Merry Christmas

"Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. " - Luke 2

Christmas 1.0, 2009

We celebrated Christmas a bit early this year, and you know what? I am a-ok with that! I love it! My sister, her spawn, and I spent the weekend at my parents and we opened presents on Saturday morning.

(insert picture of tree with presents under it here)

(insert note regarding lack of pictures of tree with presents)

My gift? A Vacuum! Disregard the messy house and focus on the purple!

Fun with Goggles

My sister has a pair of welders goggles she got for some reason (she doesn't weld). She lets her son play with them. My parents never taught me how to share and so when I saw them, I wanted them.

Personally, I think I look way cuter. The hat is technically his as well, but I appropriated it for the greater good.

Actually, she looks the cutest. Disregard the look of contempt on her face and focus on the "doggie wearing goggles" part.

The nephew was not so sure about his aunt. I am not sure why, nothing says "hey, I am your friend" like a woolen cap being worn in SW Georgia with goggles upon your face.

Everything is fun when you have goggles.

mm

Frankenmuth, Michigan

I visited Michigan last month (we won't address my tardiness in posting this entry) and spent the weekend in Frankenmuth, Michigan. Frankenmuth is dubbed "Michigan's Little Bavaria" and it is too cute.

It is a very quaint little village and the weather was absolutely perfect. I was worried it was going to be very cold, but it was awesome.

I am not going to say the peacocks were the best part, but...

And, when we went, Christmas decorations were already out!

New Year's Resolutions

I will admit, it is a bit early for this, but...

Some people do not like New Year's Resolutions (*cough* my mother), but I am not one of those people! I enjoy challenging myself. Though I do not often keep my resolutions, it can't hurt to try, right? I say correct! So, here are my "not the boring old 'save money' 'lose weight'" resolutions because, let's face it, everyone makes those resolutions!

1. Blog at least once a week

2. Learn to crochet (Andrew has equipped me, so now I must do it)

3. Take a class of some sort (crochet classes do not count)

Maybe blogging about this will help me achieve these resolutions! I don't think they are too crazy that I cannot keep them.

Let's do this.

mm

Random picture incoming.....

Halloween is my Favorite Work Holiday!

This is why! My co-workers and I were the "Black Eyed Peas." We had "P"s on our shirts and black eyes.

And then about 85% of the company dressed up as:

1. An 80's hair band named "Graphix"

2. Rockers from the video game "Rock Band"

3. Bridezillas

4. Members of the Addams Family

5. Bobby Bowden

6. A UFC cage fighter

7. Swine flu inoculators

8. The 4 seasons

9. The scooby doo gang

Man vs. Food

While in Michigan last weekend, we saw that "Man vs. Food" was filming at Mallie's, a bar and grill right beside my hotel! So on Sunday we walked over and OMG! ADAM RICHMAN! WOOO!

The restaurant is pretty small looking so I am sure all the people that were lined up could not fit inside. But it was really need to see them filming, now I have to pay attention to when it airs!

Give me 'more, give me 'more

This week I had to go to Baltimore for work. I have been to Baltimore once, and that was about 3 years ago and it was by the airport (woo-hoo). Though on that trip I ate my first crab cake and it was delicious!

So anyway, this time we stayed in the inner harbor area, and I must say, the inner harbor area is great!

Our first day there, we walked around the harbor and went up to Federal Hill and ate at crabcakes on the harbor.

On Thursday, we went and toured the submarine Torsk and the Constellation.

Then that night we went to an Orioles game at Camden Yards (complete with a free bbq sandwich courtesy of "Boog's BBQ". Apparently Boog is a former baseball player.)

Needless to say, Baltimore's inner harbor is great!

I'm Straight Thugin'

My fool proof plan to read more, and read more educational books has not been 100% effective (http://theveryboringblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/readingits-what-i-do-maybe.html). I did finish the Sesame Street book, which was really great. At 31 years old, I have a new appreciation for children's programming and what goes in to the planning and programming of children TV programs. It was pretty inspiring actually (I seem to find lots of things inspiring though!). But anyway, I encourage anyone to read it, it is well written and pretty easy to read.

