CHANGE YOUR MIND, CHANGE YOUR WORLD!

NOVEMBER 2013

Cover Story

Grant

Weiss

A Teen’s life, Overcoming Obstacles

Are you Ready for Winter?

The Nutcracker

Sugar Plum Fairy Tea

Holiday Homecoming, Downtown St. Charles

Fashion: The Comeback of GRUNGE Takes Two by: Bflyfashion

NOTHING STOPS HIM,

NOT EVEN TYPE 1

DIABETES

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Downtown St. Charles, IL

60174

(630) 457-1821

Life is not always

easy or fair, but it

is with a Positive

Mental Attitude

that will change the

end result -

hard work and

passion too!

I have always been about Positive Mental Attitude, and with that, ANYONE can OVERCOME

ANYTHING! Your MIND is a POWERFUL TOOL! I feel that we as a team need to inspire

the next generation of success stories waiting to happen by sharing our own! With hard work, passion

and the right attitude, anything is possible! It's easy to give up and hard to push forward. When

anything went wrong in my life, my mom would say you have 5 minutes to feel sorry for yourself

and then move on, only you can make the changes you want to see in life. This seemed really harsh,

but as I grew, I understood it more and more and now find myself saying the same thing to my

daughter.

So I ask that you share your story about your personal success. How you started and one of your fondest

memories, one of your most heart-felt memories and if you would be willing to share - the moment when you

were ready to give up, and what made you push forward, what was that inspiration? We all have these

stories, but it is not shared enough, which is why I am publishing this magazine. If you are viewing this

publication online, you can click on any website or Facebook link and you will be directed to that page.

Welcome to our journey…

Karla

“LIKE” us on Facebook and submit your story

https://www.facebook.com/IDIDITMAGAZINE

CATCH GRANT ON BOTH SIDES

OF THE CAMERA

Wrote the song: “I Miss her

too”

Owns: See You

Downtown

STARRED IN

BURDEN

Keep Faith in

God

NOTHING STOPS...

Won Best Directing Award in New York

Feared Dying Young

LIVING &

WORKING WITH

DIABETES

His Father passed

away in his arms

12/02/2001

rant Weiss is living proof that you can

overcome anything! His faith in God and

his wife Lorilyn have been the backbone

of life’s obstacles. Grant has had his ups

and downs which started at a very young

age. As we sat down and started talking

about everything, Grant had to reach deep

down into his soul and pull out so many

memories, memories that hurt. He is a

man that pushes forward and is

unstoppable! He attributes a lot to

“Staying Busy to keeping focused”

Just 30 days after learning his father had

cancer, he passed away in his arms

December 2, 2001. Grant was trying to

deal with the pain, so he wrote a song “I

Miss Her Too” and recorded it. His

thought process was that maybe this could

help someone understand why a parent

dies too early in life. He wrote this song

just 4 months after his father died. If you

ever have the honor of getting to know

Grant as I have, you will quickly discover

what an amazing and selfless man he is!

I asked Grant what is your inspiration?

His reply: “Do something that makes a

difference and leave a legacy” he also

added “ Make a difference in a positive

manner, always looking out for other

people.” With a smile on his face he then

said “I got this from my mom, she taught

me about giving and always being on

time!

Grant created SEE YOU DOWNTOWN,

because he saw a need and wanted to help

the local downtown areas in several towns.

There are a lot of mom and pop shops

around in these downtown areas that have

been struggling due to the economy, Grant

is able to help them and get them

exposure. For more information, go to

www.seeyoudowntown.com, also watch

Why should you shop at a small business:

http://seeyoudowntown.com/news.php on

Fox Business.

Being diagnosed with diabetes at such a young age was very difficult. Grant struggled with the thoughts that he would die at

can be debilitating for most, but not Grant. He has learned to handle the highs and lows, so well that when on set, people t

works hard not to let his medical condition get in his way personally or professionally which is a daily struggle. He pushes

keep you blood sugars regulated, Grant has to take insulin everyday and watch what he easts as well as making sure he does no

detrimental to a person with diabetes, the blood sugar drops quickly and can cause a person to go into a diabetic coma, which

"Low blood sugar can be debilitating and are a minute by minute struggle. Learning to deal with that and learning to listen

telling you what you can and can not do." Grant Said. “I never succumbed to what Diabetes would take away from me…..except c

what do I have to do to beat it?” and the battle began. It breaks my heart to hear about children having diabetes. It’s si

out there “you are more than this. Take care of yourself like its breathing in air. Take your insulin correctly, check your

suppose to be.”

