ALWAYS REMEMBER, NEVER FORGET.

CAN YOU HEAR THE ECHOES??????????

SEPTEMBER 4, 2010. A NEW ERA BEGINS. THE PAST IS OVER. THE TIME IS NOW. WE ARE N. D. GO IRISH!!!!

Nice, Relaxing Weekend!

Whoah, long time no post, huh? It's been about 2 weeks since my last post. Bad blogger!:)

I had a pretty relaxing weekend. For the last several weekends, I have been going back to Chicago for various things. This was my first weekend at home in a long time, and boy did I need it! :) It didn't start out the greatest, though! :( We had a storm on Friday as we were getting out of work. It was pretty nasty. No power when I got home, and my little apartment started to get pretty warm! So, I packed up my trusty laptop and headed to Starbucks! Vanilla Bean Frappucino, air-conditioning and free wi-fi! (Too bad there wasn't a Sonic nearby....). Hung out there for a while, and then went and got a bunch of ice for the coolers for the meat that I had in my fridge....Read by candlelight & flashlight and went to bed, with windows open! Around 12:15 at night, I heard people yelling in the street that the power was back on! YEAH! :)

Saturday I took my car in for an oil change and check up,did some shopping for the wedding I'm going to next weekend (will blog about that for sure!! :), had dinner with friends, came home and fell asleep!! :)

Sunday was church and then a major cleaning of my apartment. I'm almost done and should be able to finish my bedroom this week. Not sure if someone is gonna spend the night at my apartment Friday nite before the wedding. One of the guys I work with (it's a work wedding) has an obligation on Friday in Bettendorf, Iowa. His girlfriend and I are going to go and get our nails done on Friday nite and probably out for dinner, and then she might sleep over. She and 2 of the other guys I work with and I are going to drive to the wedding -it's 2 hours away and then all the "Barton" people are staying in a hotel and are going out after the wedding! Should be a blast! :)

Hope you all have a GREAT week...and then...LABOR DAY weekend is the day the Echoes will be forever awoken. Mark my words. Saturday, September 4, 2010. 2:30 p.m. Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, Indiana. The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame vs. the Boilermakers of Purdue University. HERE COME THE IRISH!

God Bless,

Love,
Cindy

Happy Birthday Reese

Today is the 1st Birthday of Sweet Reese Catherine Rowe. She was born to Jason and Katie one year ago today. She went to Heaven to be with Jesus shortly after she was born. Please keep the Rowe family in your thoughts and prayers today.


Click on the icon above to read their story. Thank you.

Thankful Thursdays....

I am thankful for....

*my family

*my friends

*my faith

*my life

*my home

*my country

*our armed forces

*my education

*the opportunities I have been given

*to be an Auntie to the 4 most amazing, beautiful nieces and nephew in the world

*to be a Godmother 2 times. How amazing is that gift I have been given?

And....I'm thankful that this

starts in less tha 30 days!

And that he

we be leading our team on the field...

Here come the Irish!!! :)

(almost) Wordless Wednesday

The Luau @ Franciscan Court 2009

The Luau @ Franciscan Court 2010

Can you spot the difference?

A Hawaiian Luau in Chicago! :)

This past Saturday, July 24, 2010, I went to a Hawaiian Luau at the Assisted Living Facilty that my grandmother lives at. My grandma, who I call Nanny, is 91 years young! She is fit as a fiddle, healthy as a horse, and the only problem she has is her memory. She has dementia, but is enjoying life. She lives in the moment and we are so blessed to have her still with us! Last year at the luau, my Mom, Nanny and I all wore the same shirt- we were a hit! This year, we did the same. BUT, it was not the same shirt we had last year. I tried my shirt on for my mom Saturday morning, at it WAS HUGE!!!! :) The diet is going incredibly well....So it was off to Kohl's to get new ones! :) The owners of the facility hire this entertainer who is like the Hawaiian Elvis. He works for Norwegian cruise lines and does the entertaining at different Senior Living Complexes. He is really awesome and we had a blast. It was like we (my mom & I -and My dad-that's him in the black hat and sunglasses) were the entertainment! I have never danced and had so much fun in my life. Enjoy the pictures!!!

