Tag: friends

Sammy Gardner: February 24, 2012 - July 4, 2017

Sammy Gardner: February 24, 2012 - July 4, 2017
Sammy Gardner was born in Chicago on February 24, 2012. He was one of three kittens, two boys and a girl, born that day to a mom I’ve never known anything about. When he and his siblings were found by volunteers from the Illinois Animal Rescue within a few days of their birth, their mom... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
July 4, 2017 at 10:59 pm • 

My top 10 favorite experiences of 2016

#1 The year began with the Totally Fabulous Jessica party thrown by Tim and <a href="http://www.norpieswalltowall.com">Michael</a>. Yes, it was simply a party to celebrate ME! Joining in on the fun were Christopher, Wendy and Geoff, and <a href="http://www.chicagonow.com/organizing-with-erin">Erin</a>. Thank you all for spending an evening honoring me! Y'all have no idea how the memory of this evening carried me through some dark moments this year.
As 2016 quickly draws to a close, I need to stop and reflect upon the joy I felt this year. In fact, especially this year. By just about every measure, 2016 was a difficult year for many people. Generation X lost many of our pop culture idols; a presidential election went wonky at the last... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
December 31, 2016 at 3:13 pm • 

Like every Friday night of my childhood, I hung out with Sue Ellen Ewing, um, Linda Gray

Like every Friday night of my childhood, I hung out with Sue Ellen Ewing, um, Linda Gray
If you’re a Gen Xer, you grew up on a Friday night of Dukes of Hazzard, Dallas, and Falcon Crest, even if it was against your parents’ wishes or explicit instructions. I was lucky. My parents would often go out on Friday evenings, ironically to church group functions, leaving Dave and me with a babysitter... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
October 4, 2015 at 1:13 pm • 
Advertisement:

What happened to my BFF Mary?

What happened to my BFF Mary?
When we moved to Arlington Heights from Ft. Myers, Florida, in 1975, one of the biggest perks was that our block was filled with kids my age. There was Kenny and Judy next door; Kerrie and her younger brother across the street; Amy and her 3 siblings on the corner; Greg across the street; a... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
September 30, 2015 at 10:15 pm • 

Top 10 reasons why being in the audience for The Late Show with David Letterman rocked

Top 10 reasons why being in the audience for The Late Show with David Letterman rocked
In 1996, David Letterman left the comforts of the Ed Sullivan Theatre in New York City and went on the road, hosting The Late Show from four cities in four weeks. Stops included Washington, D.C. on November 8, 1996 and Chicago on November 15th. His Washington, D.C. show took place just three days after the... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
May 20, 2015 at 8:43 am • 

Cooking with LMS: Healthy homemade Cheez-Its

Cooking with LMS: Healthy homemade Cheez-Its
Raise your hand if you enjoy Cheez-Its. You know, the little orange crackers made of cheese. Okay, put your hands down. I see that it would have been easier to ask who doesn’t like them. Last week I was having some friends over for a John Hughes’ Film Festival (more on that later) and wanted... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
May 19, 2015 at 12:40 pm • 
Advertisement:

My lumpectomy was easy-peasy

My lumpectomy was easy-peasy
NOTE: If you haven’t read the first two installments of this unexpected series, My first mammogram saved my life and Respect my coping skills and I’ll respect yours, I encourage you to read them. It’s not necessary to read them in order to understand what’s happening, but they will give you more context. My Needle... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
November 10, 2014 at 3:03 pm • 

My favorite name is Sister

My favorite name is Sister
October 5th marked the 40th anniversary of when I gave up the name “Only Child” and took on “Sister.” As I recall it, it was a bright early October day when my brother Dave came into the world. Fall had hit and we were wearing socks with our sandals in Ft. Myers, Florida. It was... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
October 6, 2014 at 6:11 pm • 

Watervale Bingo Days 5: We're half-way there!

I swear Dave is happier to have hiked Green Point Dunes with me than this picture indicates.
Tuesday was an exciting day here at Watervale. It was windy, rainy, and chilly. I believe that the high was about 59, which meant that I actually put on socks. I’ll have you know that, although it was tempting, I did not wear them with my flip flops. I even slept in a wool hat,... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
August 15, 2014 at 12:26 pm • 
Advertisement:

Watervale Bingo: Days 1 and 2

Watervale Bingo: Days 1 and 2
If you’re playing Watervale Bingo, the game I invented earlier yesterday, I hope you’re excited for the summary of my activities for yesterday and today. It’s been a fun-filled first two days with many adventures still to be had in the next eight days. On Friday, I left my house at 4:08 a.m. CT and... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
August 9, 2014 at 10:22 pm • 
  • Advertisement:
  • Advertisement:
  • ChicagoNow is full of win

    Welcome to ChicagoNow.

    Meet our bloggers,
    post comments, or
    pitch your blog idea.

    Sign in Pitch your idea Play games

  • Meet The Blogger

    Jessica Gardner

    A native of Chicago's Northwest Suburbs and resident of the North Shore, Little Merry Sunshine comes by her name honestly. The story goes that as a child, she was always so happy that she even slept with a smile on her face. Her mom nicknamed her Little Merry Sunshine. It stuck, along with her insatiable desire to focus on the good in the world and to leave it a little better than she found it. She does this by sharing her passions and dreams, what inspires her, and maybe you too, and furthering the discussion about how we can listen to our better angels. You can reach her at LittleMerrySunshineCN[at]WowWay[dot]com.

  • Follow LMS on Facebook & Twitter

  • Facebook

  • Find LMS Elsewhere Online

    Instagram Visit Jessica's profile on Pinterest.

  • Monthly Archives

  • Tags

  • Categories

  • Latest on ChicagoNow

  • Advertisement: