Hoo - Hoo - Hoosiers!!!

Yes, yes, we are still alive! I know, I know....we have not posted in over a week and I apologize for that. There is really no excuse besides pure laziness. I promise that we will get back into the swing of posting after this week!! Lots to catch everyone up on....travels, holidays, etc. Be on the look out for new posts in the next couple of days!

On a more important note....GOOD LUCK to the Indiana Hoosiers as they will be playing tonight in the 19th Annual Insight Bowl (Fiesta Bowl) against Oklahoma State. This is the Hoosiers first bowl appearance since 1993....GO HOOSIERS!!! Matt flew out to Phoenix for the game and will be watching live from the Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe. What a lucky guy!!

Happy Holidays!

As Christmas Day draws near, just wanted to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday!!! Enjoy your travels and spending time with friends and family. Merry Christmas everyone!!

We are heading to Indiana this afternoon to spend the days before Christmas with the Hunt's. Then up to CL on Sunday. We will try to update the blog a couple of times while we are gone, but can't promise anything!!

Merry Christmas everyone!!! Hope Santa is good to you!!!

Crazy Cabbie

I know it's not unheard of to have a crazy cab in the city. Well, I had one this morning. Oh so sweet #1199.

First, the guy shows up 10 minutes late. I am trying to call the cab company at 6:25am, but all the operators are busy. I get a call, it turns out to be one of the operators I am trying to get a hold of. He says matter of factly, "Your cab is outside." I rebut, "There is no cab outside." "Well, then he will be there in a minute cause he just called me." Hang-up. Great client service.

So I see the guy rolling down the street, I grab my bags, lock the door and head downstairs. I get into the street, through a plowed section of snow and just as I am reaching the back of the cab, he honks at me as if I am still in the house. I scared the crap out of him when I opened the back door less than a second after the honk. My question - who is he to honk at me for making him wait 4 seconds when he is the one who is late? He honks and wakes up my neighbors? Ridiculous.

It didn't take long to figure out that he was either trying to make up the time during the drive - or maybe he was just crazy. We were rocking out to Eddie and JoBo while he was slaloming through traffic doing 50 mph down Division. We get onto 90 and he floors it - the highest I saw the needle was 78 mph. Doing 78 mph at 6:30 am in Chicago on 90 is the equivalent of doing 110 mph on a standard highway. We were going left, going right, slamming on the breaks, spinning the tires from his liberal use of the accelerator.

I self-diagnosed myself as 65% of the way towards whiplash from the constant break slamming. Making matters worse was a broken down car in one of the lanes near Irving Park. #1199 was pissed about that. By the way, his window had a leak in it, so it was fricking cold - no matter how much I told him to turn the heat up.

The trip ended when he pulled up to Terminal 2 (gotta love Air Canada and their self-service tv/movie screens) and blocked in two limo taxis who proceeded to honk and cuss while my Amex ran through.

Moral of the story - whenever you raise your hand in the streets of Chicago, and you see a red cab #1199 pull up, just run away. Or at least in the winter, sit behind the driver, maybe its warmer on that side of the cab.

Why People Why?

Do you not shovel your sidewalks?

Last Saturday Chicago was hit with a bit of a snow storm. I think we received close to 8 inches between Saturday around noon and Sunday morning. Everything was glistening with the new fallen snow; it was a gorgeous site Sunday morning when we woke up.

Well, my opinion quickly changed when I had to walk to the el on Monday morning. I would say less than 50% of the sidewalks in my 15 minute walk to the el were shoveled. Why, I ask, do people not shovel their sidewalks? It is common courtesy to me and a nice neighborly thing to do. Now that the weather has started to warm up, all that unshoveled snow is now wet and slushy and making a mess of my pants as I walk to and from the el each day. So, my fellow blog readers, I ask that you think of your neighbors during heavy snows and any walking they might have to do on your sidewalk. Please shovel your sidewalk!

Random Tidbits

I finished "Into the Wild" in the airport on Wednesday morning. I started it in October and finally got through the last couple of chapters. It's not that book was that bad - I just never read. Only in the airport or on the plane. I liked the book and will see the movie when it comes out on DVD. Since I only read about 5 books per decade, I think I am good until 2010.

The best part about traveling to Canada in the winter is hearing the forecast call for 3-6 centimeters of snow. It's just funny to me. By the way, why are we not on the metric system?

Speaking of Canada, how about that exchange rate? Now when I go have a $5 beer, it actually costs $5. At least they have that higher alcohol percentage thing going for them. As the old guy in Big Daddy says, "That stuff's like Moonshine!"

My quest for losing 7.5lbs before Christmas is not going as I would have wished. I am down 2.5 lbs as of this morning. I have figured out a flaw in my plan too - when I leave next Wednesday for Canada (again,) that will be the last time I will be able to weigh myself on the scale in our bathroom before the big day. Ali says I am joker for thinking about all of that - I say, I have to use the same scale or all is for naught. I might have her pack it to take to Lafayette and Crystal Lake. Not really, but it would be funny for a dude to travel with a scale.

I am super busy at work. This sucks for one main reason - the fact that Ali and I have nothing to do this weekend. It sucks cause I will take a bunch of work home and do it while I should be trying to lose lbs while watching TV on the couch!

Look What I Did!!

My cousin's wife, Ruby, is always creative and has one activity for all the kids to do during Konneker Christmas. This year it was to make gingerbread houses. It was such a great idea and kept the little ones (and some big ones) entertained for quite a while. Instead of using gingerbread or graham crackers for the base of the house, she taped 2 individual serving milk cartons together and covered in icing. Great idea!!! I made this house for my sister and Ben as a little souvenir from Christmas since they were not able to join us! I think my Gingerbread Man House turned out pretty darn good, if I do say so myself!! Probably the best one there (I guess it should be since my fellow builders were all under the age of 8!)

White Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

This bread is delicious and so easy to make....I thought I would share with all of you!

White Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup milk
½ cup Libby’s Solid Pack Pumpkin (100% pure pumpkin)
¼ cup margarine or butter, melted
1 egg
1 cup (6 oz package) semi-sweet white chocolate morsels
¼ cup finely chopped nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease loaf pan.
Combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder in large bowl; make well in center. In small bowl, combine milk, pumpkin, butter, and egg; add to well in flour mixture. Add morsels and nuts; stir just until moistened. Pour into loaf pan.
Bake 45-50 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely.

Couple of notes....