The triplets return to the Luau

My Dad and I

Nanny, Me, & Dorothy



And it ended with a trip to Baskin Robbin's and Butter Pecan! :)

Brewers Tailgate

A few weeks ago, I posted that I was invited to our company's Brewers Tailgate. The game/tailgate was today. What a beautiful day we had. There was a threat of thunderstorms, but they did not happen until everyone was inside the stadium! And when it was over, all was done! What a great time we had!

The Setup

No, the Skipper was not there with him! :)


Yes, it was a BREWERS tailgate, not a PACKERS....

They SWEAR they didn't plan the on wearing the exact same shirt.... Yeah, right, I don't believe them either!

Our Fearless Ops Mgr.

Steve, Our VP, Sales a.k.a. Head BBQ Master

Checking out the grills.....

And yes, they were YUMMY!!!!

We had ALOT of yummy, delicious BBQ!!!!

The Barton WB Team!

(and the wind was blowing the wrong way...)

The Barton WB team and their spouses....

AND, YES.......THE BREWERS WON!!!!!!!

GOD BLESS AMERICA

Thank You.

GOD BLESS AMERICA.

COHEN

Sending Love to Cohen

Tomorrow, (or tonight - 7/1/10 12:00 a.m.) beginning at midnight, I'm participating in a day of blogging silence for Cohen. Won't you join me? All of the information and how to participate is listed below:
What: Moment of Silence for Cohen

When: Thursday July 1st from midnight to 11:59 pm.

How: Bloggers participating will post the Cohen banner
(below) or simply post Cohen’s name in large letters on their blog.

Why: July 1st Megan and Brent will be holding Cohen’s
memorial service. The moment of silence is an opportunity
for Megan’s blog community to stand behind her
and support her on this difficult day.
Linking up will give Megan a chance to see the support at a glance.

Click Here to Participate.

New York Update to come...

Okay, I have a great post for you on my trip to New York this past week, but tonight I wanted to share this e-mail I got today. Can you Look at the pictures below and tell me what the problem is?

What is missing from President Barack Obama's Press Conferences.....

President Barack Hussein Obama




President George Walker Bush


President William Jefferson Blythe Clinton


President George Herbert Walker Bush


President Ronald Wilson Reagan

That's right...NO American flags!!

And it’s not an accident! It’s intentional.

He told you he would change America, didn't he?

Nobody paid attention!

Vote in November like America depends on it!

Show Us Your Life- Random Acts of Kindness

One of the best things in the world that you can do is treat others with kindness and respect. You never know what is going on in someone else's life, and sometimes a smile can make someone's day! :)

A few ideas of Random Acts of Kindness....

1.) Surprising someone with their favorite drink....

2.) Offering to watch a child for someone so that they can have a break.

3.) Smile at someone...

4.) Pay the toll for someone in the car behind you.

5.) Pass a coupon you have to the next customer....

6.) Lend a hand to a mom with kids in the grocery store parking lot...

Random Acts of Kindness shown to me....

1.) Guys I work with cleaning the snow off my car before I get a chance

2.) Someone buying me a diet coke...

3.) I've had lunch bought for me...

4.) When money got tight for me, I got a surprise in my checking account from family

5.) The wife of one of the guys I used to work with was in Notre Dame, Indiana on business. She stopped by the University of Notre Dame bookstore and brought me back a souvenir! :)

6.) Another guy I work with gave me his ESPN magazine with Jimmy Clausen on the cover...(I walked into work and it was on my desk! :)

I think there are so many different things that you can do for other people. It doesn't have to be big, sometimes all it takes is a smile!

God Bless and Have a Great weekend!!!!

Show us your life- Things that make you HAPPY!

There are lots of things that make me happy!

#1 is my faith. Growing up Catholic was always a blessing. I got to experience many wonderful things in my church. Being active in the Youth Group Retreat Team, Leading Confirmation Retreats, giving talks, being with friends. Going to Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana. Forever being a part of the Saint Mary's-Notre Dame family. Spending time at the grotto.

My family. I love my family.  My entire family.  They know who they are.  I love them all!! :)

My friends. Both IRL and in the bloggy world. Women whose faith and friendships mean alot to me. If they read this blog, they know who they are. Thank you.


