KCura Christmas

December 14th, Adam's Christmas Party... some fancy art gallery downtown!

This year the KCura event had to switch venues since the company outgrew the beloved Scoozi's.  

I forget the name of this place, but it was really nice.  

All you can drink and all you can eat.

I was upset there was no photo booth this year, but then pleasantly surprised when I found photo people with a green screen and PROPS.  Props totally make a picture!!! Everyone seemed to love it because they printed out the picture right there on the spot.  SCORE!

Merry Christmas!! 

27 Lives

twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38

when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.

their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.

they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.

they were filled wit

h such joy, they didn't know what to say.

they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.

"where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.

"this is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending Christmas at God's house."

when what to their wondering eyes did appear,

but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.

He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.

then He opened His arms and He called them by name.

and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring

those children all flew into the arms of their King

and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,

one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.

and as if He could read all the questions she had

He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."

then He looked down on earth, the world far below

He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe

then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,

"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"

"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"

"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"

then He and the children stood up without a sound.

"come now my children, let me show you around."

excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.

all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.

and i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,

"in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Written by Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, PA

Two of the sweetest things I have seen on the internet paying tribute to the 27 lives lost last Friday.  I am sickened and saddened and lost about it.  

FPU GRADUATES

Adam and I took a 9 week course called Financial Peace University taught by Dave Ramsey.  Dave is a big name in the financial world and he helps a lot of people understand money in a simple way.  

"Taking control of your money is only 20 percent head knowledge, the other 80 percent is behavior." 

-D. Ramsey

I already had a book of his, and they were offering this class through our church.  We went to the orientation and ended up signing up for it.  It was a 100 dollars a person or per couple and now that we have paid we may return any time.  He teaches his Baby Steps thru biblical principles.  FACT:  Money is spoken about in the Bible more than any other subject.  

It was a really eye opening class, and we are trying to change our behavior towards the money we spend.  

His 7 Baby Steps are:

1. Save 1000 dollars in beginner emergency fund.

2. Pay off all debt using the debt snowball technique

3. Put 3-6 months of expenses in savings

4. Invest 15% of your household income.

5.  Save for your children's college

6. Pay off house early

7. Build wealth and give.

We are currently working on Baby Step #2, we have built ourselves a budget and are trying our best to stick with it.  We are using his "envelope system," for groceries.  We have placed 300 dollars cash in an envelope to buy groceries for 1 month, when that money is gone, you eat whatever is in the pantry to make it thru.  It teaches you to "feel" the money disappear.  When you use credit, you just pay for it later, and it's easy to over buy.  

It has been quite the adjustment because our debit cards have been in over drive and our checking just dwindles down so fast.  BUT all our credit card statements are starting to lead to zero balances!!!

In the end, we are very glad that we took the class, and would suggest it to anyone.  Whether you have financial problems or not, it's great information coming from guy who is passionate about helping people. 

If you live like no one else, later you can live and give like no one else!!!! 

  

Save Me San Fran

Alcatraz

I tagged along for the second time on one of Adam's business trips to San Francisco.  We flew in 2 days before he had to be there and got to spend time with Gabe and Jennah.  Once we arrived we met up with them and went for some clam chowder in sourdough bowls at Pier 39 and then headed straight to Muir Woods.

Last time in San Fran, we got to Muir Woods late after indulging in Napa for too long, and couldn't see a thing, it was so dark.  This time it was all fog like and rainy, but totally cool.  Those trees are huge.

I am so glad we made the return trip.

Day 2, we spent in Napa Valley.  We visited 4 winerys, and had a fabulous time.  This time we shared tastings which made the trip much more tolerable.  Funny, that I actually want to see the difference in wines and how they taste rather than just drink to get buzzed.  We actually had a game plan... eat breakfast, and share tastings.  It works.

Our favorite was Mumm's... where they served champagne   We liked it because where we were standing was the view from our table.  Glorious.

Wine tastings was followed by a late lunch at Mustards.

erica n' jennah

Monday and Tuesday, Jennah and I hung out during the days, we visited the Walt Disney Museum and paid homage to the guy who brought us together.  They were having a special exhibit on Snow White as well, so we paid extra and learned a bunch about the making of Walt's first animated feature film.  Amazing.

Made a stop at Ghiradelli... in which I was very excited they changed the G into green and red bulbs for Christmas.

We stopped at Buena Vista, known for their Irish Coffee.  I wasn't sure if I would like it... but who knew, I do!

We dined on ciopinno at night with the boys.  Adam and I talk about our first ciopinno experience fondly and couldn't wait to have more.  (As you can tell by our faces below.)

