I arrived in Chicago not expecting to be wooed, but open to letting the city change my mind.

With 6 days ahead of me with several breaks between meetings,  I set out to enjoy the sites.

Humor me,  as I share some of my highlights, iphone pictures, and tips from my little adventure.

(if you follow me on Insta.gram- these may look familiar)

FRIDAY:

Upon arrival and settling into my hotel,   I googled the location of Neiman Marcus.  Off I went to the mother ship.

On my first walk down Michigan Avenue towards NM,   I marveled at all the gorgeous tulips.   I was smitten.

Travel Tip:   When you arrive at your destination,  Make an appointment to have your hair done or stop by a make-up counter.  Spending time in the chair while you get pretty, allows conversation on where to shop and eat from a locals point-of-view.
You may even be invited on fun adventures to attend a local fundraising event or tour local homes or gardens.

The sweetest older lady working the fragrance counter at Neimans wanted to arrange for me to tour her friend’s historic home featured in Architectural Digest. She made  the call.

I left the counter with new parfum and a phone number for the homeowner.

Also- use good judgement.  SInce I was going it alone – I opted not to give the homeowner the call.  I found the Architecture Digest article online and toured the home virtually.

It was nice to be invited.

new TANGERINE lipstick I picked up at LM counter at NM

Saturday:

The Start of the Conference

This is the Conference I attended

I spotted this guy on the street.   I assume he was attending another conference in town – the Comic Conference.

One can only hope he didn’t wake up and decide to put this on and walk around downtown Chicago just for kicks.

I’m not afraid of no ghost – but I am kind of afraid of grown men who dress like this.

Saturday Evening,   The Joint Commission — yeah, those guys who put us healthcare types  into an utter tizzy and under the microscope every 3 years,

hosted a lovely reception a the Art Insitute of Chicago.

We had the privilege of private viewing of  the Impressionist and Post Impressionist Galleries.

I was in awe of the Hall of Degas

Amazed by the scale and detail of Seaurat

I also enjoyed Monet, VanGogh, Renoir….

then

some office building ode to the light-bright on my walk back to the hotel

SUNDAY:

After our session on Sunday, lured by the rosemary containers and happy umbrellas, I stopped in this fabulous place called The Gage - where I enjoyed the best little pot of mint tea.

- Hot Tea, that is.  Not iced like we Southerns like it.   It was still quite yummy.  Even if I did put a few ice cubes in my cup when others weren’t looking.

I followed my delicious mint tea with their Venison burger which was dressed with smoked gouda, pickled red onions, fried fresh jalapenos, smoked wild mushrooms, and a red wine ketchup.  I think it also had the kitchen sink thrown in.   This was about the time I started missing The Angler.   I usually split this kind of madness with him.

I barely made a dent in it – and yes,  it was delicious.   Don’t get me started on the fact it came with a half of a kosher dill AND cornichons.   sigh.

I might’ve eaten here again on Monday and had the more redeeming and delicious seared Salmon and rutabaga puree.

After I was well nourished,   I headed a 1.5 miles north on Michigan towards the old water tower.

And I scored a new pair of kicks…

or two…or three

MONDAY:

While we are talking shoes….here’s some evidence that I actually attended a conference.  Where else but a conference center or hotel ballroom would have carpet this hideous?

Monday entailed more walking through Gotham

and an encounter with the Giant Marilyn

After all that tacky,  it was time for some pretty.   I found my way over to Rush / Bellevue Area

This is where I discovered BHLDN — Anthropologie’s wedding inspired store.

It was more beautiful in person than I had imagined.

the wedding details

the wedding dresses

I might’ve bought another pair of shoes.

Tuesday:

I finally made my way into Milleneum Park.

Hey!  Look!   It’s me….the only one not dressed in all black.

I saw the bean.

All that walking means,  I earned myself a pedicure.

The Hard Rock Hotel -offers in-room spa services.   And they’re decor may have influenced my polish choice.

Also – If you need a spa recommendation or personal nail tech – this is Sophie.    She was awesome.

I also earned some Chicago Style Pizza.    I can see what the fuss it all about.

Wednesday:

It was finally time to pack it all up and head back to Arkansas.

