I'm BACK!

Wow, it's been awhile! I am going to try and get back into this writing thing....I hope.

Last week I organized a volunteer day for the store managers in my district---we spent the morning helping out at the WINGS resale shop. It was a great way to try and do some much needed team building in my district.

I should have taken the leader approach and split people up into groups to try and get people to talk that normally don't....but I got so distracted by the books! There were piles and piles of books that have been donated but no one had sorted or put out yet. I was in heaven! I absolutely love the smell of books, how the different covers feel, and looking at other peoples notes:-) I found a couple books that look as if they were given to a wife by a husband who didn't want her to leave him---a love story I would have loved to see how it ended! I think this will be the base of my next book. Look at me...NEXT book? Haha ...I mean first book:-) Hopefully after 10 years the writers block has disappeared and I can get going! Wish me luck!

Make a Wish benefit/fashion show

My trainee who is going to be the next big thing:-)
Chicago North:-)

Chicago North/ Central/ and West


The make a wish kids with the fashion designers



My company is teaming up with MAW foundation in the month of March and doing some pretty amazing things. Every store has two weeks to see how much money they can raise for this incredible organization...the energy each store has continues to amaze me. On Thursday night we attended a benefit/fashion show at Rockit Bar in the city. Three MAW kids had their wish of working with a designer and being able to design their own collection. The designs were then showcased in a fashion show that night. Here are some pics....

Day at the museum

We decided to spend the day at the Museum of Science and Industry....so fun! I had to get pulled away from the dress made of LED lights, I made Chris wait in line for 45 minutes to see the coal mine exhibit, we toured a plane, got our picture taken with a submarine, saw a horrible I-max movie about the Great Lakes that had WAY too many fish in it, and got to see the museum set up for Christmas Around the World.

Fall fun times

Chris & I after hiking....I was COVERED in prickly things:-(



I would have kept climbing but it felt a little shaky






The platform


Getting ready to swing....so scared!


I did it!!!!

My weekend

Rocky was glued to the sliding glass doors and was very puffy....I had to see what he was scared of.....

Meet Mr Mean Nuts...the squirrel that has been tormenting the cats all summer long, the same wonderful creature that shattered my waterfall, and nibbled at all my flowers:-( He drug the little pumpkin away from the cats and decided to have some lunch....awww he is kinda cute!


A photo with Santa.
The adorable bulldog puppy....Chris named him Lucky....glad he didn't take him home:-) Although I wanted to take home the Shiba who was too busy playing and romping around to be photographed:-)

Holiday reflections....

As I sit here looking out the window at the beautiful snow on the ground there are many thoughts running through my head...how can something so pretty and pure like snow cause so much frustration...how can it determine if you are able to make it home for the holidays...how can something so pure and innocent cause so many different happenings...good and bad? I guess that is what Christmas boils down to as well. Society has hyped it up so much that I don't think anyone can truly appreciate what it really means....does anyone REALLY know the true meaning? Here is what Christmas means to me:
*beauty...all the lights, snow, and warmth that comes with Christmas
*love...spending time with my family means the world to me now that it does not happen as often as I would like
*remembering....Christmas at our house has a lot of memories (good and bad) My favorites are custard pie at Grandma B's, wondering what new food Uncle Santa is going to bring to Christmas dinner, the year Santa forgot to bring my my Cabbage Patch doll so his elf rang the doorbell to bring what he left behind, having Troy take me to the basement while mom wrapped presents and him telling me if I yelled really loud Santa could hear me and bring me those Strawberry Shortcake roller skates I wanted. Christmas Eve is bittersweet for me...every year we go to church at 11:00 and when we get out it is Christmas Day! The last song we sing is Silent Night and it is so fitting...that was Grandpa's favorite Christmas song and ironically enough was the song that was playing at the hospital when he passed away. I still get chills every year when the lights dim and we are all holding candles...it sums up Christmas to me at that point....we must open our eyes to see the beauty and light the way for others so no one gets left behind.
*reflecting and being thankful....although this has been a year full of trials for me I can't help but to feel so lucky. I took on a challenge to grow this year and find myself and my inner strength. I have developed true friendships, found out a little more about myself, and have molded my life a little more in the direction I want to go. I have the most supportive family anyone could ask for, the best friends that will be there for me no matter what, a job that allows me to support myself and although it is not always good I am blessed to have a job, and a head on my shoulders that allows me to keep everything in perspective at all times.

To me the true meaning of Christmas is all of this. I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and I hope everyone is able to spend a restful day with their families and friends. Now some pictures from my Holiday Party:-)

Mercedes!

Mercedes was being ADORABLE last night so I couldn't resist:-)