Monday Reminder: New Years Eve Special!

In honor of New Years Eve, I think this was especially appropriate.

Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country. - Anais Nin

Cozy Holiday Linkup / Favorite Things Friday

Earlier this week, one of my favorite bloggers Nicholl shared that she and Neely were hosting a link up for today.  Considering that Wisconsin get completely dumped on with the winter weather this week, Nicholl and Neely's "Cozy Holiday Linkup" was just the thing I needed!

(Also, since these photos pretty much also represent everything awesome that happened to me this week, I'm linking up with Lauren like always as well.  Even if it's not my top 5... because let's be real, narrowing down 5 favorite cozy things is impossible... it's pretty true to my original Favorite Things Friday posts I was doing way back when and since I used to link up then, I'm stretching the rules and doing so again.)

Ok, without further ado... Rikki's Favorite Cozy Things that Happen to be Posted on a Friday.  Or something like that...

I wrote this post as the wind whistled outside, a pie was in the oven, the girls were sleeping in a little ball on a stool in the kitchen, I was wearing a fuzzy sweater with fuzzy socks and leggings, and I was singing along to Christmas music... if that doesn't spell cozy, I don't know what does.

Happy holidays, friends!  I doubt I'll get around to writing this weekend but you never know.  If not, have a wonderful weekend!

Just a Little Something We Can Do...

A few days ago, while reading through some of my favorite blogs, I stumbled upon a little announcement about "Operation: Friendship for Newtown."  Like the group on Facebook if you want the most current info or want to follow along.

The gist of it is that this wonderful woman is collecting green and white friendship bracelets for the kids at Sandy Hook.  Remember back when those little friendship bracelets meant the world to you?  Yep, we're giving that little bit of love and hope back to these kids.  I went out and bought embroidery floss tonight (10 skeins of each color for a grand total of $7.00....... I mean come on.  It's the least we can do) and plan to spend my free time in the car this weekend making as many of these as my little fingers can handle.

Even though it's a minor thing for me to be sharing this with my limited audience, I wanted to anyway.  If you have any free time in the next week or so, please consider doing a little something for the students whose lives have literally been shattered.  It's not much but it's something we all can do so they know they haven't been forgotten.

The Procedure: Margaret Belle

I've shared before that I tend to download a lot of free Kindle books and that a lot of them are pretty terrible or trashy.  Recently, however, I discovered an awesome website called Book Bub which sends a daily email - customized based on your stated interests - sharing a few free or "on sale" e-book recommendations.  I get 4-5 books every day that I might like to download to my Kindle.  Let's just say I've been adding a lot of books to the queue that I haven't had time to read yet!  Best part?  I'm not spending a dime to do so.  I highly recommend you check it out.
No disclaimer needed - Book Bub has no flipping idea who I am so I can guarantee I won't get any special perks by recommending them.

One of the first books I downloaded based on a Book Bub recommendation was The Procedure by Margaret Belle.  The story focuses on a woman named Melanie who is volunteering some time working at a fertility clinic.  She has a long-standing relationship with the clinic - she and her sister were "products" of the doctor's fertility treatments and she is a single mom raising a son who was also born due to the work of the clinic.

The story quickly takes a weird turn.  In some ways, I believed it was a little too quick - there are definitely parts of this book that need to be better developed and plot lines that need more explanation.  That being said, it is rare that I read a medical suspense story that I don't get completely confused by.  This was an exception.

Like many of the other books I've read in recent years, The Procedure made me question the world we live in.  Have we taken such a moral downturn that it is just accepted that our bodies do not truly belong to us?  Are these medical advances really making the world a better place?  Is this a problem with specific individuals or is it more a commentary on our society as a whole?

If you're at all into medical mysteries, I suggest you check this one out.

Thoughts From Monday

As I write this, it is Monday night.  It was a great day at work but I'm tired after not sleeping well Sunday.  I came home after work, warmed up some leftovers for dinner, poured a glass of wine, and am curled up on the couch with two little fluff balls.  I'm keeping the heat somewhat low in my new place to save on energy costs and it's a perfect excuse for lots of cuddling this winter.  You don't see me complaining about it...

