Abundantly Simple

What week!!! Some may call my last few days busy, but I am preferring to call it "abundant" (that's for you Relyn). Let me explain~~~~ It all started Saturday morning. A typical fall weekend usually includes a soccer game in the Chicago area. I usually don't pay much attention to where we are going unless I know there are cute shops nearby since I am not the driver. Sat. morning bright and early Mike let me know the soccer game du jour was to be in Wheaton. Wheaton is where Angelica (from I'm Going Back to the Start) lives. She and I have written back and forth for over a year and I have always wanted to meet her. I left her a message on Facebook that were would be in the area and what park we would be at. the time, and my cell number (minus the area code just to make it more challenging for her-lol). Long story short...she called- and we got to meet!!! It was so cool! It truly was like meeting a long lost friend. She is so sweet and bubbly and friendly. She brought her husband (who spent the time talking with Mike about soccer which Mike loved) and 2 adorable boys, as they were on their way to soccer games as well. I swear, we could have talked for hours...I can't wait to meet up with her again!

From the soccer game, Mike and I met up with his sister and our nephews (they were playing football in Wheaton too- that was quite the place to be on Sat.), and Mike's parents and we were able to spend a lovely lunch with them.

Sunday, I passed on the soccer game du jour and instead drove up to Schaumberg to meet up with some college friends for one of our 3 and 1/2 hour marathon lunches. Lots of giggling and laughing- loved it! Before I went out to lunch though, Mike and I spent the morning out taking pictures in a little town nearby called Crete; it has all kinds of great places to capture (see above pictures).

Monday after school I met up with a friend who retired from teaching last year to have dinner (have you figured out the theme in these get-togethers yet?). I hadn't seen her since the summer, so it was nice catching up with her and she with me as my 7th graders all had her last year and I had some great stories.

Last night found me in Lemont with Laura (Maude and Mozart) and Karin (a stitching expat life)as we supped at Taco Bell before we went over to Inspired Needle- the local cross stitch shop for their bi-monthly stitch night. Lots of good conversation as we stitched.

Tonight I am just getting home because I went out after school with a bunch of friends to see the movie Paranormal Activity- no dinner involved but there was some yummy popcorn...

In the middle of all of this, I have joined a new swap from Linda over at A Swap for All Seasons. This one is an altered Christmas cabinet card. I have never done anything like this so it will be interesting but fun. My swap partner is Kelly (Keke) over at the Cherry Kingdom. I am looking forward to getting to know her. Her blog is very cool- if you have time, please stop by!

I also received a beautiful fall bracelet and earrings from Denise over at Polka Dot Moon. Her etsy shop always has the cutest things and I love ordering from her.

To top it ALL off ....Donny and his 2 10's on DWTS!!! Yea Baby!!! What a Tango... What a guy... I feel like I am 11 again!

So- yes I feel like my simple life has been full of abundance; especially blogosphere connections, and I have enjoyed every bit of it!!!