Superman Schuyler!

Looking at the photos I took this past week - this truly is my favorite  --- besides the group pic I posted earlier this week.

This is my favorite photo because you can see the energy in Schuyler's hands, his outstretched fingers, the smile up to the sky, his legs spread perfectly apart and the ribs sticking out really show he is making an effort.  The blue from the pool and the green trees in the background just make the photo feel fresh and colorful!

The boys had so much fun Lucas' 9th birthday at the pool and Schuyler was hamming it up with the "Superman" pose.  So cool.  They grow up way too fast, and I want to enjoy every moment.  I am so glad that I am a photographer and can capture these fun photos and smile so much when I look through them posting my faves of the day!  Enjoy!

The Beauty of Wildflowers - Macro Monday

It has been a while since I have posted to the photography memes and I just was dying to share this classic flower photo with hovering bee....  such a cool shot!  I was waiting in the light rain for my husband who was off to get tools to fix the broken down motorcycle, so I busied myself with photographing the wild flowers.

Please leave a comment if you stop by!

A Year in photos

Photos from this past year!

 Top left to right:

Judy and I at the RFL Staff Meeting

Kim stopping by in her way home from Maine - first time I have seen her in almost 20 years!

Team IZOCA at the Troy Turkey Trot

Steve & I hiking up Mount Snow - early season training

Schuyler's group photo at his birthday on the Cedar Works playset

My Family at the Long Horn after the VCM

ACS friends - Stacy, Dana, Colleen & Jane - in Atlanta

Steve & I - Thanksgiving at the Ma Family house

RFL Nationwide Staff -- Judy, Kyadrine, Samantha & more

My family expanded version at Thanksgiving

Steve & I on the Moomba

Kelli Barry with me at the finish of the Dave Barry Memorial 5 miler in Hatfield

Veteran's Day with Schuyler & Steve

Steve's family at Bob's house when Krissy came to visit

Washington DC - the finish of the MCM

Olivia & Judy at the Relay Summit 2009

Families Fighting Cancer - Family Highlights

Results from my creative fundraising idea to take portraits of local families slowly is catching on. I have 4 families that have said yes, and was able to shoot 2 beautiful families this weekend.... and including my own family - that makes 3!

It was so much fun to spend some time with the Courchesne Family at their beautiful home and capture their smiles! The O'Connell's were so happy to get together as a family, and although the rain continued to pour outside we were able to get some nice photos. All the beauty of the foliage outside makes us want to get together again and soon! At home having the same issues of getting out on the rocks before nightfall proved to be a family photo inside for us as well. Here are my favorites from the weekend! Enjoy!

Here is a link to the original posting that shows the fundraising flyer I created. If your family would still like schedule a time, my time is short for weekends, and the leaves are changing fast, but please let me know! $125 donation to the American Cancer Society toward my fundraising efforts for the Boston Marathon 2010!



Thank you for your support!

Sue Ann & Jeremy's Wedding

These are my favorite photos from Sue Ann & Jeremy's wedding. The rain continued that night and they had their ceremony inside after having planned it on the beach, and it was really a very special service. They both wrote the ceremony and a friend, Justice of the Peace performed the service. It was great to finally meet all of Sue Ann's sisters (5) and the DJ played some really fun songs that Steve & I danced the whole time that we were there. Judy came up from Atlanta and rode with us over from our hotel to the event and we met some really cool folks at our table. Sue Ann & Jeremy are now on their honeymoon in Mexico - - what a perfect match!

Sue Ann's Shower!

Photos from the event -
Manifesto gifts
Pic of Sue Ann & Me
Dog House Dice Website to check it out (SO very funny!)

