Consistent & Predictable

Here it is, December 31st, 2015, and I thought about this blog. As you can tell, I did the same thing about 14 months ago....

2015 was an interesting year and I sincerely use that word.....not in my typical sarcastic tone. I kicked off the New Year under the weather and successfully completed No-Drink January and a few other things....

• Minneapolis in January - very, very cold!
• Laurie & Lindsay came in for a night before their fun cruise
• Repackaging Mr. Coffee boxes at Target.....not that fun!
• Amna and Omer came to Florida for the 1st time!
• My 1st Housewares show.....with a mandatory visit to the Hangge Uppe!
• Boston for Ken Bagley's retirement party with Trish
• My dad retiring from Marquette Bank
• Mom's knee surgery #2
• Natalie celebrating her 40th birthday in Florida
• Toured St. Jude hospital in Memphis
• More trips to Minneapolis
• Ella Rose Abraham made her debut!
• Hawaii 
• Steven & Kathleen's Wedding in Jacksonville
• Stanley Cup - Game #2 in Tampa with the Fielys
• Blackhawks win 2015 Stanley Cup AND I got to celebrate with Jen & Christopher
• More trips to Minneapolis
• Apartment hunting with my parents
• Gretchen's visit to Boynton and the infamous "Sorry Gretchen" uno game
• One last "Annual Ali BBQ" at the Midlothian house
• LA Dodgers Game.....and the obligatory Dodger Dog!
• Girls' Getaway Weekend in Captiva with Jenn, Amy, Tricia, Jean and Lisa (wine-based drinks)
• A broken foot!
• Mardi & OC living in South Florida
• My parents move to Boynton Beach!
• Missing NYC for Natalie's birthday, because of said broken foot :(
• Key West for Jenn's birthday with Andrea, Jodi and Nancy (#squadgoals #lifecoach #baddecisionsmakegreatstories
• I became a Director of Customer Marketing
• Sean & Jessie's Wedding in Delray Beach 
• A few more trips to Minneapolis
• My 20th Reunion from DDE with the girls (Jen, Sara, Melissa, Michelle, Heather & Shelly)
• Bears v. San Diego with Tere (first time we went away)
• Zac Brown Band with my dad
• Reunited with Kelli Nolan
• "Famgiving" with the Coopers, Lomauros, Mazurs and Ali's......first time we did not host in Chicago
• Newell acquires Jarden
• Barb & Arnie come to South Florida
• Christmas Eve at Barb & Joe's
• Christmas Day at Emil & Nancy's
• Phoenix for New Years and to see Gretchen & Cory's new place
• Blackhawks v. Coyotes 
• Quick hi to Jen & Christoper
• Short visit with Wendy, Darin and Kristin

I'm sitting on Gretchen's couch, reflecting on the past year and thinking about what I want 2016 to be about. Looking back through all of these activities makes me realize how truly blessed I am, and I can only hope that this next year brings me as much joy and happiness.

2016 will continue to be about health and happiness. That is my only goal. A year that is healthier and happier than 2015. 

Hopefully, I will be back to this site before 12/31/16. Cheers to 2016!

Jake & Bogey.....still not BFFs!

July 2015

Amazed at the history and how emotional the trip was

Stanley Cup Finals - Game 2 - Tampa

San Diego Chargers

Until next time.....you stay classy, San Diego!

I'm back!!

So typical of me to start something and then pick it back up.....19 months later!

Since my first (and only) post, a lot has happened. Off the top of my head.....

• Phoenix to visit Jen
• Maria visiting Florida
• Academy of Country Music Awards in Vegas
• Jenny & Kurt's Wedding (DC)
• Out of the Darkness Overnight walk in DC
• FABULOUS vacation to the Amalfi Coast
• Mom got a new knee :)
• Key West with Laurie, Lindsay & Kristy
• Cheryl & Barrett's Wedding (Chicago)
• NY Giants vs. Bears
• Katie & Andy's Wedding (Nashville)
• Tennessee vs. Alabama
• Lots of work trips 
• Phoenix again with Kristin, Missy & Natalie to visit Wendy
• My mom finally got to see my house decorated for Christmas
• Superbowl 48 in New York/New Jersey!!
• Lots of trips to Chicago to visit the fam
• Laurie & Paul's Wedding (Greenville, SC)
• Maria & Penny visiting Florida
• Leaving Newell Rubbermaid after 15 years
• Alaskan Cruise, Vancouver and Seattle - this will get it's own post!
• Starting a new job
• 4th of July in Chicago
• NCC Weekend at my house with Laurie, Lindsay & Kristy
• Labor Day weekend in Charleston with Trish & Robin

Just reading this list makes me smile and think of the many adventures I've had......all the more reason to document them!

I'll be back.

Road Trippin' To the Sunshine State

For the last 4 years, I have driven back to Chicago for the holidays. I’ll be honest – Florida is a LONG state! I stop in Atlanta on the way there and back, so that breaks up the drive. This year, I only stopped on the way up and stayed with my friend Amy and her family. Amy and I worked together until last year. I love the time I get to spend with her, Bill, Sophia and Lauren. This year, I only stopped on the way to Chicago. Coming home, I had a few additional drivers so we went straight through – to Orlando!

Best Road Trip Snack!

 

Kristy, Steve and Bridey came back and were spending the week between Christmas and New Years in sunny Boynton Beach, Florida. I love having visitors! We left Chicago at 5am and made great time throughout the day, until an accident in the mountains, just outside of Chattanooga put us behind schedule. We didn’t get to our hotel in Orlando until 2:30am. However, we were going on pure adrenaline as we were out the door by 7am to get into Harry Potter world. Unfortunately, Bridey was a few inches too short to go on the major roller coasters. We hit all the rides at Islands of Adventure and were ready to leave by 3pm. If you are going to Universal, you MUST MUST stay on the property. The Fast Pass perks and early admission are definitely worth it.

Bridey in Jurassic Park

 

We visited the Everglades Holiday Park, where Gator Boys is filmed.  Went on an airboat, saw some gators in the water and then the show afterwards. I don’t think you can pay me enough to get that close to those animals!

Baby Gator

He's crazy!

The next few days were spent with lots of football, beer, wine (Eppa – my new favorite), Just Dance and American Idol competitions.

Fun in the sun and celebrating NYE with the Regans!

I'm prepared to get my Just Dance on!

 

Oh, and food! We had great food and experiences at two places in Ft. Lauderdale – Gilberts and Chima’s.  On their last night here, we went to my signature place that I take everyone to……Old Key Lime House. It’s a great bar/restaurant on the intercoastal and the weather was perfect. It was such a wonderful week; I didn’t want it to end.  This is the part where I hate airports…..early morning drop offs. Sad face.

Kristy, B and Sabri at Old Key Lime House