The Blog is Back, Alright!

In 2012, I wrote 14 blog posts. 

In 2013, I wrote 11 blog posts. 

In 2014, I wrote 6 blog posts. 

And I haven't blogged since July. 

Guys – this makes me sad. It certainly isn't that I haven't had anything to write about. 2014 was an amazing year of engagements, weddings, vacations, friends, family, a big move, and a new job! It was fun – and you'll have to trust me, because 6 blogs hardly did the year justice. 

This year, I am going to try and document all of the things that happen to me in 2015: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly (because sometimes selfies are not my best angle). I can feel the excitement from you readers growing as I type this. "OMG she is back!!" Look out blogger community! 

So what will my first blog be about? Such suspense! Well, no need to anticipate the content – you are reading it right now. This is my first blog back. Get with it. 

But soon there will be new, wonderful, witty blogs for you to enjoy. In the meantime, I will leave you with a few pics from 2014…enjoy! 

What's My Age Again?

This weekend I celebrated by 30th birthday. That's 3-0. And it was amazing. 

With all the Facebook posts and text messages, I realized how lucky and #blessed I am to have such amazing people in my life. Year after year, I bring in my birthday with some of my favorite people - near and far. Most of us have been friends with for over 10 years, and we somehow made it through our 20's together. 

This video is dedicated to all of you.

I was having issues posting this video (I don't think it will play from phones/tablets) so let me know if it does not work!!

 If you cannot play the video, try clicking HERE from an actual computer.

Living in the moment, Living my life, Easy and breezy with peace in my mind

This past weekend kicked off the 2014 wedding season, starting in Atlanta for the wedding of Stephen Coxen and Jennifer Serafin.

I remember meeting Serafin (sorry, I don’t think I can ever call you Jennifer!) on the bus ride to Pi Phi before we even became sisters, and she talked about her great shoes and the care package her mom made for her. While we came to laugh about that later, I must say some things come full circle….At the wedding, Serafin was a stunning bride and she again was sporting some AMAZING shoes. Not to mention that her mom could not have been more full of love and pride for the woman she has become. The ceremony was beautiful – very intimate and personal, and the reception was a blast! I cried, per the us, but it was really special to see her marry someone that made her so happy.

Before the wedding, some of the girls (and Jeff) got to talking about how technology is changing the way people celebrate. The #weddinghashtags have replaced disposable cameras, giving the bride and groom a chance to see the fun candids throughout the night without having to miss any part of their celebration. Plus, who doesn’t love a good hashtag? #themorehashtagsthebetter

Some couples take a different approach, restricting the amount of social media used at their wedding. Their thought is: we are paying for photographers and videographers to capture the night so that you can relax, enjoy yourself, and just live in the moment! Plus, no one wants to look back at the pictures of the ceremony and see a bunch of arms in the air holding iPhones, with guests watching you through the screen.

Since I have never planned a wedding, I am unsure which side I would take…

#whoamikidding #teamhashtags 

But there is definitely something to be said for being present in the moment, and not relying on digital communication for your entertainment (this coming from someone that works for a digital company #theregoesmyjob). This week I was at a conference and they played this video to show how technology is changing the world. Watch it - it's good. 

To be honest, this made me realize how much time I spend on my phone. It. Is. Sad. On Sunday, I hadn’t seen Chad in a week and we were almost late for our dinner reservation because I was playing a game on my phone (2048 is addicting). Yikes. 

So today, I am going to vow in front of all 8 of you to try and live more in the moment. Now, I love a great post on The Facebook and Insta more than anyone – I will keep up with my #100happydays and will still take great pictures with the people I love. But I do not want to live with my head down in my phone. So if I am with you and playing too much on my phone, slap me. Or maybe just say, “Hey, Carrie. Pay attention.” That will work too. 

NOTE: This post is about practicing Moderation. Hope I don't lose any followers over this. 

Through despair and hope, Through faith and love.

The last few months have taught me that life is an amazing thing.

As most of you know, my sister gave birth last month to two beautiful, identical baby girls. Depending on how well you know me, you may know that identical twins have always disturbed me. Not only is it alarming that they look exactly the same, but there are always those strange ones that insist on living identical lives: the way they dress, act, and live…all done in unison. There were these girls in college that we called “The Frat Row Bus Twin” that were always alike down to their hair scrunchie (Note: I did not go to college in the 80’s, which made the hair scrunchie weird enough on its own). And they didn’t even talk to each other. They just stood there, in silence, waiting for the bus, and matching.

