Em
What is it in life that makes us question it so often?

Don’t get me wrong, questioning the how’s and why’s of life is what makes life fun and interesting, it is just that sometimes we don’t understand where it is leading us or what path we should go down. Why people act the way they do and why we respond the way we do. Sometimes, when we question things like this, it can get a little scary because our minds want to control the situation and, as we all know, imaginations can get a little crazy. This is a fact of life.
I don’t mean to bring you down on the beautiful Saturday afternoon. Despite how it sounds, I still in fact, loving life as much as ever. I was talking to my friend today and I said something that made me sit back and really think about the paths of life and the why’s of it. I told her that I finally know exactly who I am and am 100% happy with myself. It was only when I said it did I realize this is in face the whole- hearted truth.

Like anyone’s life, the paths we choose all have consequences. I have made bad choices, but have learned from them. I have made great choices and have relished in them. Everything in my past has brought me to this moment. The moment in my life where I can say I know who I am and I love it!
It is a day like today that I have found inspiration everywhere I look and my thoughts are running wild. It is a day like today that I love writing, reading, talking, listening. I love looking around at things with a new perspective. It is a day like today that I feel alive.

I hope each and every one of you will question life and realize that you all are strong and you can do anything you put your mind to. We are all so beautiful.

Take pride in who you are and fall in love with life.
Em
Woop Woop! Let’s give it up to Friday.
Sometimes, I just can’t contain my happiness.
Today is one of those days.
I would first like to apologize to my coworkers, who were welcomed to work with an overly loud Good Morning. To top it off, I also am wearing my favorite furry boots. I feel like an animal when I wear the furry boots. (I actually think that when I walk in the snow, I will leave paw prints behind.) Yes, today is definitely one of those days where my excitement and happiness just can’t be contained.  I would also like to apologize to Cory, who got to me first this morning. In my excitement and happiness, I woke him up by opening the shades, turning on the lights, and saying “Hurry!Hurry! I am late for work. Go make my coffee! No time to put pants on!!”. Now, this wasn’t the case, but for some reason I felt I needed to wake him up in a rush (Sorry, Cory). Deep down in that mean place of myself, I feel satisfaction when I do this and it makes me smile (Again, Sorry Cory). Thirdly, I would like to apologize to my long lost friend who I reconnected with and whom I wrote a novel to this morning in all my joy. If you don’t read it, I understand, it is a long one. A really long one (but I am so thrilled that we crossed paths once again in our life.) Yes Friends, today is a day that is going to be filled with Pure Innocent Joy (and caffeine which I have yet to have. Maybe I should apologize to my co-workers once again).
It is on days like this that a laugh it easy to come by and feeling good is transformed into feeling great. It is a day like today that I don’t want to make you all think too hard but still get a good hoot out of what you read. This is why I have chosen this list for today. Enjoy Friends!
Guaranteed Not  to Tax Your Mind
1. Two antennas met on a roof, fell in love and got married. The ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was excellent.
2. A jumper cable walks into a bar. The bartender says, 'I'll serve you, but don't start anything.'
3. Two peanuts walk into a bar, and one was a salted.
4. A dyslexic man walked into a bra.
5. A man walks into a bar with a slab of asphalt under his arm and says: 'A beer please, and one for the road.'
6. Two cannibals are eating a clown. One says to the other: 'Does this taste funny to you?'
7. 'Doc, I can't stop singing 'The Green, Green Grass of Home.'' 'That sounds like Tom Jones Syndrome.' 'Is it common?' Well, 'It's Not Unusual.'
8. Two cows are standing next to each other in a field. Daisy says to Dolly, 'I was artificially inseminated this morning.' 'I don't believe you,' says Dolly. 'It's true, no bull!' exclaims Daisy.
9. An invisible man marries an invisible woman. The kids were nothing to look at either.
10. Deja Moo: The feeling that you've heard this bull before.
11. I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day, but I couldn't find any.
12. I went to a seafood disco last week... and pulled a mussel.
13. What do you call a fish with no eyes? A fsh.
14. Two fish swim into a concrete wall. The one turns to the other and says 'Dam!'
15. Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire in the craft. Not surprisingly it sank, proving once again that you can't have your kayak and heat it too.
16. A group of chess enthusiasts checked into a hotel and were standing in the lobby discussing their recent tournament victories. After about an hour, the manager came out of the office and asked them to disperse. 'But why,' they asked, as they moved off. 'Because', he said, 'I can't stand chess-nuts boasting in an open foyer.'
17. A woman has twins and gives them up for adoption. One of them goes to a family in Egypt and is named 'Ahmal.' The other goes to a family in Spain and is named 'Juan.' Years later; Juan sends a picture of himself to his birth mother. Upon receiving the picture, she tells her husband that she wishes she also had a picture of Ahmal. Her husband responds, 'They're twins! If you've seen Juan, you've seen Ahmal.'
18. Mahatma Gandhi, as you know, walked barefoot most of the time, which produced an impressive set of calluses on his feet. He also ate very little which made him rather frail and with his odd diet, he suffered from bad breath. This made him... A super calloused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis.
19. And finally, there was the person who posted different puns to her blog, with the hope that at least ten of the puns would make people laugh. No pun in ten did.

