Teared up on this one, too. Seriously with the kittens purring. And with Lily rescuing the cat from the water bowl. And with the tiger taking in the little baboon (mean of him to kill its mom though). Thanks to my friend Julie for sharing this tear-jerker.
7/31/2008
Goosebumps
The boy scouts that were at the Little Sioux Boy Scout Camp when a deadly twister hit in June were recognized for their bravery with a visit to Washington D.C. and a meeting with President Bush.
This photo just gave me goosebumps. The stories told about how the scouts remained calm and executed their disaster readiness plan after the tornado hit are honorable. They deserve this recognition.
7/29/2008
Sarah McLachlan Asks You to Help Animals
Click HERE to watch a commercial that aired while I was upstairs making lunch today. I immediately teared up; so much that I had to grab Macy and snuggle with her while I finished watching the spot. It'll break your heart. $.60 a day sure doesn't seem like a lot to help these poor little animals and is something I'll definitely consider.
Nicely done, ASPCA. You pulled at the heartstrings and will likely win.
Nicely done, ASPCA. You pulled at the heartstrings and will likely win.
7/28/2008
...until the hound pukes three times in the Jeep.
7/27/2008
Eat this, Tiger
Congrats to Michelle who not only got a hole-in-one, she got a hole-in-one seven months pregnant! That's something I sure haven't seen Tiger Woods do.
Proof from the Omaha World Herald
Published Sunday July 27, 2008
Hole in one, double eagle
Hole in One • Elkhorn Ridge: Michelle Seger, 117-yard, No. 8, with a 5-iron. Witnesses: Emile Shannon, Callie Smith, Sarah Head.
Hole in one, double eagle
Hole in One • Elkhorn Ridge: Michelle Seger, 117-yard, No. 8, with a 5-iron. Witnesses: Emile Shannon, Callie Smith, Sarah Head.
7/24/2008
When Fergie wrote the song “Glamorous” she wasn’t talking about air travel
Because, really. What is glamorous about air travel? Taking your shoes off and standing barefoot on a nasty tile floor where millions of others have stood barefoot before you? (And according to a quick, very scientific Google search, 20 percent of people have onychomycosis – also known as toenail fungus. I’m gagging as I type.) Nope, I’ve got it. The glamorous thing about air travel is exposing the others in the security line to the kind of toothpaste, hairspray, shampoo and other 3.4-ounce or less beauty products you use via your one quart plastic bag. Oh no. Wait. The glamorous thing about air travel is hauling ass in high heels to a gate halfway across the airport to attempt to catch an early flight only to see a “standby for this flight is closed” sign on the counter. More glamorous than that? Riding the monorail thing back to your original gate and having a bitchy American Airlines flight attendant basically push you out of the way and say “are you going?” in an attempt to exit the monorail. (What WOULD be glamorous is saying “listen bizo, I’m in a bad mood because of your damn company so I’d suggest being polite!) But I’ve got it. The most glamorous thing about air travel is, as I am currently doing, sitting in DFW airport since 3:30 p.m. waiting for my 5:50 flight that is now departing at 8:30.
When I started my job I remember being so excited to travel. Now, I can say from experience, many bad experiences, it ain’t so G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S.
When I started my job I remember being so excited to travel. Now, I can say from experience, many bad experiences, it ain’t so G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S.
7/23/2008
Just a quick little post
I'm sitting in my hotel room in Dallas, Texas, getting ready for two days of pretty big meetings. But before I'm immersed in results, planning and budgets, I thought I'd give a quick update.
Saturday we went boating with five other couples. It was such a fun time! It was one of those days that reminded me how grateful I am for such good friends and the great times we have together. Thanks to Josh, Shannon, Denise, Mike, Annie, Sam, Emilie, Eric, Scott and Meghan for a wonderful day on the Muddy Mo.
Last night we went to the DMB concert. Honestly, I didn't think it was one of his best. He started out with some very new stuff that I didn't know. And he ended up playing classics, which was great, but overall I wasn't crazy about it. Maybe it was the fact I only had a few beers vs. the million I normally have at concerts (early morning plane trip today!). Maybe it was the fact that he played until 11 and it was a school night. (At one point we were all sitting down and it might have made us seem like the oldest people in the Qwest.) Anyhoo, all in all I'd give it a 5 out of 10. But, DMB is still pretty amazing.
Saturday we went boating with five other couples. It was such a fun time! It was one of those days that reminded me how grateful I am for such good friends and the great times we have together. Thanks to Josh, Shannon, Denise, Mike, Annie, Sam, Emilie, Eric, Scott and Meghan for a wonderful day on the Muddy Mo.
Last night we went to the DMB concert. Honestly, I didn't think it was one of his best. He started out with some very new stuff that I didn't know. And he ended up playing classics, which was great, but overall I wasn't crazy about it. Maybe it was the fact I only had a few beers vs. the million I normally have at concerts (early morning plane trip today!). Maybe it was the fact that he played until 11 and it was a school night. (At one point we were all sitting down and it might have made us seem like the oldest people in the Qwest.) Anyhoo, all in all I'd give it a 5 out of 10. But, DMB is still pretty amazing.
