Happy Holidays-

Merry Christmas- I admit it- I am a bit late on getting around to writing this year. December has been extremely busy and hectic for me. This was my first December living in Chicago and working as a regional wholesaler for Nationwide so I did not realize how much work and all of the corporate parties and such would overtake my life for almost two weeks. You might think that holiday party after holiday party would be fun- think again. It is work to continually be entertaining clients, not nearly as much fun as a holiday gathering of family and friends. To make the season even more stressful I developed the worst cold that I had experienced in about 2 years- it made the full circle from the sinuses to my chest. Mom and Dad also made a December visit to Chicago. We did the full shopping experience in downtown Chicago. Macy’s on State Street (the former Marshall Fields store) was spectacular. The windows were decorated in a Mary Poppins theme which was really unique. One of the upper levels of the store is a dining room called The Walnut Room- which featured their annual 30 foot Christmas tree which was really beautiful. Another holiday highlight was my first real fresh-cut Christmas tree. Good friend, Megan helped me select the tree and decorate it. I really enjoyed the fresh evergreen scent in the house. My neighborhood in Chicago, Andersonville, was very festive all season. The shops along Clark St. had tempting gifts for everyone on my list. For Christmas I did treat myself and purchased a Sirius Satellite radio- I really enjoyed it on the drive back home to Ohio-- I had a clear signal the entire way and great music. I am impressed that they have an all Elvis radio station- who knew???
2006 was certainly an eventful year for me and in reflection was a whirlwind of activity. I feel very blessed to have had so many wonderful things happen in my life during the past year. To reward my sales in 2005 I had such a great trip to Huntington Beach, CA with good friend Greg. It was so much fun and a trip to remember for a lifetime. In March and early April I was given a short term assignment in San Francisco, CA with Nationwide. It was quite a challenge to learn how to navigate the Bay area in my rental car- but it was so much fun and so beautiful. In May my second nephew, Dillon was born (what a cutie). Over Memorial Day weekend I packed up after 7 years in Columbus, Ohio and moved Chicago- the windy city. The corporate move was quite an adventure. I am still shocked at how quickly those packers had my life in boxes. I am still looking for a few things- that are apparently in the stack of boxes I have not yet unpacked. I am beginning to wonder if I will ever be fully unpacked again. Over the summer I was blessed with tons of visitors from Ohio which allowed me to be a tourist in my own city- how cool. In November I traveled back to Northern California for a second time to attend my graduation from The American College with my Chartered Life Underwriter degree (basically it means I know about life insurance). This time I took my parents along for the ride. We had awesome weather- and a spectacular drive along the Pacific Coast highway. With my job I have also gotten to explore all of Illinois, Iowa, and the Dakotas.
While no year is perfect- this year will be hard to beat. I only hope that life is treating each and every one of you as well- if not better. I thank God for all the blessing of 2006 and pray for all my friends and family for a wonderful 2007.

Coming back from the dark side-

I have seen the dark side- and it was ugly--- to make the story short I have had a cold for a little over a week now. This week I was running around like crazy spreading the corporate holiday cheer as best that I could. I began the week with a lovely overnite to Des Moines, Iowa and then have been just running all around Chicago. Most days I have been on the road for about 14 hours-- grrr... add that with sinus drainage and an annoying cough and you have misery.

So that is the short story of what is happening in Andyland right now.

I will keep you up to date.

I am still here-

I have been receiving some constructive criticism that I have not been updating my blog as regularly as I need to... and I would agree. My company has an advertising campaign that states "life comes at you fast" and here lately I would agree. My days and nights have been jam packed with a great deal of business functions. This is good, I feel like I am really beginning to have some affect in the territory and gain some traction. It is a good feeling when the customers begin to consider me as a resource and call me for advice.
I have learned one piece of advice- take a magazine if you are going to the Sioux Falls, SD airport- I was stuck there for 5 hours on Wednesday and it was not a fun time- thank goodness I had my trusty laptop and was able to pass the time.

So- it is Christmas-- Yeah--- I have a wonderful Christmas tree, the presents are bought, cards mostly sent, and I am having a holiday party in a few weeks- yet I do not feel festive at all- I guess I am getting used to not being in the holiday spirit. It seems that the holidays are meant to bring us together and make us appreciate and cherish our loved ones- but that is rarely achieved-- instead stress and family fueds can cause a fuss.

