Sister, sister.

It is hard to believe, that today my baby sister turns 26. I can still picture her as a little girl in the back of our duster buster mini-van, wearing Umbro shorts signing with her fake microphone. Where did the time go?

While we were on vacation one year, Meghan was following me around doing everything I was doing. It boggled my mind, and started to get under my skin. On our way home we stopped at a “Holidome” to rest for the night. That evening I recall having so much fun with Meghan. Helping her in the pool (with matching swim suits) and teaching her new tricks. My Mom said to me “Mandi, your sister admires you and wants to be just like her older sister.”

Fast forward 7 years, the van is packed and I’m leaving for my freshman year at Anderson University. As I was getting into the van, I found a note from my sister. I read it and cried the entire way to. It hit me that I would not be there for the everyday life of my siblings. I soon realized when my four years were done Matt would be graduating from high school and Meghan a Junior.

I watched the younger/older sister relationship with my girlfriends at school, and I wanted to be the best older sister I could for Meghan. It dawned on me, Meghan and I had a special bond that goes beyond being a sister.

Today, I can say Meghan is not my younger sister, she is my best friend. I now look up to Meghan and the amazing lady she has become. She has a heart that loves everyone, she is genuine in her relationships, and is beautiful inside and out. I feel blessed to call her my sister and best friend.

Happy Birthday, SHISSY!!!

Today I’m obsessed with:

1. Knowing that KDH and I are meeting my entire family in Brown County and staying for the weekend in a gorgeous cabin. Yummy food, hot tub time, some wine and even better company.
2. The windows down weather. A walk/run with fresh air hitting my face tonight sounds fantastic.
3. My Jeep has been fixed – no more driving the Jimmy. Now, I can drive to work and put on my makeup. KDH will be so proud.
4. That overwhelming feeling – the one where you’re so happy with life in general.

Dear Papa

Dear Papa,

Oh, how I have missed you my sweet Grandfather. I miss your whit, your sense of humor and your unique zest for life. I miss you calling after every single Colts game, checking to see if it was Kalow and I you saw in the crowd. I miss chatting with you about how wonderful it is to be a Democrat and how crazy the Republicans party can be. I miss watching you tease Nana to no end, and especially when you would give her a little love tap or pinch on the booty. Until the day you left us, I saw how smitten and in love you two were. Thank you for always showing us true unconditional love.

It goes with out saying, that you impacted each person you came in contact with. You should have seen all the people that came to celebrate your life. High school basketball players, young families, friends from church, and the largest group of family members imaginable.

Next weekend, were heading to Brown County to stay in a cabin as a family and to celebrate your life. In honor of you we will watch some basketball, eat some chocolate, read a little and enjoy the wilderness. I’m sure we will all share our stories about you that we love. From: “Pastor that was Hell of a good Sermon” to “Piss on Peace” to those precious moments we all cherish as your grandchildren.

Two years ago when you left us to go on to heaven, I was not sure what my world would be like with out you. Today, I can say that my life has forever been enriched and molded by you. You’re forever in my heart.

I love you,

XOXO

Mandi Jo

Oh the small things....

If you know me, you have heard me say "It's the small things" in life. Today, my favorite go to phrase took new meaning. I found out a new Deli opened up on Indy’s north side, and imagine this they serve Gluten Free bread. When the last two years of your life have been order a burger or egg mcmuffin sans the bun, order a real sandwich is like standing at the pearly gates of heaven

I put a phone call into Mr. Huff to see if he wanted to meet for lunch, and to my dismay he could not make it. What’s a girl to do? Heck, ya get in your car and drive yo self and eat by yo self. (side note – if you know me, you know I don’t do much alone.)

That’s exactly what I did. Jason’s Deli is located on 82^nd street right before you get to the Keystone mall if you’re heading west. As I pulled up the parking lot was bumping! Always a good sign. I was greeted inside by an eager young man who was ready to share his love of Jason and his Deli. He quickly printed off a Gluten Free menu and gave his input on what the “Gluten free kids in the south love”. I took his recommendations and ordered the California Club, which comes with chips and a pickle and BREAD! I added a drink for a total of $9.71. Of course, I chickened out on dining alone and got it to go.

