A Moment of Thanks

***I’ve recently just started my third Gratitude/Happiness Journal. Ever since Oct. 7, 2007, every day, I have written at least three things that made me happy that day. It’s a nice way to look back over the past 5 years and see how much there truly is to be thankful for.***

There’s a lot to be thankful for this year. And I wouldn’t know where to start. But luckily, one of the things I’m thankful for just walked into the room.

Matthias was a missing link in our family before showing up nine years ago. I often forget just the kind of family dynamic and power he brings, mainly because when I see or talk to him, it’s just us. After surprising Mom last night, it hit me as we spent nearly 3 hours at the dinner table. As he and Mom sat there catching up and having thoughtful conversations, it dawned on me; underneath his huge muscle mass, he’s a huge softie. He loves family. He loves laughing. And he loves those close to him so very much.

No matter the time that passes, he always has a place in our house. Even Oscar the dog was smitten with Matthias, refusing to leave his side all morning. I’m thankful that Mom and I have someone like this in our lives. Someone who gets up at 6:30 while he’s on vacation to cook you his family’s special eggs before you head off to work. Someone who sings along at a very (some may say insane) high octave while you clean the kitchen.  Someone who does pretty much anything to get a laugh out of you.

He’s more than a friend and brother. He’s our German Destroyer. And I’m thankful he barged through our lives nearly a decade ago and made himself right at home. Hope everyone has an equally fantastic Thanksgiving holiday.

Sending Mom off to work after cooking her the most important meal of the day. He went back to bed immediately after she left.

Fam Fest 2012

For this year’s Fam Fest/Gram Fest, we decided to participate in St. Louis Public Radio‘s MetroQuest–an adventure around St. Louis using only your feet and MetroLink (and okay wheels in our case). Rounding out our team were our fearless leaders, Grammy and Grandpa, Aunt Nan, Aunt Suzi, Mom and myself. Aunt Suzi named us (“Fam-A-Lam-A-Ding-Dongs”) and Mom dressed us (in capes and white sunglasses courtesy of Stoli). Then we literally were off.

Fam-A-Lam-A-Ding-Dongs

Taking flight at the first Metro Stop

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Along each stop, you answered trivia and completed challenges. Not having a smartphone, we didn’t upload our photos to the site for points. Instead, we were the team creating chaos and laughter along the way. Case in point: the elevator.

It was here the wheels of the Gramses’ got tangled and refused to come apart.  While the elevator door opened and closed at the Metro station, Grandpa used his cane to make it stop and Grammy attempted to use her arm. All to no avail. I made sure to document the fact the sisters could barely get it together in the back to figure out a plan.

Upon exiting, I think everyone was newly invigorated as we took the Missouri History Museum by storm in our photo scavenger hunts.

Sing “Proud Mary” to a stranger. And to think, we were rollin’ all day!

Your best 50s housewife pose in the pink kitchen

Proudly display the beaver pelts

All in all, the day might have started out with this….

But it ended like this. Successful Fam Fest 2012!

Rock the Boat

Twenty years ago, Mom moved us from St. Charles to Oakville. And now, Mom’s jumped ship and headed back out to St. Charles.

Despite the teary moments I had packing up the childhood home, it’s clear to see her complete and utter glee for her new ‘hood.

Bringing the Kid Out

Yesterday marked “Bring Your Child to Work Day.” For the first time, MW hosted programming for employees’ kids to come in and spend time with each of our departments while learning a little bit of the Werkers’ lifestyles. I got to spend some time with the kids when we had them create logos for themselves.

And I finally figured out why Mom was also so persistent in bringing me. Because adults that bring kids get a much needed free-esque day in the office. I was super jealous the whole time. But it wasn’t because of my co-workers–it was their kids.

This day used to be one of my favorites growing up. It meant a free day out of school. A day to color with Art Directors and swing on the wooden swing behind the Travel Company building at Maritz. I can remember standing in a TV studio not really paying attention, because I was so entranced with the lights. I can remember meeting Mom’s friends who were “copywriters” and thinking they did things like “© 1994.”

Looking back, I saw those days as more of just a time I got to dress up and pretend to be something other than a kid. Little did I know how much those “copywriters” at Maritz would affect my life and career. So thanks Mom for always pushing me to go. For showing me that a cafeteria doesn’t necessarily mean an elementary cafeteria (though it often does). And thanks for showing me your secret hideaways at work. All of these moments instilled in me that you can have a messy desk full of toys and still be productive. You can walk away and shoot out zingers while still being highly respected by your co-workers. And that a day at the office where you weren’t ready to pull your hair out and wasn’t spent 50% of the time laughing, is not complete.

