Rollin’

Posted on October 2, 2011 by Charlene Ann

Friday night I had the opportunity to attend The Hunger Network of Cleveland‘s annual event: Rolling on the River. I was able to join a couple hundred Clevelanders for a night of food, drinks, music and gambling in support of the mission of The Hunger Network of Cleveland.

For those of you that don’t know, the Hunger Network of Cleveland provides hot meals and stocks food pantries in Cleveland. Every month over 60,000 residents in Cuyahoga County are provided with meals.

The event was fantastic and I, of course, got addicted to the craps table. I went on a run at the end of the night and the night ended too soon. I forgot to take pictures so hopefully once MetroMix posts pictures, I’ll be able to post some.

Thanks to Poise in Parma for the tickets!

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New Friends, Browns Win and Dancing – Please!

Posted on September 27, 2011 by Charlene Ann

This weekend – by far one of the best I’ve had in a while. Seriously, from start to finish this weekend rocked my face off (and is the reason for my two-day hangover).

Friday, I hung low and did stuff around my house (which I LOVE!) and prepared for the weekend. Saturday was spent shopping and preparing for tailgating, including baking, laying out my clothes and grocery shopping. I usually hate grocery shopping, but when you are shopping for tailgating the experience is totally different for some reason.

Saturday evening my lovely co-worker Laura came over for some “pre-White Party” drinks along with her friend and my neighbor Rachel. After some girl talk it was off to literally dance our shoes off. Literally, I have not danced that much in so long – between dancing with LZone and Mom Dancing with Jen – BEST NIGHT EVER. Big thanks and lots of love to Sean and Matt for the awesome party – I am already excited for next year’s White Party.

Lisa and I

Seanski and I

After literally 2 hours of sleep, I was up and preparing for one of the best tailgates I’ve been to in a while. I switched things up and joined two of my favorite Cleveland bloggers (cleshopaholic and clefoodgoddess) and other friends for some beer, vodka shots, flip cup and food as we prepared to cheer our boys onto a victory. One of the best things about tailgating is getting to see so many people – and I don’t care…my heart is always going to belong to Muni Lot.

 

Jen, Allison and I – another reason to love tailgating – seeing tons of people!

Flip Cup Champs!

I love this place.

And look at that – Browns are tied for first.

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Little Laughter

Posted on September 21, 2011 by Charlene Ann

I’m slowly shaking off the mood I’ve had this week.

I gotta thank my girl Jen Toohey for posting this today cause I seriously laughed out loud more than once.

 

 

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Uneasy

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Charlene Ann

Ever have one of those feelings where you just feel uneasy about something but can’t put your finger on it? That’s been my past week. Ugh. And I cannot even name all the people – coworkers and friends – that are having the exact same issue. (And hence the reason that I’m up at 1am blogging….)

The upside: this week has a lot to look forward to and the Browns win on Sunday did help.

Fun upcoming CLE events:

1. First AAF Cleveland event of the program year: Advertising Evolves, So Should You. I’m excited to hear Edward Boches, CIO of Mullen speak, see some Ad friends I haven’t seen in a while and start getting involved in our AAF Chapter. (Even more exciting will be our October Event, “When They Were Mad Men” featuring Cleveland veteran Advertising Executives.) If you can’t make it, be sure to follow #AAFCLE to hear comments from Cleveland Ad Execs.

2. Tweet-Up: Again, cleveland.com is paring up with some of Cleveland’s best to bring the Cleveland Tweeps, an opportunity to meet, hang out and mingle with each other. This Tweet-Up has potential to be the best yet as Cleveland.com is teaming up with the Cleveland Browns. Some of my favorite Tweeps, great atmosphere and the potential to win Cleveland Browns tickets? Count me in!

3. The Reagle Beagle Grand Re-Opening. Yes, this is a men’s only salon but my close friend (and my personal hair stylist) Anita is the owner so I’ll be heading out there on Saturday to support her and her staff. Swing by if you have time and check out the new services, features and great new layout. And guys – if you go there for a cut, tell Anita or Josie I sent you!

4. 2011 White Party. My first! Sean (former co-worker and friend and HappyinCLE blogger) hosts this annual party and I cannot wait. I’ve heard so much about it and know a lot of people going so it’s sure to be a highlight of my weekend. The only issue? Having a little difficulty finding a white outfit (with or without the accent color of green). Hopefully Express won’t fail me this week. (Follow #clewp2011 for all the insanity that will be had Saturday.)

5. Now, Saturday night’s party is going to be lead to a rough time tailgating on Sunday, but I’ll still be there. This week I’m going to make a much more conscious effort to see a lot of my friends and walk around Muni. I’m breaking my tailgating rule by being out way past 9:30 on Saturday night (in fact we aren’t leaving for the White Party until 10ish) but I’ll force myself up and at ’em with the rest of my Crew Sunday morning. (And I’m still going despite the fact that my coworker is trying to convince me the Browns lose when I’m in attendance.)

What are you looking forward to this week? Anyone else dragging the last two weeks in particular?

 

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Girl Time

Posted on September 18, 2011 by Charlene Ann

Sometimes you just need girl time.

Don’t get me wrong, I love The BFF and our conversations but sometimes he’s a little harsh, compared to a good girl friends. Yes, he tells the truth but sometimes the brutal honesty is just that…brutal.

