A "Charlie Brown" Christmas? (Guest Post)

Hey all,
This is Dad Strahm, Vikkie`s father, and I have been asked to do a "guest blog" on her website. I have to confess, I still remember the day that Vikkie first emailed me and invited me to view her blog site, and I responded back to her after viewing it, that I thought that was the dumbest thing I have ever seen, and honestly wondered if she didn`t have anything better to do with her time. But after reading her site these amost two years, I have learned more things about my wonderful daughter that I never knew, and it has been such a joy finding out these things about her, and having revealed to me, the reader, that which brings her so much happiness like her two main men, Brett and Debo, her circle of Christian friends, and her involvment in so many activities from work, play, walking in Cancer Benifits, traveling to cities across the U.S., etc., etc.. Keep bloggin` sister, (daughter) you have an avid reader in me!

Now for my blog. As you have already read on Vikkie`s blog, the Sabetha area was hit on December 10th with the worst ice storm in it`s history. The whole thing has been should I say, "bittersweet". The bitter part being the loss of beautiful trees that I have planted, watered, trimmed and manicured over the years, watching my cattle loose that layer of fat that was put on them by feeding them a corn rich diet this fall (since I have no electricity to run my feeding equipment), and of course the general aches and pains that come from the often slip and fall to that frozen tundra below (which is usually followed by a verbal "holy crap, that hurt!!") The sweet part, has been the slower pace of life, for if there is no electricity, there are just a lot of things you just don`t do. And the beauty of it all. A winter wonderland to say the least. God`s creation frozen in time. This caused me to get out my camera, one of my subjects, being this tree that Vikkie has posted.

Let me tell you a little a history of this tree.

I purchased this PinOak three years ago from my good friends at Rolling Hills Nursery. It was the most perfect tree, thus my willingness to drop over a $100 bill for it. After they helped me plant it, I faithfully watered it to help it get off and running. Then just months after planting , I came home from cutting hay one hot dry afternoon, when it was in the 90`s and the wind was hard in the south, and I drove in the yard, and again, the infamous "holy crap", for the little tree nearly had all it`s leaves burnt off. It didn`t grow an inch for the remainder of the year. Then came the drought of 2006, and dead branches were inevitable. So being a farmer at heart, I knew the best thing was to "prune". That has always been the hardest thing for me to do in the first place, to cut off foilage, but when it`s dead, it is the only way to spawn new growth, so just in matter of minutes, the tree became half of it`s former stature. It had a pretty good summer this year, only needing to water it through July. Then the Mother of all icestorms hits, and bends this tree to the ground, freezing it to the two inch thick layer below. It instantly reminded me of the infamous "Charlie Brown Christmas tree" that the Peanuts comic character picked out for the childrens play at school, which blockhead Charlie was the director. So I went to the house, grabbed a few leftover ornaments, and after attaching, took this picture to send to my girls only to assure them that I still had my sense of humor. Then this past Sunday, I was visited by my best friend Jocelyne, who is also my beloved fiancee, and I laughingly pointed out to her my comic strip tree. After a quiet pause and an "Aahhhhhhhh..." from her, she stated that, "It looks as if it is praying on it`s knees, doesn`t it, praying to Jesus". Funny, how people can look at the same thing differently. Perhaps it would have been better decorated with a sparkling golden halo and a large set of white wings depicting an Angel bowing before it`s Lord.

Just this morning, after seeing that little tree out there, "Praying", it`s short life has paralelled mine these past two and a half years. Life is going to have it`s droughts. There is going to be financial droughts, there is going to be spiritual droughts. There is going to be deaths, deaths in realtionships, deaths of friends and family. There are going to be storms....big record setting storms....situations that seem to have no end, no resolve, no answer or reason. Like this little tree, everyone has experienced all in some fashion or another, and there is only one way to ascend out of those valleys, and that is through prayer to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He is our EVERYTHING !! Phillipians 4:6-7 Do not be anxiuos about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ.