Well kids- I forced myself to blog to just get back in the mood of doing it- but I am feeling unispired all of a sudden- I will update with pictures again soon.

Stella Stella and more Stella... with a little Berkley too.

You asked for more- and here it is-

More fun in the sun.

What an incredible day. I woke to a beautiful surise and moon setting over Monterery Bay- the skies were pink and incredible! After breakfast it was off to the Pacific Coast Highway. WOW WOW WOW-- that was so beautiful-- I can't even put it all in words! It was just incredible- each curve of the road (in my mighty minivan) was even more beautiful than the last! Even Stella (AKA Mom) was impressed- and that is saying alot. Then it was off to the Hearst mansion in San Simeon- more WOW WOW WOW- it was just incredible. The weather was perfect for a day along the Pacific Coast highway. Enjoy today's picutres.

Monterey, CA

What a beautiful day here in Monterey. Berkley and Stella are proving to be quite amusing travel companions. Once again God is playing evil tricks on me- for the second time in two weeks I got to rent a minivan-- wohoo!! I guess it is every 30 year old's nightmare to be driving a minivan. I have really enjoyed just relaxing along the Pacific Ocean-- tomorrow we are off to the Pacific Coast highway to the Hearst Mansion. I am really looking forward to that. See ya soon.

Pumpkin Carving and California

Another delayed posting- I have been so busy (yeah I know, you have heard that before).
I do have more pictures to share with you- The first are from Dawn's AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME pumpkin carving party last Sunday. It was so much fun- and she prepared delicious
chili, apple torts, and even had pumpkin beer (how sweet is that??). I am proud to say that my pumpkin was choosen as best of the best by our wonderful hostess Dawn-- it was such a good time. Thanks Dawn for having us all over!!! This week was a good week- for once I was in Chicago for a full 5 days--- yeah I know I live there- but between sales trips and conferences I have not been home very much lately. I do have to admit that I had a great trip last week to Scottsdale, AZ- the 72 hours in the sun and being able to walk outside with hat and gloves was awesome!! I even snuck in some pool time which was highlighted by a pool bar and pool boy (gotta love that!!). Now I am off in Monterrey, CA and will be touring this are before heading up north to San Francisco. Yeah!!! I will keep you all posted on the adventures of the week.

Run Megan Run!!!!

Ok- a quick post before I hit the road for the day- Yesteday was so much fun- I cheered Megan on as she ran the Chicago Marathon-- her husband Matt and her in-laws had a riot traveling all over town. Even Laura in Ohio was in on the event calling us and text messaging us with updates from the web.

I am very pleased to annouce that I also found Elvis Presley-- he was running the marathon!!!

Enjoy the pictures.

Run Megan Run!!!!

Ok- a quick post before I hit the road for the day- Yesteday was so much fun- I cheered Megan on as she ran the Chicago Marathon-- her husband Matt and her in-laws had a riot traveling all over town. Even Laura in Ohio was in on the event calling us and text messaging us with updates from the web.

I am very pleased to annouce that I also found Elvis Presley-- he was running the marathon!!!

Enjoy the pictures.

A weekend at home-

I enjoyed a great weekend with a good friend of mine, Clinton, up from Raliegh, NC. We had such a great time just hanging out and catching up. We pretty much were homebodies for the most part. We did do our fair share of shopping and such downtown- I love the Bloomingdales home store- what a neat place. We also checked out Luxe Home at Merchandise Mart- that was pretty cool. I am very proud to have made my very own apple butter in the crock pot- take that Martha Stewart!!! Yesterday we tackled the open houses of Rogers Park- trying to see what I can or can not afford. I am still experiencing sticker shock- the more I look at property in Chicago the more I am thinking that my place here looks pretty good-- even though I am renting. I am hoping to figure it all out by February.

I did do lots of decorating this weeekend and hung some more pictures and such.. I am pretty happy with how my living room loos.. so I decided to post a few pictures and show it off to my blog buddies.

Weekend Fun with the girls...

