NYE 2012

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Charlene Ann

I typically don’t love New Years Eve, unless I have pretty fantastic plans, which this year I do. As always Cleveland has a variety of things going on at pretty good prices, depending on what you are looking for. Here are just a few of my selections:

Wonder Bar on East 4th. This is where I’ll be ringing in 2012 with a couple of my favorite people. For $150 you get dinner, premium seating for the band and drinks all night. There are also cheaper packages available. I’m already excited for a night of champagne!

Reddstone. Drink packages are available starting at $40. You can dance, eat and be merry as you ring in 2012 at one of my favorite Cleveland locations.

West Park Station. I’ve typically rang in the New Year in West Park or Lakewood and WPS never fails. Great music, dancing. Be warned – it does become difficult to get parking!

Around the Corner. My go-to bar. ATC is offering bottle service, VIP packages and a whole lot of fun. You can never go wrong with Lakewood, in my humble opinion.

Greenhouse Tavern. By far one of my favorite Cleveland restaurants, Greenhouse is ringing in 2012 with an epic – and I mean epic – meal. 9 courses of fabulous food at a fabulous location. Cheers!

No matter where you go – remember to have a DD or call a cab! There will be plenty out so there’s no excuse! Be safe and see you in 2012!

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Merry Christmas Cleveland!

Posted on December 24, 2011 by Charlene Ann

Merry Christmas to all my family, friends, tweeps and fellow bloggers.

Love you all lots and hoping that Santa brings you all you are wishing for today and in 2012!

 

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Fabulous Friday: Jingle Bells

Posted on December 23, 2011 by Charlene Ann

Fabulous Friday…Yes, it’s been a few days since I’ve blogged. Two long days in the office will do that to you. The upside – I’m officially on vacation (well a staycation until 1.3.12). Christmas shopping is done and the gifts are under the parents tree in preparation for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with the fam. So this Fabulous Friday is dedicated to my favorite holiday – Christmas.

I do wish there was snow but I’m feeling more and more in the Christmas spirit. Two family celebrations, Christmas Eve church at 10:30 p.m. (my personal favorite filled with lots of Christmas Carols). We never actually get back home until after midnight and always have some eggnog (spiked) and open at least one gift.

So until I am able to blog again (next week)….Merry Christmas to you and yours. This year has been filled with tons of blessings and I can’t wait to see what 2012 brings.

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And the weekend continues…

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Charlene Ann

Ah Yes…the weekend is finally over and a short work week continues. That’s right – only two days of work this week. Actually two days of work left for the year and then I’ll be heading into my one year anniversary with my company. And what a year it’s been! (Note: Year in review to come next week.)

I finally was able to finish my Christmas shopping (minus running to Giant Eagle to pick up one gift card). Gifts are wrapped. Cookies are baked. I’m ready for Christmas officially. And I gotta say – I’m so happy that I took today off of work to catch up.

Now the next thing to stress over…New Year’s Eve. Every year I get excited and so many years I’ve been let down on NYE. I”m determined to make this year better. And once plans are finally finished (which should be in the next few days) I’ll be picking up the dress I’ve had my eyes for weeks now.

So, Clevelanders, where are some of the best places to go to this year for New Years?

(This song has been in my head for at least a week now – I heart my city)

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Fabulous Friday: Campaign Love

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Charlene Ann

Every once and awhile a campaign will hit the nail right on the head. And this Fabulous Friday is dedicated to one of my favorite advertising campaigns out there right now – Johnson & Johnson’s “Campaign for Nursing’s Future”. I have a lot of friends that are nurses – pediatric, high risk OB/GYN, emergency, so for me I saw their faces and stories in these commercials.

The way the nurses told their stories, the visuals and the music – for me, it all came together perfectly. Watch and see:

That last one – tear! So cheers to the folks at Johnson & Johnson and their fabulous ad agency. Campaigns like this don’t come around everyday.

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Hump Day

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Charlene Ann

Phew this week is flying by peeps! Seriously. I took some PTO Monday which was fantastic and allowed me to catch up on things around the house, get some blood work done and do a little Christmas shopping. Key word being little.

I’m insanely far behind on Christmas shopping. It’s not even funny. I’m trying really hard to only shop local this year. This issue isn’t shopping. It’s motivation. It’s hard for me to shop if I don’t have snow on the ground. I’m not feeling very festive at all. Yes, my place is looking quite adorable but I just feel like Christmas is so far away. Even though its next week. Ugh!

On the upside: work has been really good this week, including free Chiptole for lunch today and a beer exchange tomorrow for the Holiday season. Time to finish the week up and hopefully have a fun-filled weekend.

Anyone else having a hard time feeling festive without the snow on the ground?

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Chronic Issues

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Charlene Ann

Since my little thyroid cancer issues almost two full years ago, I’ve been on medication to make up for the half of my thyroid that I’m missing. And for a really long time I’ve been good at taking my medication.

The last two months though….not doing so hot. Which means, serious issues for me. I’m tired. Moody. Breaking out. And I can tell. But for some reason, I cannot get myself into a habit of taking my meds everyday at the same time and correctly. Yes, my doctor seriously hates me. If, and when, I take my medication, it’s usually as I’m flying out the door with a quick swig of water. Instead the glasses of water I’m supposed to take it with. I’m supposed to take it first thing in the morning – during the work week, that usually happens. On days off, forget about it. We’re lucky if I remember by noon.

And now it’s time to go back for more tests which I dread. I hate the needles, I hate the paperwork (no, seriously – how many times do I need to fill out the same thing), I hate the questions, I hate ultrasounds on my neck…the list continues.

The BFF has a chronic illness too. And I know for a fact that at one point in time, he was just as bad … no, I take that back…he was worse than I am with my medication. His “thing” (I don’t like calling it an illness) is a lot worse than mine and I know that and he yells at me just as much now as I did at him back in the day.

So, friends, any advice on dealing with something like stupid thyroid issues? If you take daily medication, how do you handle it? Does anyone else struggle or is it just me?

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I Wanna Rock

Posted on December 10, 2011 by Charlene Ann

One of the many reasons I love Cleveland – The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Admittedly, I haven’t been to the Hall as many times as I would like but driving by it everyday makes me proud to have this gem in our city.

And in 2012, during my birthday week, I’m looking forward to what will be one of the best events in Cleveland. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction. When nominees were annouced earlier this year, I was excited. But now seeing the induction list – I’m beyond ecstatic. Guns N Roses. Red Hot Chili Peppers. Beastie Boys. Must attend event.

The Induction features a week of events starting April 5th and ending with the Induction Ceremony on April 14th – yes the day after my birthday. Tickets go on sale December 17th (note: this would be a perfect birthday present for me…just saying).

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Life

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Charlene Ann

This may be some of the best advice we all could use from time to time. A perfect reminder that life is in your hands – so if you don’t like sometime…don’t keep complaining about things – change them. After all, people will only listen to complaints for so long!

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Fabulous Friday: Forever Friendships

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Charlene Ann

You know those Friendships that you know, no matter what, will last forever? I’m lucky to have a few of those.

And this Fabulous Friday – here’s a shoutout to my most favoritest friend in the world: The BFF.

To the person who knows me better than I know myself, is there no matter what: Happy 30th! Looking forward to adding to our 15+ year friendship. More Browns, Christmas Ale, Double Jack and Cokes, Hilarious Conversations, Birthday Lunches, Laughs, Therapy Sessions and lots more memories. 

 

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