Susie

More evidence of Susie's charmed life -

I just wanted to send a note to my peeps to say what a true pleasure it has been working with all of you. I am out on Medical Leave as of today and am not certain how long I will be out or if I will be given the opportunity (God willing) to come back but this has been a wonderful place to work. The people here are most amazing and I feel so very fortunate to have built such great relationships in my work home. I hope you all feel that same way and can look back and really appreciate how many opportunities we have been given.

What I want to share most is a hope that everyone appreciates your journey here on earth each and everyday. I know it's not always easy but time goes so fast and we forget the special opportunities like hugs, kisses, laughter, tears, learning, eating, playing, vacationing, working, and all the other wonderful earthly pleasures we forget about on a daily basis. If I had one wish for each and every one of you it would be to truly take at least 20 minutes out of every day to appreciate an earthly pleasure. Have lunch or call a friend, read a book, eat a favorite dessert, go for a walk or bike ride, sing a song, make amends, etc. etc. We are here for such a short time so enjoy it while you can.

Well said. May everyone this reaches appreciate the journey.

Movie Faves: The '80s

I've been wanting to do a favorite movies post for some time and because I should be writing a paper on intercultural marketing for grad school, I decided to do a top 10 by decade. Actually 11 because I couldn't bear to part with one. And it's your lucky day! I'm give you a favorite quote from each. You're welcome.

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) - Harrison Ford in a non Star Wars movie ... swoon. I remember my mom renting the VHS to celebrate my first high school job.
Snakes. Why'd it have to be snakes?

Stripes (1981) - Bill Murray in his prime. Will Farrell is a copy cat. Worthy of two quotes!
Lighten up, Francis.
You know what your problem is? You've never had anybody give you the Aunt Jemima treatment.

The Four Seasons (1981) - The first time I thought middle age didn't look horrific.
The reality is you're married to a middle-aged woman with a a good sense of humor and dry skin!

Terms of Endearment (1983) - Mother-Daughter tearjerker; Shirley Maclaine and Jack Nicholson make this movie.
I like the lights on. Then go home and turn them on.

Sixteen Candles (1984) - John Hughes at his best, my high school years defined and I heart Jake Ryan.
I can't believe my Grandmother actually felt me up.

Back to the Future (1985) - A DeLorean time machine, skateboarding and Huey Lewis and the News music. Always reminds me of my senior year of high school.
Why do you keep calling me Calvin? Well, that is your name, isn't it? Calvin Klein? It's written all over your underwear.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) - Another John Hughes classic. The parade scene rocks!
Bueller?... Bueller?... Bueller?

Baby Boom (1987) - Quintessential '80s female empowerment; great chemistry between Diane Keaton and Sam Shepherd.
I can't have a baby because I have a 12:30 lunch meeting.

The Princess Bride (1987) - Romance, sword fighting, Andre the Giant.
You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

Bull Durham (1988) - Baseball + Kevin Costner = hit movie.
The rose goes in the front, big guy.

When Harry Met Sally (1989) - Men and women can be friends.
It is so nice when you can sit with someone and not have to talk.

There are so many other greats ... Breakfast Club, Die Hard, Fatal Attraction, Field of Dreams, The Terminator ... but the above are the ones that would accompany me on a desert island. If you haven't seen 'em, you're in for a  real treat!

Charmed

I do not feel charmed. At all. But I have a new goal ... to say that I've led a charmed life. A coworker told me this week that the breast cancer she beat months ago is back. This time in her lungs. And it's terminal. We sat together, laughed, cried and talked about life, death and everything in between. Of all the things we touched on, the most profound to me is when she said she's led a charmed life. How many people can say that?! She has a husband she loves deeply who loves her, two incredible college-age daughters, traveled all over and had amazing experiences. How many people can say they've led a charmed life when faced at the end of theirs? Especially a life cut too short. My new goal is to feel that I've led a charmed life. Maybe it's being more appreciative of what I already have, maybe it's figuring out what's missing or what new experiences would nurture my soul. Or a combination of these. I want to honor Susie by believing I've led a charmed life and I want to be able to say it sooner rather than later.

Are you charmed?

The view from here

California Dreamin'

Our crazy weather ... snow in mid April y'all! ... has got me thinking about a getaway. So has my busy life. I need to relax and recharge somewhere other than here. I have three destinations on my list. One is my BFF's house in northern WI. She moved away a couple of years ago and I feel guilty that I don't know what her new home or life looks like. I am afraid she'd make me go running now that that's her thing, but maybe she'd be okay with my making the coffee run instead. My next destination would be sunny southern CA. My ex-stepmother lives there and has extended an offer to visit. I've been about an hour north of where she lives for a conference a few years back, walking the beach for hours one night and seeing the most glorious sunset over the ocean. I'd love to relive that. Finally, my good friend MPB and I have been talking 'bout Vegas for years. A quicky trip of debauchery could be just what my soul needs.

Warning

Found this site courtesy of Gwyneth Paltrow's blog, GOOP - http://thugkitchen.com/
I cannot stop laughing ... thinking of having some framed as wall hangings.
WARNING: do not look if you are easily offended

Snowed

This is an actual Facebook posting exchange from earlier today -

Sassy: Happy Birthday to the best mom a girl could ask for. Love you ♥

Me: Aw, thanks honey. It's easy when you have the best daughter ♥ How much money do you need?

Who has who snowed here?!