Grant went on to say “My father passed away the same year I found out I was diabetic and I was in my first year of film schoo

semester I moved to Arizona to get my health back and recoup after this devastating lose. It didn’t go well for me then. I

to my Arizona Family the Whites, Althea, Greg, John-Paul, Jacob and Stephanie I pulled my self back together and moved back home

shows. “

Grant remains extremely focused at the task at hand. Being proactive with anything especially medical adversities will allow

normal and active lifestyle. He has a Pump and Continuous Glucose Meter Dexcom which is connected to him and keeps him awar

is much more cost effective. His A1C has also been dramatically reduced, this is a test that allows doctors to determine how

for long periods of time and/or often this causes strain on the heart and other vital organs, causing more health related iss

Being diagnosed with diabetes at such a young age was very difficult. Grant struggled with the thoughts that he would die at a young age. Living with diabetes is not easy! You experience high and low blood sugars which

can be debilitating for most, but not Grant. He has learned to handle the highs and lows, so well that when on set, people that he works with are completely unaware of what he is dealing with at any given moment. Grant

works hard not to let his medical condition get in his way personally or professionally which is a daily struggle. He pushes through and stays focused. Type 1 diabetes means that Grants pancreas does not work. In order to

keep you blood sugars regulated, Grant has to take insulin everyday and watch what he easts as well as making sure he does not skip meals, which happens often in the fast paced business he is in. Not eating can be

detrimental to a person with diabetes, the blood sugar drops quickly and can cause a person to go into a diabetic coma, which can be deadly.

"Low blood sugar can be debilitating and are a minute by minute struggle. Learning to deal with that and learning to listen to your body is extremely key to successfully being able to do what you love without Diabetes

telling you what you can and can not do." Grant Said. “I never succumbed to what Diabetes would take away from me…..except chocolate and ice cream. When the doctor initially told me I have type 1 diabetes I said “ok,

what do I have to do to beat it?” and the battle began. It breaks my heart to hear about children having diabetes. It’s silently the toughest daily issue I have to face and I don’t wish this on anyone. To all the other diabetics

out there “you are more than this. Take care of yourself like its breathing in air. Take your insulin correctly, check your blood, eat well, exercise and do not let it stop you from enjoying life and being the person you are

Grant went on to say “My father passed away the same year I found out I was diabetic and I was in my first year of film school. My life and my blood sugar were flipped upside down. One month later at the break at

semester I moved to Arizona to get my health back and recoup after this devastating lose. It didn’t go well for me then. I thought I was going to die everyday that whole next year. Talk about tough, that was tough. Thanks

Paul, Jacob and Stephanie I pulled my self back together and moved back home to finish film school and continue doing what I love and thanks creating films and TV

Grant remains extremely focused at the task at hand. Being proactive with anything especially medical adversities will allow more balance. Ways of living with diabetes have come a long way and allow Grant to live a more

normal and active lifestyle. He has a Pump and Continuous Glucose Meter Dexcom which is connected to him and keeps him aware of his blood sugars resulting in no highs or lows. He only has to check it once a day and it

is much more cost effective. His A1C has also been dramatically reduced, this is a test that allows doctors to determine how regulated the blood sugars have been for the past 3 months. If blood sugars run too high or too low

for long periods of time and/or often this causes strain on the heart and other vital organs, causing more health related issues.

Multi-award winning cinematographer and director, Grant Weiss, founded See You Downtown

in 2009 with the desire to bring increasing awareness and traffic to the small, one of a kind

businesses in and around our downtown areas. Since 2009, See You Downtown.com has been

fusing the two most powerful promotional tools today- The power of skillfully made video and

the incredible power of social media platforms.

In early 2011 Grant Weiss grew the team to incorporate several other industry professionals that

are well respected in their fields. Business, social media, marketing and production industries are

at the core of SeeYouDowntown.com. We began early to solidify a team that will take

SeeYouDowntown.com and its clients to the world.

“You have to take chances” Grant Said. He sees his future road map like this: “I will be

directing feature films that will help a lot of people and make a difference in peoples lives, this is

why I got into the film business!” Grant started working on this project in 2008 and it is coming

together now! Life is a work progress, stick to your goals and passions, and you will see your

dreams and visions come true, just be patient. Never give up, no matter what bumps you hit

along the way!

“My father was always willing to help, he used his power and strength to help others” Grant said

reflecting on his memories of his father.

Grant has been attached to a camera since he was a young boy. His passion followed him through Columbia

College in Chicago where he developed his shooting, directing, acting and writing skills. He then auditioned

for the film “BURDEN” and go the lead role.

Grant had the honor of being Christian Bale’s stand in for

BATMAN BEGINS and THE DARK KNIGHT, shot in

Chicago. Shortly afterward, Grant won the award for Best

Director at the NYTVF.

What makes “Grant” Grant? “Both of my parents are very

giving people and they taught me to be very giving, leading

by example” he said.

Advice from Grant: “I am

very honest about this

industry and try to educate

people that are interested in

this field.” And for advice

in life’s adversities in

general Grant recommends

staying busy, keep your

mind busy.

Recently Grant married

Lorilyn, his driving force.

She has always been very motivating and supportive. “She expects me to go

after possibilities and never settle for anything!” Grant said . Grant inherited

Lori’s 6 kids “Who I have to say are some very outstanding individuals and

honored to know them.” Grant said.

When asked if there were any

regrets, Grant simply replied “I

will have to get back to you on

that, I like where I am at now”

With all of his hard work,

dedication and an attitude of

nothing can stop him, Grant is a

very humble and giving man, one

of which I am honored to call my

friend!