There you go friends. I believe this is a great list for today and hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
I know that it is going to be a great day when I can’t contain my happiness and people are telling me I should go for a run to run off some of my energy (yes, sometimes I am like a four year old). Joke is on them though, because the day has just started and I have just taken my first sip of coffee (Insert evil laugh here. Plus, I don’t want to leave paw prints all over  J)
Remember, we are all weird in our own ways and it is what makes each and every one of us Beautiful! Go on with your beautiful selves and conquer this day!
-Cheers
Em
What makes a good day?
This simple question can have unlimited answers so let me get selfish here and ask “What can make Em’s Day?” The answers to this are also infinite but today there can be only one, A New Chair. Yes, I said it, a new chair. I like to truly think that I do delight in the small things, and this is it for me today.
My car may be broken for good (L) and my husband may be sick, but that still can’t keep a smile off of my face (Don’t get me wrong, I do kind of feel bad for my car. Cory on the other hand….. Yeah, him also) but my behind is sitting in a brand new, posture gliding, generation knoll chair. Now, I only know what half of those things mean, but with a slogan of “The first chair that lets you sit how you want,” I may just have to try it out! This chair also had a tagline of “Refuse to sit still” which I also want to try out, but my coworkers might start to worry about me if I glide back and forth in my small cubicle like a caged animal giggling(Picture it). Now, I wish I could re-capture the pure joy on my face when I saw this being pushed around the corner. The maintenance men (yes, it takes two people to push this glorious chair) must think that I don’t get out much (more like at all), because I kept talking about how exciting this is. I even made it as far as asking one of them if my butt looked big in the chair. I believe that one of them thought this was my (poor) attempt at flirting, because he mumbled something which I thought was “Kinda.” I chose to not ask him to repeat his answer. I guess family are the only ones I should ask that question to, even if it is just in a joking manner. J
Lesson of the day: never forget the small things that truly do make a difference in your day. A new chair might not be as exciting to you as it is to some people (Me!), but all the different factors of life can bring together the most trying people. Isn’t life grand! (Big butt and all!)
What made your day great?
Tomorrow Is TGIF!
Life. Is. Good. 
Em
Good Monday Morning!
I hope everyone had a great weekend and are all rested up for another week ahead. This is the last full week in February, in case you needed a reminder of how fast time is passing us by. It seems like just yesterday I was talking to you about the month of Love and Romance (*sigh*).
Anyways, Let’s us all say Helloooo Monday! I will thoroughly enjoy you to the fullest (even though most of us are dreading this very day). I am going to keep this post short and just say “HI!” to all of you out there in cyber world. I sure do hope that you enjoy your day. Dance, sing, run, and live life! Go outside and take a deep breath and love who you are.



