[ 139/365 ] ..... One-armed Andy

In my late twenties I dated two guys named Andy within the same year. This one had only one arm. Literally. When we broke up he left his watch at my condo. There’s a crude joke here. I know it.
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 138/365 ] ..... Lewis L.

Seven years ago he hired me to teach Marketing for AIU Online. We never met in person, but I’m grateful for his confidence in me. It opened the door of flexibility to allow me to be a stay-at-home mom today.
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 137/365 ] ..... Lisa G.

I emailed her, cold call, and asked if she would meet with me to discuss the education industry. A week later she hired me. She pushed me, I grew as a manager. A fellow messie and lover of funky art.
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 136/365 ] ..... Mrs. Amberg

I had just moved back to IL, and registering for Junior Year at Sacred Heart. Mrs. Amberg helped pick my classes. I was nervous. Fifteen years later she attended my dad’s wake offering condolences from the school. I was touched.
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 135/365 ] ..... Nicole B.

Second baseman on the forever in first place Barclay softball team. Her dad was the coach, and we always won and always had a great time. Loved hanging out with her in the summertime. Such fond memories of those days.
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 134/365 ] ..... Fr. Tony

The Catholic priest who gave me my First Holy Communion. The ceremony and mass was in my home. Cool. Fr. Tony was uber-cool too. Except he left the priesthood. Not so sure what that means about my cool communion celebration.
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 133/365 ] ..... Noel

TEC 345. One of the three Notre Dame amigos we hung around with our senior year of high school. He was quiet from what I remember, but laughed at all my jokes (or at me... now I’m not so sure).
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 132/365 ] ..... Andrea N.

One of my friends here in the neighborhood. Super sweet, open, friendly, generous. And perhaps one of the strongest and most courageous women I know. She might not believe that of herself, but I see it. Love her to pieces.
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 131/365 ] ..... Nina W.

The baby sister of one of my high school friends. On the first day of basketball tryouts she blew me away. I did not even know she was an athlete. She was hands down the best player on the team.
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 130/365 ] ..... Rich D.

One of the nicest, most honest and trustworthy guys I worked with in corporate America. He suggested I research Learning Resources when I was job hunting. He passed it on his way to work. The rest, they say, is history.
____________________________

Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 129/365 ] ..... Aunt Olive

She was my great aunt… my maternal grandfather’s brother’s wife. So there. And I barely even remember her, but who could forget someone named Aunt Olive? And I believe there was an Uncle Hamburger too, but I can’t be sure.
____________________________

Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 128/365 ] ..... Beth F.

I remember her as a bad ass, but she probably wasn’t. For some reason I feel like we should have shared a smoke behind CKS… but I didn’t smoke. Maybe just Chinese jump roping. Love reconnecting with her on FB.
____________________________

Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

BIG Giveaway opportunity over at Paislee Press

Just go here and check it out...

[ 127/365 ] ..... Fr. Perham

Hands down the best teacher I ever had. He taught Calculus and made it interesting. Sometimes. He gave me a chance to dig out from under a D grade, and I’ll never forget it. I aced the final. Hard stuff!
____________________________

Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 126/365 ] ..... Dena Rae

One of IU’s best female student body presidents. She was sharp. And threw the biggest, bad-est, fun-est parties ever. Because that’s what IUSA was all about… bringing about positive changes on campus, and having a good time while doing it.
____________________________

Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 125/365 ] ..... Bruce H.

Grainger again. Bruce was a Product Category Direct, and I had the pleasure of working with him to develop a marketing program for the Material Handling line. He was smart, direct, down to earth, an excellent coach and very motivating.
____________________________

Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 124/365 ] ..... Doug D.

An old Grainger co-worker and friend. We collaborated endlessly on National Accounts programs. Charming, funny, loyal, honest. I loved hearing him talk to his kids on the phone. Spongebob Squarepants becomes Spongebob Nopants. Another one of the world’s good guys.
____________________________

Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 123/365 ] ..... Monte W.

