Favorites of 2011

As we say goodbye to 2011 and ring in a new year, I'd like to remember my favorites of the year gone by.

Favorite Song

I love all of Adele but if I had to chose just one song of her's I'd say this one was it!

Favorite Book

I loved The Hunger Games. I loved the entire series. I can't wait for the movie!

Favorite Movie

Harry Potter! I'm so sad that the movies are done. Maybe she'll write more books one day.

Favorite Vacation

San Francisco, California!! This trip was amazing.

Favorite Photos

 

I can't wait to see what 2012 brings!! 

Theater Thursday

It's Theater Thursday and this week's featured movie is, Morning Glory. 

I watched this movie last week and I fell in love with it. I'm not a giant Rachel McAdams fan but I loved her in this movie. Harrison Ford is of course, as always great. 

Becky Fuller (McAdams) is the hardest working, most valuable television producer at her station. That is until she gets fired because of budget cuts. Out of a job and young in a world where experience rules, she starts applying to every producer job that she can find. Eventually she lands an interview for Daybreak, a struggling morning talk show where she's hired to up the ratings. 

As Becky begins working on Daybreak she has to work with two tough morning co-hosts, Mike (Ford) and Colleen (Diane Keaton). If she can't get them to go along and the rest of the crew and cast to join in then the sinking show won't be recoverable. Becky is determined to succeed but she always begins to realize that there's more to live than just work when she meets a handsome young man. 

New Year, New Goals.

As the month comes to an end, we'll be brining in a new year. 

I can't believe how fast 2011 went. At times it felt like the year was slowly creeping by but for me, once the summer hit it was non stop on the go. The days, weeks and months flew. I've noticed the older I get and the further away from my college years, the latter half of the year always seems to be this way. So starting last year I made a few goals for myself so I wouldn't feel like I didn't have anything to show for it. 

Last years goals : 

To read more books. In 2010 I read 44 books. In 2011, I wanted to read 50. I ended up finishing 43. I feel that's a pretty good number! 

To pay off debt. I started 2010 with 5 credit cards and a car payment. I'm finishing 2011 with 3 credit cards and almost half of the car paid off! 

To save money. I am proud to say that I not only met my savings goal, I exceeded it! I have a substantial down payment for my dream home. 

This years goals:

To keep saving money. I've made new savings goals for each month of 2012. 

To keep reading. I'm not shooting for 50 again but I'd like to get near it again. 

To pay off debt. I'd like to finish paying off my car this year. I'd also like to pay off 2 more of my cards in 2012.

To take a fabulous vacation. I'm talking out of the USA. I haven't been outside of the United States since 2007. It's time for me to go global again! 

Hopefully, I'll be able to complete all of my goals for 2012. I'm pretty pleased with all the progress I made in 2011. 

I Still Have That Holiday Feeling

Christmas may be over but I still have that holiday feeling! 
Christmas was great this year. I was able to spend the day with my family, eat some great food and I even got some great gifts. 


On Christmas Eve, my mother and I headed out to see the lights. The last couple of years we've made it a tradition to go out and look at all the decorations and lights. This is by far my favorite house in the area...

They do a ginger bread/candy theme and it's so cute! After we got back from looking at lights, we all opened our Christmas eve gift. In my family, since I was a kid we've always opened one gift on Christmas eve and then Christmas morning we open up the rest of our gifts. 

 

After we got our Christmas eve gifts open, it was time to get a few items ready for Christmas day. We got all the presents under the tree...

and we prepared our Christmas day ham to spend the night in the oven...

Christmas morning we got up bright and early and opened gifts. Then headed to my grandma's house for Christmas breakfast. This is the 3rd year in a row that we've done a breakfast and it's so much fun. We always get to exchange gifts together and of course take our infamous couch photo.

I also got to spend time with my favorite baby, Baby Olivia! She was looking cute as ever in her little Christmas outfit! 

My mom and baby Olivia had on almost matching Santa hats! It was such a fabulous Christmas and did I mention, I got satellite radio? Well I did! And there's a 24/7 radio channel of all ELVIS! My other favorite is the 90's on 9. Hello middle school music of my day! 

I also got my new favorite perfume, Twirl by Kate Spade. I originally tried this because it was a sample in my September birchbox and totally fell in love with it. 

It was such a great Christmas. I know I have plenty of dvd's to watch and books to read for the next year. I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas as well! 

A Festive Weekend Ahead

Today I'm hitting the ground running. I've got an appointment to get my hair cut and highlighted and from then on out it's Christmas errands non stop! I've still got gifts to wrap. I've still got a gift I have to pick up. Oh man... I'm tired just thinking about doing all of it. I know I won't be able to this weekend so I'm just going to say it now....

Have a very Merry Christmas!!!! 

Theater Thursday

It's Thursday and that can only mean one thing... it's Theater Thursday! Sadly, this is the last Christmas Edition of Theater Thursday for this year. This week's featured movie is, White Christmas. 

