MIA.

Happy Friday! 

Sooo, I've been a little MIA in regard to the blog-a-day challenge this week, and I'm willing to admit that I'm OK with that : ). 

I think I'm more of a "blog when I feel moved" kind of a gal. I also have had a few new things on the docket since the month began, and as a result, have been pulled away from the computer.  

Due to some recent shiftings I am on the hunt for a new apartment!  I have moved on from the live-in nanny gig, and am actually very excited to find my own little corner of the world.  It has been quite the adventure already as I compare prices and look at studio apartments in the western Chicago metro.  I have enjoyed it and am excited to get re-settled. 

For now, I have been staying with my Aunt Fran and Uncle Joe who have been more than generous with their hospitality.  This is all also while my Aunt Fran battles a very bad back--hoping she is feeling on the mend very soon.

Another thing I am grateful for this week has been  the awesome weather!  As I traveled back from Minnesota to Chicago (which was a great visit!!!), drove all around the city to work, class, and various apartment appointments, I couldn't help but be amazed at the weather at this point in November!  I have been driving with my windows down quite a bit as a result of these sunshiney days and it's been nice to feel the fresh air while we still can...

As well as the fresh air, however, I was greeted by a major leaf blast on my way to class yesterday evening....!! Yes that's right--leaves, and lots of them, straight into my car.

A man was blowing his leaves into the street as I was tooling along, music pumping, fresh air flowing through the hair...the whole bit.  Then it happened.  A full leaf force right into the windows.  At first I was shocked, and then I had a good laugh.  There were lots of them, and I think it was just the perfect timing--my open windows, his leaf blower made for one funny moment.

The leaves have been picked up and no further damage was done, I'm just thankful to be picking up leaves at this point in the year, and not yet shoveling snow off the windows!  I think Jack Frost may be back from vacation soon though....
Have a great weekend, everybody!

Bonus hour.

Happy Daylight's Saving Day!  Today seemed like a long day with the extra hour of rest and with the early onset of sun down.  I spent the day with my fam and will be returning to Chicago tomorrow...hope to write more soon.  It's been a great getaway weekend with lots of fun time with my brother, sister-in-law, and niecies today.  I even snuck in a visit tonight with my sis and bro-in-law as we rooted on my bro in his intramural bball game.  It's been great to reconnect with everybody, and I've been thankful for the bonus hour because of all the fun : ).

Take care and have a great start to you week!

...Wishing Shawn a big congratulations on his race today in Seattle!  SO excited for you!

My Stomach Hurts When...

...this woman makes me laugh!!!

I'm talking about SNL's comedian, Kristen Wiig. 

Today, I had a great day with the family at my cousin's wedding in southern Minnesota (more on that later!) and now I'm spending some bonus time at my brother Paul's for an extended weekend : ).  Paul and I had a great catch up chat on our drive from the wedding today, and throughout our discussion, he brought up my favorite laugh provider, Miss Wiig herself.  As siblings, I have found that we tend to share in our sense of humor, so we enjoyed discussing a couple of her previous (and hilarious) roles.

...and since it is Saturday night,  I will honor this funny lady by providing you with a skit that I just think is laugh out loud funny : ).

I hope you're all having a great weekend (enjoy your extra hour of sleep tonight)!

 Here's the clip!

T.G.I.F.

Happy it's Friday and SO happy to be heading to see the fam--YIPPEE!!  Today I'm thankful for this dude and all of his awesome support and friendship--thanks Shawn!

Happy weekend, everyone!  Lots of love from Chicago :).

Hodge Podge kindofa Day.

So today, I'm here to share a little hodge podge.

...A website that I love to check.  It's an artist named Jodi Hills who I have always admired.  I especially like looking at her "cards and magnets" section.  She has the most creative (and sort of quirky) little quotes that I have enjoyed looking at since college.  I believe she was introduced to me by my pal, Maren : ).

So just in case you're interested...I think she's worthy of a little shout out.

One of my favorite quotes of hers is....