Back to the Peanuts animated movie....you remember how frustrated Charlie was when after hanging a few ornaments on his spindly tree, it fell to the ground, followed by his often quoted "Good grief". Then later, Linus, with his thumb sucking blanket in hand, took center stage complete with spotlight, and revealed the true meaning of Christmas by reading the Christmas story from the gospel of Luke 2:8-14. Then all of Charlie`s friends imediately joined in to make that little tree the most beautiful ever. So I leave this blogspot by challenging you with this........Who are you praying for? Who, in need of help, are you investing your life in? In who`s life are you going to make a difference?

Have a Christ filled Christmas everyone, and thanks Vikkie, for sharing your blogspot with me. I love you soo very much!!!

Dad Strahm

***NOTE FROM VIKKIE: If you would ever want to be a guest poster, please let me know. I would love to have you ;) Thanks Dad, you have inspired me to blog on some things that really matter in this world instead of Chocolate Reeses with double the peanut butter, OH MY GOSH THEY ARE SO GOOD!!! Let me know tell you all about it...... ahhhh not today ;) Later

Mother Ice Storm

My Dad sent me an email today with "Mother Ice Storm" as the title and some pictures attached. I thought it would make a good title for my blog today. He sent me these pictures around the farm in Sabetha, KS. I guess Sabetha is not likely to get power for another week or so. Dad has a generator so he is putting it to good use and sending me cool pics from his computer. This looks like such a mess but it really is pretty amazing what freezing water can do. Check out these pics.

I am praying for you out there Dad, love ya.

“Oh Christmas Tree”

“Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, how lovely are your branches”
Brett picked this tree out last night and I think it has been the best tree EVER!!!
I think this tree has gotten me really excited about Christmas this year and I am not even that in to the whole Christmas thing. Don’t get me wrong I love the fact that baby Jesus was born but I hate what society has done to this holiday. I hate Christmas sweaters, I hate the life size blow up Santa’s that are in people’s yard, I hate that I can’t say Merry Christmas because it is not PC, I hate how people go in debt getting others gifts and I really hate that it gets so stinking cold/ icy around this holiday and I usually wreck my car. All this things aside I am kind of loving Christmas this year. That’s right, I have my lights up, my holiday flannel pants from Old Navy ready to wear and even some gifts purchased. I thought I would make a list of things I do love about Christmas since I did just spent several sentences talking about what I hate about it ;)

I love snuggling by the tree with Brett and Debo watching some classic Christmas specials (Christmas Vacation and Home Alone), I don’t really love getting the gifts for people but I LOVE wrapping them, I love the way the house is so cozy with all the lights and the smell of the greenery, I love seeing what Brett gets me for Christmas (he is the best gift giver I know, no pressure this year brett). MMM, what else, I love Reese’s Trees (king size of course) and I love how everything is on sale. I think I might shop for myself this time of year more than others, hee hee.

I also love smores over the stove like I did last night, you all know my love for smores, that is right, I even do it in the winter, works like a charm!!!

3 amazing Days!!

Sorry it has taken me a full week to finally blog about my 3 day walk experience. To sum up my experience all I can say is that it exceeded all my expectations. It really was amazing how this 3 day walk was a huge projection and was so organized. From an event planners perspective it pretty much blew my brain!!! The people that plan this event really have it down to a science and I don’t think I would have changed one thing about it. I am so thankful that I took the time to do this with my great friend Kim. I am also so thankful for the relationships I have built in training for this walk, not sure how else you could be forced to talk to someone for 5 solid hours, IT WAS GREAT!

I have to brag that I did not have one blister and my body was not even that sore but I did train and I felt very prepared. Kim and I pretty much power walked each mile. Just to give you an idea: There were almost 5,000 women and men and the first day we came in 71st and 72nd out of all of them. No, it was not a race but Kim and I are both a little competitive so we wanted to get it done in a good time so we could be back to the camp site for some foot rubs and peanut butter and jelly graham cracker treats (YUM)

Here are some pics for you to look at. Kim did a great job of putting captions on these pictures, thanks sister. http://picasaweb.google.com/chadluce/20071115SanDiego

In Summary, anyone that has been affected by breast cancer should do this, it really is so amazing, I had to hold back tears so many times and I have not been effected directly with breast cancer but what a great support system for someone who has. What a wonderful event!!!

