Too fast.

Shopping.

BBQ.

Corona Light.

Smoked ribs.

Up in the Air.

Sleep in.

Impromptu lunch with friends.

More shopping.

Impromptu spaghetti dinner with friends.

Hide and seek with Stella.

Sleep in.

Hair cuts.

Rock Bottom Brewery.

Creighton basketball.

Flat tire.

Night cap.

Sleep in.

House cleaning.

Pedicures.

Holiday Bowl.

Victory.

Preparation.

Preparation.

Preparation.

Dinner.

Gift exchange.

Welcome 2010.

4 am dance party.

Hangover.

Godfather's.

Snuggie.

Couch.

Nap.

Nap.

Attempt at beers.

Catchphrase music edition.

Sleep in.

Snuggie.

Couch.

Nap.

Cabin Fever.

Slumber party.

Taken.

He's Just Not that Into You.

Lazlos.

The Orphan.

American Psycho.

Nap.

Taco Bell.

500 Days of Summer.

Sleep in.

House clean-up.

Oil change.

Gym.

Grocery store.

Chili dinner.

Office re-org.

Bill sort.

Christmas decoration storage.

Scrabble.

Sleep in.

Village Point.

Grandma's.

Gym.

Stuffed Peppers.

Sleep in.

Shucks.

Grandpa's birthday.

Hot dogs and Mac & Cheese.

Wii tournament.

Cupcakes.

Sleep in.

Cupcakes.

Sons of Italy.

Messy interstate.

Surprise, Annie!

3 am dance party.

Hangover.

Don & Millies.

Nap.

Godfather's.

Bloody fingers.

Superglue.

Sleep in.

Bank.

Good Fortune.

Sad goodbye.

Nap.

Bella Vita.

Sad goodbye #2.

Christmas with friends (that just so happened to take place on New Year's Eve)

TFitch and I are in a dinner club with a group of friends. In our dinner club, the host and hostess choose the menu and provide recipes to everyone else to make. We have a lot of fun (and by a lot I mean a LOT of fun), and we've stumbled upon some great recipes we've all made repeatedly. Each year we have a Christmas-themed dinner club and exchange gifts. We hosted this year, and opted to have it on New Year's Eve since everyone had sitters anyway.

Our menu was divine...

Appetizers (didn't get a photo):

Almond-Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Bacon

Seared Sea Scallops with Spicy Dipping Sauce

Golden Yukon Potatoes with Blue Cheese, Bacon and Chives

First Course:

Golden Mushroom Soup

Entree:

Beef Tenderloin

Asparagus Bundles

Four Cheese Mac & Cheese

Dessert:

Cranberry Cobbler

Signature Drink:

The O Fizz (or O! What a Fizz as we renamed it late in the evening)

Here are some photos of the tables and ambiance. We had to set-up a 6 foot table since our dining room table only seats 10 and there were 12 of us. We opted for two tables of six so they were even. Enjoy!

Appetizer Table

I asked everyone to e-mail me photos of their favorite ornaments, which I used for place cards

Resolutions

Hello friends! I hope everyone had Merry Christmases and very happy new years'! I'm unemployed for another week before starting my new gig, and I'm loving every second of it. It's just the amount of brainless downtime I needed before diving into something new.

Four days into 2010, I thought it was time to publicly announce my resolutions for the year. And without further ado:

1. No more cussing. I'm doing okay. I really had started getting a potty mouth, so I've resolved to stop. TFitch's language is NOT helping things, though.

2. Save $XYZ. I'd rather not publicize this amount, but I will tell you we had a financial resolution last year, too, and I'm happy to say we met it! This one's a little ambitious but I'm hoping we can do it.

3. Run in a half-marathon. And that half-marathon will be in Lincoln on May 2. Who wants to train with me?

Anyone else sharing their resolutions? If so, what are they? Let's hold each other accountable!

PrayforKate.com

Last night I stumbled upon the story of sweet, sweet Kate McRae. Kate is a precious five-year-old little girl who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in June.


It's a story I can't rip myself from. It's not a tale for the faint of heart; but the bitter reality is there are kids just like Kate all across the world. This Christmas my thoughts are with Kate, the McRaes and the other children and families facing this serious illness and spending their holidays in the confines of a hospital. I continue to think about and pray for all of you.