Hello everyone- so I have not been good at keeping my blog up to date- Oh well..
I had the most delightful weekend- Megan & I loaded up Nicole (my big old Ford) and headed to Michigan for a weekend of
fall goodness with our good friend Laura from Ohio. We had a wonderful time. We purchased pumpkins, indian corn, picked apples, drank margaritas, went to a drive in movie theater, stayed at a cheesy cheap motel, had breakfast at Bob Evans (gotta love Bob), and then Megan and I went to 2 vineyards and went wine tasting- it was spectacular fun. I really did not picutre Michgan being quite as scenic, but it was lovely. The weather was picture perfect and the company of friends was even better!!!!! Here are some snapshots from our weekend. If anyone in Chicago needs apples (fresh picked) let me know-- I am oversupplied.

An update- finally

Here, There, and Pretty much everywhere—

Hello again my BLOGGETTE’S- how are you? Have you missed me? I have kinda missed myself to be real honest. What a whirlwind of a month- you may be wondering; just where all has he been? Let’s see- Sioux Falls, SD; Kenton, OH; Chicago, IL; Fargo, ND; Bismark, ND; and Minneapolis, MN (I count MN because I spent so much time waiting on a NW Airlines connection that it kinda felt like I had a good visit.

I did make a trip back to the homeland (aka OHIO) to see the family, celebrate Mom’s birthday, see the nephews, and of course go to the Hardin County Fair. I must clearly state that I love the fair—but it is the biggest hillbilly fest of the year. I ate carnival junk food, won a cheap prize stuffed animal playing skeeball, watched a truck pull, observed a pie contest (my sister came in First)- go Miriam, and remembered how go it is to visit home- but how glad I was to get back to my reality in Chicago.

Things are looking a little more quiet out here for the next month or so- only a trip to Central Illinois (Peoria, Bloomington, and Quincy) then a week in Scottsdale, AZ and then a week in San Francisco in November—followed by the holidays—ho ho ho ho!

I was really moved by the 5 year anniversary of the 9-11-01 attacks on the USA. It amazes me that it has been 5 years- and as I look back I can’t believe how much I have evolved and grown as a person during those five years. Some things remain a constant- family and friends- I remember how important it was for the parents to make sure I was OK on 9-11; same is true today. On 9-11 one of my bestest friends Laura and I hung ok- had some bbq- and took a leisurely walk at sunset to just escape the media and horror of what all had happened. Today Laura is still one of my pillars of strength and I called her just yesterday as almost every piece of technology I posses was breaking to vent. I am very grateful for family and friends.


I hope that the past 5 years has been good to all of you- and remember to tell those you love how dear they are to you every day.

For those Chicago friends (Dawn, Missy, Meg, Kurtsy) lets get together soon—I miss you all.

And boeing boy- get your butt up here- we need to paint the town red!


Take care..

Good things must come to an end...

It is sad- the end of another summer . Of course I am most saddened that I can no longer wear the ever so fashionable white pants since it is past Labor Day (that is the least of my concerns). This year it seems particularly of note as I have been in my new home for 3 full months, and what a crazy 3 months it has been. I told my friend Helene when she came to visit that I was going to have a "Summer of Fun" and just focus on enjoying all that summer had to offer- and so now that is past and I need to have a "Fall of Focus"----OK I admit that sounds cheesy enough for a politician. In all seriousness I need to focus on establishing routines, friends, and a sense of community in my new home. It is also time to really dig the heels in deep and start showing my stuff on the career side- this summer was all about discovering who my best customers would be- I now have a better idea of who those folks are and I need to focus on bringing in the bucks!

On the weekend report - I was pleased to host a fabulous Labor Day cookout- I had approximately 15 friends over and we ran out of liquor two times- I think that is that sign of a good party right?? I think it took 4 trash bags to collect all the bottles the next morning- thank goodness no neighbors have complained as of yet!

I am presently in Minneapolis on my way to the exotic Fargo, ND-- WOHOO-- that is 3-- count 'em 3 new states for Andrew in two weeks- SD, MN, and ND-- that is a new record I think. I leave for a fun family visit to Ohio on Thursday to take in the exotic Hardin County Fair, spoil my nephews, and celebrate Mom's birthday!! Should be lots of fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Catching up

Another fast and fun weekend- I had fun entertaining my good friend Greg from Austin, TX- he really helped me alot with hanging some picutres. We then hit several galleries and shops in around Lakeview (aka boystown) with no luck on home decor- I am proud to say that I officially started my Christmas shopping--- mark that one down in the record books.