I said good bye to my views

Grabbed some fuel for the journey

Hopped a plane.

A couple of hours later…

It was time to refuel again.

At my neighborhood starbucks…

where the barista knows my name and the tea is iced.

Then by grabbing some sunshine and fresh air in the beauty of our city.

I can honestly say,  I fell in total like with Chicago.   I’m ready to go back and enjoy it again with my honey or my fun girlfriends by my side.

Unlike the heroine of Adventures in Babysitting,  I did not encounter the Lords of Hell.   I didn’t have to scale the Smurfit Stone Building .

My adventures in conferencing were a success.

The shopping was grand.  The food was yummy.   The folks were down right hospitable.

It truly was a model city.

Thank You, Chicago!

xoxo,

boots

My five year old ears molded around those silly words.   Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers became a sing song.   Followed by, “Tommy Attat-a-mus took two tees, tied them to the top of two tall trees.”   That summer, my dad graduated top of his auctioneer class, and I, his mockingbird daughter, had acquired a lifelong skill – or at least a stupid human trick.

(sweet talker Betty Crocker - through the years)

To this day, I can recite any of the above lyrics at warp speed.   Friends have asked to record it to make it their ring tone for me.   I haven’t obliged.   They particularly get a kick out of my favorite tongue twister to “perform”  – which  I can say in about 6.7 seconds (yeah,  I might have timed myself once or twice.)    Give it a shot and see how you do…

Betty Botter bought some butter,
“But,” she said, “the butter’s bitter;
If I put it in my batter,
It will make my batter bitter;
But a bit of better butter,
That would make my batter better.”

So she bought a bit of butter,
Better than her bitter butter,
And she put it in her batter,
And the batter was not bitter;
So ’twas better Betty Botter
Bought a bit of better butter.

Good ol’ Betty.

Even as I race through her story, I’m thankful she’s the rhyme that sticks with me the most.

I need to be reminded constantly about bitter versus better.

There are times in our lives things don’t go as planned.   I’ve sat across from friends who have told me their grand schemes and dreams to improve their business.  They hit some snags and obstacles.  The business fell apart or stayed exactly the same.   I know folks who in the midst of the rat race received a diagnosis that set them on a totally different life course.   There are parents whose children can’t keep up with the other kids due to disabilities.   There are women who in addition to children and husband and job are finding themselves caring for a parent or sibling.   Families have broken apart because somebody got bored.   Jobs went away.  Savings accounts demolished.   I know good people who did all the hard work and somebody else took all the credit.   What about the girl who finally finds the perfect guy  until he turns out not to be not so perfect.   4000 miles were logged on the treadmill and the scale didn’t move one inch.    The dream job is a nightmare. Somebody smeared another’s reputation …for the fun of it.    You name it, we probably have  been in one of these scenarios.     It’s no wonder we often feel – Disappointed.  Angry.  Confused.  Exhausted.

These feelings are normal reactions.   The problem begins when we let ourselves begin to stew in these feelings.  When we allow our hearts to remain and marinate in that disappointment, anger, confusion, and exhaustion, the result is bitterness.

I look back on a lot of things in my life that didn’t go as planned.  We moved my sophomore year of high school.   I was the new kid.  I didn’t fit.   For years, I blamed that for many of the reasons things didn’t go like the Sweet Valley Book in my head.   I became chubby because food became  my friend.   I didn’t have a boyfriend because I was chubby.   That’s not the truth.  It’s blame and bitterness.    Twenty years later, I am thankful.  I see that God was protecting me.  In those high school years, he protected my heart and set my life on course to live for Him.

A few years ago, I had two jobs back to back that were complete and utter chaos.   They had been billed to me as opportunities for career growth.   I walked away from both experiences exhausted, disillusioned and doubting my abilities.    Initially, I felt I didn’t grow my career.  I wasted my time.  I was a little bitter.  And it showed.

Now, I can see I did learn so much.   I learned what not to do.   I learned to examine every “great” oppportunty”  with a fine tooth comb.  I built a huge network of colleagues and friends in other arenas which led to a job I like.

Whether it is high school or those disappointing gigs, I can honestly say I look back on them now and know they made me better.

I’m striving to be able to say this about all things.   I have a very long way to go.