• You can make muffins as well...grease muffin cups and bake at 400 F for 18-20 minutes.
• I never add nuts, but I am sure it tastes great with them.
• You can substitute the white chocolate chips for regular chips.
• If you use a dark, non stick pan, I would recommend turning the oven down 25 degrees or bake for 45 minutes at the most. I find mine gets really overcooked if you bake the bread for 50 minutes in the dark pan.

ENJOY!!!

C-Ville

Last Saturday my mom, dad, Matt and I hopped in the car and headed straight down I-55 to Carlinville to celebrate Christmas with the Konneker's. As you can see from the picture, we encountered and ice storm about halfway through our trip. The weather was a little scary, but we made it safely with only one pit stop (which is a miracle for my mom and I).

After a quick stop at my grandparents to change and drop off our bags, we headed over to my Aunt Kate and Uncle Bob's for the party. As always, we had a ton of delicious food; there was constant grazing all day. As usual, Matt was a hit with all the little ones, keeping them on their toes and constantly entertained. If only his partner in crime, Ben, had been there (K & B, we missed you!!). It was great to see all my aunts, uncles, cousins, cousin's kids, and grandparents....there are always lots of stories to be told.

It was a short trip, as we headed home early Sunday morning, but nonetheless, a great way to start Christmas celebrations. Thank you Aunt Kate and Uncle Bob for hosting everyone!!!

MIA

Sorry for the lack of posts this week. I have been in training all week with limited access to the outside world. Being locked up in a conference room for 3 straight days learning our budget software is informational, but not so much fun. I will be back to my normal workday tomorrow so be on the lookout for a weekend update and other misc. posts! Happy Hump Day everyone!

Help Wanted

Any thoughts on what I can do with my empty birch sleeve? I also need to add some more to the sleeve on the right with the flowers. I am fresh out of ideas and yours would be greatly appreciated!

Fancy Smancy

If only I had a fancy holiday party to attend this year. I love this BCBG dress; it would be first of my list to wear or at least try on. I think the satin sash with the sequins is a fabulous combination. Pair with a great pair of heels and a clutch and it would be the perfect outfit to enjoy some cocktails and dance the night away.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Decorating the Christmas trees is one of my most favorite holiday traditions. I love to turn on the Christmas music, light a candle and decorate away. We always unwrap all our ornaments and lay them on the floor so we know what we have and make sure each ornament finds a perfect spot on the tree. I enjoy unwrapping each ornament one by one because each one tells a story of a place we have been or an event that has occurred at some point in our lives. Matt and I are pretty good about buying an ornament each place we visit so it is fun to reminisce as we decorate the tree. As you can see, we are missing a key decoration...the star!! Unfortunately, our star was not cooperating last night and kept falling off. You can't have a Christmas tree without a tree topper so I am hoping to have a replacement today.

Advent Calendars

Advent calendars were a tradition in my family for so many years. I remember my mom buying one for my sister and I each year around Thanksgiving or shortly there after. We would anxiously await December 1st so we could open that little door to reveal a small piece of candy or piece of a bigger picture. We would do this on our way to school each day. This ritual in the morning always seemed to make the days brighter.

Since I left for college, (well, maybe after my freshman year or so because I am pretty sure my mom sent me and advent calendar in the dorms) I haven't thought much about advent calendars until I saw this cute idea on Ali Edwards. What I love most about idea is you can personalize it in so many ways. You can fill each box with something creative and unique to your family. Whether it be candy, small goodies, or favorite activities, the possibilities are endless. In her blog post, Ali included a list of ideas in case your creative juices are not flowing. I absolutely love this idea and will add it to my list of holiday to-do's for next year.
Here is Ali's finished product. I am not sure I would tack each box to my wall because of all the little holes, but I am thinking you could use a large cork board or something similar instead. Regardless, the finished product is adorable.

For other advent calendar ideas, check out Design Crush.

We Are Godparents

To sweet little Anna Gibson!

On Sunday, Matt and Laura asked Matt and I to be Anna Louise's Godparents. It was such a special moment and completely unexpected. We are so touched that they thought of us for this very important role in her life. We could not be more excited about being her Godparents and look forward to watching Anna grow into an amazing girl. Matt and I are so blessed to have the friendship we do with Matt and Laura; we know we will always be close to them and can't wait to watch our children grow up together. Thank you for including us in such a special time in Anna's life.

Happy 30th Birthday Gibbo!

Just wanted to wish Matt Gibson a very Happy 30th Birthday!!! Looking forward to celebrating this weekend!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Weekend Fun!

Well, it is finally winter time here in Chicago. We had our first taste of what the next few months will bring over the weekend!! Ugh, not ready for all this cold weather and snow; however, I do love all the holiday decorations popping up all around the city!

Despite the cold, wet weather, Matt and I had a great weekend. Friday night, we battled the tourists and holiday shoppers and headed to the Cheesecake Factory after work for a few drinks and dinner. Now, I know a lot of you are wondering why the heck we would go to the Cheesecake Factory when we are surrounded by a ton of great local restaurants. Well, we were both craving dinner and cheesecake from there. While dinner was not great, the cheesecake did not disappoint. It was still fun to be downtown, along Michigan Ave. with the crowds.

Saturday morning was spent cleaning up the leaves around the condo building and bringing the Christmas decorations up from storage. We ran some errands and saw Carolyn and Steve in the early afternoon and then cozied up inside to start decorating because the weather was just nasty! Decorating is still in progress, as we are buying our Christmas tree tonight. I will post some pictures soon of the final product!

Sunday we woke up bright and early to head down to Decatur with Laura and Anna to surprise Gib for his 30th. The surprise brunch went off without a hitch; Matt was shocked everyone had made the trip. We had such a nice time visiting with Matt's relatives and celebrating Gib's BIG 3-0!. It was a really fun day!!! Thank you to Claudia and Laura for including us in the surprise!

Hope everyone is having a good Monday!

More Than Just Paper

Earlier in the week, I was browsing through the most recent Paper Source catalog, looking for fun invitation and card ideas, when I came across these adorable aprons. Now, I know that Paper Source has more than just paper, but this is really pushing the envelope!! I think they are extremely cute and would make great gifts for all my friends and family that love to cook. The fabrics are so pretty; they would make anyone feel beautiful in the kitchen.

There are 5 different aprons in equally cute fabrics; Lulu, Belinda, Frilly, Chloe, and Katie. I don't think you could go wrong with any of them.

