The most wonderful time of the year...

You know that seasonal depression stuff, this is about the time it strikes. In college I came down with this every year. The holidays are both the warmest and coldest period on the calendar. A time to see family which can be as stressful as it is comforting, and a time to be with those you love or to see others with people they love. Overall, it can add to a lot of anxiety with gifts to buy, travel, parties and decorating. I love all of this stuff more than I can say, but being away from home like I am, it's a little isolating no matter how many gifts I wrap or cookies I bake.

So here are some things that are cheering me up now while my SAD is kicking in. First, a cartoon a coworker showed me that is completely unrelated to the holidays. It's kind of a feel-good thing for when you are depressed.

My list of feel-good Christmas movies (along with some of my favorite clips from each):

Love Actually

White Christmas

A Muppet Christmas Carol

Elf

Scrooged

Just Friends

Going My Way

It's a Wonderful Life

A list of Christmas songs:

All I Want For Christmas Is You-Mariah Carey (NOT Justin Beiber, that never should've been a thing)

My Grown-Up Christmas List-Kelly Clarkson

Where Are You Christmas-Faith Hill

I'll Be Home For Christmas-Frank Sinatra

Baby, It's Cold Outside-Dean Martin

O Come All Ye Faithful-Nat King Cole

Fum, Fum, Fum - The Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Ave Maria-Celine Dion

Auld Lang Syne-Mairi Campbell

I hope all of this helps you get through the season in some way. Remember, 2012 is a fresh start.

The Rainbow Connection

It was a rough Monday and one of the only things that got me through it completely was The Muppets. I have been talking about them a lot, but they just are so positive, it's hard to not rely on them for a little pick me up...once a week. I mean it's better than drugs right?

Funny story about the Muppets, Fox News thinks they are communists. How could anyone think such a thing of Kermit? I mean, it's not easy being green, I guess. The point they are making is that the bad guy in the new movie is an oil baron. Fox News sees this as an attack on corporations and the oil industry. I think this is a completely ridiculous idea. The Muppets don't even talk about the oil or environment, they just want to save their old studio. Who could attack the sweet little Muppets? My inner child is offended she's throwing a hissy fit in the Muppets' honor.

I LOVE this clip with the composer of the new Muppets movie, Bret McKenzie of Flight of the Conchords fame, and the ever adorable Kermit. This is the cutest. "Life's a Happy Song when there's someone by your side to sing along," and them singing it together is a big, juicy, fuzzy feeling that I want to hug and squeeze and never let go. Thinking about this song makes me want to smile and tap dance my way through even the gloomiest days. "Life's a taco!"

More fun Muppet stuff. Here's the Muppets performing Bohemian Rhapsody. Seriously, this is the best thing I've ever seen. Totally worth a watch.

Another news story about childhood shows is that Herman Caine actually used a Pokemon song in some of his speeches. He always cited the references as "a poet." Apparently, the song comes from the movie Pokemon 2000 and when Caine heard the song during the Olympics he fell in love with it. Then he learned it was "The Power of One" from Pokemon, but he felt really moved by the lyrics. That's hilarious! I loved Pokemon, but this guy was running for president quoting a show about anime monsters from Japan that was popular in the 90s. What? Tell me if that makes sense. You can't make that stuff up.

Things To Brighten Your Week

"Happiness is a warm puppy." - Charles Schultz

It's Tuesday, nearly hump day, and for me, with my amazing schedule, today is actually my Thursday. That makes it, on average, Wednesday. Don't question it, it's science. I need a pick-me-up today, and who doesn't like things that make them happy?

Here are pictures of Betty White with animals. I know that sounds stupid, but think about how cute! Betty White is an adorable old woman and then you add zoo animals. I don't see how this could get any better.

The Muppets are out!! Here's the review on Rotten Tomatoes if you are skeptical. It is such a good movie and so made for both children and adults. There are 80s jokes the new generation just won't get, but I was laughing my ass off, and so was my mom. So much so that it was actually embarrassing and uncomfortable for me and my dad. That's a different story. I'd go see it again, that's how much I loved it.

This is a corgi going up the stairs. You know Welsh corgis? The little dogs with stubby legs and pointed snouts? I love those, they're my favorite. Please watch, it will make you squeel with the adorableness it's emitting.

Blondies, the opposite of brownies and even more delicious. A co-worker brought them in today, which I am very thankful for because I didn't bring lunch. They are yummy and he put sprinkles in them so they are extra cute. Here's a recipe, they'll pick you up when you're feeling low.

Oh Oh, The New Girl is on tonight! So excited for some twee television. Twee = sickeningly adorable, I just learned that yesterday.

As a Mizzou fan, it warms my heart to know kU's (I did that on purpose, they don't deserve to have the "K" capitalized in proper fashion) coach was recently fired after we beat them in our last border war game for a while.

I hope this helps. Power through it, the 25 days of Christmas start this week.

Things to brighten your week

In case you weren't aware there is going to be an all new Muppet movie coming out on Thanksgiving. I cannot tell you how excited I am about this. Who doesn't love the Muppets? There's a character for everyone. Jason Segal and Amy Adams are going to be in it, and it just looks like a goofy, adorable-fest.

So, for those of you who have had a rough week already, here's the opening scene and first song titled "Life's A Happy Song."

If you haven't heard of Pinterest, it's the newest social media type of concotion. It's kind of like Tumblr and Twitter had a baby, but so much better. It's a bunch of photos you can click on and get more information, or you can comment on them, or you can just like them. I just started using it, but it has great recipes, DIY ideas, decorating ideas, photos, geeky memorabilia....I could go on. It's just fun to look around. Needless to say, I'm in love. If you need an invite let me know.

That the holidays are coming up fast and furious. I love it. It really is almost Thanksgiving so no complaining that it's too soon. Just think about the food, and the Black Friday sales, oh, and family. This also means we get to watch amazing holiday movies like White Christmas, Love Actually, and A Muppet Christmas Carol. Can you tell I love Muppets?

The new series Once Upon A Time. I've never been able to see it when it actually airs, but I am really loving this show so far. It's modern, and has elements of the stories you loved as a kid with an adult twist. It's just interesting. Snow White is real, Red Riding Hood is real, what's better than that?

So, this looks hilarious. A new show on ABC called GCB, which apparently is based on a book called Good Christian Bitches, but on TV stands for Good Christian Belles. The always talented Kirsten Chenoweth is going to be in it.

Ramen noodles. I have friends who think they're for poors, but they are the cheapest and quickest made comfort food. Also, there are infinite ways to make them. A girl at work actually puts vegetables in her's. She makes a couple bricks, and puts frozen okra, and carrots in it with some chili flakes.

Currently, as in right this minute, the CMAs are making me super happy. If you don't like country you won't know this, but the CMAs are funnier than all the other award shows combined. I've never understood this, at the Oscars the actors all end up looking like awkward untalented middle school children attempting to say their lines without tipping over in their character shoes. I don't get that. You can act like your child just burned up in a fire and you have no insurance and cancer but you can't read a teleprompter? Whatever. The CMAs are more fun, the musicians are relaxed, have a good time, and it's enjoyable to watch.

Smile, hump day is over and you're still standing.