Made in the 1954, White Christmas continues to be one of the most classic Christmas movies. The over the top dance numbers performed by Vera Ellen, complex choreography and top notch vocals of Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney make this my favorite Christmas movie. 

Bob Wallace (Crosby) and Phil Davis (Kaye) meet while serving in the army during WWII. After an accident in which Phil saves Bob's life, he asks for a favor of joining forces in becoming a singing duo. Over the next few years, the pair become a huge success and have a large company. While out on the road, they go to view a sisters act, The Haynes Sisters. 

There they meet Betty (Clooney) and Judy (Ellen) and the two both become smitten with the sisters. Fate and a little pushing leads them to end up at the same Vermont inn where they begin a task that will not only feel their own hearts with the Christmas spirit but hundreds of others including an old army pal. 

If you've never seen this classic, it's a Christmas must. 

The Mother Load of Awkward

Let me start out this post by saying, I DO NOT condone cheating. Any kind. Ever. 


I have never talked about this before. I remained silent the entire time it hit the news. But now, I want to talk about it. 

LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian.

They met while making a television movie for the Lifetime network. Hmm.... yeah. I haven't seen the movie so I can't judge that one. Now, while they met working on the film they were both married to other people. LeAnn had been married for a few years and Eddie had been married with children for a few years as well. 


So when it hit the news that LeAnn and Eddie had been having an affair and were divorcing their spouses so they could be together it became HOLY paparazzi overload! And I instantly thought, wow what a home wrecker. He had a family. He had kids. But it takes two to tango. I didn't know anything about their personal and private lives. I didn't know who his spouse was until she started filming for The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Brandy Glanville. She seems like a real peach (note the sarcasm). 


So when the paparazzi had it going in overload which btw they still do. I started to feel the awkwardness for both parties in the photos. Evidence #1....

This was at one Eddie's kids soccer games. Holy mother of awkward. I mean their literally sitting a few feet from each other. It's been noted that they never interact and they never speak. Ya think?!? But... I kinda feel for both of them after seeing this photo. 

I've been in those awkward settings. I've been to the events where I've been within feet of ex's and it's never just a breezy day. And frankly, if I was LeAnn, I would be a little scared because Brandy can get a little crazy on RHOBH. Now, while I do not condone cheating I kinda feel for LeAnn because I mean she is obviously trying to be a good step mom and supporting the kids in their endeavors but at the same time she shouldn't have got involved with someone who was very much married. 

Anyways, I feel that photo and situation is one major awkward moment. Thoughts? 

The Infamous Christmas Couch Photos

I love a good tradition. A Christmas tradition makes it even better. Every year my family makes sure to gather for the holiday. We may not see each other a lot throughout the year but we make sure to get all together to spend the festive day as a whole. A few years ago we started the tradition of capturing this moment on camera. Then around the 3rd year of photos at Christmas, we realized we always crowded onto the same couch. 

And really... I'm guessing the maximum number of people that's suppose to sit on this couch is five. Yet... we still cram onto it and pose for photos. 

Now we realize and continue to make it happen. This year we'll have a new edition to the photo since Amy and Kenneth (on the far right) had a baby! This photo is from last year...

Family Christmas Couch Photo 2010

Family Christmas Couch Photo 2009

Family Christmas Couch Photo 2006

This was also the year Jonathan & Megan got engaged.

So this year, hopefully, we'll all be able to make it to my grandmothers and take another year's Family Christmas Couch Photo. I'd hate to see the tradition end and who knows, you never know what this year's could have in store. 

This week includes Christmas!

Friends, this week includes...

Christmas!

And that makes me sooo excited! I can't wait to get to open up presents, have time off work and spend the days with family and friends. Since I spent much of this past weekend sick and staying indoors, I got to stare at my Christmas tree for hours. 

Then when I finally did get up and get dressed, I went out to the movies. I couldn't disappoint my favorite 4 year old. So we went and saw...

I thought it was pretty cute. I hadn't seen the first one that they put out a few years ago and I haven't seen the old cartoon in forever. It was cute and funny in parts. Later this week I'm hoping to go see The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo since I read the book series. I watched the Swedish version of the movie and it was really good so the American one has a lot to live up to. Did I mention that I don't like subtitles? So that's saying a lot for me to give it high praise. 

On the job front... still waiting to hear back from my interview! It hasn't been two weeks yet (how long they told me it would be before I heard either way) so I'm not giving up hope yet! Maybe today I'll get the call saying, Congrats! Let's hope!

A Case of the Sick

It all started Wednesday night. As the evening went on I noticed my throat started to feel rough and by midnight it felt like I was trying to swallow a razor blade every time I tried to take a drink.

Then I couldn't fall asleep because my body was aching.
3:00 am rolled around and I was still laying there awake. At 9:00 am it was time for me to get ready for work. I didn't know what to do because I was so tired from not getting any sleep and then the fact that I couldn't breathe thru my nose and my throat was throbbing. I ended up going to work.

BIG MISTAKE. Thursday, I got even sicker. I got home from work and finally got sleep. Now this post is coming straight from my bed because I feel horrible. Let's hope this case of the sickies goes away before next weekend. I think the Christmas hustle finally caught up to me.

