For all you baby Mamas out there

I was on Bed Bath and Beyond's Web site looking for a wedding registry and noticed they now carry baby items. I perused; they have some cute stuff. If you're into that kind of thing.

How 'bout them Apples

Trevor got me a new iPod for my birthday. I had the original old school iPod and he upgraded me to a video iPod. I'm excited about it.

He bought it SUNDAY. That's not capitalized to emphasize that he bought it on my actual birthday. It's capitalized because TODAY Steve Jobs announced a new line of iPods. Today. Two days later. My brand-spanking-new-although-opened-but-still-without-music-iPod is already outdated.

I have a rotten Apple.

Getting a Wii Bit Fit

We broke out the Wii Fit last night. I'm pretty obsessed with it...especially since it weighed me and said I'm about 20 lbs. less than I actually am. So the scale on the balance board isn't exactly right...

Anyhoo, I got quite the ab workout from the Wii Fit. Not from the exercises per say but from laughing while watching TFitch yoga. It was damn funny.

Congratulations Amy and Brad

A very special friend of mine got married over the weekend: Amy Hartfelder. I met Amy in 1991…not at the usual place a 5^th grader would meet a new friend – like school or softball or church. (Yes we went to church back then.) We met the Hartfelder family in 1991 at Kennedy Space Center. Random? A bit.

We were visiting Cape Canaveral because the weather that day was rainy and dreary (typical for a Floridian March.) Kalin, a 1^st grader, was adamant about sitting in the front row on the top deck of the double-decker bus and, because of his running and probably pushing old folks aside, he got his wish. Sitting next to us was another family of four. One thing led to another and my parents got to talking to the parents of the other family. Turns out they were going on the same cruise as us the next day – the Big Red Boat – and staying at the SAME hotel after the cruise – the Disney Inn. Most importantly, the four adults also learned they were all big fans of Bud Light. To make things more ironic – they figured out Amy and I were born five days apart.

Amy and I never talked that day, but I did kind of stalk her. She had these enormously high bangs and I thought she was SO cool. Every time she got off the bus to take a picture, I asked my parents for the camera and followed her. Apparently I was a weird kid.

The next day we boarded the S/S Majestic and not 20 minutes after we checked into our cabin there was a knock at our door. It was Amy, and her cousin Amanda whose family had joined them on the cruise. We’ve been friends ever since that knock on the door. For several years when we were young I would fly to Michigan and Amy would fly back to Omaha with me. Her family has been to Omaha several times; including for my wedding and my parents’ 40^th AND 50^th birthday parties. My family has been to Michigan, numerous times including for Amy’s graduation from Central Michigan. (We were supposed to go to her brother’s wedding, which was 9/15/01. I will let you guess why we weren’t able to attend.) Our families have been to Chicago, Toronto and Lake of the Ozarks together. It’s truly a friendship of fate. And while we don’t see each other as frequently anymore, it’s a friendship that picks up right where we left off.

We were thrilled to be at the Hartfelder/Reuther wedding. It was a gorgeous event and I wish Brad and Amy a lifetime of happiness!

Below: The gang at the rehearsal dinner (minus Trevor & Kalin who were unable to attend)

Happy Birthday to Wii

I got a Wii Fit for my birthday. I'm so pumped!!

In the words of Dave Matthews, "So Much to Say"

It's been over a week since I last blogged and I think something exciting has happened each day since. I witnessed my last Breast Cancer 3-Day event as a member of the event's PR team. I began a new job. I attended one of my best friends' weddings in Denver. I met my second cousin for the second time ever. I attended the best movie ever: "Mama Mia: the Sing-a-long." Needless to say there hasn't been a lot of time to blog. So let's catch-up.

I attended the Cleveland Breast Cancer 3-Day August 21-24. Cleveland is the biggest shit hole I have ever been to. Just going to throw that out there; that is really beside the point. The Cleveland Breast Cancer 3-Day was an interesting one to say the least. Getting asked to dinner by a reporter. Stung by a bee on my finger. Hal Sparks and Dr. Roizen. The list goes on and on. There was a huge surprise at the Cleveland Breast Cancer 3-Day though, when I went to a "meeting" behind the closing ceremony stage and it really was "Wendyfest 2008" as my clients and partners affectionately named it. They had a little going away celebration for me and it meant so, so very much. I'm looking forward to walking in 2009 (probably in Denver - I already have one walking buddy!) to see them all again!

