Jeter?

Drumroll....

And the winner is...

(please excuse my horrible voice.)




Congratulations, Liz!

This was fun!! Look for another one (or two) for Christmas!

Gratitude Day 42/365

1. Lovely fall weather is here!
2. Tart in Los Angeles has fabulous food!
3. And the Farmer's Daughter hotel is adorable! (With a really hot valet!)
4. I have some amazing friends that I spent a great weekend with!
5. And there is no place like home (and my own bed!)

Here is a picture of us all from Saturday night:

(Summer, me, Angelina, Lisa, Wendy, Leslie, Angela, Tams)



Also! Today is the last day to enter in my Halloween giveaway! I'm going to draw the name of the winner tomorrow evening! :)

CA Bound!

I'm leaving work in a about 90 minutes and heading to Seal Beach to start a quick weekend get away with Angelina. We will be in Los Angeles on Saturday, where we will be meeting up with Leslie and Tams, among other friends.

Can't wait!
All of you try to behave while I'm gone. Except Lesli as it is her birthday trip to CA happening also! :)

Gratitude Day 41/365

1. Grey's Anatomy was soooo good tonight!
2. The Los Angeles Angels are beating the Boston Red Sox. I loathe the Sox!!
3. I'm packed and ready to head to CA tomorrow.
4. Lesli pointed out earlier -- PINK SNUGGIES!!! Kohl's has them and I need to go get one!!
5. Tyson giving me the sad face that I am going on vacation. He loves me, he just doesn't want me to know it.

Gratitude Day 40/365

1. Wednesday Night TV is always fun! (Cougar Town! Modern Family! Eastwick! Glee!)
2. Sweet news stories that bring a tear to your eye. Such as this one:
Little Solider Girl didn't want to let go.
SUPPORT THE TROOPS!
3. 1 1/2 days of work left before I head to CA for the weekend.
4. And Angelina has me laughing hysterically every day over some scenarios for vacation.
5. The cupcake car! Seriously!



From Neiman Marcus.

Gratitude Day 39/365

1. Fun breakfast plans for Saturday at Tart in Los Angeles.
2. Knowing that I have the most amazing people in my life that are 100% in my corner as they show every single day.
3. The Twins beat Detroit tonight...hopefully the Yankees eliminate them in quick fashion.
4. Bazinga!! (I'm still snickering over it!)
5. The "issues" meeting that was called today was nothing but just a round robin discussion on questions or concerns. Whew! I hate getting those emails that say "We are calling a meeting to discuss recent issues."

And a few things that irritate me:

1. Michael Vicks getting a reality show. I find him vile!
2. Just hearing the names Jon & Kate. Can these two take their 15 minutes and go somewhere else? He is nothing but a big ol' D-Bag and she is a master manipulator that I don't believe for one second. How about worrying about your kids instead of seeing which one of you can try to garner the most attention?
3. All the big names in the entertainment industry that think that Roman Polanski should be free because of all he has contributed through the arts. Uh, he still was found guilty of raping a 14 year old girl! His contribution to cinema doesn't change that fact.

Gratitude Day 38/365

1. Michaela turned 5 today.
2. Not a bad start to the work week.
3. Bazinga!! (Big Bang Theory humor)
4. I bet Liz's score in Farkle on Facebook! Bazinga!!
5. Plans for the weekend. :) California, here I come!

And a side note #6 - The full moon has been GORGEOUS!!!

Gratitude Day 37/365

1. Bought some cute Halloween decorations at Joanne's. (will have to take pictures of them.)
2. Peaceful day!
3. FOX's Animation Domination.
4. Only 5 days until I go to CA for the weekend!
5. Steelers won! Steelers won!! I have to celebrate because they lost to the Bengals of all people last week. (Yeah, yeah, Jeremy I am aware it happened.)

Home

The new Real Simple magazine's question of the month was "What does home mean to you?"

This is my favorite answer:

Home is where the rags of your life are turned into quilts.

What does "home" mean to you?

Gratitude Day 36/365

1. Took Michaela to see "Cloudy with a chance of meatballs" today. (She loved it, I was indifferent to it.)


2. Bought her a birthday present for Monday as well.
3. Lazy afternoon reading a magazine.
4. Target shopping.
5. laughing over the stupidity of "National Lampoon's Vacation" movies. (Good times!)

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The Breast Cancer Awareness site is struggling to get enough people to click each day to support them, if you have a moment in your day, please take a second to click...

Breast Cancer site.

Gratitude Day 35/365

1. TGIF!!
2. I had a very enlightening conversation with my nephew Curtiss tonight.
3. Got my hair trimmed.
4. I did a little shopping for the trick-or-treat bag for the Halloween Giveaway.
5. Next week at this time I should be in Anaheim for a fun weekend with my darling friend, Angelina. :) We'll meet up with some other friends as well and while it will be a short trip it is going to be fun.

Gratitude Day 34/365

1. It is October!!
2. Which means Halloween is coming!
3. And cooler weather is arriving.
4. And I can whip out my scarves and start wearing them.
5. And it is almost soup season!!

:)

Spooktacular Giveaway!

So I decided that I wanted to do a little contest over here on my blog and after thinking about what I’m going to do I have come up with this:

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. (Funny since I’m such a scaredy cat about Haunted Houses and horror movies.) I love the costumes and the candy. The pumpkins and the decorations. If you love it as well, leave me a comment with your favorite Halloween candy. On October 15th, I will put all the names in a hat and draw out the name of the winner. The winner will get a little trick-or-treat basket from me in time for the big candy fest on October 31st. (If you post anonymously, please be sure to leave me an email address to reach you at if you win.)



So what are you waiting for? Get to commenting! (And good luck!)

Gratitude Day 33/365

1. The Yankees swept the Red Sox.
2. Animation Domination is back on FOX. I do love me some cartoons!
3. Flowers bought at Fresh & Easy Market.

4. Plans coming together for Leslie's visit in October.
5. My pasta/chicken salad came out delish!

I'm sending so much love and sympathy wishes to my cousin, Carma, after she had to put her horse down the other day. My cousins Carma and Joyce are my two equine loving cousins and I always loved hanging out with them growing up and talking horses. We were living in Turkey when I got the letter from Carma with pictures of this absolutely beautiful horse, Chaffie, that she had won in a contest. He lived a good, long life and I'm sad that he had to be put down, but he was loved and that is what matters the most.

Fun Contest!

My friend, Lesli, is having a contest over at Pretty Random Thoughts in celebration of Fall!! Be sure to go over and check it out and enter to win! Fall Giveaway.

(I had to borrow the picture she used as well because it is just so dang cute!!)

I'm going to follow her lead and do a contest over here on this blog as well, will put it up tomorrow. :)