Looking back.....

I can't believe it's almost 2010. That's insane to me.

It's also insane to me just how fast this year has gone by and everything I've managed to accomplish and/or experience during it.....

I went to my ultimate favorite place on Earth (yes, even more than Disney).... St Jude Children's Research Hospital. It was three days of incredible (1, 2, 3).

I prayed, interviewed, and ultimately got my very first Big Girl Job.

I celebrated the return of Dr. Doug Ross on ER...... it may be sad that this was a small highlight of my year, but I'm ok with that.

I fell a little too hard for a guy that has turned into "The Guy."

I met Kate Gosselin (clearly soon after I met her, the "rumors" of drama became more than rumors, lol).

I saw Cirque, for the very first time!!!!

I went to Canada for the first time.

Adam Lambert lost and Kris Allen won...... Yes, this was a highlight.

I started actively keeping track of my workouts (and have kept it up, despite a slow month!)

I thoroughly enjoyed summer and the random activities that come along with it.

I met Kenny Chesney.

I took inventory of age 25.

I turned 26 and was dealt a blow, at the same time.

I went to Nashville and met Keith Urban.

Baseball turned fun.

I *hearted* Sugarland.

I survived Halloween Horror Nights...... and, then survived it, again.

I met Brad Paisley.

I didn't meet Colbie Caillat, but I went to her concert, which was just as good.

I met Kevin Bacon.

I was one of those people who went to see New Moon, at midnight.

I participated in my very first exchange.... an Ornament Exchange.

Ninny and I met Kenny Rogers, lol.

I had a super full and super fun December, celebrating Christmas.

I ended the year by meeting some super fabulous bloggy friends!!!

Whether you've only read this once or read it all the time..... Thanks for sharing 2009 with me!

Tales of a Bloggy Meet-Up

Last night was SO fun! No, seriously. SO. MUCH. FUN.

Justine from Almost There and Lil Woman arranged a meet-up while Justine and her husband were visiting Orlando. I am a fan of both their blogs and have emailed a little with both, so I was super excited to meet them in person. I was also going to be meeting Brittany from Living in the Moment.... up until this week, I hadn't "known" Brittany, but was looking forward to meeting her!

During the day, I played at Universal with the family (post and pics to come). Then, came time to get ready for the big face-to-face. We were meeting right not far from Downtown Disney.... perfect for me as I needed to make a quick stop. As I had "theme park hair and face," I also used The World Of Disney restroom as a make-up and hair fixing facility.

Remember my nervous post from a couple days ago? Well, as I was primping and then driving over, I found even MORE things to be nervous about.....

What if I stink?..... Oh, I hope I have something to talk about with them..... Crap, I forgot to give one of them my phone number. What if something has changed and they don't know how to get a hold of me?..... Don't say anything too embarrassing..... Dangit, I forgot lipstick.... Oh, I hope they like me.

I was the first one there, but quickly Justine and her husband Jon walked up. After a bit of a shy, "Are you Justine? I'm Jess." exchange, it was like we knew each other from way back! By the time Lil Woman and Brittany got there, it was already so fun and relaxed.

All of my fears? Well, if I stunk, they were kind enough to not say anything, lol. We talked about plenty. Clearly the phone number wasn't an issue. I admitted to being a soap message board fan from way back and I'm pretty sure that's as embarrassing as it gets. They couldn't have cared less about the lipstick........ and most of all, I think (hope!) they liked me just fine.

These three ladies are absolute dolls!!!!! We quickly bonded over our love of N'SYNC from way back, blogging in general, and so many other similarities. We managed to gab for over 3 hours! We probably could have gone on longer, but the place we were at was turning into a techno club and the boys that came along had been punished enough, lol.

Thanks, girls, for a great time! I LOVED hanging out and hope we all get to do it, again.

Jon and Big Man......... SUPER great sports and awesome guys!

Justine and I

Lil Woman and I

Brittany and I

Um, nervous much?

So, I'm supposed to be meeting up with Lil Woman, Justine from Almost There, and a few other Floridian bloggers tomorrow night.

Lil Woman posted about being nervous...... and, let me just say...... So am I, lol.

I've always been super shy. I eventually warm up, but it takes me a while. And, even when I am comfortable with people.... I can be the quiet one.

So, I really hope it goes well and everyone likes me.

Wish me luck!

December (Non) Workout Blog

Week 27.....

Monday ( the 7th) - Curves

Wednesday (the 9th) - 30 mins Elliptical and 30 mins Treadmill

Thursday (the 10th) - Curves

Seriously, I thought this was pretty good, lol.

Week 28.....

Tuesday (the 15th) - Curves

Week 29....

Monday (the 21st) - Curves

I'm on vacation this week and am determined to start anew. Clearly, my endurance has weakened..... I'm going to have to start out slow. However, now is the time to get back on the train!

I'm dreaming of an ICE! Christmas

I mentioned in an earlier post that we did some promotion for ICE! at Gaylord Palms, along with a broadcast. While we were at the broadcast, we did get to go through it, but it was a little rushed as we had our station mascot with us.

So on Sunday the 20th, several of us loaded up and headed over to enjoy ICE!

The line looked really long, but was actually only about 15 mins. You can stand there for hours, if you're not careful.

Oh! And, my complaint? The little man who was handing out parkas completely misjudged my size. He handed me one that was two sizes too big. I was a bit peeved about it. I know it was two sizes too big, because I wore a parka two sizes smaller when we were there for our broadcast. The two sizes smaller actually had some room in it, too. That that Mr.-Don't-Know-How-To-Size-People-Man, lol. So, when I look like a giant blue balloon in these pics? It's mostly the parka. I was swimming in that stupid thing.