Em
Happy Valentine’s Day, my dear Friends. As we walk around and see people dressed in red, pink (and black on some occasions), I want you to think that even though today may seem overdone and cliché, it is always nice to remember those you love, sweethearts you met along the way, and the people in your life that makes you love the person you are.
Tonight, on this romantic holiday, I am sitting talking to you, drinking a cup of tea, and watching Enchanted. It is the comfort of my home and my cat that are my Valentines this evening (at least until 8:00). I am going to enjoy a romantic dinner of macaroni and cheese, another love of mine while thinking of all the people I love and am blessed with in my life. I hope you all feel my Love on the day named after it. Never forget that each and every one of you are Loved.
To my husband, Happy Valentine’s Day. My life wouldn’t be what it is today without your love and support, hugs and kisses, laughter and fun! P.S. Hurry up! I am hungry J

I am going to keep this post short and sweet! I will leave you all with my favorite love song (and one of my favorite songs in general). Remember, you will never be as beautiful as you are this moment. Feel the love, you beautiful people. Feel the love.
"I'll Be"
The strands in your eyes that color them wonderful
Stop me and steal my breath
And emeralds from mountains thrust towards the sky
Never revealing their depth
And tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated, I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above
And I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be love suicide
And I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life

And rain falls angry on the tin roof
As we lie awake in my bed
And you're my survival, you're my living proof
My love is alive, and not dead
And tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love.
I'll be captivated, I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above

And I'll be your crying shoulder
I`ll be love suicide
And I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life

And I dropped out, I burned up, I fought my way back from the dead,
I tuned in, I turned on, remembered the thing that you said.

And I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be love suicide
And I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life
The greatest fan of your life.

