Em
Happy Last Day of 2011!  Some of you will probably be looking to the year that will soon be past and think about the events that have happened, while the rest of you are looking to the New Year ahead thinking about what can be changed to make this year a great year. Me? I am doing both. This past year brought some ups and downs and some more ups, and I wouldn’t have changed a single thing. The New Year will bring changes that I don’t even know what they are and I say Bring it On 2012!
The year 2011 was a year of changes and love and laughter.  2012 will be just as great, if not better. There is no fear for me to go forward head first into the New Year. If one thing is certain in this ever changing world, it is the smiles and laughter that is going to be captured tonight. Whether you are out with friends or staying home and relishing in the comfort of warm arms, face the New Year with a smile on your face. It will make the year ahead that much better!

Right now, I am preparing for the New year with a cat on my lap, a cup of coffee in my hand (yes, I am doing the one finger typing), and you, my fellow readers. I also might be impatiently waiting for my handsome husband to wake up and take me out for a lovely lunch. Yes, I am preparing for the New Year the best way possible, by surrounding myself with my loves and relaxing the day away. As we all leave 2011 behind, I would like to help start your day with a smile that will hopefully last in to the New Year. I have created a list of New Year’s Resolutions for those who have trouble keeping them and for those who are scared of making resolutions. This list is for you:
New Year’s Resolutions:
·         Spend more time watching TV / movies.

·         Chat more over phone / Internet.

·         Read less.

·         I want to gain weight. Put on at least 30 pounds.

·         Stop exercising. Waste of time.

·         Procrastinate more.

·         Drink. Drink some more.

·         Start being superstitious.

·         Spend less time at work.

·         Get dressed before noon.

·         Stop bringing lunch from home: I should eat out more.

·         Take up a new habit: Maybe smoking!
So leave 2011 behind and go into 2012 with a hearty laugh, good thoughts, and optimism. You are in charge of making this year better than the last. Write your own story in life. Take Chances, make choices (Good and Bad) and live life to the fullest. Grasp every opportunity you can and live with no regrets in the New Year!

Here’s to making a great New Year even better. Cheers!

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.                        -Edith Lovejoy Pierce

New Year's is a harmless annual institution, of no particular use to anybody save as a scapegoat for promiscuous drunks, and friendly calls and humbug resolutions.                -  Mark Twain


Em
Well, Good Morning Great People! Once again I will have to post about how rough l have been having it lately. Yes, it will once again be a boring post about my unhappy life.  Wait a minute, no; I can’t even type with a straight face. Luck, love, and joy have been following me around for a while now and I don’t see it ending anytime soon. I don’t mean to brag, but when you’re as happy as I have been feeling lately, I just can’t contain my exultant energy. I have been known to squeal with delight randomly, and that has been happening a lot (This is the part where everyone should send their pity to Cory because he gets the brunt of these outbursts. Umm, I sometimes also tense up and quiver with excitement. Just did that). Why today you might be wondering. Four Words: Cats, Coffee, Cartoons, and Cory.

I am going to keep this post short, sweet and simple because at the moment I can’t contain my happiness and feel like there is no possible way to portray through the post how happy I am. Here it goes:

Right now (As in this very moment in time) I am drinking Almond Coffee out of a Coffee Mug with Dancing Cats on it. Elvis (my Cat) is taking a nap (one might say a cat nap) on my right, the cartoons (Tom and Jerry at the moment) are on the tube, and Cory is sitting by me because we both have the day off. Ahhh. So many good things happening all in the same moment. Friday also equals Awesomeness.

