Hey there, up here! Remember me?!

Sometimes we forget to look up.
We’re so focused on where we need to get to, when we need to get there by-
We forget to enjoy the getting there.
We forget to see how tall the buildings really are,
We forget to admire the waves of fuchsia peering out of an overcast sky.

Heck, when I was writing this post in the morning,
I intended to take a picture from the ground-up of my building as I walked to the gym at lunch.
However, when lunch rolled around, I was so hell-bent on getting to the gym to make the time shift on my treadmill, that I forgot to take the picture.
Talk about the ultimate ‘Saying one thing and doing the other’.

Life moves fast,
And being able to stop and share a moment,
Now that’s something pretty special
Today, I am reminded to look up.

Thank you, Brittney.

P.s. Not-so-Secret: I took the picture the next day!
P.p.s. I took the picture on my new iphone…love it!

You know what I like?

I like girl nights. Full of gab and banter and laughing. Where wine and beer run rampant but no one looks at you funny if you order a lemon drop martini or a pinneapple mojito. Yes, I loooove a good girls’ night. And I sure hope the snow does not get in the way of mine tonight!

I like chocolate. And coffee. And sometimes, I even sneak a little of both at the same time. Flash to: me in the kitchen adding a sprinkling of Swiss Miss to my Starbucks Blonde. By the way, have you tried the Blonde?! Sure is a step in a good direction for the SBucks!

Surprises. Especially because it means someone else has done all the planning. All you’re expected to do is show up, look pretty, and enjoy. I can’t wait for my Saturday Surprise!

Vacations. And Vegas. And ok, ok I’m not going to Vegas for vacation this time, but even “work” in Vegas is better than work in Chicago for a good, thirty degree warmer, break. Vegas, here I come!

What do you like on this snowy Friday?!

This night is sparkling.

Say anything.

What if we could?

To anyone, at any time-free of consequence.

Would it be a confession? Perhaps an apology?

Would it be a setiment fermented for years-

something burning in your heart, dying to get out?

What if you had the escape? Would you even use it?

Maybe we're too comfortable and used to keeping our emotions snug

deeply in our hearts.

So would you let this pass you by?

Out of: fear, shyness, doubt? Or would you bare-all?

I mean, we all (nearly all) claim to at least want to

live open and honestly.

But what if that honestly bordered on malice?

Threatened someone's well-being, self-confidence?

Would you use your moment of truth to break someone down

or build that person up?

Think about it. Really.

Think about what you're going to say.

Now.

Think it. Write it. Send it?

I'll let you decide.

What if we really could say anything.

Do you remember the 2(1)st night of September?

Freshly shaven pencils

Yellow School Buses

Reddening Leaves

Beginning of Apple Picking Season

Labor Day Weekend

Start of football season

What are some of your favorite things about September?

Photo compliments of Kelly,

To whom I have wisely taught an affinity for Ticonderogas.

when the spirit is right, a soft surrender.

Today I know that my advice is good, but sometimes I just need to take it.

Today I learned books recommended by friends are always better; Bret Easton Ellis may be the author of my summer.

Today I think that just because i don't scream my feelings, doesn't mean i have none.

just because i seem indestructible, doesn't mean i'm not weak.

just because i don't cry in front of you, doesn't mean i'm heartless.

just because you think you know me, doesn't mean you actually do.

Today I loved sun!, and spending my day in it. It amazes me how something so simple can be so magical.

Tomorrow I will be thankful for more (please!) good weather, illinette reunions, and Chicago sports (what to do on a night without cubs or blackhawks?)

As I was saying, the pull always brings you back...

This is my favorite. It's not the clearest, but

I love the way you can see the Chicago flag

in the background.

Go Hawks.

April showers are nice and all. But I'm more than

ready for May flowers. Thanks for the preview Chi town.

March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.

There's something unspeakably beautiful about Spring.

I love the way the sun shines through my classroom windows,

splashing patches of warmth around my desk.

When I look outside at the bright smiles circling the park, a piece of my heart melts.

Happy Birthday Kelly! And Happy end of March!

(I need some good teacher April Fools to play tomorrow)

Happy St. Patrick's Day Everyone!

Here's to a day full of Green clovers, gold coins, brilliant rainbows, and lots of heel-clicks.

Oireachtas, n.


-Oireachtas, Oireactas. Irish Oireachtas assembly, gathering, convocation < oireacht meeting (Old Irish airecht; cognate with Welsh araith speech (13th cent.; in Old Welsh as hared with sense ‘song, verse’), of uncertain origin)

Today is a very special day.

It's my favorite, prettiest, most loved person's birthday!

Happy Birthday Mom!

...I love you...

Here's to fresh starts and new beginnings.

Every day is chance to start anew.

Each year that passes is only a marker on your journey.

Make it an adventure!

For the Girls.

Because, let’s face it, sometimes we just need to be completely surrounded by pretty things that make us Smile. And be reminded that we are thankful to be Girls.