Walk for Life 2011

Hello, Friends!

Each year on the Saturday before Mother’s Day, my Mom and I participate in The Fox Valley Pregnancy Center’s annual WALK FOR LIFE! Thanks to the support of generous people like you, The Center was able to open a free medical clinic!  Limited ultrasounds are now performed, enabling expectant parents to see the beautiful life they have created.   

Two nurses are salaried and one is a volunteer.  Other services include free diapers and formula for those in need, and parenting and life-skills classes.  Clients who attend "Earn While You Learn" classes earn baby bucks, which they then use to "buy" baby clothes and other much needed items, all donated by various churches, women's groups, etc.  Mom and Dad are  on the Board of the Center, donating much time and effort in this mission to speak for these little innocent ones who can't speak for themselves. Please consider joining us in supporting the Center in this beautiful mission.  No donation is too small!  Checks can be made out to the Fox Valley Pregnancy Center, and sent to Mom or me.   Let me know if you need an address.  Thank you so much!  If you are unable to donate, we ask for your prayer for The Center, its staff, and the families who make use of The Center and its services.  God bless you, your families, and the ministry of the Fox Valley Pregnancy Center. 

Love, Cindy

Sometimes it seems that things just don't go the right way......

Well, this weekend started out great.  Had an uneventful drive home to Chicago on Friday night.  Had a great weigh-in on Saturday morning and a great birthday dinner in Chicago for my nephew.  (can't believe he's 12 years old!!! :)  Had a good day today with my Mom.  We went to church, out to Kohl's...visited my grandma, and had dinner.  I left around 7:00.  Drove for about an hour, and stopped to go to the bathroom and get a cup of coffee.  Got back in my car, and it wouldn't turn over.  CRAP!  But waited a minute and then everything was fine.  NO Problems at all.  About 2 miles from home, the power steering indicator light went on.  WEIRD.  My car was just in for service today.  Oil change and break check.  No problems!  But, got almost home and the light kept going on and off.  Finally got in my parking space and turned off the key, and everything shut down.  MAJOR PANIC MODE NOW.  Got out the hand book and called my Dad.  He told me to wait a few minutes and then try to start it again.  It did fine, but I'm really worried now.  He said that it may be a loose battery connection.  Let's hope that's all it is.  If all goes well tomorrow morning (meaning it starts!!:), I'm getting to work and calling Firestone.  Thank goodness it's a company store and there is one nearby here.  I'm going to take it in and have them check it out.  HOPING nothing major and just a loose connection.  Please say a prayer!!!!!

Start Spreading the News....

My sister lives in New York.  She is a junior high music teacher.  She and her husband have a precious, adorable daughter.  I was honored to be asked to be her godmother.  They also have an adorable dog.  My parents and my brother and his family live in the Chicago area.  I live in the Milwaukee area.  I hate that my sister is so far away in New York.  But, being that she is a teacher we are so lucky.  She has several vacations and breaks throughout the year, and we are able to see her often.  She has a winter break in February (this year it was the 21st through the 25th).  She and her daughter and their dog were going to drive to Chicago for a few days!! :)  But, then we were worried about possible weather situations.  My parents happened to be in Florida at the time, and it was discussed that they might get me a plane ticket and send me! :)  I looked at flights and a round trip (mind you it was only 2 weeks prior) and the cost was only $250.00.  I looked the next day and tickets were $160!! :)  I called my mom and she decided that seh was going to go with me!

So, last Saturday, the 19th, we flew to NY! :)  When my sister and her family flies to Chicago, my niece always starts running the minute she sees my Mom, yelling "GAGA!!!!!"  Everyone stops and smiles and laughs!!!  It is absolutely precious.  As we were getting off the plane I was telling my Mom that my niece was going to do the same thing here!  She said no, she's getting older.  Let me tell you this....it was TOO PRECIOUS!!!  Jumping up and down when we had just come into view!!

We spent the weekend there and had a blast.  On Saturday night we went to Applebee's for dinner.  It was close to my sister's b-day (3/2) and I told my niece that we were going to have the restaurant sing to her Mommy.  She was so excited.  Too cute.

Sunday we took her to see a live stage version Disney's Camp Rock at a local  theatre.  So cute.

One thing that my niece is currently obsessed with is Justin Bieber.  I can't tell you how many times I played the song and brought the video up for her on Youtube on my Iphone.  She LOVED it.  I have to download it to a cd and send it too her! !:)

I enjoyed having nightly slumber parties with her and just being with her.  She is such a special little girl and has my heart constantly in her hands.  I'd love to share her photo with you, but my sister prefers I don't post it online and I'm sure you all understand!! :)  Just picture the cutest, most adorable angel on earth!!

