the two Hughs

Today was just one of those days....it started when I woke up (yes, as most mornings really do start then..) at 10:30...10:30!!!! I love Unisom..but maybe should have thought twice about taking it at 11:30 last night. Anyway, so Paul and I drove down through Hyde Park and looked at University of Chicago today. After that, we stopped in at Target. I have been wanting to go into the 2 story target downtown for weeks...and so today was the day. Let me just say that it was just like every other Target...except that there were 2 floors and it had one of those shopping cart escalators that I've only every seen before at IKEA. While walking through the isles, I found this..

Middle Sister wine!!! Had to get it just because of the label...and because I am the middle sister.. It might be total crap, but I am happy to have bought it.

So after Target, and some other routine shopping, we came home and had to listen to all the noise at Soldier Field - there was some tournament going on with those boards and beanbags where you have to throw the beanbag into the hole. I really don't understand how this is so popular... Anyway, we could hear it all going on and thankfully we just had to sit through the finals!


We've been watching House since then. I love this show! There are a few shows that I can watch over and over. I think it's because I love all actors named Hugh.

There's Hugh...

And then the other Hugh...



We watched Notting Hill last night..another good Hugh movie. Which makes me think I might have to dig out my Christmas card picture from a few years ago. Is it because I am half British that I adore them so much? maybe...

And for the final piece of entertainment, Izzie has decided that she's settled into her new home and she now plays...

Jinx

I am going to jinx myself by saying this..but I am kinda on a roll here...is it 3 days in a row. Next post...October...haha.

So the weekend is upon us. It's FRIDAY...everybody holla.... (wow..I should really find something more age appopriate).

This morning, I had to get up and go into work to pick up my computer, which was getting an update that kept failing on me, and then come back home so I could work from home. I know, it seems silly, I mean, I was there so I should have just stayed, but that would have meant showering and ironing clothes..and let me tell you I am NOT fan of ironing. I'd have to give ironing the Facebook thumbs down (if there was such a thing). When I got home Paul had made cinnamon rolls - they were the generic ones from Aldi..but he best cinnamon rolls I've ever had!

Seriously...my mouth is watering just looking at the picture...

I love working at home. I love being able to not wear shoes. I love being able to get up and go to the bathroom without having to go through 3 doors and swipe my id badge. I love being able to pick up my knitting and knit a row if I get frustrated. And I LOVE the commute - well you really can't count today because I did commute..just all at once..and before work. Some things are the same though. I still attend meetings. I still do a lot of work. And I still eat lunch at my desk. Only at home, I have company.


Yeah..it's all about the company...

So it's Friday..in case you didn't realize that already because I believe I've mentioned it aleady...and that means that for the next 2 days, I don't really have much planned. I think I am going to work on my knitting mostly this weekend. I had been on kind of a knitting hiatus over the move and then while I was getting settled...but I think I am back to being able to sit and enjoy it. I am working on a sweater..which when Carol saw it, said to me, "how come they make things so complicated? When I used to knit you made a front, back and two sleeves and sewed it together." She may be on to something, but these days, the patterns are all "fancy"...but if I could find one like she's talking about, I'd be all for it! Anyway..my knitting...

So I realize this looks like something you could put on a toilet seat...the hole would need to be bigger though...but it's a sweater...or the start of one. Or if things go horribly wrong..maybe a toilet seat cover...it's good to have a fall back plan...


Now that it's folded over you can see...its going to be a cardigan..and that opening is the neck. Anyway...that's all I've done so far..and I will keep you updated on my progress. This is edge of your seat type stuff..I know...

So that's really it for now...it's what's been going on.. Have a nice weekend...and I'll see you in October.

PS..still haven't tried Magic Hat yet. I did finish some wine though.

Magic Hat

Warning...this is going to be a rambling post...if you can't deal with it...well..too bad...I don't really care...

So...I am kind of irritated that I can't link up my twitter account with my blog. I think this is because of my "designer" layout. Weird, right? It should totally work, but it doesn't.

We went to Whole Foods tonight..I love the Whole Foods. I have to be careful though because I could go completely crazy in there and spend all of our savings! We mainly bought fruit and cheese...umm...cheese....and we thought we'd try a new beer.


Anyone ever tried Magic Hat? no? well we haven't tried it either but we will. I think we should try a new beer every week. At least then maybe we'd have something entertaining going on in our lives...so here we are..Week one of Try-a-New-Beer-a-Week...Magic Hat!

So I was at work today and I totally could not understand how I managed to walk out of the house wearing what I had on. I spent the entire day wishing I would go home and change. Why would I do that? I was so embarrassed. I wish I could just wear a uniform! And crocks! That would be the best!

I guess that's all. Seriously, I'll try to come up with something interesting...

Oh..did you see they're going to make another Bridget Jones movie...yay!!!