~Karla A. Sitko

Editor and Founder

FOR THE

SWEET-

TOOTH

There’s something about

eating a piece of chocolate

that’s very soothing to the

pallet. It’s been said that

easing chocolate can give you the same sensation as

being in love. It is like soul food for those who need

to boost up their rundown spirits. I wonder if it’s

just a myth. Could it actually be true that chocolate

has a similar feeling as being in love? Think about

it, can one small chip of chocolate really make you

feel that good? I’ve read about people who when

feeling blue or “blah,” will eat some chocolate and

within an instant feel happier and perkier. They

will swear that eating chocolate gives them the extra

energy they need. There must be something in

chocolate that creates that boost. You’re going

home and you feel tired from all the work you have

done for the week. Maybe you just recently parted

ways with your significant other and are left broken

hearted. You feel the weight of the world pressing

down on your from the daily stress upon your

shoulders. You tell yourself you need a break, so

you head to the nearest confectionery to buy your favorite chocolate.

Tonight, you will indulge yourself in a complete chocolate romance. But does this really help you feel better?

Whatever the occasion, chocolate seems to be the perfect flavor and stimulant for birthdays, Valentine's Day, Christmas, New Years, Halloween, Easter; or just about any special day. Chocolate is there to satisfy your taste buds and make you feel oh so good. Those who've done studies about the background of chocolate have learned some of the history behind the little desirable tasty treat and discovered that chocolate is a concoction prepared from the fruit of the cacao, a tree native to Central and South America. The seeds of the cacao tree are known as cocoa beans, from which chocolate is extracted. The period when the Native Americans first started growing cocoa beans is unknown, but cocoa traces have been discovered on utensils and pots dating as far back as 600 BC. The word chocolate hails from the Nahuatl word of chocolatl, also spelled xocolatl, which means "bitter water." It was first prepared as a hot drink by the Aztecs for European Herman Cortes, who brought it with him upon his return to Spain in 1528. The use of chocolate as a beverage gradually spread throughout Europe, and by 1847 the first chocolate designed for eating was produced by the company Fry and Sons of Bristol, England, followed by the first milk chocolate bar ever made, which was crafted in Switzerland in 1875. There are many myths about the benefits and negative effects of chocolate on the human body. Many researchers say that chocolate can cause acne, increases high-blood pressure, and even the chances of getting cancer. Other Studies even claim that chocolates can lead to a decrease in brain cells;

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but recent studies suggest otherwise, claiming that the consumption of chocolate may be linked to a boost in brain power. According to these studies, it contains several substances that can increase brain alertness and attention. Chocolate intake has also been linked to an increased release of serotonin in the brain, which produces feelings of intense happiness and pleasure. This is the primary reason why chocolate is a 'popular comfort food' to those who feel depressed and stressed out. Chocolate can be very mood altering for some people giving them a sense of warmth, perhaps a feeling that has been compared with being loved? There are many reasons given for people who indulge in eating chunks of rich smooth chocolates. Sometimes, out of the blue, I will reach for my favorite box of chocolates and munch on them until I feel deliciously satisfied. I especially prefer the dark Dutch chocolates from Holland. These wonderful little bars are loaded with all kinds of tasty fillings inside such as nuts and chews, caramel and peanuts and many others. I can only imagine myself sprawled on the couch cradling a box filled with assorted chocolates and gorging myself until I've had my fill.

There are other ways to use chocolate for enjoyment. The Dutch are famous for their chocolate and will make a meal out of eating it. You can actually buy boxes with chocolate flakes inside them or the ones that have the chocolate hail inside. Chocolate hail are very small and great for snacking. These boxes with flakes and hail come in bitter, or milk flavors. You can take a slice of bread and spread it with butter and sprinkle chocolate flakes, or the hail on top of the bread and believe me, you'll have a gourmet lunch and think you’re eating chocolate cake. It tastes delicious! We still keep several boxes of those yummy treats around the house. Occasionally, I will have my chocolate fix. Only then I'll know that I've had just a small slice of heaven, if only for a moment. Guess the good things in life are never guilt free and, pay we must, often sooner rather than later. When reality smacks us in the rear, we'll realize that as much as we love our chocolate treats, the scales of justice may add a few of those unwanted inches on our ‘touché’ making it difficult to shake it off again. However, men and women do not live by bread and water alone. There's no reason one can't enjoy the little pleasures in life, if only now and then. So when you feel weary, sad, depressed or just needy for some love, forget about the calorie diet and grab that chocolate bar, or box. You will be much happier for it. ~ Rachel

It smells like… trend spirit. Bands like Nirvana sang during the uncertain times of the early 90s with electric

riffs and angst-inspired lyrics that often focused on themes of social unrest, apathy, confinement, and a desire for

freedom. The punk inspired ways. The music industry at that time was mostly focused in New York and in LA but the bands themselves came from the unconventional city of Seattle. The fans who listened to the music also began to dress in a punk thrift ship kind of look and as the music became more mainstream fashion innovators and designers took notice. In 1992, Marc Jacobs was designing for Perry Ellis and was the first high end designer to display the grunge look at New York Fashion Week. Also during the same year, Vogue’s December 1992 issue featured a grunge story as the main article. Photographer Steven Meisel shot leading model Kristen McMenamy in outfits that appeared edgy, comfortable and had lots of layering. Once the high end industry took notice of the Grunge trend, the tends took over the whole country in the early 90’s and has made fashion history. In one way or another fashion almost finds a way to repeat itself. These days grunge seems to be making a comeback as people seem to focus on dissatisfaction with the state of our society and music is filled with just as much angst. This past fall all the designers were getting in on the act: Versace, Chanel, Givenchy, Alexander McQueen, Rodarte and even the conservative Yves St. Laurent was sending models down the runway that dressed like Courtney Love. The only difference now is that today’s grunge is not as loose and is taking a more fitted ethereal side, using lighter fabrics like silk yet it does nod to 90’s classic trends such as plaid, floral prints and leather. The pretty meets punks look has bee gaining much popularity and is found in most major retailers so we can all relive the Grunge days. If you want to be an edgy fashionista and get on board with the neo grunge trend, I have some tips for your. First think of colors. Colors are generally muted so try focusing on merchandise that comes in gray, burgundy, black, brown, deep purple, and hunter green. Also with this Grunge trend opposites attract. The more unconventional you can be… the better. If your going to wear a silk skirt pair it up with a leather jacket or if your going to wear a baby doll dress match it up to a chunky sweater or denim jacket.