I started my new job as a Public Relations Account Executive at Bailey Lauerman August 26. I really, really am enjoy it and feel I am adapting well. I think being in a smaller office makes it easier to get to know everyone and the surroundings better and quicker. I've jumped right into projects, including assisting with press conferences in Omaha, Lincoln and Kearney and assisting with media relations for today's BBB Integrity Awards in Lincoln. So far, so good!!!!

Kristi and Andy were married in Denver Labor Day weekend and it was such a fun and beautiful event. I could go on and on about how memorable their wedding was. I thank them for letting me be a part of their special day and wish them many, many years of happiness. The PG photos have been posted here. 

My cousin Olivia was in town with her son, Micah. He turned one in March and I've only met him once before this time (totally unacceptable! Austin is just too far.) My aunt and uncle were in town for my aunt's 50th birthday so we had some quality family time at Tanners - of course we'd meet at a bar. We see each other so rarely; I love the times when we are able to get together.  

I just got back from by far the best movie ever: "Mama Mia: the Sing-a-long." Emilie and I saw it with six of our closest friends. Really it some sucker-of-a-guy who was roped into seeing it with his girlfriend/wife/date and a group of four women who had admitted to margaritas beforehand. One in particular was a "dancing queen." I snapped a picture of her on my camera phone but I'm still trying to figure out some features of the Mac and can't download it. Rats.

I'm sitting here now watching Tina Fey speak. Oh wait, that's Sarah Palin. They have an amazing resemblance. 

Tomorrow it's off to Michigan for Miss Amy Hartfelder's wedding ... which reminds me I better get to packing!!

Today

Today the Rameys welcomed baby boy Everett to their family. WOO!

Today was my last day in the Barkley office. BOO.

I'm not going to lie, walking out of Barkley this morning totally sucked. Barkley has been a huge part of my life for the past five years, two months and 20 days. That's a long time. In that time I've went from Account Manager to Senior Account Manager to Account Supervisor. I moved from Omaha to Kansas City. I went from Hicks to Fitch. I tooled around on Organized Living, Learning Quest, Ameristar, Blue Bunny, Payless, and the Breast Cancer 3-Day. And most importantly several colleagues turned into lifelong friends. It was extremely hard to say good-bye to everyone this morning and I already miss them.

I am very, very excited to start at BL on Tuesday and I know making the move from Barkley to Bailey was the right decision. But it still doesn't make leaving my friends and colleagues at Barkley any easier. Will I stop tearing up? Cause it feels like that is all I have been doing today.

Rolling Stone Article

The Heavy Soul fellas brought this article on the Von Maur shootings to my attention.

This article disturbs me for several reasons.

First, one commenter to the article and blogger points out that in the hard copy the pages are splattered with red ink to represent blood. How distasteful Rolling Stone, seriously.

Second, I realize Hawkins had a horrible childhood. I really do. But what about the people that grow up with terrible childhoods and turn out better than fine? Those that were abused as kids that grow up to be successful? Where are the seven page stories about those individuals and their achievements? I don't understand what the writer is trying to get across in this article. Is he trying to say that Hawkins did this and is excused for doing this because his life was so shitty growing up. (Newsflash - Hawkins continued to make poor decisions throughout his life, in drugs, infidelity, etc.) Really, is that an excuse? Is he trying to place blame on the parents? Do they need to be tried on murder charges? Yes, he was a troubled man. But you didn't need to point that out Mark Boal. We knew he was troubled by what he did December 5, 2007. Thanks for writing about the obvious.

Third, the comment about Hawkins having to get a job at McDonalds because the Nebraska farming industry was so poor is just bogus.

Fourth. The description Mark Boal, who I am beginning to dislike more and more, portrayed after Von Maur's reopening is just sick. As I commented on the Heavy Soul site: "the reponening of Von Maur after the shootings was not about making up for lost profits for the holiday season. It was about helping a community move on and cope with what they dealt with. Knowing a Von Maur associate, who was at the store during the shootings and right next to one of the victims, I applaud Von Maur for how they handled this situation and how they treated their employees and victims' families. Also, less Mr. Boal forget about the reopening ceremony of the event where wreaths were placed at the store's entrance in memory of the victims. And the fact that hundreds of people made a memorial outside of the store with signs, snowflakes, cards, posters, etc. and that, once those items had to be removed, they were boxed up and placed in large plastic tubs and kept - not thrown away - shows that the support Omaha showed for the victims, the community and one another, was not taken lightly. And if he'd go to the store now he'd see a plaque hanging in the store listing the victim's names."