A is for Apple

I am forever amazed by people who blog everyday..and really have interesting things to say. I am not one of these people. I mean, yes I can ramble on about what we're going to make for dinner and what we've watched on tv, but that really isn't interesting. I should start soliciting ideas...

Anyhoo...even though it's Wednesday, it totally feels like at least Thursday...and I think I might be on the back end of this rut I've been in lately. (I hope for everyone's sake, I am..and I am not just in denial).

I worked at home today and Izzie sat beside me most of the day, like she used to. I really miss my little Ms Harry Fuzzball co-worker. I took this closeness to an inviation to take her picture...someone tell me how this is comfortable??

Maybe I am just jealous because I can't get my foot over my head???

Often, working at home means that I eat at my desk while..well...while working... So guess who thinks that it's great??

Somehow I think that if she knew I ate at my desk when in the office she'd be pissed. Yep..the ultimate beggar dog. Mostly all I see is a nose...

But having snacks out helps me get pictures like this...because Izzie will do anything for a snack..

....and J is for Jacks.

Happy Wednesday!

the 3rd of July

This year, since were in the city, Carol, Willie & Lacy came down to spend the night. When they got in on Thursday night, we treated them to wine and cheese :)

On the 3rd, we did some walking along the lake - it was a beautiful day and everyone was out early trying to get their prime spot for the fireworks. It is funny how people drag their grills out there and they stake out their "area". I really can't think that I'd ever, ever do that...

Here we are...walking along the lake..

Here's Carol, Willie, Lacy, and Paul. Izzie and I were the photographers in the back!


Here's one of those areas I was talking about...crazy I tell you...

We actaully walked for 2 1/2 hours..with the dogs. Needless to say, they were EXHAUSTED...and so were the humans. The dogs laid down immediately to take a nap...the humans though a beer sounded better...I think maybe the dogs were smarter...



because after we'd had a few beers..and some cheese...we needed to take a nap :)

Ok..so finally...we got to the fireworks. Some of these are fuzzy..I've tried to exclude those.. We had a great view from our balcony.

And the Grand Finale

I guess that's it! Hope everyone had a great 4th.

Tasty

Tonight Paul and I wandered..ok..we took the bus...to the Taste of Chicago. This is a Chicago tradition so it's important that Paul went the first year he's here. What was nice was that it was not hot at all...so you didn't have to deal with the huge crowd AND sweating to death...it was a real plus..believe me.

So..here was the food/beverage run down
Sierra Mist bottle - shared
Beef Sandwich - Paul
Cheese Ravioli - Julie (shared with Paul)
Crab Cake nuggets - shared
Landshark Beer - one each
Lou's pizza - cheese and sausage - one each
Eli's cheesecake - Paul
Fried Dough - Julie (shared with Paul)
Bottle of water - shared

Here's Paul at the crab cake stand...

And then it was beer time...


And that makes everyone happy...

And enjoying his Lou's pizza...

So when it was all done..and we were totally stuffed and happy...we walked home.

A-Team

When I used to work at home every day, I did so without the television on. With Paul home, the tv is on. ALL.THE.TIME. On days when I stay home and work, I notice more and more how many of the old programs they run during the day. I don't know if this is a Chicago TV thing or if this is something they do everywhere. The other day, it was the A-Team...this was acceptable because I LOVE ME SOME A-TEAM!!! I have even considered buying the seasons on DVD...I like it that much...BA and Hannibal...Face and Mad-Dog Murdock...wow...that was some good tv. Anyway..today's marathon has been Buck Rodgers (which I keep calling Battlestar Galactica). I remember watching this show years ago, but I don't have the same fondness as I have with the A-Team. I wonder what it will be tomorrow...I am hoping for the Fall Guy..but that may be a little too new for this channel...

UPDATE: I found the listing...I'm PISSED I missed out on the Monkees marathon on the 24th!!


In other news..nothing really exciting is going on. I know, boring...but what can I say. Paul is painting...I am working...and thats really about it. We do need to run to Home Depot tonight...

Cowheads Feed and Westernware

It's raining...and I really don't want to watch TV. Instead, I am going to share some of the pictures with you from our trip from Texas to Illinois. Yes, I realize they are at least 5 weeks late, but if you're really that offended by it, you can just stop reading and go do something else...it's ok...I'll wait.....

Ok..gone?

Good...on with the pictures.

I think this was my favorite from the entire trip...

What is better than a Texas waffle??? And I got it to turn out so nice. Day 2 breakfast was waffles :)

this was my view for 3 days..

and this..