Witnessing miracles happen. Baby Grace's birth. Stellan's miraculous recovery! :)


Notre Dame Football. If you know me, you know that I LOVE MY IRISH!!!

.

(this is from a Halloween party in 2008-I was a Notre Dame Superfan! and the hat I was wearing was fiber-optic. The ND lit up and blinked...the bottle opener on the lanyard played the ND fight song! :) GO IRISH!)

Sonic Diet Vanilla Cokes, sitting with my coffee, reading the paper....

I could go on and on....

Future things that would make me happy:

*continuing on my weight loss journey-40lbs so far! :)

*continue to grow in my faith and be proud of it!

*meeting that special someone-I know he's out there...if you meet him-send him my way! :)

*having children

*continue to make friends-both IRL and in the bloggy world

But one of the things that makes me happy is when others in my life, both IRL and my blog friends, are Happy!

May God Continue to bless you all!

THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY!

Wow...Another long week...:) SO glad it's over. There were some crazy things going on in the blog/twitter world this week. I have been following a few blogs for a while now, and these women are probably some of the most inspirational, lovely, "real" people I've never met! :) They have been having some trouble, but it looks like things have "calmed" for a while. So glad I can follow one of them. If she ever reads this, Kelly I'm so glad things seem to be better for you! Thank you for the encouraging emails! Couldnt' believe that with what you were going through, you took the time to reply to me! :) God certainly has amazing wonderful things planned for you! :)

The company that I work for is having a huge (50-60) tailgater and outing to a Milwaukee Brewers game this July. The COO is bring his smoker and grill and it should be a blast. It's the first time that they have done it for a Brewers game. Today, my boss was having a meeting with the 2 salesmen, (who are good friends!), and they called me in. My presence was requested at the tailgate and game by some of our biggest customers...That MADE ME FEEL SO GOOD! Looking forward to it.

WHen I was about 5 months old, I had a cousin named Arthur who passed away. (My dad's brother and his wife -who is also the BEST fairy godmother). My cousin TOm, and his wife Lisa were due to deliver their first child, a boy in November of 2007 late on a Friday night. About 6:30 Saturday morning, my mom called. Their son, who they named Arthur in honor of Tom's brother, died. He lived for an hour. It was incredibly devastating. Well.....yesterday morning, Grace Elizabeth Hamill was born. 7 lbs. 13 oz. 20 inches long, healthy and beautiful. Praise the Lord....so happy for them. I hope to see her when I make my trip East in a few weeks....


I'm so ready for the weekend....relaxing tonight, then finishing my bedroom tomorrow, with cleaning the kitchen and bathroom Sunday...(doesn't that sound like fun...? :)

And ready for the Dancing with the Stars finale on Monday and Tuesday---so psyched Mom & Dad are coming on Tuesday night to watch it with me....( i know...cheesy...but it'll be a BLAST!) Happy Friday everyone!!! :)

Streams of Consciouness - What a week!!

It's been a while since I blogged so here goes...

On May 8, the day before Mother's Day...My Mom and I participated in the Fox Valley Pregnancy Center's WALK FOR LIFE. The FVPC is a pro life organization that assists women who chose Life for their unborn baby. We've done it the past few years, and always have a great time... Then afterwards, we went and got pedicures. That's always a fun part of our tradition...I always have a great time with my Mom! That night, we went to my brother's house and went out to dinner to celebrate Mother's Day.

On Mother's Day, I picked up my grandmother and two of her friends from the assisted living facility where she lives. We took them to church, and then back to Mom's house for lunch. What Sweet Ladies....After lunch we went back to Nanny's center and enjoyed a Mother's Day concert. It was a great afternoon. My grandmother is 91 years young, and my only living grandparent, so any time I get to spend with her is wonderful!