Often the bitterness creeps in  and the snark makes its way to my tongue.   When I hear critical things people have said about me or I view a situation through my “ what about me?” lens, suddenly a floodgate of vinegar floods around my heart.   The marinating begins.  I feel it.

And I want it to stop.

I don’t want a bitter heart.   I want a better heart.

You’ve probably seen the sign – especially if you are on Pinterest:  “It can make you bitter or it can make you better.”

It’s true.     It’s a choice.

Sometimes those choices can come in an instant.   Sometimes it takes time.

Sometimes it’s an everyday choice of laying the bitterness down at Christ’s feet and walking away.

It just donned on me as I write this…When Christ hung on that cross over 2000 years ago,  the soldiers gave him a rag soaked in vinegar for refreshment.   He turned his head.  He didn’t take the bitterness.  (Matthew 27:34)

We should do the same.

Don’t choose the bitterness.

Be a Betty.

Buy a bit of better butter.   Put it in your bitter batter.

It will make your batter.. and your heart better.

graciously,

Boots

xxoo

The past two weeks,  I allowed myself 4.5 days of not-so healthy food choices and no gym.   I figure as a dietitian I have the power vested in me to declare, upon the loss of a pet, you are allowed one day of binge eating for each year you own a pet.    I followed that up with 3 pairs of shoes.   ( one pair of blush patent sandals,  2 pairs of wedges.  There might have been more.  I’d rather not incriminate myself in the off chance The Angler is reading.)

J. Crew’s stock probably went up last week –  because of me.  A friend had gifted me a $50 gift card.  I spent it more than 7 times over.  Oops.   Then, I arrived home Thursday to find a parson’s desk I had ordered.    That was the sign…it’s time to clear the clutter.   As one of my precious southern friends says,   it was time “to get some mayo and whip myself together” .

That’s what I’m now trying to do with the house.  Make the pet free  McCottage fresh and new.  A place where we can take deep breaths and heal.

I’m starting small.   With my jewelry & accessories.  It really is the most annoying thing to have bangles and necklaces laying all over the place.   It never fails the cuff I want to wear is AWOL the day I want to wear it.   I’ve spent some time on pinterest perusing some ideas.  Nothing wow’ed me.   I prefer my storage be pretty as well as functional.   What I’ve ended up with is a few original ideas you may be able to use in your own home.    The best part is, I didn’t spend any money.   See that,  Angler,  I can be frugal.   With a little creativity,  it’s budget friendly.   Did I just say the “b” word – oh my,   I may not be out of the woods on this grief thing yet.

~

I had a few crystal rose bowls that were scattered around the house – empty and looking reflective.   I took those to my closet  where my chest of drawers is and filled three of them.   One I filled with colored necklaces.   The next I filled with brooches, all those extra buttons attached to new clothes, and a few colored bangles.    The next is filled with my gold and metallic cuffs.

Next, I found a crystal ashtray which had belonged to my grandparents ( and never once held ashes)  and filled it with my wooden bangles and cuffs.

( Aside:  I love the natural touches wood accents add to my wardrobe this time of year.)

My next idea – was a stroke of genius that I think really takes the cake.   Literally.

My domed cake stand occupied a ton of  space on my limited kitchen countertops.   So, in comes the cake stand, to be the prop for my large straw hat.

My other hats fit well in my shelves, but the extra wide brim on this makes it at risk for getting crushed.

Don’t you love it?  This just makes me smile.

Oh, by the way – mark your calendars.   It will be time to wear it again to  the First Lady’s Tea on April 29th.   (Let me know if you would like tickets.)

Ok.  This feels good.  I’ve almost got everything corralled.

Next, necklaces that are in high rotation for me – are my pearls and a few gold or silver chains.   These are now hanging out in a pretty blush bowl on my dresser in our bedroom.

I love love the flirty feminine feel this brings to our room.

It’s baby steps to getting organized.   Pretty and functional.

This makes me smile.

It feels good to be getting it together.

Happy Weekend, Y’all!

xxoo,

boots

But here it is- my heart – broken into a thousand pieces, tears streaming down my cheeks because my Sadie Francis is gone.

My precious, Sadie Francis was a gift.  I was never supposed to have her.   But I’m glad I did.

