My Rocks

There are certain people in your life who can, no matter what you're going through, make you feel like yourself again. Those people are my rocks. They hold me up when I feel like everything has been pulled out from under me. They make me laugh when I need it. They remind me of the person I am when I don't feel like myself. I'm so blessed to have such a great group of people to lean on.

We have a great time no matter where we are or what we're doing. I'm kind of the shy one. It may just take a couple beers or margaritas for me to let my guard down and just have fun. Not these girls. They don't care what anyone thinks. Yes, we are those girls who always look like they're having the time of their lives even though we're at the "hillbilly bar" down the street and there are only 8 other people there.

Every girl should have such a close-knit group of girlfriends. We have been friends for years. We were there for the first day of high school, through break ups, in eachothers' weddings, been there for the birth of our first children. I am even priveledged enough to be a Godmother to this beautiful little girl. They keep my grounded. Whenever we "call in reinforcements" someone always knows when to bring the wine and open their ears because someone needs a long bitch/vent session.

I have so much to say about them, that I can't even get it all out in clear well written thoughts. We have a long 12 year history that would just be too long to write out. So I'll just close here. I hope you all have friends that you can count on. Friends that whenever you call on them, they know when to tell you "you're being a bitch, get over it," or "what an A$$hole, it's not you."

From Left to Right:

Rachel - She's my Rach-face. She's a crazy funny girl who always makes me laugh. She has the biggest most compassionate heart.

Lauren - She's sarcastic, always late, and a good listener. We love blasting the Chicago soundtrack in the car and driving around until "Cellblock Tango" is over. Yes, we met in high school in chior. We are dorks and love it.

Mary - She's the "ring leader." Haha! She's always been known to put someone in their place. But always appropriately!

Then there's me. But you already know all about me :)

Remembering

I remember a time before 8 years ago when I'd think to myself how there'd never really be a moment in history that I could tell my children "I know where I was at that exact minute in time." The generation before us had the assassination of JFK and MLK, Vietnam, and more. The generation before that had the attack on Pearl Harbor. I lived in a bubble. Everything historically devastating happened before my time and it would stay that way. I was wrong.

This day is an important day. I think about the assassination of JFK and how much this country hurt but then how over time, the wounds healed. Since this was way before my time, I didn't quite understand the magnitude of the situation. Then 9/11 happened. In the digital age of technology and instant information, we were flooded with emotions brought on by vivid imagery of the flaming towers, dust-covered people, then finally the lasting image of the towers falling with thousands of our loved ones still in them. These images are burned in my brain as if it were stuck with a 9/11 branding iron.

I was a senior in high school. Just got done talking an English test about Anglo-Saxon era literature. At the end of the period, my teacher said without emotion in these exact words, "oh by the way, just so you know, a place hit one the World Trade Center." So naturally, I thought, "wow, that's terrible, but no big deal, right?"

Wrong! Walked downstairs, hearing the buzz of what's going on and learned that another plane just hit the Pentagon. What's going on? It was then that I realized that this IS a big deal. While in fourth period chior, we sat quietly in front of the TV watching our country crumble before our very eyes. Literally. The second plane hit. The buildings came down. It was the most horrifying site I've ever seen. The emotions surrounding those images still bring me to tears to this day. It's hard to believe that was 8 years ago already.

I had to go to work that day. I didn't want to. I wanted to remain glued to my chair in front of the TV. I wanted to learn every bit of information I could. My work was around the corner from my house. I left that day and remember it being the most eerily silent day in my life. Planes were grounded. There was no traffic. Life stopped.

This post is not dedicated solely to the victims and their loved ones. This post is dedicated to all Americans. We are all in this together. My heart aches for those who lost family & friends. One thing that we learned from this horrific tragedy is that when it comes right down to it, we are here for eachother. To lean and depend on.

Spread the Awareness: Kelly Ripa's Text-A-Thon for a Cause

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month! Electrolux and Kelly Ripa are launching an exciting campaign that utilizes a form of communication that many of us use every day - texting! During September, Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, Electrolux and Kelly are holding a "Text-a-Thon for a Cause" to help raise support for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund whose mission is to fund research to find a method of early detection and ultimately a cure for ovarian cancer.

Throughout September, you can donate $5 to the cause by texting "KELLY" to 85944 from your mobile phones (standard text messaging rates apply) - or logging on to http://www.kelly-confidential.com/. Also during September, visitors to Kelly Confidential can help spread awareness for this important cause by sending a virtual T-shirt to a friend. For every virtual t-shirt sent, Electrolux will donate $1 to the OCRF. Fashion-forward Moms can also purchase a limited edition T-shirt designed by Ripa; 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the T-shirts will go to OCRF.

But here's the best part, every time you log on to the web site, you'll be entered for a chance to win an amazing luxury front load washer and dryer from Electrolux in Turquoise Sky, the color inspired by the teal ribbon of ovarian cancer awareness.

While you're at it, check out Kelly Ripa's PSA and help spread the awareness.