This movie is amazing...

Play me.

Today is a sad day...that's all I am going to say about that.

Tougher than I expected...

So, I spent Christmas alone. Had a wonderful weekend with Beth, but being sans family and/or friends on the big day was hard. I realized that at 45 years old that I had never EVER been alone on X-mas day. But, I survived. Watched some movies, ate pizza and nursed this cold that will not give up it's hold on me.

Helped a neighbor today with a mattress and boxspring. Poor guy was just let go from his job and was forced to move. He saw that I had a truck and asked if there was any way he could ask me to give him a hand. When we were done I wished him a Merry Christmas and good luck. Every day it's important to realize that no matter how tough things are going for you...there is someone else who is having a rougher time. Humbles the spirit, and obviously the mindset that should accompany the humility.

Anyway, I also took a walk down by the DuPage river. Naperville has two covered bridges, and close up they were just beautiful. Very romantic along the river. I could see in my imagination many proposals and/or Summer weddings down there. It is a wonderful little city with so much eclectic and eccentric people, shops and bistros. I grabbed a venti caramel macchiato (as usual) and toured the bell tower, a local pub called Jimmy's, The Corner Bakery and finally the Barnes and Noble which sucked me in for more than two hours. I love it here and am looking forward to sharing with friends and family that will be visiting soon.

All else is going very well. I am coming back to KC in a few weeks to watch Nick at the Kearney tournament. I have been very reflective about all of my kids as of late. When Nick finishes up with wrestling next month, it will be the last High School sporting event I will ever attend (as far as MY kids are concerned). I still remember walking Danielle up to her first softball practice, catching Amber's hellacious pitches, and of course throwing the football to Nick when he was little.

I have changed for the better in the last 365 days. 2007 was a very difficult, life changing year. It was a year that taught me many lessons and who my hierarchy of special people are. I wish I had made some better choices, as we all do. But, I feel as though things happen for a reason. And for what it's worth I have to believe that the people I have come into contact with are better for having me in their life. I again reflect and know that things have ended up the way they were supposed to. Hard lessons that have opened up wonderful passages to bigger and better things. I miss my friends, but have made new ones. I miss the home that I made, but I revel at the new found home I have been so blessed to be a part of. I have been so fortunate to be a traveler with the heart and eye of a child. And to make a difference (I know, sometimes I have been a real SOB). Anyway, 2008...I hope I can look back this time next year and have no regrets. I am tired of having them.

Happy New Year!

Fair weather fans

I have to believe that of all times of the year, X-mas is for reflection. Even the most anti-Christians somehow are melted by the inspiration that floats in the air this time of year. Could be the smell of the winter on a cold night, or the warm yellow glow that emulates from your neighbor's windows as you walk (or drive) up your street. I'm not sure. All I know, is X-mas coaches me to do better next year. X-mas has belief that when it sees you again, that you will be better, wiser, kinder. X-mas believes in you, and forgives you when others won't. You can always count on Christmas. You can always count on the way it warms your heart and soul. X-mas remembers you as what you truly are, not the mistakes you have made. X-mas knows you. And all X-mas asks in return is that you remember it as well. Not just the month between turkey day and bagging up the tree. But all year long.

If we could all be as loving, forgiving and caring as we are at Christmas, and we could do that everyday...well...what a world huh?

Merry Christmas everyone!

P.S. Call someone you haven't spoken to in awhile and wish them the same! I know I will.

Time for a change...

A refreshing breeze has just recently passed through my soul and I feel GRRRRReat! This new look and feel from my blog should reflect that I hope. Heading off to Orlando Monday and I am really looking forward to some semi-warm weather. I seem to have caught a cold and need the tropical climate to knock it out of me.

Some things that I have done in the last few weeks:

• Went to see Wicked in Chicago with Beth. Awesome is all I have to say about that.


• Had an accident (it's ok, nobody was hurt , wasn't my fault and the truck is fixed)


• Stood in Millenium Park for the first time


• Road the Metra for the first time (It was so much fun seeing all the small towns along the train route all decked out for the holidays)


• Had dinner at Pisano's (Great Italian Restaurant!)


• Had to do some mechanical work to my truck (mucho dinero!)


• Looking forward to X-mas for the first time in a long time...

Danielle and Me