 -Edwin McCain
Em
It is once again the blissful day that is the end of the work week. The day of happy times and joyful moods. TGIF Friends, for it is once again Friday Morning!
On this morning, I am drinking my coffee (with Hazelnut) and eating a piece of lemon pound cake from Starbucks®. Yeah, this Friday is going to be A-Okay in my book. As you all know, I a) love cartoons and b) saw a/n(uncouth) Sesame Street (ish) play this past weekend. With these things in mind (and because I saw an episode of ‘Read Between the Lions” yesterday) I would like to take you guys back to the letter A. The letter A is the first word in the English Alphabet (A is for Apple or Alligator or all of the above J). Anyways, what I am getting at is the English Language and how ridiculous it really is. Have you ever sat and thought about how hard our Language must be to learn. For all of you Bullies out there (P.S. Bullying is horrible and no one should have to be bullied in their lifetime), anyways, for all of you Bullies out there who think that everyone should speak our language, really think about how hard it must be. I have my point and case listed below. On a side note, this is actually quite interesting and humorous at some points, so sorry for the rant on bullying (it is bad) and enjoy this little segment to what I like to call:
The Reason Shakespeare is Tuff to Grasp or Explanations of Why People Flunk English Class:
1) The bandage was wound around the wound.
2) The farm was used to produce produce.
3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
4) We must polish the Polish furniture.
5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10) I did not object to the object.
11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row ...
13) They were too close to the door to close it.
14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.
15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
18) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
19) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
20) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?
Let's face it - English is a crazy language. There is no egg in eggplant, nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins weren't invented in England or French fries in France. Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat. We take English for granted. But if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.                                                                                                                       And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham? If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth, beeth? One goose, 2 geese. So one moose, 2 meese? One index, 2 indices? Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend? If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?                                          
If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables what does a humanitarian eat? Sometimes I think all the English speakers should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane. In what language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? Ship by truck and send cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell?
How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites? You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out and in which, an alarm goes off by going on..
English was invented by people not computers and it reflects the creativity of the human race, which, of course, is not a race at all. That is why when the stars are out they are visible but when the lights are out they are invisible.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Well, there you have it, a glimpse of the weird and fun English language. This goes to show just how crazy we all are because I bet each and every one of you read all of those sentences correctly. So yes, the unanswered question is now answered. We are all a little bit crazy. J
This weekend, my house is also going to be a little crazy. We have four guests coming tomorrow and staying until Sunday, and our house is also the venue for the craziness that will be a cast party for Cory’s show. As I get further and further into the theater world (Thanks, Cory) I have learned one thing above all. That is, when you get a bunch a theater people together in one place, I will always look like the somewhat normal one (which says a lot). I don’t mean this in a bad way towards them; it is just that everything is, well, a little more dramatic. J It is going to be a great time, so bring it on Cast of Avenue Q. I am well prepared (as well as I can be I guess).
I hope Friday treats everyone with fun and laughter. Remember to count your blessing each and every day, don’t be a bully, and don’t worry that you’re a little bit crazy, because we all are!
Cheers!
PS. - Why doesn't 'Buick' rhyme with 'quick' ?
Em
In my excitement about smiles and all of your awesomeness, I completely forgot to give you a breakdown of my weekend (which was also awesome), so here it is. As you all know, my parents came up to visit me. Not only did they come when the weather was warm and sunny, they also came early! To my surprise, they were there waiting when I got off from work! I love surprises and this one was one of the best (and it was a Friday). One thing you all should know about my parents (beside the fact that they are rad) is that they roll with the punches and are always up for anything. I always look forward to having them visit because we just have so much fun (This has nothing to do with the fact that I also get spoiled J). Why do I always look forward to this? Well, that is easy to answer:
1.       Even though they are visiting me, I always feel like I am also on vacation because everything is so relaxing and chill (and fun!)
2.       They either take me out to eat or make me a delicious meal!
3.       We play games and have some drinks and catch up on life.
4.       There is always hot tub or Jacuzzi time (Thus the relaxing part).
