It's never too early...

Photo credit: Confetti System for Urban Outifitters

It's safe to say that the blistery winds and snow of winter are now here. As I sit typing this looking out on our backyard, I can see some of the dried hydrangea flowers that were still on the bush blowing away like tumbleweeds. For many, winter is a bit of a "Debby Downer" season. The lack of sunshine during these months is always an adjustment. Some flee south for warmer weather and others hibernate. For Kyle and I winter has become a solitude. With crazy busy Spring-Summer-Fall seasons we normally "dial down" a bit in the Winter. Work days are shortened and a time for re-energizing and re-charging is in order.

However, this Winter may not slow down- it very well may "speed up." With A Day in May, Event Planning & Design continuing to grow (we are almost booked for 2010) I'll be working hard this winter on further establishing our blog, our internet marketing presence and designing for our new clients and our company (i.e. continuing to sculpt ADIM).

With our last wedding of 2009 almost three months past I've been in a motivational and inspirational funk. And to be frank, I've been overwhelmed with all the responsibilities of owning a small business and being a wife, daughter, sister, friend at the same time. Some days I find that because my plates are so full that I don't know where to begin.

Because I know I'm not the only person who feels this way I thought I'd fill you all in on my 2010 New Years resolutions that I'm starting today, it's never too early...

Alicia's 2010 New Years Resolution(s) are:

1) to be a better wife.
No one is perfect, thankfully. And I am most definitely not the perfect wife. Since starting ADIM I've been focused on the success of our business rather than the growth and success of our marriage. I am so blessed to have such a great husband and I want to do more to let him know how wonderful he is and how much I love him. He has always supported me and my dreams and I too want to support him.

2) to learn just "to be."
For the sake of my own mental health I need to learn how to relax! I can watch a movie or read a book but I need to learn how to simply exist, "to be."

3) to be more productive with the time I have.
Liene Stevens with Splendid Communications had a great post a while back about Block Scheduling. I know that Block Scheduling does not work for me however I do know that I am most productive in the mornings. By maximizing my "work" time the more time I will have to spend with Kyle, Murphy and our family and friends.

I was talking with one of my best friends last weekend who said she "doesn't have her life figured out." None of us do! I especially don't. But I do know that I want to make changes in my life that will have a positive impact on myself and those I love before things "speed" out of control that I loose the solitude and stillness.

Flash back...

Take a look at this... precious isn't he?

God willing...

Mom shared this with me the other day... it's such a powerful reminder that we are not in control of our lives. We live in a society of expectations and false realities but what really is "real?"

Lately I've been focusing on the here and now. Being present. To be. Last night during our small group, the lovely women I meet with twice a week and I were chatting about how we are "programmed" which is far from living in the present. We are built on routine and autopilot- especially during the work week or in our family's case, the busy season (April-November).

Finding time "to be" is difficult. I run two businesses, starting a third (more on that to come!), keeping house and trying to find time for me which is gym/eat, give some attention to Murphy and spend time with Kyle.

Enjoy this brief insight from My Grandfather's Blessings- a great reminder of just how fragile life is...

It is possible to befriend uncertainty, to remind yourself and others of the fluid, ever-changing nature of things. To remain awake to all possibility. Like many Orthodox Jews, my grandfather never made an appointment or spoke of any event without adding the words "God willing." It is actually a teaching of Orthodox Judaism that one does not make a promise without this tip of the hat to the authority of God. So whether someone said "I'll see you next Tuesday," or "We will have dinner in an hour," Grandpa would invariably respond, "God willing." God might, after all, end the world sometime between now and the chicken soup. There was never any fear in his voice when he said this, just a simple reminding of himself and those around him of the nature of things. Life required us to hold things loosely, not to be attached to a particular outcome. The lunch appointment, the pot roast, the graduation, or the marriage -- all were in God's hands. To be alive was to wait for the will of God to reveal itself. And one waited with curiosity. A sense of adventure. Much in the way you read a detective story at bedtime, struggling to stay awake in order to discover what is true, to see how things will turn out. If the fulfillment of every promise or plan rests on God's approval, then God's hand is hidden in everything that happens. According to my grandfather, all tragedy or blessings was a part of some unknowable and dynamic purpose. One might not always get one's own way, but one trusted the Way absolutely. At any given time, the will of God might be unknown, but the presence of God was certain and was the only certainty anyone needed in order to live. These days, my appointment calendar has places for entries three years ahead. There is a certain hubris in this, and, even as I write my commitments down, I remember this other way of living. I exchange letters of confirmation, I make plans, I even buy plane tickets, but deep inside I hold these things loosely. Lightly. I make my promises, and then I wait to find out. In my heart, I still hear my grandfather say, "God willing."