It's officially winter here.  I forgot my mittens this morning and by the time I got to work, my hands were severely dry and chapped.  No amount of lotion throughout the day would save them.  By the time I got home tonight, the cuticle on my right hand was so dry and chapped that it was bleeding.  By January, I will be quite a mess.

While watching today's episode of Jeopardy, something I watch almost every day, I realized why I have never completed the Jeopardy test myself.  One woman competing this evening was virtually useless during the first round... on every question except those relating to booze.  She rocked the "Christmas Spirits" category, knowing answers such as peppermint schnapps and bourbon.  I know that would end up being me.

I'm getting a new mattress for Christmas (thanks Mom & Dad!) and need to pick out some new bedding.  I'm at a total loss for what I want to buy.  Apparently "something neutral that matches the carpeting" is trickier to find than I might have expected.

I have barely started my Christmas shopping.  I order the bf's present last night - thankfully I found a great price on the perfect present but that means I need to pick up something else that is small which might be very tricky as he's impossible to shop for.  I haven't done anything for anyone else though.  Something about this year doesn't feel like Christmas.  I think it's all the moving and changes.  my mind just isn't there yet.  Hopefully I get into the Christmas spirit in the next week.  Apparently the three Christmas trees in my house mean nothing.

I don't even know what to say about the tragedy that happened last week.  As I was writing this post, I watched the tribute on The Voice and sobbed like a baby.  What else is there to do?

(And that my friends is a very random post.  Just sharing my thoughts - both happy and sad - for the night.)

Monday Reminder: Dreams Can Come True

"All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them. - Walt Disney

It's Friday (Friday)

Am I the only one who sings this ridiculously annoying song in her head every single time she thinks about writing a Favorite Things Friday / High Five for Friday post?  Yes?  Moving on then....


As always (or when I have time to write these Friday posts) I'm linking up with Lauren!

1.  Did you see the announcement yesterday about the new Facebook page?  Still getting it 100% up and running but give it a look and like it if you feel so inclined!

2.  I'm finishing my second week at the new job and I confirm every single day that it was the right move for me to make.  Of course I miss my friends and coworkers from Kentucky and loved the work I was doing there.  But I am constantly amazed by the good work being done by my new employer and know that I will be able to make a huge difference by utilizing my talent here.

3.  Likewise, I've been living in my new apartment for just over two weeks and I still love it here too!  It's finally starting to look like a real home - as long as you don't look in the disorganized closets or ignore the stack of packing supplies about a mile high in the garage.  Plus I'm still missing a dining room table.  Anyone feeling generous and want to contribute to the "I really like a table that's a little out of my price range right now" fund?

4.  More than me liking the new place, my cats freaking love it.  They spend hours every night running up and down the stairs, chasing each other from room to room, and exploring closets.  Seeing them settle in makes a huge difference for me.

5.  The best thing about the last two weeks?  Getting to see my friends and family on a regular basis.  Unfortunately, I'm not making the trek to Minneapolis to celebrate my best friend's birthday this weekend like originally planned but just knowing that all of my favorite people (minus my little sister) are just a short drive away is a huge relief.  Already feels like home.

Happy weekend everyone!

Introducing: The Brand New Facebook Page

Let's all take a moment to think back a few years.  Let's choose... May 9, 2005... shall we?

Thinking back to that date for me and my friends, the topic of conversation was all about Facebook.
"When will we get it?" (Remember, this is back when you had to have a university email address to join)
"Will you join if we do get it?" (Not everyone did)
"Do your friends have it?" (Afterall, I went to a relatively small, somewhat obscure college so we certainly weren't on the short list of schools that were early adopters)
"What the heck is Facebook anyway?" (I think the website was actually still thefacebook.com back then)

May 11, 2005 - at least according to my timeline - I joined Facebook.  Since then, I think it's safe to say that the future of communication and relationships in general has been changed forever.  Not that I'm complaining.  I love that I can keep in touch with 1,000 "friends" - many who I haven't seen in years and some who I have technically never met.  There's an element of creep-itude about the whole Facebook thing as well but that's for another post.

All of this is to say that I finally bit the bullet.  Want to follow along with the blog even when I'm a little too busy to type out an entire post?  Click that little icon up in the top right corner - the one with the little F - and like me.  Please... I'll beg you.  I've been waffling on the whole "creating a Facebok page" debate for a while but I finally gave in and would love some validation that it was the right decision!