Lastly, A huge shout out to my Mom. Happy Birthday to the most wonderful woman I know (who can probably out swim me any day of the week, with her granddaughter on her back)! I will be calling to sing you happy birthday very soon.  I love you Mom!
Em
Random. The definition of random is having no specific pattern, purpose, or objective. The Synonym of random is ‘Chance.’ Both words can be prodigious depending on the sentence and meaning. For Example: “By chance, I had a lot of great random things happen to me yesterday.”  This sentence is purely fact and I will not have you held in suspense any longer (even though the beginning wasn’t as dramatic as I pictured in my head).
Yesterday started off in a rush, which is usually bad, but I woke up late and arrived early to work. How that happened, I still am not sure. The time gods were looking out for me and helped turn back time (Cher Anyone?). About an hour in to work, my friend stopped by to give me a Christmas Present (and you thought I was done talking about Christmas).  The present was unexpected and also adorable and it made me smile again when I took it out of the bag to hang on the tree (by the way, that hole is for a light). 1. Christmas Presents after Christmas have no downside and are unexpected. 2. It’s a present that I really like and will use (Bonus!!). After we got done talking about the Holiday’s Happy and sometimes Horrible Happenings (say that five times fast), a co-worker of mine asked me if I wanted to go to lunch. Going somewhere during the workday is always a plus because it takes you away from the reality of work; it was also a lot of fun. I should also mention that she picked up the bill because she wanted to thank me for my hard work. Can we all say “Wow!” She is just a splendid person and I am so thankful to work with her. Also, the work day went by faster than I was expecting. This is solely by chance that it happened because we all know that some days take longer than others to get through even though the work day is always Eight hours.  
Now that I have bored you (hopefully not, though) I will move away from work and get on to the play. Two handsome men picked me up right after work (which this in itself is random) and swept me away to retail wonderland. The better looking of the two (Sorry ClassicA) then went and bought me a Netbook for all of my blogging and mainframe needs (Thanks Cory!). It is like a Christmas is never ending and it is because of thoughtful people that my days begin and end with thanks. I don’t want you to get the wrong idea here though.  It is Not the monetary aspects of these happenings that make me happy. It is the thoughts behind them and it reminds me that people do care about each other in this sometimes ugly world.  I am one Happy Girl because of the people around me and the love I get from them. It is because of you that I pass it on to others.  Lesson of the Day is simple: Randomness can be unpredictable (hmm. Just call me an oxymoron).  Let me change that. The lesson today is: Be grateful for great People!
My day ended with a phone call from my Pa, a Big Adventure with Peewee Herman and a nap before bedtime.  
Wednesday= Triumph.
"If something comes to life in others because of you, then you have made an approach to immortality."
               -Norman Cousins
“All the kindness which a man puts out into the world works on the heart and thoughts of mankind."                      
              -Albert Schweitzer
Em
Hello my long lost readers. I hope that with all of the Holiday festivities going on, you didn't realize how much I neglected you. Let us all raise a glass to making it through the Holidays. We all are a little bit poorer, a little bit fatter, and a lot a bit exhausted. Let's raise an even bigger glass to no more Christmas posts from me (well, until next November). I have probably been boring you about Christmas this and Christmas that. I think we all know that Christmas is Awesome! I just wanted to remind you of its Awesomeness. Speaking of awesomeness, I will get straight to the point of this post. The next Holiday is this coming weekend. No, it is not the End of the World like some believe it is, it is the New Year. Excuse me, the Happy New Year. I, for one, say bring it on New Year. I am prepared to make it an Awesome and Happy New Year. So many possibilities lie in our hands so let us take hold, go forth and be Awesome.  With the New Year (Yes, I am going to capitalize it each time) comes the resolutions that we all set and sometimes make. This year, I am making a different kind of list that will also be my New Year’s Resolutions.