Four years.

iPissed

I'm sure T Fitch would disagree, but I take responsibility for my own actions. Can't shed those measly five pounds? Have I been doing everything I can to lose 'em? Probably not. Can't be bitter. Sad I have 10 nights in a row without a husband? Check. But is this a decision we made? True dat; can't be bitter.

Then there are the things beyond my control that really just irk the shit out of me. They tend to cost a lot of money, and in the grand scheme of things aren't all that important. But these are things that cause me to grind my teeth, my blood pressure to spike and me to blog. Take for example my iPod. My old one was in my office drawer and was stolen a few months ago. Awesome. New video iPod - working perfectly fine during my cleaning escapade yesterday. Today - broken hard drive and I'm out $250. Had I dropped my iPod and shattered it into a million pieces, I wouldn't have nearly the annoyance I have now that my iPod's hard drive just decided to stop working. Maybe it's because I like to be in control. Regardless, here's a big fat UGH to my iPod. I do have to thank sweet Jeremy at the Genius Bar for trying as hard as he could to save the iPod, and not laughing at me when I was visibly upset once he pronounced it dead.

RIP iPod.

PTTO

Was a success and this blog post and this blog post from Girls Inc. attendees made all the preparation and efforts worthwhile.

Amended: Nov. 19 - 8:38 pm

True story Pammycakes - your PTTO blog post was JUST as awesome. :) Readers, be sure to check it out here! And you can check out photos from Metro Monthly here.

PTTO out WOOT!

Mac & Cheese

I anticipate tomorrow with mixed emotions. Shock that November 12 is already here. Frustration a goal wasn't met. Nerves something will go wrong. Relief that it will all be over. Smiles.

That's right - smiles. Since January, Shannon and I have been engrossed in planning Paint the Town Orange. Sure points along the way were trying, time-consuming and overwhelming. But all in all, I've sincerely enjoyed the last 10 months. I've enjoyed the lunch meetings at Noodle Zoo, the spreadsheets, the mirage of e-mails; you have to when you're doing something for the greater good. And when you're engrossed in something so involved, the only thing that can make it better is to have one of your best friends by your side. There are not a lot of people I could do something like this with. Shannon was an irreplaceable partner in crime. When I was busy, she was there. My weaknesses were her strengths. We made exhausting and tough, strategic and tactical, major and minor, decisions together. We pushed each other. And we're better for it.

Thank you to my fellow YW Partners members for putting your trust in me and your support, and thanks to Shannon for being an incomparable cohort and most importantly, friend.

Let's do this!

Big Bird

Big Bird is on Google today! Still trying to figure out why. Regardless, when I clicked on Google this morning, I instantly smiled! I love Big Bird! And I don't remember his legs being so cute. I heart the orange and pink color combo! Reminds me of my new skirt from Boden.

I'm also going to use this opportunity to confess I love the movie "Big Bird Goes to Japan." The "Ohio" scene just cracked me up! All the Japanese were greeting Bid Bird with "Ohayo" - a way to say hello in their language. Big Bird thought all these people were from Ohio! I admit I did make my high school Japanese class watch the film. I don't think they appreciated it as much as I did.

Making Halloween Happy

I'm in Yucktucky for work+T Fitch, and don't have a lot of plans for Halloween other than a much-needed Husker victory (hopefully). We decided to leave the Johnny Castle and Baby costumes in Omaha. And, I'm such a bad dog mom; since I was going to be out of town, I didn't even buy Macy a costume. :( Change that: she'll be a Maltese that misses her mama this year.

A few weeks ago during our monthly GNO, we got together and stuffed trick-or-treat bags for the kiddos in the pediatrics unit of UNMC. (Thanks to JHite for coordinating and delivering.)

Stickers, pencils, glow sticks, jumpy things, activity books - they should like them! (If I wasn't such a ding dong and realized latex balloons were no-nos in hospitals, they would have gotten those too.) I can't help but think of little lads that have to spend holidays in hospitals. (The worse place in the world as far as I'm concerned.) Making those bags was so fulfilling and - you know how I love the power of numbers - inexpensive when eight people contribute to the cause. My request is for all of us to make the holidays - any holidays - happier for those that need it. The girls and I have sorted cans at the food bank and (unbeknownst to them :)...) we've adopted a family in-need from the YWCA Omaha for Christmas. It's not that we're money bags and have a lot to give. It's not that at all. But we all are very fortunate for what we have, and realize we do have the power to make someone's holiday a little brighter.