Manifesto (for a great relationship)

I made the trip to Meriden CT to Sue Ann's wedding shower with her office friends this morning. I put together a kit to give as a gift and trying to incorporate some "rules to live by". Then I had a great idea to incorporate this Manifesto from a super movie (Jack & Jill vs the world) that we watched the other day. See below my note to Sue Ann. I also thought this could be a great activity at a shower asking people to offer their own rules - or give someone one rule and you can give the guest of honor the Manifesto as part of the shower. I listed the presents that I wrapped and put in the package too! Each person could give a gift that relates to their "rule" too - many ways you can incorporate the idea. I thought it was very cool. Others loved it too.




September 4, 2008

To Sue Ann
Happy Shower! Happy Life!
You are the greatest that a friend could be and I am so happy to share in your time with friends at the shower here today… but more importantly to be able to support you at every chance that you may need me (whether you reach out or not)… remember I am here for you!

Steve & I watched this movie the other day and my original idea was to put together a marriage survival kit, but I thought this had a much better spin to it where the positive nature shines in each rule. I added my own rules and you & Jeremy can add your own too in sharing with Jeremy… Sharing, loving, & communication is key!

Manifesto( for a great relationship
(from the movie Jack & Jill vs the world)

Rule 1 Be Honest
Rule 2 Believe in Fairy Tales
Rule 3 Accept Time as our Friend
Rule 4 Make Sure the Nooky is Good
Rule 5 Promote Beauty. Wage a Sustained Campaign Against Ugliness
Rule 6 Abandon the Pursuit of Happiness & its False Promise
Rule 7 Show compassion, Except to Pirates
Rule 8 Less TV
Rule 9 Always be willing to admit when you are wrong

(My additions)
Rule 10 Have a sense of humor (Doghouse Dice)
Rule 11 Keep it Spicy! Change it up! (Hot Pepper Jelly)
Rule 12 Listen to the music that makes you wanna dance! (A home made CD of my fave dance music)
Rule 13 Remember It’s ok to drink cheap wine (GOOD cheap wine!) McManis (she turned me on to it so she totally loved it!)
Rule 14 Take a lot of photos, & keep a journal of your life – so you NEVER forget all the good times (little photo album with a photo of her and Jeremy)

Don’t forget to make up your own!
Smile on!
With love, your friend –

Nancy E. Cook

My ACS girls.... friends across the country!

Kyla, Naomi Jane & Shawn in front of Stats in Atlanta on my visit last week.




Naomi, Jane Shawn & me!

I love this group of women... I feel so blessed when I connect with friends from all over the country and it "clicks".

Kyla
I met her probably 7 years ago when she worked for Mid South division as the Relay Director. She was the luminaria chair of the first Celebration on the Hill. Always friendly and nice, and a friend of Shawn's, so when she left the Society and wanted to come back Shawn would connect us all together to search for suitable positions so we could get her back in the Society.... then she was finally hired by Jim and works on my team now as the Manager of the NTP for Strides and other projects. We talk daily it seems and really lend eachother's ear to one another when needed. Mostly work related, but also personal, we have become really good friends. She lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee and drives to Atlanta in 1 1/2 hours. She has 2 teenage kids that she loves so much.... A very stylish person with a beautiful smile!

Jane
She has worked for the Society for 30 years - starting in the Florida Division and then to National. I met Jane back when the NTP started and she was working with Quest Diagnostics. She always had such good insight to corporations and from the income side of the house - - how to incorporate all that "we" do into the relationships. We have worked together very closely now since then (almost 8 years now) and go to the RFL Summit together every year. I have served on many workgroups with and for Jane - - and our friendship has also evolved throughout the years. She is a really sweet and smart person that I have come to know and really enjoy her company at these events. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia, is the president of her garden club and has finally found the man of her dreams! : ) (we have that in common too)

Naomi
Naomi rocks... she is a real "can do" person. In life and in her job, which she is the analyst of data for our corporate group and does an amazing job. I am always impressed with her response time and commitment to get it all done for everybody. Her dry sense of humor and straight shooter personality really adds life to data - which not many have that skill. I love working with her and I really have had a great time getting to know her and her son and husband through various newsletters they send to update on the happenings of the family. She lives on a 200 acre lake outside of Atlanta and is boating this weekend. She stays in shape with exercise .... and our common bond at meetings is our love for good coffee (gourmet) black and hot coffee! We laugh about it every meeting. I have known Naomi for about 3 years now and each year we get closer and closer as friends too. She made this interactive power point to analyze my birthday. Very cute indeed - and a true friend to remember my birthday in a special way.

