2009 Chicago Marathon

Sunday, October 11th Dan and I volunteered at the Chicago Marathon with my dad's cross country team. We were all downtown by 5:30 a.m. to set up the Start Hydration for the runners. It was a chilly day for the spectators, but ideal weather for the runners. One of Dan's groomsmen [Eric] was running in the race and by pure luck we managed to run Eric's parents at the 13-mile mark. We also got to see Eric run past us!

It was a nice full day for us. As usual we had a great time volunteering at the Chicago Marathon!

Congratulations to Eric and Coach Danner on completing the 2009 Chicago Marathon!

Love Happens

Last week Dan and I went to the movies. He treated me to see Love Happens featuring Jennifer Aniston and Aaron Eckhart. I found this movie to be absolutley delightful! It features a beautiful, well-told story and a nice collection of creditable actors. There was very little language, minimal sexual humor, and no "love scenes" used to "enhance" the storyline... nope, instead it was simply a good story. I always get excited when I find a movie like this one. It just goes to show that true talent can develop a quality story without extra Hollywood junk thrown in. I really enjoyed this movie! I know Dan didn't like it as much as me, but he did enjoy it as well.

So if you want to see a great date movie... be sure to catch Love Happens! Oh, and be sure to pack some tissues... while I didn't full out cry, my eyes certainly watered up.

Double Feature

This past weekend Dan and I made an impulse decision to see our own double feature at the movies. Thankfully this was a "free" outing since we had coupons and gift cards! We saw Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince and District 9. I wanted to see Harry Potter [more] and Dan wanted to see District 9 [more]. We both seemed to enjoy Harry Potter a little bit more - me, a lot more. This Harry Potter played out as though they are laying down a lot of ground work for the next two movies. District 9 was not what I was expecting. Well, honestly, I never really saw any previews for it... only blips and such. It was pretty gross, but I do gross (i.e. Saw), so that wasn't really the problem. The beginning was weird and it took me some time to get into it. Of course it had it's moments that were very well done and it was certainly a unique movie. It's screaming sequel!

In other news, I'm getting over a nasty cold. I keep coughing and then I have a headache all day. No fun... no fun at all. I just keep telling myself, "Really, it has to be over soon." Yesterday I didn't have work, so I spent much of the afternoon in the darkness of my bedroom. It helped.

Last night Dan and I watched the season premiere of House... so good! Dan and I have been watching all previous 5 seasons so that we could be ready for season 6. It was totally worth it! I never had the time to watch House, but now I will gladly make the time.

Remembering Aunt Vera

On Wednesday, August 26th I received a phone call from my mom informing me that my Great Aunt Vera had gone home to be with the Lord. Aunt Vera has been in and out of the hospital since December 2008. A couple of months ago she was diagnosed with Lung Cancer. She wasn't a smoker, so it was rather unfortunate that this was how her precious life was cut short.

Aunt Vera loved music, family, friends, and especially the Lord. Even when she was having terrible coughing fits and had no appetite from radiation treatments, she still said "God is good!" She was generous, thoughtful, and always encouraged others.

Her wake was on Sunday, August 30th. Our family gathered together from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. to observe her in private. From 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. the wake was opened to all other guests who wished to pay their respects. Many arrived to show their support and to celebrate Aunt Vera's life.

The funeral was on Monday, August 31st. It was a lovely service and all who spoke gave beautiful testimonies about Aunt Vera. She was very loved and will be deeply missed... but of course we all have faith that we will see her once again in heaven!

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for my aunt. She was ready to go home and we are comforted by our faith that she is no longer suffering in her cancer-ridden body. Instead, I'm sure that she is running and singing as loud as she can, praising her Creator!

Vera Rose Harrington
April 1928 - August 26, 2009

My 27th Birthday

Not long after Dan's birthday... not long after Kathleen's birthday... my birthday follows! On Friday, August 28th I celebrated my 27th birthday and it was a glorious day!

Dan had to work, but as usual, he woke me up to say good bye - and wish me a happy birthday! I didn't sleep in too late because I wanted to get in the shower and prep myself for a day of looking young and oh-so-fabulous! When I went outside our bedroom and into the living room and dinning area I found a gorgeous bouquet of flowers... pink and white lilies, identical to our wedding flowers! Along with the flowers there was a card from my loving husband. He always manages to find sweet ways to surprise me!

After my shower and some extra grooming time, I went to visit my parents. As usual, my father sang my special birthday song (Donald Duck's 50th Birthday Song, but replacing my name with Donald's) and as usual, my mother sang it like I used to when I was a little girl.

Together we did some grocery shopping and then went out for lunch at Red Robin - yum! After a delicious lunch we went back to my parents house for dessert, a sweet, sweet cookies and cream chocolate cake! After dessert I got to open some gifts and then spend some time with my parents before my dad had to leave for cross country practice.

