Great Weekend, Big Week Ahead

Had an amazing weekend. Went back to Illinois, hit the in-laws Wed-Friday. Ate lots of really good food, saw our cute new nephew (and his cute parents), got to see a lot of relatives for Thanksgiving. Friday morning headed back to Galesburg. Hit some Black Friday sales and got some shopping done. Ate too much. Got to see my parents, my brother Mike and his wife Jen, my grandma, my awesome friend Sangeeta. Convinced Sangeeta to go to our 15 year high school reunion. Had a BLAST at the reunion (will try to post pictures later). We headed home Saturday evening because Craig had to work.

Except for church, was housebound all day because of snow. Church was funny because Alex saw one of our bishops for the first time today. We were late, and our parish was celebrating a mass with three other parishes and Bishop Callahan was presiding over the service. So we walked in five minutes late and nearly walked right into the Bishop. Alex said, "That man is dressed like a queen." I snorted, then quickly tried to get us a seat.

Watched "Peter Pan" with Alex... read a little... got caught up on the DVR shows. Now I need to get to bed. I start my new job Monday... and I need to be well-rested. Gotta be there by 7:30 (UGH!!!) just for tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope all of you out there in bloggyland and in the real world have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
I have a lot to be thankful for this year. A wonderful husband and awesome son (and a sometimes rotten, mostly sweet dog). Great extended families who love and support us. Amazing friends both near and far whom I love and cherish. A great job for the past year, and the prospect of a great new job starting next week. Good health for me and my family. A roof over my head, clothes on my back (and front), food in my belly. I wish all of you safe travels, splendid times with friends and families, love and peace. See you next week!

Sidelined

I haven't been running much lately. Mainly because I have a really disgusting plantar wart on my left foot. It's near the outside of my foot, not quite as far over as the pinky toe, but close. Right where all the pressure from running just aggravates it. I will not post a picture because it's gross. But it's actually hurt to run on it the past few weeks. Oh, and two little baby warts surfaced and I didn't want them to get bad either. After trying to get rid of it with the typical over the counter junk, I finally called my doctor. She hacked most of it off and now we're trying the duct tape experiment. Have you heard of this? Apparently there are studies that show it works. You cut a piece of duct tape to fit over the plantar wart(s)... leave it on for three days, then let it air out over night. Repeat until the sucker is gone. So I'm giving it a shot. My foot is still pretty sore, so I ran on the elliptical first, but will be back on the track in no time.

This might be gross, but honestly I found the whole thing fascinating. I'm weird like that.

In other running news, I'm now going to have to figure out when to fit running/working out into my day like a normal person. I've had the luxury of being able to work out at work for the last year, but I start a new job next week. I'm determined to make it work, because I want to keep running. I'm sure that will provide plenty of blog fodder in the weeks and months to come.

Still Feeling Wicked

It's been two weeks since I went to see "Wicked" in Chicago, but I can't

seem to get this show out of my head. My friend Michelle burned us all CDs of the soundtrack before we went to Chicago and I have to admit I've listened to mine nearly every day since then. Alex even asks to listen to it in the car now.

It's such a great story about friendship... about how things and people appear one way but really are different when you look below the surface.

I also think I had such a great time in Chicago with a great group of friends that I don't want the feeling to end. Maybe if I listen to the soundtrack a little everyday, it will keep that exhilirating feeling of the show and of being in the city alive for me just a little bit. Cheesey, I know, but that's me!

I've actually encouraged one of my good friends who live far away to go see it. I wish we could see it together... because it really is the kind of show you should see with your girlfriends, but that won't happen anytime soon. I'm also trying to find a way to get to go see it again in Chicago with my mom before it closes in January. And I have vowed that if it comes to Milwaukee, I'm going to see it. The music and the story just struck a chord in me and I'm not going to let it go!

Why? Why? Why?

I'm all for unique names. Trust me... in my immediate family are some of the most common names... except for mine. Sydney. (brother=Mike, sister=Jennifer, mom=Pat, dad=Bill)
How did I luck out and get a unique one that isn't completely off the wall? I thank God my parents had good taste!