So anyway, my latest challenge to myself is to read books from this list: http://www.newsweek.com/id/204300/page/1. I ordered a couple of books from this list from Amazon (what doesn't Amazon have?). The first one I read is Among the Thugs, by Bill Buford. This book was great, but very chilling. The effects of a mob mentality are pretty chilling; this is what the book addresses, the effects of a crowd and what happens to one's mindset when they become part of a mob. Bill Bufurd basically became a british football (soccer) fan and followed fellow football fans (hooligans) around Europe. He interacted with the fans (a bit too much at times), attemping to discover the root of this mob mentality.

Anyway, I would re-read this book in a heartbeat, which is saying a lot because I really do not read books more than once. I think the exceptions have been the Lord of the Rings series and Cold Sassy Tree.

The next read is: Glenn Beck's Common Sense.

Chef Michelle, at your service

YUM!

Take some pot roast (slow cooked for 8 hours)...

Add some cheesy spinach bake (maybe a little extra cheese)...

And then eat!

Bolly-what?

I am in love with all things Bollywood. Well, that actually may not be true, but ever since "Slumdog Millionaire," I love Indian entertainment. (caveat: this does not include Indian food; curry is not my BFF)

After watching "Slumdog Millionaire," I youtubed the dance at the end and learned it. Yes I am THAT much of a dork. Here is the video:

Then, I was watching something else on youtube and

came across this!

So I learned the "jai ho" part of that dance as well.

(Do not question whether I have other things that I

should be doing, that is of no concern to you.) I also

went to the onDemand thing and did some of the

"bollywood" exercises.

All that to tell you this, I have now watched the new

Chris Kattan show on IFC and it is great!

I am a fan of Bollywood and want to watch more.

:)

You are right, it IS tasty

So, most of my friends and family may know, I am not much of a cook. Or, if you are speaking in technical terms, "I cannot cook." Well, I can make some things, but I really am not great. However, I surf the Internet quite often and one of my frequent stops is www.thepioneerwoman.com. I usually just read the normal blog and not the cooking or other areas. However, she just created a "tasty kitchen" portion that has both her recipes (I think) as well as other contributors. Well, the past two weeks, I have tried two recipes on the web site:

http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/recipes/main-courses/crescent-chicken-squares/

http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/recipes/main-courses/panko-parmesan-parsley-pork-chops/

Let me say, they are amazing! I am very impressed with the ease of cooking (granted, I have made some mistakes, but nothing horrendous). The recipes are delicious.

Go to the web site, try it out. Be full!

:)

I can stop anytime I want to

Hi, my name is Michelle and I have an addiction. I am addicted to...

Yes, that is a red elephant. However, my addiction is not to elephants that are red, it is to the restaurant called, "The Red Elephant Pizza and Grill." (http://www.redelephantpizza.com/)

You should go and try it; however, here is a warning, once you go, you will go and go and go and go and go.

It is phenomenal!

I keep saying I will mix my food selection up when I am on my way to the Red Elephant, but I always get the pizza. I am crazy and spontaneous like that!

:)

It's time to get "reel"

I have been contemplating a huge decision for a while now. One that, once I make it, I cannot go back. I had to decide if I was going to purchase a "reel" mower. What is a reel mower you ask, it is one of those mowers that just has the spinning blades; it is neither electric nor gas powered. It runs off the sweat of your brow. Honestly, I really never knew they still existed until a few years ago. I thought they were a '60's thing. But, my friend Melanie bought one and I was intrigued. When I bought my house, I went back and forth (a little "mowing" humor for you *wink*) on whether to get one or not. However, my parents offered me theirs (probably 12 years old at the time...not me...the mower) and I said "YES!" After all, one less thing for me to buy. Well, 5 years later I began to waffle with the decision again. I was going to ask for one for my birthday, but since the one I had was still "working" (it lost its self propulsion ability and so I had to push it up the hill) I decided to get pots and pans instead. I know, you are saying to yourself, "gosh Michelle, you ask for some fabulous gifts for your birthday." If ever you find yourself in a quandary with what to ask for for a special occasion, ask me and I will help you, for free! Anyway, back to the story.

