Party, Party, Party!

I have officially survived another Annual Holiday Open House!  Whew, what an event!

Five years of this event, and somehow it came off without a hitch once again.  Well, if you don't count my dismount from the kitchen counter.  And the fact that I had to run the air with the windows open on November 30th.

Hubs gave me the best present ever:  he took off on Friday to help me prepare.  I'm honestly not sure how I did it in year's past without his help.  Aside from all the decorating, shopping and cleaning,  the preparation of food and cocktails is a serious feat.  I'm never quite sure how many people will drop by to share holiday cheer but I'm always pleasantly surprised to see new faces each year.

This year was no different!

I had a great opportunity to visit with previous co-workers, friends, neighbors and family... all in one night.  And a great night it was!

I swore at the beginning of the night that I would take pictures since I typically don't.  I was lucky to get in just a couple of shots before the night went underway.  Thank god - in true fashion I was far to busy hosting and visiting than documenting the fun!

So here a few shots for the memory book.

Dining Room.  Thanks Pinterest for the chandelier!

My friend Sarah's beautiful clothes!

Some of Sarah's beautiful fabrics!

Queen Seamstress Sarah!

Michelle and her beautiful jewelry

And an event isn't the same without fun and cocktails with the Gallagher Girls!

The rest of the weekend was spent putting the house back together, moving furniture and washing stemware and serving trays.  Woo hoo!

In the midst of all this fun, we somehow managed to slide in 3 basketball games.  I'm so proud of Coop and his team.  We are constantly challenging ourselves with some of the best Division 1 teams in the city and each week I'm watching the boys improve both on and off the court.  It's always an amazing thing for me to witness growth in an individual and this coaching staff certainly isn't letting me down!

We are quickly moving into the full swing of December, bringing this week Coop's Christmas Program, a holiday party with the Book Club girls and another weekend of family and friends.

'Tis the season!  Have a fantastic week, friends!
Jen

I Like Your WHEELZ!

It always refreshes my heart to visit with friends, especially those that I don't see as often anymore.  This weekend I had a great opportunity to reconnect with my friends from my previous employer - friends that may have started as coworkers but will forever remain close to me.  Although the whole gang couldn't be together, three of us four girls were together both Friday and Saturday night to celebrate life and friendship.

And fun we had!

There are a zillion pics of all four of us together, but this one is probably my favorite.  It makes me totally sad to think that this was taken 4 years ago.  Not even right.

This photo was taken at Cocoa Beach.  One of our favorite destinations together.

KK, CB, Shermie and Me

We try to get together as often as possible, which usually results in not very much.  Even though CB is the one that moved away, since my departure a year and a half ago from my previous employer even the three remaining G Girls find it hard to get our schedules perfectly synced.

Huge bummer.  Because I totally love these girls and our friendships. 

We love the fact that we each represent a decade yet we have so much in common with one another.  How often do 4 women ages 60 something, 50 something, 40 something and 30 something get along so well?  But we do - and we never stop laughing together.

On her way traveling west, CB stopped in town this weekend.  Fun was had all the way around.  Friday night the girls met without me (we had football) but they had a great time, as per usual!

Saturday night I got to join in on the fun, although I was sad to miss Shermie.  She had other stuff to do that was way more important than drinking with us girls (again).  Wait... what could be more important? :)

I started (and ended) the night with KK.  She constantly makes me laugh.  Her intellect, quick wit and sharp comebacks leave me doubled over most of the time we are together.  I miss her in my daily work environment. 

To contribute to the fall party, I took a ton of my fave new caramel apple and candy apple jello shots.  Yeah - I think they were gone in 2 hours.  Oh well - next time I need to remember to make more than 50.

Although Shermie was absent, we were able to visit with CB's bestie, Donna.  Such a hoot.  She fits in perfectly with the G Girls (or we fit in with her and CB... whichever).

As always, it was hard to leave.  Our lives are incredibly busy and I'm not sure when I will get to see CB again.  We talk about it all the time but find it hard to actually make the travel.  And now all my extra funds are saving up to see the kids in Cali.

Have I mentioned I leave in FOUR DAYS to see the kids?!?!  I'm so freakin' excited!!

Cheers to old friends that remain close regardless of the distance.  I love you girls!

Have a great Monday, friends!

Jen

The 808 is Jumping!

Friends really do make the world go 'round.

I had the best time last night reconnecting with my Gallagher friends (aka.... the G-Girls, sans CB of course... beotch is living the dream in FLORIDA).  Unfortunately I do not see KiKi and Mama Lu enough anymore since my move to a new firm but man, oh, man do I ever miss them!  These women had me in stitches every day for 10 years.  We shared tears, joys and life events together.

I forget sometimes (and then I'm abruptly reminded) that we spend so much time at work that our work people become as close to us as our family.

I feel really fortunate and grateful to call my industry my second family.  I started the employee benefits industry 21 years ago (gasp) and can pull friendships still from each of my four firms in those 21 years.  How awesome is that?!

So big shout out this morning (after Advil, of course) to the girls and their ever loyal friendship to me.  I love you both!  BTW - you both look FABULOUS in case I didn't say that last night!!

Music for some smiles this morning... 

you don't have to love me, you don't even have to like me, but you will respect me.  You know why?  'Cuz I'm the BOSS!   Click here for your tunes --->  Bossy by Kelis

CHEERS, GIRLS!

Have a great Wednesday, friends!

Jen

Middle Stop on a LONG Journey

I had a great opportunity to catch up with an old friend this weekend!  Such fun, especially when you don't live in the same state!

My friend Melissa came to stay with me en route to Orlando (from Park City, Utah, via Cheyenne, WY, Kansas City, MO, Memphis, TN and home).  When she told me she was planning to stay in KC since it was in the middle of a long drive day 2, I insisted she stay with me.  We haven't seen each other in over a year (our last visit was in Vegas ~ work event).  She's a serious trooper - I could NOT survive that many hours in a car... especially by myself!  She did have a furry companion for her travels, little Misha.  Books on tape (even the Grey series) could not keep me company that long!  Oh, and did I happen to mention she just had an ACL repair surgery less than a month ago?  Geesh ~ who could endure that drive after that?!

Our visit was filled memories of work travels, updates on Gallagher friends and simple laughs (and wine, of course).  My only goal was to give her a comfy place to lay her head and some good ole fashioned friend love.  Hubs whipped up some pork tenderloin with a black bean/corn salsa that was to DIE for and she even played Wii with Coop.  What a good sport!

I miss my friends that live far away.  The G girls (well, half of them) are having reunion this weekend and I'm so sad I'm not there to see them.  We always laugh so hard at mundane things, true inspiration!  After Bubba leaves for boot camp, I am determined to get to Florida to catch up!  Now I can see TWO friends again while in Florida!  I'm convinced our retirement will be there (and secretly pray the kids are stationed there.)  We shall see!

Girlfriends are such an amazing asset, one in which we often forget to be grateful.  We move through our chaotic lives as mothers, wives, daughters, sisters and workers and forget that the pillars holding us up through most of our journeys are our girlfriends.  I am so thankful for my mine!

Happy Saturday, friends!

Jen