What suggestions do you have on ways we all can make the holidays happier for those that need it?

She may only be five pounds.

But she fills this house with energy!

Of course, you've by now figured out I weigh more than five pounds and I'm obviously talking about widdle Macers. She's not here tonight and it's lonely! I'm heading to Yucktucky tomorrow morning (work + T Fitch) so she's at her foster grandparents' for a few nights. (My parents are in NYC and yes, I'm jealous.) After I dropped her off I went to the gym, and it was so weird to walk into a completely quiet house! (For a few minutes I miiiiiiigggghhhhtt have reveled in it.) But now I want my furry friend, my security system, my snuggle buddy, back!

Anthropologie

You know how the seasons change and then you feel like you need to stock up on weather-appropriate attire? It just gives me a shopping itch. I didn't have an itch today; rather a relentless desire to go SHOPPING! Pammycakes and I hit up Anthropologie and man oh man; I remember why I don't visit there often. It is because I LOVE that store! I came away with this cute dress and some winterization tips, and a super cute skirt that, as Pammycakes said when I grabbed it, "wow - that isn't even on the Web site yet." Even better - Anthro let me use my 15% off birthday coupon even though it was for September.

I'm planning on wearing the dress to Wine Til Nine tomorrow, but thought it could also be cute for Paint the Town Orange since it's orange. After much consideration, I don't know if I can wear it to two semi-similar social events that close together. Looks like I might need another Pammycakes consultation before November 12! And I'll for sure have to peruse some accompanying shoes on zappos.com!

Please Support YWCA Omaha

The last few months, my good friend Shannon and I have been immersed in planning an event called Paint the Town Orange (PTTO). This event is being held the evening of November 12 at the Scott Conference Center in Omaha. PTTO is a fundraiser for YWCA Omaha and all proceeds fund the organization's mission of helping women and their families build lives of strength, growth and stability.

I'll get right to it: we'd love the support of our friends, family, colleagues, Twitter followers, Facebook friends and blog readers. You are our keys to success. Our goal is to raise $20,000 for YWCA Omaha and we can't do it alone. No matter how cute the decor, how great the speaker or how tasty the dessert (and it will be tasty), we can't make a substantial contribution to the cause without you.

So what can you do? You can buy a ticket here. There are a variety of ticket levels. At the same web site, you can also choose to buy a ticket for an underprivileged girl to attend – a perfect option for those of you that want to support the cause but are unable to make it. You can also buy a raffle ticket ($10 each or three for $25) for a chance to win awesome prizes – including a gorgeous citrine and diamond ring from Borsheim’s. And we’ll gladly accept donations. (E-mail me for those latter options.)

If you do choose to attend, you’ll be surrounded by darling boutique items and hear words of wisdom from Liz Funk, author of “Supergirls Speak Out.” You can read more about her book here. We saw Liz on the Today Show one morning and knew she’d be perfect for PTTO.

I’ve only been involved with YWCA Omaha for one year, but I know it’s a great organization and believe the money we are raising is helping a deserving establishment. I’ve heard women’s testimonials as to how the YWCA Omaha has saved their lives. It’s an essential part of our community. Thank you for supporting this endeavor I’ve chosen to embark on, and more importantly, the women of Omaha.

Doggone it, dad.

My dad is the king of e-mail forwards. Some are funny. Some are not. Some result in the "your mailbox is exceeding its size limit" e-mails from IT. And some bring tears to my eyes. Like this one.

A Dog's Purpose? (from a 6-year-old).

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker 's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ''I know why.''

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.

He said,''People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?'' The Six-year-old continued, ''Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.''

Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

Is it 5 pm yet? I need to rush home and squeeze widdle Macers.

Happy, happy birthday T Fitch!

He's officially 30 today! Man oh man how time flies. Macy and I are sad we are not in Yucktucky to celebrate with him today. (I'm kind of sick over it.) Photo birthday wishes will have to suffice.