There are also Grunge staples for every girl’s closet! As far as shirting goes… flannel is not just for lumberjacks. Flanner was big in the early 90’s and is big now. The modern take on flannel often features large printed, sheer checks so be sure to look for that in the stores. On a warmer day you could always wear a graphic tee under your flannel which is also on trend. On the other hand if its colder you could pair your flannel with a loose jacket in either denim, hunter green or leather. For pants you can try a few different ways… a relaxed boyfriends fit, a tighter printed pant or anything with a little leather detailing is perfect. Once you found the right pair of pants…. Combat boots are a must for any outfit! They are thick and durable and will keep you warmer in this colder weather. They are also easy to put on too because you can tighten them all the way or leave them ties 3/4 and fold over the top part of the boot. Other important accessories to help you stay warm and protected this fall would include chunky socks, big sunglasses and beanies. If you want to add any jewelry to complete your outfit, then look for anything with studs or crosses to give it a punk effect.

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Being a teenager these days is harder than ever! Social media has taken us to new heights when it comes

to bullying.

It’s very difficult for a parent to even notice this is happening sometimes. With apps like Snapchat that

show the video or picture for a very short time and once looked at disappears. I urge parents and legal

guardians to be very on top of the social media, if used the wrong way it can destroy a person.

Katie is a sweet teenager that has had a few hurdles to jump. About a year ago, she fell off the bleachers,

about 6 feet and had a concussion which caused her to be very ill and not want to leave the house. She

was afraid that she would become sick in public and cause her embarrassment. In addition she was in an

unhealthy relationship that was abusive.

Being in an abusive relationship whether it’s verbal or physical is very serious. Many young girls fall

into this situation because they are too afraid or embarrassed to tell anyone, let alone their parents.

Verbal abuse can actually be worse than physical, because it cuts deeper and lasts longer. It can destroy

a persons self image and scar for life. Luckily Katie has a great relationship with her mother and

confided in her which led to ending this relationship. Unfortunately it was a little too late. Kids talk to

other kids as well as use social media to bully others and it goes viral. In Katie’s situation, rumors were

spread about her that were damaging.

With the help and support of her mother and father Katie is back on track. They jumped in and got her

into modeling and acting classes, which have proven to take her mind off the other issues at hand,

escaping from it and turning her life around.

A TEEN OVERCOMING OBSTICLES AND MOVING FORWARD

M

O

D

E

L

I just read that a parent filed a lawsuit October 2013 in Kane County

involving D303 for Bullying a child. Of course I had to read it not

only because my daughter is in this district, but because it bothers me

so much. Much to my surprise, there were people commenting on the

online version that were all for the kid that was bullying the other kid

and extremely rude about the entire situation. Stating that the kid that

was being bullied should have stood up for himself and fought back. Is

this really what we want to teach our kids? VIOLENCE?

The mother alleges that another boy bullied her son who fell and

suffered “serious and permanent” injuries, even after D303 decided to

keep the boys separated while they attended the same school. You can

read the full story in The Courier News.

Katie continues to have a long journey ahead of her, but each day gets better. She has a boyfriend that

understands what she has been though and is there for her.

I encourage more teenage girls and boys to take a stand and speak out against bullying and reveal the

effects its has taken on them. Katie is not alone in this situation. Many kids as well as adults do not feel

comfortable speaking about these things because they are embarrassed. When in reality the more they

speak out the better they feel and the more they can help others!

Not only is Katie getting stronger, by telling her story she is helping teenagers get help and heal too!

STAND UP TO

BULLYING

VERBAL ABUSE

PHYSICAL ABUSE

STOP THE VIOLENCE

Katie, thank you for being courageous and sharing your story!

Karla A. Sitko

Editor

Get Serious, Get Published...

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Thanksgiving

always brings

back memories of

when I cooked

my very first turkey dinner. I invited

my family to demonstrate just how

much I had learned about cooking and

I hoped to impress them all. It would

be a masterpiece! I had watched

professional chefs from Julia Child to

Emeril Lagassi toss around a turkey

and make it appear so easy. I was

positive that once the turkey was

cooked the rest would be

easy. However, I quickly discovered

that was not the case and ended up

with a crispy, one-of-a-kind burnt-to a-

cinder bird! I never thought one could

mutilate a turkey so badly. I've since

used many gadgets and tricks to cook

and conquer a turkey. I have had

practice sessions with my “dear

friends,” Graham Kerr, "The Galloping

Gourmet Show." Campbells, and even

Rachel Ray, with the guidance of their

cook books. Of course, several trips to

the local grocery store have taught me

a thing or two as well, so I have finally

learned how to do it right. But, like

many young brides, my first

experience just turned out to be a

disaster.