Five years ago,  a friend called to say her neighbor had puppies to give away.  The mom dog – Annie  was a beautiful Silky Terrier.  She looked just like my Finley.  Frail boned and a silky mane.   My friend curiously wondered -  did I want a puppy.  They were free.   You see,  pretty Annie had escaped a puppy mill.   She was rescued by a warm heart in the Heights.  When her new owner John took her in,  he had no idea she was with child(ren).   Before he knew it,  Annie and her 5 pups had taken over his guest room.

I was in Dallas when I got the call.  Just a few days before the Angler and I celebrated our 8th anniversary.  I had that baby itch at the time.  (Something I’ve never admitted)   Timing wasn’t favorable to pursue children.  So,  I begged the Angler to let me have a puppy as an anniversary gift. He said no.

When I returned from Texas,  I stopped by John’s house and two puppies remained – a rambunctious boy and an anti-social girl.  John had already named her Sadie.   She had black eyes, black lips, and crazy eyelashes.  I scooped her up and she wrapped her front paws around my hand and  her little self around my heart.   All 1.5 pounds of her wanted down immediately – she hated being held.

I brought her home.  Now the score was even.  Two girls  (me and her)  against two boys ( The Angler and Finley-dog).  The boys were not happy.

We spent a few days anguishing over a name for her.  I had always wanted Finley to have a co-hort named Francis.  But “Sadie” seemed to fit her brown eyes.  So, like her adopted momma and any good southern girl – she got a double name.   Sadie Francis.    If you look it up in a baby names book   Sadie means princess.  Francis means free.   She was my free princess.

In time we all grew to love her, even Finley.  She carried a certain joy with her.  She was the kind of dog who smiled. She loved to play – with Finley all the time and with us if we had a laser pointer.  She never ever ever once growled at us.  She loved to bury herself in fresh laundry and soft blankets.  At night, she tunneled under the blankets between me and The Angler.  Then she would sneak to put her head on his pillow.

When emotions ran high or voices grew loud, she’d hide…in the bathtub.  She learned to seek solace in the bathroom from me.

She sat in my lap anytime we watched the Hogs play football on television. She hated those whistles and the excited commentary.

She loved walks over the Big Dam Bridge or through the neighborhood.  She did not like wearing clothes – much to my dismay.  However,  she gladly sported her pink harness and leash  which matched her bright pink tongue.   And she knew her shoes….well, my shoes.   She knew that when I put on my TOMS – there was a good chance she was going for a walk.  She knew me well, I didn’t wear flats without a reason.

Unlike her dog brother or mother who were fine boned and petite,  Sadie Fran was thick and stout – she was a big girl.  We often joked that she was “big boned-ed”  Ah, how she loved her carbs…especially Wheat Thins and cupcakes (just like her momma).

After she proudly destroyed my down duvet

Perhaps the most peculiar thing about Sadie – is that she did not like here picture taken.  The vet once said she was an Austrailian Terrier not a Silky Terrier.  We thought – well, that explains it -she’s Aborigine. She’s afraid we were stealing her soul.  No matter how stealthy I was with my iPhone – she just somehow knew and would dodge any chance of a shot.  Yes,  Sadie Francis was a weirdo that way.

In the High Profile interview I did a few years ago,  I was asked how The Angler would describe me.  My answer: “ He’d say I’m a lot like our dog Sadie Francis – smart, spunky, and hard to handle”

Sadie Badger don't care

I’d still answer that question the same way today.   Indeed, Sadie was always curious – opening cabinets, turning pages of magazines left on the floor, or rooting behind furniture.    She was always ready to play, yet never wanted to be held.  She was always by our side, but affection was given on her own terms.  (just like her momma) Her affections came when she would put her head on my feet when she was sleeping or how she would sit beside me when I was sad.  She would lick tears occasionally.  She’d sneak a morning kiss right on the smacker while I slept.  And when I needed a listening ear,  she’d tilt her head as if she were really listening.    She was our comforter when we all said goodbye to Finley a year ago.   She was a trooper.  Never missed a beat.  She stepped right up and assumed the role of lead dog in the house and in our hearts.

