Color

One of the reasons I love walking in Chicago so much is it allows me to fulfill my passion for people watching.

I not only enjoy watching people in their totality, but I love looking at their faces.

By doing that I usually see what they are looking at before they see Susan Snippet’s watchful eye.

That is how I have noticed the last two times I have worn these shoes...



that women look at them - a lot.

I have been well-schooled by my two BFF's - Stacy and Clinton, on their TLC show What Not to Wear – that even when dressed casually in my normal office attire of jeans - it never hurts to throw on a pair of shoes with color for a little POP!

So don your ruby slippers and roam.

always remembering...there is no place like home

Remnants of the Chicago Marathon….

littered my walk into the office this morning.











Casually tossed aside....but symbolic of so much blood, sweat and tears.

to the runners...three cheers!

In a follow up.....

to yesterday's blog....the whacked-out 17 year-old and I had a conversation last night about boys, specifically about the ex and the now 5 other interested hormonal males.

Of the five possibilities, she has been chatting with one named Derek and although she won't admit to it, I KNOW that the interest is mutual.

Now bear in mind that the not-so-nice ex's name is Eric.

This was our late night conversation:

Me: Did Derek call you?

Her: Why?

Me: Didn't you say he was going to call?

Her: You said you didn't want me talking to him!

Me: No I didn't.

Her: Yes you did!

Me: Why would I say I didn't want you talking to Derek?

Her: Oh, Derek....I thought you said Eric!

Isn't there a Joe or a John or a Michael she could date?

Does the new interest's name have to sound exactly like the ex?

i'm under a hex

The Ebb and Flow.....

of a teenage girl's emotions, if somehow contained and turned into energy, could power a city block for an entire year.

I am just saying....

although I might have some knowledge of dealing with a whacked out 17 year-old and her emotions.....

emotions that have recently been exacerbated by a broken-off relationship with a not-so-nice boyfriend of a year and a half; the boy whom she finally got a clue about and mustered the strength to say DONE - but she still claims him as hers and says he cannot date anyone else yet because of some invisible timeline - a timeline that I can only liken to when dealing with the passing of a spouse and not remarrying right away.


She often resembles Joanne Woodward's character in "The Three Faces of Eve," where she runs the gamut of being incredibly mature....vocalizing the most profound statements, so profound, that I turn and look to see who is talking.....to reverting to "toddlerdom" by laying on the floor, kicking, crying and throwing a fit.

At 17 she is very complicated.

and may be related

"What floor?"

I inquired as he stepped into the elevator.

"Four, please" he said.

"What's on four?" I asked.

"Nothing" he replied.

I followed with "Nothing? How can that be?"

He responded in a low tone "my office" all the while looking at something that was stuck in the side mesh pocket of his gym bag.

I then saw what he was looking at....an unused Cub's Playoff ticket.


"Can you believe it?" I asked.

"Nope, another year that I didn't get to use them" was his response as he walked off the elevator at the fourth floor.

"There is always next year!" I shouted as the doors closed.

For us Cubs' fans....it has been a ridiculous ONE HUNDRED "next years"....

but whose counting?

frustration is so mounting

A Wedding Weekend

Tonight is the kick off for a long awaited event....

Steve & Judy are getting married!

I am excited to be involved in this important weekend. I thank Hedy for introducing me to them and I also thank Steve & Judy for allowing me to glom onto their lives.

Both have marched down the white runner before and because of that they bring to this marriage a mature-lived-out-knowledge of what being married is truly about.

Tonight's church rehearsal will be followed by a gathering full of pre-ceremony feasting and toasting.

Tomorrow is the blessed union between the two - in front of us and most importantly under the watchful eyes of God.

A celebratory event at a local establishment will follow the nuptials.

But Sunday evening....ahh, Sunday evening is the gala reception – a favorite restaurant, emptied of its patrons and instead filled with the new bride and groom, along with family and friends, where we will eat, drink, dance and raise a toast....


to Steve & Judy - may they have strength to support each other in the dark times; a generous spirit of laughter and smiles to make bright times; and undying love and dedication for each other thru it all.


If they have this...

forever bliss

“I’m bacccckkkk!!”

to work and still slightly hobbled by lower back pain, but able to walk and sit for longer than 10 minutes at a time.

Yesterday, on my second day at home nursing this wretched back....I got tired of sitting/standing/laying around the house...so I found my way to the Red Rocket and blasted off to the local grocery store for some comfort food.

I came home with tomato soup, bread and no less than 3 ½ POUNDS of cheese!



Can you tell I was comforted as a child by my momma’s grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup?

i will never poop