But on this I cannot stay silent. What the hell kind of name is Bronx Mowgli? Why do people do this to their children?

http://www.usmagazine.com/news/ashlee-simpson-welcomes-baby-boy

Granted, the kid has famous parents and other famous relatives. But can you imagine this kid all grown up and going into a job interview with a name like that???

My New Favorite Lipstick

DISCLAIMER: This is a completely frivoulous post. I apologize in advance.

I needed a new eye-pencil and I work near a Boston Store (in the Bergners/Younkers family for all you Midwesterners) so I decided to go hit the Clinique counter over my lunch on Tuesday. I don't normally splurge on makeup. I'm a Cover Girl/Maybelline kinda gal normally. The only time I really splurged was when I bought makeup before my wedding. I had a Clinique makeover and got hooked on a couple of items. Their eyeliner for one... and I really enjoy their lipstick. And I will always use their 3-step skin-care stuff. But it's not always budget-friendly.

There was supposed to be a promotion where if you bought lipstick you got three free mini lipsticks, so I headed over there thinking I'd get the eyeliner, and see if there was a new lipstick color that worked for me. I got the eye liner first, then mentioned I was in the market for a new lipstick. The saleswoman asked what shade, I said, "pinkish brown." And voila!

Apparently I've found the Holy Grail of lipsticks! Long Last Matte Shine in Pink Chocolate. It's more pink than brown, but I love it! I've worn it every day for the last three days and all three days people have commented or complemented me on the lipstick. I'm not used to this. I'm usually a natural kind of girl. I often lipstick, or mascara and don't think anything of it until I see a picture where I look like a ghost. I don't know how good this picture of my lips will turn out, but here you go:

It actually doesn't dry my lips out and stayed put while drinking coffee! I got the pink truffle lip liner to go with it too. While I love that I got a new lipstick, I love all the extra I got too! They ran out of the promotional mini-lipsticks, so the woman essentially built me a special Clinique bonus from samples she had! SCORE! Makeup remover, the three step skin care minis (with liquid and bar soap). I feel a little better about splurging on the makeup. Plus if you look good, you feel good, right?

More Chicago Pictures

Macy's On State St. (Formerly and Forever in my heart, Marshall Field's)

All decked out for the Holidays

Christmas window... this one was my favorite

A close up of the very cool Santa

Ford Oriental Theatre, home of "Wicked"

Therese, Me, Lisa, Michelle outside our hotel Sunday morning.

Michelle,Therese, Me, Lisa

Outside American Girl Place in Water Tower Place

Good Luck, Jess!

I'm not the only one leaving my current employer. My friend and co-worker Jess is also leaving. She starts her new job today. Jess is a lot younger than I am and she's a rock star! I wouldn't have been able to make it through all the big events we worked on this year without her. And honestly, once she said she was leaving, I didn't want to think about doing all the event planning without her! It made me take the job opportunity I was faced with even more seriously and now we're both headed on to bigger and better things. So best of luck Jess! This last week is going to drag without you!

Decisions, Decisions!

So a little over a week ago, I blogged that I had some big news... but it had nothing to do with expanding the family in any way. So I'm finally ready to spill.

I have a new job! It happened purely by chance and it happened so fast I was a little bit afraid that it was going to be too good to be true. I don't like to mention too many specific details, but I'll be working in public relations for a major department store chain. And I won't have to move in order to do this. If you're really smart, you'll be able to figure it out. I'll be working in store grand openings and charity. No travel, mostly PR and media relations over the phone.

I was contacted by a recruiter from this company through I website I'm on called LinkedIn. That led to phone interviews, an in person interview, and eventually a job offer. So I'll be starting this new position Dec. 1.

Now to my semi-frivolous decision... one of my nephews is selling magazines to raise money for his school. I want to start boning up on fashion, so that at some point maybe I can jump to the fashion department (Hello? Dream job!!). So do I subscribe to Vogue or Elle? Suggestions please!

Finally Posting about Wicked!