The unexpected news that our sweet 4 year old dog had lymphoma hit us hard a few weeks ago.   We had no idea how quickly it would ravage her little body.    The Angler and I made a vow to not let her suffer.   Her breathing became more labored over the last few days.  And today – the vet confirmed – it was time.

The last few hours I spent with her, we walked the bridge, ate chips and cheese dip, and  split a chocolate cupcake.  Because we all know chocolate is bad for dogs, we never let her have chocolate.  Today, I figured she couldn’t leave this world without trying it at least once.  Every carb-o-holic knows that.  She loved it — licked all the icing off my fingers.  Her last day was a good day of love and comfort.  The way I think it should be for all of us.

Totally mesmerized by the lights reflected off the disco ball

The McCottage is empty of the sound of paws tonight.   In the 12 years we’ve been here,  this is a first.  We’ve never been dog-less.  We used to be the weird couple with dogs.   Now, we’re just the weird couple.

The weird couple who will miss her so very much.

The Angler and I are both struggling to justify our feelings of loss in a world with much bigger hurts around us.   We know we’ve made the right decision to let her go. It’s just one of those days, it really stinks being a grown up.   We’ve been saying our prayers- hoping it doesn’t seem selfish to ask comfort for our hearts as we adjust to quiet days ahead of us.  We’re thankful God entrusted a piece of his creation to us – a piece that taught us how we should love – unconditionally.

my pretty girl in her pink leash

Do I think we’ll see her again in heaven?  I definitely think so.    Some theologians may want to argue scripture, but my former pastor once said when asked the “do dogs go to  heaven?” question,

“heaven is always more, and never less.”

I believe that.   I believe it with all my heart.

I also believe there is no such thing as a free dog.  It always costs you a piece of your heart…

but it’s so very worth it.

our little family

He’s one of those wildly creative types that can take a mustard seed of an idea, hand it to God and boom!  Something phenomenal happens.  It’s inspiring to watch.

I want to be like that.

So when a person like this asks about motivation,  what do I do?

I tweeted him a response to his inquiry.  While others were tweeting him apps to use to assist his triumphant return,   I responded in essence.

“Tomorrow morning, remind yourself that the average person is not up and running.  Then, remind yourself -  you don’t settle for average.”

As I typed it,  I knew it was a dangerous tweet.  Not because of what Cowart might respond, if he responded at all.   ( He did and it was completely gracious)

It was dangerous, because it was the statement I needed to hear most. I needed to get myself back in gear professionally, physically.

I needed to remind myself  I don’t settle for average.

The next morning I woke up.  Downloaded the Couch 2 5k app on my phone ( as recommended by hundreds of Cowart’s twitter followers),  I laced up my shoes and set out the door.

What in the world?  I am not a runner.

A month later,  I was enjoying a lovely dinner with great girlfriends.   Maybe the wine got to my head, because for some odd reason I disclosed that I had been attempting to be a runner.  I thought they would laugh.  Apparently, the wine had gotten to them, too.   Before we left dinner that night, the four of us had formed TEAM FANCY

( Why “fancy”?   It was inspired by the name I had given to  the new white Macbook we acquired in the Junior League while I served as president.  Because of course,  I wanted the videos and presentations for general meetings to be …FANCY.  And, ok,  it may have a little to do with a Reba McEntire song, too)

That night, Team Fancy set goals of two finish lines to cross…a 5k just 8 weeks away and the 4 person relay team for the Little Rock Marathon in March 2011.

Weeks of training together.  Afternoon runs.   Laughs.  Guess what.  We did it.    We accomplished our goals.   And I was somewhat, kinda, maybe a runner.

The four of us must have made running look easy or fun.  By May 2011,  two more of our friends joined the ranks of Team Fancy.   More 5k finish lines crossed.

Our group training runs aren’t as formal as they used to be.  Team Fancy has had a busy and challenging year.   A few of us accepted new jobs.  A few of the kiddos are in new schools. Each of us have at least 2 volunteer projects ongoing at all times, because   Junior League made us that way.    One sweet teammate lost her mom,  but in God’s grace she is the same teammate who welcomed a precious baby boy.   Despite the life changes,  I can assure you, now if there is a major race in Little Rock,  you will find at least 2 of these ladies amongst the competitors.