When Pam told me she was pregnant with twins, she paused and asked, “Are you going to be ok with this?” genuinely concerned that I would not love my nieces. Of course I answered, “Yes!” but quickly followed up by saying that she cannot dress them alike. My gorgeous nieces (Alyssa and Brianna) came into this world on 12/5/13 and were both just over 4 pounds. I had never held anything so tiny…except the 3lb dumbbells I lift on occasion. I’m kinda a big deal around the gym – NBD.

Since the girls were so tiny, they spent two weeks in the NICU and I got to watch my sister become a mother, spending 15-hour days in the hospital supporting them. I have seen the change to motherhood before with Kim, but it is still unbelievable to me how quickly parents can attach to their children. How they instantly become their whole life.        

Look how tiny they are!!

 Within weeks, I was able to see six of my friends go through the same thing, bringing three new babies into the world – enter Desmond, Nathan and Brody (last names omitted for their protection). These boys would not only be future husbands to the Armstrong babies (obvi) but also would bring their parents more joy than they could imagine.

Me and little Brody - my future nephew-in-law

Recently, we have needed that joy as myself and those close to me have gone through some pretty terrible losses. Death is a strange thing. There are times that you can see it coming for months, and sometimes it happens faster than a sunset. Whether a parent, a grandparent, a pet or a friend, it brings on heartbreak, confusion and questions that rarely have answers.

Losing my aunt this week was absolutely heartbreaking, but seeing the strength of her family through it all was extraordinary. Somehow, they found faith in the circle of life that came in the birth of little Brody, and it magnified the love they are able to pass onto him and each other. We are able to remember my Aunt Char with a smile, knowing what an unbelievable life she had lived. Her legacy lives on with the following advice that will surely be passed onto the beautiful new babies in our lives:

Love your friends and family, find a job you love, treat yourself and vacation often, don’t sweat the small stuff, and always keep smiling and laughing.

Love to you all.

All I wanna do, is grow old with you.

With Thanksgiving around the corner, today I am asking myself, "What am I thankful for this year?"

Now, I like to think of myself as a pretty positive person. Not a lot gets to me and I usually can find good in even the darkest of situations. But, I have to say, 2013 has been kind of a shitty year. Maybe it is the screaming baby behind me on this flight, or maybe it was the fact that there was no hot water in my hotel room shower today, but I am feeling very negative as I reflect on the year and write this post. I mean, my year started out with a fire (you can read about here)! That should have been my sign. 

But when I really think about it, there have been a lot of wonderful things that have happened this year! And since the baby behind me is starting to finally calm down (knock on wood) I am starting to see the sunshine - in 2013 there have been vacations, weddings, new beginnings, fantastic parties, and soon to be babies! So much to be thankful for this season! Today, I am thankful for great friends, who have found great loves, and who throw GREAT parties. Today, I am thankful for weddings. 

Melissa McCormack and Bob Sisco - 3/2/13

I have known Mel for about 8 years as Pam's friend and roommate. But if you have ever met Mel, you will quickly start referring to her as YOUR friend, because she is the type of friend everyone wants to have. Mel is always smiling, and I have seen her dancing with joy during vacations, concerts, karaoke performances and sporting games. But I have never seen Mel any happier than the day she married Bob. 

Look at her!! Gorg. 

So happy walking down the aisle. Cue the tears.

While their beach wedding was slightly colder than expected (a chilly 50 degrees) we were all warmed by the look in their faces as Mel walked down the aisle. Plus, they had "Grow Old With You" from The Wedding Singer as a reading! Love that! And their photographer was out of this world, capturing some of the most amazing shots of the night! 

So So So So OBSESSED with this photo. 

The reception was so fun with Pam's (Patricia's) MOH speech and Captain Harry on the keyboard. They had a photo booth complete with amazing props and incriminating drunken photos. Plus it was Cad and Cherry's official first dance! The vacation to FL was overall one of my fave weeks in 2013, but the wedding was def the highlight of the trip. 

Our first dance together - "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz

Me and the MOH - such an amazing poem written for the bride and groom!

Dancing in Moderation...or not. 

Patricia and Keith Armstrong - good lookin' crew.

Drunken Photo Booth - woa.

Kimberly King and Bert Margis - 8/3/13

Kimmy and I have been friends since we were probably 9 years old, and we spent a good amount of time trying to be like out sisters, obsessing about poms, enjoying Calculus and Spanish, and looking for dates to dances. It seems that we were always a little lost when it came to boys. But as we grew older and became more confident in who we were, we started to look for someone beyond a date to Homecoming/Formals/Weddings. And when I first met Bert, I knew he was more than just Mr. Kimmy, he was going to be her Mr. Right. 

Kimmy and Carrie before walking down the aisle - BFFs! 

At the rehearsal dinner!! BMs and the groom.