I am stealing this idea from one of my friends who has also made this kind of list (Shout out to Sara!). It is a list that she has made and almost has complete. You can say that I had some jealously of this list and only now thought to make my own (I hope you don’t mind I copied your idea.) It is a 30/30 List. Also known as 30 Things To Do Before You’re 30. I have five years to complete the list and am feeling optimistic at this point in time. I have been making this list for 2 months now and am excited to do each and every single one of them.  So, Behold: Em’s List of 30 Things to Do Before I am 30 or My New Year’s Resolution Cop Out List:
1.       Run a half marathon.
·         This is already a work in progress, but I am Determined to complete this in June. The nerves are starting to set in!
2.       Shoot an antelope.
·         For all of my tree hugging readers, let’s just say that I want to PET an antelope up close. Really Close.
3.       Go to New York.
·         This can be interchangeable with taking a cruise or, going to Las Vegas, or a trip of any kind really. Any of these will work. All will cost a lot of money.
4.       Have a kid.
·         I know that there is a lot of work with this goal, so I don’t mean to be so nonchalant about creating a new life, but we would like to have a child somewhat soon. Simple as that. J
5.       Go to a concert.
·         Cory has informed me that seeing a no name singing in the basement of our college where there was 2 people watching with us does Not count as a concert. So yes, I really have never been to an actual concert.
6.       Write a book. Send it to a Publisher. Frame the Rejection Letter.
·         I have the title all set to go. Now to write the other 200 pages that goes after the title…..
7.       Visit my sister (wherever she is).
·         Currently, this includes visiting Denver, CO but I do believe that the Peace Corps are sending her somewhere overseas. Crazy Lady!
8.       Go Skydiving.
9.       See the Northern Lights in all their grandeur.
10.   Sleep under the stars.
·         So I have to admit that I have done this already, but I was very young and didn’t appreciate the raw beauty of this. I think it is about time that I do this again. Even better, including this with #9!
11.   Get more than 350 readers.
·         This seems like a very very big goal to me, but I sure am hoping that people will start to be thankful for the little things in life.
12.   Get another tattoo (or two).
13.   Take up photography as a hobby once again. And stick to it this time.
·         Hopefully I will also learn how to upload photos on my blog so I can take a picture for every number completed and give all of you proof!
14.   Stay up all night because I don’t want the night to end and enjoy the sunrise the next day with a cup of coffee in my hand.
15.   Make a Kite and Fly it.
·         I will be able to really spread my wings and fly!
16.   Learn how to make my own Sushi (and make it so it tastes delicious).
17.   Take a Yoga Class.
18.   Host a Holiday at my House.
19.   Watch Every James Bond Film.
·         Back to back. Let’s start with Dr. No and end with Casino Royale.
20.   Order a Martini, Shaken not Stirred while out to eat.
21.   Visit a Winery or Brewery (or Both).
22.   Go to a drive-in theater.
·         Borrow a convertible to really get the full experience
23.   Enjoy a really expensive meal and not care how much it costs.
·         This includes ordering an expensive bottle of wine, appetizers, meal, and dessert.
24.   Go to the Renaissance Festival….Dressed Up.
25.   Grow a Garden.
26.   Roast Marshmallows in the fireplace while watching a romantic movie and having a glass of wine.
·         This obviously has to be done picnic style on the living room floor in the house. A fort may be included in the package.
27.   Ride in a yellow taxi and yell “Quick, Follow that Car,” while in the taxi cab.
28.   Go without watching T.V. for a full month.
·         Hmm. I think I regret this one already. No backsies I am presuming.
29.   Get my fortune told.
·         Of course it’s all nonsense and I don’t believe it. Well, except for the bits I like.
30.   Do all of these things with at least one other person that is dear to me so I can share the joy and document each moment of this great list.
I know that some of these are easy while some will be harder, but they are all things that I have wanted to do in life and all will be extraordinary! If one looks good to you and you would like to join me, by all means come with and we can experience this together (Calling Dibs will be Accepted). Let’s have a great time, Enjoy every moment of the New Year, and Be Happy (while being Awesome)!


