Quick Note - I apologize if you signed up to receive update alerts by email and you are not receiving them.  The past few weeks I've been receiving returned emails - stating that the alert does not go through.  I apologize for this - I'm not trying to forget you.  If you have another email account you would like me to try - shoot me a note at [email protected].

Now to the Leftovers...
The day has come and past ... my stomach is still full and I continue to fill it with wonderful leftovers.  I am not much of a cook.  Actually, I strongly dislike being in the kitchen.  On Friday morning, I opened the fridge and to my surprise it looked pretty full in my mind...

So - I realize many of you are thinking ... Rach have you lost it ...  Taking pictures of the fridge???

Good News! - I haven't lost it, just enjoying the simple treasures in life ... and making the best out of a gloomy day :).

So that brings me to the photo shoot I did with the dog.

...and of course Joe didn't want to be left out of the pictures...

I was here - there and everywhere these past few days and finally made my way back to my sister's house this evening.  I pulled into the neighborhood and was somewhat alarmed ... For a moment I thought I was living with the Griswolds :)  My sis and her family know how to decorate.

It was a beautiful surprise to come home to ... Maybe scrooge's heart is warming back up to the holidays...

Hoping everyone had a fabulous weekend - Happy almost Monday...or Monday.

Love -
Rach

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone!

As I sit down to write this morning – I realizing two things…

1.     I have a lot to be thankful for.

2.     The holidays are still a hard time of year.

Each day – good things happen, I laugh, I smile…sometimes cry…I live.  I am thankful for my family, my friends, my animals…  For Team Vogel, meeting new people, talking to strangers and finding a connection…

Today as I reflect on where life has taken me and how I got here, I realized how grateful, thankful (you pick the word) I am for my job.  About 1 year ago, 2 ladies decided to take a chance on me and hire me.  I truly do not know where I would be had this path not presented itself.

My boss embraces me for me, believes in me and accepts me.  Most important, she is always there for me.

My co-worker (sometimes partner in crime…I can’t believe they allow us to work together) has become a true friend.  She has listened to me on some of my toughest days, celebrated on good ones, and spiced up the boring mornings. 

The students have taught me to embrace the small things and make the best of each situation.  They bring out the best in me (most days :)…). 

And to the two new staff members, that started this year, you are both truly the perfect fit.  We are a unique team that many only dream of having.

All I can say is – thank you.  Thank you for giving me the purpose I needed to get out of bed, find my way, and keep going.  I don’t like to reflect on what might have been, but I know I would not be where I am today without all of you.

To the Miller Mentoring Crew – Miller Thanksgiving!

And the Holidays …  Waking up this morning I realized how tough they can sometimes be, a time for family and friends…  Man – I miss you Joe. 

So – I thought it would be good to look back at our last Thanksgiving together.  (Hard to believe this will be my 2nd without you…)  We were off to South Carolina to meet up with your sister, Chuck and Nate (Theo too – but he was still in belly).

We would always capture the moments on the plane.  You were pretty excited to wear a mask…OK – maybe you wanted to kill me for making you wear one.  You made the best of it – like you did with everything in life.

We had a good visit and even ventured down to Georgia to have dinner with my aunt and uncle. 

Although you are there and I am here - me in one window...you in the other - I love you more each day, I am thankful for all the time we had, and can’t wait til I see you again.  Until then Mr. Joe – 143.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and creates many new memories.  And to all those in the Carolinas – I hope you are ready…I will be landing on Thursday.

Love and hugs –

Rach

These past few months, I have taken a moment to step back from my old stomping grounds and make a change.  I've been living with my sister and her family while my new place in the country is being constructed.  I've learned many things along the way...  

I've learned to share my favorite pieces of clothing...and borrow some amazing items myself...

I've learned how to change the nozzle on the air compressor from my 7 year old nephew...

I've learned it is impossible to keep a kitchen clean when it is 3 on 2...

I've learned how important it is to say good morning and how awesome it is to a get a hug on your way out the door...

I've also learned - that we can all be crabby at times...If you are 29, 32, 7 or 13 years old...