Our friend Sarah, my step-sister Megan, my brother Trevor (acting a fool), his girlfriend Bailey, my step-brother-in-law Brian, and my step-sister Megan......... no, I didn't hit Copy/Paste, lol. I actually have two step-sisters named Megan, lol.



I found this amusing...



Polar Bears....

Bailey and Trevor.... we made them do this, lol.

Ice fishing..... I took this specifically for "The Guy." He's going on a 3-day ice fishing trip this winter with his work. He's like, "Um, I'm not so sure about 3 days on a frozen lake."

They had this HUGE beautiful carousal. You could even sit on some of them.

Bailey

Trevor.... clearly he has no personality, lol.

Sarah...

Megan

Me with my stupid big parka, lol...

Frozen Santa....

They have these great ice slides. It's one of the most popular parts of ICE!! This year, they had four of them.

So pretty...... A tunnel of ice and icsicles.

Besides the ice slides, there is another feature that they always have. The clear ice Nativity Scene. It's absolutely breathtaking....

We wish you a Merry Christmas....

The closest I ever been to a snowman, lol....

Bailey, Trevor, and I waiting for the show in the Atrium...

Brian, Trevor, and Megan...

ICE!!!!

In case you haven't noticed, I love Christmas Trees....

Megan and I

December Part 2.....

I ran into this last year.... the month is so crazy that I do my best to remember it, lol.

Monday, December 14th and Tuesday, December 15th were spent preparing for our final giveaway for the Fall. At night, I did Christmas cards.

Wednesday was our company Christmas lunch. I may be a dork, but I enjoy it, lol. I think it's nice to have everyone hang out for an hour or so.

Friday, we broadcasted from Universal. Have I properly told you just how much I LOVE that place? Well, I do. It was such a nice and relaxing day.

After the broadcast, J and I ate dinner and hung around to see the Macy's Holiday parade......

We headed home after the parade. I was more tired getting home at 7pm than I was when we stayed in the park until 2am for Halloween Horror Nights. I was in bed and asleep by 9:30. On a Friday.

Saturday, I woke up and headed to our giveaway. I've never been so happy to see 3pm. Once it was over, I was OFFICIALLY done with Fall Book (our ratings period). A couple of us went out for an early dinner and drinks to celebrate!

Merry Christmas, Everyone!!!

I hope everyone has a blessed Christmas!!! It really is the most wonderful time of the year.

It can also be a sad time of the year, so please pray for everyone that is going through a hard time or who doesn't know the REAL reason for this season.

Tonight, I learned that a friend from high school lost her father early this morning. Also, "The Guy" is up in Minnesota by himself (he wasn't able to come home for Christmas).

It makes me sad that not everyone can be with their loved ones.

Stay safe..... stay happy..... enjoy the day!

"It's the most busy time of the year"

Ok, so that's not really how the song goes. However, it sure does feel that way, lol.

Let's go back, shall we?

First week in December.....

Literally, the first thing I did when I got to work the Monday after Thanksgiving was decorate my office. I put up a little tabletop tree, strung some lights (in slightly white trash style), and started a collage of the Christmas cards I was receiving.

My little office tree.

On Thursday, we had our hometown Christmas Parade - - - - I LOVE this parade. It's huge and definitely my favorite out of all the parades we do.

D and I

Most of the on-air gang....

M and I

J and I



J and I

D and I

A and I

D and I

This was Thursday the 3rd, lol. The next day, we had a broadcast from Gaylord Palms for ICE!!! Not only do I adore Gaylord Palms and the people there, but ICE! is a favorite holiday tradition for me. My family and I went later on (post and pics to come).

We were supposed to have four (yes, four) parades that very weekend, but they got rescheduled because of the weather. So, I was able to sleep and get a few things done and go to a movie. Saturday, I saw "The Blind Side"..... um, soooooooooo good!

Sunday the 6th......

TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA!!!!!!!!

I LOVE THEM!!!!!

A group of us from work went to go see them. I saw them two years ago and loved them even more this time around. When I subbed, I made my kids listen to their CD through the holidays. They whined about it and eventually grew to beg me to play it for them.

Anyway.... anytime TSO is in town, go. see. them. It's an amazing Christmas show.

Second week of December............

I worked a TON. A ridiculous amount, to be exact.

I was supposed to do parades (the regularly scheduled ones and the rescheduled ones), but it worked out for me not to.

Saturday (the 12th), I met my friend Susan at a local pottery painting store. I'd already decided to get my mom a gift card for Christmas (she loves that place). Then, Susan put out a Facebook call to see if anyone wanted to paint pottery with her. I thought to myself, "Hey! I could paint her something and then get her a card to come back to paint!"

Susan and I made plans to meet as soon as it opened at 9am. I wasn't sure at first what I was going to make. Then, I saw a Gingerbread House Cookie Jar. My mom has Gingerbread everything.... even a village of Gingerbread houses that she puts out each year. So, I decided to make it. FIVE AND A HALF HOURS LATER, I was finished. I sure hope she likes that darned thing. I'll post pictures later.

After I finished, I went to see "Everybody's Fine." Just to warn you...... this is a very sad movie. I was sobbing throughout it. It's a good movie, but a really sad one.

My family went out to dinner and then I headed over to see Mia and the kids (a plumbing issue left them in a Residence Inn right next to where I was eating). Mia and I walked around the shopping complex, chatting while she returned stuff.

Sunday (the 13th), we went to church, lunch, and hung out for a while. Later that evening, we went to our church's Light Walk-Through. This is only the 4th year, but it's already grown to amazing proportions. People from out of town even come..... some are bussed in!!! It's a great event and so much fun.

As this is a mile long, I will leave you with this.....

It's just over two days until Christmas and I'm still not done with my shopping. Or wrapping. Or watching all the Christmas movies I like to watch during the holidays. I hate not being as prepared as I'd like :(.