It's been almost a week since my weekend trip to Chicago to see "Wicked" with my friends Therese, Lisa, and Michelle. If I had to pick one word to describe the trip it would be FABULOUS!

We stayed at the Dana Hotel and Spa. We shopped at Water Tower Place. We went to mass at Holy Name Cathedral. We ate at Cafe Iberico dining on tapas of all sorts, enjoying dessert, and two pitchers of sangria! We stayed up late (okay, late for a bunch of moms... 11:30PM) and slept in. We shopped on State St., taking in the Macy's windows and hitting Nordstrom's Rack. I have to admit I got a little choked up at the Macy's Christmas windows. It's not quite the same as when it was Marshall Fields, but I haven't been in Chicago around the holiday since I was a kid. There's something magical about seeing all the decorations. There's just something magical about Chicago. It's hard for me to express it sometimes, but I genuinely love the city. I would love to get a job down there and live in one of those fantastic high-rise condos. But I don't think that will ever happen, and that's okay. I can dream and I can visit. That will be enough for now.


I have to say it was also nice to walk around Chicago and see all the orange and navy blue. It's not easy being a Bears fan in Wisconsin! But we still sport our team colors and merchandise with pride, even if people say rude things about it! (I'm not making this up. There are some Packers fans who think it's okay to just rip into you for supporting your team. It has happened to me personally and to friends of mine. I don't engage in bashing of other teams, I just stick to supporting my team.)


We ate at the Emerald Loop bar for lunch. Then we went to Wicked. I honestly cannot say enough about this wonderful show. I started listening to the CD before we left. I just about had the music memorized... then getting into the gorgeous Ford-Oriental Theatre and actually seeing it just about blew me away. The staging was amazing. The story is amazing. I'm so glad I saw it with my girlfriends. I'm telling you, when the song "Because I Knew You, I Have Been Changed For Good" came around, the four of us were grabbing for our tissues and holding hands. The actress who played Glinda was hysterical! She actually had the actress who played Elphaba cracking up and trying not to break character during the song "Popular." The original Broadway cast may get all the accolades for launching the show, but I'm telling you... the Chicago cast was amazing! I think this is definitely in my top 3 Broadway Shows of all time. (I would say "Wicked," "Les Mis" and "42nd Street" are top three, with "Lion King," "Aida," and "Chicago" making up the top 6. )


It took us over a year to plan the trip. We almost cancelled it once or twice. But I'm so glad it worked out! I hope we're able to do another trip again soon!

A Truly Wicked Weekend

My friend Michelle is celebrating a milestone birthday this year. She turned 40 and wanted nothing more than a weekend in Chicago with her girlfriends, shopping and seeing "Wicked."

We are finally making it happen! We leave this morning for the Windy City (one of my 5 favorite cities in the world!). We'll spend much of the day shopping and sightseeing. Then Sunday we go to see "Wicked." It's Michelle's favorite musical. She picked the book for one of our bookclub picks and even made each of us CDs of the soundtrack. So we're all super excited about the trip!

I have to say, I'm so grateful to Craig for allowing and encouraging me to spend so much time with my girlfriends. I truly have an awesome husband! I have bookclub once a month, plus I get together with some of the girls from my old job at the tv station to watch "Grey's Anatomy" at least once a month if not more. I'm telling you this girl-time is what keeps me sane and I'm so lucky to have a husband who is cool with some solo Daddy time. Hopefully things will calm down on the activity front and we'll be able to do another date night soon!

Proud of My State, and My Country!

Voter turnout was amazing this year! And can I say IT'S ABOUT TIME!
Wisconsin in particular had a great voter turnout rate... the second highest in the country.
As I said, this was probably one of the most important elections of my lifetime. The economy is in the dumps and we're involved in a war with no end in sight. Those were the two biggest issues I was concerned with this election.

I'm still not coming out telling you who I voted for. I'm just going to leave it at the fact that I think politically this is a very interesting time. Our country has elected it's first President that belongs to a minority group. I think that's pretty amazing! I think the whole election process this year as reignited an interest in politics and government that this nation has been sorely lacking. My greatest hope is that this passion (on both sides) doesn't flicker out.