New look!

Hi everyone!

Be sure and check out the new blog and some new updates on A Day in May, Event Planning & Design website!

Happy Saturday,
Alicia

Six letter word

For over 18 years my mom has been a breast cancer survivor and patient. Ever since I can remember we've had five members in our four person family. Through countless surgeries, treatments, emotional roller coasters and stories of success I'm writing this post to tell you how she's inspired me, our family and my closest friends. I've never been more proud to be my mother's daughter than I am now.

My senior year of college at Michigan I lived with seven amazing women. Three of us out of the seven have mom's that lost, are fighting or had won their battles with breast cancer. One of my best friends Melissa lost her aunt to cancer. Another extremely close friend Chris lost his dad to cancer. My grandmother had breast cancer and my other grandmother had lung cancer- both have passed. And a new friend David is battling brain cancer.

Cancer- it has six letters, it's a word that is used as a verb and a noun. It's not uncommon to hear in conversation yet it stings each time it's spoken. Why? Is it that we don't talk enough about it? I hear about cancer all the time on the news? Is it that we are immune to it? Surely "I" won't get cancer. Is it that we are scared of it?...

After 18 years of a continued fight my mom is at peace with her cancer. Through the word of God my mom sees her cancer as a gift. Each day she wakes up and thanks Him for the new day before her, for my dad, my brother and I, for Kyle and the dogs, for the life she has. Each day cancer is a six letter word. Nothing more, nothing less.

Four weeks ago three of my best friends told me they were going to run Susan G. Komen's Race for the Cure in Denver. It was impossible for me to get to Denver that weekend but I wanted to run too. So on Sunday, October 4th at the same time but different time zones we all ran 5k in honor of my mom- the gang ran with thousands of other survivors, family members, supports and friends... I ran by myself back Traverse City.

Aside from feeling like I was going to die, I haven't ran 5k all summer, I made it! The gang runs every day so it wasn't a big deal to them. :) But the simple feat of all running together to honor my mom and support her was mind blowing to me. After the run I sent a couple pictures back to them shrinking the miles between hoping they'd send some of their pictures but I never got an email. I thought it was weird since we are all iPhone junkies- maybe they didn't get around to downloading the pictures or were busy with work like I was.

Then today I went to the mailbox after my meetings and had a card in the mail from them. There were the pictures and notes that brought me to tears. Everyone wrote such touching words of love and encouragement lifting me and our family up. They all ran with photos of my mom and carried a sign that said "Team Gail." Christina, Melissa, Kristin and I have been best friends for almost half of our lives. They along with their husbands Chris, Nick and Phil, Melissa's brother Jeff and his fiance' Judy and our other friend Aaron all ran.

The old cliche is that "words cannot describe" feelings. I disagree. I was overwhelmed with love from those images and words to the point of uncontrollable emotion. Murphy thought I was going to explode! I couldn't hold back the tears and crying... how amazing to witness God's love like that. It's incredible to know how much love they have for me but my mom as well. For 18 years she's inspired all of us to "just do it." Fight our fight and run the race. We did Mom, thanks to you.

Cancer- it's a not a six letter word. It's four, love.


The gang in Colorado :)


Me in TC :)

BIG SCAM HITS HOME

Hi everyone! My personal email account was hacked into this morning sending messages to my ENTIRE contact list (anyone who ever emailed me), dumping my contacts and hacking in to Facebook and Blogger. PLEASE do not wire any money to Western Union!