5.       I adore my parents and think they are some of the greatest people (I also miss them when I don’t see them in a while).
6.       They bought me some 'big girl clothes' that fit (and I got compliments on them every day I wore them).
7.       They stay in a hotel that has a great view (and I always end up getting to stay there also).
8.       There is always laughter and fun aplenty.
9.       We went and had coffee at 7:00 at night J
10.   They took me to see Cory’s funny (and sometimes vulgar) play, and enjoyed every moment of it.
11.   No matter what, they always come to my home and do two (or eight) things that make it that much more of a home.
12.   I always feel sad when they leave (which may sound not so fun, but it just shows me how much I love them when I miss them as soon as they leave)
With all of these things, I know that I am pretty darn lucky to have such great parents! Never forget the love that you feel for someone and never hesitate to show them that love. It can make a difference in someone’s day (and life).
Well friends, now that you all know how cool my folks are, call someone whom you love and tell them how great they are.
"Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them." – Shakespeare
Again, it is to the point of the week that I am happy to announce that tomorrow is Friday! My weekend ahead is looking just as busy and I am thrilled for it. Happy Thursday, dear friends. I hope your day is as great as you are.
Em
Smile.
One simple word can make you do just that, smile! Good Morning Friends! It is Wednesday, and what a day it is.
Today I am smiling because I feel awesome. Not only is today Hump Day (the middle of a work week used in the context of climbing a proverbial hill to get through a tough week) Today marks that day of maximum hope that maybe, you might make it out of this week alive. A particularly good hump day can last you the rest of the week, and by Doomsday morning (Monday) you survive by anticipating hump day. Nothing goes wrong on hump day. Most other days can be defined by hump day. Tuesday is the day before hump day. Thursday is one day after hump day. Except Friday is WOOOH!!! FREEDOM!!! Day.. (FYI: Hump day has nothing to do with sex. Unless one wants it to. I like to declare the existence of hump day just to see people's faces. Thank you Urban Dictionary, for clarifying this.)  This my friends, makes me smile. This is also why I declare myself awesome today.
Sometimes, when life gets busy, we all get into a slump (yes, slump) and forget all about us. Yes, it is okay to think about yourself sometimes because it is good for your health (this fact was brought to you by the non-certified doctor Em). And you know what, smiling is also good for your health (I do believe that this is a proven fact somewhere out there). Sit back and think about why today is awesome. You know what, instead of thinking about the awesomeness that is Wednesday; think about how awesome you are (Yes, You) and Smile! If this doesn’t convince you that Wednesday is awesome, here are some more reasons to smile.
Smiling Makes Us Attractive
We are drawn to people who smile. There is an attraction factor. We want to know a smiling person and figure out what is so good. Frowns, scowls and grimaces all push people away -- but a smile draws them in
Smiling Changes Our Mood
Next time you are feeling down, try putting on a smile. There's a good chance you mood will change for the better. Smiling can trick the body into helping you change your mood. (yes, you can trick yourself, even though you know what the trick is)
Smiling Is Contagious
When someone is smiling they lighten up the room, change the moods of others, and make things happier. A smiling person brings happiness with them. Smile lots and you will draw people to you.
Smiling Relieves Stress
Stress can really show up in our faces. Smiling helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed. When you are stressed, take time to put on a smile. The stress should be reduced and you'll be better able to take action.
Smiling Boosts Your Immune System
Smiling helps the immune system to work better. When you smile, immune function improves possibly because you are more relaxed. Prevent the flu and colds by smiling. (I like to think of this as the sole reason I haven’t gotten sick this cold season.)
Smiling Releases Endorphins, Natural Pain Killers and Serotonin
Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins, natural pain killers, and serotonin. Together these three make us feel good. Smiling is a natural drug. (Convinced yet?)
Smiling Makes You Seem Successful
Smiling people appear more confident, are more likely to be promoted, and more likely to be approached. Put on a smile at meetings and appointments and people will react to you differently.
Smiling Helps You Stay Positive
Try this test: Smile. Now try to think of something negative without losing the smile. It's hard. When we smile our body is sending the rest of us a message that "Life is Good!"
So today, smile and relish in the rewards because Life truly is something to smile about (so is your awesomeness).
Isn’t Life Grand? J
Em
It is Friday my Friends, One of the best days of the week. This day could only get better by a good morning text from my lovely sister (oh, wait that happened), and by my parents visiting me for the weekend (yep, that is happening also), and by leaving work early (in two hours to be exact!).  Yes, this Friday is pretty grand thus far. The only thing that would make it more of a downer is someone telling me that they don’t have to go to work today because she received a snow day. Now, I am not going to mention which Denver-ite this is, however, I believe that she should know that I am not jealous because of how epic MY day is going to be (okay, so I am a little jealous of her day off spent reading and making chili and watching the snow fall, but that is between us). I am going to take the high road and say good for you. I don’t care that all the snow is gone here in my part of the country and all that is left for me to play with is sloppy mud and brown grass, just think of the snowman that could make (okay, so my arguing point isn’t very good). Anyways, Friday’s off are one of the greatest things, especially when unexpected. So, sister, enjoy. Add just a tad more zip to your Chili and call it a day, because it will be a grand one! Today really is a day to be happy, and happy I am!
