It's Easy Being Me

More and more I learn about myself. I need to just embrace who I am. Not worrying about what others think and taking the plunge of being ME! Courage to be who I am and at the end of the day live by my own values.

Plunging into my 40's was the thoughts that came to mind on my 40th Birthday!

Need a laugh

I need a laugh. Been a tough couple of weeks for me. I need to channel that COURAGE I talked about. Anyway, what makes you happier than being able to laugh at yourself?

Enjoy, I hope you giggled a bit too, I know I did when I posted this!!

A Rainbow Every Morning?

A couple of mornings in St John we were treated to a little tropical rain. At first, you would worry, oh no, it is going to rain today? But we soon learned it was something to look forward to as the rain would come in and as fast as you had time to grab a cup of coffee and smell the rain, the rain would disappear. As I said towards the end of our trip when we were in Anguilla when a server was sort of saying, sorry about the rain this morning,

"Not to worry, RAIN BRINGS RAINBOWS!!!!"

What a way to start the day. Every day should be started with a rainbow. Not that it will happen in Chicago in the winter but the feeling of AWE that a rainbow brings you can bring into your daily morning. So I am going to start every morning with that feeling of AWE and Amazement that a rainbow can bring.

Live every day

Live every day to your best and fullest.

Tell your loved ones just how much you love them.

Help a friend.

Help a stranger.

Let it go.

Have fun, laugh, snuggle, hug.

Look people in the eye.

Volunteer.

Silver Lining

It has been a tough week. I can't yet write how I feel but what I do know is that three weeks from right now I will be celebrating with some of my best friends in St John for my 40th. I am excited, like a kid waiting for Christmas. What would life be without having to look forward to things?

I will be here, with a cocktail (or two). Well, let's be honest way more than 2 cocktails. And I will be happy, relaxed and with some of the best people in the world.

Hello 2011

Farewell 2010, you were awesome. Welcome 2011! I can't wait to see the accomplishments, friends and memories created this first year of the new decade! Thanks to all of you who made it so special.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to you all this evening. We are staying home and having friends of Jon's from work for a lovely dinner. 2010 was a great year, challenging, but great. Some highlights below

Bought a fabulous new house that feels like home
Asked to speak at both Engage Conferences (and got to travel to Grand Cayman and Palm Beach in doing so)
Spoke at an ABC conference in St Louis
Made some wonderful new friends and spent time with old friends
Traveled to Turks and Caicos twice
Attended the Martha Stewart show and Bridal Market in NYC (Thanks Steph for taking me to the show)
Planned 27 amazing weddings with the most incredible staff
Challenged myself to start blogging more and so far have been pretty consistent with it

This is my LAST New Years in my 30's. WHOA, that is crazy. I did not even think about that until last night. LAST New Years Eve in my 30's. And you know what. Awesome! Bring it on 2011 I am ready for you. (Well, Monday I am ready for you, because I am having too much fun having a light week with lots of pjs and relaxing on the couch).

Silent Night, Holy Night

Christmas Eve Candlelight service at our church, Fourth Presbyterian was just magical tonight. It was so nice to attend with Jon and my parents. It was so busy and I was a little upset we could not sit in the same pew but it ended up being so wonderful to hear my Mom's voice singing the Christmas Carols behind me. Her voice cracks like mine does. I always loved that about her. It never stopped her or set her back. And I notice that I do it as well. I teared up a little bit and you know how I am, I just looked up and choked the tears back. We get so busy in our days and don't notice the little amazing things about our parents or our likeness with them. I love my parents so much and this Christmas felt so special to be with them in our new house.



Here is a gorgeous picture that Sarah Alair took of us this year when they came to visit us on our vacation in Michigan.

Back

I am back. This is less for any readers and more for me. I love sharing my wedding life on the Engaging Events by Ali blog but there is a person behind that suit and the white binder on the wedding day. I have not blogged here for three years and how funny that I looked up what my past "labels" or "tags" were on my blogs and it was Family, Friends, Pretty Things and Vacation. Isn't that so interesting. It struck me as interesting because that is what I am behind all the wedding planner talk. I am my Family, my friends, I love my vacations and MAN do I love pretty things. My work is awesome but there is so much more to me. While our careers help define who we are it is does not make us who we are. Does that make sense? Oh well, it makes sense to me.

Anyway. I am here I am back. If no one reads me that is okay but I am still going to write.

Oh and I six weeks from today I am going to be Forty. Yes, what has been called The Big 40. And I would be lying if I did not say that I did not love that. But then part of me is like, quit your "bitching" and embrace. My 40's is going to be awesome. It is. And after the gravy, the stuffing and the awesome food this Holiday weekend I am getting in SHAPE again. YUP you heard it.

Oh and if you forgot what I look like see the picture. It was taken by my dear friend Sarah Alair Bible. It was not retouched. I am naturally that gorgeous!

HA! Merry Christmas! I am going to put on a dress, some lipstick and some heels and have a lovely dinner with my awesome, kick-ass husband!

Thanksgiving with Mom and Dad

Jon and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with Mom and Dad at American Club in Kohler, Wisconsin!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Please travel safe and sound as you head out to see your families.

I recently saw this link to some historical information about Thanksgiving on the History Channel and found it fascinating! Click here to read all about Thanksgiving past and present.

Jon and I are heading up to Kohler, Wisconsin to
The American Club with my parents for some relaxing, shopping and eating turkey!

Enjoy yourselves this weekend and remember all that you have to be thankful for!

Family Outing to the Boat!

Brooke, Ali, Jenny and Sam came down to hang out on the boat on Sunday! It was so much fun, despite the crazy Bears fans taking over Burnham Harbor!

Fourth of July

I love Fourth of July! Every year we go up to my sister's house and go to the Lake Bluff Parade and then go to their friends house for a bbq. This year, Ali and Jenny walked in the parade with their Irish Dancing Group!

What did you do Memorial Day

The big question this week was, "How was your Holiday Weekend?"
"What did you do?"

Well, we had an awesome weekend. Friday night we cooked at home, drank some great Merry Edwards Pinot Noir and watched silly movies. (Clueless is just a classis movie to me)!

Saturday, we went out for a big breakfast at my new favorite spot, Overeasy, and then took a NAP! I mean, wow, I can not remember the last Saturday I took a nap! In fact, I can not remember the last time I took a nap, period.

Saturday night we went to Sandy and Chips for ribs, steaks and good old fashioned cole slaw. They were great hosts and check out the sunset we got to witness. What a gorgeous view!!! (just look past the electricty lines, okay)?

Sunday I has a wedding and Dawn Li and Eric Wald were married. They are a lovely couple and they had their ceremony and reception at the Chicago Cultural Center. I attributed the fact the weather was so nice to the fact they were such nice people!

Monday was great and super relaxing. Jon, Grohe and I took a picnic to the park by North Pond cafe. We took a long walk and relaxed and ate a yummy lunch. The afternoon was followed up by some serious garage cleaning and finalized by the first BOMB POPS of the season!