Well, I have returned from vacation (dead porcupines, snow in the desert and ghost towns just to name a few of the fun things we experienced) and am already planning our next trip! I know I've been gone for a while and instead of bombarding you with ten separate posts to sift through, I'll do a quick recap of the last week and get us caught up on the next few days! Apologies and enjoy!
April 20 - Look Alike Day, Volunteer Recognition Day

For Look Alike Day, I would like to share Irina Werning's BACK TO THE FUTURE (1 & 2) series as well as something I only found today - Dear Photograph. If you've seen it before, you know what I'm talking about when I say "Holy tear jerker!" Here are a few pictures I was thinking of trying to duplicate.
April 21 - Kindergarten Day / April 22 - Girl Scout Leader Day, National Jelly Bean Day

Now, I know what you're thinking - "Enough with the old pictures!" But it's Kindergarten Day!! And Girl Scout Leader Day!! Just one more. . . or maybe two.
I LOVE OLD PICTURES!!
I think this was right around Kindergarten age -
I can't seem to find my school pictures from this
year though!
My mom's girl scout troop!
Heather Falker, Amber Foster, me, Danielle Rubis, Danielle Brandenburg, Angela Falker
and Jessica Shega-Fox.
Oh, and our apple turkeys for Thanksgiving!
April 23 - Lover's Day, National Zucchini Bread Day, Take a Chance Day, World Laboratory Day

What could possibly be better than a big hunk of zucchini bread for breakfast? Did someone say Zucchini CAKE?? Yes! That could possibly be better. Thanks to Elise on Simply Recipes for her grandmother's zucchini cake recipe!

On a semi unrelated subject - In honor of Take a Chance Day, I'm thinking about jumping on the "I'm going to do a triathlon" train. For the past month I have been taking swim lessons to learn to lap swim and I CAN DO IT! This was always the leg that was the most intimidating, but now I really think I could handle a sprint triathlon. I'm not going crazy and signing up for a full length or even an Iron Man just yet, but baby steps are still pretty exciting! My research starts today!! 
Starting April 24, we went away on a mini-vacation to southern Colorado. While it wasn't exactly a dream every step of the way, it was the perfect Pig in a Blanket Day celebration!

Day 1: Dropped Odie off at his favorite buddy's house (THANKS KATE AND SARAH AND LITTLE MAN!) then started the drive to South Fork, Colorado. Justin bought me a voucher for a two-night stay in a jacuzzi suite at the Spruce Lodge for my birthday and it was time to redeem that baby! We had the Rio Grande suite (most of the pictures in the video on the website show our room!), ate at The Shaft right next door for dinner and soaked it up in the hot tub (or luke warm tub, but who's counting?).

Day 2: Hiked to Treasure Falls, tried hiking to Opal Lake but the road was closed. Enjoyed a fabulous lunch at Tequila's in Pagosa Springs. After our morning was enjoyed, the weather turned nasty and we headed back to "home".

Day 3: Off to Great Sand Dunes National Park! Tried hiking to the top of High Dune, but a monster of a thunderstorm squashed that idea. So we watched bad-ass lightning over the dunes from our stellar campsite with a view! Then it rained all night. We slept in the car and awoke to SNOW in the DESERT! Crazy, stressful, testing vacation, but I know who I want to be with during the next thousand crazy, stressful and testing vacations to come.


April 25 - Administrative Professionals' Day

April 26 - Hug an Australian Day, National Pretzel Day, Richter Scale Day, Take Your Daughter to Work Day

PLEASE try these for National Pretzel Day!! Please!


For Take Your Daughter to Work Day, I would like to showcase my dad. My dad is the best mechanic in the whole world. He has been the best mechanic in the world for over thirty years but, last year, he got hurt. His back no longer wants to put up with lifting humvee tires, giant engine blocks or any other plethora of heavy machinery. A few days ago, he got a new job! No lifting, twisting, crunching or grunting necessary. I am SO proud of my padre. He has worked so hard and deserves every ounce of good that comes his way.
My progress so far - I feel that my pictures tell a better story than my words ever could.

April 27 - Babe Ruth Day, National Prime Rib Day, Tell a Story Day
April 28 - Great Poetry Reading Day, Kiss Your Mate Day
Justin and I have way too many kissing pictures. WAY too many.
April 29 - Greenery Day, National Shrimp Scampi Day

I hate shrimp. Like LOATHE shrimp. So, I'm celebrating Greenery Day
with all things wonderful, tasty, beautiful and GREEN!
Avocado Pesto Pasta by A Cozy Kitchen
and
Sweet Life Kitchen's delicious green smoothies . . . try one or all four!
Pistachio Cake by The Sugar Turntable (she has tons of other adorable
cake recipes and ideas!)
and
Faroe Islands waterfall
thanks to Something Beautiful . . .
wish I had a tiny cabin directly behind where the photographer was standing.
April 30 - Hairstyle Appreciation Day, National Honesty Day

