Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Frustrated, pressure and fun

I am not a fan of pressure or stress. I do not think anyone is. But I know when I need to make changes and being in a big company I am finding is not for me. Changing at this point will be good for me. I have things I want to try but they may not be realistic. But one never knows until one tries. I am willing to take some chances.

Enjoying what you do should be important as well as making money to support ones self. So we shall see. You may see me on the comedy channel one day or on the home shopping network selling something.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Random thought-pigtails

How strange would it be for an adult to wear pigtails? I'd look like an idiot doing it.

Lunch recipe

Recipe for a nutty lunch

3 coworkers
A rabbit
A rascal

Put them all together for a discussion on a rascally rabbit posting recipes on a blog, like 7 layer cookies.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Chinese New Year parade

We made it to the parade downtown. It was a lot of fun. I grew up in the Chicago land area and I have not been to everything yet. There is do much to do and see in the area.

Some things we have done more than once like the ice festival in Downers Grove. I love watching then carve a big block of ice into something.

Jammed packed weekend

We had a blast at the Travel and Adventure show in Chicago yesterday. I have not had a chance to download the pictures of Samatha Brown yet. We heard her talk and we then walked around and picked up some things to help plan our next trip. That is one thing I would like to do more of is travel.

Dinner was at Schnitzel Platz in Glendale Height, Il. We love their food and the service is always wonderful. Plus on weekends in the evening they have a 2 piece band playing music. They are great. They make it fun for he entire crowd.

Now it is off to the Chinese New Year parade downtown Chicago. Another busy day but well worth it. It is so nice that there is a lot to do here and I can always have something to do on the weekends to get my mind off of that four letter word called work.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Travel and Adventure show in Chicago

We are on our way to the Travel and Adventure show in Chicago. Samantha Brown will be there speaking. We watch her shows on the Travel Channel. A few years ago we saw Rick Steves there. We get good travel ideas from both in places we want to go to.

It will be a good time. Then it is German for dinner at one of our favorite German restaurants.

My favorite beach picture

The beach at the resort we stayed at on Antigua. We stayed at Jolly Beach Resort. The room was ok but the grounds were very nice.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Dreams and goals

While I am on lunch I thought I would jot down a few goals and dreams/things I want to try. Some seem a bit lofty but it would not hurt to try.

Dreams
Be a stand up comedian
Retire at 55
Write a book

Goals
Finding a career that makes me happy and I can be myself.

Take a class at Second City to make my dream come true.

Spend 2 hours on my part-time jobs a week.

Staying on my healthy plan of food and exercise.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Gave in

I become a little stressed at work earlier. I fought the food thing all morning and I bought a cookie at lunch and I just finished eating it. No it did not make me feel better. I am proud that I did not go for candy earlier like I usually do. It is a little victory, but it still a victory and I am proud that I managed it as long as I did.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Richard Simmons and I

I met Richard Simmons in May 2008. He was so nice and you could tell he truly cared about people. Right before I met him I was at the dentist having work done and my mouth was still numb. So it was interesting talking to him. But I was not going to pass up meeting him.

The actual picture sits in my living room and is one of my favorite pictures.

Note to self, check calendar

I called last week and scheduled a hair appointment for tomorrow. I put it in my calendar. I for some reason get it in my head that it is today. Nope it is for tomorrow. The owner of the shop was lookin at me like I was a little off. Yep I was. Go figure I am blonde. Feel free to comment or leave feedback. I enjoy hearing them.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Re-gifting

Did you ever get a gift back that you gave to someone? This past Christmas I got a present that I gave to someone the year prior. They re-gifted it back to me. Maybe they thought I would not remember. But I did. It was tacky and all i could do is laugh. I didn't laugh in front of them. Which was hard to do. On top of they put in a audio book that was listened to. But they did tell me they liked it and thought I would too. That mde me laugh even harder later in the day.

This week

This week will be a busy one with work and working out. Then I also need to submit a picture for a photo contest that I want to go for. Nothing big just the Bristol Ren Faire. We go every year and have a blast. We go 2-3 times a year. We are also going to the travel show and then the Chinese New Year parade on Sunday. I cannot wait. It will be a fun filled weekend. I am hoping to try to keep my food under control as it has been hard. But one day/meal at a time.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Morton Arboretum

Today we went to the Morton Arboretum.  We walked around in the snow and on the paths.  I took some pictures while we were walking.  We then drove around and I took some more.  It was so nice to see all the snow on the trees.  I am still going through my pictures but I am posting the ones I liked.  It was cloudy today but that didn't stop us, nor did the cold.  I am hoping the next time we go that we will be able to rent snow shoes and do that.