It was a very scenic 3 days, I assure you. With the U-Haul, the truck could only go about 65 mph before it started swaying. It was a little nerve wracking to be behind it and watching it. At one point, it rolled over a piece of old tire and Carol said "is that a snake???" There were actually a few memorable phrases from the trip..I'll get to those shortly. Back to the driving..so at 65, you get passed by lots of things that you aren't too happy to admit to... like a school bus..

but not just any school bus...a school bus towing a truck...

and one of these..does this carry gas? oil? maybe milk? though I suppose if it had milk in it there would be a cow on the side??


and we got passed by this a few times..not quite sure what statement they were trying to make...

And then there were the signs. We amused ourselves by reading them...and counting dead armadillos on the side of the road. It is funny to see what they are trying to sell along the road..16" dolls..at a fantastic gift shop, for $8.95. Do you think there was a survey for which shops should be "fantastic"?

And then there's nothing like Black Market fireworks, right at the same spot with the smokes and the liquor. I don't know..seems like an accident waiting to happen...

And then there is this...hmm..what to say. I wonder who thought of the name of this station? I mean we did see several of them...
..many of them near these... Now that's just gross...and don't try to make it like you didn't think of it too..because I know you did...



I didn't find my camera until part way through day 2..so here were some other memorable ones that I don't have pictures of. You can all come up with your own...

• Cowheads Feed and Westernware - because you like to get animal feed and then pick up a new shirt for your date on Saturday.
• Bobs Good Junk (why would they call it Bob's Shit No One Would Possibly Want)
  
• Topless Tuesday and Thursday (Paul and Dad saw this one too)
  
• Indian Smoke & Snake Shop

Alright..and no post would be complete without Izzie..who was very good and sat in the back for 3 days. Only once did something fall on her :)

Poor baby was surrounded by stuff...good thing she's so little.

and for the grand finale...we couldn't have gotten one more thing in here if we'd tried...the only reason there is open space is because those things fell out when we opened the door.

So glad this is over!

Hope you didn't get dust on you

Holy crap the cobwebs are THICK!!!

I still have no pictures because my camera is dead and I can't find the cord to charge it...so here's whats been going on...

1. We moved.
2. Izzie is not quite sure how she likes being a city dog.
3. I've been going to work almost every day.
4. The commute is only 20 minutes, 35 minutes walking so...see previous point.
5. We got unpacked...yay..
6. We're getting new carpet and Paul has been paining so were back in chaos...booooo
7. We're planning to go to a movie this weekend. The Hangover looks funny.
8. I did some knitting the other night but I need to unravel a cast-on and I am going to need to be well rested and patient to do that - maybe this weekend.
9. I am beginning to wonder if it's ever going to stop raining and warm up.
10. When #9 happens, I'll regret wondering.

That's really it...this is hard without pictures.

Please post in the comments if you have specific questions and I'll address them :)

stuff

We left Texas...arrived in Illinois 2 days later. We had no major issues. All of our old stuff is currently in storage...all of our new stuff is in my parents garage. More new stuff is still waiting to be purchased. We move next Wednesday. Once we move, and have a reliable internet connection, i promise to have a marathon post...WITH PICTURES...written from my new sofa..or my new desk...and you can all see where we live and the view of the lake from our balcony.

I miss you all. I'll write soon.

Julie

counting down...49 to go..

I am assuming we'll leave about noon on Thursday...isn't there a song that says that?? or is it Noon on Tuesday...oh wait..it's something about "drinking beer at noon on Tuesday"...it's a Sheryl Crow song....wait..what was I saying??? Oh yeah, so I'd guess we'll be leaving about noon on Thursday and so that puts us at about 49 or so hours till we leave. I hope that's enough time to do everything I still need to do.

Anyway, we're picking up the UHaul tomorrow..and a very wise friend of mine has already told me that I need to take lots of pictures with the UHaul during the trip..and that those pictures are fun...she also told me that calories don't count when on a road trip..and I hope she's right because gas stations have the best snacks!!! Things you don't see anywhere else...like Hot Fries...yum...

Ok..so that's about it. I am trying to get a bunch of work wrapped up today and then tonight we have loads more throwing away and boxing up to do. Actually, we don't have as much as I think, I am just a little stressed out :)

This post will be picture free...sorta like calorie free....UHaul pictures to come...

A little honesty

I'll be honest...now that most of the packing is done, I am a little bored. Don't get me wrong, there are still things to do and I am still working, but I am genuinely bored. I think I must be mentally in transition - I don't really want to do anything here, but I can't do anything there because..well..because I can't. Fortunately, work has been busy.

So...I've been trying not to read about the swine flu. I think the media is just in complete scare mode..which I am not going to buy in to. I mean, I wash my hands, I don't have people who spit on me, so I am pretty safe. I did find this great blog post though..which really just confirmed a lot of what I was thinking. It's kinda long, but a good, realistic read on the subject.

In other news..we went to the vet today...and guess who cost me $400?

