2014

It's 2015!

And since it's 2015, that means I get to reflect on the year that was 2014, which seems to have flown by at ludicrous speed. Seriously. 2014 went to plaid, guys.

Let's get to recapping my faves/not so faves, eh??

Television:
As I'm sure you've all noticed, I haven't been blogging as much. Not really sure why, just haven't felt like it as of late. That's sad, isn't it? I suppose a big reason for that is because it takes me so long to get caught up with the shows I love lately. I'm finding it more and more difficult to watch things live... unless it's Game of Thrones or The Walking Dead because inevitably someone will always spoil me on those shows if I don't watch them ASAP.

Speaking of those two shows, they were probably my favorite of 2014. The Walking Dead probably had it's most consistent season since season 1 and it ended with a bang. I was really, really happy with it. Game of Thrones, as usual, was suspenseful and delightful and fantastic. Peter Dinklage is so much fun and you all know my love for Daenerys.

The True Blood finale was mediocre at best. I didn't have high expectations for it, though and that was probably a good thing. Much like the end of the book series, it was just meh. I had fun watching it for a little while and I'll miss the characters but I am glad that it's over.

One other show that I ended up loving a lot is The Goldbergs. My dad told me and told me to check it out and when I finally did it made me really happy. It makes me feel transported back in time to my childhood. Every actor on that show is fantastic and the best thing about it is that Charley loves it too so we get to enjoy it together. It's almost like giving him a little piece of me growing up when we watch it. He asks questions about all the different music and loves when they talk about Star Wars but really, I think he just finds it hysterical that the dad never wears pants when he's at home.

White Collar ended it's run in December. Boy, I loved that show and seeing Matt Bomer on my TV screen every week. The finale was wonderfully done. It had me intrigued one second to crying my eyes out the next and in the end, I couldn't have been happier. I'm really going to miss it but they sure did a great job with wrapping it up.

Honorable Mentions: Reign, The White Queen, Once Upon a Time (at times).

2014 was the year I finally made the monumental decision to stop watching Grey's Anatomy. I figure you can only bitch about a show for so long before you decide to give up on it all together. I couldn't get past all the recycled storylines and watching a show out of obligation is no fun. Honestly, most of my favorite characters were either gone or killed off and the ones that were left weren't even all that likable anymore. So, I chose to stop complaining about it and to just give up on it. I still read the recaps every now and then just to see if I'm missing out on anything important (I'm not). I also gave up on The Following, which was super disappointing because I picked it as one of my most favorites last year. I lasted about 4 episodes into the 2nd season and I suppose I should have stuck it out but I was over all the crazy killing for no reason. It was like the plot went out the window as soon as season 1 ended and that bummed me out.

Music:

Ed Sheeran came out with his second album, X in June and goodness, do I love it. Thinking Out Loud is probably one of the best songs I have ever heard. Ever. I told Jeff that if we were to ever renew our vows, this would be our song. I adore it. It's also phenomenal live and he made the best, most adorable video ever for it.



Charley and I also thought the American Authors album, Oh, What a Life was super great. There were a few months there where C listened to that CD every single night before bed. It's fun, it's poppy and it makes me really happy. My favorite song on that album is Believer. Carrie and I say it's our theme song. It's so good.



Movies:

Surprisingly, I saw a whole lot of movies in 2014. I'm having a hard time picking a favorite so I will just give you a rundown of the ones I saw that I loved.

The Lego Movie- So inventive. So creative and just plain brilliant. What a wonderfully fun film.
The Fault In Our Stars- Extremely true to the book. A beautiful love story displayed just as spectacularly on film as it was on paper. John Green should be so proud of both.
Gone Girl- Again, so true to the book. I was probably looking more forward to this film than any other that came out all of last year and it did not disappoint, Ben Affleck was spot on, SPOT ON as Nick Dunne and Neil Patrick Harris played creepy so well. They were able to create the atmosphere and the feel of the book throughout the entire film and it was so well done.
The Veronica Mars Movie- Fabulous. The epitome of a love letter to the fans. Every single thing about this movie was phenomenal. I cannot say enough good things about it.
Wish I Was Here- Another Kickstarter that I was apart of and was so rewarded by when I saw the end result. Zach Braff should be so proud. He's an outstanding director, writer, actor. I just love him. This film is heartwarming and heartbreaking and full of, uhm... heart. Check it out.
Mockingjay Part One- To be honest, I wasn't really looking forward to seeing this book in movie form. SPOILER ALERT, it's sad and dark and just sad. But I am happy to report that it was wonderful. Still sad, still dark but they did a great job with it. I can't wait to see part 2.
Guardians Of The Galaxy- So. Much. Fun. This movie is just delightful. Every single aspect of it is great. James Gunn did an outstanding job and Chris Pratt is a joy all around.