Pictures of the 1987, 1989 and 1990

Notice the hair over the years.  The 1989 and 1990 took a lot of hairspray.
1987
1989



1990

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Winter Wonderland

It is a winter wonderland. On Sunday I plan on getting out and taking some pictures in some local parks in the area. Snow screnes are so pretty. My batteries for my cameras area.l charged and ready to go. I cannot wait.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Drive home

I left work at 3:40 pm and got home at 6:30 pm. I love the snow and deal with the drive. One day I know I will not have to drive in it. It is comical to watch people drive in this. People live in the area all their lives and they still do not know how to drive we it is snowing. There are times when we get out of work early and I stay a little longer or I stop at a store or restaurant. This helps as it lets everybody else get home.

Just my luck

There was snow in the forecast today 4-8 inches. My boyfriend said he was gonna drive me to work. So as the day went it has started and got worse after lunch. So at 1:20 pm central the higher ups decide to close the office at 2. Ok all fine and dandy but I'm here until my loved loved one get here. Now he be driving in in rather than just me. Go figure. Oh well I'll keep working until he comes.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Volunteering

I have volunteered for the same homeless program since 1997. It is at a church that my grandparents belong to and I have since joined. I have been on the same shift since 1998. I volunteer from 11 pm to 3 am. It is a hard shift to do but worth it when you get the a thank you from one of the guests. Some I don't see ever again and some keep coming back. I do enjoy it and I feel that it is good for me. I know it would be easier to justgi emoney but there is something very rewarding when you are making lunches for people to take in the morning.

Food

Food is something we need to fuel our bodies. Yet all I want to do is eat. I am trying to break the habit of eating to make myself feel better. It is not easy but I am going to keep working on it. I know I can loose weight as I have done so in the past. Seems like I eat not only to fuel my body but to cover up the stress and any negative feelings I may be experiencing. It is one log journey and my issues with food may have started when I was young. Once I overcome this, which I know I can, I will be able to tackle so many other things that may come my way.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Going shopping Aka lost

Years ago my friend and I would tell her mom we needed to go shopping. The only catch was that my friend made sure the kids were in bed and she'd watch them. We were in our mid to late 20's when this started. We did actually start out shopping but then we would drive around for awhile after that. We would get back to the house and her mom was like what you do get lost. We were like we're shopping. After a year or two of this we would just say we were going to get lost. It was a lot of fun. We would drive around talking about things. We talked about current things and things from our past She is one of the few people that truly knows me. Even now after not talking for years. We may have wasted gas but it was a lot of fun and we blew off a lot of steam. It would be good to do today but with gas prices it would be a little nutty. But I would do it again.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Hair and makeup of the 1980s

I am not sure what I was thinking back in the 1980’s.  It may have been because I was a teenager but all the hairspray and makeup I used back then was a little crazy.  Some days I wonder if that is what makes me so loopy and want to laugh all the time.  Maybe I breathed in too much hairspray.  I suppose it’s possible.  I wonder how my parents let me out looking like a clown.  They were young once too.  I am sure the older generation was giggling at all of us like we do now at the younger kids now.  It is a lot of fun to be young. Then there was the blue mascara. If I could get away with wearing it today I would. But there would be something strange about that.   The 80’s were something else with 6 inches of makeup and hair that was so wide and high you would take off on a windy day.  Some days I swear my feet did not touch the ground on the way to the bus stop.  Plus the fact the clothes were so bright there was no way to get lost in a blizzard.  I’ll be posting pictures this week.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Our hike at Bliss Woods

We had a good 60 minute walk in a local forest preserve called Bliss Woods.  I brought along my point and shoot camera and took the following pictures.  It is always a good walk there any time of the year.  We have been there multiple times.














Friday, January 13, 2012

Colored snow

I got to thinking that it would be cool to have colored snow. As a kid I would think that would be great. It got pretty boring only having white snow to make forts and other things when I was little. There are companies that make snow in areas like Loa Angeles. When I think about a snowman that could be purple and red or any other color combination it would be awesome. Problem with starting a company like that is that there is not snow year round in Chicago. So guess I better stick with my day job.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Snowy day in Chicago

Now that it is snowing outside people will forgot how to drive. They will think they can go 20 miles over the speend limit and then wonder why they end up in a ditch. I figure if you have lived in the Chicagoland area for years and you still do not know how to drive then do not drive. Oh and do to get mad at me for driving for the conditions. I like living and would rather live another 100 years. Of course that would make me 140 and I would probably would be a vegetable but heck I would have not killed myself in a little bit of snow. It is pretty when it is coming down and is on a bunch of trees. It is a good time to take some pictures. One day when I am actually on my desktop I will load some. Since I got my iPad I rarely turn on my PC. I will have to buy the attachment to load pictures on it. Keep on giggling.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Giggles, being tired and helping

I got little sleep last night. I was helping my cousin because her husband is having health issues. I was with the kids and I know they were worried about their dad but we still had some laughs. Which is good. I let them do what they want to, within reason of course. They are great kids and it is so much fun to be with them. I do not have kids but I get to hang out with nieces, nephews and other kids in the family. There was a time when I was I 14 and 3 of my friends and I TP'd the middle school we attended the year before. We never thought of doing the high school we went to. While we were doing it a police car drove my and I yelled cop car and 3 out of 4 of us hid and the other person stood right where she was and she was under a light. We took off running and we were not caught. But we were the talk of the school on Monday according to my brother. Till next time keep on giggling.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Elephant

Ever wonder if a ladybug carried a hurt elephant. Not that it could really happen but in a book or in your imagination. Things like this put a smile on my face and keep my mind and heart young.

