Karl Commencement

I received an email today from IU with pictures of the winter commencement. Since none of us were there, I thought I'd post (Link below). The first shot is of an Kelley School professor shaking a graduate's hand... I was hoping it was Karl! Anyway. Congratulations again little brother.

xo!
-M

Getting Better

Oh and I made this cake over the weekend. Strawberry with Whipped Cream frosting.

xo!
-M

More

I thought that I'd post some additional house pictures even though I'm somewhat disappointed with the comments of my last post. Or should I say lack of comments. (Thanks, "Chard for being the only one!) I know it's summer and all but I'd thought more of you would respond.

Maybe you guys don't really want to visit me? Maybe I'm just needy? Maybe I'm bored? Whatever the reason, you all are my family, so... I think you're obligated. Step up, respond and visit soon. Included are shots of the dining room, kitchen, and living room.

xo!
-M

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!

Speaking of old ladies ;-) Let's give it up for our darling mother who turn 53 today. Lots of love here from NC, Mom.

xoxo
-M

Cupcakes, anyone?

Day one: Monday, April 23, 2007. Woke up at about 7:30a. Watched the news. I already miss the NBC5 Today show. Dick Johnson and Ellie Pie Hong live from the NBC5 Studio at Tribune Tower with their "Window on the Weather." Sigh. Took Lilly for a walk. Drove to Bluffton to the Starbucks. Did you know that Bluffton has a Starbucks? Yes. Brand new. Everything is clean but the service is slow. Need to remember that I don't have anywhere to rush off to, so there's really no reason to hurry. Home again. Changed clothes. Eliptical trainer for 30 minutes. Did you know that Dad has an Eliptical Trainer? It's nice and provided a good work out. Showered. Put Lilly in her crate. Took Brandon to the airport for this 2p flight to San Antonio. Drove to Borders. Looked at cook books. Thought about making a casserole for Dad. Called Kellie. Made plans for tomorrow. Decided against buying a cook book. Decided instead to make some cupcakes. Went to Hobby Lobby. Purchased frostings bags, tips and cupcake boxes. Drove home. Talked to Karl. He was a presentation tomorrow at 1p. His group is lame, though and usually gets the lowest grade in the class. Let's hope tomorrow is different. Home again. Made 48 cupcakes. 24 Yellow and 24 Chocolate. Dad home. Mom was working at McDonalds. Did you know that Mom's school has an occasional fund-raiser that makes them work at McDonalds? She sometimes cooks food, sometimes works the register, sometimes cleans tables. Life skills learned. Tonight was cleaning tables. Dad went to Lowes. Needed some lumber. Began frosting cupcakes. Mom and Dad helped. (See picture) Made orange frosting for Dad. Dad likes orange. Mom does not. Might be why she doesn't like the new desk? Talked to Betsey. She was driving home from school and is working on 2 20 pages papers. Walked Lilly. Mom did the dishes. Did you know that Mom and Dad still don't have a dishwasher? Talked to Brandon. He went to a parade in SAT on the water way. He said it was lame and that they were overcharging for food. He went back to the hotel for dinner. Went to bed.

Good day? Yes, i think so.

Kisses!
-M

In God We Trust!

So. It's been awhile since I've posted but that doesn't mean there hasn't been much to report. In fact, quite the opposite is true. I've wanted to blog earlier to update everyone but couldn't think of a witty or interesting way to relay the story. That being said -- I guess we'll just jump right in.

1. I quit my job. I hated that place. They pray every Monday morning and the CEO (Prayer Leader) was a devote follower of Steve Forbes, a man with terrible skin and even worse political views. (Flat tax?!?!) Can't tell you all how happy I am to be OUT of that place and with no new job in sight, am giving myself the chance to explore what I really want to be doing as it's definitely not making money for CEOs with crazy-ass politics and views on how to run a company.

2. We sold our Condo. We had put in the market in mid-March more to just see if we could sell it and ended-up getting our asking price within 5 days. It's turned out to be a wise investment for Brandon and me and we're happy with outcome.

3. We moved. (See 1 and 2) We are now homeless and I am now jobless. The buyers of our placed wanted to close in 30 days, which required us to scrabble-about on determining our next steps. I'm thinking I want to go back to school but am not sure for an MBA or a Masters of what, which is a problem.... SO we decided in the short-term, we would rely on our families' good graces. Some might call it 'mooching'. Some might say exploitation. Others might say it's just plain SMART. But no matter how you slice it - we packed up all of our stuff and sent it to Bradon's mom and step-dad's plant in Greensboro NC and are now staying with Mom and Dad here in beautiful Decatur IN. We're going to be here for a couple of weeks and then are either going to NC to look at Chapel Hill for a house. (Duke, UNC and NC State are all near.) OR and this is a big maybe at this point - Brandon could get staffed on a project in NEW ZEALAND. If that were to happen, we would probably be there a year or so. If not, we'll go to NC. Brandon can work from anywhere so that's nice and I'll explore school options all while living with his mom and step-dad in Greensboro / High Point area while looking for a house.