For The Glory of Old IU

Well, it was another successful Thanksgiving. We had a wonderful time with Matt's family in Lafayette; the food was delicious and the company even better. It was so great to see everyone and spend the weekend visiting, shopping, and relaxing.

Matt and I were also able to make a trip down to Bloomington on Saturday. We had full intentions of getting some Christmas, birthday, and personal shopping done, but many of the stores were closed due to the Thanksgiving Holiday. We were able to pick up a few things though, eat at Dagwood's, and walk around campus. IU is as beautiful as ever; both Matt and I mentioned on several occasions how great it would be to be back on campus as students. We just have so many wonderful memories from IU. We took a ton of pictures around campus so, check out the IU photo album. The trip to IU was amazing, made even better by a stop at Oliver Winery on our way out of town.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Ahhh, Thanksgiving.....probably one of my most favorite holidays for a couple of reasons. One, it kicks off the "holiday" season. I love the hustle and bustle that starts right after Turkey Day and continues through Christmas. Decorations are hung, Christmas music is played, and I feel that people in general are just in a better mood. Two, it is the perfect time to be with your family, just enjoying their company and eating a really great meal. I love the big family dinners and activities that lead up to dinner.....lounging, drinking, eating, and just spending time together. It is very relaxing for me!

Anyway, I just wanted to wish everyone a VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!! For those of you who are traveling near and far, be safe! Enjoy the company of your loved ones and be thankful to have them with you this Thanksgiving! Eat lots of turkey, relax and enjoy!!

Over The River and Through The Woods....

To the Hunt's house we go!!!

What are your Thanksgiving plans? We will be heading to Lafayette this afternoon to spend Thanksgiving with Matt's family. Kelly and Jim are driving in from DC tonight, along with Aunt Ina and Uncle Steve from Wisconsin. The Zionsville Hunt's will join us for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. I am looking forward to seeing everyone; it will be great to catch up and eat lots of yummy food. Not 100% positive what is on the menu for tomorrow's feast, but I know I am contributing broccoli casserole, pecan pie, white chocolate chip pumpkin bread, and vidalia onion dip. I am thinking there will be some turkey, stuffing, and cranberries involved as well.

I think the rest of the weekend in Lafayette will consist of lots of shopping and a trip to Bloomington, with a stop in Zionsville to see The Barron's and The Connolly's. I am hoping to finish up my Christmas shopping this weekend. Yep, that is right, finish it up!!! Have a great Thanksgiving everyone and safe travels to all.

Favorite Things

Since today is Oprah's Favorite Things show, I thought I would create an Ali's Favorite Things blog post for all of you to enjoy. So, in no particular order, here are a few of my much loved items....

1. Lulu Lemon Still Pants - I own two pair and love them, they could be the most comfortable "comfy" pants in the world. Wash well and stylish enough to wear while running errands on the weekend.
2. Jo Malone Perfume - Thank you to Sarah Cranley for introducing me to Jo Malone's line of fragrances. I love the French Lime Blossom and the Nectarine Blossom and Honey.
3. Hanky Panky Undies - Sorry to all you guys who read the blog, but these are the most comfortable thongs ever. I swear!! Don't be scared by the one size fits all tag, they really do fit a majority of women. Also available in low rise!
4. Bobbi Brown Eye Balm - Great nigh time treatment for your eyes. Soothing and refreshing as well.
5. Hint Water - I had this water for the first time this past weekend. Since I am trying not to drink soda, I am always looking for something with a little flavor. This provides the right "hint" of flavor without all the artificial flavors.
6. Lancome Sweet Balm - A great lip gloss that can be used everyday. I have it in Break of Dawn. Note: I think they have discontinued this product because I am having a hard time finding it.
7. Soy Milk Lotion - One of the few lotions I can use that doesn't cause my eczema to act up. I love the small amount of scent this lotion has. It is a perfect lotion for you whole body.
8. Debra Hurd Paintings - Now I do not own any of Debra's art, but I just love it. I have admired several of her paintings and have thought of splurging on one, but just can't do it. I think her city scenes are just gorgeous. She also sells her work on eBay, which is where I originally discovered her.
9. Tea Forte - Since I am not a coffee drinker, I am always looking for great tea. My sister gave me a tin of this tea about a month ago and let me tell you, it is delicious. Not only is the packaging adorable, but the bags can be used multiple times. This tea is also served at Ethel's Chocolate Lounge...yum!
10. Longchamp Le Pliage - One of my favorite purses that is perfect for shopping trips. It is big enough to hold all the stuff you might need, but small enough to not get in your way. Lightweight and looks great with everything.
11. David Yurman - I love all his designs. My favorite is the petite albion ring; it is perfect as a right hand ring.
12. Uggs - I swore to myself that I would never own Uggs and now I am mad that I didn't buy a pair sooner. They are great for keeping you tootsies warm in the winter. Pretty comfortable too.
13. Chi Flat Iron - This is a product I could not live without. It is the best straightener ever!
14. Lush Handmade Bath Products - Great smelling products for bath time. I love the bubble bars and the bath bombs. The bath products make great gifts as well.
15. Rebecca Adrian Jewelry - My sister gave all her bridesmaids a pair of Rebecca's earrings and I have barely stopped wearing them since. They look amazing with a ton of outfits, both casual and dressy.
16. Swaddle Designs - The burp cloths and receiving blankets are some of my favorite gifts for all my expectant mommy friends. Very stylish and soft, which is perfect for both mom and baby!
17. Aromatique Candles - A close call between these candles and Tyler Candles. Either way, both are a great addition to any room of your house.
18. Bond No. 9 Perfume - Another favorite perfume of mine. If you have a chance to visit one of the Bond stores in New York, I highly recommend it. They have a ton of scents all named after NYC neighborhoods and landmarks. You can't beat the pretty bottles, either. Two of my favorites, Bryant Park and Chelsea Flowers.
19. Ballet Flats - I have finally found a great pair of jeans I can wear flats with. They have so many cute pairs of ballet flats out there it is hard to pick just one. Try Zappos and Piperlime for a huge selection.
20. Sweet Mandy B's - A cute bakery located in Lincoln Park that serves the best cupcakes. A must visit next time you are in Chicago!

Hunting 2007

Hunting trip 2007 is in the books. I took off on Thursday night for the farm (located about 7 miles north-northeast of Deckerville, MI). Sadly, I must report that no deer were harmed in the composition of this blog post, nor during the weekend. I posted a few photos of various hunting locales on our land as well as the woods they tore down over the past few months right behind the house. Someone bought out the long-time owners of the land just south of ours and tore down a great woods for farmland. The deer used to hang out in there and run over to our woods. Unfortunately, with the removal of the woods, the deer paths were all screwed up. We had no clue where they were going and I don't think they even had a clue as witnessed by some deer running over to where the woods used to be and then finding no cover.