They say your +1 should bring out something in yourself that you didn't know you had, and Bert and Kimmy do that for each other. They complement each other in the best way, and while I have always known how amazing Kimmy is, they make each other even better. I was supes pumped when Kimmy asked me to be a bridesmaid in the wedding, and I absolutely loved standing by her side as she said, "I do." She was just as elegant as she always is, but you could see her excitement as she walked down the aisle. She was gorg! And I cried, per the us. 

This photo says it all. Look at those smiles!!

The reception was too much fun with a live band and a family full of dancers. No one took a break from dancing! The next day I was so exhausted from the dancing and the boozing, but mostly just excited for the two of them. 

I really LIKE this picture - so do a lot of peeps on the FB. 

Weddings are not a place I practice moderation.

The BMs. I love these dresses, and these girls are awesome!

Love this one!! Celebrate good times, c'mon!

Jen Zei and Craig Boomer - 11/9/13

I met Jen my third day at UF. We went country line dancing, sat next to each other on the bus to Pi Phi, and instantly became friends. Jen and I were always together in college, and pretty much every story I tell will somehow include Jen Zei and probably include not doing things in moderation. Moderation didn't really exist in Room 6, except for the amount of living space we shared. I couldn't have been happier when The Jens moved to Atlanta because that just meant the saga would continue. Little did I know that a night of little moderation (it involved Bucky Covington and Front Page News) would also be the night we first met Boomer, and most importantly - Jen met her future husband. 

The new Mrs. Boomer

The groom drinking bourbon. Per the us. 

So last Christmas, when Boomer proposed with bourbon in hand, Jen toasted her chard and said yes! Archie barked, IPPL cheered, and Cathy Zei started planning what would soon be known as #BoomBash. Everyone was counting down the days. As Elle Tee would say, "An IPPL wedding? Get ready to live!" 

Zei #1 kept Zei #2 smiling!

#boombash was amazing for obvious reasons- a trip to Atlanta, a beautiful hotel, and amazing friends. But Jen and Boomer somehow managed to take a weekend about THEM getting married and starting their life, and made it about the guests! I shouldn't be surprised that Jen wanted to the focus off her, but you couldn't help but stare at her huge smile as she came down the aisle, so ready to marry her best friend. It was so beautiful to watch, plus she looked ah-maze! I always wanted Jen to move to Chicago so we continue our escapades together, but I lost that battle when she met Craig. And you know what, when I see how happy she is, that is fine with me. ORRRRR, they could BOTH move to Chicago. Just sayin. 

Rent the Runway worked! And look at that STUD!!

The girls initiating Boomer into the group!

Lacy wedding!!

I never use Pom Poms in moderation

There was not any moderation at the after party, but there were lots of photos and laughter. 

So as I reflect (with a sleeping baby behind me) on the year, I am thankful that these friends are starting these amazing chapters in their lives. And I am thankful they invited me to see them tie the knot! Cheers! 

I've seen it all in a small town...Had myself a ball in a small town

You have read in my last few posts how much I love the summers in Chicago. The funny thing is that my favorite thing about summer actually has nothing to do with this great city. My favorite city during the summer is actually Rome: A well-known, historic and beautiful city in Italy Wisconsin.

Doesn't that look relaxing?

Yes – Rome, Wisconsin is truly one of my favorite cities in the world. Wait, who am I kidding – Rome isn’t a city at all! It is a small unincorporated town in Central Wisconsin (about 40 miles north of the Dells) where I have had more experiences and stories than I can even remember. The town doesn’t have a post-office or a zip code, but it is home to 3 man-made lakes (Sherwood, Camelot and Arrowhead), one corner store (Pritzel’s) and 4 bars. My family bought a house on Lake Sherwood in 1983, and this summer marked the 30^th anniversary of “The Lake.” 

Being about 3 ½ hours from where I grew up, we spent all of our summers up at the lake. We would pack up “The Beast” (our blue conversion van – complete with velvet curtains) and leave a few days after school ended, returning with only enough time to hit up Woodfield before the first day of school. We would spend all day out on the boat swimming, skiing and tubing, and nights would consist of ski practice, ski shows, bonfires and pontoon rides.

Ski Practice and Ski Shows? You probably all know this, but my sisters and I were on a waterski team growing up called Shermalot. People always think this is really strange (especially people from the South) but show-skiing is actually huge in the Midwest, and Wisconsin is the Show-Ski Capital of the World! Yes, Wisconsin, where you can only ski from Memorial Day to Labor Day is actually home to some of the best show-skiers on this great planet. Being on the ski team gave us life-long friendships and teenage romances, taught us that life is not always fair, and mostly gave us an outlet to be ourselves. 