The End ;)

Headed out

Well, after 16 weeks of training and about 430 miles of walking later, I am ready to do the three day walk this weekend. I fly out tomorrow morning and then the walking is on fri, sat and sun. 20 miles a day! I am packed and ready to go and I am excited to go on this journey. My girl and I are going to stay a couple days after the walk just to sight see and relax so that should also be a good time. I think the only thing I am not looking forward to is not seeing my boy Brett or my other boy, Debo. Miss and love you guys ;)

Well, I will Blog all about my adventure when I get back. Wish me luck! ;)

we could have died tonight

This is what I made along with steak, wilted lettuce salad, rolls and french silk pie with whipping on top for our guests

I found these potatoes at the Chopper and they are larger than life (this picture really does not do it justice, they were HUGE, I loved it!!!)

Dear Potatoes,

I love and miss you everyday!

Dodge This!

Just an update for all of you that are following out dodge ball team, Yes, we are #1 so far! Yes, I am awesome at recruiting a dodge ball team and Yes, we will win it all!!!!
I am not sure why I am so competitive with this sport, I am not even that great at it. All I know is that I hate to lose and so far my team has made me very proud!!!
This stud muffin was rocking it on Monday night.

happy halloween

Had to take some time to get out the ole drill and do this last night:

It was great to take some time and just stick my hands in cold pumpkin mush. These days I have been so busy getting settled into a new job and getting ready for my 3- day walk which is in just over a week away.

Halloween is today and I have never really gotten into this holiday. I did dress up as a child but I was Georgy the ghost every single year since it was easy and cheap. I think with 5 kids, it was not an option to go to Target and get $20 costumes that were going to fit you for one year. Living out on a farm, we never really had a lot of trick or treaters either, we had some cousins stop by but that is about it. So, I love it that my street is packed with kids and I am all ready for them tonight. Lots of Snickers and Reese's at my house plus some nice spider rings!!! Feel free to stop by. ;)

Last day

Today is my last day at my job. I have worked here since I graduated college in 2003. I started out doing an internship in special events, was hired as a development assistant in special events and then moved my way up to Special Events Coordinator. It has been a fun ride and I will miss my co-workers who have become dear friends to me. I found a couple pictures of the first days at this job and had to share. I will miss you all very much but will not be far away!

Monday I will start my new job as an Event Planner. I am looking forward to working with a wonderful team and starting a new chapter in my life!!! Have a great weekend!

Body in pain!!

Sorry I have not blogged in a while, I have been too busy getting a new job ;) and walking! On Sunday I walked my all time high of 18 miles!! Nov. 9th is coming up and I am feeling all ready to walk these 20 miles a day for three days! My feet have swelled to a nice 10.5 shoe size and I now have "man feet"!! The first thing I am doing when I get back from this walk is taking a cheese grader to these bad boys. It is good to build up callus's for this long walk so you don't get blisters but they are kinda nasty just for just every day.

It has been a big commitment to walk so far and pretty much give up sleeping in on weekends but so worth it. I want to give a shout out to my girl Andrea for waking up so early to walk with me every Tues and Thurs and even sometimes on the weekends, thanks for sticking in there friend! Also thank you to Mindy and Kim for walking some of those 18 milers. My girl Andrea is going to go on that adventure this weekend. Biggest thanks to my boy, Brett, for picking up all the slack while I have been out walking for several hours at a time.

Just a few pics of my friend Kim and I after our walk. Kim is the one that recruited me for this adventure and we are getting excited to head to San Diego in just a few weeks.

Oh, my body is not only in pain from spending several hours on my feet walking, it is mostly from this new dodge ball league (we are awesome by the way) that I am in, holy crap, I can barely walk!!!!

Friends

Besides walking a total of 30 miles this past weekend, we spent time with our good friends to celebrate Clark and Sarah's 30th birthdays. It was so great to just sit around with all our friends to laugh, tell stories, eat some amazing food, have some wonderful wine and just be together. One of our good friends took this photo while we were not looking and I LOVE IT!!!! After spending several hours walking this weekend and being away from my main man, I can't think of another way to capture exactly what I wanted to do the rest of the day. I think this picture explains it all. Thank you Donna!

