Christmas Magic...

The last few days for me have been very trying. Between work which is suddenly super busy and preparing for Christmas which this year is very challenging due to steep paycuts earlier in the year I have been trying to come up with ideas which will fufill my need for a beautiful holiday season in a very budget concious way. To that note, I just wrote "Santa" letters to my Niece, Gabby Nephew, Miller and to my little buddy, Nick ( a dear friends son) I also drew the Owner of my Companies name for Secret Santa and decided to donate a selection of toys, books, and games in his name to Toys for Tots.
I feel way more relaxed now..Thanks for letting me share. xo

The weekend....

The weekend is finally here after a week of challenges and oodles of holiday activities I am looking forward to a Friday evening filled with peace and quiet activities like Holiday Card writing and perhaps finally seeing "Julie & Julia" tommorow will be filled with friends and soiree's galore. What are you doing this weekend Lovelies??

Holiday Magic

Although I am an adult, I still feel enjoy the magical feeling that comes this time of the year. Between the twinkly lights and the warm fuzzy feeling that seems to lace the air. I have made a conscious decison to celebrate the Holidays the same way this year as I have done every other year although this year on a much simpler scale with twice as much love and appreciation for everyone and everything that has touched my life. I am planning on taking as many yoga classes as possible and planning small get togethers with old friends. I partook in an ornament swap, which was a fun first for me! Thank you to Micaela @ Dolce Vita for arranging such a fun event! We do Secret Santa at work and I get to be Santa to...well if I told there would be no magic and that is such a great part of this season- it doesn't matter if you celebrate Christmas, Hannakuah, Kwanza, Festivus or just partake in the warm loving feeling of being around friends and family. I wish you all 11 days til the first day of Hannakuah or 24 Sleeps til Santa comes to fill your stocking. However you choose to celebrate..enjoy!!! xoxo Carolyn

Weekend Fun

I hope that everyone enjoys a relaxing and restful weekend. I plan on lots of naps, yoga, long walks through crispy leaves, window shopping and wine with friends. What are you planning to do??

xoxo Carolyn

Remembering Irene

During the winter of 2005 I was going through many positive life changes one which included getting into shape. To assist with that facet I decided to power walk the Fairfield Connecticut Half Marathon with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training. During this time I met a great woman named Irene Berg. Irene and I hit it off immedaitely. We talked about all kinds of things during these walks and since we took up the tail end of the walking group we got to know each other pretty well. Irene was very open about how she discovered she had a form of Leukemia and had needed a Bone Marrow transplant to help heal her from the disease. None of her family members were a match however a match was found within a gentleman living in the West Coast. She had the transplant and than onto the recovery stage. Recovery from a BM transplant is like none other. She could not enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables- to much risk for contamination. She could only eat processed foods. Six months into her recovery she told her Doctor she was yearning to taste a fresh tomato. She had to wait another full month until she was allowed to do so. A couple of months after that she was allowed to go to a restaurant something that she was unable to do for the better part of a year. She told me that all of her Co Workers took her to a brunch..and she enjoyed it immensely.
As the race approached I received an email one day from Irene asking me if I would be her "Walking Buddy" as I was doing this race more for the cause and general excercise and frankly could care less what place I came in I was flattered and pleased and immediately said yes. Best decision EVER! We walked the race, with me acting as your typical Italian Mother reminding Irene to drink her water and eat her snacks. She was a little nervous since we were again at the tail end of the race that we would be left behind..I in my usual care free way told her not to worry..the Fairfield Fire Department was hosting this..and I was the Fire Chief's Personal Banker and he was not going to let anything happen to me. Around mile 9 Irene started to not feel well and together we got on the bus back to the starting line and walked through the finish line. We accomplished it! That day started a wonderful friendship. We would meet at the Danbury Mall which was halfway between our homes and walk it. We walked the Light the Night which is a very short walk..where everyone was gracious enough to let Irene head the walk.
Last year around this time, Irene got sick again. She went to Boston for treatment and was there for several months. She needed a new BM transplant. She received the transplant and all seemed to be going well- I received an email from her 2 weeks ago. She got sick and contracted pneumonia. Sadly she passed away this past Sunday November 15th. Her Cousin, Pam, remembered me from the walk and emailed me the sad news. I am so terribly sad and yet she FOUGHT. She fought her disease with a smile and such strength. Irene taught me so much and I will miss you terribly. May you Rest in Peace.

xoxo Love, Carolyn

Family Weddings and other Musings..

I Love my family and this weekend I have had a lot of family! My cousin was married last evening in a pretty gazebo ceremony followed by oodles of hugs, laughs, dancing and yes cosmopolitans! What a lovely evening it was. The vibe was love the reception venue oozed it. I am still feeling warm and fuzzy this morning :-) I just had to write that immediately..now I am off to a family brunch than to South Beach for the day! Au Revoir mes Amies. xoxo

Take a step back and breathe

I have been feeling really out of balance lately. I can feel it in my muscles, my lack of yoga practice and sleeplessness. Work has taken over a little more of my energy lately- much more than it should. There have been alot of not well received changes and as an empath I take them all in. There is negative MoJo is rampid in the office. I am thankful that a dear Friend has come back to work and I am hopeful that we can help each other remain positive. I am also going to a family wedding next week in hopefully sunny Florida and plan on sleeping in, lots of beach walks, yoga and visits with a couple of girlfriends that live there. I am hoping that this get away helps bring back some of the much needed balance in my life..

xoxo Carolyn