Candles and motivation

I meet with my upline for Gold Canyon last night. It was so much fun and I am motivated to push harder this year than last year. Last year there were some family issues that had happened and since I work a full time time I had to make sure I was not doing anything to jeopardize that so candles and purses took a back seat. One day I want this to be my full time job and pays me enough to quit my full time job. I know it will happen and I will be doing what I love and enjoying doing. I will also then have enough time to workout more and spend with my family and friends. I know I can do this and I will have more adventures.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Candles

Tonight I am skipping the gym and meeting with my upline. It will be fun. It has been years since I have seen her and I wasn't even selling candles at that timemy friend was. We are going to discuss different things that should help me with the candle business. I want to be able to get out of the corporate world and have more flexibility with my schedule. Plus I do not want to be stuck in a cube all the time. I want to be out more and be able to travel more. When I was younger my best friend and I would go to Lake Geneva for the weekend. We were 19 and 20 and we had a blast. We would walk around in the evenings while everybody else drove around town and we would meet guys that way. That ishiwshe met her ex-husband. We should have realized then what we or rather she was getting into. Lol. But we had a blast and they needed up adopting a great little boy.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

City

We went into the city today. First it was coffee at our favorite coffee place called Peets. Then it was walking in the Osaka Garden. It was wonderful. I managed to get some pictures of the park and the museum. I still need to put than my PC. Of course I have not be enable to figure how to upload pictures here from my iPad. Seems like I am hardly on my PC. I wish the was some snow so i had some snow pictures. Maybe it will snow soon. Being that I live into Chicagoland area I am sure snow will come soon.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Shopping and laughs

This weekend I'm planning on taking my cousin's son shopping for an iPad cover, after I work on his laptop. He is having iTune issues. It should be an easy fix. But it will be fun because we tend to laugh a lot. It seems like we do a lot of laughing. Which is good. We laugh at current things and things in the past. Once I start laughing my cousin starts because it reminds her of when we were kids. I was always the one laughing. I couldn't help it at times. I guess I always loved to laugh. So it will be a good time and I am sure we will take more pictures with the photo booth ap. We will keep doing that Neil we find something else to laugh at for hours on end.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Things I fell in love that I started selling

Years ago a friend started selling Gold Canyon Candles. I loved thlem because their scents were wonderful and burned through the entire candle. Plus they use a high quality wax. Two years ago I was looking to make a little extra money so I singed up under her to become an Independant Fragence Consultant. I am glad I did it. It has been so much fun. Of course with the slow economy it has been slow in sales but I am enjoying it.

The other thing I love is purses and have ever since I was a teenager. Of couse I have my favorite brands like Coach and Michael Kors. But I also found Maddy Moo Creations which are handmade clothe bags and purses made in the United States. I found them about a year ago and fell in love. So I decided to become an Independant Design Consultant. The purses are so well made and you can pick you style and fabrics. It's an awesome company.

With both I will do open houses, in home parties, vendor events and will meet with people one on one to pick out candles or purses. Both of my sites are listed below.

This make my life more interesting and I get to meet wonderful people

Gold Canyon Candle
Www.mygc.com/kellyf

Maddy Moo Creations
Www.maddymoo.com/kellyf.htm

Laughing

There is nothing like a good laugh. I was at my cousins last night helping her son set up his iPad 2 when her daughter was using the photo booth on my iPad 2 and was taking pictures of herself with all the different features. We all laughed so hard. It was so much fun. Then my cousin was saying that I always laughed that hard when we were kids. It didn't take much to make me laugh when I was little and at 40 that hasn't changed.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Just what I needed

Today I was told my best is not good enough. That was enough to push me harder to do what I want to do with my life. I do not want to sit in an office until I retire. It is not me. I do not like having to watch what I say all the time and the pressure and stress of getting things done on someone else's time frame. It was good while it lasted and I learned a lot while working in corporate America. But I am not stupid enough to quit until I have something else lined up. I still have bills to pay and to support myself. Now is the time to make it happen. It is a new year and I will have a career I truly enjoy and that I am not doing jut for the money.

Monday, January 2, 2012

New year

It's a new year and m going to focus on my health and doing what I love. I love to hike, reading, selling purses, photography and writing to name a few. I m looking forward what's in store for this year. I know it will be one of the best years yet.