Em
Good Morning, morning. Yes, it already is that time to roll out of bed, sigh that big morning yawn and make some coffee.  I hope everyone is waking up with good thoughts and that the prayers that were sent last evening reached their destination. I hope you all woke up with a sense of benevolence and feel refreshed to take on this new day that we have been given. Let us take on this day with new strength.
Now that the song “Eye of the Tiger” has stopped playing, I will stop trying to be so motivational and will let you all pick your own theme song for the day (It's the eye of the tiger..It's the thrill of the fight..Risin' up to the challenge…. Okay, okay. Sorry). My point that I am trying to make is that life happens. No matter if you having the worst day of your life or just a mediocre day, life happens. We should always stop and really think about things. Why they happen? The bad and the good. Let us not focus on the Why’s of life, because it will never make sense. Instead of asking why, let us ask ourselves what now. How can we make this better? Taking it a step at a time is the rhyme and rhythm of existence. Robert Frost said it best when he wrote, “In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.” And no matter how much it hurts at first, it will go on. Sometimes the questions are complicated, but the answers are simple. Let Us All Thrive and Live On.
There is no better time to do this then when you are surrounded by family and friends in a time that is called “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” Today is my Friday, my last day of work before Santa comes. My last day of attempting to hold my excitement in (Family be warned). In the next couple of days I will be  going Christmas Shopping (I mean, I didn’t procrastinate), eating cookies, drinking wassail, making gingerbread houses, enjoying egg coffee, and giving out free hugs to whomever wants them (and a couple to those who don’t). Let us all enjoy the time we have been given on this great land. When it comes down to a choice between sitting out or dancing, I hope all of you will Dance. I know I will.
Come and join me on the dance floor of life because when we stand shoulder to shoulder, who stands a chance against us?
Em
As I have stated over and over these past months, this time of year is one of cheer. However, it seems like the closer and closer we get to the actual Holiday, the more people need a reminder of how great the small things are. For these past couple of weeks, it seems like bad things are happening to great people. As I get phone calls filled with sadness and unwanted news, I think that now, right now, we should all sit back and take a deep breath and get to the bare bones of this crazy thing called life. Even though it is sometimes hard to believe, there is Always good in every situation. Always. To those people out there who are disagreeing with me, I promise that there is. It may be buried deep down in there, but good is always lurking beneath all of this sadness and stress. No matter how hard it may seem, take a good look at your crazy life and think of just one thing, just one, that makes you smile. It may be the sound of a candy cane cracking in hot chocolate or the warmth of a lovers hand when you're walking together on a cold night. It could be the warmth of your favorite blanket, the comfort of a Teddy Bear, a hot meal on a cold night or the comfort of being surrounded by family.
For all of you readers out there, religious or not, do me a favor. Tonight, as you crawl into bed, say a prayer for all of those who aren't able to themselves. Say a prayer for families going through a hard time, say a prayer for the homeless, say a prayer for all of your friends and all of your enemies. Say a prayer for the healthy to stay healthy and for the weak to stay strong, because everyone, no matter how big or small, deserves a prayer.
Let us all never overlook those things that we are thankful for and to remember to never ever forget the one (or one hundred) time/s that they made us smile inside or out. It is the small things in life that help us remember who we really are. To all of you who need a little help to remember this over the Holiday Season, I will Say a Little (and Big) Prayer for You and I will do my best to be that much needed shoulder for anyone that needs it. Again, no matter how hard it is to do sometimes, smile. It will help make the world look so much better. 
On a Last note. To all of those kids who were singing Chrsitmas Carols at the top of their lungs outside of Walmart and ringing the bell for the Salvation Army, Thank you. Seeing you dancing, having fun, singing loudly for all to hear and helping the less fortunate made my evening. I do believe that you made alot of evenings that cold night and filled many people with the warmth they needed. It really is the small things.
Em
Good Morning Friends!  I Hope you all are waking of from your dreams of mistletoe kisses and a White Christmas (Even though the outlook shows no Snow for Christmas). 
As the time flies by, we are once again at Friday. TGIF fellow readers! Friday is upon us. This time next week, the road will be filled with Christmas travelers and Santa’s elves are finishing up the last details for the Christmas Eve sleigh ride. The excitement is still building. Our Christmas festivities are just beginning in earnest now, so just imagine my eager and cheery mood! I will make no promises of posting this weekend (but I will try) because tomorrow we are headed in to the big city for not one, but two Christmas Parties. Bring on the spiked punch and homemade food, family and friends. My Christmas Cheer will be lavish. With my weekend plans, my prodigious mood and my jingles that I am listening to while drinking my coffee and sending Christmas Plans to the home front (there it is again), I can’t help but make a Christmas List (or two).
12 Interesting (and Random) Facts I found Out About Christmas:
·         Most of Santa’s reindeer have male-sounding names, such as Blitzer, Comet, and Cupid. However, male reindeers shed their antlers around Christmas, so the reindeer pulling Santa’s sleigh are likely not male, but female.
·         All the gifts in the Twelve Days of Christmas would equal 364 gifts.
·         The “true love” mentioned in the song “Twelve Days of Christmas” does not refer to a romantic couple, but the Catholic Church’s code for God. The person who receives the gifts represents someone who has accepted that code. For example, the “partridge in a pear tree” represents Christ. The “two turtledoves” represent the Old and New Testaments.
·         Christmas trees usually grow for about 15 years before they are sold.
·         Each year there are approximately 20,000 “rent-a-Santa’s” across the United States. “Rent-a-Santa’s” usually undergo seasonal training on how to maintain a jolly attitude under pressure from the public. They also receive practical advice, such as not accepting money from parents while children are looking and avoiding garlic, onions, or beans for lunch.
·         The British wear paper crowns while they eat Christmas dinner. The crowns are stored in a tube called a “Christmas cracker.”
·         Christmas stockings allegedly evolved from three sisters who were too poor to afford a marriage dowry and were, therefore, doomed to a life of prostitution. They were saved, however, when the wealthy Bishop Saint Nicholas of Smyrna (the precursor to Santa Claus) crept down their chimney and generously filled their stockings with gold coins
·         It is estimated that the single “White Christmas” by Irving Berlin is the best-selling single of all time, with over 100 million sales worldwide.
·         The first person to decorate a Christmas tree was reportedly the Protestant reformer Martin Luther (1483-1546). According to legend, he was so moved by the beauty of the stars shining between the branches of a fir tree; he brought home an evergreen tree and decorated it with candles to share the image with his children.
·         In Germany, Heiligabend, or Christmas Eve, is said to be a magical time when the pure in heart can hear animals talking.
·         Christmas purchases account for 1/6 of all retail sales in the U.S.
·         According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), there are 2,106 million children under age 18 in the world. If there are on average 2.5 children per household, Santa would have to make 842 million stops on Christmas Eve, traveling 221 million miles. To reach all 842 million stops, Santa would need to travel between houses in 2/10,000 second, which means he would need to accelerate 12.19 million miles (20.5 billion meters) per second on each stop. The force of this acceleration would reduce Santa to “chunky salsa.”
Second order of business is something that a lot of people don’t mess around with: Their Letter to Santa. Whether it is a wish list or a full pledged ‘Dear Santa’ Christmas list are all one in the same. While reading some articles online, I came across a Christmas list that I couldn’t help but snicker at.
Christmas List
·         1 Magenta colored crayon
·         4 marbles that are yellow inside
·         box of toothpicks
·         fuzzy bunny slippers
·         a Hot Wheels version of the Oscar Mayer wiener mobile
·         a pad of post-it notes
·         wheat penny
·         peacock feather
·         Burger King crown
·         orange flip flops
·         6 pack of Mountain Dew
·         a goldfish
·         Elmer's glue
·         Saddle shoes
·         Superman cape
·         1 square foot of Ireland
·         Support Hose
·         Sponge Bob Square Pants sheet set
·         Pink Flamingo lawn ornaments
·         An O-ring for the engine in your Barbie jeep.
·         A map of the flat world
·         An electronic flyswatter
Umm, Should I be embarrassed if I actually did ask for one of these because I definitely did. I will let you guess which one (or two) it is. As the morning wanes down, I hope I have educated you some and brought on a couple of laughs (and for all of you reacting from the pictures of a ‘Salsa Santa’, I promise that miracles do happenJ).  I will now leave you with good tidings of great joy! Until next time…..
Em
You all are probably thinking that I Must be running out of all things Christmas. Well, the fact of it is, I am just getting started. For the first time in my life, I have a wonderful home of my own (that I share with my wonderful Husband so maybe I should say 'We have a home of our own') that I am proud of and I want to make it cozy like my home was growing up. This is especially true during the Holidays (This is one of the reasons that Christmas threw up on my house this year). I remember going to bed with the glow of Christmas lights on my face and waking up to the smells of Cinnamon and coffee (Of Course). Holiday traditions are part of what makes the Holiday Season so perfect. With Holiday Traditions comes the notorious Cookie making. My mom is the queen of cookies and no one’s cookie plate can compare to the tasty tray she passes out around Christmas. Our family is like a pack of wolves waiting for their prey when it comes to this cookie tray.
As my sisters and I have all moved out of the house, it seems harder and harder to get together and help my mom overthrow the sacks of flour, eggs and sugar to create tiny little tasteful masterpieces. The war-zone is being tackled by my mom alone. For the past couple weekends (okay, months actually) I have been planning to wake up early, turn on the oven, and open the sugar and make my own tray of cookies. Time and Money, however, have a different plan for me. I just don’t have the time to make the delicious cookies that my mom does and I am starting to realize just how much money the platter of goodies really is. This brings me to realize two things: 1. I am not able to make my own cookies this year which does bring my spirits down a little (only a little though folks). 2. I have never truly appreciated the time my mom puts into her cookies and I will enjoy them much more this year.