What I'm Reading Wednesday

I genuinely love Casey Leigh's gift of storytelling.  I read this post for the first time a few weeks ago.  I was trying to wake up for the day, coffee mug gripped in my hands.  It was my last day of work at the old job and I was needing a moment of calm before I embarked on my day.  As always, she delivered.  I ached to be able to write like this - weave a spell, set a scene, tell a story.

I stumbled upon a blog a while back that a remarkable woman writes.  Stephanie and her husband were in a terrible accident a few years back and yet her blog is full of hope, of peace, and of love.  It's an incredible reminder to be thankful for what you've been given and for persevering no matter what.  I read this post after a bit of a bad day when I was feeling sorry for myself.  So inspirational.

This post was the first I read on Oh Joy! but I knew I was hooked.  If you come to a dinner party at my house anytime soon (tough since I don't have a dining room table, but whatever), expect something similar.  So cute!  

Stop over and show these bloggers some love!

Good, Bad, and Ugly

Since I never have time to think of my Friday things anymore, I figured I'd do the Good, Bad and Ugly linkup to fill you all in on what I've been doing.

First, the Good.
So many good things.  I've got one week of the new job under my belt and so far, I'm loving it.  My new co-workers seem great, the job is going to be amazing (once I actually start working), and the company is one I can be proud of.  I'm also loving being back home in general - being able to see my family (and yes, of course, my boyfriend) on a regular basis is something that can't be measured.  It's amazing.

Next, the Bad.
I haven't even started my Christmas shopping. Now that there's actually snow on the ground (add the whole "having to shovel" thing to the bad list), I feel like it's actually Christmas and I need to hurry up and get organized.  Hopefully I'll get some things done next week.

Last, the Ugly.
My townhome is a disaster zone.  Every time I take 3 steps forward in terms of unpacking, it gets a little messier with packing paper, flattened boxes, and balls of tape everywhere.  Plus, there's a giant red wall in my living room that needs to be painted ASAP.  Red walls are definitely not my thing and it makes me all nervous and angry.

That's it.  Nothing too exciting going on around here.  Just trying to get settled in and get through the holidays so I can figure out what my routine will be.

Don't Read This if You Love "Baby It's Cold Outside"

Remember yesterday when I posted about the holiday music swap?

So it's no real secret that I love Christmas music.  I love old classics almost as much as I love current pop holiday tunes.  That being said, there is one song that it's wildly popular which I absolutely cannot stand.

"Baby, It's Cold Outside"

If you don't want it ruined forever, please stop reading.  But it more than just bugs me so I think I'm allowed to share why.

(Almost) Late to the (Swap) Party

Ah, Monday.  I am beyond exhausted.  Almost forgot to post in order to link up for the great swap I just did.

First, let me preface with the "yeah, yeah, I know I haven't been writing lately" apology.  For me, the holidays always mean a lot of time in the car listening to Christmas music while driving, traveling with the cats, and visiting with family.  This year the holidays also mean a major cross-country move (2 weeks ago), my first holiday with my boyfriend's family (Thanksgiving), a new apartment (just moved in last Thursday), and a brand new job (first day was today).

I always start listening to Christmas music right after Thanksgiving and this year had the pleasure of adding a ton of new songs to my iPod thanks to a "Jingle Bell Rock" holiday mix "tape" swap I decided to participate in.  I kind of wasn't planning on moving right at this time as well so I had to cram in the creation of a playlist over my last weekend in Lexington... but imagine my surprise when my partner turned out to be a fellow Wisconsin-ite!  It was just another sign that it was the perfect time for me to be moving back!

The mix Sara sent me is amazing - a fabulous mixture of new and old favorites.

Excellent job, Sara!  How have I missed the amazing-ness that is Straight No Chaser?!

What a fun swap!  I can't wait until I get settled in a little more and Sara and I have a chance to meet up in person.  Make sure to check out her blog over at You.And.Me.Are.We and show her some love.

P.S. Check back tomorrow for when I explain how much I hate "Baby, It's Cold Outside" and why, as well as why one of these never-before-heard songs made me happy because it was soooo much better!