Now I will switch gears on you and get to my list of the day. Before I get to that though, I will have to give you some background on why I am choosing this list of all lists.
So the college I work at has an elevator. Not a big one mind you, but an elevator nonetheless. However, since the school is only three floors, I hardly take the elevator because walking is quite a bit faster than the old thing. Why I decided to take the elevator this morning, who knows, but I must have thought it was a good idea, so I took my sign that needed to be placed on a door and headed out. Another thing you must know is that if you don’t catch the elevator, you will be waiting a very very long time (thus why I usually walk). It is as bad as sitting at a red light that never changes. The point is, I caught it at the last second and there was one other student in the elevator with me. Scenario: Long awkward ride up to the third floor. I mean, this seriously seemed to take about 10 minutes. I can handle awkwardness, but what I couldn’t handle was the surprise smell in there. I believe that I startled this poor student by dashing into the elevator like a maniac that he let one go (this might have been his plan all along and I just happened to come in at the wrong time). However, is this small enclosed space, the smell was very (very) potent. This isn’t what made it awkward. What made it awkward was the fact that someone (me) needed to laugh at the situation and the student could clearly see I thought this awkward situation was hilarious (way to be mature, I know). This got me thinking about how awkward Elevator rides really are. Enter Friday’s List:
30 Things to do in an Elevator
* Press all of the buttons in the elevator when you get out - especially when other people are still in it.
* Introduce your imaginary friend. And have a conversation with them.
* Stand at the front of the elevator, facing the back. [If you are the first person in the elevator to do this, others will probably follow your lead]
* Whistle the first seven notes of "It's a Small World" incessantly.
* Sell Girl Scout cookies.
* Stand silent and motionless in the corner, facing the wall, without getting off.
* When arriving at your floor, grunt and strain to yank the doors open, and then act embarrassed when they open by themselves.
* Lean over to another passenger and whisper: "Noogie patrol coming!"
* One word: Flatulence!
* Stare, grinning, at another passenger for a while, and then announce: "I've got new socks on!"
* Meow occasionally.
* Walk on with a cooler that says "human head" on the side.
* Burp, and then say "mmmm...tasty!"
* Say "Ding!" at each floor.
* Lean against the button panel.
* Push a button, pretend it gave you a shock. Smile and go back for more
* If anyone brushes against you, recoil and holler 'Bad touch!'
* Make explosion noises when anyone presses a button.
* Laugh hysterically for five seconds, stop, and glare at the other passengers like they are crazy.
* Wrinkle your nose and smell the air repeatedly. Sniff at your neighbor suspiciously, give a disgusted frown, and take a step away.
* When the doors close, use duct tape and work furiously to tape the doors together. Ask for help
* When the doors open, pretend that you bounce off a force field when you try to leave.
* Swat at flies that don't exist.
* Drop a pen, wait for someone to pick it up and then yell, "That's mine!"
*Leave a box in the corner and when someone gets on ask them if they hear something ticking.
* Dressed in coveralls, get in a full elevator and when the door closes, push the stop button, post an out of order sign inside and go to work on the access panel, saying "This may take a minute."
* Whenever the music changes exclaim “I love this Song!”
* When there is only one other person in the elevator, tap them on the shoulder and then pretend it wasn't you.
* Call out, "Group hug!" and enforce it.
So there you go Friends, solutions to all the awkward moments in elevators. Sorry the list is lengthy today, but so was my story, so I thought it was fitting. I for one have a great feeling about this Friday and I hope you all share my excitement. Open your heart and let yourself go as far as your mind will take you. This will make Friday that much better. Heck, it will make life that much better.
Smile, for today is a great day!
TGIF!
Em
Good Thursday Morning, Friends. This Thursday is going to be a great one. Not only is today the day that leads us into Friday, it is also the day we celebrate the Weather Profit Extraordinaire (and all of his ugliness). Yes, today is officially Groundhog Day.  For all of you out there that forgot this day exisited, don’t worry, I have you covered.
The results are in from Punxsutawney, Pa., and Phil the groundhog saw his shadow—so if his prediction holds, we could be in for six more weeks of winter. (I do believe that I read somewhere that Phil's tweet this morning: A terrifying shadow = 6 more weeks of winter! Hmmm. I never thought I would see the day that Punxsutawney Phil would have his own Twitter account before me.) Anyways, this prediction would usually be bad news but because of the Spring like conditions that the land of the North has been experiencing, I would very much welcome a snowflake or two. J
Based on the foundation that today is Groundhog Day and because of my own curiosity, let’s explore the phenomenon of this day a little more in depth.
First Question (and I know we are all thinking it), what is a Groundhog?
·         The groundhog (Marmota monax), also known as a woodchuck, whistle-pig (How cool is that name), or in some areas as a land-beaver, is a rodent of the family Sciuridae, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots.