Not too long after my dad left I made my way back to the apartment. Got delayed in some traffic, but ended up getting a phone call from Kathleen, so that worked out perfectly.

Once I got home I quickly put some items away. Not too long after I got home I heard the front door open and it startled me... Dan was home early! What another nice surprise! Once Dan was settled he gave me my birthday present... all three Pirates of the Caribbean on blue ray! I have been wanting these movies on blue ray long before we even had a blue ray player! Oh... and FYI, they're amazing in blue ray! The details is incredible!

That evening Dan said he was taking me to Bahama Breeze for dinner - we love that place! Ah yes, dinner with my hubby and indulging on coconut shrimp... that is a good day! Now when we arrived at the restaurant I was surprised to find some of our friends were already there, waiting for us! Then, more showed up! There we eight of us for dinner. I had a blast! I think that birthdays are always more fun when they're spent with friends and family... the more the merrier!

Thank you to everyone who made my birthday so special! I certainly had a terrific day!

PS - Happy Birthday Leann Rimes!

NOTE: Will update with photos soon!

My Hubby's Birthday

We got to spend several days celebrating Dan's birthday this year! I like to drag out birthdays... I don't like to rush them.

First, we started in Wisconsin on Saturday, August 15th. There we went golfing with his mother [Carol] and Uncle Ralph. I wasn't doing too hot, but then again it was only my forth time playing. However, I did get one exceptional hit from the 6th tee. Dan had a not-so-great tee off from the 7th hole. After hitting one ball he wanted to try one more. When he struck the second ball the head of his golf club flew father then the ball! Not the best moment for Dan, but it was still and enjoyable afternoon. Afterwards we went over to his sister's place to have dinner with her, Cale, and Carol. We cooked out on the grill and had cheesecake for dessert!

Even I got birthday gifts! My favorite was my new quilt that Carol made with my old t-shirts and Jessie's old cloud pajamas. It's beautiful and I look forward to snuggling with it this winter and every winter for the rest of my life!

Sunday, August 16th [Dan's actual birthday] we got to sleep in. That morning I gave Dan his birthday presents and then made him a nice, hot breakfast.

Later that day we went to the church picnic, which started at 10:30 a.m. That is why we got to sleep in. Aside from a little bit of rain that came and went, we had a nice day! I bit humid after the rain, but still good!

After the picnic we went over to my parents' house to relax and later cook on the grill. My folks had a nice spread for dinner and for dessert we had some yummy chocolate cake and Oberweis ice cream! Delicious!

Friday, August 21st Jason and Rachel came over and we cooked out on the grill. We had a nice spread which featured steaks in an amazing marinade created by Jason! Dan had tried this marinade over at Jason's not too long ago and absolutely loved it! So Jason and Rachel got him all of the ingredients needed and gave them to him for his birthday. Very nice!

We spent the evening playing games and socializing. It was a great time!

On Monday, August 24th we got together with Jason and Rachel once more to see Inglorious Bastards at Hollywood Boulevard. Dan had eight free passes for his birthday, so we all got in for free. Free is good!

Happy Birthday, Dan! I hope that you had a great time celebrating the many days that made up your birthday this year!

NOTE: Will update soon with links and photos.

A Perfect Manhattan

On Sunday, August 9th I thought that I was going to have my first quiet Sunday after church - surprisingly, I did not have work that day. However, I got booked at the last minute to work on an Indie short film in Chicago for Sundance. The film is called "A Perfect Manhattan" and it is going to have a quick turnaround so it is ready next month.

I got up at 4:00 a.m. and made it into the city just before 5:30 a.m. Some of the crew was already there setting up. It was great to work on another fun project with so many of my friends! It's been a while since we've all gotten to work together, so it was a good day!

At one point we needed to fill in some crossword puzzles that would be used as a prop. I thought that they wanted it to be pretty legit, so I tried figuring out the puzzle. Nope. They just wanted it filled in with letters... except for one spot that we customized so that it was 10 spaces long. Aside from filling in a few correct answers, I just started filling in the blanks with random words and letters. Then, I got an idea! I looked around the blanks nearest the 10-space blank that was set aside and filled in "Dan" and "Nelson" into two spots. Can you see his name in the photo? A little Easter Egg for the film.

I got to bring my cousin, Kevin, along for the experience as a PA. He's starting film school at Flashpoint Academy in Chicago next month. That day he really got a big kick out of the whole experience. I'd have to say that the high point of this experience for him was the chance to meet Danny. He has been in the acting business for a very long time, but what Kevin will always remember him for is his role in The Dark Knight. Danny has the first line in the movie, spends most of his time with The Joker (Heath Ledger), and then later gets hit by a bus. I used my phone to capture a quick picture of the two of them together. Kevin has certainly gotten off on the right foot.

Our day ended around 7:00 p.m. So it was a productive day. Good luck to Dean, Michael, Laura, Brian, and everyone else who worked on this film! It was my pleasure working with each of you, as usual.