Although no deer were taken, we had a fun time with Nanny and it was great to see Pappy as well. Per my dad, his spirits seemed to be raised from the last time my dad was up a couple of weeks ago and hopefully he will get out of the nursing home soon. The doc said on Friday that his leg was still fractured so he has to be in his walking boot/wheelchair for another month. (He took a fall about a month back, sprained his ankle and fractured his fibula - that's the lower bone, right? Since there is no way for Nanny to take care of him on the farm while in a wheelchair as he is not strong enough to walk in the boot alone - he is currently residing in the local nursing home while doing rehab. That's what a broken back, lymphoma, a stroke and diabetes in the last ten years will do to you.)

Next year - I promise, more deer sticks for all.

Snip, Snip

Last Thursday, I had a long over due hair appointment scheduled with my favorite hair stylist, Bob, from Maxine. I am not very good about routine haircuts, as my last one was in February. Well, Bob took one look at my mane and said, "We need to take some length off." Well, I was in agreement and a little excited because I was thinking about chopping it off for sometime. After the first few snips, I asked him to show me the damage and to my surprise, it was not that bad. I told him to take it a little shorter, about shoulder length. Well, low and behold, he did (maybe even a little shorter) and the result is what you see in the picture. I will admit, I don't love it, but it is growing on me. This was a huge change for me, I think about 7 inches total, so I think it is only natural for me to miss my long hair. It is just hair, right? The good news is, it will grow back ~ hopefully sooner rather than later.

The Almost Moon

I love to read, plain and simple. I am always looking for a good book and honestly don't discriminate against a particular genre; I pretty much will read anything.

I have decided that I am going to start reviewing the books I do read on the blog because I always find book reviews and recommendations quite helpful when choosing a new book.

I recently finished "The Almost Moon" by Alice Sebold. This is the third book of hers that I have read and while I thoroughly enjoyed "Lucky" and "The Lovely Bones," I was not quite as impressed with "The Almost Moon." Am I glad I read the book? Yes! But, I didn't particularly care for the plot. It was a little disturbing to me and something I can't relate to. Alice Sebold is a great writer and often times has me thinking what I would have, could have, should have done in the situations her characters are in. I think that is a great quality in a book, as it entices the reader to keep on reading to find out what happens and the consequences to decisions that have been made. "The Almost Moon" touched my heart in a way I hope I am never touched again. I can only pray I am never faced with all the decisions the main character, Helen, had to make. One thing I did learn from the book was that you are responsible for your own actions and while others may not agree with the decisions you have made, there are always those 1 or 2 people you can confide in and will not judge.

So, would I recommend this book? Sure....I just don't think it was quite as good as "Lucky" and "The Lovely Bones." Definitely worth reading, but not lighthearted!

In Process....Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Language Arts

Along with the beautiful scenery, wonderful lake, and peace and quiet, Green Lake and the surrounding towns also offer great shopping. The downtown areas of Green Lake, Princeton, and Ripon are home to some lovely boutiques and unique shops. Last time we were at the lake, my mom and I headed out to do a little shopping because once the weather starts to cool down, there is not much to do at the lake and the boys were out golfing. We got a late start that morning and knew we had to hustle if we wanted to hit all our favorites before they closed.

Our first stop, Once In A Blue Moon, in downtown Princeton. Not only does Once In A Blue Moon carry great hostess gifts and things for your home, but it is also a great cafe. We were seated for lunch by a wall that was filled with photographs that had been take to form various words. My mom and I instantly decided that we were each going to purchase one to hang in our homes. The challenge would be which one to choose. I eventually ended up with "Faith," which is pictured above because I loved the pictures that were taken for each letter, especially the "I" and "T." My mom decided on "Family." As we were paying for our respective wall hangings, we started chatting with the owner about the pieces and come to find out you can custom order a word or phrase. I think a last name would be a neat addition to your home or perfect for a gift.

I have been trying to find a website for the artist that took the photographs, but no luck. The only information I do have is the name of the company, Language Arts and that it was made in Middlebury, Indiana. The pieces are just unique and something I have not seen before. If you would like one of these for your home, I know you can contact Once In A Blue Moon for more information.

To the Farm

Haven't posted in a while - been letting the wife get that done, since its her blog and all.

Not much happening in my life anyway - preparing for the holiday season I guess is the biggie.

Went to the IU-Northwestern football game on Saturday with two of the Livermore brothers. A good time except that IU continued its penchant for losing when Ben and I are in attendance.

I was supposed to leave for Russia last night, but the trip was postponed until probably February. Since I am around, I am able to go up to the farm this weekend for the opening of deer season. I will get up there late Thursday night and be in the woods on Friday morning. Pappy broke his leg a few weeks back and is currently in the nursing home doing rehab, so it will be good to get up there and hang out with him.

It's Back!

A lot of people have complimented me on my winter white ruffle coat from Urban Outfitters. I have to give the credit to my sister because she was the one who found this fabulous coat last year. I was just the schmuck who copied her great style. Anyway, yesterday I received an e-mail from UO and the ruffle coat was featured. While they are not carrying it in winter white this year, they do have it in black. I suggest trying the deep plum or deep teal though to add some spice to an outfit. It is a great coat, fairly warm, and not terribly expensive.

Object Of My Affection

I spotted this settee in the Pottery Barn catalog this week and I can't stop thinking about it! I absolutely love it, but since we live in 1200 square feet, it is just something I am going to have to admire until we buy a house. Regardless, I love the way you can change the look of the sette just buy changing the pillows and accessories. If I ever have the opportunity to purchase this lovely piece of furniture, I think I would put it in either a bedroom or living room to use as a nice reading area.

Cluck Cluck

On Wednesday night we headed downstairs to Julie and Bryan's for some homemade apple pie, which was delicious, and to celebrate Anna and Eoin's (they live above us) wedding. Julie and Bryan have two little girls, Abbie and Lauren, and another little one on the way. That day, Julie had bought costumes for the kiddies for next Halloween since they were 80% off at Old Navy and too cute to pass up! Now that is thinking ahead. Anyway, Abbie was just dying to try on her costume for all of us and practice her "cluck, cluck." I couldn't help but take some pictures because she looked adorable. She and her siblings are going to make the cutest little chicks next year. I am already looking forward to next Halloween when the Diemer chickens go trick or treating!!