And nothing is better than girl talk over a glass…okay a few glasses….of pinot grigio. I love that my best friend Erin and I can go weeks without talking and then will have a million things to say and laugh over. We’re very similar but also very different and can really balance each other.

Saturday night the conversation took a good turn into making some big decisions and taking big steps. I like having great girl friends who can balance both sides and really understand where you are coming from. Again, LOVE The BFF, but sometimes he doesn’t get it (obviously, sometimes he does and I love that about him too).

It’s interesting me though the difference in conversation between mine and Erin’s and The BFF’s and mine. I could say present the both of them with the exact same scenario, yet they both will have COMPLETELY different opinions. Yes, The BFF has known me longer, but I really do think it comes down to The BFF being a guy, and Erin being female.

Who do you go to for life advice? A same sex best friend? Opposite sex?

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Where were you?

Posted on September 17, 2011 by Charlene Ann

I meant to post this last week, but somehow things just got away from me….work, Browns (which I will not be writing about)…you know.

Where was I 10 years ago on that day America changed? I distinctly remember exactly where I was, what I was doing and how quickly my plans changed that day.

I was at school in Chicago and in my suite getting ready for my 9:00 a.m. history class. I had a suite and could see in my mirror in the bathroom, my TV in my bedroom. I had it set, like every other morning, to the Today show. I was putting my makeup on and blowdrying my hair and remember hearing the news come across the TV. Immediately, I stopped what I was doing.

Within minutes many other girls from my floor were in my room and we were watching as the Towers came down. Some of the visuals I don’t think will ever leave me. People yelling and jumping from the building. I remember how scared all of us were, especially as more and more threats were coming in and Chicago was named as one of them. In that moment, all I wanted was to be back in Cleveland (and I often wonder if that was what pushed my decision to move back to Ohio).

That day was all a blur after that point. Classes were cancelled. Prayer vigils were had around campus. That evening our whole school turned out for a chapel service. I was on the phone with someone that I went to high school with, who has a strong military connection. He attempted to calm me down, yet explained to me what he believed had happened.

While 9/11 was a tragedy, I also think it was an important moment for the American spirit. People joined together in those days ahead. People volunteered, gave blood, sent food and prayed for one another.

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Whew

Posted on September 10, 2011 by Charlene Ann

What a long, exhausting week – despite the fact that it was a four-day work week.

Seriously though peeps: I’m exhausted. Okay part of that has to do with the fact that I’ve gotten lazy in taking my thyroid medication (which is probably more like 75% of the reason why I’m exhausted and is going to cause me to get hardcore yelled at by my endocrinologist come Monday’s appointment).

But the upside: tomorrow is the best time of the year for me. Football season! My boys will be back in action. Tailgating will be back. Spending time with some of my favorite people. It’s pretty much the start of my fall social calendar.

Other exciting things: promotion at work (yay!), planning a housewarming party and my 10 year high school reunion. Anyone recently attend their high school reunion? Ideas?

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I Carry Your Heart

Posted on September 5, 2011 by Charlene Ann

The first time I heard this poem, I fell in love with it. Just like in the movie, In Her Shoes, I imagine it describing a friendship, sibling or a love. For me, it reminds me a lot of my friendship with The BFF, but also what I want one day in a significant other. I know that this will one day be read at my wedding – more than likely by The BFF.

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart)
i am never without it (anywhere i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear no fate (for you are my fate,my sweet)
i want no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows higher than soul can hope or mind can hide

and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

p.s. I would like a boy to buy me that necklace to wear everyday. End of story.

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Cousins, Cousins

Posted on September 3, 2011 by Charlene Ann

Growing up I always wanted a sister. But considering the fact that my parents were barely able to have me (multiple miscarriages before I was born…therefore making me more or less the miracle baby) a sister was out of the picture.

I have quite a few cousins and most of us are close in age. The oldest is only 6 years older than me. Unfortunately, the cousins I am closest to live in Mississippi.

 

And unknowing to our family, my cousin Meagan and I are more or less the same person despite living hundreds of miles away from each other. Here’s the quick breakdown: we majored in the same thing in college, despite barely talking to one another; we both started in non-profit work (PR and Marketing) and have both recently changed careers; we use the same hair and face products, same make-up and even same deodorant. Again despite living in two different states and only talking once or twice a week.

We also talk alike (minus her southern accent which I occasionally pick up when we spend time together) and dress alike. It’s funny how despite miles in between us, we are able to pick up conversations like we’ve grown up together.

I love how our friendship has developed, especially over the past  5 years and how I know that Meagan and I will not always be family, but we’ll be friends for life.

 

 

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Loves of the Week

Posted on September 2, 2011 by Charlene Ann

Things that I loved about this week:

1. Random phone calls by an adorable little two-year old with giggles in the background as she said hi to “her Charlamagne”.

2. My new place.

3. My 15 minute drive into work (compared to 40 minute drive).

4. Passion Tea Lemonade in the afternoon.

5. Office dance parties.

6. Positive stress.

7. Laughter in the workplace, even if the jokes on me (which it was this week – multiple times).

8. New friends.

9. Long phone conversations filled with lots of laughing.

10. The word: Potential.

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