Tuesday, April 29, 2008

tidbits

I'm catching up on the news tonight after being on the road most of the day. I like being out of the office for a change of pace but find that I usually have no idea what's going on in the world when I get home. ... a few things I can't figure out:

Why is this Miley Cyrus/Vanity Fair photo spread getting so much attention? Not to mention that I have NO IDEA why a respected magazine like VF would even print a spread of Miley Cyrus. What, can someone please tell me, does she have that interests VF readers?? I just don't get it.

Why is Obama's pastor making more headlines than REAL issues people actually care about like the insane price of gas?

A non-news thing I don't get but was thinking about yesterday: how can a once-good show like Grey's Anatomy get so very bad? I found myself speeding through most of the early shows this season and last week's continued to be pretty much un-watchable. I don't know if even McDreamy can salvage this sad show.

Sunday, April 27, 2008

night at the zoo


We were at a fundraiser at the Lincoln Park Zoo last night and it was a lot of fun. It was black tie optional/wild flair encouraged so we added some animal print accents (my handbag and Ben's pocket square) and feathers to our outfits (you can see one of Ben's feathers; mine were in my hair).

Thank goodness we weren't out and about in the zoo because it was really windy and chilly (instead we were in a tented area). Just when you think spring is here, winter makes a last gasp. The low temps are threatening to hurt all of our blooming flowers. I wish we could cover our yard with a big blanket.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

tulip tidbit


Our first tulips bloomed today! They gave me such a great welcome home so I ran out and snapped a few photos.

It's been in the 70's yesterday and today and should remain warm through the week. My first softball practice is Thurs. and I hope it doesn't rain. We need to prepare for our first game next week. I hope we don't suck (more on that after we play).

My coworker hosted a party for Matilda Jane which sells super cute clothes for girls (and some for women too). I paid too much money for a fun dress but I figure I'm allowed to spoil.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

wishing

Can we please have a three day weekend? Anyone? Bueller?

We had a great spring weekend and it's supposed to be even warmer and sunnier tomorrow. There is nothing worse than sitting INside when all you want to do is be OUTside those first few days of spring.

We spent more time on yard work today and now have another huge pile of leaves. We could have raked for hours but my hand already has a small blister so that ended the raking for today. Love big trees, hate all the raking (and raking, and, yes, raking some more).

Our yard has a loyal brigade of bunnies, squirrels and birds. They've gotten so comfortable hanging out they rarely take off when we walk outside. Ben said the squirrels will be eating out of his hand by the end of summer. Hopefully they eat out of it and not bite it/give rabies.

Friday, April 18, 2008

earthquake

We had one and I felt it! I woke up around 4:45 and thought someone was breaking into our house because of the bang-bang-bang of furniture against the walls. Ben slept through it and when I shook him awake in a panic he just rolled over. ... maybe we need a guard dog.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

tidbits

It's tax day but I don't know anyone actually filing their taxes today. Who waits until the last minute? We usually file in February so it seems like it was ages ago.

In case you've been losing sleep this week gripped with worry about how our flowers are doing, you can now rest easy! The sun has helped warm things up the past few days and tomorrow we're supposed to hit 70 degrees. It seems cruel to have such bad weekend weather followed by warm mid-week weather when we're all stuck inside. Boo.

We watched Atonement last weekend and it wasn't what I expected (having not read the book). I thought it was really good though I wonder how Keira Knightley keeps getting such high-profile parts when she's only a so-so actor.

We're working on the inside of the house (nothing like people coming over for dinner to spur a cleaning!) and are STILL in need of a chair for the living room. How can it be SO hard to find a good chair that's not insanely expensive? Any recommendations? At this point I'm ready for a bean bag chair.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

standing tall



Despite the frigid temperatures, sleet, light snow and persistent rain, the budding flowers in our yard continue to demonstrate their resilience to crappy weather. I'm so proud of them!

The above photo was from 1 p.m during a bout of sleet.

The below photo is of the daffodils I rescued Friday.


29 degrees overnight - stay strong, flowers. I can't wait for our first tulip!

Friday, April 11, 2008

tgiFREEZING

We're regressing back to wintery weather today and through the weekend. I clipped my beautiful daffodils to save them from freezing. I hope our other buds survive. This weather totally stinks.

One good thing about this week: the return of Scrubs (and The Office) last night! I hope you caught J.D., Turk and the crew back in action. I know iTunes has Scrubs if you need to catch it.

American Gangster is still waiting to be watched - we just returned Michael Clayton this week (liked it a lot) - and Atonement should be here tomorrow. I guess we can catch up on Netflix since it's too cold to work on the porch or in the yard.

I'm starting to regret signing up for a softball team to start late April. It could still be miserably cold out... I hate that numb vibration throughout your whole body when you have to bat during a cold game...bbbrrrrrrrr.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

tidbit

I was feeling particularly uninspired today before I watched parts of Monday's Oprah with Salma Hayek, a favorite of mine, where she announced the "One pack = One vaccine" program. It's so easy!! Know someone with kids? Have a baby shower on the horizon? Buy Pampers (with the UNICEF seal) before the end of June and they donate the cost of a tetanus vaccine to pregnant women living in needy countries. So simple. So cheap. Put it on your to-do list.

Sunday, April 6, 2008

play date


We had great Spring weather this weekend! Abigail arrived Sat. night and we couldn't wait to get to the park today. A friend of mine in the area has a girl about Abi's age so we arranged a play date. The playground was PACKED. All the kids were running around trying to burn off months of cabin fever.

Abi approaches the playground with a no fear attitude and I was running around like a maniac trying to keep up with her, anxious thoughts filling my head (was an older kid going to step on her? would she fall off some contraption head-first? why do they make those ridiculous tunnels you can't see through?). Of course it was totally fine and we were all worn out after a few hours. The girls reluctantly said goodbye and we headed home for PB&J and mac & cheese.

Don't kids just remind you how simple life can be?

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

tidbits

I made the trek to St. Louis yesterday and it was a whirlwind. Cardinal's fans had taken over and I didn't stick around long. Time in St. Louis: 3 hours. Total driving time: 5 hours. Ugh.

Clearly I had plenty of time to sit around and listen to the radio. Pat and Ron on WGN kept me company, but my car-cheering couldn't help the Cubs get a W.

I did see something funny while driving: a woman with a scrunchie on her wrist. I used to love the scrunchie! The perfect functional accessory....in the 90's that is. I wish I could have made a "ditch the scrunchie" sign, but I was busy keeping my minivan (hold that thought: me driving a minivan!) on the road during what can only be described as the closest thing the Midwest will ever see to a monsoon.

So I resumed my normal schedule today with thoughts of the scrunchie back in St. Louis and ANOTHER scrunchie incident surfaces. Check out this article in Chicago's DailyCandy for a good laugh.

What better day to celebrate the scrunchie than April Fool's Day?