I embrace the moments I have here, for I will be moving on soon - but today, I was reminded to take everything in and cherish the laughter, fun, love and memories.

It started when I came home on my lunch break.  I was in the kitchen grabbing a bite to eat (yes - I can fend for myself every now and then...OK - I just reheated leftovers...)  I saw this note...

Mr. Payton left a note for Grandpa.  He had been doing some research on snowblowers for him.  I apologize - snow Blorse :)  I could not stop giggling after I saw this - precious and priceless.  (Dad - I think this is a pretty good deal, don't break the little guy's heart.)

Payton has a love for snow, grass, tools and machines.  He is an elderly man trapped in a 7 year olds body.

This evening - I walk in the house after being out to dinner with friends, and Miss Kirsten and I begin chatting about our days.  I proudly proclaim that I was just singing my heart out in the car and it was amazing.  She chimes in and asks if I remember the time she came home with Joe and I from a wedding - the time when we sang our hearts out to that one song...I can remember it like yesterday - we were in the civic, sun-roof open, rocking out to The Sweet Escape by Gwen Stefani...Amazing!  (Joe really could hit the notes.)

This is how you pick up the pieces and find the way.  You embrace what surrounds you and surround yourself with the most amazing people.  You hit the bottom every now and then - it happens.  The bottom is no longer where I rest.  Hard moments are spreading further and further out.  The one thing that remains the same, and will never change, the wonderful memories I have and continue to make each day.  I embrace the small things and cherish what surrounds me each day.

To my fabulous family - thank you for letting me stay with you and live life.  Kirsten and Payton - you make Joe proud everyday.

Love and Hugs - 
Rach

It is hard to believe that over a year has gone by since the Joe Vogel Scholarship was established at Cotter.  I am so excited / proud / honored to share this with all of you...  (The Official Email that went out to Parents / Students)

In celebration of the Centennial year of Cotter, the first Joe Vogel “Pay it Forward” scholarship will be awarded during Catholic Schools Week 2012 (Jan 30-Feb 3). The scholarship award will be $500 towards Cotter tuition. I encourage you to keep reading to find out more and consider having your child(ren) apply!

Joe Vogel, Cotter class of 1996, was a devoted alum and community member.  He passed away in August of 2010 from colon cancer.  The Cotter community had a positive impact on Joe’s life – leading him to often share memories or stories from his time at Cotter.  Cotter was part of his family.  Joe will always be remembered for his smile, sense of humor and his efforts to “Pay it Forward”. 

Created by Joe’s Family, Friends, and co-workers at Frito Lay Inc., the Joe Vogel “Pay it Forward” Scholarship Fund has been established. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a Cotter Student who upholds and lives the spirit of “Pay it Forward”.  The award will be applied directly to their Cotter tuition.

To apply for this 2011-2012 scholarship, student applicants are asked to:

1) Submit a one page essay explaining about how they “Pay it Forward”

2) Submit one letter of recommendation from a teacher and one letter of recommendation from a community member. Letters of reference should explain how they can attest to the student’s efforts to “Pay if Forward.”

Students should turn in the essay and letter to the Advancement Office no later than December 1st, 2011. This scholarship opportunity is available to ALL Cotter students grades 7-12.

If you have any questions, I invite you to contact me (Megan S.) by calling me at 507-453-5102. I hope you all encourage your child(ren) to consider applying for this wonderful scholarship. Having known Joe personally, I can truly imagine how pleased Joe would be with the efforts of many of our students to Pay it Forward and how happy he would be to be able to continue to Pay it Forward to Cotter students in this way.

Thank you to everyone who donated and to those who continually help support the scholarship.  To the ladies who have embraced this part of Joe's Legacy and continue to keep it rolling...Thank you Megan, Angie, Kristin and Katie - you ladies are amazing.

Rach's Thoughts for the Day...No matter how busy the day gets - how many things go right or wrong - remember to step back at the end of the day and tell the people you love - how much they mean to you...Smile at a stranger (They may truly appreciate it or you may just make them wonder for the rest of the day - who the heck was that person that smiled at me.)...and...Take a deep breath and truly enjoy the silent moments when they come.

Love and Hugs -
Rach