We also saw my Aunt Sue (who is my godmother and I told my niece that she is the one who taught me what being a godmother is all about!! :)  I call my godmother my fairy godmother and my niece does the same to me.

I can't wait until this summer when I can have more sleepovers with my sweet fairy goddaughter!!!

Till next time!! :)

Cindy

ONCE A BELLE, ALWAYS A BELLE

 

Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN is my alma mater.  I graduated from Saint Mary’s in 1996.  I spend the best four years of my life here, and I would go back tomorrow if I could.

Most people are aware of Saint Mary’s through their association with the University of Notre Dame.  In fact, Notre Dame used to be the “mens” and Saint Mary’s was the “girls.”  In 1972, the two schools were to merge.  Saint Mary’s, not wanting to loose their identity, withdrew from the planned merger.  Notre Dame admitted its first class including women that fall.

From www.saintmarys.edu:

            Saint Mary's College ranks among the top 100 “Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” in the U.S.News & World Report 2011 College Guide. Saint Mary's has six nationally accredited academic programs: social work, art, music, teacher education, chemistry, and nursing. 

We’ve practiced our core values of learning, community, faith, spirituality, and justice for over 160 years. The College continues to grow and prosper, with approximately 20,000 living alumnae. Saint Mary’s tradition of empowering women with excellent academic programs and spiritual support began with our founding in 1844 by the Sisters of the Holy Cross.

Again, as taken from the website:

“Saint Mary's College Mission Statement”

Saint Mary’s College is a Catholic, residential, women’s college in the liberal arts tradition. A pioneer in the education of women, the College is an academic community where women develop their talents and prepare to make a difference in the world. Founded by the Sisters of the Holy Cross in 1844, Saint Mary’s promotes a life of intellectual vigor, aesthetic appreciation, religious sensibility, and social responsibility. All members of the College remain faithful to this mission and continually assess their response to the complex needs and challenges of the contemporary world.

Saint Mary’s is home to me.  It’s where I met many wonderful women, some who are still in my life today.  It grounded me deeper in my faith and made me into the woman I am today.  I will treasure the time I spent at Saint Mary’s for the rest of my life.

“ONCE A BELLE, ALWAYS A BELLE!”

(ALMOST) Wordless Wednesday

Chicago - What do you want to do?

Ladies:

There are so many fun things to do in Chicago!  I don't know what you all are interested in doing.  I know that we've planned for a long weekend.  What do you all want to do?  When is everyone planning on arriving?  As of right now, I plan on taking that Friday off.  So, if anyone is flying in, I"m more than happy to do some airport pick ups.

Do you want to go and get massages?  Do you want to shop?  (shoes- :)) GO to the Shedd Aquarium?  Natural History Museum?  Let me know!  If you love italian food, there is an INCREDIBLE place in Chicago called Rosebud (www.rosebudrestaurants.com)  It's the Taylor Street location.  It's old school italian, Sinatra and his crew used to hang out there all the time. You almost expect to see Tony Soprano walk through the door.  For church on Sunday, if you are interested in going, there is Old St. Patricks.  AWESOME church.

These are all some ideas.

Let me know what you think!

Our Trip To Chicago - HOTELS!! :)

Hey Girls!:)  Here are a couple of ideas for hotels for our trip this upcoming May!  They are all in the same area, within walking distance of many major attractions.  I've tried to find some with all the ammenties that some of us had talked about! :)  I found these on hotels.com, but I think we should book through each individual hotel.  Let me know what you think!

1.) Inn of Chicago (http://www.ascendcollection.com/hotel-chicago-illinois-IL383) 
2.)  Hilton Garden Inn  (http://hiltongardeninn.hilton.com/en/gi/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=XMIYNU0FCVW3KCSGBIVMVCQ?ctyhocn=CHIDNGI)
3.) The Courtyard by Marriott  (http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chimm-courtyard-chicago-downtown-magnificent-mile/ )
4.)  Comfort Inn & Suites (http://www.chicagocomfortinn.com/)  (free continental breakfast each morning)  I like this place  :)
5.)  Double Tree Hotel Chicago (http://www.doubletreemagmile.com/)


There are so many more.  I went to hotels.com and put in Chicago and selected magnificent mile.  Take a look and let me know what you think.  I would be perfectly happy at any of these places.  I've stayed at Comfrot Inn & Suites before, and like them too! :)