A colleague of Jeff’s, and hands-down one of the nicest guys I know. When I lost my job back in 2002 he offered networking contacts for me, and made introductions where he had nothing to gain. Karma is good thing.
____________________________

Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 122/365 ] ..... Mrs. Lakamper

My dear friend Ute’s mom. Old fashioned, modest, gracious, lovely. I stayed at their home in 1991, and she insisted on making me homemade hot chocolate in the mornings because I don’t drink coffee. LOVE German hospitality. Sauerkraut and all.
____________________________

Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 121/365 ] ..... Amber K.

My neighbor and friend. I can’t tell you how nice it is to have neighbors you are (and want to be) friends with. She’s gracious, down to earth, and an awesome, award-winning baker. Gotta love our late night neighborhood gatherings.
____________________________

Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 120/365 ] ..... Annie S.

One of my baby cousins who is not such a baby anymore. Married. Working. Homeowner. How did I become so old? The Dude. I wonder how she got that nickname. It’s fitting. And definitely not chopped liver in my book.
____________________________

Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 119/365 ] ..... Dr. Sperlazzo

My dentist. I’ve gone to his office since I was three. Now I drive an hour to see him twice a year. I love everyone who works there, but soon I’ll need to find someone closer to home. So sad.
____________________________

Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 118/365 ] ..... Lorri A.

One of my college roommates for three years. We shared plenty of ramen noodles, beer, breadsticks and bagels. Easy-going, kind heart, giving spirit. She was smart to buy-in to her own room. Loved her, her furniture and her {reliable?} car!
____________________________

Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 117/365 ] ..... Msgr. Dan

Our current pastor, and I love him. A great orator. Kind soul. Great sense of humor. He’s one of those priests that you are comfortable talking to because you know you won’t be judged. Only loved. Hope he never leaves.
____________________________

Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 116/365 ] ..... Mr. J

My childhood BFF’s father. Honestly, I feared him when I was little. The word on the street was you would get smacked if you got out of line. As an adult I can’t reconcile the fear. He’s a lovable guy.
____________________________

Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 115/365 ] ..... Jim T.

VP of Marketing. My first week of employment as an admin assistant he asked for my opinion in a staff meeting. I was shocked, he made me feel confident. I climbed the corporate ladder and years later became a manager.
____________________________

Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 114/365 ] ..... Maria K.

I remember the day she started at Grainger. She seemed so sophisticated. We soon became friends and found she was just as much of a “messie” as me. Annual Fishing Derby. Christmas parties. Lunches. We must get together again soon.

____________________________

Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

I love being an Auntie

This little guy is my nephew, Luke. He had hernia surgery today. And did just fine. Thank you, Jesus! And while his mommy & daddy took him to the hospital, Jeff and I had the pleasure of watching this little sweetie, twin sister Mackie...

I've been mesmerized by her baby blues all day. To die for.

[ 113/365 ] ..... Chris M.

One of my three BFFS when I was in my twenties. Taste of Chicago. LATE ride. Phantom. Bar hopping downtown. Too many NYE celebrations to count. So many great memories. Then weddings and babies. Now I wish he lived closer.
____________________________

Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 112/365 ] ..... Wendy Z.

She’s a teacher turned marketer. I’m a marketer turned teacher. Our similarities don’t stop there. Both went to IU at the same time, but didn’t know each other. And we had our first babies a few weeks apart. Adore her.

____________________________

Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 111/365 ] ..... Connie B.

The B in NDB. IU Student Association student government campaign. We lost. Connie was the perfect candidate. I often wonder what path her life would have taken if she’d won. Now she has it all as a WAHM, professional photographer.
____________________________
Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]

[ 110/365 ] ..... Uncle Jim

My Godfather. A musician, photographer, magician, video producer, teacher, student, actor. You name it. He’s done it. The only boy among five sisters… one learns to be quick-witted. All the same, he’s empathetic and will drop anything to help you.

____________________________

Click here to read about what the heck I'm doing with [40x365]