I remember receiving a gift certificate

from my hubby's company for the

holidays. With my certificate, I picked

out the biggest bird from the freezer at

the grocery store. That thing was

huge! Honestly, I have never been

good at following directions, but I read

the instructions several times carefully

and felt I was ready to go to work. (“A

first grader

could stuff

this thing,” I

thought.)

Not sure

which side

of the turkey was up, my husband being a good sport, demonstrated for

me by lying flat on his back and holding out his arms and legs. Some

strange looking turkey he turned out to be! I put the bird on the

kitchen counter, and prepared myself for some leisurely cooking

instructions. It seemed so easy. The directions simply read, “Fill up

the large cavity of the turkey with the ready-made stuffing." (“Do

turkeys have bad teeth,” I wondered?) I never realized there were

cavities inside turkeys, and what was is stuffing supposed to look like

anyway? I double-checked the little pamphlet that had been inserted

inside the hind-end of the creature. It stated that you can chop up the

gizzard, neck, and liver and include them in the stuffing. I searched,

but couldn't find the stuff, nor did I see a neck and giblets. I was about

to call my mom for advice but changed my mind. She was convinced

that I could never raise kids or look after a husband, let alone cook a

meal! She was sure I'd probably shorten the lives of my family by

poisoning them.

Well, I thought, I'd show her! I dug up some stale old bread that was

as hard a as a brick. I had never seen bread with a greenish tinge on

the edges before and I thought it would certainly give the meal a

festive appearance. (I found out later this pretty green stuff is called

mold.) I mixed some spices I had on hand and added it to the bread

chunks. Once that was done, I had no idea where to put it. It looked

like ground-up mush. Next I tried to clean the turkey as instructed, but

it was still frozen solid. How was I to know it would take days to thaw

this thing? There was no way I could put stuffing inside this turkey so

I wondered what I could do with this concoction I had just prepared,

and decided to dump the goop into a separate dish and put it alongside

the turkey. That bird must have baked inside the oven all day and

night. I had no idea that cooking a turkey would take this much

time! The oven was set at 350 but I still sat up the whole night waiting

for this huge beast to cook. After what seemed like two days of

pacing, I decided the turkey must have cooked long enough. I

Pulled out the pan and stared in disbelief at my torched looking

bird. The poor soul - it was a pitiful sight! I knew I could

never show this disaster to my family. The once humongous

looking turkey was all blackened and shriveled up to the size

of a parakeet inside the pan. It was way past Cajun. The tiny

crusty looking stubs protruding from it had once been the

drumsticks, I think, and the wings looked like nothing more

than sawed off stumps. I actually felt sorry for what I had

done to this turkey because it was completely demolished and

beyond recognition. What an insult to every turkey that had

ever been prepared for a Thanksgiving feast!

I'm not sure if my family felt as bad as I did, but I decided to at

least give this poor thing a proper burial in the backyard. As I

dumped the last shovel of dirt atop the turkey, I mumbled a

quick prayer in the hopes that it would have a more pleasant

afterlife, if there was such a thing. The only dishes that

remained intact that day were the mashed potatoes that Aunt

Minnie brought along from her nursing home. Moreover, the

dinner rolls and the gravy made for a nice hot lettuce and

tomato sandwich, along with the cranberry sauce and Betty

Crocker cheese cake I had purchased. I sighed with relief at

the thought of something tasting okay. The only remnant of

any turkey that day was the dressing I had make from a box. I

had to toss out the pan that cooked the turkey because of the

permanent rust spots on it. Some husbands are very

understanding - and others are not, when you turn a special

holiday into a horrible nightmare. Fortunately, mine rolled

with the disaster and the family all had a good chuckle about

the misgiving of our Thanksgiving that first year. I know that just about everyone has messed up when cooking

and we try to move on and learn from our “smoking” mistakes. I confess that I still manage to overcook or botch

up a meal here and there, but I can honestly say that I have not buried any more turkeys in the backyard!

~ Rachel

As We Express Our

Gratitude, We Must Never

Forget That The

Highest Appreciation

Is Not To

Utter Words, But

To live By them

- John F. Kennedy

322 West Main Street *

Downtown St. Charles, IL

60174

(630) 457-1821

Looking for a Real Estate Professional? Look no further… Amy Nelson has been a

Realtor since 1999, when the market crashed in 2007, she focused on helping those in

foreclosure. Rather than giving up and getting out of the business, she pushed forward

and has been able to help people through hard times, sell their homes and move forward.

Whether your looking to buy or sell your home, Amy is your Realtor! She is a trusted

Professional Realtor!

It’s time to

make sure

your furnace

is ready to

keep you

warm!

Leave your

thermostat at a

comfortable

temperature. Each

additional degree

adds about 5% to

heating costs. A

programmable

thermostat will allow

you to set appropriate

temperatures for

when you’re home

and when you’re not.

Don’t set your

thermostat higher

than the desired

temperature. It will

not make your home

warm up any faster.

Winter is approaching Make sure your

thermostat is on an inside

wall away from windows

and doors where a cold

draft could make your

furnace run harder then

necessary. Your should

leave shades and draperies

open on sunny days and

allow the sun to help heat

your rooms.

