Welcome Lisa!

Lisa Sonnenberg is the new Mrs. Illinois America! She is also an absolute doll! Lisa found me through Facebook and asked me for guidance as she prepared for Mrs. Illinois. She is such a dynamic person AND a mother to FOUR young ones (and a killer six pack.) She has not only been like a sponge and soaking up advice, but she has such a great presence about her. So when we were in Atlantis, I was sooo thrilled the international texts were finding me, letting me know she had WON! Lisa, you are in for a fantastic year. You, your husband Scott and your four sweet children are going to have so many great memories of your time as Mrs. Illinois America 2012 and perhaps even Mrs. America 2013!You've worked so hard~enjoy it!

Farewell to a Fantastic Man~

This week we lost a dear family member, Uncle Ulu. Ulu Grosbard leaves our world a more beautiful place place and his work as a director on Broadway and on film will remain a way to continue just some of his legacy. There are some wonderful articles about his life and work. A favorite is from the NY Times. 1) Ulu directing the marvelous Meryl Streep

A bad break...or a couple of fractures later...

The motto here, as I have heard dozens of times now, is "It could've been a lot worse." Okay, fine, whatever. It happens often to riders and normally you dust yourself off and get back on to end the ride on a better note while retaining some bit of confidence. That would not happen on this Friday. Instantly after I fell, it felt like I was either having back labor or massive lower back spasms. My first thought was not of the pain, but of my husband. How would I explain this to him as he has never really been a fan my horse habit. How would he react? My poor mom got the first call. Then calls to Michelle and Deanna. Jennifer would have also had the pleasure, but was out of town. I am sure none of them could understand me through it all. I barely understood myself! After refusing to be taken to the hospital (I know, real bright, huh?) I found myself driving to the hospital where I then called John. I swear I lost ten years in the parking lot as I called his number. He met me there. We were told I fractured my L1 and L2 vertebrae and needed a CAT scan. FANTASTIC. The poor techs told me to be still, but I couldn't stop shaking from all the sobbing. I am not a pretty crier, mind you. My poor husband asked, "Is it from the pain?" No. That I could handle. It was the prospect of not riding again. Crazy, huh? As much as he hates it, he has...so far...agreed to let me continue. Of course, I have been told by the orthopedic surgeon that will be in three months from now. THREE MONTHS??? Better than never though. 1)The two squares with the ridges are where the breaks are from landing on my butt. 2)Legs. We think he pinched a nerve after landing from a jump which likely caused him to buck...me off. He's still my boy! 3)My back brace...with "STIRRUPS"...to tighten it down. Wish these stirrups were on a saddle.

What Can You Tell Me?

Today I was at the College of DuPage to help the North Surburban Law Enforcement Academy with their media training. I have been lucky enough to do the training since my days at Fox and before Ali was even born. And it was my first time inside the newly constructed Homeland Security Building. Wow! It is SPECTACULAR! This is where law enforecement classes and crime labs are housed. There are so many high-tech gadgets here I can't recall it all! The classrooms and labs are convertible to change as needed in terms of various types of evidence collection etc. Mock crime scenes can change lighting, there are sound effects and even fog can be used to help future officers get more practical tactical training. Cameras are able to capture how students work in certain situations with lasers to follow the action. I know, I am doing the facility such a huge disservice in its description. Much of the building comes from what is used by the FBI and DuPage is now THE example for other campuses. In a foyer, they have a 13 foot steel beam from one of the trade towers. It is compelling and rattling to see such an enormous piece of steel that has been peeled back, much like a banana, from the force of what happened on 911.