Low point

This may have been the low point of my day when I came home, kicked my shoes off, grabbed the mail and discovered this:

I have had many misspellings to my name, in fact, I was just emailing a friend about this yesterday. Pretty much every single day of my life, I get an email with my name spelled: Vicki, Vicky, Vikki, Vickie. But never DICKI!!!

No offense to my parents who gave me the great name of Vikkie but having this name as a women in her 20's is hard enough. When I talk to people on the phone and then we finally meet, they always look at me like they are shocked that I am not a 40 year old women. You just don't see to many Vikkie's my age. I must say, it has not been the easiest name to have but because it has an "e" and double "k's" I'd like to think it is special. I have never met another girl with the same spelling as mine but if I did, I am sure she would be my best friend. It has crossed my mind, if I had to change my name what would it be, any ideas?? I would love some feedback on what you maybe thought my name was before you met me.

Peace out!

Puppy Love

I have not posted about this guy in a while so for all your dog lovers out there, look at this one.

This is some serious puppy love!!!!

I know for those of you that don't have dogs, it makes no sense but this guy brings such much joy into our home. Debo is so fun to cuddle, play with and just have around. Love you Debs!!!!

My greatest weakness

A couple weeks ago, we were leaving our local price chopper when Brett stopped to see a candy display and said: “Vikk, Oh Vikk, I think I just found your greatest weakness”. As he pointed to the Halloween candy display, my mouth dropped and I began to salivate. Hershey’s has really outdone themselves now!!!!

Now, I have posted about the Reese’s Easter egg, the Valentines Day Heart and the Christmas tree. I only just saw the pumpkin Reeses last year but they were small ones that I could eat in about one bite, they were tasty but not big enough.

This year they have this:

That is right, King Size with more Peanut Butter. This thing blows my brain. I was afraid to eat it in one sitting as it was over 300 calories but I just thought I would go for it. It was one of the best experiences (as far as candy eating is concerned) and you all have to try it. It might not be a bad idea to have a 12 oz bottle of water to wash it down since it has so much sugar, even I almost could not take it. My plan is to stock up on these until Christmas and just pray that they come out with a King Size Tree. Just rememeber, Dreams do come true. They may make you sick and you may have to walk 12 miles a day like I do to feel better about yourself after eating it but Dang, it is worth it!!!!!

Belated Post

Hey,

this has been a post that I have been meaning to post for about two weeks now. As I blogged about in July, I received a trip to Chicago for my birthday and we went over labor day weekend. It was such a wonderful trip!! I wish I could be on vacation with Brett Wiese all the time, he is my favorite person to travel with.

I would have to say the highlights of the trip were:

- Dinner at Trattoria No. 10, it was a small Italian place that Brett had found and made reservations to. The food was great but really the best part was just spending time together and talking. It as very romantic and so much fun.

- The sunset boat cruise through the city, again this was very romantic but it was fun to learn about the different buildings in Chicago. We had fun laughing and trying to get good pics of the city.

- Seeing my all time favorite Broadway show for a steal!!! I have seen "Wicked" before but I am kinda obsessed with it (not as much as KW is but I am pretty into it). We were able to see a show for just $25 a ticket, front row center of the stage. I was able to get these tickets through a drawing that is done two hours before every show time, of course by good luck continues, we won two tickets and two hours later I was so close to the stage I could see every expression and every detail on the costumes. I was holding back tears almost the whole show because it was amazing!! I think Brett got more joy out of watching me love it than the actual musical.

-Eating so many carbs, I made myself sick. AHHH, the pizza, pasta and french toast, I LOVE AND MISS YOU!!!

It was wonderful and I can't wait to take my next vacation with my boy!!!

Why???

Wait. why would you spent money on these?

I keep seeing men where these and I am really confused, if your feet are hot, save your money and get some flip flops. Not only will they keep your feet cooler but they look cooler too.