Morning Observations

1. Dear woman that walked from the parking garage to the parking garage elevator to the building foyer to the building elevator ALL while reading a book: what novel is so good you can't take your nose out of it to push "9?" Just curious.

2. Dear sir that smells like Old Spice + cigarette smoke. Your scent is not pleasant at 8 p.m. after a cocktail let alone at 8 a.m. pre-coffee. Cologne or cigs. You make the choice, but one of 'ems got to go.

3. I really enjoy Pat & JT in the morning. And a lot of times they talk about stuff I want to call in about but I'd feel really dumb, so I don't. But that doesn't mean I don't answer the question to myself all the way down 480, 680 or whatever other way I decide to take into work. Today's question was which songs annoy you. My answer: Shout.

I

Freaking

Hate

That

Song.

You know it; the one that reunites every senior citizen at every wedding reception. You know: "you make me wanna SHOUT..."

It's more like, "you make me wanna poke my ears out with a cocktail stir."

It honestly makes me nauseous to think about.

So my question is this: what songs do you, oh fun readers, despise?

That darn Zappos.com

They got me again! 

A little history: I like to have fun with my gmail account. It's why the signature for that account from my blackberry reads: "I have big thumbs and this was sent from my handheld with itty bitty keys. Please forgive any typos."

Well, when I was on the Breast Cancer 3-Day a few weeks ago, I set my vacation notice (basically the out of office functionality for gmail) to read something like "Thanks for your e-mail. I am currently hitting the pavement in Denver, walking 60 miles in three days to put an end to breast cancer. I'll respond to your e-mail when I'm back." I then included contact information for Shannon in case someone was inquiring about Paint the Town Orange.

Fast forward to today when I just got our mail at home. Opened a birthday card for Trevor from Southwest. Cool. Behind it - an envelope from Zappos. I'm thinking it's a birthday card to me or a "thank you for a recent purchase" note. Nope. Not at all. It was so cool it made me tear up! (But I am lame like that sometimes.)

This is what the handwritten note read:

(Dated 8/28/09)

Hello Wendy!

While working through emails from our amazing customers, I came across your auto reply. Normally we mark them as auto replies, but yours caught my eye. I just wanted to let you know what an admirable thing you are doing! We at Zappos are proud to have you as a customer, and as part of our family. 

Thank you for being a wonderful person.

Ashlee - customer relations rep at Zappos

(With a big 'ole "THANK YOU" on the top)

I mean seriously. I can't get over it. I have friends, family and colleagues that didn't even acknowledge my participation in the Breast Cancer 3-Day, and I get a card from Zappos.com.

Zappos - you SERIOUSLY rock. I am in marketing/customer service shock. And if any of you have heard my recent complaints about Master Tailor and Urban Active, you know I was starting to lose faith in customer service. I love that I can now gloat about a company that has gone above and beyond. I've made one purchase from Zappos.com. One. And this is what I get. Unfreaking believable. Now I don't have to feel guilty buying shoes, 'cause I'm gonna go hog wild at Zappos.com. (

Trevor's Turning 30

Trevor is turning 30 in a few weeks, and since this was his last weekend home before the big day I orchestrated a surprise party. It was a homerun - literally! Trevor is a huge, huge MLB fan, so it was a baseball-themed party. He spent the day at the football game with our friend Sam, and around 7 p.m. finally walked into 30 of our closest friends and family members wishing him a happy birthday. His expression showed he was in fact surprised. Here are the details:

Event: Trevor's 30th Birthday 

Hosted by: His manager, Wendy 

Table scape:  Big props to my mom for assisting with this one. Since I was busy cleaning and baking/decorating a cake, she really stepped up to the plate (baseball puns never get old). She found some darling "take me out to the ballgame" ribbon, and also incorporated mini wooden bats and stadium snacks - think cotton candy, peanuts, seeds and big league chew - throughout. She used pages from newspaper sports sections as the base of the main table, which featured an autographed Derek Jeter baseball as the centerpiece. (Trevor's birthday gift from my parents.) My folks also had a special plaque made to go over one of my brother's old baseball trophies which was the centerpiece of the bar. Lastly, we printed off and framed photos of Trevor in his various MLB jerseys from throughout the years, and topped everything off with Baby Ruth bars. Appropriate for the soiree, and tasty too. 