We skipped out on our last visit eating at Mama's since we were there on the weekend and the line can wrap around the entire building.  This time J and I went on Tuesday morning and still stood in line.  We waited for about 45 minutes to finally place our orders.  Which wasn't so bad.  With coaching from Dave back at home, I ordered the french toast sampler and was not disappointed!!!  It was awesome!

I also dragged Jennah across the city to see this staircase, made completely by hand out of mosaic pieces.  I read somewhere that it was a "San Francisco treasure" that most do not see.  And since I didn't want to repeat all the sight seeing from last time it was somewhere I wanted to go.  My favorite part was seeing another part of SF and walking thru the neighborhoods to get to the stairs... they were so darn cute.

Afterwards, we went to the SF Science Museum, where we saw baby ostriches, reindeer, an albino alligator, got to pet starfish, and sea urchins and also got to go in a room that simulates an earthquake.

We had another great SF experience... and I managed another almost 200 pictures...
Until next time San Francisco... until next time....

Thanksgiving 2012

I am still stuffed from Thanksgiving this year.  Adam's family was in town and of course we fried the turkey.  I'm telling you, you will never miss the good ole' fashion way after you eat it this way.  Pictured above, is Adam preparing the bird.

Thanksgiving revolved around Kaiis this year.  He came to visit from Colorado, and all of us took turns entertaining him and trying to play with him, especially when he wasn't crying.  He's quite attached to Brenden, and Brenden had to be in the room in order for him to be happy.  We nicknamed him Cry-is whenever he cried.

Peek A Boo!

In addition to Thanksgiving we also went bowling in which I beat the entire family once again with a score of 123.  Yes, that's correct... I beat them all.

We took Kai to the park, but it was just way too cold.

We went to a Chicago Wolves game, as well as a trip to Gene and Judes to follow.

It took 16 tries, and we still couldn't get everyone to look at the camera.

This is the best we could do!  

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

...Brown Papered Packages...

November 18th, Rachael and I made a "dream a reality!"  We finally, after months and months of talking about it put together a little thing called a "Favorite Things" party.  With Oprah as our inspiration, and the desire to always have wanted to be on her favorite things show... we threw this blockbuster of an event.

We each invited 5 favorite ladies, making the grand total 12 people.

We asked each lovely lady to pick one of her absolute favorite things on the market right now... and  bring 12 of them.  There was a spending limit of 6 dollars per thing.

Once you got to the party, everyone explained why their favorite thing was their favorite thing.  It was pretty funny, and we were all excellent marketers for our product.  

In the end, everyone went home with 12 new things to try, and a lil' something extra from their hostesses.    

We had such a fantastic time, dining on homemade chicken soup, and lots of goodies.

Many laughs were had, especially when Alisa purposely poured red wine all over my carpet! Luckily her favorite thing was Spot Shot, a stain removal product, and it worked.

I'd love to make this an annual event, it was that much fun!

Testimonials:

"Eating my Skinny Cow bar now, SO good!" -Andrea

"I am quite impressed with the Downy Unstoppables..I use very little and it really smells nice." -Camille

"I'm happy to say that I now have purple nails, clean dishes, fresh smelling laundry, a cleaner face, and smooth silky lips all within the last 24 hours!!! I also brought my snacks to work today in the sandwich pouch! And my snacks are a fruit leather & skinny cow candies!!" -Amanda

"I just made the pumpkin pie crunch, but I substituted the cake mix with gluten free cake mix, crossing my fingers it turns out!" -Stephanie

blast from my wedding past

A Blast from my Past:

I finally got sick of all the space my wedding dress was taking up in the closet, and finally had it preserved for  perhaps a future daughter one day.  It arrived by FedEx yesterday, and here it is all boxed up, for me at least to view thru a clear window.  I loved my dress and am still glad I chose it.

Election Day

I voted in my 3rd presidential election this morning at 6am.  

I followed the above advice.

my weed

Ok, so I didn't have a very good year with plants.  My dahlia broke with a strong gust of wind... the pretty plants I bought in the beginning closed up and didn't bloom again like 2 weeks after I had them, and it was such a hot summer that all the potted flowers just died despite me keeping up with the watering.... but here you have it.  My favorite thing that grew is this weed.  Well, that's what I think it is, at least.  Isn't it the prettiest weed you ever did see?  It grew to be nearly as tall as me, and I am proud of it. It deserved a picture!