26 going on 40

So this weekend I walked a lot of miles as I am in the first few weeks of my training for the 3-day walk that I am doing in San Diego in Nov. This week I walked a total of 21 miles. Yesterday I had to walk 6 miles,when I walked in the door with all my garb on Brett said: "Vikk, you look like you are 40 years old with that hip pack on!" I thought it was really funny because I pretty much have lost all pride for how I look when I work out as far as this walk goes. I bought some shoes that are size 10.5, my feet are huge!!! I purchased these shoes based purely on comfort which I never do, gotta look cool. I where a hip pack and a pedometer, pretty cool!!!! ;) I do have a pink i-pod so hopefully I do look close to 26 years old as I walk. Anyway, Brett took some pics of me after a hot walk:

Nice view, sorry folks, just look at the cool hip pack not that trunk ;)

Me, holding my cool pedometer and pointing to my rocking hip pack. It kinda looks like I am striking a

"muscle man" pose. ;)

Old timer

Yesterday I stopped at Walgreen's on my way to work to pick up a card for my dear friend Kim (Happy Birthday Sister!!!, I love ya)

Anyway, I was shopping about when an old man, I would say in his 80's pulled a large case of bottled water off the shelf. Because he was old and he was lifting a heavy item I turned to look at him to be sure he didn't need any help. He handled it like a pro and put it in his cart. Then he noticed that I was staring at him so he said "You know, it won't be long before all the water turns into poison". I thought for a second and wondered what the crap he was talking about and instead of just saying "yep" and walk away I said "Oh yeah, and why is that" He then said to me, "Have you read Revelation chapter 8?" I answered "MMM, no I will have to read that." The old man said "Yes, in chapter 8 you will see why, you will see". I was like what the crap!!!!

So, I got to work and looked up Revelation chapter 8 on my computer and this is what I found:

1When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
2And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.
3Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. 4The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel's hand. 5Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.
The Trumpets 6Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them.
7The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.
8The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood, 9a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
10The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water— 11the name of the star is Wormwood.[a] A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter.

12The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night.
13As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: "Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!"

Now, I am not bible quiz champion but does this make sense to anyone???? Crazy old man.....

potential to be a male model???

I do believe we have some major potential here.......

Let the voting begin. Male model?

School days

I hate to see summer slowly coming to an end. I get knots in my stomach just thinking about winter and Christmas (YUCK)! (If you don't know, I am not a big fan of cold weather or the winter season). I use to love that time of year but for some reason I have started to hate it. I think it might be because it gets dark so early, I feel like I am working the night shift or something. I am also not a huge fan of thanksgiving and Christmas because it is usually when I gain "my winter weight", not this year though, you can suck it WINTER!!!!! ;) I keep telling Brett that we should look into either moving to Cali. or going away in the winter, maybe a winter home in San Fransisco???? I love that idea. It can be cold there too but at least the sun is shining. Anyway, I may have to seek some professional help this year, I don't think Brett wants to live with someone who is unhappy through a whole season ;) Not sure I have seasonal depression but it has to be something like that. If you have any ideas on why I should love those aspects of winter, please feel free to share. Any positive thoughts??

I guess the one positive thing I can think about as far as summer coming to a close is: SCHOOL SUPPLIES!!!! I wish I could still get school supplies. ;) Oh how I love the trapper keepers (by the way this trapper keeper is on ebay going for 20 bones) and and fun folders with boy bands on them ;) I remember when my mom lets me get ever sharps (mechanical pencils) I LOVED THOSE!! It was so much better than normal pencials. I also loved my protractor and reinforcers too. Can't say that I have used reinforcers since middle school. ;) Maybe I will go get some and start using them. I can think of several times when I have needed them at work. I have a lot of binders in the line of work that I do, not so many trapper keeper though, dang!!

Anyway, this is just a shout out to all you kids out there going back to school (since I am sure so many of them read my blog). Happy school shopping and hope you had a good summer!!!

Look alike

That is right, Posh Spice made fruit pizza in my kitchen this weekend!!! She came and went shopping with me, let her dog play with mine, went to the farmers market and even came to my birthday cook out that night!!! ;) Actually, this is my older sister Carrie in her new sunglasses from Forever 21, my new favorite place to get accessories. I was telling Carrie all day that she looked like Posh with that haircut and those glasses, what do you guys think? ;)

Saturday was wonderful!!! I woke up early and my sister hung out just like old times, it was wonderful. While Carrie was making this fruit pizza, she was talking like she was on a cooking show in a British accent, we use to play cooking show when we were younger with all the left over’s when we were doing dishes after a meal. We had so much fun!!! We also hit a wonderful fabric store where I picked out some fabric for Carrie to make me a purse; I can’t wait to see how it turns out. We then went out to the Legends mall, which I have to admit, I kind love. We had lunch with my Mom and I introduced them both to Forever 21. This might be one of the best moments of the day because I told them I just wanted to go in for a second, thinking they would hate this store. They both ended up buying more than I did. I was cracking me up!!!!