Now that I have made a scrumptious post into a disappointing one, I will get to the point. This morning I received a text from my mom that read, “I made pfeffernuesse cookies yesterday and am baking them today.”  I think I remember yelling “It’s a Christmas Miracle” out loud to my cat. Not only did my mom make my day by telling me she is baking these spicy little biscuit cookies, they are also my favorite. With a maiden name of Barkeim, these German cookies run in my blood. The best part of this? Not a lot of people enjoy these as much as I do so that means I can do a chipmunk move and push as many cookies as I can in my mouth and store some in my pockets for the ride home. I can do this all without getting the dirty looks from fellow cookie eaters.
This brings me to you, my fellow cookie eaters. Yes I am talking to you, the ones who are never far enough away from the tray to miss out tasting each morsel of delight. The ones who always (and I mean Always) get the last cookie on the tray. I am talking to you, who always know the status of each kind of cookie and to those who go for the good ones first because you think no one is looking. And I also am talking to you, the cookie Warrior. The one who doesn’t each the cookies but keeps a tab of those who keep going back. I see your looks from the corner of my eye as I try to out- maneuver your sneaky cookie-guarding tactics.  
As we congregate around the table of cookies this year, let us unite and raise our cookies up to the cookie makers that don’t get enough credit. Enjoy each and every bite this year because it is truly going to be a great Holiday (cookies included).  And if any of you come across a batch of pfeffernuesse cookies, grab me a handful (I promise I won’t tell the Cookie Sentry).  
Today, enjoy your half-full glass of milk and your cookie because it is going to be a boundless day filled with greatness. Enjoy a sweet treat with no regrets and be thankful that we know people who share their baking skills and love around the Holiday Season.  
Em
Monday, Monday. It seems like we have come around in the circle yet again and it is Monday. I see people dragging their feet just because this day is a Monday. People describe these ‘Mondays’ days like a plague. “You have a case of the Monday’s? I do to.” This seems to be the popular saying today. People are talking about today like it is contagious. I am sitting here at my desk with my antibacterial lotion hoping that the Monday doesn’t infect me also. I have seen the symptoms. The sluggish mannerisms, the lack of enthusiasm, the monotoneness of the voice, the evil stare of doom at the telephone when it rings. It’s pretty bad. I hope you all are staying away from this contagion. The side effects can be a downer. How can we solve this ‘condition’? It is easy as 1, 2, and 3!
1.       Instead of dreading today and thinking about the weekend that is age’s away, think about this past weekend. There has to be one or more things that made it a great weekend.  For me, I honestly can’t choose just a couple. I drove down and celebrated my sister’s birthday, which was splendid.  We ate, drank, and were merry. We forgot about all the troubles in our lives, popped a bottle of wine, and made the world dance (Okay, so maybe we made her apartment dance by playing the WII for two hours picking songs for each other. I believe in the span of these two hours we were Bollywood dancers, a very Dramatic Pumpkin, A never ending Robot, and a Camel), but our world was dancing. It sure says a lot about a person when you can make a fool of yourself and start crying because you were laughing so hard. It also says a lot about a person when you can sit in the same room as them, in complete silence, and feel the love. Having a sister as a best friend is one of the greatest duo’s a gal (or anyone) could ask for. The big Whoop Whoop I wanted you to give her was brought (I mean this in a sense where I say “Bring it on” and the response would be “Chap, it has already been brought”. Okay, so I guess I should have grown up in the 17th Century, but you get the idea.
2.       Christmas is only Twelve Days away. Today is the official day where the Twelve Days of Christmas can start. The Twelve Days of Christmas song is legit today and today only. It is the countdown. Honestly, can anyone be mad that it’s Monday with this in their mind? Let us start the Twelve Days of Christmas with a Bang!!
I actually just Googled the "Twelve Days of Christmas" and realized that the Twelve Days of Christmas actually begins on Christmas Day. Not the twelve days before Christmas (December 12th. Today). Hmmm. Let’s try this again.
Reason #2 that this Monday’s isn’t so bad: I learned something new today!
3.       The evening ahead. With any day (but especially on Monday) there is always a plus side to the day; the end of it. No matter how bad it is, there will always be an end in sight. Tonight, to celebrate the ending of Monday and to also celebrate making it through the day without catching a case of the Monday’s, I am going to throw on some slippers, make some soup, and have friends over to drink some cider (probably spiked) and watch Christmas movies.  The snow has all melted and I am only wearing a light coat, but the weather isn’t the only thing that can make it feel like Christmas is upon us. Warm drinks, candle light, Christmas movies, and friends are just as good (if not better) than Snow and Santa.
Today is Monday, December 12, 2011 and I am having a splendid day. What are your three things that make this Monday grand? I wager that once you get to realizing just how lucky you are, no matter how ruthless the case of the Monday’s are, you will realize that Monday isn’t so bad. Today is just another day to be thankful for.
