Donica Shebell

First off… it has taken me a while to post a blog (my first ever) as I felt badly not having any recent pics to include… so I found one on my computer at work… cropped out the others and decided it is probably better to post and inform than to have a slide show of pictures. That way we do get all the past info out of the way before seeing you on the 6th.

Can I just say… am I the only one who feels like they are in a Twilight Zone moment reading about everyone and who they have become? The pictures, the kids, the marriages… maybe it’s me.

To get you all up to date with my life in the last 20 years…
The last we saw our heroine she was going off to SMU to study Management Science. Well, I ended up changing my mind at the last minute for personal reasons (yes… a boy ) and went to the University of Lowell (and for good reason that relationship ended my junior year). It was an academic experience as I did not live on campus but a good one none the less (my only regret in life thus far is not going away to college… but then again I would probably not be the same person today and therefore would not want to change a thing). As a freshman I would often see Marc Huaman as he would wait for me in his pathfinder, parked ON the campus lawn, for lunch. He should have been in his computer science class but he preferred lunch with me. I think that is why he had such poor grades that year. Anyways, I graduated with honors with a major in Marketing and a minor in computer programming (never used it since). As a senior in high school I worked at the Fashion Barn (no, not Dress Barn or Fashion Bug) in Acton. Upon learning that I would stay for college I became the Assistant Manager for all 4 years of college and then at least a year into my full time “career” job afterwards (yup 2 jobs , 7 days a week). Because I had a retail foundation I decided to pursue a career in corporate retailing and have been there ever since. To make this quick… worked my way up through planning & buying in shoes and men’s apparel @ Marshall’s (before TJX bought them) then went to work at keds as a Sr. Merchandiser, and later to Chadwick’s of Boston as a Sr. Control Buyer of their Men’s division. Did the whole internet “thing” at a start up company where I was a buyer for about a year before financing went dry and the company was over (just as well). Next went to Timberland as the Manager of Planning and Forecasting, Boot & Kids Divisions for North America Wholesale (mouthful). After being totally burned out I gave my noticed and ended up working 3 months, 3 days a week at full pay as part of my exit strategy with them. I had come to the realization that life is short and that I wanted to “work to live, not live to work”. Seriously, when you die and are at the pearly gates (because I’m definitely going to heaven… I think they will let me in) and are asked “looking back what would you have wanted to do more of?” – No one has ever replied “You know I really wish I had worked more!” So my intent was to take a year off and travel Europe. I received a call two weeks before my last day and was asked to talk about a potential opportunity at Appleseeds (no, not Applebee’s). So today (3+ years later) I am in a nice position (work /life balance) where I run my own division (liquidations) as I see fit. I oversee, for two brands, their outlet stores, the sale sections of the web sites, create sales catalogs, and sell off to 3rd parties (like Marshalls) discontinued merchandise. I don’t know how long I will be here… or what I will do next but for now I am content.

So now who I have become…
For the past 3+ years (after leaving Timberland) I have been living up in Newburyport Ma. and absolutely love it. I live in this old house, sectioned into condo’s, whose insides were completely remodeled and updated in 1998. I live ½ a block from the shops and restaurant, 4 blocks from the Marina and a mile and a half from Plum Island Beach. So most mornings, on the weekends, you can find me on the boardwalk or beach in front of the water drinking my coffee and reading a book. I am in two book clubs (AKA wine club… where reading that months’ book is not a prerequisite… but bringing a bottle of wine is). As an adult I have developed my first “hobby” - wine collecting. I would say since 1995 I have been a collector of wine. It started with a wine tasting seminar and grew from there. I travel to California about every other year for what I call a buying trip and to date have a personal cellar of about 25 cases (I collect more than I drink). I love traveling and my motto is “my bags are always packed”. I will go anywhere at any time. In May this year I went back to London & Paris, a place where I went as a sophomore with some of you on the School trip in 1985!!!!! July was Nova Scotia, August was Ocean City Maryland (with Sara (Seaman) too), October is Florida, and I have 4 vacation days left… so I will have to start planning one more trip!!! Sara and I have remained close friends and have traveled to quite a number of places over the years (Aruba, Rented a house in Martha’s Vineyard, SF/Wine country, Grand Canyon, Florida, etc.) now that she is married… I don’t think she’ll be able to go any more… oh well she will have to live vicariously through me. I on the other hand am not married and do not have any kids. I like the idea of family but am not quite ready to settle down… yet. I can remember Kris Laingen saying once when were probably Seniors “I can see our future now, I’ll be married with kids and you will be having affairs traveling the world”. I was totally offended and she said “I don’t mean you’ll be a slut, I just see you more involved with your career” (or something like that). It is funny how she was more right than wrong.

I am big into volunteering and attending charity events… yes I realize many are wine tastings … but they are for a good cause! Seriously thought, I do quite a bit of work for the AIDS Action Committee and Share Our Strength. This includes being a patron at some events and working others. If any of you attended Artcetera I am the supervisor of the staff of volunteers who manages the bars and bar revenue… I wear a head set and everything! Or if you participate in the AIDS Walk you can always find me in the Registration tent. Lastly (because I can just keep going) I am a big concert go-er (or so I’m told). Year to date I have gone to 24, don’t know what it is but I love seeing a live performance of up and coming’s (small venues only). I believe that is my real talent –to identify good music and who is going to be the next big thing (Ex. James Blunt @ the Paradise… now look at him). It has been a joke that I will go to a concert who no one has heard of, and they become the next thing. So I’ve started what I call “My art project” (might as well). Yes, I now approach these performers and get their autograph (queer I know …but I assure you I am not a groupie). I am collecting autographs on all sorts of stuff and will make a big collage (or that is my intent). When I explain my art project they get really into it and are more than happy to help a girl out.

Okay, I feel I have to stop now as I am rambling and could keep doing so. I am looking forward to seeing you and catching up in October… I’ll be the one with the freaked out look having an out of body experience at all the change everyone has gone through over the years.

I feel I should mention one last thing… I’m now a red head... I guess we all change.