7/19/2008
The reviews are in
Three thumbs up for Mama Mia. I've always thought if I wasn't in PR I'd star in the Broadway production of Mama Mia (might need to learn to sing and dance before that happens) but now I might opt for being in the movie instead. It was fun, colorful, and all around great. The music was right on and, most importantly, Pierce Brosnan is a HOTTIE!
7/13/2008
I've been a little down in the dumps this week, primarily because the vacation we were looking forward to so much is over, and we really don't have anything all that exciting coming up anytime soon. The next vaca day I'll take will be in August for Kristi's wedding and that just seems like an eternity away. Just a whole lot of work, business trips and nothing between now and the next 45+ days.
But just tonight, I had an epiphany. I DO have something to look forward to, and it's coming this Friday to a theater near you. I just can't wait!
But just tonight, I had an epiphany. I DO have something to look forward to, and it's coming this Friday to a theater near you. I just can't wait!
7/09/2008
Give Credit Where Credit is Due
I wrote to United Customer Service about the frustration with the cancelled flight, lost luggage and unexpected hotel charge in Toronto. (I also eluded to the fact I am very perturbed by their checked baggage policy.) Anyway, I thought I would let you know United has given us $200 in travel vouchers, which is nice. (Of course we spent $129+ tax on our hotel room so really they are only giving us $50 or so.) Regardless, my "you treat customers like dirt" line must have gotten through to them.
7/07/2008
While I love Omaha, I wish I was still in Nova Scotia
We just had the most incredible trip; it was the vacation of a lifetime. While I have been on many, many great trips in my 27+ years this one was unforgettable and one of the tops. I'm not sure what made it so amazing - perhaps the fact we stayed at the most gorgeous home on acres of oceanfront land and were treated way too well. Perhaps it was the fact we just needed a vacation. Or maybe because my mom, dad, Trevor, Kalin and I have never taken a trip together besides the trip to South Bend, Indiana, for my cousin's wedding. It could also be that while it was busy and nonstop and crammed full of activities it was extremely relaxing.
See the Halifax flight? That was supposed to be ours. We instead hung out at O'Hare for five hours and made it to Toronto around midnight EST. Upon arrival in Toronto we, of course, had no bags. At this point we just laughed. Trevor and I checked into the airport's Renaissance hotel and, after the guy could not look up my Marriott rewards number and I got a little ticked, we brushed our teeth with airline provided toothpaste and called it a night around 2 a.m.
Alarm clock went off at 6:30 and we caught the shuttle to the airport at 6:50. It's amazing how quick you can be out the door when you sleep in your clothes. This is the point at which Trevor said "It feels like we are on the Amazing Race" and his eyeballs were the color of Barney since he had his contacts in too long.
All was well though - we landed in Halifax around 11 a.m. and were greeted by "Carl" in the baggage area - holding a sign that said "Fitch" of course :-). Our bags, at this point, had made it from Chicago to Toronto, but we were told we wouldn't have them that day (Wednesday). After about an hour car ride, we arrived at paradise and immediately hopped in the sailboat. (I owe my mom a big thanks for letting me borrow some clothes so I didn't have to sail in the capris and polo I'd been wearing for 24 hours!) After that it was nonstop. Hot tubbing. Cornhole. Dark and Stormies. Homemade strawberry daquiris. Huge home-cooked steak dinner. Wine. More wine. A third bottle of wine. Great conversations, lots of laughs and a night cap in the guest house/sports bar.
Our luggage arrived Thursday -yay!- which was another nonstop day. The boys hopped aboard Mrs. Maverick - the speed boat - and the girls piled in the Explorer and headed to Mahone Bay for a little shopping. We met up with the fellas at the Lunenburg Yacht Club and parted ways again, where we went back to Mahone Bay for more shopping. It's a darling little area. We reconvened at the "compound" and all headed to Lunenburg where we toured the fisheries museum. My mom and I hit up a few shops in the area and met up with everyone to wet our whistles with a dark and stormy. It was then time for dinner and we feasted at a great Italian restaurant. Trevor and I opted for Penne pasta with lobster and vodka sauce and it was incredible. Back to the house, listening to McGinty's sea songs - a CD that Dave bought. (Apparently it is his eighth one because Peggy keeps throwing them away. This copy was gifted to Trevor and is now in our library.) More drinks in the sports bar and another fabulous day comes to an end.
Saturday - our last full day in Nova Scotia :-(. We woke up and headed to Peggy's Cove, which is home to the most photographed lighthouse in North America. The setting was gorgeous and picturesque. We then had an appetizer and beer lunch at a pub back in Mahone Bay - one of my favorite meals. Here we were introduced to poutine which is a staple of the area. At lunch we had Clancy's Amber Ale but throughout the week we had been drinking Alexander Kieth's which is awesome. The boys went sailing and apparently had a lovely day. Mom, Peggy and I got massages and briefly lounged by the pool at the spa which was awesome. We met back up with the boys at the house and had a very yummy dinner - an outdoor boil consisting of corn on the cob, potatoes, shrimp and sausage. We wrapped the night up by playing a very fun game. We each had a person taped to our foreheads and had to guess who we were by asking questions to the others around the table. It was a hoot.