For less than a split second, I considered driving home to eat. Ya, right! Needless to say the next five minutes in heaven or the parking lot went as hoped. I savored every bite of the amazing club. It was all that and more. Fresh veggies, yummy meats and non-plastic cheese, oh my! Chips were average, and the pickle finished my ten minutes of bliss. A shout out to UDI’S Gluten Free bread and the partnership they have with Jason’s Deli. I will be back, that you can count on.

One might say it’s just a sandwich, but to this girl it’s her new found freedom. I have options, and that I'm thankful for.

Oh....the small things!

Here we go....round 2.

Recently my husband, commonly referred to as Mr. Huff, brought to my attention I use two words in excess. Literally and obsessed.

With that being said, I decided to revamp my blog and spice things up. Watch out. My bi-yearly posts were just not cutting it anymore. I mean, really…who wants to hear about “My Life”. Don’t get me wrong, I think it is fantastic but why bore you with the lame details, right? So, now what do I do with this blog?

I have made the executive decision, that’s right kids I’m the CEO around here, to blog about the things in life I can not believe I have found. The new things I have literally become obsessed with. Don’t be surprised if those things include gluten free finds, new fashion finds or my ever favorite “products.”

I sure hope you enjoy my ramblings, and of course if you would like me to try something out to blog about, I’m all yours.

Closet Overachiever is Unemployed

Rewind back to Fall 2001 as I sat in Hartung Hall at Anderson University. Listening to the PR goddess of my world, Holly G. Miller. I listened to hear so intently. Planning my future. Would I walk the streets of Chicago, New York City or perhaps LA? Hmm...Chicago is close to home, but NYC brings excitement and fear. The one constant thing I envisioned was conquering the world one PR campaign at a time.

Never, did I imagine myself wearing a headset talking to Insulin Pump customers about there most recent fail at pump therapy. Never saw the land of cubicles and stale coffee becoming my world to conquer. And never imagined I would get let go from such a place.

I did. I set here today, unemployed. Me - Mandi McCoskey Huff, the closet overachiever. Unemployed. How did this happen and why? I was supposed to be moving my way up the corporate ladder, not getting let go from headset wearing cubicle land.

I have taken a week or so to let this soak in. Let me tell you, it has soaked in and I'm fully saturated with fear and excitement.

I fear the unknown. Will I find a job I will truly love? The little guy on my left shoulder says to take the first job that is thrown at me. The economy is rough you know. His friend on the opposite side is telling me this is my opportunity to soul search and get back to the girl sitting in Hartung Hall carefully planning her future. To find the dream job that will allow me to do what I was put here to do.

Regardless of our hopes, dreams and what we have planned for ourselves we must accept that life never goes according to how we plan. As cliche as it sounds, everything truly happens for a reason. I'm thankful that I can lay my headset to rest. Its days are over.

Get your shades ready, my future is so bright!

1 month of Gluten Free

Today marks a month of being gluten free. I will not say this has been the easiest thing to tackle, but I will say I'm managing. I have an amazing support system. My fiance, Kalow, has been more than willing to help me in finding food I can eat and adjusting to my new ways of grocery shopping. In all actuality he is in enjoying having meat and veggies for dinner on a regular basis! He has done his own research to find out more about the disease and what it entails on every day. Family has been amazing as well. My brother is actually attempting to go gluten free as well.

This past weekend, I went to Chicago to have a girls weekend with my best friends from college. It was such a great weekend. However, I ate something Friday night that gave me a TRUE reaction. Everything Kimberly had prepared I was comfortable eating. I checked the labels and made sure all ingredients checked out. SICK JOKE! Sara was amazing in helping me out in middle of the night charade to the ladies room. Thank you Sara for helping a sister out. Upon waking up in the morning, I knew we would not get to start our day as soon as planned. The girls took it in stride, and we left when we left - no questions asked. We ate lunch at a little Irish pub and our waitress was very kind in asking the chef about a particular item on the menu, I opted for a salad. After spending the day in the city, we had dinner and I was able to indulge in a crust-less pizza! A GLUTEN FREE GIRLS DREAM! Despite the reaction I had, this was a great weekend. Learning to live with it, and getting along great!