This country was built with Democracy as a foundation. We are able to have our say in the political process and that ROCKS. But because there are multiple parties, that means there will always be one party that comes out on top. Embrace the process. If you're not happy with this year's results, try that much harder to promote your candidate the next go-round!

The Big Day is Finally Here

This may be one of the most important elections of my lifetime. I hope that everyone gets out and votes today. As always, I don't care who you vote for, just so long as you get out there and cast a ballot. I'm amazed by the number of people who have already cast ballots through early/absentee voting. Maybe this time the election won't be decided before all the polls close.

While I'm tired of all the ads, tired of the negative campaigning, and really annoyed by all the campaign phone calls that have clogged our answering machine, I realize how important this election is. I've ranted about voter turnout before. I think there are few excuses for not making it to the polls. In Wisconsin, you can register AT THE POLLS! Remind your friend, family, neighbors, acquantances, everyone to vote! Make sure you allow extra time when you head out there today... the lines will be long. Be patient with the poll workers, cast your vote, and wear your "I Voted" sticker with pride. I know I will.

Let me know that you voted... leave me a comment, and remember, I'm a journalist. Keep those comments non-partisan!

I'm Flattered!

I've recieved two awards from bloggers I've only recently discovered, and I must say I'm flattered.


The first one comes from Meaghan at I Kicked Cancer's Ass. The description is "This blog invests and believes, in ‘proximity’ [meaning, that blogging makes us 'close' - being close through proxy]. These blogs are all charming and they aim to show the marvels of friendship. Let’s give more attention to them! So with this prize we must deliver it to eight bloggers that in turn must make the same thing and put this text."


So here's my list of 8:


1. Therese at Musings of a Mom - This blog is her fault and she's my friend in real life. She's probably annoyed that I keep giving her awards.

2. Ellen at Two Little Ladybugs- Kindred Spirit

3. Holli at Three Wishes - a kindred spirit from Goodreads

4. Tera at Days of Us- another kindred spirit from Goodreads

5. Alison at Hairline Fracture - a friend I met through SITS

6. Kristy at Two People, Two Dogs, and a Cat - we've been friends in real life since we were kids

7. Terri at Wee Bit Irish - friend from high school with whom I recently reconnected through the magic of the internet.

8. Sarah at Spelman Scoop - another friend from high school. That internet... it's a pretty cool thing!




The second comes from Jess at Momma Cooks Cooking.

I have to list 6 things about me.


1. I have brown eyes and brown hair. The blonde stuff is highlights.

2. I forgot to put my carton of eggs on the conveyor belt at the grocery store today, and walked out of the store without paying for them. But I paid for the $77 dollars worth of other stuff.

3. I feel bad about item 2.

4. I have some big news to share, but am waiting till later in the week to post it. And no, I'm not pregnant. Why is it that anytime you mention you are sick or that you have big news that everyone assumes you're pregnant? At what age does this start happening? And why do people think it's okay to ask you that?

5. I'm going to see "Wicked" in Chicago with three of my friends this weekend and I CAN'T WAIT!

6. I went to Paris after I graduated from college. Someday I'll go back...




Then pass it on to six more bloggers:


1. Amber at The McIllece Spot

2. Amy at Escape Into My Thoughts

3. Teri at Let Me Think On It

4. Katy Lin at Honest and Lasting

5. Katie at Ritch in Love

6. Judy at Coffee Jitters

Costume Time

Alex had two costumes this year. Above is his trick-or-treat costume. He was "Cinco," the Chorizo from the Klements Famous Racing Sausages. True Brewers fans got his costume. He wasn't shy about telling others who he was. At least he had Mom and Dad along to explain!

We had to come up with a different costume for school, because the sombrero was pretty flimsy (I mean, we got it for free at Mexican Fiesta, it wasn't meant for extended use!) and already was falling apart. We were afraid if we sent it to school that it wouldn't survive a room full of toddlers. So Alex wore his pirate dress up costume for school. Argh, matey!