Congratulations to Anna and Eoin as well...there were married in August in Puerto Rico.

The 36th Annual Gazebo Holiday Market

As many of you know, I am involved with the Junior League of Chicago. Each year, JLC hosts a holiday shopping market that supports the mission and community projects of the Junior League. The 2007 Gazebo Holiday Market is the shopping event of the season that transforms the River East Arts Center into a cozy and unique shopping experience, featuring over 50 vendors from across the country.

For all my faithful readers, I wanted to post the information for the event in hopes some of you will be able to make it to the cocktail party on Friday night and/or the shopping on Saturday.

Friday, November 16th - Cocktail Kickoff Party
7 p.m. to 11 p.m at the River East Arts Center
Admission: $65 in advance, $75 at the door
Click here to purchase your tickets.

Enjoy signature drinks featuring X Rated Vodka and Izze Sparkling Juice or a chocolate martini from The Melting Pot. Be the first to browse the vendor booth before shopping begins on Saturday.

Saturday, November 17th - Fabulous Holiday Shopping
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the River East Arts Center
Admission: $7 at the door or $10 with JLC shopping tote

The Friday night cocktail party is a blast and a great way to get a head start on all your Holiday shopping. One of my favorite things about the event is that the vendors are truly unique and sell a wide variety of one of a kind products.

You will find lots of fun things for yourself, friends, and family. From handbags and jewelry to baby items and cards, you are sure to find the perfect gift.


I am also selling raffle tickets if anyone is interested; they are $40.00 each. You can find a complete listing of the raffle packages here.

Happy Birthday!

A very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Carol Hunt!!!! Happy Birthday, enjoy your day! Can't wait to see you on Sunday!!

Oh Baby, Baby!!!

The Hunt family found out some very exciting news recently and I wanted to share with everyone.....Kelly and Jim are expecting there first baby this spring!!!! We are thrilled for them and can't wait to welcome baby Thomas to the luckiest family in the world. Congratulations Kelly and Jim!!!

Check out their website for updates on Baby T.

What Have We Been Up To?

I apologize for the lack of posts this week, we really have no excuse other than work has been busy for both of us. Well, for me at least. The partners at our firm have a huge meeting tomorrow and Friday so my department has been working diligently on various presentations and schedules for the meeting. The meeting is in LA, which unfortunately I am not allowed to attend. Poor Me!!! Matt has been in Schiller Park all week for training. I am not sure what all that entails, but I know outside sources were being brought in for a couple of days and USG folk for the remaining part of the week.

We had a wonderful weekend in Geneva; what a cute little town!! Before the wedding on Saturday, we spent some time walking around downtown Geneva and had lunch at this great little bar, Old Towne Pub (if I am remembering correctly). After lunch we hurried back to The Herrington to beautify ourselves before the wedding. The wedding ceremony was beautiful; Abby looked gorgeous and she and Jeff were all smiles. We then headed St. Charles Country Club for the reception. The room was stunning and the evening so much fun. I know a good time was had by all!!! Because of the time change, Matt and I were up pretty early on Sunday. Matt decided to just lounge and read the paper so that gave me the perfect opportunity to go for a run along the Fox River. The path along the river provided a nice view of the changing fall leaves and the perfect place to enjoy a brisk fall morning. After my run and once everyone was awake and ready to go, we headed over to Egg Harbor for brunch with the Livermore's. The weekend was a perfect little getaway from life in the city. Thank you to Abby and Jeff, the Harris', and Szalerek's for including us in a wonderful weekend.

Our evenings this week have consisted of meetings and running errands, nothing too interesting. Tonight, after dinner, we are heading downstairs to the Diemer's for some homemade apple pie and to visit with everyone in our building. I am really looking forward to some yummy apple pie a la mode!!

Hope everyone is having a good week!

The Amazing Race

Sunday night kicked off the 12th season of one of my favorite TV shows, The Amazing Race. It one show, along with The Hills, How I Met Your Mother, and Grey's Anatomy, that I absolutely love to watch. So, needless to say, I was extremely excited for the season premier on Sunday.

For those of you who have not seen the show, it is a reality television game show in which teams race around the world in competition with other teams. The idea is to arrive first at the pit stop at the end of each leg to avoid elimination.

Why, you might ask, do I love this show so much? Well, it is a game that requires physical and mental strength and teamwork. Sure, there is always that point on every episode that allows all the teams to catch up to each other, but that just brings everyone back to equal playing field, requiring even more strategic planning and skill. Plus it is pretty cool to see all the places The Amazing Race sends the contestants. So, if you are looking for something to watch after Sunday night football and before Desperate Housewives, I highly recommend checking out The Amazing Race. It is on Sunday nights at 7 p.m. cst.

My pick to win this season....Rachel and TK

Going To The Chapel....

This weekend we will be heading to Geneva to celebrate Abby and Jeff's wedding. We are looking forward to spending some time in Geneva, as it is a cute little town with great shops and restaurants, right along the river. We are also excited about spending the night at The Herrington. Although we have never stayed at the Herrington, I have heard great things about this quaint little inn. I believe the weather is going to be great and should make for another perfect fall weekend. I know the wedding will be gorgeous and a ton of fun. Matt and I are looking forward to spending some time with the "Green Lakers" out on the dance floor and enjoying a few cocktails. Congratulations to Abby and Jeff. I will be sure to post wedding pictures on Monday!

I'm Back - But Not For Long

Good times in LAS and PHX last week. Dinner with Riebe, future Mrs. Riebe - Vic, and EA/Deportes was fun on Thursday. When you only get to see some of your friends a couple of times a year, its always great to chat for a few hours over a nice tenderloin and green chili mac and cheese. Looking forward to the Riebe wedding May 2008, should be a blast.

I flew in on Friday, Ali picked me up at the airport and we headed straight for Green Lake. Arrived just before midnight and since I was ridiculously tired from all of my travels, I slept until 9 on Saturday. I haven't slept that late since July 1982. Got a round of golf in on Saturday which hopefully does not turn out to be my last. Will see all the Green Lakers at the Harris wedding this weekend - should be a good time out in Geneva.

I just got back to the house last night, but I am now leaving again. Was told when I got to work today that I am booked on the 6:25 am flight to ATL on Wednesday. Will be back on Friday.

