In Focus

Catching Up on the Chicks

I should be de-feathered and tarred. I should have egg all over my face. I should have my Chick title taken away from me. What the heck have I been up to that my Friday articles have been non-existent since who knows when? It’s been one of those valleys in this thing called life. Please spare me the tar, but I’ll understand the egg. Ever have one of those time periods? The kind where everything seems to be going against you? The weird thing is… it wasn’t only me. All ten of us Chicks had something major going on in their life over the past six months that we’ve been in a funk. Let me explain…

Me first -- I moved from Canada in June and was living out of a suitcase for 7 months. Our family of six was bopping from home to home, hotel to hotel until our new house was finally finished and ready for us to move in. That was December. In the meantime, my husband moved to Chicago for his new job while the kids and I stayed in St. Paul to give them some “stability.” With being the sole driver of four active little community children, building the house, running a website, teaching seminars, visiting my husband, moving in, the holidays and just plain old being Mom, I was wiped. On top of that, after we did move in, we continue to have a house full of contractors trying to finish our home. Not only was I a little wiped and overwhelmed, I think I got a little depressed. (Due to overwhelment.)

Chick Cheryl -- Her father lost his battle with cancer. It was a short and intense one, and consumed (as it would) her every moment. Any club stuff or investment discussion was put on the back burner (as it should have been). During this time, her husband has been working non-stop, which is a good thing; it stretches a mothers time in raising two kids.

Chick Megan -- She moved (again and again), entertained and housed any and all relatives, and had her third baby. All this with a husband who is traveling a ton. Talk about stretching a mother.

Chick Susie -- She built a huge and beautiful hockey arena for the professional hockey team she organized to play in. No small feat. She orchestrated the grand opening, and has been filling the building night after night with hockey games, concerts, and various college sports. This building is 300 miles from her home. She commutes to and from work.

Chick Jana -- She changed jobs, is going to school (to get another degree to become a schoolteacher) and has had her personal life turned upside down.

Chick Kristin -- She is in her last trimester of her first pregnancy. We all know how consuming and tiring this is. Stay tuned for the Chicky-poo’s new arrival any day!!

Chick Lynn -- Uff dah. Maybe she’ll be ready to tell you all some day, but it’s been a rough go for her and her family. I don’t know how she gets out of bed some days. Her daughter’s boyfriend was shot and killed a week before Christmas, right about the same time Lynn’s world fell apart. In the meantime, she studied for and passed her Wisconsin Realtor’s licensing test. (It only took twice, which really is a miracle when you consider all she’s been through.) She is now licensed in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Chick Lorene -- We lost her. It happens sometimes and we understand. She got divorced, is raising her four kids, is a thousand miles away from home, and can barely find enough time in the day to shower. The club responsibilities only added to “guilt” due to failed obligations. The club should never become a burden, and she got out of it what she went into it to get. A better understanding of the market and where her personal finances should be going.

Chick Julie -- She turned 50. I think she’s adjusting. Oh, and she has also been on a mission to get herself accepted to a country club in Scottsdale. Cross your fingers.

Chick Jeanette -- She’s been our stability.

We’ve never had a collective year like this. On top it, the market crashed, we’re in a recession, Enron filed for bankruptcy and we’ve been in a war on terrorism since September 11th. It’s been some shaky times all the way around. What next?

I’ll tell you what next... today is the first day of a rejuvenation of our club! We recognized the dump we were in and decided to put an end to it. This is our revitalize weekend!! (Lord knows we all could use one.) We are meeting face to face in Scottsdale to just hang out. We need to see each other. We need to laugh again. We need to catch up on our lives. We need to cry. We need to drink. We need to sit. We need to breathe. We need each other. I’m so excited to move on to the next year. It has to be better.

So, even the Chicks have bad years. Life can’t be all book releases and stellar portfolio returns. The key is, to recognize it, weather the storm and stick together. What better weekend to start off our “New Year” than the day of the Opening Ceremonies for the Olympics. (By the way, my husband will be there while my family cheers him on.) The only thing that could make this weekend more exciting, is if Chick Kristin gave us a new life!! Good luck, Chickeeta!

Chick Karin