As 2009 (and the decade!) comes to an end, I thought it would be nice  to reflect on the past year considering I’m a huge fan of “end-of-the-year” lists! I’m not a fan of personal info on my blog but I think the following is pretty benign. Also, 2008 was such a horrible year, that I was determined to make 2009 awesome. I think I succeeded… Here are some month-by-month highlights (consider this my supremely annoying Christmas card!):

January

• Quit my job
• Turned 26 (sayonara quarter century!)
• Went to Madrid with my BFF

February

• Enjoyed living the unemployed dream before it got boring and tedious

March

• Started my awesome blog!
• Went to Arizona for Cubs Spring Training, baked in the sun for what I would later find out would be the last time I could do that. Thanks for the tan Arizona!

April

• Another exciting Cubs season began…

May

• As quick as the Cubs season began… it was already over.
• I learned the value of couponing thanks to all the frugal blogs out there on the information super highway! Not sure how much I saved but if my CVS receipts are any indicator, my year-to-date savings there alone is over $800!

June

• Went to Las Vegas for the first and last time
• Went to my first Cubs-White Sox game on the scary southside

July

• Can’t remember much about this… I can only assume this means that I went on the traditional midyear/midsummer bender

August

• Started grad school!

September

• Reunited with my long lost lover and became engaged!
• Went to Seattle with my family for an awesome Bears-Seahawks game

October

• Formed a legendary karaoke band, “Annette”

November

• My long lost lover moved in and I said goodbye to my beloved single life forever

December

• This  month flew by, I have no idea what happened in December besides Christmas and going to Pittsburgh with my Dad for an awesome Steelers game!

So that, in a nutshell, has been my year. I look forward to making 2010 even more awesome, if that’s possible. Thank you also to all of you, my readers, for making my blog and my year worthwhile! Have a fabulous New Years, be safe, and I’ll see you again in 2010!

A very special Christmas Edition…

1) What country did the gingerbread house come from?

2) What is Santa’s real name?

3) What is Frosty the Snowman’s nose made of?

4) What is the name of Scrooge’s dead business partner?

5) In which ocean is Christmas Island located?

6) Which department store created “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?”

7) How many gifts would you receive if you received all the gifts in the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas?”

8 ) What is Clark Griswold’s middle initial?

9) What is the bar in “It’s a Wonderful Life” called?

10) What Christmas carol composed in 1818 was written for guitar?

11) What magical item brings Frosty the Snowman to life?

12) What kind of mug is Clark drinking out of when he talks to his boss in “Christmas Vacation?”

Things I Live For: Christmas, duh!

Quote of the Day: “It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.” –W.T. Ellis

Sooooooooo funny:

 

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One of my favorite Christmas movies:

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Hilarity:

Pet Peeve of the Day: Pictures hanging on walls wrapped as presents for the holidays

Quote of the Day: “This is the message of Christmas: we are never alone.” –Taylor Caldwell

This is what I want for Christmas–the ice cream cone punch toy!  I was at a store yesterday when I spotted a bin of these and they brought me back!  Do kids still play with these?  Why do I remember them being so cool?  All I know is that if Santa doesn’t bring me one this year, I’m gonna be pissed.

Pet Peeve of the Day: Lies, lies, lies

Quote of the Day: “Cats always know whether people like or dislike them. They do not always care enough to do anything about it.” –Winifred Carriere

If you don’t like Christmas music, I don’t like you.  And, you may want to avoid this blog until December 25th then…  Here is a video featuring one of my favorite songs:

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A funny video I just discovered.  It celebrates Christmas and makes fun of that shit’s piece, Michael Moore.  Life doesn’t get better:

Pet Peeve of the Day: When I say I’m super hungover and all I want is miso soup and a certain someone doesn’t believe me

Quote of the Day: ”Say what you mean, mean what you think, think anything.” –Cat Stevens