This latest burst of traveling is letting me try out a new theory. Matt's Theory of Thank-you Notes. I absolutely hate writing thank-you notes, and because of that, I never write them. Because of my wife's penchant for writing a thank-you note for just about anything, I am yelled at after each birthday/holiday for which I receive presents. Well, to try and bridge the gap, I am no longer accepting presents. No, not really. I am currently buying a couple of postcards from every airport I go through/place I visit; I will then use these as my thank-you notes. It keeps it a little more fun for me, remembering everywhere I went, and its more cost effective with postage. Gotta squeeze out those dimes everywhere I can!

Bought two new pairs of Johnston and Murphy shoes three weeks back. One of the pairs squeaks when I walk. I just called and they said they will repair them for me. So, I got that going for me, which is nice.

Internal Audit bowling outing tomorrow. I am looking for a game over 200. I will take anything over 175, but a 200 sure would be nice.

As I am typing this, I was notified by email that my Russian Visa has been shipped and will arrive tomorrow. Too bad the trip has been postponed. It seems the guy that works for me/am traveling with, is still considered a Russian citizen by their crazy government. Nice of the Russians that they finally let him know now!!!

Green Lake...Here We Come!!

This weekend Matt and I will be heading to Green Lake with my mom and dad. I am looking forward to spending the weekend at the lake, as we have not been up there since Labor Day. Although the boat has been put away and the water is way too cold to swim, this time of year is one of my favorites at the lake. The crisp fall air and colorful leaves will make the perfect relaxing fall weekend (along with the great company, of course). I also can't wait for a long run or walk along the country roads. There is something so refreshing about the cool clean air. Have a great weekend!!!

Rants and Raves

I just have to rant about 2 things for just a quick moment.....

1. Why is it necessary for perfectly capable human beings to take the elevator to the 2nd floor? Take the stairs...especially when you are the cute 20 something chica that looks like she works out every day!!!
2. Why do I have to be sitting on the 5th floor, northwest corner of Jackson and Michigan, across the street from a building they are doing work on? I swear, they have been drilling and making noise all day long...I can't concentrate!!! I will never take silence for granted again.

Now because I just ranted, I will give some raves (or things I am thankful for or excited about)....

1. Tonight I am having dinner with my mom, dad, sister and Ben. I am excited to see everyone and try Margie's.
2. Seeing Matt tomorrow....he has been in Vegas all week!
3. The high school boy who held the door open for me today as I was leaving for lunch. His mom and dad should be so proud.
4. Fall...I absolutely love this season. Today is the perfect fall day!

The Perfect Jacket?

Now that the weather has finally started to cool down, I am in search of an "in between" jacket. Something that is not too heavy, but at the same time not too light...basically, the perfect fall jacket. I ran to Ann Taylor Loft at lunch today with a co-worker and found this jacket. It is not only stylish, but the perfect weight. Exactly what I am looking for! I am just hoping it goes on sale in the next couple of weeks or that I receive a coupon in the mail. Has anyone seen any other cute fall jackets?

Of course, I also did some additional browsing while I was there and found this blazer that was "iffy" on the hanger, but adorable on. Very Jackie-O!

Live from LAS!!!

Blogging today from the Vegas airport and their free Wi-Fi network. One of the things I hate the most about traveling is the lack of free wireless in airports. Even today, very few offer the service free of charge. One of these days they will learn some customer service! While I am at it - hotels that charge $13 a day for internet access, can suck my router.

Vegas leg of my trip has been fun. All day Sunday was spent watching NFL games and betting of course. I ended up about even on the football games, which is always a goal. The tables though were a different story. Just could not get on track, craps, roulette, blackjack, nothing. My only winning session came last night at Caesars in the new Pussycat Dolls casino. Nothing like sitting and playing blackjack while girls are dancing in their skivvies, in a cage, in front of you. Played for about an hour and quit when I had the $50 I started with.

Now its on to Phoenix, a quick jump over the Grand Canyon. Should get to meet up with Riebe, Vic and possibly Deportes for dinner tomorrow night.

Flying Solo

Matt left for Vegas yesterday so I am a bachelorette this week. Yes, he is there for work, although I am not too sure how much work can actually get done in Las Vegas. I know for a fact that there was no work being done yesterday as the entire day was spent watching and betting on football games. The 6 a.m. flight out of Chicago and the limo pick up at the Las Vegas airport ensured the boys a timely arrival at the hotel to place their bets. Work scmerk, that is all I have to say!!!

Whenever Matt travels, I always have the best intentions to have a productive week. Most of the time, I am extremely lazy and don't get anything on my "To-Do" list accomplished.

A couple of things on my list this week:

1. Organize my recipes - I have a ton of recipes that I find during lunch or get from friends and most of the time I just throw them in my recipe box. Does anyone have a good way to organize recipes? The box is just not doing it for me. I am thinking a binder maybe.
2. Start working on Christmas cards - Yes, I know it is early, but if I don't start now, I will never get them out. Hence, what happened last year.
3. Clean the house
4. Decorate for fall
5. Organize my pictures
6. See my sister and Ben - the newlyweds arrive home today. I can't wait to see them!!

Let's hope I can at least get a few of these things accomplished.

The New Mr. and Mrs. Livermore

The Konneker-Livermore wedding weekend was gorgeous, simply gorgeous...and perfect!!! Although there were a few hiccups along the way, October 13th, 2007 was one of the most beautiful days I have ever seen. From the gorgeous bride and groom to the heartfelt ceremony and stunning reception, nothing can compare. My sister and Ben are truly a perfect match, they could not have been happier on their wedding day. They are blessed with not only great friends and family, but with each other. Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin and Kristin Livermore.

Check out some pictures from the weekend under photo albums on the right. I don't have a lot from the wedding day so, I will include links to some other pictures I have received. Enjoy!!

Allison's Album
Bev's Album

We Out

No updates over the next couple of days due to a couple of reasons, one being the wedding, and two, that the Konneker's don't have internet access!?!?!?!

I Just Want A New Blackberry!

Two hours of my day today was spent trying to get a new Blackberry. I have been debating between the 8800 (with its GPS capabilities) and the Curve (which gets better ratings as a better phone among other advantages.) Because the company pays, price really isn't an issue. I went to two TMobile stores to look and neither had the 8800 because it is no longer carried in stores (I wish the first store would have been able to tell me this.)

To shorten this story up, I went in today and bought a Curve, total price $495 after tax. She said I could get my discount when I received authorization from the company, blah blah blah, just come in later with the documents and they would apply it.

I get back to the office (which is about a half mile away) and call my mobile phone services person. She gets pissed that I didn't have her order it, although I was just following what others in my department have done.