This weekend 4 of us ran the Little Rock 5k.   The other two fierce ladies ran the 1/2 marathon.  I’m so proud of us.

I love these ladies so much.   They are tough competitors.   But they are the best type of competitors.  They are gracious competitors.  For a group of 6 women, we aren’t snarky.  We encourage.

We don’t compete against each other.  We do fiercely compete against our own individual selves.  We’re there for each other.

These women make me want to be a better athlete.

More than that, they make me want to a better wife,  a better employee,  a better Christ follower,  a better daughter,  a better volunteer, and a better friend.

They have blessed me far beyond what I anticipated with that tweet I typed 18 months ago.    I set out that  September Saturday morning reminding myself I wanted to be better than average.

With these ladies by my side,  I am.

We’re not just better than average.

We’re fancy.

Beth, Courtney, Julia, Mandy, Tammie –  I love you, girls.

xxoo,

boots

Yet, Thursday I found myself in conversation with several friends who wondered MY thoughts and favorites on the Oscars’ Red Carpet this year.

The conversations sparked the idea, this would be a great time to hopefully kick Favorite Things Fridays back into existence here on the ol blog.

I never know if it’s better to count down or just start off with the favorite.

It’s my blog.

I almost always read the last page of the book first…so I’ll start with my very Favorite Oscar 2012 look of all.

Emma Stone in Giambattista Valli.

Seriously, y’all. How could you not know this is my FAVORITE?!!!

It’s a scrumptious shade of cardinal red and it has a big ol bow. Enough said.

I love it. It’s perfect. I want it in my closet.

~

Next in line, is the fun flirty Louis Vuitton worn by Michelle Williams.

That coral hue is stunning. The detailing of ruffles, the peplum, and the bow brooch at her waist.

Not to mention the contrast of a pink hand bag. It’s just sweet & demure.

~

My next favorite look at the Oscars… TOM!!!

Now, together, in your best Father of the Bride wedding planning Franz accent

“Is he wearing a NAVY tux-a-do? Armani doesn’t make a Nah-vy tux-a-do. “

Apparently, Georgio has come around since 1992 and ol cutie patootie Tom rocked the midnight blue.

But really, the tux is ok. It’s cut well. But it’s not about the tux. (And I definitely don’t care about Katie. She looks fine and all)

What I really want to know is where is this fountain of youth from which Tom drinks? He did not look this young in MI3, y’all.

Is this transformation the result of some anti-aging Dianetics kool-aid or a great secret surgeon.

Three movie sequels and I guess Tom can accomplish the impossible?

Whatever it is – he looks like Top Gun Tom. Maverick. Good ol’ Pete Mitchell is back.

swoon.

~

Next up and last in my official Red Carpet favorites:

Viola Davis in Vera Wang

I definitely do not think these pictures do this dress justice. This is one of my all time favorite colors.

I had a prom dress this color in eighth grade. It was Jessica McClintock. It was strapless, with tiered ruffles with beaded detailing around the top.

I’m pretty sure Vera was inspired by it to make this version. Lucky for Viola, her mom didn’t make her sew dorky spaghetti straps on it.

It’s still a sore subject. Little does mom know, I tucked them in my dress when I wore it again that summer for a band camp formal.

Yeah, I wore strapless dress. And a boy asked to hold my hand that night. I guess strapless dresses are more alluring.

( Dear Mom – Before you feel I disobeyed… just remember, my brother, your precious middle son had to secretly replace ALL the living room and dining room carpet after a party he threw while you & dad were on vacation. Let’s just keep things in perspective. )

~

Ok… now we’re getting to some gorgeous and FUN dresses.

The After Party

Claire Danes in Valentino

She looks amazing in this watermelon hue. J’adore this ultra feminine look with the ruffles, the polka dots.

It just screams happy girly girl.

LOVE!

~

Next up, at the party and after a quick costume change, a favorite award goes again to

Emma Stone. This time in Chanel Couture

I have a thing for black illusion – not gonna lie. I’m definitely a product of the 90s.

I love when an elegantly prim dress throws a peek-a-boo curve ball.

~

Another costume change…

One that I think was way better than her red carpet look.

Cameron Diaz in Victoria Beckham.