Honorable mention goes to- Divergent (uhh, Theo James. That's all that needs to be said), Captain America: The Winter Soldier (I liked it better than the first one!), Austenland (Fun, just like the book and Keri Russell is the best).

I wasn't all that crazy about the new Muppets movie, Muppets Most Wanted which really bummed me out. Charley loved it but I felt like it was trying too hard or something. Too much going on? Not enough? I don't know. It was just meh.

BOOKS!:

The following are all books that I gave 5 stars to on my Goodreads account. I don't give 5 stars out all that easily so you know I LOVED these.

One Plus One by JoJo Moyes- This book made me laugh and made me happy and I love it a lot. It makes you appreciate what you have and who you love and makes you feel all sappy.
The Girl You Left Behind by JoJo Moyes- I've been on a bit of a JoJo Moyes kick, can you tell?? This book transported me into 1916 France and then back to the present. It's about figuring out what is really important in your life and truly fighting for what you believe in.
Landline and Attachments both by Rainbow Rowell. Listen, all you need to know is that Rainbow Rowell is one of the best writers I have ever had the pleasure of reading. I will gladly read anything and everything she writes. I. Love. Her.
The Fault In Our Stars by John Green- I was late to the party on this one. I tried really hard to ignore it but in the end, the buzz became too big for me to leave it alone. This book is wonderful and heartfelt and so sad but so freaking fantastic.

Worst book- The Fate Of Mercy Alban by Wendy Webb. Ugh. I did not like this book. It sounded so interesting when I read the summary but the actual story was so blah my eyes almost got stuck in my head from rolling them.

Favorite 2014 Happenings:

-Jeffrey left FYE and started working at my most beloved Henry Ford Optim Eyes. It's hard for me to express just how proud I am of him. He has learned so much and come so far in the last six months. I can't wait to see where this adventure takes him. And the best is that we were actually able to enjoy a Christmas season TOGETHER for the first time in the entire 16 years we have been together. Suck it, FYE.
-I saw Ben Folds with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra with Jeff, Dennis and Noah and it was superb. I have seen Ben Folds more times than I can count and I think this was my most favorite. He is such a great showman and he's so damn talented. Man, I love him.
-Natalie and Adam got engaged (05/05/15 ya'll!) And they brought Marty into our family!
-My mom celebrated 5 years cancer free!
-My beautiful, adorable, squishable niece, Layla Jayde was born.
-Charley learned to ride a two wheeler (now if we could only get Trevor to come out, we will be GOOD TO GO!)
-Hanging out at Camp Proctor all summer.
-Playing badminton with my Proctor girls. Laughter, trash talk and ALL the fun. I can't wait for this summer.
-Seeing Ed Sheeran at the palace with Natalie. Good lord, that boy is so talented and handsome and I was mesmerized listening to him. I just love him so much!

2015 Hopefuls/Looking Forward To's:

-To blog more?
-To be happier at my job. The end of 2014 was really, really, really, really stressful. I'm trying not to start the year by stressing about going back to work in 2015 but it's difficult. I am grateful that I have a job that I am good at. I just need to learn how to handle the chaos a little better, I suppose.
-Good health!
-For Jeff to continue to excel at his job.
-For Charley to continue being the happy/funny/fantastic kid that he is.
-To see my sister marry her best friend.
-To see Rhonda graduate from Nursing school (I am so damn proud of her)
-To see my niece DRIVING (tell her not to be scared!)
-Spending time with my family and friends and just having good time party times.
-A new house? Maybe? Please?????
-Reading more books
-Maybe taking a family vacation?
-Frant nights!
-The Havilland reunion!


I wish you all a happy, healthy stress free 2015. Make the most of it and have the year you have, friends. And please, keep sharing all your pop culture stories, complaints and fun times with me. I love it!

I am two posts away from my one hundredth blog post! Any suggestions for topics??