"She realized she was lucky- because she could actually see it- how the trees got more beautiful each year...how they danced with such graceful pride, surviving each season's change...and she knew their beauty lied not in the perfection, but the growth...and she could see it- in the trees, the people around her, and some days- even in herself...and so she would dance."

-Jodi Hills

...We all need a little room for 'dancing' now and then, I think : ).


Here's the site...  http://www.jodihills.com/

I hope this note finds you doing well as we head into the end of the week!

Hump Day.

Yes that's right, we're over the hump of our week and I'm here to tell you why I'm especially glad that this fact is true today. 

No, it's not simply because we're 60% done with the week, or even the fact that I'm done with class for the week (No Thursday night class!)....the real reason (reasons, rather) for the countdown, is pictured below....

                                                              My nieces, Lucy and Paige!

                                                                  Photo cred, Bro Paul

In addition to seeing these cuties, I am also going to get to see my whole immediate family throughout the span of the weekend, while we celebrate in southwest Minnesota with my cousin Michael as he marries his awesome soon-to-be wife, Abby (hope to have pics to follow!).

I'm hoping this weekend will include a few key things...lots of good convos with my sibs, parents, and relatives, as well as some much needed play and snuggle time with my two favorite little ladies (whom, I hope to write more about in future posts!)

Can't wait to see everybody, sometimes Chicago just seems a liiiittle too far away from my WI and MN peeps--this weekend should provide a good fix to that problem!

Hope I can keep the blogging up as I travel?!

Wedding Bells

One thing that is definitely true about me is that I. love. weddings.  Everything about them.  The traditions, the details, the little things that make each couple unique, all parts that make the celebration of two people's commitment pretty fun to be a part of. 

As I enter my early twenties, attending weddings has already become a definite theme in my life which I, of course, have enjoyed!  Hopefully as I get older I can find a way  to make this pattern continue....Hmmm, maybe I'll have to become a wedding singer (a fun way to make extra cash that Shawn and I actually have joked about...)?!  : )

But anyway, my reason for bringing up my adoration for marriage and the excitement that surrounds it, is that I was lucky enough to share in my good friend, Kelsey's wedding day just a month ago today, on October 2nd.  For the day, I was her personal attendant and truly enjoyed my role as her "go-to-gal". 

Being around as Kelsey got ready in the morning was my favorite part of the day.  As she zipped up her dress and touched up her makeup, I couldn't help but think about how fast time had gone since we first met  in the Fall of 2005 as freshmen at St.Ben's .  She not only lived down the hall from me on our dorm floor, "Aurora C", but she also was in my Symposium class--a class that met every other day throughout our entire first year.  As fellow small town girls, Kelsey and I bonded quickly.  She is a great pal and I have lots of great memories that include her as we made our way through college.  Thanks for making me a special part of your wedding day, Kels.  I wish you every bit of happiness in the future!

Buds (Sophomore year)....

and now....

                                                                 Bachelorette Party

Hanging with the bridesmaids

                                                            The beautiful Gretsch sisters!

Have a great Tuesday!

Inspiration.

Happy National Blog Month! 

As we celebrate this new month, a challenge is on the table for bloggers to blog once a day for the 30 days that make up our new month of November.  Now, I must admit, as a new blogger, I am pretty unprepared for this.  However, as a new blogger who has really enjoyed this new gig, I have decided I am up for the challenge!

I hope to share with you some fun stories, pictures, quotes, and daily musings as we work our way one month closer to a new calendar year.  Can't wait to see where this month takes us... : ).

For now, I'll leave you with a quote, one that I think kind of speaks to the idea that motivated me to create this blog...

Short, but sweet...

"Instructions for living a life:
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it."
— Mary Oliver

Mary Oliver is an author who provides us with awesome poetry about the beauty and inspiration that life can lead us to (if only we look).  She was introduced to me by one of my dear Amate House roommates (you know who you are :) ). 

I hope to pay attention this month and find little pieces of joy to share with you along the way. 

Happy November! ...I hope your tummies have recovered from the weekend... : ).