I went to mow the grass last night and the old mower would not start. The primer pusher thing would not push. I also pulled the starter many, many times, but to no avail. So I gave up. A bit more back story, I also have a weedwacker but the line ran out and well, um, we will not go in to details about that anymore. I decided it was finally time to "go green" and get a reel mower. Either I am environmentally conscious or the reel mower was a novelty I just had to have (you decide). So I went and looked for one at the store and I could not find one. I found your traditional gas powered mowers. So I asked for help. Nope, that is a lie, I am my father's daughter and walked aimlessly around until I found a box that I did not think a mower could fit in; think the size of about 4 shoe boxes. Sure enough, there it was! I actually read the box and it said "no tools needed," which was the go ahead for me to purchase.

I got home, sat out in the 1,000,000,000% humidity outdoors and put this bad boy together. I then tested it out and low and behold it is FABULOUS! I had a big, sweaty (gross, I know) grin on my face but I was mowing with the best of them.

Note to self, now I have to keep the sticks picked up in the yard, or as I like to call it, a one man (woman) game of "pick-up sticks."

Silly Allieness!

Allie is a silly dog!

She is scared of crop irrigation systems and so hid in the backseat floorboard last weekend on the way home from my parents.

Yeah, she gets hot because she can't feel the a/c back there!

And then tonight, a squirrel was climbing on the back bedroom window and it was driving Allie bananas.

Lake Seminole

The lake is wonderful right now, sunny and not too hot.  I did get a bit of a burn last Saturday, so this weekend I wore more sunscreen.  I know, you would have thought my first picture would be of the lake, but its the sky and sun.

Luckily, this wasn't our boat being towed!  :)

Jim Woodruff Dam (and lock).  I told my dad I would be a lock-keeper if everyone had to ask for passage using an old english accent.  He just kind of boggled at me.  whatevs.

Watch out for the snags!  The first time I saw this sign, I thought it said "snakes" and thought snakes could drop out of the tree limbs on to my head.   I was not happy.  Then I learned to read.  Amazing.

Charleston, South Carolina

This past week I had to go to Charleston, South Carolina for work.  I must say, a great change from DC every two months.  I have come to the conclusion, based on this trip, that I am a huge fan of Charleston.  It is a great city!  I spent the entire 3 days there, texting and twittering my parents, urging them to take a trip to Charleston; hopefully it worked!  The city is very historic, with Fort Sumter and such, and they appear to have a great historical preservation program to keep the old buildings intact.  

We stayed at the Charleston Place Hotel which was VERY nice (www.charlestonplace.com).  I also ate enough shrimp and grits to last me for a while, the best was at Fleet Landing, right on the water.  And lets not forget about the pounds of different desserts I consumed, from Kominsky's and River Street (I think) candy shop; the pralines were AMAZING!

We had the opportunity to go to the outdoor market which I heard was the slave market back in  the day (the day being like the early 1800's, not 1970).  The market is now below the confederate museum.  Luckily we were there in early May during the weekday, because I can imagine that place will get HOT and crowded over the summer.  I am a fan of unique jewelry (I don't want something you can buy in the mall) and purchased a very lovely necklace.   

Overall, it was super sweet to go to a meeting outside of DC (DC can get old after a while).

More pictures can be seen here...http://www.flickr.com/photos/26507866@N03/sets/72157617847764028/

The Osprey

First, "The Osprey" would be a cool name for a book, song, or something.  Second, my dad and I went out for a boat ride yesterday, (I said "today" at first, I really have not been paying attention to things lately) and saw an osprey nest.  We got close and took a couple pictures.  However, when we got too close, she/he/it starts squawking at us, either calling for assistance, shooing us off, or both.

Reading...It's what I do (maybe)

One of my New Year's Resolutions (sorry mom, I do make them) was to read a bit more.  Now, I was never an avid reader.  I think the only books I ever read when I was young was the Sweet Valley high series and the Babysitter's Club.  Not exactly profound and life altering reading, I know.  Well, after I graduated college I actually got more in to reading.  For the past few years, I read so much more than I ever used to.  Part of it is due to traveling and it is easy to read a book on a plane and part of it is I have found books I enjoy.  Whatever the catalyst, I am reading more, and that is a good thing.  This year I have decided to alter my reading focus a bit.  While I have historically focused on mystery and sci-fi (I will admit, I have read all of the books in the World of Warcraft series), I have decided to alternate fun/fictional reading with non-fiction.