4. We got married. Probably not the best way to tell everyone but being jobless, moving and doing all of this stuff, we really just needed to be married. We ended up at the Chicago City Hall on Thursday (April 19th) for a 2 minute, "I do" session with the Cook County judge. We didn't tell anyone as it was really more a logistical / practical thing. We are planning to have a real wedding ceremony and party with all of our very special loved ones and friends but it will depend on whatever happens with this New Zealand thing as to the when and where. I love you all and hope you're not disappointed but really it was just something that we needed to do. So -- it's a official. I'm Margie Kooman.

5. And for those of you who haven't been to Indiana recently - there's this new CRAZY license plate here. (See picture) Strangest thing. I mean, I like the G-O-D. Who doesn't? He created the world. Blesses us. etc... But gimme a break. "In God We Trust" on a plate? Little weird.

So -- that's it. That's what is new with me.

Love to you all.
-M

Guess what today is...

Hope it's a happy one Margie! We sure love you.

-Rusty

Greetings from Park City

Hello Family!

Casey and I just got back from the spa here in lovely Park City. Brandon treated us to a massage and a facial. It was super relaxing. The boys didn't end up going skiing. Brandon's back hurt and it's about 60 degrees so Ryan was concerned with the snow consistency. Overall - We're having a good time here, celebrating Casey's big 3-0. We think next year, we should celebrate all spring birthdays in Vegas. Who's in? Hope you all are. We love you!


Thought we'd post a couple shots.

Kisses!
-M

Fields of Corn

Greetings everyone!

Hoping this blog finds you all enjoying the evening. I absolutely LOVE Friday nights. They are, by far, my most favorite time of the week. You have the whole weekend ahead of you. Saturday morning, it seems, starts the count-down to Monday. But Friday nights. Ah! No worries. No Stress. Just the calm of Fridays

Our Saturdays are usually spent running errands and doing all the things that we couldn't even think about doing during the week. Home Depot. Bed, Bath and Beyond. ;-) All those great adult errands that you got to get done. I went to the book store last weekend and pick-up a book on container gardens. I'm thinking of planting some things this spring to enhance the small outdoor space that we have here. Historically, though, I've been like Mom -- blackest thumb in all of Chicago. But I'm hoping this book will help show me the way. I'm going to research a bit more tomorrow and see what I need to do when.

I've also got to work a little tomorrow. Now, I know. I know. You all think that all I ever do is complain about my job and while that might be true. I think the complaints are warrented. This job / industry SUCKS. Or maybe it's just the pace of work nowadays. I'm connected at all times. Got two client emails at 8p today. Why? What in the world are you doing that you need to email me on Friday night at 8p? Why? We're a culture so CONNECTED, that we never, ever let it go. Relax. Enjoy the moment. It's all, "Who needs what now?" And, "What else should I be doing?" There are times when I think, "God, it'd be nice to have been born in 1831." How simple a time. You worked and provided for your family and that was that. I mean, granted. I work and provide for my family. But it's not as direct. It's toiling away at a completely oblivously thing - like creating an ad. Who cares? What's the strategy behind the ad? What are you trying to sell? Bla. Bla. Bla. Makes me want to move to Montana and plant a field of corn.

Anyway. I'm just venting. I'll post some pictures of MY CUTE dog. Lilly.

I miss you and love you all so much!
-M

And so...

And I have to tell you all, I'm completely BUMMED. I made this fantantic SLIDE show in iPhoto. I changed the pictures to Sepia, used this great Ken Burns affect and added some music. Its of all the shots from our LA trip. Seriously brings a tear to the eye. It's just like the Mac commercial. Right out of the box, making movies. Watch-out Speilberg. Karl, if you know how I can post a movie up here, let me know. In the meantime, I'll just post another picture from the photobooth.

Kisses.
-M

5:49pm Reading Blog

Greeting Family!

Thought I'd test out the technology and take a picture with the camera in my computer. This is me, reading the Gimbel Family Blog. I love that Mom and Rusty have finally decided to contribute. Now, we just need Dad. ;-)

I think I have to agree with your old lady friend, Rusty. You're 25 and never had a real job!?!? I'm 28 and feel like I've spent my whole life working. I got back from Kansas City and actually the trip went well. I was there shooting Ceiling Panels. I'll have to post the image when it's done. It's a great shot highlighting Sustainable Design. I know Brad Pitt will dig-it. He and his Greenbuild in New Orleans and all. And while the trip was good - I'm just so tired of photoshoots, traveling, meetings and clients, client dinners. Ugh.