Em
So today is another TGIF! Friday is such a great day of the week. Yeah I might be at work, but I like my work. The great thing about Friday's is that your hard work during the past week is coming to an end and the next two days are yours for the taking. There will be no saying that you have to head to bed because you have to work in the morning and you can have that one extra drink (if you're not driving) because you can choose to sleep in. Friday's are small wonders in themselves. This Friday morning, I came across a list that made me smile and laugh audibly (Also known as Laugh out Loud). Here is it. As always, I hope you Enjoy!
21 Adult Truths
1.   Sometimes I'll look down at my watch three consecutive times and still not know what time it is.
2.   Nothing is worse than that moment during an argument when you realize that you are wrong.
3.   I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.
4.   There is a great need for a sarcasm font.
5.   How the heck are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
6.   Was learning cursive really necessary?
7.   MapQuest really needs to start their directions on "I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my own    neighborhood." 
8.   Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.
9.   I can't remember the last time that I wasn't at least kind of tired.
10. Bad decisions make good stories.
11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.
12. Can we all just ignore whatever comes after Blue-Ray? I don't want to have to start my collection....again.
13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten page report that I swear I did not make any changes to.
14. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night, more kisses begin with Miller Light than Kay.
15. I wish Google Maps has an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.
16. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.
17. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn’t hear or understand a word they said.
18. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire row of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong Brothers and Sisters!
19. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty and you can wear them forever.
20. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone their purse, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey- but I’d bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from three feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time.
21. The first testicular guard, aka the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that their brain is also important. (Ladies, quit laughing.)
I hope all of you enjoyed this as much as I did and I hope that I (Well, the list) made you chuckle on this Friday Morning (I guess now its afternoon). I was thinking about possibly doing this every afternoon. A list that makes laughs. Maybe my 1 public follower (You're Awesome Sara) and my non-public readers (you all are awesome as well) will give me their thoughts on this idea. Do you want laughing lists or just the Em?
Tomorrow is Saturday. Let's give an even bigger WhoopWhoop to my older (and wiser) Sister. Tomorrow is her birthday, and I can't wait to celebrate! (See you tomorrow Holl's) Let's all celebrate together and make tomorrow an Awesome Saturday!
See you in the morning!
Em
Christmas Music: You either love it or can’t stand the catchy, feel-good happy tunes. This Girl? This girl loves it. Now let me explain to you the ups and downs of my relationship with Christmas Music because it wasn’t always as musical as it is now.
When I was younger, Christmas music to me meant having to wear a velvet dress and fight over the mirror with my three sisters. Making my hair stand up with hairspray and driving to school for our annual Christmas Pageants (Yes, we had to do multiple pageants this time of year). I knew after, it would be time to throw up my arms in anticipation because Santa came, but the before pageant wasn’t pretty (Just ask my parents. There were always tears from one of us girls each year). Now, I wouldn’t have dreaded these so much if I could sing. This is in fact the sole reason that I didn’t like this music. Having to stand up in front of millions (okay, so it was more like one hundred or less, but still) of people and sing. Group songs: not so bad becuase I could mouth my way through. Solos or duets: worst nightmare. Ever. My blonde ringlets and cute Christmas dress could not save me from butchering “Joy to the World.”  The worst part of all of this is that I actually liked the music. No one (And this also means you), can resist saying the in between words in “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” (Reindeer), but please let me do this silent and not in front of people.  After this, I still listened to the jolly tunes of Christmas each year, but never felt I truly appreciated them.
What happened, you may ask?  (Oh the anticipation!) I met a guy who whistles out his happy soul and sings randomly throughout the day (Our house is a pretty cheerful place). While this may get irritating at times, (The song singing/whistling. Not the CheerJ) it is during Christmas time that the full glee comes out. He always starts to listen to Christmas Music on Thanksgiving (I Promise you everyone, we DO NOT overlook Thanksgiving) and never shuts if off. It is always a backdrop in our home and when Cory is home, you can always hear him singing or whistling or humming along. This, along with the smells and decorations and the lights, makes the season all the more blissful. Christmas music makes hot chocolate all the more pleasurable. The fire in the fireplace all the more cozy. It makes the ridiculously romantic made for TV Holiday movies on the Hallmark Channel almost bearable (Almost).  It is during this time that my coworkers coordinate music stations so the faint tunes of White Christmas’s can be heard throughout the day. It makes me exceptionally happy that I put a hint of cinnamon in my coffee this morning to help celebrate the Christmas tidings. It makes the text I received from Cory (“Hi, Babe!”) all the greater. Oh the feeling of contentment. (*sigh*)  So Bring on the “We Wish you a Merry Christmas” and let’s “Deck the Halls.” For all of you haters out there (yes, I am once again talking to you teddy bear, kitten haters), next time you come across the Christmas Station, stop on it for a while and let yourself get swept away in the wonderful tidings of the season. Maybe Santa will bring you something special this year.
