May’s Warmer of the Month

The Warmer of the Month for May is entitled Othello. It is a traditional and masculine style – perfect Father’s Day gift for Dad’s office or study. Othello also compliments rooms decorated with leather furniture, metal accents and wood tones – a very classical design.

The fragrance is Oxford (a masculine blend of ginger and frankincense with cedar and amber). Oxford conjures up images of a wood-paneled library on a rainy evening.

Othello and Oxford are both offered at 10% off during the month of May.

Prom Night

I just sent my fifth (and last) daughter off to the prom. She looked beautiful – he looked very handsome – they were very happy.

Oh, to be 17-18 again.

Photos with friends. A stretch limo for the evening. Dinner at the LaSalle Grill and their prom at the Century Center.

Memories to last a lifetime.

Baby Smiles

Do you ever notice that even when you're having the worse possible day - how everything can change with one of these? I'm talking a "baby smile". See how his eyes sparkle and his little face lights up when he recognizes someone he loves? Oh, and then there's always the added drool on the chin. That's a prerequisite.

Our little A.J. is six months old now and he's such a sweetheart. Very low maintenance. Of course, compared to his big brother - anyone would seem low maintenance. :)

The Cake

A decision is still pending on the cake topper, but this is the style decided upon by the bride and groom. The base icing will be white, with the decorative icing in ivory. Instead of burgundy, the ribbon will be moss green and we will have pale pink flowers throughout the tiers. The cake will have a raspberry filling, which was the only opinion voiced by the groom.

Rainy Days and Mondays

After a week of being sick, and a weekend in Chicago – I’m more than a little happy to enjoy a rainy Monday off.  Used my first BIG Scentsy commission check and purchased a laptop yesterday.  Ran errands all morning and then came home to wait for the Geek Squad from Best Buy to arrive to set up my wireless router and network my new laptop with my existing computer and printer.  That done, I am now enjoying wireless internet while curled up on the couch with my new laptop.  Life is good!!

Look Who Made Me GREAT!!

So, on Good Friday (while I was wandering the streets of Chicago) - my niece Mary (in Florida) was busy making me a Great Aunt.

Introducing: Colton Richard Ecton. What a handsome little guy you are.

Warning: Be glad your cousin Grace is 1500 miles away.

The Day She Waited All Winter For...

Grace has had April 10th marked on her calendar all winter. That was the day that Grace and her Mom and her Grandma and her Great Aunt Vicki were taking the train into Chicago and doing the American Girl Store.

We boarded the South Shore at 8:50 in the morning and settled back to enjoy the ride - except for Grace, who asked every 10 minutes "how much longer". The South Shore is convenient, but it's not a speedy trip.

Aside from the human travelers aboard the South Shore, there were more than just a few American Girl dolls. Grace brought Kit and Bitty Baby with her. Her ultimate goal today is to buy the Bitty Twins, which means we'll be bringing FOUR dolls home tonight on the train.

We had brunch reservations at 11:00 (Chicago time). We got off the train at 10:35 and hustled ourselves a mile up Michigan Avenue to the long awaited pot of gold at the end of Grace's rainbow.

Brunch was just wonderful!!! Not only was the food good, they leave no detail untouched. They even provide chairs for the dolls that you bring - AND, if you forgot to bring your doll, they have dolls they will let you borrow so that you have a "lunch companion". I think the following photos will give you the general idea...

After brunch, we explored the store and purchased the long awaited Bitty Twins. At this point, we discovered we could pay $5 and have her original Bitty Baby cleaned. Trust me, this doll was in need of a good cleaning. By the time they were done, little Ms. Bitty was like NEW!!

After some shopping for Kit and a photo shoot with her doll, we trudged back down Michigan Avenue - without near the enthusiasm of four hours earlier. Grandma made a detour on Randolph Street to grab some Garrett's Popcorn and then it was back on the train - three grown women, one five year old and four dolls.

Hey Grace - looks to me like this day was worth waiting for!!

Lake Michigan College Softball

Here is the 2009 Lake Michigan College Softball Team. Do you notice that the smallest person on the team is the coach on the left?? I have to laugh when I watch them play and she calls a huddle on the mound. She stands there, barking out directions and she has to look UP to talk to her players. I have a feeling she can put the "fear of God" in most of them.

August Flower Girls

Our three little August flower girls will all be wearing this dress from David's Bridal. The color is Ivory and we had Grace try it on and stand next to Aunt Chrissie in her gown. That was all it took. The bride was happy, the flower girl mammas were happy and the flower girls just wanted to "twirl". We also purchased the flower ring for their hair, with long curling ribbons that will fall down the back.

This photo isn't the best. It hides the detail for the empire waist. Carrie's first comment was that they looked like Wendy Darling from Disney's Peter Pan. You know, she might just be right.

My Head is Bowed in Shame.....

I have really neglected my BLOG. I'd like to blame my lapses on wedding plans and spending the week SICK, but in all reality - the culprit is FACEBOOK! Why, oh why did I let myself get pulled into the depths of finding close to 200 friends and thinking I have to keep track of their day-to-day activities.

And so, my faithful BLOG - don't despair. I will be back soon to give you new life and new meaning!!!

The Place Was Rockin'.....

Last weekend, we saw STXY and Kansas at the Morris - along with our friends Mitch and Mary Lou and some of our kids. A nice dinner at the Morris Bistro and a little "warm-up" from Kansas and then it was 2 hours of classic STYX with Tommy, JY and the boys. The place was sold out and we were dancin' in the aisles. Bob and I have seen STYX nine times now, and he swears that Friday was the best yet.