Oh and Karl, is your little friend so excited about the COLTS win? I heard that it was a good game. Chicago is abuzz with BEARS fever. We had planned to go to Washington DC for a Super Bowl party called "SnackerBowl"

Our friend Alex hosts this party every year where all good-for-you food is baned. Everything has to be fried and wrapped in bacon. You have to wear stretchy pants and eat until you EXPLODE! I was so looking forward to it and with the Bears in the bowl -- what fun! But alas it's that weekend that we'll be in Erie celebrating Papa's life at his Memorial.

Alright I need to run. I have to finish up this report before I head home.

Kisses!
-M

Kansas City. Where are you?

Greeting from Kansas City!

Well I hope you don't think it overkill that I write again, but wanted to say hello from the beautiful Kansas City, Missouri. I'm here for a photoshoot and have attached a shot of the background that we're trying to capture. Granted it's January and we'll never capture this so it's somewhat pointless that we're here for the shoot tomorrow, but whatever... I did get to ride first class on the flight out here. Not sure why, but -- whatever. Take what you can.

So I have to ask - Rusty? Mom? Where are your blogs? I know that I'm online all the time because of my job, but I'd like to see some representation. And Betsey, no more crazy cut & paste blogs from NPR. A letter to yourself - Isn't that so 2 years ago. ;-) I'm teasing. I love it. I just want more of it. So write away, Gimbels. This is the new medium. Let's take part.

Miss and love you all.

Moving along the x-axis

Greeting Gimbels. Hope all is well this fine Friday evening.

I'm just getting back from Cincinnati. There was an interesting company retreat today where we heard speakers on teamwork and building better communication channels. Bla. The cynical side of me just wants to roll my eyes. "How do you build TRUST?... What do you do to midigate CONFLICT?" It's one self-help book title after another. Have you ever noticed the amount of motivational marketing / sales books at the airports? There are TONS of them. And TONS of theories, thoughts and best practices, experts, models, drawings, graphics, bla, bla, bla...

I mean, REALLY. Who is this guy to tell me how to deal with people? There is no secret formula for conflict resolution. No secret formual for teamwork. Who in the world buys into the idea that there is a formula that can be replicated and work in every instance for any corporation in the world. Come-on. If there is one thing I learned from Calculus, it's this - Even if you have a formula, there are going to be instance when it doesn't work. You've got a formula, thinking its working, X toward 3...and BAM there's a hole. For no reason. Nothing you could have done to predict it. It just happened. There are no absolutes. You take-in all you can. You write a formula and you move along your x-axis. But you do also have to continue be flexible. You have to vigilant. You have to listen, learn, re-write formula and move on.

Anyway. I'll get off my soapbox. I've had enough of that today.

The good news from my trip is that I'm now typing this blog on my new 15" MacBook Pro. It's a beautiful machine w/ remote and built-in camera. I also received my first-ever blackberry. Yup. I'm on of those really important people that can't wait to check their email and needs to be connected at every point in time. Similar to doctors, my craft is so important that I have to be constantly on-call.

Crazy.

I love you and yes, I love to swear!
-M

MASHED POTATOES

So you know what I love most about the pictures that Ryan posted? Not the spiked Chloe hair. I mean, that's great don't get me wrong. No, what I love most about the pictures that Ryan posted... THE BIG BOWL OF MASHED POTATOES! I mean, look at that bowl of mashed potatoes. It's overflowing. Do you all remember how many mashed potatoes I used to heap on to my plate? I mean, really? I used to pile those on so high. YUM!

Thanks Ryan for posting those. I've got a few here that I'm going to post of us and Lilly.

We are just getting home from dinner out with some friends. We talk about starting our own agency and what that would mean. I'm inspired by the thought of it but terrified of the prospect. No steady paycheck yet the ability to garner the wages your work truly deserves. We'll see what happens. I'm too much a Gimbel to take those sort of risks, but feel like I'm spinning my wheels if I don't.

Till tomorrow.
-M

Why do we have to login as Karl?

As I mentioned, I like the idea of a blog as a way for us to communicate and 'manage our stress' though I'm not sure I want the world thinking I'm Karl Gimbel. Is there a way to have our own identity on this thing?

I'm also pleased that this blog will help distract me from my BORING new job. As it turns out - Yes, I can STILL complain about my work! No fears everyone. I know you might have thought, "Hm. Margie has gotten a new job. Maybe she'll bitch a little less." NOPE. NO WAY. NADA. Still not happy. Still dread every morning. Still need to figure out what in the heck I want do for the next 30 years. UGH. But I guess that's that's for me to solve tomorrow. Because I think it was Goof-Off Goose that said it best, "Why do today what you can do tomorrow."

Peace and Bacon Grease.
-M