Since about mid-December, I have been reading the Sookie Stackhouse books.  Yes, I am a huge fan of "TrueBlood."  Well after blowing through the first 8 books, ending in about mid-February, I decided I need to read something a bit more enriching.  I was at Borders and a book caught my eye; any book that has something "street gangs" in the title as GOT to be good, right?  Well I picked it up and it is actually about the history of Sesame Street.  Side note (but related): I grew up on Sesame Street.  During the Iran-Contra hearings, my sister and I watched more PBS than you could even imagine.  

Well anyway, I am now on my "non-fiction" book and it is "Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street."  I have finished the first few chapters and it is actually pretty interesting.  When finished, I will post a review.

http://www.borders.com/online/store/TitleDetail?sku=0670019968

Mean people are mean

A few years ago my mom told me a story about myself at a young age.  When I was in elementary school and middle school I always took my lunch.  Every morning I would wake up and make my own lunch, seriously, EVERY morning.  Now I remember doing this, but didn't have a clue that there was a reason behind it.  Well my mom told me that I told her that I did it because I was scared of dropping my lunch tray and everyone looking at me.  I can totally see me saying this.  I hate being the center of attention and drawing attention to myself.  I am more of a color commentator rather than a play-by-play kind of person (to use a sports-type analogy).  

Well, coming home from DC on Friday, I was on the ATL to TLH leg of my flight and this old man totally humiliated me.  Back story: I am a tall person, if you have ever met me you most certainly know this.  Well on most airplanes my knees always touch the seat in front of me, I have no choice in this matter.  Now the story: apparently, this old man's precious little wife (grrr!) complained to her husband that I was "kicking her seat" and so he turned around and kind of loudly (and quite curtly and surly) asked me to stop kicking his wife's chair.  Well, lets see...I am not 10, I have manners, and I AM TALL.  So I was not kicking her chair, merely moving my legs (heaven forbid!).  Unfortunately I was in shock and too mortified to say anything (if you have ever seen "You've Got Mail" and Meg Ryan's character makes the comment about never thinking of a good 'zing' when someone says something to her, this is how I felt), plus it was an old man and I do have respect for people.  But I was totally humiliated and mortified (not exaggerating).  The old man said it loud enough that everyone looked at me, and plus being publicly rebuked is not the most fun ever, either.  So I basically did not move the rest of the flight and just stared out the window, willing myself not to cry.

But, when we landed and I was talking to my friend I just started crying.  So congratulations Mr. Crotchety Old Man and Wife, you made a 30 year old cry.

I would like to think I am over it, but I am not.

Gettin' my groove on

Sigh!  Ok, I am a fan of novetly things, I can admit this.  I am also a fan of gadgets and such.  Well for the last month or so, I have been contemplating getting "Dance Dance Revolution" for the Wii.  I used to make fun of people who played DDR.  I remember walking by the arcade place in the mall before going into the movies and the DDR game was right in the front, by the window.  Seeing the kids playing it always made me laugh because they looked so silly.  Well, now I look silly.  It really is alot of fun though, and at least I look silly from the safety of my own home.  Until someone comes over and wants to play...then I will look silly in front of others.

I am a creature of the internet

So we are preparing for a conference at work and one of the breakout sessions I have been involved in has been regarding Web 2.0 which got me thinking (as well as the the fact that I use Google Chrome as my browser) about my internet usage.  Having a laptop only reinforces this because I don't have to go in the back bedroom to use the computer, I can just sit in the recliner in the living room and play on the internet and watch t.v. while Allie the Dog sits at my feet.