Menu: Stadium food! In addition to the snacks, fans munched on hot dogs and turkey dogs; hamburgers, cheeseburgers and fries from Don & Millies (Trevor's favorite); nachos and popcorn. I made a jersey-style cake and decorated chocolate chip cookies to look like baseballs.

The invitations: The invitations were darling and made by Sabrina. I don't have an electronic versio right now, but will post it when I do. They looked like baseball cards, and a stick of gum was even included when they were mailed.

Photographic proof:

Alright Already

I've caught some slack for not updating the blog recently from my friend/colleague/personal shopper/fellow blogger Pammycakes. Truth of the matter, I've been a little busy and Twitter is much more efficient. But, I guess some pretty cool shit has taken place the last few weeks, so here goes nothing.

I've honestly been trying to compose a post recapping my 2009 Denver Breast Cancer 3-Day journey, but have been struggling to find a way to appropriately retell some of the best three days of my life. And as I sit at my computer Doogie Howser-style, deleting and rewriting and deleting and rewriting, I realize that I can't. No words I write will accurately describe tambourine lady's moves or demonstrate the support shown by the family with the two little boys. Nothing can depict the feeling radiating through us Sunday afternoon when we walked through those two inflatables to a myriad of clapping people, or how necessary that stop at Pete’s ice cream parlor really was. And I can't even begin to tell you how sick I am of candy.

What I can tell you is this:

Go Nike on me and Just Do It. If you get the chance to walk in the Breast Cancer 3-Day, do. It will push you physically and emotionally. You’ll have to work to raise $2,300 and complete 60 miles, but once you do I promise you will be changed forever and for the better.  And maybe it’s not the Breast Cancer 3-Day for you – maybe it’s a 5K or maybe it’s an Ironman triathlon. Whatever it is, if it’s something that pushes you as hard as anything has pushed you before, it will be life-changing.

Act like a bra and be supportive. Walking for eight hours straight three days in a row can wear on you. And one of the things that got us through was seeing friends and family at the public cheering stations. Kristi’s friends and family, Kelli’s family, April & Co., Steve and Mrs. Pickles…visiting all of them at the second cheering station on Day 2 made a world of difference. We had hit a low and that cheering station turned us around. And if you can’t be there in person, there are ways to show your support. Post-event pedicures. Voicemails and texts. All of that meant a great deal. So next time you know someone that can use your support, do something cheer them on. I guarantee it will be very, very appreciated.

"I'd like to thank the academy." I've always wanted to say that. But seriously. It's nearly an academy of people that helped me get to and through the Breast Cancer 3-Day. I couldn't have done it without the 40+ awesome people that donated to me or T. Fitch's help during the unforgettable garage sale. I couldn't have done it without training walk buddies - which includes but is not limited to the PALS, Shannon, Michelle (pre-break) and Meghan (you too of course Em - ours just got rained out). My rides to and from the airport. The Rubecks for watching Macy. I didn't do this in a silo. Thank all of you - and you know who you are - for making this happen.  You contributed in one way or another to an event that raised $2 million for breast cancer research and community education programs. Pat yourselves on the back, ladies and gents.

Team Footloose rocked. Seriously. Kelli, Rachel, Kristi and Sarah – what can I say. You will forever have a special place in my heart. The five of us did something incredible together, and there’s this sort of bond you form over Gatorade, moleskin and miles of sidewalk. Thank you for participating and sharing in this adventure with me. And I have to give huge props to my buddy Sarah. At 30 years old, she is a breast cancer survivor. You've taken a journey more challenging than any of us could imagine and you are a hero.

And with that, I've got a five-pound Maltese scratching at my leg. I promise to blog about Meghan's awesome wedding festivities very soon. And if I don't, I'm sure Pammycakes will IM me about it :)

Put Me In Coach

T Fitch loves MLB. I love Coach. That said, I think I just figured out another reason why we work so well.

Legend has it that many years ago, a Coach handbag designer was mesmerized by the aesthetic qualities of a baseball glove. Its supple leather and durable structure stood the test of time, and thereafter became the inspiration for Coach handbags. Coach has come a long way since then, taking a hint from one American pastime and employing it in another: fashion.