Orange you glad you changed, Cameron? I mean this cut and color look phenomenal with her lean physique and her coloring.

That silver here-to-eternity zipper is a to die for detail.

This is just down right sexy in a fun way. And that’s the best way to be sexy – in my opinion.

(i.e. Angelina is scary sexy. Scary sexy is not fun. Just ask her left leg. )

~

Last, and certainly not least —

Kate Bosworth in Prabal Gurung

See, I told you I had thing for black illusion and sexy fun. The beading, the illusion, the belt.

This is just a perfect party dress especially when you have gams like hers.

Oh, And I’m totally coveting those 120mm Louboutin Pigalles.

Yeah, those shoes are on my incentive list this year when I hit a few of my 2012 goals. They’ll be mine in a few more weeks. Lord willin.

I don’t need a golden statue, I’m happy with the shoes.

So there you go, Thanks for tuning into the 1st ever Favorite Things Friday dedicated to the Oscars.

Hooray for Hollywood for bringing the style this year.

Hooray, it’s the weekend!

Hope you have a happy, glamorous weekend no matter what color carpet you tread.

xxoo,

boots

(images via Pinterest )

Part of my well-penned plans –  a work part that excited me, thrilled me, got me going in the morning and had me dashing out the door to begin my daily tasks –  was deleted from my to-do list in the blink of eye.

Someone changed their mind.  Simple as that.

“It’s not personal.  It’s business.”

Those lines ripped from the scenes of the classic movie The Godfather and used by Joe Fox to counsel Kathleen Kelly in You’ve Got Mail were echoing in my head as I felt the punch to my stomach and the air leave my body in a gasp.

I never saw it coming.

I was disillusioned. Disoriented.  Then disappointed.   Anger simmered below my surface.   I did my best to keep my cool.

I didn’t cry.   I wasn’t going to cry.    Then I got home, and I cried.

Then,  I prayed.   I cried out to God the whiney spoiled-brat cry of “why?!”

With the patience of a re-directing parent reminding HIS child once again,  God pointed me back to a most unexpected place…my last leadership blog post.

Alignment.

When I wrote that post about aligning personal goals and resolutions with God’s plan for us,  I never anticipated I’d be back chewing on those words for myself this quickly into 2012.

Plans change.  To-do lists get adjusted in the blink of eye.  Were my action items and to-do’s in line with God’s plan for me?   I thought they were.

Did yesterday’s blip change my personal daily mission or the God-given vision for where I feel I’m called?   No, it didn’t.

I let that sink in a bit.   Yesterday’s disappointment may have changed my to-do list for the coming weeks.   But it didn’t change my ultimate future.   Peace took hold.   This hurt was momentary.   I would be ok.

Keeping my eyes on the prize,  aligning myself and anchoring myself to a higher calling beyond my 2012 means I woke up this morning with an understanding that God was simply reminding me… He’s got this.

Even if I can’t trust others to keep their word,  I can trust HIS WORD.    His plans are higher.

Do I want that to-do list back?   No. Not now.

Today  was filled with unexpected, unplanned blessings I never would’ve received without yesterday’s disappointment.    The turn around time on this life lesson is amazing.

God has astonished me.    Truly, that was my ultimate goal for this year.  Right?   Didn’t I write that I wanted to let God astonish me?   Guess what,  he has.

I pray you have the joy of allowing him to astonish you, too.

I can’t wait to see what the next 11 months have in store.

gracefully yours,

boots,

xxoo

(images via misswallflower.tumblr, crushculdesac.tumblr.com )

I am always  energized, motivated, captivated and inspired by the insanely creative types who can marry two different worlds of thought and create a fresh new view from a traditional source.

I was blown away when I discovered  the music of  Two Cellos.  They are amazing classical celloists who found an innovative way to express their talents.   I can’t get enough of this rocking, creative, inspiring performance.

Guns N Roses never sounded so proper and cellos never sounded so wicked cool.

Now, get out of your box this weekend.

Do Something – differently.   Push Yourself.

Most of all,  have fun.

Cheers & Rock on,

boots

xxoo

By now we are making a couple of weeks headway into those resolutions.    This is a good time to do a gut check.