She calls me back and tells me that the store did not have authorization to sell me the phone because my plan is corporate liable, blah blah blah. She then tells me that she can get me the same blackberry, have it ready on Monday, for $100. I just need to take mine back.

So, I go back to the store and tell the same girl I want to return the phone I just bought. She asked me for my credit card and said not one other word to me. Never asked why I was returning it or anything to that point. It's like she knows she tried to screw me over and knows she just got caught.

Adding to it, I am doing all of this in dress shoes I bought yesterday. Yes, they are comfortable shoes, but I am not sure they are 4 miles of walking on the first day comfortable.

Moral of the story is you need to exhaust all of your researchable alternatives before buying from a cell phone retail shop.

Man I wish I had my new one today...

Wedding Week

This week is wedding week and I will give you a rundown of my schedule, why, I don't know, I just want to.

Monday night - haircut, start mix-disc compilation for limo bus (I am not sure if this is officially my responsibility, but since I am pretty much one of the best in the world at making mixed-discs, I will make one anyway.)
Tuesday night - clean 2nd bath, do laundry, buy new pair of black shoes, buy new blackberry, hit the dry cleaner if I can get there in time, same for post office to ship some ebay items we sold this weekend, continue work on compilation
Wednesday night - clean our bath, floors, counters, dust, vacuum, complete cd
Thursday night - pick up dry cleaning and altered dresses, pick up Kelly and Jim at Midway, drop off at our house, then drive to Crystal Lake

Friday starts actual wedding stuff for me with a round of golf and then rehearsal and all of that good stuff.

Just wanted to make sure you are kept in the loop...

2007 Chicago Marathon

Sunday, Matt and I (and some friends and family) watched my cousin, Megan, compete in and finish her first marathon. Yesterday was the hottest day in the history of the marathon and took its toll on many of the runners. About 3.5 hours into the race, they actually called the marathon because it was just too hot. Runners were diverted back into the city or were told to walk the rest of the race course, depending on your location. While many of the participants were not able to finish the race, Meg decided to tough it out and finish! We are so proud of her and all the runners who competed yesterday. I know it took a lot of will! Congratulations to ALL!!

In the picture above, Meg has just completed mile 4 and was looking great! Here are more pictures that Matt took of the marathon; some of the wheelchair pictures are my favorite!

Reality TV Answers

While researching an answer for Shannon - I found the following website:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9756436/

This site will answer all of your reality tv questions such as - do participants on "What Not to Wear" really have to throw all of their clothes out.

Have fun looking around!

Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Want to buzz through the rest of the TV week and give you some updates, since I know you are all eagerly anticipating the finale to this ridiculous series of postings.

Friday night has two shows that I watch when I can. Friday Night Lights premiers tonight for the season. I liked what I saw last year but admit that I missed probably the last half of the season. I think I am going to Tivo this year's then get the first season from Netflix and catch up.

Las Vegas is on as well and I really only like the show because its Vegas and gambling. I love Vegas. In fact, I will be there later this month.

Saturday - well, its college football day - there are no other shows on.

Sunday - Home Makeover is good to see the end product - newest trends and the sort. Plus, we (USG/L&W Supply) sometimes donates all of the drywall and we are on the show every now and then.

Desperate Housewives follows and we have been watching since the beginning. I liked this season's first show. Should be able to take off from there.

I watched Pushing Daisies on Wednesday night this week after reading a whole bunch of "good things." Wasn't sure that I liked it, but I will give it another week.

And this is and inside joke for Kim - Natalie Gulbis is on Wednesday's.

The Bachelorette

As my sister and Ben's wedding nears...only 9 more days...I thought I would post a picture of my sister the night of her bachelorette party. Now, isn't she the cutest bachelorette you have ever seen?!?!?

A quick recap of the evening....
We started the night off at the Sofitel and then headed to Bella Lounge for dinner and drinks. Kari arranged for us to have this great private area that was lounge-y and perfect to get the night going. After dinner, we went right next door to McFadden's. I had never been to McFadden's before, but it was a great place to go and dance. We even made our way up on the bar for a song or two!! Shenanigan's was next on the tour...enough said! After witnessing some peculiar behavior we moved on to one of my favorite places...the Hange Uppe!! If you have never been to the Hange Uppe before, I highly suggest making it the last stop after a night out. I mean, where else can you sing and dance to Rockin' Robin with 300 of your closets friends and have a great time. The night was such a blast, coming in a close second to my bachelorette party. Thank you to all the lovely ladies who made my sister's "Last Night Out" a success!!!

Mmmm, Mmmm Good!!

A brand new Dominick's just opened up within walking distance of our house and I am extremely excited. I am actually more excited about the metal "wheely" cart we bought to transport groceries back and forth, but that is a different story. With the opening of a grocery store so close, I am hoping that Matt and I start making dinner on a more consistent basis.

So on Sunday, as we were deciding what to have for dinner this week and making our grocery list, I ran across a recipe from Williams Sonoma for Risotto with Prosciutto and Asparagus. Peaking our interest because we had some great risotto in Italy, we decided to try it for dinner that night. The risotto was really good and quite easy to make. We do not have a pressure cooker so we used the stove top instead. Because of this, we only used 4 cups of chicken stock. The recipe made a ton so, this would be perfect as an accompaniment to steak or chicken if you are entertaining.

Enjoy!!

Thursdays

TV on Thursday is the wife's domain. It starts with Ugly Betty, then goes to Grey's Anatomy. I wasn't impressed with last week's Ugly Betty, it doesn't help that they made the hot chick not hot.

Grey's was pretty good, seems like the storylines are progressing and should be another entertaining year.

I do need to throw in some man-ness here. I also watch the ESPN Thursday night college football game each week, I am just relegated to the small tv in the bedroom.

Wednesday TV Redo

Forgot about the one show Ali and I now watch on Wednesdays. At 9pm on the Golf Channel - The Natalie Gulbis Show. If you don't like golf, you probably won't like the show, unless you are an adolescent male who loves tall chicks in short golf skirts. Ali and I watch it for our friend Kim King who is on the show about every other episode. When Natalie refers to Kimmy(Kimmie?), we know Kimmy! Very exciting stuff.

Big Money

Today is a big day - It's my 3 year anniversary at USG. That means two things - I get a very awesome desk clock and I am fully vested in my 401k. Welcome to my account oh so sweet company match.