Theater Thursday

It's Thursday and that can only mean one thing! It's Theater Thursday! With Christmas only a little over a week away, the Christmas Editions are in full swing! This week's featured movie is, Scrooged.

Bill Murray stars as Frank, a big shot, television executive who's in the middle of airing a live telecast of Charles Dickens' Christmas Story. He doesn't care about anyone or anything. Only his ratings and job. On this night he gets the shock of his life, when 3 ghosts appear to bring his actions into light.


This movie is a Bill Murray and a Christmas classic. It's a funny and clever twist on a Christmas traditional tale. 

Busy, Busy! Go, Go!

This is my favorite time of the year. I love Christmas. No... I really do love Christmas. I've had a tree up permanently since September of 2009. Yep, I'm that person. 
This year has been like no others. I have been on the go non stop since Thanksgiving. Heck, I was on the go the whole week of Thanksgiving too. Since we ate the bird, I have literally wrapped presents, went Christmas shopping, decorated, cleaned up tinsel and had other commitments non stop. I am tired. 


Last week wasn't any different. I had that big job interview on Thursday. Thank you to everyone who wished me well. I successfully passed the interview portion and did the presentation as well. Hopefully, I'll hear news soon. They said I would know either way in two weeks. I got a lot of questions about California when I mentioned the interview and it getting me out there. Let me explain it better:

I already have an active transfer request in for California. I've had it in since March 1st. Yep, I've been waiting since March 1st. Frustrating yes, but there's nothing I can do but wait. There has to be an open space for me meaning that someone either has to retire, expire, quit or the powers above have to create another position for me to transfer into. I can tell you that in the months that I've been on the list I have moved up to #4 on the wait list (as of October). What the job I interviewed for means, if I would get it, that I would literally get to go instantly with starting that job. No more waiting, just packing! *crosses fingers*


Apart from the interview on Thursday, I stayed busy last week by going to the Chris Isaak concert. Love him! I've seen him before and briefly spoke with him so I knew it was going to be a good concert.

iphone pic

Then on my off day, Saturday, I decided to brave the mall and surrounding stores so I could finish my Christmas shopping. Oh my my! Apparently, I fell and hit my head at some point because only blunt trauma could make someone forget how crazy stores are this close to Christmas and on a weekend no doubt. Needless to say, 5 stores later and still 3 people to shop for and 5 items to pick up. At least I've got two more weeks! 

I need a vacation! Speaking of vacation, we're trying to plan something for late January/early February. I want to go somewhere warm. Any suggestions? I'd like to go some place that I have never been to before. Suggest away!!!!!

Theater Thursday

Today is the day people! Cross your fingers! Light a candle! Do what you gotta do! I have a really important interview and presentation at work today and the outcome could mean me going to California soon! Which hello... I've only been waiting since um... March 1st. 

It's Theater Thursday and keeping with the Christmas Editions, this week's featured movie is, A Christmas Story. 

If you haven't seen this Christmas classic by now, then you must go out and run to the nearest store and buy it. Do not pass go! 

The Good, Bad & Ugly

The Good
I have a job interview on Thursday morning and I'm super excited/nervous. It's within the same agency that I work for but in CA. Um... yes please. Plus it's more money and gets me off of our "floor" as we like to call it. Also, I would always get to wear business casual to work. I mean really the lists of pluses could go on and on. Did I mention it would get me to CA super fast?!?!? Cross those fingers people. 


The Bad
The weather. All it's done recently is rain, rain and rain. However, I'd rather have the rain than the snow. I am not ready for that. I thought I'd be living in CA already. Note to self: do not give away winter clothing till after the move.


The Ugly
Monday I spent half the day sitting in a room at the court house waiting to see if I would get called as a witness. I also had to put $1.00 in the meter to make sure I didn't get a ticket. A dollar well spent if you ask me.... Almost 2 1/2 hours later, I got to leave with a smile on my face. 

Tiny Prints

As I started to think about doing Christmas Cards this year, I wasn't for sure I was going to send them out. I didn't know if I would be able to find some that were really great and then I found Tiny Prints.


I started looking through all of their Christmas and Holiday cards and then the problem became which one will I choose?!? I think I'm going to go with this one...  

 

I love this card. Not only is it a Christmas card but it could even be hung up on a tree. You might just have to wait and see which card I choose though! There's so many great designs to pick from. I'm glad Tiny Prints has so many designs and styles to pick from. 

Theater Thursday

It's Theater Thursday and the Christmas Editions are in full swing! This week's featured Christmas movie is, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. 

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is a holiday classic. Every year my family and I watch this movie and laugh. We make jokes all Christmas season that reference this movie and always feel a little bit better about our own family dynamic compared to the Griswold bunch. 


If you've never seen this Christmas classic, you must watch it! It's about Clark Griswold wanting to have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas and spending it with his large family. He decides to go all out for Christmas this year decorating but it seems like nothing can go right for him. Everything turns into a disaster and the whole family is there to be apart of it.