Michelle's daily websites:

1.  Myspace - yeah...I lurk!

2.  Twitter - I love to tweet!

3.  iGoogle - I can see my e-mails, jokes, news, and Digg stories from this page

4.  Facebook - This is moving up on my list and I waste way too much time here lately

5.  PerezHilton - I like celebrity gossip!  :)

6.  MSNBC - I try to stay somewhat up to date on news (ok, I go to the entertainment section alot)

7.  The WoW forums - This one is moving down...what with my lack of playing WoW

8.  My blog! - But I have a lot of links here now that I visit, such as failblog and graphjams and other blogs

9.  The Superficial - more celebrity gossip

10. Lolcats - those crazy cats!

11. ThePioneerWoman 

Other sites that I love

1.  Amazon (who doesn't love it)

2.  Chacha.com - this is quickly becoming one of my favorite

3.  Bestbuy - I love electronics and gadgets

4.  TDO.com - for local news

5.  Netflix - gotta keep up with my movies

6.  Youtube - My youtube addiction comes and goes

Things I never got into:

1.  Ebay

2.  Craigslist

3.  Other things that I don't know about yet!  :)

It really is amazing to me that I remember sitting in an 11th grade "libary/media" class where I just hung out in the library and one of our actual assignments was to use the internet to write a research paper.  This was the first time I ever used the internet, really.  I remember having an AOL e-mail account but none of my friends did so it was pointless.

Ah Web 2.0, I have a love/hate relationship with you!

Travel

In the first three months of the year, I will fly 5 times (roundtrips).  That is alot, in my opinion.  I hate packing and unpacking and just want to keep my suitcase packed, as horrible and lazy as that is.  I always fear I am going to forget something or leave it in the hotel.  I actually have done that before, I left my glasses in a hotel and luckily they found them and express overnighted the glasses to me.  Plus, being tall sucks when you are flying.  I always try to get the emergency exit row, but I am only successful about 50% of the time.  And so my poor legs are all cooped up, like chickens.  I think I need a new carry on bag, during my last trip, my messenger back was killing my shoulder, but I hate roller bags because they don't fit in the overhead compartment sometimes.

What a complainy post this was!  :)  At least my last trip will be to Michigan.

Side note: The Superbowl was really good this year!

30 things you may not know about me

When I started the blog, I thought I would have more to say.  Well apparently I was wrong!  But I saw this on a friends blog, and then my sister posted something similar on facebook, so I thought I would try it.  And since I am 30...."30 Things You May Not Know About Me."  Shall we begin?

1.   I have never had a manicure nor a pedicure.

2.   I have seen every episode of "Friends" at least 3 times.

3.   I am at my very core a romantic.

4.   I love to plan things, trips, cleaning schedules, days, etc.

5.   I want to go back to school.

6.   I like pet names, but funny ones, not cliche ones.

7.   I never realized how getting older would change my outlook on things, including goals.

8.   I hate shopping with most people.

9.   While I used to hate Mexican food, it is probably my favorite type of food now.

10. I don't have any secret talents.

11. I never realized how judgemental I am, until I have started trying not to be

12. I would like to write a book.

13. I would like to be famous without be "paparazzi" famous (i.e. I want to go to award shows, but not be the center of attention).

14. I truly hate being the center of attention.

15. I would like to help people figure out what they want to do with their life.

16. I do not like talking politics.

17. I want to be one of those "genuinely nice" people.

18. Ingrid Michaelson is my favorite singer/song writer.

19. I am higher maintenance than I would like to admit.

20. I enjoyed the "Sookie Stackhouse" books.

21. I have not enjoyed the "Twilight" series.

22. I enjoy looking at pictures, rather than taking them; I only take them to look at them.

23. I have learned more about myself in the last 2 years than probably any time before then.

24. "The Princess Bride" will always be my favorite movie.

25. I hate watching the news.

26. I watch "Saved by the Bell" every morning.

27. I have read more in the last 4 years than the 26 years before that.

28. I hate that my fingers are crooked.

29. I love new years resolutions.

30. I take my family for granted.

That was hard, but fun.  My stream of consciousness thinking is very random!

Photos

Andrew suggested we take some pictures when he came down this week, so thanks to Facebook, I knew that a friend of mine from high school was a photographer.  Branch was great and agreed to take some photos for us.  On Thursday we met at Maclay Gardens.  I confess I have never been to the gardens part.  I was impressed actually.  The camillas were blooming, as were the japanese magnolias.  So, here a couple of the pictures, thanks to Branch (www.photographybybranch.com)!

Happy New Year

Andrew came down this week for a few days.  We had alot of fun.  We went to St. George Island, Maclay Gardens, and then went up to Lake Seminole.  I think I went to more state parks in the last 3 days than I have been to in the last four years.