Hi -- I'm Vicki and I’m a big believer in the power of connection – taking time to share what matters most. I love pondering...thinking about work, family and home life and I enjoy blogging about all of it. Cheers!
Sometimes a little perspective is all we need to see the gifts…right before our eyes. Either a reframing of an experience we’ve lamented over, or the goodness that arrives when we see people sparkle, despite adversity. Our dear blogging friend, Beth, from “I didn’t have my glasses on” shares a sparkling story in our latest … More Podcast Friday! Episode 75: “Cast Aside” with Beth Kennedy
Wynne and I were thrilled to sit down with the talented Melanie McGauran recently as she shared the beautiful story of her friend, Lissa. Lissa’s story will inspire you with reminders about grace – despite adversity – and the power of hope. And purpose. As Wynne and I listened, we felt honored that Melanie drew … More Podcast Friday! Episode 74: Remembering Friends With Melanie McGauran
I have a friend who makes me believe in possibilities. I hadn’t thought of her in that way – ever – but after a three-hour catch up recently, I realized her friendship, our relationship (across 43 years, no less) is a like a tonic, and yet I’d never told her so. As I drove to … More Believe in Possibilities
One of my favorite personality assessments provides insight about planning preferences. The need for organization and predictability vs. a love of keeping life loose, open-ended and spontaneous. I often chuckled when I worked with anyone who was in conflict with a significant other – in their personal or work lives – when they struggled with this … More Podcast Friday! Episode 73: Planning it Out with Brian Hannon
In this week’s podcast, Wynne indulges me as I traipse down memory lane. Remembering some of my favorite clients…vulnerable souls that I met while working in an unemployment office. My role? Providing career counseling – advice and guidance for the job seekers. My revelation? The one which continues to reverberate, years later? Observing human nature … More Podcast Friday! Episode 72: Smiles from the Unemployment Office
I’ve written before about my mother-in-law Maxine and what a terrific cook she was. Baker, especially. Her ginger snap recipe is legendary in our family. The older I become, the more I realize the easiest way to connect with those we’ve loved and lost is through family recipes. Even if we take a few liberties … More Cherry Pie Connections
I love swapping stories with Wynne on the Sharing the Heart of the Matter podcast. It’s a connection-making opportunity that continues to delight me, each and every week. This week? Wynne and I experienced some interesting vulnerability moments, causing us to contemplate our nature. Inviting us to consider our openness and willingness to share ourselves with … More Episode 71: Catching an Edge with Wynne and Vicki
My brain is funny. To me, anyhow. Do you ever wake up with a thought that seems so off-the-wall that you can’t help but smile? A remnant from a dream? A phrase, a word, an image that lodges in your head, unwilling to escape when slumber ends and the waking begins? That happened to me … More “A” is for Ambivalence?
We’re experiencing a run of glorious spring weather in the Chicago area. Cool nights, brilliant blue-sky days, interspersed with much-needed rain to coax all things green into their splendor. It’s a beautiful time of year and I forget from one spring to the next how glorious it is. Whenever possible, we’re a “windows wide open” household. … More Blanket Bliss
Did you hear about Elmo’s tender-hearted outreach…on X (formerly Twitter)? You don’t have to love Sesame Street’s favorite cuddle muffin to adore this Tweet, where the lovable Elmo, on January 29, queried his followers: Elmo is just checking in! How is everybody doing? Yep. That’s right. Sweet Elmo’s outreach? It garnered millions of views and … More I See You!
The Heart of the Matter 