If there is any hope of achieving the plans and goals written prettily across the page,  they must first ALIGN with the plans that God has for us.

We must ask ourselves,

“Are these plans MY plans?  Are they for me and my benefit?   Are they for  my glory?”

If the answer is yes, even if we successfully check off every lofty goal we’ve set,  we’ll ring in 2013 feeling hollow.

Last week,  I sat down with the CEO of our company.  We reviewed my 2012 goals and plans.   Before our meeting, I had studied our company’s strategic plan and used it to guide my  professional goal setting.  My boss seem well pleased with the presentation. He gave feedback and encouragement. He tweaked a few plans for the better.  Both the company and myself are poised for success.

Can you imagine the disastrous outcome had I walked into his office with what I conceived to be GREAT ideas that had nothing to do with who our company is or where we going?   What if  I did what I wanted to do,  without regard to the bigger picture?  Without aligning my goals with the company’s goals, I labor in vain.

The same is true when I fail to align my heart with God’s plan through prayer, scripture reading, and friends who hold me accountable.

Getting our vision, personal mission, our values, our strengths,  our goals,  and resolutions in line with God’s plan for us is a tough, soul searching process.   If you don’t even have a clue to this process,   a great place to start is with the Woman on a Mission Bible Study written by Linda Slaton.  I participated in the group two years ago, and I am forever grateful for the clarity and peace God gave me through the work.

I have an audacious vision of where I am called to go in life.    The goals I’ve set, put me closer to achieving that vision.   My intentions are good and I’ve done my best to align my ways with His.   Here’s the rub and possibly my greatest challenge… leaving room in the plans and  the good to allow God to astonish me.    I think it’s a challenge for most of us.   We take our grand ideas and our human brains cannot begin to fathom them in higher ways.   He calls us to seek Him first. Put him  FIRST ….at  the top of goals, our dreams, our visions, our resolutions, our to-do list….and all these things…. these wonderful, amazing opportunities we could never have orchestrated in our own ways…will be added to us. I have total faith if we yield to Him and give him space in our plans and our hearts,  he WILL wow us.

It’s my prayer and a challenge for us as we set sail further into 2012,  let’s go back to those resolution lists and add at the very top:

#1.   Let God Astonish Us

gracefully yours,

boots

xxoo

Along with the new year are new hopes, resolutions, and dreams.

I’ve been impressed and inspired by the BIG ideas that have crossed my blog reader and twitter stream.

To me, there’s nothing better than sitting down with a clean slate, daydreaming big (and small) ideas and the steps to achieve those goals.

I’ve spent the better part of the last 2 weeks on my own and working with others to hone my own plans for 2012.  Planning, strategizing and putting goals and programs into action is what I  do professionally.  It’s what I’ve always done, whether it was planning a party,  a patient’s health goals, a clients diet plan,  or a marketing plan,    The strategy remains basically the same.    What I use at the office, I use on a personal level to build a better …well,  me.

In my experience,  a key element  to move lofty goals and pretty plans from paper into action and results is effective communication.

Effective communication allows us and others to understand, internalize and focus.  I do this by whittling and wordsmithing my goals into a single word or simple phrase.  Quick bites I can easily recite and use  to outline / structure my actions.

For my personal goals, I post these words in places I see numerous times a day.  For example,  they are on the home screen of my phone &  the inspiration board by my desk.

I also use them daily/weekly in MyAgenda ( yes, I’m old school.  I like a handwritten calendar).

Along the side bar each week, I write my 5 words/ phrases.  Then, I make sure I’m doing something each week to move me closer to achievement of the particular benchmarks I’ve set within each goal.  I schedule my workouts,  write my meal plans,  track my volunteer commitments, and make notes of birthdays and names of friend to whom I want to drop a note.   This is where I’m also adding my blog post ideas this year.

5 words or phrases.  I love the simplicity.

move more• eat well • share • save • grow

The repetition becomes a cadence  for marching forward to better self in 2012.  Now that is something to cheer for!

Do you have a secret to organizing and achieving your goals?   Do you  word or phrases to inspire you this year?  I’d love to hear.

[ In the next few days, I'll SHARE with you another strategy I use in successfully setting & meeting goals ]

Cheers + Happy New Year!

xxoo,

boots