Shawn
I have some other posts about Shawn, as we have been very close through some very hard times. For me and for her. She has been there for me as a really close friend, although she lives in Paducah, Kentucky, it seems as though she was right next door when I needed her the most. She is currently going through a tough time in her life since her daughter Hilary was in this horrible car accident. You have to check Hillary's blog to see the latest, but it seems like there is always something happening and the prayers are needed daily. I have a link right on my blog to the Hilablog and read it at least once a week. Shawn will always be my dear friend. I miss her daily chats, but know she has so much going on... and that we will always have a connection.

My friends mean so much to me - - and I have so many great ones spread all over this country... Atlanta, Chattanooga, Paducah & more!

Friends: Judy Reichling

It isn't more than a day that I don't hear from my friend Judy - who lives in Atlanta with her husband Tom in Lawrenceville, GA.
She has two great boys (Matt & Andy) who I have met and spent a little time with through the years (each have also spent time with Schuyler which is cool!). We have been friends since the days of MAXX and RETS - - and those in ACS world can appreciate that this was LONG ago. Especially since we are beyond Kintera, into Convio and heavy into SIEBEL! :) I have been with ACS now 14 years and she has been close to 16 years so we have known eachother for more than 10 years! Thick & thin, she has been there for me. We have many stories to tell! shhhhhhh

I really have enjoyed our friendship, the many mornings that we have run together in various cities that we visit for Relay meetings. She is one person I can always count on being there for me, not expecting too much, but a sensitive caring friend that I know really deep down will be there for me. We have run a few marathons together, tried to get groups together to visit and go and really only got together on 3 of them (Disney, Chicago & the Woodstook 1/2). She visited me when Schuyler was a baby, and then again when things were "rough" and now just recently in my new happy life here in Belchertown. She has seen me through so much and like I said has been there - at least every other day (Even on weekends) to encourage me in my racing and just to talk about work or whatever needs to be accomplished. Cheers to Judy - my dear friend, running partner, colleague and more!

Here are some great photos from the wedding.
It was really funny when I asked Judy to do my hair - when I decided not to go professional, because she does such a GREAT job with her own hair and I pick on her so much for taking so much time on her hair when we travel to meetings... she was the PERFECT hairdresser for me. : ) My friend - and the best hairdresser ever!

Flash from the past! Searching the archives...

Looking for some photos for my dear friend Kevin who has something up his sleeve... I came across some classics to post on my blog. Friends, smiles, good times, conferences that really made a difference and celebrating volunteerism with some of my long time favorites.

1. Jim & Angela

2. Phylecia(GA), Sandra (WI) from GE , John Klika (WI), Pat Flynn (WA) - from last year's recognition

3. Arlene (MA) & Kristie (NY)

4. Bobbie Johnson (CA)

5. Ava Volandes (NY)

"The Other Nancy"

Photos:
1. At the sign - Nancy coaches C group devo this year and is always a smiling face. She loves her kids and does such an incredible job coaching!
2. With her son - What a great kid (is really good with Schuyler at the Lodge and on the mountain - a new friend!), and good skier too! They are a super family we are blessed to have in our lives.
3. With Fred at the "Glug" party - Sangria and vodka (or what else was in that mix?) - Crazy party, fun people...
4. Crazy hat day with another "Nancy" fan!