I will be leaving you with some wonderful hairstyles to appreciate for Hairstyle Appreciation Day. First, A Beautiful Mess.
Then, a perfect side braid from Bride to Be.
Kate from the Small Things Blog's braided back!
Last, but not least, Great Length's funky and fabulous PURPLE underneath!
Happy bombarding!
XO
 
Earth Hour, National "She's Funny That Way" Day, Bunsen Burner Day
I am going to take a few minutes (I say "a few" but I know it will take much longer than this) to acknowledge some very important women in my life for National "She's Funny That Way" Day. I'm sure my words will fail to express my true feelings, but I'll do my best.
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Michalene Winkler - My madre

Really, where do you start with words of appreciation for your mother? This picture makes me so proud of who I am and where I came from. Her facial expression, her posture and even picking at her nails - I am my mother's daughter. It took me a long time to realize the connection between a mother and daughter, but now that we have it, I will never let it go. She is beautiful inside and out. Even though she has demons, she never ceases to amaze me with her strength and drive to make positive changes in her life. She is a true role-model, even though I'm sure I've taught her a thing or two in my life. I LOVE YOU, MOM!

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Denise Rottman - My aunt

Inspirational. That's about the only word that fits when I talk about my aunt Deni. She has been slammed with one thing after another in her life and she continues to be absolutely radiant. Making the most of the hand you're dealt doesn't even begin to explain the achievements she can boast. She is incredibly strong, passionate about her family and loyal to the core. I continue to learn things about life and happiness from her and I look forward to every moment I am able to spend by her side. AUNT DENI, YOU ARE AMAZING!

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Lisa Farley - My aunt

I'm not sure if going through shit and coming out smiling is a Wojcik Woman thing or not, but I am sure proud to be placed in this category with someone like my Aunt Lisa. When life hands you lemons, you make them into goofy smile wedges and make ridiculous faces when you eat them. Always smiling, always quirky, always silly, always honest. I appreciate this last part more than ever before and I am so glad to have her on my team. She is the big sister I always dreamed of. THANK YOU, AUNT LISA - FOR TEACHING ME FORGIVENESS!

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Rozeta Bogdani - My best friend

I was lucky enough to meet this wonderful woman my freshman year of college. Even though months may pass in between phone calls, I know that she would do anything for me and vice versa. She is beauty by every definition. She is patient with my cultural ignorance, passionate about love and it always feels like coming home when I'm next to her. I cannot wait to live the next chapters of our lives together. New jobs, wedding bells, babies - the whole shebang, I'll be by your side (only from across the country). To use your words, ROZI - I SIMPLY LOVE YOU!

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Nichole Patterson - My cousin

The reason I work with teeth. The reason I still believe in marriages surviving. The reason I took ballet in college. Probably even the subconscious reason I drive a Jeep! I always wanted to be just like Nichole. She is my idol, my role model and my twin. I don't think she realizes how strong she is, but I know everyone else can see it. She is the reason I know that I can survive anything.
I LOVE YOU AND YOUR HAT, K'NOLE!

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Carolynn Zeitz - My godmother

I asked Carolynn to be my godmother after being in her office for maybe 2 hours? I knew that she was everything I would want to be as a hygienist, a teacher, a woman. I am probably the only hygienist working in a pediatric office in Colorado, a state where hygienists don't work in pediatric offices. I wanted to be just like Carolynn and here I am. She helped me through a very difficult time with class and elegance. We both have our own lives running at a million miles per hour, but I know that all it would take is a trip to Michigan and some tasty mexican food to reconnect. She also introduced me to salmon and balsamic vinegar on vanilla ice cream. CAROLYNN - I HOPE I MAKE YOU PROUD!

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Shannon Richkowkski - My Hygiene Mastery coach

I cannot even begin to think of where I would be or what I would be doing without Shannon in my life. Her story is inspirational in and of itself, but her personality and passion lights a fire inside of you, no matter what you want to do with your life! I am a better hygienist, friend, daughter and girlfriend thanks to her and her teachings. I will be just like Shannon someday and it will be the proudest moment of my life. She is down to earth, hard working and inspirational and I am so proud to be her student, let alone her friend. Always answering calls with a "Hey, girl!" reminds me that I could call her for anything. Someday I'll be able to repay all the time she has spent on me and allow her to take a break. SHANNON, YOU ARE INCREDIBLE!

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Little Britches Women - My team

Pushing me to be great, supporting me during difficult days, feeding me tasty mexican food, making me laugh even when I don't want to, helping me drink a hard day away - This is my team. Fortune Management technology can only take us so far - I firmly believe we were meant to be exactly where and who we are and I look forward to growing with each of you. We have big, exciting, terrifying things coming and I am so proud to face them with a team like ours. LITTLE BRITCHES, CHANGING THE WORLD BY BUILDING A FOUNDATION FOR A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE!

Yep, this definitely took me more than a few minutes, but totally worth it. Phew!

Happy day, ladies!
XO