TV - Tuesday and Wednesday

As I go through rethinking the shows I watch, I am thinking to myself I don't watch that much TV. Tuesdays are Beauty and the Geek and Boston Legal.

Beauty and the Geek is on the CW at 7 - I really just like the interaction of the players, the beauties and the geeks, obviously. I do however wonder how staged it is, cause girls cannot be that dumb and guys cannot be that geeky. Whatever, its funny. Especially when the two hook-up. What's up with me and geek shows?

Boston Legal is a keeper for about three years now. James Spader won the Emmy this year, so hopefully it means its not going anywhere for a while. Not sure I like the new year as of yet after one episode. They change a majority of the cast each year and this year seems a little off. I will still watch though for one thing. Denny Crane.

I think I am going to need a new hobby cause Wednesday sucks. We watched the Grey's Anatomy spin-off Private Practice last week, but I will not make the mistake twice. It was terrible. I have no desire to watch it or any other show on Wednesday night's. If you have any suggestions, let me know.

I guess I should say that Lost should be back on Wednesday's at some point.

Fall TV

I like TV. Always have. Over the next few posts, I will introduce you to the shows that I watch and what I thought about the first show of the new season.

We will start with Monday's.

How I Met Your Mother - CBS - Comedy - Ali and I started watching this show last year in its 2nd season and have not missed an episode since then. Marshall and Lilly can be annoying sometimes, but Barney makes up ten-fold for whenever they drag it down. Definitely watch an episode as you don't really need to know much about what happened in the past.

Big Bang Theory - CBS - Comedy - The premier episode was on last week and even though I thought I would find the show boring, I was laughing out loud. Mostly laughing at the ridiculously geekiness of all the guys on the show. Or was I laughing at the fact that I was a geek (or am I still?)

Heros - NBC - Drama - Have been watching since the first show last year and it has surpassed Lost as my favorite show on TV. Not sure what to think about this week's episode - they did a good job of moving the story along away from last year, but I am not sure I really liked where they were going. Time will tell though as you don't really know whats going to happen next.

Anna Louise Gibson

Matt, my sister, and I just returned from our visit to Northwestern Memorial Hospital. It was wonderful to see Matt and Laura and to meet Anna. While she looks quite a bit like her mom, she sure does have her dad's lips. Anna is such a sweet baby; absolutely adorable. Even though Laura is still recovering from her C-section, she looks great and is adapting to motherhood quite well. I know Laura and Matt are both feeling a little sleep deprived, but they were so excited to introduce us to Anna and are such natural parents. You can already tell what a deep love they have for their little girl. Congratulations again! We can't wait for you to come home! Click here for more pictures from our visit!

She's Here!!!

Congratulations to Matt and Laura Gibson on the birth of their daughter, Anna Louise!! She was born last night around 10:45 p.m., weighing 7 lbs. 2 ounces. I do not have any pictures to share, but hope to tonight. Matt and I are so excited to head to the hospital after work to meet Anna and see the Gibson's; we have been anxiously awaiting this little girl's arrival!!

B-Town

Logged my 2nd trip to B-town in two months this weekend, a product of Ben's bachelor party. We had 8 guys meet up for the weekend, which was full of college-aged activities that most of us upper-20 year olds had no business attempting to relive. But, damn it was fun trying.

A little bit of tailgating, bar hopping and overall debauchery was had by all. Overall, a good trip that might take me until the wedding to recover from.

Side note - a few of us actually went into the game, which is a change from what we would do when we actually went to school. The stadium is 3/4 full, which is good for IU, the team is doing well, so we wanted to go in. They charged us $38 a ticket. If you want people to actually go into the game, don't charge $38 a ticket for someone walking up. I have no desire to pay that much to watch an average team get handled by Illinois (a school for which I reaffirmed my hatred this weekend. No particular reason why, I just don't like them.)

It's The Weekend...Finally!!!

Well, the weekend is finally here!! It is one that I have been looking forward to for a long time, as it is my sister's bachelorette party!!!! While I can't share any details at this very moment, I will be sure to report back on Monday. It is sure to be a very fun night.

Work has finally started to slow down, at least a little bit. I promise to be better next week about updates and the like.

Until then, have a great weekend and say a little prayer for the Gibson's... let's hope they have a baby girl this weekend.

Wrigley Rooftop

I dialed up my first rooftop experience on Tuesday night. PWC paid for our tax group along with some random assorted others (me included) to attend the game at Skybox on Sheffield. http://www.skyboxonsheffield.com/

The view was pretty good, but they packed the place with 50 more people than they should have. I could barely get from one end of the rooftop to the other. I thought maybe having a 30th birthday party for myself on one next year, but at $150-200 per ticket, I am thinking that it is a pretty stupid idea.

Overall, if you can get on a rooftop when someone else is paying and there aren't a lot of people, it is probably pretty fun. But, if you are with tax people, the place is jammed and especially if you have to pay for it yourself, I would suggest coming to my house, giving me $100, and I will let you watch my tv and drink my beer.

Golf Weekend

Nice little golf weekend in the dirty south over the last few days. My dad, brother-in-law Jim, the two Doyle boys, old man Doyle and Uncle Tom Doyle went down to the Doyle's house in Reynolds Plantation - about an hour and 15 east of ATL. http://www.reynoldsplantation.com/golf.htm

We got in 63 holes over 3 days, some golf cut short by afternoon thunderstorms.

Played well the first day, 82 on the National, then it went downhill. 91 on Great Waters and 93 on Oconee. I did however par the 450 yard par 4 14th on Oconee which is the hole the Doyle's house is located. So I got that going for me.

Overall it was a good time had by all, except Bill who threw his back out on the first day. This blog is not the place to mention how he got it back together on Sunday. If you want to know how it happened, email me.

Happy Birthday!

A very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my mom and Matt!!! My mom celebrated her birthday on Saturday and Matt's birthday is today. A toast to you both for a great day and even better year!!

Introducing...Cory Timothy Les

Congratulations to Gina, Tom, and Evan Les on their newest addition...Cory Timothy Les. Cory was born on September 9th at 1:04 a.m.; weighing 8 lbs. 10 oz. and is 22 inches long.

Gina and I worked together at Prairie and became instant friends. While I do not miss my job there, I really miss her and our "venting" lunches and fun nights out. She is truly an amazing person and part of the reason I stayed as long as I did. Without her, my last couple months would not have been nearly as good. I can't wait to see the Les family and meet Cory!

Pictured above: Gina and Cory (top photo) and Tom and Evan (bottom photo)