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.