Close your fireplace

damper when the fireplace

is not in use. Ass glass

fireplace doors to reduce

heat loss up the chimney,

even when the fireplace is

in use

Make sure registers for

supply and return air are

not blocked by draperies

or furniture.

Clean or replace furnace

filters often.

Brian McNally

McNally’s Heating and

Cooling

St. Charles, IL

e are a family owned business serving the general public since 1987. We pride ourselves with the quality of our merchandise priced at a competitive level. We carefully select the craftsmanship and gems of our products to fit our store’s image. Over the years, our sales and servicing departments earned us a wide and loyal customer base which we greatly value. We invite you to visit our store and

experience our distinctive collection .

We will gladly trade in your diamond for an upgrade

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We Buy Gold

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Products

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Men’s Metal Jewelry

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Gemstone Jewelry

Design

Wax Carving and Casting

—————————————————————————————

Hey girls! Is he about to propose to you and slip a big diamond on your finger? Have you waited and waited for him to take the plunge but he’s been dragging his feet? Many guys, no matter how much they seem to love a woman, just procrastinate when it comes to getting married. Oh, there are those who have no problem proposing and shopping for that engagement ring, but when it comes to setting the date and settling down into marriage it may take some convincing. Sometimes that's as far as they really want to go. They'll just buy the girl a lovely engagement ring, slip it on her finger and live together happily ever after, or do they? One of my acquaintances had been with one particular guy for about eight years! She was drop dead gorgeous! She could have married almost any guy she chose, but she wanted John, her high school sweetheart. They went together all through high school and college, both ended up working for the same company and sharing the same condo. It seemed they had gotten into a relationship that went only so far. They talked about their future many times which included planning to spend the rest of their lives together; however, John wasn't in a hurry to change their current situation. He was happy with the way things were. He believed that a piece of paper wouldn't change his love for her. She on the other hand longed for a stable marriage and children. John kept saying that there was plenty of time to marry and have children some day. They seemed very happy and did everything together including going to football games, hockey games and a lot of traveling. They went skiing in the mountains, they played tennis and one couldn't find a more perfect couple. They shared just about everything and spent every moment of their lives together. They got along very well and it was as if they were already living like a married couple in the eyes of the world. Most people just assumed that they were already married. Friends were convinced that they would eventually get hitched. Nothing indicated that they wouldn't get married, but nothing came of it thus far. One day, Melanie went home early for the day. John called Melanie at home and told her not to plan anything for tonight because he had something he wanted to discuss with her. Melanie became excited and thought that John might be ready to officially propose marriage to her and so, she decided to wear her very best dress, the one John had brought back for her from one of his trips. Finally, she thought. It was like a dream come true for her and she felt exhilarated at the thought of being a wife. She slipped into the lovely silk gown and spent a great deal of time working with her beautiful blond hair. She sprayed an extra dose of the expensive perfume John had purchased for her and looked in the mirror. Her reflection showed off her near perfection as she stared back at herself. She looked absolutely radiant. Nervously, she glanced at her watch. “John should be here to pick her up at any minute,” she thought. “I wonder where he will take me for dinner tonight?” she asked aloud. She hoped it would be their favorite spot where he proposed for the first time and gave her a small diamond promise ring. It was all he could afford at that time but she was elated with it. At the time John told her that some day he would buy her the biggest diamond ever! She felt that this was that time. Her hands shook as she reached for her fur trimmed coat, John's favorite, and she was ready to go. She heard the key turn in the lock and John stepped inside their condo. He was tall and so very handsome, she thought with pride. He looked at Melanie and thought she looked devastatingly beautiful at this moment.

He should have told her not to get dressed for she wouldn't be going anywhere tonight. He watched her as she glided toward him and smiled, a love-

ly face, alive with excitement, expressing what she felt. He took her shaky hands and bent over as his lips brushed her cheek. "Melanie, my dear, he began, there's something I must tell you." Melanie felt her body shiver with anticipation, for she knew what was about to come. She looked at John with expectation, her eyes gleaming with wonderment as she waited with baited breath. "Honey, he began, please, sit down." The way John looked at her that moment, she knew he was about to tell her that he wanted to marry her. They sat down and once again, John grabbed both of Melanie's trembling hands. Melanie was ready for the big moment when John would bring out a small box, with a big diamond ring this time. She knew she would treasure it forever! "Boy, he thought, “this is going to be a lot more difficult than he had anticipated.” "It's okay honey," Melanie spoke in her soft husky voice. Right about now, John felt a tiny moment of regret. How could he possibly say what he was planning to tell her? Again he started to talk and then Melanie leaned forward and kissed him on his lips. She smiled again and said, "Please honey, go ahead, I know what you want to ask me, and the answer is yes!" Suddenly, John jumped up saying: "Melanie, wait! I can't marry you, I’ve met someone else.” There, he had said it. It was out. As if hit by a Mack truck Melanie's eyes widened as her lovely face contorted into a mask of bewilderment at first and then suddenly into fury. Then she turned white as if she'd seen a ghost. John had dropped the bombshell and at that moment, Melanie didn't know whether she should cry or pick up a log from the fire-place and smack John in the head with it. She was stunned be-yond comprehension. John continued, "I met this girl and we fell in love. It just happened. It was love at first sight. I'm sorry Mel," he said. That's all he could say to her after eight long years? It just happened? They had been together for almost a lifetime and here he's proclaiming a love for a woman he had just met? Mixed thoughts were racing through her head. Here was this man she had been living with for over eight years! He promised her love and marriage and a lifetime of happiness. All those years, some of the best years of her young life, all of the nights she waited for him to make a commitment and this is what she gets in return? Now he's about to let all of this go out the window to be with another woman he just met? Melanie was at loss for words. It seems that this situation occurs more than we know. There is no rhyme or reason for these kinds of situations. One can have the most solid relationship with someone, and suddenly, it's all over, done, finished. As for Melanie and John, they had spent eight years building a life together and it took about eight minutes to break it up. It's said that good things come to those who wait, but sometimes it's better to let go and wait no longer. Lengthy engagements are not necessarily a guarantee for a lasting relationship.