Nancy was designated in pre-season to "watch over me". Margarite and Nancy... when I knew no one and needed friends, just starting at Mt. Snow. These girls took me under their wing. We have grown to be better friends through this year (although we haven't skied together) as coaches, hanging out at the meeting every Monday and her great support of Schuyler too! So happy she is my / OUR friend and Vinnie her husband is great too. Looking forward to a lasting friendship with this family!

"Kat"

We are so happy to have Kat back in our life! When Schuyler was 3 months to 1 year old Kat was one of the girls from St. Andrews Church that took care of him for me while I was at work. Now 5 years later, she is going to Smith College in Northampton and is such a joy to have here in the "Happy Valley". When looking for help with Schuyler I emailed her and we were so fortunate to have her schedule open to come stay with us from time to time and spend a morning or 2 a week last semester. Such a sweet girl and good with Schuyler, we love to have her here!

"Tina"

My friend Tina - I miss her so much. She was my running partner for more than 2 years in Sunapee and would faithfully be waiting at the end of her driveway with at first Gemini and then Nutmeg... I will never forget the day I went to run with her and she was alone (I had been gone for 3 days)... "where's Gemini?" I asked, and she was in tears... "He was hit in front of our house" - We ran by that spot (which at first was a stain in the road and even when I drove by I cried). It was horrible. I missed him so... Oakley missed him so much too..... Then Gemini came ... what a gorgeous sweet girl! Chocolate lab, and full of energy. Tina did a lot of research to find Nutty and it was truly worth it. This pic is of us at the CIGNA road race - where she asked me to run with her group from New London Hospital. She is the CFO there and spends a lot of time working. She coaches her daughter's soccer team and goes to St. Andrews where I used to go to church too. They are such a great family and we are blessed to have them in our lives. Can't wait for the family trip to see us at Mt. Snow!
Cheers to Tina - for her committment to her family, for her committment to herself and the community she serves through the hospital and her church, and here's to Tina for all those 5:30 AM wake up calls for frigid dark runs with head lamps on or a trip to the gym for early morning spin class. I miss her dearly...
********

My other favorite photo is this gem of Lily & Nutmeg when they first brought her home to Sunapee. How sweet....



This is something that Tina just sent me around the holidays - I really like it so thought I would share:

Today...I wish you a day of ordinary miracles-

A fresh pot of coffee you didn't have to make yourself.

An unexpected phone call from an old friend.

Green stoplights on your way to work or shop.

I wish you a day of little things to rejoice in...

The fastest line at the grocery store.

A good sing along song on the radio.

Your keys right where you look.

I wish you a day of happiness and perfection-little bite-size pieces of perfection that give you the funny feeling that the Lord is smiling on you, holding you so gently because you are someone special and rare.

I wish You a day of Peace, Happiness and Joy.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them.

Send this phrase to the people you'll never forget
It's a short message to let them know that you'll never forget them.

Love, Tina

"Sarah"

Sarah - dear Sarah - we love Sarah. The training center control center is run by Sarah - Vinnie's right hand girl, she keeps it all together and is very good at keeping it together and organized. Being new to the Training Center, Sarah has been a good friend right from the start, helping me to feel at home, sharing the office space with our active family in the morning and being so great to Schuyler. She is from Minnesota and was a ski racer growing up. We met her mom and her boyfriend at the time over the holidays. Her mom was so proud of her, it was so cool to see them together in action running the volunteers at the race that day. When I met her boyfriend I said "Oh no, Schuyler is going to be so jealous, he loves Sarah!". As soon as Sarah is in the room, no one else matters and Schuyler wanders in to talk and share things with Sarah. She is now waiting tables at TC's (family restaurant of Kelly Clark, olympic gold medalist) and we hope to get down there to see her again next Saturday....

Cheers to our friend Sarah!

"Carol"

My friend Carol from Cincinati, Ohio (photo taken in Dallas at the National Relay Summit last August) - - I saw this photo and needing a photo of the day - this smile made me smile, so I thought I should post and write a little bit about Carol. Funny thing about Carol was that the day we met she blew me off. Yes sir! Forgot all about me - stranded awaiting her warm car at the airport when I flew in to present at the Ohio Summit and meet with her that day. I waundered, waiting, and finally called her - left a message and then caught a cab to the hotel.