We flew home Sunday aboard a private jet, which, let me tell you - is THE way to go. If I had the option, I'd never fly commercial again :-).
I have to admit I was a little concerned about how our trip to Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia would go after we landed in Chicago to see this on the monitor:
See the Halifax flight? That was supposed to be ours. We instead hung out at O'Hare for five hours and made it to Toronto around midnight EST. Upon arrival in Toronto we, of course, had no bags. At this point we just laughed. Trevor and I checked into the airport's Renaissance hotel and, after the guy could not look up my Marriott rewards number and I got a little ticked, we brushed our teeth with airline provided toothpaste and called it a night around 2 a.m. Alarm clock went off at 6:30 and we caught the shuttle to the airport at 6:50. It's amazing how quick you can be out the door when you sleep in your clothes. This is the point at which Trevor said "It feels like we are on the Amazing Race" and his eyeballs were the color of Barney since he had his contacts in too long. All was well though - we landed in Halifax around 11 a.m. and were greeted by "Carl" in the baggage area - holding a sign that said "Fitch" of course :-). Our bags, at this point, had made it from Chicago to Toronto, but we were told we wouldn't have them that day (Wednesday). After about an hour car ride, we arrived at paradise and immediately hopped in the sailboat. (I owe my mom a big thanks for letting me borrow some clothes so I didn't have to sail in the capris and polo I'd been wearing for 24 hours!) After that it was nonstop. Hot tubbing. Cornhole. Dark and Stormies. Homemade strawberry daquiris. Huge home-cooked steak dinner. Wine. More wine. A third bottle of wine. Great conversations, lots of laughs and a night cap in the guest house/sports bar. Our luggage arrived Thursday -yay!- which was another nonstop day. The boys hopped aboard Mrs. Maverick - the speed boat - and the girls piled in the Explorer and headed to Mahone Bay for a little shopping. We met up with the fellas at the Lunenburg Yacht Club and parted ways again, where we went back to Mahone Bay for more shopping. It's a darling little area. We reconvened at the "compound" and all headed to Lunenburg where we toured the fisheries museum. My mom and I hit up a few shops in the area and met up with everyone to wet our whistles with a dark and stormy. It was then time for dinner and we feasted at a great Italian restaurant. Trevor and I opted for Penne pasta with lobster and vodka sauce and it was incredible. Back to the house, listening to McGinty's sea songs - a CD that Dave bought. (Apparently it is his eighth one because Peggy keeps throwing them away. This copy was gifted to Trevor and is now in our library.) More drinks in the sports bar and another fabulous day comes to an end. Friday = Happy Fourth of July! We started our day with a relaxing boat ride aboard Mrs. Maverick where we tooled around and visited the Bay of Chester. Back to the house for Deluxe nachos and then steamed mussels. That was also the day we kayaked and played a lot of Bocce and Cornhole. (Trevor and Kalin are horrible at that game, BTW.) We had an Americana dinner of burgers, brats and dogs and capped the night off with fireworks at the firepit. Mom, Trevor and I did take the Bobcat for a late night drive on the trails to try to look for wildlife and it was pretty damn funny - especially mom pretending she was a ghost. WEIRD - we had a few more "for the ditch" at the sports bar and it was nighty night for all.
Saturday - our last full day in Nova Scotia :-(. We woke up and headed to Peggy's Cove, which is home to the most photographed lighthouse in North America. The setting was gorgeous and picturesque. We then had an appetizer and beer lunch at a pub back in Mahone Bay - one of my favorite meals. Here we were introduced to poutine which is a staple of the area. At lunch we had Clancy's Amber Ale but throughout the week we had been drinking Alexander Kieth's which is awesome. The boys went sailing and apparently had a lovely day. Mom, Peggy and I got massages and briefly lounged by the pool at the spa which was awesome. We met back up with the boys at the house and had a very yummy dinner - an outdoor boil consisting of corn on the cob, potatoes, shrimp and sausage. We wrapped the night up by playing a very fun game. We each had a person taped to our foreheads and had to guess who we were by asking questions to the others around the table. It was a hoot.We flew home Sunday aboard a private jet, which, let me tell you - is THE way to go. If I had the option, I'd never fly commercial again :-).So here we are, back in Omaha. It's back to work tomorrow, which I am dreading but if I learned one thing this week it's work hard to play hard. Cliche? Yes, but so true.
We are so, so grateful for the vacation we just had and words can not express our thanks to Dave and Peggy for opening their home to us for some of the best days of our lives. Thanks to Dave, Peggy, Peggy's mom or "GG" as we came to know her, mom, dad, Kalin and Trevor for the memories and the laughs while in Nova Scotia. You're the best. And a thanks to the Hites for watering flowers, taking out trash and looking out for the Fitch abode and to Joe, Kathy, Griffin and Cassidy for taking such good care of Macy while we were gone. Somehow she's more wiped out than we are!
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