Yep..that's who. At least we're stocked up on all the doggie drugs for a year :)

95% done

Paul and I have been packing...but it took Paul's aunt Terri coming over...dragging everything out of the cabinets..and basically telling us to deal with it to get it done. Believe me, I got a little irritated, but I know why she did it and I am very grateful. All that remains is to box up our televisions (Paul would begin to twitch if we did it before next Wednesday), do some laundry, throw the rest of the food out, and that's really about it. Oh..and we have to pack some clothes for a few weeks, though we can also live out of the wardrobe boxes. So...that means that we can enjoy our last weekend here - we're available.

Also, I don't know if anyone noticed, but I posted a badge of our vacation pictures over there on the right. We had a great time.

We're back!

We had a fantastic time! I'll post pictures later tonight (would have done it last night but fell asleep on the sofa at 8!).

On Vacation

Paul and I are leaving this morning to meet my parents in Florida. From there, we're going on a cruise...jealous? I feel horrible about leaving Izzie..and with a face like this, can you blame me?

I am leaving her in very capable hands, where she'll get lots of love.

Until we get back, have fun, don't do anything I wouldn't do, look both ways before crossing the street, don't take candy from strangers, and don't eat yellow snow :)

Ladybugs

I was watching Zack this evening and we were watching an Elmo dvd - his, not mine, you know, just for the record. There was a episode with bugs...and they were talking about ladybugs...and I SO wanted them to show this..but they didn't. I am such a Sesame Street junkie.

Iron-y

I am starting to get ready for our trip and that involves ironing. Let me tell you, I iron like an idiot. I can iron a skirt and maybe a pair of pants, but that is where my skills end. I now believe that whatever the dry cleaner charges for ironing a man's shirt is fair. He could charge me $10 a shirt..and I'd pay it. If I understand correctly, the point of ironing is to iron OUT the wrinkles..not iron IN monstrous creases...right in the front...not at the bottom where it wouldn't matter....and how on earth are you supposed to iron the top of the back?? and the sleeves...well let me just say it...they are a pain in the ass too.

There are definitely things I was not put on this earth to do...being an ironing lady is one of them...a taxi driver is another..but that's for another day..

the bed hog..and the other one..

Paul went out of town to go fishing. He doesn't go away very often...come to think of it, the only other time he's been gone was for a fishing trip...and then the 2 times he went for a sleep study...so for the past 2 years, he's been gone a total of 4 nights. I, on the other hand, have been gone for weeks at a time...but that's completely different. What I am getting at is though I complain about him actually wanting to use his half of the bed, him making some of the weirdest noises I've ever come out of a human, never getting my hand on the TV remote, and hating the nightly 'what's for dinner' conversation when I really just want cereal...I find it weird when he's gone. I am not saying I miss him because that would involve crossing a line I may never be able to step back over. At least when he's gone I get to sleep with Izzie without massive protest...who incidentally is the worlds biggest bed hog...and at 17 pounds, she totally knows how to maximize it!

Paul also has the camera...which is why I don't have any pictures. I suppose I could dig up one but I am feeling lazy so I won't. Oh..alright..you talked me into it...you're so persuasive.

May I present...my husband...the one who takes up his share of the bed (against my wishes) and the bed hog. I can't imagine a world without either of them. (oh no..it's starting to smell like syrup...)

As promised

Here's my post.

The end.






Haha..only joking. That would be funny though..right? Yeah, it definitely would be.

Let's take a look through my pictures and see what I have to share...

We've been cleaning out a lot of things getting ready to move..and since I have a history of showing you closets and more closets, I figured why should this be any different. (why do I post pictures of this stuff?? Well..I guess I may as well continue the trend.) Here is the pantry...it's never looked so good!


There are still more closets to get to..and if I feel the need, I'll take pictures of them when they are done and share them too.

What else?

Paul and I went to see Monsters vs. Aliens on the IMAX last night..in 3D. The glasses were really good..not the normal cheap ones. Paul had actually thought he might try to steal a pair, but someone came in and made an announcement that if anyone tried to leave with them, an alarm would go off...so he didn't. And actually, when we were leaving, we did hear it go off. Here we are in our glasses...



We both really enjoyed the movie.

I got some new shoes. I ordered these from Zappos and I am really pleased with them. What I love about this site is that you don't have to pay for shipping...and they even sent them overnight and I got them the next day..for FREE. I love getting things for free...well..except I had to pay for the shoes :)

And finally, its not a post without a picture of Izzie.

Izzie had to have a bath today...and I just love how she looks when she's wet...

I think that's about it. I am sure there will be more closet pictures in the future...and you KNOW there will be more Izzie pictures...

Hello Kettle, it's me, Pot

I get a bit annoyed when I visit the blogs that I love..and day after day it's just the same old post about making barbeque sauce. Then it hit me....hmmmm...like the pot calling the kettle black...

Expect a post later today.