Well my ever faithful readers (I still hope you are out there), we are at that time of week where I can say that tomorrow is Friday! After you get home tonight, relax, make some hot chocolate (with marshmallows), sit by the lights of your tree (or TV) and relax in the feeling of serenity. I hope that all of you can in fact "See what I See" this season and again Enjoy Every Moment! 
Em
So life is starting to get busy with the hustle and bustle of the Holidays. It is around this time that I elect to add a shot of Kahlua into my nightly cup of coffee. I bet you are all thinking that this is where I start to go downhill (gasp!) and talk about how life can sometimes get in the way of happiness. Sorry (once again) for the false alarm. Am I getting busier? Of course. Do I feel miles away from my family (Well, I literally am, but I am shooting for the hypothetical solidarity here)? Why yes I do. Does my phone seem to be aging into a rebellious teenager stage and is starting to only work occasionally? Why yes, yes it does. I am sorry for any of you out there that think I am ignoring you. I am in fact, not. Is there getting to be a little more on my buffet line (No plate, buffet line. Go big or go home)? Yes there is.  I will start to get to the point now.
It is in these busy times that the little things do make such an impact on me and this is how I get through my days smiling and sniggering (a mix between giggling and snickering. Try it!J) .  Please, everyone out there, do not become too busy that you won’t appreciate the puffs of warm air that leaves your mouth in the dead of winter. Don’t depreciate the person who gave up their spot in line for another. Think about how nice it is to see stockings in workplaces and lights on every other house. All of these things mean that you’re alive! What an amazing thing.  Everyone, and it does seem like everyone, forgets this simple fact. Run, jump, hop (not on ice)! It is a great day!  Even more so, it is a great day to be alive. Go ahead and get caught up in this hustle and bustle we call life, but never, ever forget the small things in life. Each factor (even the busy part) is part of what makes this season great, so enjoy every moment of it.  Will I still call my phone service up and ask why my phone hit puberty? Of course, but I will do it with a smile in my voice because I should really be thankful that my phone is (typically)one step away from calling my family and telling them I love them.
It is only 17 days until Christmas (insert sniggering here)! Even more importantly, it is only 3 (more like 2) days until my big sisters Birthday (Insert a big woopwoop here). Oh the joys of December! Prepare yourself for some extremely happy posts. I will leave you with the simplest saying that we all learned in kindergarten. “Don’t worry, Be Happy!J  I guess "If You're Happy and You Know it Clap Your Hands" will also work.
Em
As my night settles down, I can't help but smirk (Yes, smirk) with content. It was yet another manic Monday on the homefront (Is this word still used at all?) and it sure feels wonderful to take a seat in my oversized chair. I think that the busier the day, the more thankful I am for evenings. With my Christmas lights as the only light to type by, it is just me, my cup of apple cinnamon tea, and you, my ever faithful readers (Charlie Brown and Snoopy may or may not be singing Christmas songs in the background). I feel like this post is going to be a bit more peaceful and tranquil than my other posts, but that has to do plainly with the mood I am in. It is nights like these that remind me of why I live in a place that graces us with blankets of snow.
Snow is one of the most beautiful things that Mother Nature gives us. For right now, let us all pretend that the snow doesn’t get dirty, that yellow snow is a rare form of snowflake (Still, don’t touch it) and let us forget that snow can sometimes make fools out of us when we slip in public. Instead, let’s remember how snow makes everything look more like Christmas no matter what. Let us remember making snow angels when we were younger and sneaking that fistful of snow into your mouth when mom wasn’t looking. Blankets of Snow make the world Bright.
I will never forget the feel of that first crunch of snow under your shoes or to be the very first person to walk across a stretch of land and look back to see your footprints. It is hard to beat the joy that one feels when you get to walk through snow for the first time that year. To make your own unique footprint on the land. It is your very own piece of art, your very own story. A thumbprint that is held in time until the sun peaks over the horizon. Snow can show us where the rabbits were playing, where the couple in love was dancing. It can point us in the right direction. It helps us become great leaders and even better followers. Trodden snow is like your favorite book with ever changing endings. Today, or night rather, be thankful that we live in a place where we can walk across blanket of white, turn around, and always know our way home.
Rest peaceful tonight, and tomorrow, bundle up and go dance in the snow and, as always, be happy! Finally, do not ever, under any circumstances, eat yellow snow.
Goodnight Moon, Goodnight Stars, Goodnight Air
Goodnight Noises Everywhere
- Margaret Wise Brown