Thanks for all that. But should I lose those lessons between now and next year, you might be the recorded employee with the eldest child at the annual day.

RedBall Project

Saw this total cool, traveling exhibit from artist Kurt Perschke. He plants a red ball in various spaces throughout the city. Apparently it’s already come to Chicago and I’ve missed it. And it already appeared in St. Louis (how Mom missed this is beyond me). Guess I’ll just have to hit up another city!

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So Long Winter Blues, Hello Blue Man

It’s no secret that life in Chicago during the winter months is well, bleak. And even though this winter hasn’t been all that terrible, the fact that it’s winter and dark when you walk out of the office is depressing as hell. And that Lake Effect wind I just love in the spring, summer and fall is just brutal during this time of year. It’s why I always escape with a trip for a while. And why I’m ever so thankful Mom makes the voyage up here for a little trip. It feels like I’m getting away, without really going anywhere.

This time, Grandpa Norm made the trip up with Mom. We had ourselves a fantastic time and shared many laughs during their 3-day visit. Grandpa got to see where I work (Mom: “It’s like the kids are running the zoo”), see where I live, hang out with Maggie (Maggie: “I asked if I could hug him”) and enjoy all this city has to offer under bleak skies. We celebrated the city’s 175th birthday, caught a Blue Man Group show and saw The Artist in the only way you should, in a theatre.

At the end of the trip, Grandpa Norm turns to me and says, “I can see why you love it so much here.” Seal of approval that I’m doing a-okay in life.

Hanging with a Blue Man

The Moving Talkie

I recently finished the book, The Film that Changed My Life by Robert Elder. It’s a collection of interviews that Elder has with many of today’s top directors as they tell the films that changed their way of thinking. Their way of making. And their way of editing.

It got me thinking too. While a ton of these movies I haven’t seen, I thought for sure I would pick a movie that was a classic as mine. I thought of movies I watched growing up and continue to watch today, but did any of them really move me the way these directors were moved?

And it was then that I realized the film that truly has stuck with me, shaped me and continues to amaze me.

That film: A League of Their Own. To my mom, high school and college friends, this probably comes as no surprise. It’s a movie that I quote frequently, a movie I’m always watching and a movie I’m constantly recommending.

In his book, Elder always asked “Where were you when you first saw the film?” and “What about this film stuck with you?” I’m not a director, but I have been editing a lot of video at work, so maybe I am…

Where were you when you first saw the film?

I cannot remember where I first saw this film. It came out in the Summer of 1992, which makes me think I probably saw it with either my mom or dad simply because it was girls playing baseball, and I was a girl, playing softball. But I can remember the day I unwrapped the VHS on my birthday a few years later and the joy I felt seeing Dottie Henson, Jimmy Dugan and All the Way Mae on the cover.

What about this film stuck with you?

Apart from being a gal who enjoyed baseball, I love the drama of this film. And how it encompasses pretty much everything: love, sports, girl power, sibling struggles, war, a singing number, a dancing number and 1940s dress.

But I think my love affair with the film began when I met a “real” All-American Girl, Pepper Paire. It was one of those sports conventions my dad took me to. And it was filled with trading cards everywhere and then I caught wind of this “girl” ball player there.

She signed a photo for me that has literally followed me wherever I am. Always hanging from the same spot in the room, right by the door.. from my bedroom, to college, to Phoenix and now, Chicago. It’s very faded, her writing, “To Hanna! My best friend! Best Wishes!” is barely even visible. I’m sure my 9 year-old-self loved that “best friend” sentiment.

In fact, my 26-year-old still does.

Is there a movie that’s shaped who you are? And one you just find yourself rewatching from time to time (despite being able to play the whole movie in your head)?

Andy’s Last Stand

Sunday, the one and only Andy Rooney sat down and did his last essay for 60 Minutes. The show itself brings up memories of my mom making dinner with this on in the background. And it wasn’t until I was much older that I began to appreciate Mr. Rooney’s words of wisdom. This past Sunday was no different.

Beware, Mother-Daughter Date Night

Mom crushes on George Clooney. I crush on Ryan Gosling. And now, the two came together for a movie. And here’s the thing, it’s a movie that looks fantastic. Like Michael Clayton meets Fracture meets State of Play.

Clearly we’ve got a movie date on our hands this October. Trailer below for Ides of March.

Belated : We Survived

Mum and I had a Mother/Daughter trip to KC a few weeks ago for the Mumford & Sons show. We had no idea what we were walking in to, but I must say, Mom put up quite the fight and survived 5+ hours in this after driving across the state of Missouri:

Mom wins Mother of the Year for this one