And finally - the stupid writer saying the Von Maur shootings have been forgotten about. Just because something is no longer in the news every single day does not mean it has been forgotten about. The country's most prolific terrorist act, 9/11, isn't in the news every day. Does that mean we forgot about what happened that September day? No. The Von Maur is the biggest incident in Nebraska in 50 years. Things like that do NOT go unforgotten.

Muffin Top

Trevor and I saw this commercial Friday night and we were dying. Check it out HERE.

8.8.08

Today marks the beginning of one of the most impressive events in the world - and I am not talking about the Olympic games. Today the 2008 Breast Cancer 3-Day Series kicked off in Chicago. This morning nearly 2,000 men and women attended Opening Ceremonies for the first of 14 three-day, 60 mile walks taking place through November.  

The Chicago Breast Cancer 3-Day holds a special place in my heart as that is the event I participated in three seasons ago with Michelle, Lizzie and Shannon. 

To most walkers, the Breast Cancer 3-Day is their Olympics. For months, participants have trained for the life-changing event. For many, walking 60 miles and raising $2,200 is the biggest accomplishment of their lives. And each will receive a gold medal, which is knowing they are making a personal difference in the fight against breast cancer. Honestly, the only real difference between the Breast Cancer 3-Day and the Olympics is that Matt and Meredith were in Beijing this morning - not Chicago :-). 

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the importance of the Olympic games starting. I got goose bumps watching "Today" this morning just hearing the Olympic games theme song and stories of Michael Phelps, Dawn Johnson and other amazing athletes preparing to set world records and achieve personal victories. Macy is really enjoying that I am walking around the house this morning singing "God Bless the USA." 

8.8.08 is a day people around the world have been anticipating for years. And with that, good luck to the pink, red, white and blue.  

PS: Happy 28th Josh!

Today is August 7

which not only means it's Heartguard day for Macy, it also means one month 'til my birthday!

My eyes are watering a bit

I was in college, living at 616 N. 16th Street (aka the Kappa house in Lincoln), when the Anthrax scare was going on. Our house mom Carol really wanted us all to wear gloves and masks when we got the mail - which was kind of funny. Anyway, I just watched this video and it freaked me out a bit.

Countdown 'til Baby Seger Arrives

Brian and Michelle will be welcoming a little one at the end of September. Over the weekend Annie, Shannon, Emilie, Megan, Denise and I hosted a shower at Roja to prepare them for baby Seger. It was a great shower. The venue was perfect and complemented the brightly-colored theme we had going on, and the margs (regular and non-alcoholic) were refreshing on the 100+ degree day! We played a few fun games and, most importantly, Brian and Michelle received great gifts. They should be very prepared for him (that's my guess) :-) to arrive.

More photos from the shower can be found HERE. Enjoy!

Random observations from class

There are three girls in my current class that drive me bonkers. The first two come exTREMELY dolled up and flirt with the professor the entire time. It's gross. And annoying. Today they chatted with him so long I wanted to say, "take it outside and pass out the damn tests!" (Which I think I did well on, BTW.) Next to the annoying brown-nosers is a girl who listens to her iPod the entire class. Only one headphone though. Lectures, today's TEST - you name it. How the professor let's her get away with it is beyond me. It's not like he doesn't see her. She sits in the front row right next to the suck-ups. What song (besides anything from the Mama Mia! or Wicked soundtracks) is that good that you have to listen to it during class? It's just rude.

Finally, as I turned the hallway leaving class I about ran into a woman carrying a green parakeet on her hand. Maybe it was a parrot. I don't know. What I do know is I hate birds and and I hated that it was loose, indoors, so close to me. Fine then - if she's bringing her bird for show and tell, I'm bringing Macy.

An Apple a Day

Keeps Wendy at Play.

We bought a MacBook this weekend. We have been wanting to get a computer and went to look at Nebraska Furniture Mart. We were thinking of a Mac and we walked out of NFM with one about an hour later. You can't argue with No Interest Financing! The guy at the Apple store in NFM really sold us on a Mac vs. PC and I think we'll really like it. We've spent the past two days playing around with it. The only problem is we should have bought two because neither of us really want to share :-)

I'm such a sucker for the animal stories

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.

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.

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.

The River

It's all fun and games...




...until the hound pukes three times in the Jeep.

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.