CPS-3

This past weekend, I volunteered the first part of my day measuring waste lines and checking people in at the CPS-3 study.  The Cancer Prevention Study-3 is the 3rd major study in the US sponsored by the American Cancer Society enrolling over 300,000 people across the US.  In the last study, CPS-2, it was proven that cigarettes were in fact a cause of premature death to smokers and non-smokers.  In CPS-3, our volunteers will help researchers understand how lifestyle, genetics, and the environment affect cancer, and how to better prevent the disease.

In order to enroll you must be willing to make a long term commitment to the study, by answering surveys that will come in the mail periodically through out the next 30 years--be between 30-65 years old--and have never been diagnosed with cancer (not including basal or squamous cell skin cancer).  You must be also willing to give a blood sample for genetic testing.

I jumped at this volunteer opportunity.  I mean, what easier way to make an impact on this world and to help to eliminate cancer as a major health problem without really doing anything.  Before going to volunteer I didn't think I would be able to be apart of the study since I am not yet 30.  But they made an exception and said if you would be 30 within the next 6 months you were able to participate.  SCORE.  Put that tourniquet on and draw my blood... I'm in!

Of course, with every volunteer opportunity, I ran into my ONE STORY.  My one reason for doing what I do.  When I measured the first waist of a man probably in his 40's he confided that he is doing this for his brother, who died just recently from cancer.  He got a little teary.  He said it was the least he could do so no other family had to go through what he and his family did.  With a few people behind him eagerly waiting, I spoke with him a little longer than I should have.  With a gentle hand on his shoulder, I assured him that he is definitely helping in this long crusade to end this bitch of a disease.  He laughed.  I did my job.

It's crazy to me that all of us have been touched by cancer in some way.  Whether it be a family member or friend, an acquaintance  or yourself.  As I sit here, passing out candy to all the little trick or treaters, I would love for there to be a day where they can go, what was cancer?  And I am proud to at least try and make a difference. 

For more info: cancer.org/cps3

Strides Against Breast Cancer

This past Saturday, I participated for the 2nd year in a row in the Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, sponsored by the American Cancer Society.  A good friend of mine, Katie has walked the last 6 years for her mom Sherry, who is now cancer free... but just recently she added on her friend Kelly who is currently being treated for breast cancer as someone she is walking for.  Kelly is 28 years old and she is so inspiring.  Walking with 2 survivors really puts things in perspective.  

 As you can see it was a beautiful day in the city.  After the walk we made it uptown to Tweet for breakfast. Last year turned out to be so good we all wanted to go again.  Tweet did not disappoint!

"There is no finish, till we find a cure!"

annoyances!

Lately things have been really getting under my skin.  I need to go on vacation, get a massage, or perhaps beat down a punching bag for a hour.  Here's some things that really irk me, all which have occurred in the last month or so....

The US Postal system once again has managed to piss me off.  Limited had sent me the card with the usual coupons on it.  When I opened the mailbox, I pull out this bag.  The Limited card was inside the bag, and the coupons were missing, perfectly torn out of the postcard.  The message on the plastic bag from the post office was apologizing for the damage that occurred to my mail.  Ummm... It was in perfectly good condition aside from the missing coupons... I know the Limited didn't take them, but I have a pretty good guess as to who may have.

Box Elder Bugs.... if you look close all the black dots are box elder bugs.  They are everywhere.  They cover our house any where there is sun.  They can squeeze thru anything, and they fly so they are tons of fun.  I don't have reports of them biting me, but still.... stay AWAY.  And stop for the sake of my well being sitting in clusters.  ECK!  I hate things in clusters.

Next up... so I buy some Suddenly Salads from the store, get them home, go to cut off the box top, (I still devotedly cut them out and give them to my sister so she can donate them to the school her kids go to), and what do I see.... SOMEONE actually stole a box top off the top of the box and didn't buy the product.  I never noticed while I was at the super market. Seriously, WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE?  Isn't that stealing?  Especially when the tops are given to schools to help them gain money, and what is it, like 10 cents.  Hey kids, lets go through the store and steal as many box tops as we can so that your school can get money to buy things.  I can hear it now.

Above all the stealing and stuff like that... this frosts me the most.  Now, I am no fashionista, but how terrible does it look when a girl's entire bra is showing such as this.  Or when a girl is wearing a shirt that clearly needs a strapless bra, but wears a regular one anyways.  DON'T DO IT, YOU LOOK DUMB.

And then there is this.  How come every time I have gotten involved with a show I absolutely love, they take it off the air.  That's why I can not and will not watch any new shows anymore, until they are renewed season 2.  This has happened with me on October Road, Mercy, and NOW my beloved Pan Am.  How can people not like this show about sassy flight attendants who travel the world.  Pssshh.

And, I'm done now.