Then Saturday night we headed to my great girlfriends house for our annual cook out and to celebrate my birthday. Some of you may remember I blogged about this last year. It is so fun a causal. Callie, my little sister, grilled all the meat and everyone else brought something and then I made Mojitos. We love to get together and sit by the fire and just be together. Be sure to check out my flickr pics of the party.

Carrie, thanks for coming all the way from Seward, Nebraska to come to my party. My friends and I had so much fun hanging out with you!!!!

Back in the game

I know several of you are dying to hear how my birthday went with Mr. Brett Wiese this year. As some of you may recall, Brett kinda dropped the ball last year as he told me on the morning of my birthday that he had a conference for work that he had to go to later that night. I thought he was kidding me but he wasn’t and at 6pm that night he took off for the rest of the night. No birthday dinner, nothing. I ended up going to Foo’s (which was wonderful and fun by the way) with some girl friends but it was totally a sympathy birthday, they had no choice but to take me because they felt sorry for me ;) Brett also gave me an ice-cream maker, which I really wanted, but I saw it before he gave it to me so it was not a surprise at all and I love being surprised!!! I have not really forgiven Brett since last year so this was the year to make it up to me ;) I was not sure if he was going to be able to pull it off but I would say he did an exceptional job this year.

I woke up to a fun birthday card and a clue of what my present was:

- Clue One: I could not really wrap this present

Then when I got in my car to go to work another clue was on my steering wheel:

- Clue Two: This gift is not something that you specially asked for

After I received some beautiful flowers from Brett at work. I headed out to lunch I found a clue was taped to the window of my car:

- Clue Three: There has been songs written and movies produced about this gift

I started to put the clues together and I really started to think maybe he was taking me somewhere for my birthday, maybe Omaha, Oklahoma, New York City or Chicago. Yet, I thought it was not in the budget (if any of you know Brett, you know he likes to stick to the budget ;) and even if it was a trip he was just going to tell me that he was going to take me somewhere and then I would end up planning the whole trip. I don’t mind planning trips but lately I have been kinda burnt out on planning personal things since I do it all day at work.

Just before leaving for dinner I got the fourth clue:

- Clue four: Some famous people like this gift, especially Oprah.

I was almost 100% sure I figured it out by now but still kinda worried I was going to be just a bit disappointed when I found out I was going to have to book everything and know how much everything cost, which never makes it fun to travel.

After reading clue four, Brett took me out to dinner at my new favorite restaurant, 1924 Main. This restaurant reminded me of this fun place we went in San Francisco, it was really hip and the food was out of this world good. Brett had even made reservations, which he knows I adore. I am not sure how it started but I really don’t enjoy going to franchise restaurants (mainly, Cheesecake factory, PF Changs and Applebee’s, YUCK). I always prefer to support the smaller local places that are really happy you came in to eat there. 1924 Main was the perfect place for a nice birthday dinner.

Just before we ordered, Brett said: “Vikk, I think I am going to skip the last clue because I think you may be catching on to me”. He handing me an envelope and inside was a confirmation for two airline tickets to Chicago and a four star Hotel reservation that was located in the heart of Chicago. I got teary eyed and was so excited!!! As I started to thank Brett, he started telling me what he has planned for each day, even where we were going to eat and fun places we were going to visit. I was and am THRILLED!!! Any one who knows me well knows I love weekend trips and I love getting out of Kansas. I went to Chicago in January and it was one of the best trips. I can’t wait to go again when it is warm and we can do a bit more and to go with Brett, how fun!!! We leave on Aug 30th (which is our 4 year anniversary) and I can’t wait!!!

Brett, thank you so much, you are defiantly off the hook ;) Love you.

P.s.
I have to mention my second favorite gift so far, it is a blanket that my girl friends Kerry and Sarah got me, I have been snuggling in from the moment I got it, and I love it!!! Thanks Ladies.