Sunday night, I came back to West Bend. I was sitting on my couch and about 10:15 pm or so, I heard fire trucks...I looked outside my window and realized they were on my street right in front of my apartment. There were also a few police cars. At first thought, I thought they were for the apartment across the street, as there has been some incidents there in the past. But, I saw that the firemen were unloading their hoses onto the lawn next door. The building where two of my friends who I also work with live. I quickly put on my shoes and grabbed a sweatshirt and went outside. There were people everywhere. I quickly realized that it was my friends' apartment as the window of B's bedroom was filled with smoke. I saw M, B and A (M's girlfriend), standing out front on the other end of the building. I was going to go down to them and then I realized they were talking to a police officer. I waited and then saw the B walking with one cop towards his car and M & A walking with another to his. Next thing I knew, B was in the cop car (i figured they were letting him stay warm as it was cold outside.) Then all of a sudden the car was gone. I was walking back to my building, as the residents were allowed back in. A was now standing alone on the otherside of the street where B once was. I saw M talking to the officer on the otherside of the street. I made eye contact with A and asked her if she was okay. She called me over. Turns out B had passed out in his room, watching tv with a lit cigarette in his hand. I spent about an 1 hour and a half outside alternately with M & A. When the cop was going to bring them back into the building, I returned to mine. letting M & A know to call me if they needing anything. When I got back into the building and my apartment, my landlord called. Talked to her for a while. Finally went to bed about 1:00 a.m. 1:30 a.m. the phone rings...it's B. Can you pick me up at the jail. JAIL? It's a sad sad story. B obviously has a problem and we don't know what to do. I have been praying for him that this is the wake up call he so desparately needs. I guess that and talking to him is all I can do. I'll keep you updated as to what happens.

Also, on one of the blogs that I follow, www.kellyskornerblog.com, I also follow Kelly on twitter. She is really an amazing woman of faith and a wonderful mom. It's weird how you can follow people that you don't know IRL and feel what wonderful people. I also have to thank Kelly because she has introduced me to the wonder that is a RT 44 Sonic Vanilla Diet Coke. She has been harassed on twitter these past few days. SOmeone created a fake e-mail for her, sent out messages, created a fake twitter for her and also one for her sweet baby girl. I hope that Kelly is able to sort things out and still allow people to be a "part of her bloggy-life." I'm praying for her and also for the person who is doing this to her. I hope that this person gets the help that they so obviously desperately needs.

Anyway...that's a long list of what's been going on with my life. Keeping this together this week...

And...the countdown is on....I'm going to New York in a few weeks for my sweet precious goddaughter K's 5th birthday. Yesterday she got part of her birthday present, a new really cool swingset. My sister texted me this morning that K said to her that "my swingest and auntie cindy are my best bday presents. Oh sweet K I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! Can't wait!!

Anyway...I hope you all have a wonderful, blessed week.

Cindy

Streams of Consciousness

Wow. I created this blog a while ago, but now need to really start writing. I had another blog in the past but really didn't keep up on it. My goal is to journal here at least a few times a week. I've been so inspired in reading so many other blogs out there. Some of these women that I don't know IRL have totally inspired me. Whether it be in goals they set for themselves, their families, their faith, whatever. I hope to be like some of them some day. It all started by reading a friend of mine's blog, http://www.welcometothesnug.blogspot.com/. I 've know Colleen since our first year at Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana. And found reading her blog addicting! :) And through her blog found MckMama's blog (www.mckmama.com) and have been pulled along her story of family and the most unbelivable FAITH that I hope to have! God Bless STELLAN! :)

Things have been going good for me lately. And I'm kinda shocked. Kinda waiting for the other shoe to fall you know? Yes, I have a good job, the pay's not the greatest (who's is?:) But I work with some of the greatest guys! :) And to have a job in today's economy I feel very lucky.

I've also actually started to really lose weight for the first time! :) I've lost about 30 pounds so far, and am about to break the 200's for the first time and kiss the 200's goodbye!!! :) SO excited about that.

I'm heading to Chicago on Thursday night to help out my parents. Their watching my brother's 3 kids from tomorrow until Sunday nite. I'm taking Friday off to help them! :) That'll be alot of fun.

My next trip is to see my sweet precious Kiera in New York. It KILLS me that she (and my sister) live so far away. But I'm going for Kiera's 5th birthday so that will be a lot of fun.

And, I've joined Angie Smith's (http://www.audreycaroline.blogspot.com/) book club, (http://www.thebloombookclub.blogspot.com/) so that's exciting. Just got notification that I've been lucky enough to receive one of the free books for that. That really helps out and I can't wait until I can help others receive books for free! Anyway...thatnks for listening and reading this far...GOD BLESS!!!!