An old Shermalot Video - Look for Pam and Kim!

A list of things I love about the lake house/interesting facts – in no particular order.

• I met my best friend in the whole world, Carreen, at the lake 21 years ago. Though we were very different in size, we were both on the ski team and both wanting desperately to be cool (let’s be honest, Carreen). When we found out that we lived within 20 minutes of each other back in Illinois, we knew that our friendship was meant to be! Another fun fact – Carreen was the top of the 4-high pyramid growing up. Isn’t awesome?!?!
• I was at the lake house for Princess Diana and Michael Jackson’s funerals and watched both on TV.
• The Schmelters would spend every summer with us at the lake, and fell so in love that they had a house of their own across the lake for a few years.
• In the winters, we (Kellers and Schmelters) would often go to the lake the week between Christmas and New Years and walk across the frozen lake when our parents were too busy snowmobiling to drive us to friends’ houses. “Busy snowmobiling” in that sentence could also be replaced with “way too sauced.”
• We were at the lake when the Bulls 3-Peated and painted “Go Bulls” on our butts and tee-peed our Wisconsin friends’ houses. Because the lake is classy like that.
• I had my first beer, my first cigarette and my first kiss at the lake.
• I broke my nose at the lake after Kim ran over me with a wave-runner. Those things are dangerous.
• Drunk tubing with Carreen is one of my favorite past-times.
• The stars at the lake are IN-SANE. Literally, there are thousands of stars and almost every night you can see constellations, the Milky Way, and often catch a shooting star (although I have never been able to put it in my pocket).
• For years, our hot water heater would only produce 5-10 minutes worth of hot water each day. In efforts to give everyone at least 1-2 minutes of a hot shower, we would often shave our legs in the lake, shower in two’s, and always try to get in the shower before Kim (water-hog).    
• Patriotism is not optional at the lake. The 4th of July is a 3-4 day celebration complete with hot dogs, fireworks, a ski show, and lots of flair. Exactly how the 4th of July should be.
• Bunk Beds are only comfortable until the age of 16…unless you’re Christy Kremer.
• Boozing at the lake is pretty much not optional. Even when you say you are going to have a relaxing weekend with no partying, somehow you always have at least a few glasses of wine.
• Pizza Fries are ah-maze, and you can only get them at the lake. You’re just going to have to trust me on this.  
• At the lake, Bob Keller turns into a musical genius, singing the words to every song and playing his guitar like a boss. Ok, so he THINKS he turns into a musical genius – Bud Light and red wine will do it to ya. But he always keeps the party going, especially when he sings our favorite song from when we were little. This gem brings back memories of dancing to my dad’s guitar at the age of 3. “Please don’t burn the shithouse down, we worked so goddamn hard. Please don’t burn the shithouse down, we’ll have to use the yard.” It’s practically a classic.
• You can go anywhere in town in a bathing suit or pajamas. It’s amazing.
• One thing about the lake house is that it puts a curse on Keller girl relationships. Every time that we have brought a boyfriend or husband to the lake, the relationship has ended within 2 months. No one can really explain why, but my guess is that guys see what the Kellers are really like, and they just can’t hang. Keith and Chad (so far) have been the only exceptions to this rule.
• Sleeping on a cot on the porch is a privilege – that’s where all the cool kids hang out.
• One of the 4 bars at the lake “Trails End” in the last few years has gone from our least favorite bar on the lake, to our most favorite. They went through a huge renovation about 5 years ago and now is a favorite for a few reasons (yes, this is a list within a list): 1) Huge outside bar with bags tournaments. 2) Live music who always welcomes me up on stage for crowd-hyping. 3) Their Bloody Mary has a SLIDER on top. I mean, come on. 4) The most important thing…they have a bus (“The Drunk Bus”) that will pick you up and take you home from anywhere in town. While the driver is usually about 15 years old and/or a little buzzed himself, it always makes for a good time.
• If you need to find Larry, he is always hanging out in the garage…or on the drunk bus.

I am sure many of you have that special place where you know the smells and sounds by heart, and they instantly bring back memories further back than you can imagine. To me, that is “The Lake.” 

Lots of anniversaries at the lake this year!
Mike and Jenny celebrating meeting at the lake 10 years ago!

Our 21st anniversary at the lake - watching the ski show where it all began!

Some of the Keller Fam - 30th anniversary of the lake!

Ok, not everyone gets to drink at the lake.
Pam and Pants boat-watching (exciting!)

Told you the Lake is very patriotic! The girls on the 4th of July

Papa, Na and Autumn cruising

Patriotism at its finest. 

Captain America has patriotism built right into his name.