Kyle and I are not in London and we are fine. We were told by authorities that this is happening EVERYWHERE! To learn from our unfortunate episode make sure your passwords are all different and that you check them for security strength. We do not know how they hacked into my account but I believe that Blogger was used to include Kyle's and Murphy's name (yep they got the dog too!). There is nothing you can do to protect yourself except for being careful with sharing your password information through all the sites you use.

If your Facebook is hacked visit their "Privacy" link and scroll to Security and follow the prompts. If Google is hacked fill out the "Reclaim Account info."

Want to know the hacker's phone number? +2348089127656. Thanks Google :)

Dear Nigerian Hacker Jerks,

I wish that you did not live in such a poverty stricken area and stealing money from strangers is deemed unacceptable in your social circle. I happen to have friends from Nigeria who are wonderful people who made something of themselves other than just low life's who wreck havoc on others. Stay away from my accounts and my family.

Alicia "Don't Mess with Me" Caldecott

European inspiration

Before our season at A Day in May kicked into high gear at the end of May (I know, it's been two full months) my parents, brother and I embarked on our very own version of "National Lampoons: European Holiday."

We didn't get kidnapped or create any minor disasters however we took in the sites, sounds and culture the way only the Fritz Family could! With incredible airfare, under $400 from Traverse City... we are the 3rd most expensive airport to fly in and out of in the country, we flew across the pond to Stuttgart, Germany where our journey began.

Where is Stuttgart you may ask and why go there? Stuttgart prides itself in being the creative power of Germany. Located near the Black Forest and north of Switzerland it's home to two of my favorite things- Porsche and Mercedes :) But... when we arrived at 9:30am Germany time we didn't head into the city, we headed to the sleepy medieval town of Tübingen about 30 minutes outside the city.

This university town has been in the record books since the 12th century and survived WWII through it's lack of industry and catering to the more popular rise of tourism.

I'm no Jen Kroll or Bob Davis but here are some shots I took while walking around with the family (DISCLAIMER- my photo editing skills are not as sharp either but we're getting there!):


So cool huh! This was an old town government building that is now the local library.


I love these half-timbered houses. Walking along the cobblestone streets and gazing upward provided an interesting look at their architecture and color.


This was the only "cool" spot with a dampness that chilled you to the bone- it was welcome as we crossed the town... very hot that day! This would be an even cooler shot had I taken the picture before we started walking down.


This trip I wasn't taking pictures for the sake of taking pictures. I wanted to "play" with my photography not document every site we saw. I love this tile look from a gate over a window up the hill to the castle. Don't be surprised if you see this again :)


Schloß Hohentübingen or better known in english as Castle High Tübingen, was built in the 11th century but in the 12th and 13th century wooden walls shown here were incorporated. The castle is now home to the Univerty of Tübingen's ancient studies and overlooks the Nekar Region.

With the stifling heat and the onset of crankiness setting in from no sleep we headed back to Stuttgart. Oh I forgot to mention one minor detail... Andrew drove us on the Autobahn... in a pimped out Mercedes we rented... nice graduation present huh! Only problem was that it started to rain and heavy traffic around the city prevented him from really "driving" on the Autobahn. Next time...

Love

I love my husband. So many days do I forget to tell him how much he really means to me and as I was searching through papers today I stopped and read a part of our wedding program- a poem that I love. I've been reminded of our finite life in many ways lately. We may never know what tomorrow holds for us however my prayer is that all those who mean the most to me recognize just how much I love them.



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
higher than the 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)

ee cummings

Yes, Yes and Yes!!!

Before I blog about our fabulous trip (we just got home from Germany and Italy) I HAVE to post this!

Allison and I didn't make the best first impressions on one another but shortly after that infamous meeting we've been the greatest of friends and over three years ago she married the love of her life Jake Fox. Out of the Michigan Baseball program, the University of Michigan that is, Jake got drafted by the Chicago Cubs and just last week he was given the promotion of a lifetime... welcome to the big leagues!

