the end.

I'm not sure how to even start this post. I've written and deleted this first line 30 times.

After almost three years, 1126 posts and 129,000 page visits chickbug is coming to an end.

I've spent the last few months reflecting, debating and finally concluding chickbug has run its course and it is time for this wonderful blog to sail into the sunset. It seems fitting the last post be on December 31.

I write this last message with a certain amount of sadness. This blog has been my best friend for the last three years. I have met new friends, reconnected with old ones and shared apart of myself with the world.

chickbug has also hosted some amazing "chicks" who opened their lives to the blogging world and brought fun, laughter and thought-provoking discussions. THANK YOU Roxy, Kendra, Lea, Anna and Katie B. for being apart of this fun adventure. P.S.- Anna isn't leaving the blog world, be sure to check out her cooking blog.

And most importantly, thank you to YOU, the loyal and engaging readers of chickbug. However you found out about this little site (whether you are a family member or randomly found this blog in a google search), you are what I will miss the most.

I've decided it was time for chickbug to close her doors. There is no dramatic reason or explanation. Just a girl who feels like the time is right to say goodbye. I'll still loyally read and comment on others blogs and probably be even more active on twitter (@chickbug). And who knows, maybe I'll go through major blog withdrawal and start something new in 2010.

With that being said, I will miss you chickbug. You've been wonderful to me for over the past few years. I will hold you close to my heart and with wonderful memories.

xoxoxo

how to be a professional business woman.

Step 1: Do not follow the guidance of Jessica/Tattooed Mama/formerly Delicious Design Studio.

Two years ago I hired Jessica from Delicious Design Studio to redesign chickbug. She was amazing. She was fast, professional, enthusiastic and worked to make sure my vision for the chickbug design came to life.

Almost a year later, I was ready for a fresh design for chickbug, so I got in touch with Jessica again and she promptly responded to my inquiry. She told me her workload had gotten heavier and this time there would be a 2-3 month wait before she got to my design. I said no problem. She invoiced me ($62.50) and I was put on her waiting list.

That was on November 11, 2008. As of today, as you can see, we still don't have a new design for chickbug.

Over the past year, I've routinely corresponded with Jessica asking for an update on my "wait list" status. In March 2009, she told me my design was 75% complete. In July, she told me in just a few days I would see the first ideas. In late August, she sent one design option and I responded with my revisions. In October, I emailed to see what happened with my suggested revisions and got an automatic email response saying she was out of the office until November but all projects would be completed by December 31.

It is December 28th and I have yet to hear from Jess. And with my $62.50 happily in her bank account, I don't think I will hear from her again.

It is unfortunate. I gave Jessica the benefit of the doubt for months. I kindly asked her for updates. I accepted her numerous excuses. She had delivered a great service to me two years ago and I was convinced she wouldn't be unprofessional.

Jessica actually sold her "Delicious Design Studio" company in May 2009 (looks like for around $50k) But she sent an email saying she would complete her projects to her current clients if we wanted. I said yes, of course, because I loved her work previously. Maybe that wasn't the smartest decision. Seems like she took the money from selling that business and decided that was the end of her professionalism.

After some reading some other bloggers experiences and some quick google research, it seems like I'm not the only one who has been struggling with Jessica. There are blogs dedicated to her "victims", message boards full of bad stories and bad Better Business Bureau reports.

I had so much faith in Jess. I really believed she would eventually be the professional business woman I had worked with previously. I was wrong.

I'd rather be turning 32.

The number 31 sounds so...unexciting. But I'm grateful for another year of an amazing life. My 30th year was full of friends, family and life adventures. And I'm excited to see what is in store for 2010.

and Happy Birthday to:
Ryan Seacrest (1974)
Ricky Martin (1971)
Mary Higgins Clark (1929)

epic failure

would you prefer this...

or this?

today i share a total kitchen failure on incrediblecrunchyflavor. enjoy!

loving your job.

Can you ever really love your job? That was a discussion I recently had with my friends. And I was the first person to say yes. Absolutely yes. I've been in my "new" job for 7 months. And when people ask me about the job I immediately say I love it. And I really don't think twice.

I love it because the first week of the job I was told after a meeting, "we are huggers here..hope you don't mind" as my co-workers in DC hugged me goodbye.

I love it because you can sit next to the Executive Director for 2 hours on the train and feel like you are sitting next to your long-time friend.

I love it because we have physical activity breaks during a meeting where you do yoga.

I love it because at the end of all day meeting you are asked to close your eyes and think about the purpose of the organization and what your own purpose is for being in the job.

I love it because at the holiday party they surprise you with a pumpkin cupcake and sing happy birthday.

I love it because the keynote speaker at our all-staff meeting is an expert in incorporating play into your life.

I love it because your co-workers say at the end of a week of meetings "I wish we had another day just to hang out together."

And I could go on and on.....

I never realized how powerful it is to work in an engaging, creative, collaborative work environment with people who share your passion for what you do. I know it sounds cheesy, but I truly love my job.

holiday protocol question

if you were invited to join a "cookie swap" at work, would you think it was okay to buy cookies? and i don't even mean buy nice cookies... i mean buy mrs. fields or little debbie.

because some of my coworkers apparently do and are offended they can't.

chicken marbella

check out my new old favorite chicken dish: chicken marbella.

it's seasonal, delicious, easy and a big hit with company.