~ Rachel

Going To My Happy Place’s

Community Karma Yoga!

For more information visit us at:

http://www.goingtomyhappyplace.com/

of extra weight around the edges. I am so sick of having to be compared to those waif-like Barbie dolls on the screen who, without make-up or clothes, would even frighten ghosts out of the graveyard. Yet, we're being intimidated day in and day out by advertisers who would frown on us if we have just a hint of a protruding tummy shown over those low-rise jeans. That would be considered fat! Well, I am done buying clothes made for stick pin women. I refuse to wear jeans that are called low-rise fit when you have to deal with a few inches of skin that has poured over the band. Those low-rise jeans are supposed to fit below the belly button. How can they be considered a comfortable fit when I spend most of the time hiking up the low-rise jeans when I wear them? And that looks "real" attractive when you hike up your pants in public like an old man who has been bent over working on his car. After low-rise jeans came out, fashion designers decided to come out with these teenie-weenie low-rise panties that barely had enough thread to sew a button. These panties were even more low-rise than the pants, and the back was nothing more than a single strand, like dental floss for your derrière. I no longer worry if I do have a little pot belly when I wear my older high rise jeans. Look at pot belly pigs, they’re popular but they don't run around wearing low rise anything, they just look cute. I wish that women would stop worrying about looking young forever and stop feeling as if they have to compete with those who are more than half their age younger. I have nothing against working out and looking your best, but all that concern about having to stay young and thin forever no matter what it takes, is sheer nonsense. Women are spending literally thousands of dollars a year on botox injections, fillers and body care procedures that promise to "take the years off." Then there are the after body treatments to help you slim down. Your fat gets rolled around, pounded upon, scrubbed and stuffed into machines that supposedly vibrate the fat cells away. Then they wrap and swaddle you up into something that looks like giant bandage strips. You lay there not moving, and hope you'll be alive when they free you from this mummy wrap. By having your body squeezed and wrapped so tightly, you think that this might be your last day on earth. After coming out of that mummified stage that lasted an hour, they finally unwrap you and your skin has been molded and squeezed like silly putty, making you think you actually lost weight. After a glass of water your prune-like skin slowly starts to absorb the moisture and fill back out. Wow, for a few moments your body actually looked thinner! Too bad you wasted the money to look momentarily thin. All they managed to do was dehydrate your body! As soon as you drink something, you fill right back out to your plumper self.

BELLY FAT Abdominal fat, also known as visceral fat, pot belly, love handles, spare tire, or belly fat, is not just a matter of vanity anymore. Nope! Call it what you will, call it gut, tubby, pudgy, blubber, it all comes down to (or up to) carrying a lot of extra baggage. And you can do hundreds of sit-ups per day, miles of running, diet yourself into a comatose state, and you will still have that nasty roll of belly fat! You'll read magazines and see TV commercials on how to lose the belly fat, but how many of you out there really lose it? If all those products that we see work, why is it that so many people are still carrying around that spare tire? I've spent some time in the gym over the last few months, and believe me, those workouts and push-up machines will have to keep working on me for the next 6 years in order to get a flatter belly. Try as you may, how many times have you gone for a workout, a 3 mile run, and you still have that belly hanging down to your thighs? TV always brings out women who are barely out of school, looking trim and skinny without a fat belly. That would be nice if you are 16 years old! They try to tell you that you too can look that way and promise instant weight loss if only you will buy their products. How many times have you fallen for those gimmicks? How can we be compared to these young girls, barely out of their teens against mature women who've given multiple births, carrying around a huge stomach for 9 miserable months? With some of those skinny, skeletal, under-nourished starlets, there is no comparison. Not to mention that as we age we are considered pleasantly plump women who have acquired just a bit