Well - she was horrified - a brand new staffer to the Ohio division she felt REALLY bad. It really was no big deal (nobody ever picks me up anyway... I always take cabs). She met me at the restaurant with this big group of "Relayers" that I knew from years past... it was a fun night with that group and Carol was able to join us - again - feeling so bad. I still (jokingly) give her a hard time for blowing me off at the airport! : )

We spent the next day meeting and preparing and "hanging" out - our friendship was immediate, we were a lot alike (she worked 10 years with the Red Cross - where I had spent 2 years) and she had such great energy and enthusiasm for her new position with the ACS - I love people like that! It was a great weekend, working on stuff together. The beginning of a good friendship. She has been so supportive to me this year with all the corporations and trainings, always the first to volunteer and lend a hand. I truly value her as a colleague too! Definitely a top ten and a keeper for a friend! One of those "girlfriends" you can tell anything. Cheers to my friend Carol!

"A Cut Above"

My lucky day - I "won" the silent auction to benefit Schuyler's pre-K in Wilmot (about 3 years ago now...) with certificates to Amber's salon. A pedicure and a haircut - Jessica was able to use the haircut and then I visited for the pedicure. Amber has branched out on her own in her mid twenties with a beautiful shop - separate from her home with all the acoutemants that you would need in a salon and spa. I loved my pedicure - BEST EVER! My haircut? Well the testimonial is that I have so much respect for her skill as a stylist and her ability to chose the right cut for me (and anyone for that matter...) that I cannot go to anyone else (even though from where I am in Western MA it takes 2 1/2 hours to get there) - I waited almost 8 months for this last cut, and it is worth the drive and the time to spend and have the cut to make me feel really good! She has recently been a guest stylist at a salon in Boston (I will find out where) and is doing hair shows for her line of products that she reps and teaches about. She is a little on the shy side, so this is all a great endeavor for her and I must say as a friend, I am very proud of her! But bottom line - I love how she styles my hair, takes the time to curl, gel and make it just right! Take a look!

Christmas Dinner with FRIENDS

Sue Ann and I have been best of friends since the beginning of the Cancer Control at Relay Catalysts in the NEDIV. Boy - is that a funny name of a WORKGROUP or what? Sue Ann is a twin of a family of five girls. Julie is her very cool twin sister and I have spent some good times with the 2 of them together. Schuyler is the fortunate one to have "Sue Sue" as his god mother and she is always so wonderful to have as a friend to talk to about ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. I really treasure her.

She met this really cool guy (enter Jeremy) a few years ago??? It seems like forever ago - - but probably was a 2 years - I think? I just remember his calming and caring nature and how he makes her smile. I have one other pic of them that I took at Samantha's birthday party - but you can see the love radiate when you look at photos of them together. Steve's sister has proclaimed them a "match"! That means a lot! : )

Steve and I have spent a few nights having dinner at our house with Sue Ann & Jeremy, who have been so great to "welcome" me into the Southern NE neighborhood... ha ha... that goes a long way girlfriend! WE CAN'T wait for the wedding!

Dinner Menu at the Cook Home 12/27/07

Wine: Raymond Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, Sunce Meritage 2003, and Terra Aringa (from Chile) 2003 Merlot

Aps: Olives and Almonds (oh how mediterranean!)

Salad: Caprese (Steve's wife special recipe, including the expensive balsamic)

Dinner: Salmon (garlic & thyme) wrapped in Phyllo dough, baby red potatoes with MONTREAL sauce / EVOO and steamed asparagus.

Dessert: Lemon Squares - (see my fave recipe for this scrumptios number!)

YUMMY!


P.S. Oh ya - it was Jeremy that recommended the Boston Marathon Chili below! Can't wait to try it out!