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!