It isn't easy living in today's society where we are surrounded by people who do nothing but make us feel badly unless we eat, wear, drink or consume their products on a daily basis simply because they want to become wealthy. Actually, I like my body and my flabby belly. I even like my wrinkly knees that look like I'm wearing sagging pantyhose. I also like the fact that my tummy looks like it has imprints, my badges of honor from carrying my beautiful children. I don't feel the need to wear a size 5 and I don't feel the need to have a tiny butt. I have earned the rear end I have by sitting on it for hours when holding a sick child or trying to soothe them when they were crying. I also don't need to have a ton of make up to cover the lines and crows feet on my face and neck. I remember one of the grandkids once asked me, "Grandma, why do you have scratches on your neck?" Another asked me, "Why do you have stripes on your forehead?" I answered, "Yes, those are my stripes, and I have earned every single one of them so now I'm waiting to earn my stars!" Yes, there are many questions we ask every day, including, "What's the magic potion that takes off layers of belly fat?" No one seems to be sure. The only thing we can do is eat healthy, drink plenty of water and do some exercise, whether it's power walking or yard work. Also, a change in attitude will help a great deal. Think of your extra weight as making you "soft," "buxom" and "voluptuous." As for your attitude toward the skinny minis of the world, you can think of them as "scrawny," "haggard," or "gaunt" and "cadaverous." We shouldn't worry about having to look like a string bean. Most men seem to prefer a little cushion. ~ Rachel

A FUNDRAISER BENEFITTING VICTIMS

OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

SAVE THE DATE: JANUARY 18, 2014

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

http://www.victorpacini.com/a-night-for-renee/

www.treasurebrokerllc.com

Primary Election: March 18, 2014 For yard signs or to volunteer:

www.kramerforsheriff.org Email:

citizensforkramer@yahoo.com Phone: (630) 525-1609

Are you aware that EVERYONE is REQUIRED to have

HEALTH INSURANCE benefits by 2014?

If you filed your Tax return you would have been required to check

a box that you were informed of this new LAW and that if your DO

NOT have benefits you will be subject to a FINE.

For more details and benefit plans contact...

Can your

thoughts

change your

life?

Try these for 30 days

and see the change in

yourself!

Think Positively

Get rid of the negative in your life

Smile at everyone you see

Do something nice for someone, without recognition

Instead of reacting to a situation, step back and think about how to respond

in a positive manner, you will get more results

Put positive out there and positive comes back, the same goes for putting

negative out there—you will get negative back

Send a care package to someone in need, anonymously

And remember: You are in charge of how you feel and how you

choose happiness! ~ Karla

28 Richards Street Geneva, IL 60134 LA 818-786-7633 Geneva 630-457-5255

300 S. 2nd Street

St. Charles, IL

(630) 584-0900

St. Charles Holiday Homecoming is a two-day event on November 29 and 30 that features Lighting of the Lights, Sleigh Rides on 1

st Street, Visits with Santa, a Holiday Movie, and the grand finale – the Electric Christmas Parade.

Schedule of Activities

Friday, November 29, 2013

Lighting of the Lights on the 1st Street Plaza, 5:00 pm

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Free Holiday Movie at the Arcada Theatre: The Polar Express, 10:30 AM

Free Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides on 1st St. Plaza, 1-3:30 pm

Visit with Santa at the 1st Street Plaza, 1 – 4 PM

Electric Christmas Parade on Main Street, 5:30 PM

All Holiday Homecoming events and activities are free of charge.

Volunteers Needed

The Downtown St. Charles Partnership is seeking volunteers for the parade day with responsibilities including Parade Pacers, Parade Marshals, and Banner Carriers. Those interested in volunteering for a service opportunity or to help their community, may do so by completing the volunteer form on the website at: www.downtownstcharles.org/holidays.

Sponsors

Currently, sponsorship opportunities exist for a few remaining elements at Gold, Silver and Bronze levels. Organizations looking for marketing presence through the event may contact the Downtown St. Charles Partnership at 630-443-3964.

Current sponsors include: Gold - Insurance through AAA (Lighting of the Lights); BMO Harris Bank (Movie); Onesti Entertainment (Movie); STC Capital Bank (Santa Float), Kane County Chronicle (Santa House); St. Charles Bank and Trust (Sleigh Rides); Silver - Minuteman Press; AHC Advisors, Inc. (Tug Boat); Delnor Express Care (Train Engine), and Bronze - The Private Bank (East HS Band); Advanced Disposal (North HS Band), McGrath Honda (Miss IL); McNally’s Irish Pub (Silver Knights Baton Twirlers); and Spare Wheels Transportation (Shriners).

More Information

For more information on related to the Holiday Homecoming event from sponsorship, parade participation, to volunteering, visit www.DowntownStCharles.org/Holidays or call the Downtown St. Charles Partnership office at 630-443-3967.

TURN YOUR DAY INTO NIGHT...

DOWNTOWN ST. CHARLES, IL

Rachel Gies, a local published author currently has these books

available for sale

at

(630) 584-8009

217 W. Main Street Downtown St. Charles, IL 60174

(630) 542-8848

www.homeswithamynelson.com

Ask Amy How You Can Use The

KELLER WILLIAMS TRUCK

For FREE When You

BUY OR SELL With Her!

Reduced

Price

Reduced

Price

Looking for a Real Estate Professional? Look no

further… Amy Nelson has been a Realtor since 1999,

when the market crashed in 2007, she focused on helping

those in foreclosure. Rather than giving up and getting

out of the business, she pushed forward and has been

able to help people through hard times, sell their homes

and move forward.

Whether your looking to buy or sell your home, Amy is

your Realtor! She is a trusted Professional Realtor!

Send

us your story and your pic-

tures. Email them to

https://www.facebook.com/IDIDITMAGAZINE

Want to be the next cover story or be

featured inside?

The Victor Innertainment Company’s purpose is to design experiences for children and parents. www.victorpacini.com