There is not one person who derserves this more than Jake, aside from Ali- who's stood by him every pitch, run and strike out along the way.

I love you both so much and am so happy for you! GO TEAM FOX!!!


Jake Fox gets long-awaited promotion to Cubs

Fox finally gets a shot with the Cubs

Thank you!

It is both an honor and an extreme privilege for me to announce that A Day in May was voted as The Best Wedding Planner in the Traverse City Area via Up North Live and is now a member of Traverse City's A-List Vendors!

Voting began about two months ago and ADIM was nominated! (Thank you for whomever nominated us!) There were over 14,000 votes cast for the A-List and we'd like to thank everyone who left us encouraging and heartfelt comments as well as those who showed their support in voting!

Having officially broken onto the stage over two years ago we are still in awe of the incredible people and clients that come our way. I truly have the greatest job... yes days can be long and weekends working can be difficult but the reward is so sweet. There is nothing that brings me more satisfaction than the happiness on my clients' faces!!

Cheers to all our phenomenal colleges who were also nominated and big thanks to those of you whom we work with regularly. There is no "I" in team and sometimes it takes an Army to execute a wedding!

Thank you again to all of you who believe in pursuing your dreams. Mine has just begun and I cannot wait to see where it takes me!!

The Doctors- Post Graduation Part 2

Where were we... oh yes, Bar Louie!

With some food in the tummy and some drinks to toast we finished the rounds at Bar Louie and headed to Barton Hills Country Club for a fabulous dinner treated by Rick and Ron.

Here are the Doctors' :)


This isn't a great picture of the parents of the graduates but I didn't have any others to show! Good thing it is very expressive!


What a great watch Christina got from her grandparents :)


After a lovely, lovely dinner we headed to Ricks... Without posting any pictures that could be incriminating or just inappropriate I will take it upon myself to narrate a little paragraph for you about the evening...



Linds, Katie, Erin, Christina and myself on the dance floor!


It was Katie's 25th birthday and she received a fabulous gift that everyone at the bar wanted to use! The joys of graduation filled the room and commradery was abundant. From shark bowl races to dancing queens the night was full of celebration... then we went to Pancheros. The end!

The Doctors- Post Graduation Part 1

Like I said, we had a lovely time at the UM Dental Graduation and an even more thrilling time at the after party(s). With the new doctors leading the way the Wurtzel's, Hatch's, Mazzola's, Dreves' and the rest of us one-namers, headed to Bar Louie near campus for some cocktails before cocktails at dinner! (I told you... merrymen!)

Doctor Sandwich!


Carrie, Matt and Doctor!



Aron, Scott & Andrew- they came to help celebrate like I did!


Tina (not sure what she is looking at since she had two cocktails), Megan and Ryan (who will be Doctor next year)!


Nick and Lindsey- the soon-to-be-newlyweds!


Thanks to Ron and Perla for the drinks and yummy pretzel sticks and nachos! It was the perfect way to start the evening... now off to Barton!

The Doctors

Last weekend I had the pleasure of watching three very dear people to my heart receive their Doctorate Degrees... yep, the Doctors. No I am not talking about the stupid show on before Dr. Phil and Oprah, I'm talking about the University of Michigan Dental School Graduation. Perhaps a new "Hail" rendition should go something like this, "Hail to the Doctors Valiant, Hail to the Comp Care Classes, Hail, Hail to Michigan the Cleaners of Best! Hail to the Dentists Valiant, Hail to the Mountain Dont's oh Hail, Hail to Michigan they are heading West!"

It's with pride that I introduce Dr. Christopher Mazzola and Dr. Christina Mazzola...


And what an honor to have Dr. Don Wurtzel hood Dr. Lindsey Wurtzel!


The graduation took place in Hill Auditorium on campus after it's beautiful restoration and the Class President was phenomenal- what a great speech!


Way to go Chris, Christina and Lindsey- we are all so proud of you and your accomplishments! Also congrats to Christian, Roa, Salam and Piper!! Does this mean I get dental school pricing for life?!?! Stay tuned for a post graduation update... we started with sophistication and ended like a band of merrymen!