So, I realize that the above picture may be deceiving. Punxsutawney Phil (The famous Groundhog) is the one on the left, though I can understand the confusion one might have. This brings me to the fun facts of Groundhog Day and how Phil got his name.
·         There’s only one Phil. Although groundhogs live for around 10 years in captivity, Phil loyalists insist there has only been one Punxsutawney Phil since his first appearance in the 1880s. According to the official website of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, Phil is given a sip of special groundhog punch every year, which extends his life and allows him to keep making predictions. (csmonitor.com)
o   Phil Loyalists? A life Elixor? Hmmm. I don’t seem so crazy anymore.

·         The average groundhog is 20 inches long and normally weighs from 12 to 15 pounds. Punxsutawney Phil weighs about 20 pounds and is 22 inches long. (groundhog.org)

·         The National Climatic Data Center reportedly stated that Phil's predictions have been correct 39 percent of the time. This number is in conflict with Phil's club, which states he's been right 100 percent of the time. (Huffington Post)
o    Again, I am not looking so crazy anymore.                                                                                             
·         How did Phil get his name?
o   The groundhog's full name is actually "Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators and Weather Prophet Extraordinary." It was so proclaimed by the "Punxsutawney Groundhog Club" in 1887, the same year they declared Punxsutawney to be the weather capital of the world.
·         How do you know it is really Phil at Gobbler's Knob (For those of you who don’t know what Gobbler’s Knob is, it is a tiny hill in Punxsutawney, PA that they have the ceremony) ?
o   For most of the year, Phil lives in a climate-controlled home at the Punxsutawney Library. He is taken to Gobbler's Knob and placed in a heated burrow underneath a simulated tree stump on stage before being pulled out at 7:25 am on Groundhog Day, February 2, to make his prediction.
o   Ummm, I think this is cheating. Anyone else feel like that? I think I am going to write a letter to the Groundhog Phil Club.
·         He may be older than your grandpa’s grandpa, but Phil has adapted with the times. He broke telecommunications ground for rodents in 2010 by allowing people to sign up for a text message notification of his prediction and also updates his Facebook status and tweets his prediction, as he did this morning. (csmonitor.com)
o   I actually believe that this Groundhog is more popular than I am. I don’t know what to think of that.

Well friends, there you go. Whether you wanted to or not, you have just read some of the most reliable (Cough, Cough) facts about this famous day. Let’s celebrate the six more weeks of Winter by doing something fun, something magical and memorable.  Let us greet the days with a grateful heart!


Em
Happy February!! I bet you all are thinking the exact same thing as I am. Where the heck did January go? I can’t believe that I am sitting here at my desk and just realized that the New Year is already a month old. Resolutions are long behind us (or forgotten).  Well, January, you have been a great month for me and helped start the new year off with a great start. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year has in store for me. Cheers, January, to the year ahead.
Hello February. The month of love, laughter and friendship is among us. For me, February is going to be a busy month, jam packed with the enchantments I just mentioned. (It also means training for the half marathon begins….today. Eek.) That put aside, I am excited for this month because it reminds me of a movie that has all the best things in it. February is going to bring me fun, excitement, family, friends, and festivities, a day off of work, romance, and candy. What more could a gal ask for. First in the lineup is fun and family (just to warn you, fun is going to be included in everything this month).  My parents are going to make the long (but beautiful) drive up to the Northland to visit and I am thrilled! Whenever  they come up, I feel like I am on vacation. They have such a great attitude and mood about them always that you just can’t help relaxing and enjoying every moment spent together (Plus, they always stay in a very nice hotel and feed me). I can’t wait to sit and look at Lake Superior with my Pa and talk about life with my mom. This weekend is going to be awesome and to top it all off, I only have to work a half day on Friday. February, you are alright in my book!
Don’t worry; I won’t leave you without a lesson in happiness. J Don’t ever forget that each day is a day to be Happy. Count your blessings, love your life; treasure your family and friends and all that you are thankful for. Above all, soak in the present of each and every moment and enjoy it with all your heart!
Until tomorrow, dance like no one is watching!