If you ever had any old furniture you want to give away- try Craigslist.com-- I had a sleeper sofa that just didn't work out here in my new place in Chicago & the charities would not pick it up since it was so heavy. I put an ad on the web and had 25 people call in less than 12 hours- and it is now GONE--

I think there can not be anymore dirty laundry anywhere in the world- because I ran the washing maching until it couldn't run any more!

I am behind on posting some pictures- here are some snapshots from when I went to the opening ceremonies for the Gay Games-

Have a great week all

Bad Blogger

I will post to my blog more often.
I will post to my blog more often.
I will post to my blog more often.
I will post to my blog more often.

Ok, you get the idea-- I have been really bad at keeping up with the correspondences lately. The good side of it is that I have been enjoying my new job, enjoying my new city, making friends, and overall having the time of my life. For the first time in a really long time I really feel like all the pieces of my life are fitting. It feels that I am in the right place that I need to be and I am enjoying.

I am thankful for the great friends that I already have here in Chicago and enjoy meeting many new and wonderful people every day!

I am having a Labor Day cookout on Sunday September 3 - so for all you Chicagoland readers - please feel free to come!!

By the way- I fought the BMV and won-- after a two month ordeal and getting my name and reputation cleared from the state of Louisiana (mind you I have never been to Louisiana-- if I ever have a reputation there I want some beads to show for it- OK???).... and some blood sweat but mostly tears- I have my Illinois drivers license--- praise the LORD!!!

Take care.

On the road again-

It has been a busy busy couple of weeks. Last week I put over 1200 miles on my car as I traveled throughout Iowa and Illinois- and I put over 220 miles on the car today in IL again. I knew this job would require some travel & by golly I wasn't wrong. It is an adjustment to be spending so much time behind the wheel, but I am coping. I need to develop better skills of taking notes while talking on the wireless headset and driving-- it can be tricky at times. I have realize that every single Fairfield Inn in the entire USA is exactly the same- so if you need any travel advice and plan to stay at a Fairfield Inn - please give me a call.

The parents came up to Chicago for the weekend, it was their first visit since helping me move in. I put on my tourist hat for the weekend and we did the town up right; Navy Pier, an architechtural boat tour, the ferris wheel, millenium park, shopping on Michigan Ave, Sunday brunch at the Walnut Room in the famous Marshall Fields store on state street. It was fun.

I also succcessfully put together my new desk from Ikea and got the home office officially set up. I think I will really like having my office out of the main living area.

Well- off to the gym- I hope you are all well.

Back to reality????

The heat has broken here - thank goodness!! It was a brutal heat wave here in Chicago- there were numerous heat related deaths. I am very lucky to have a good central air conditioning unit. The stress on your body as you go in and out of the heat is almost brutal tough. On top of all that I was fighting a summer cold all week- so heat exhaustion with clogged sinus cavaties is not a good thing.

I am back to the full swing of work- I guess that is a good thing- it was just an incredibly busy week to say the very least-- it all kinda seems like a blur to me. Next week is my Iowa week- followed by Central IL-- fun fun fun.

I guess I am not 100% adjusted to this new schedule and work load- I need to learn how to better balance work and life better.

There is so much going on this weekend in Chicago- festivals, the beach, and of course what we all love-- Laundry!

Gotta run for now- take care

Back in Chicago

Sorry for the lapse with no BLOGGING- It has been crazy- I was away from Chicago for 10 days. First of all I went to Lake Erie with the family- including my cousin Niki and her husband Jason. It was such a fun memory filled weekend. Trust me do not take an almost 3 year old miniature golfing- whew! He was so cute trying to hit the ball into the hole- then he just gave up and walked it down and put in the the hole- we all clapped and life was good once again.

Then I headed to Columbus and to a week long sales meeting- I had hoped for more free time to go and visit friends around Columbus and even enjoy staying at Easton, which is one of Columbus, Ohio's premier shopping district--- but the boss man had other plans- we were on the go from sun up to sun down- and when I finally got back to the room- I was so tired I just went to bed.

I spent yesterday with my nephews and parents before driving to Chicago-
So now back to work- YAY- I promise to try to keep this more up to date.
Here are some fun family pictures.