The Great Bo

I just got this email this morning from Michigan Today: What I learned from Bo by John Bacon. If you enjoy great sports commentary read this... Why Bo Never Got a Speeding Ticket!

It's worth watching... especially if you're a Michigan fan!!

BO VIDEO click here

Kristin & Phil

Hey everyone, Kristin and Phil had their engagement photos taken a few weeks back and here is a sneak preview of them!

Visit James' blog for some of his favorites :)



Aren't they awesome... and what a great looking couple!! Cheers you two!

When the lights go down...

Apparently I totally forgot to post some of these pictures from our last day in San Francisco back in March for Lewy's bachelorette party! Oops!

This is the gate through China town. Linds, Kel and I walked across downtown from our hotel all the way to the Warf... wow are those hills steep!


We had some pretty, and not so pretty views, on our walk and as soon as we boarded the Ferry (which took us directly under the Golden Gate and around Alcatraz, The Rock) it started to rain. However, these lazy guys didn't mind what so ever. Say hello to the Warf Sea Lions!


Here's Linds and Kel- they look great in rain don't they!


An homage to my favorite Jedi Master Yoda.


Isn't she beautiful- and what an Engineering Marvel (yes we watch the History Channel)!


We concluded the site seeing in San Fran with a visit to the famous prison Alcatraz. Home to Al Capone and The Birdman amongst some other notorious criminals in it's prime. About 7 years ago I was there with my family and we toured The Rock. Andrew and I donned headsets and did the audio tour where they treat you like an inmate. One of the weirdest parts of the whole tour was seeing where the inmates tried to dig there way out... all the concrete in the world wouldn't stop them from trying!


Even though our weather was not ideal we had an AMAZING time together celebrating Lindsey and her upcoming wedding along with celebrating friendship. As we all get older (and we're not that old) our time with one another becomes less and less. What is so amazing to me is the committment we all make to still travel and see each other! Here's to the next adventure and Congratulations Lewy!

Feeling Hot Hot Hot!!

That's right, let the party begin! After a great day touring the city we all headed back to the hotel for a little "Shower" for Lewy- what would a shower be without some "fun" gifts! To keep the surprises to a maximum I can't show you the gift but it was a very successful shower in deed!

After Lind's made some crazy rule about opening a gift and taking a shot (bad idea!) we all headed out for a night on the town.

Since it was St. Patty's Day weekend there were some parade goers staying at the hotel. They just happen to be men in uniform and we were all about sharing their cool hats and beads!


After a boat load of taxis and I think a limo was involved somehow we made it to this great Mexican restaurant!
From Left to Right: Ep, Tina, Jenna, Linds, Kelly, Al, Lo, Lish and Leanne (the nicknames come out when the Patron comes out)


In spirit of showering we all proposed to Leanne... talk about bling huh!


And what would be a party without another bachelorette? We always seem to do this and we had the WHOLE restaurant taking shots and playing games!


After the dinner (Tina and I had the most amazing fried quesedillas ever) we took the town by storm...






... Oh what a night!!!

I've got to get back...

to My City by the bay-ay-ay, ohhhh ohhhhh ohh ohh ohh.

After a fabulous day in Napa and some great dinner in Russian Hill we hit the streets pounding to check out San Fran.

We started at the Old Ferry Building where they have the most amazing market!

The Port of San Francisco!


Christina trying her hand at a very fresh oyster. She said, "I love horsey sauce" before she ate the oyster. After, when the flames were shooting out her nostrils she said "that was a little hot!"


Here I am taking one, so yummy but wow- it burned my nose hairs off!


And of course we made Jenna take one :)


After the market we walked along the Embarcadero to Fisherman's warf.


Then headed to Ghirardelli Square for some yummy hot chocolate- it was a little chilly that day.


What would a trip to San Fran be without a Trolly ride?


Here's Tina and Ali- hang on!!


Linds and I trying not to slide onto the other passengers!


The trolley took us to Chinatown where we actually found and ate at a restaurant Laura's parents recommended. This cute little statue greeted us!