Look who's walking now

still here

I keep meaning to get back here and post something, but Liam has kept me constantly on my toes and at my wit's end the past few days. Let's just say that he is still testing boundaries and intentionally stepping over them. All. Day. Long.

And, yesterday, we had our first house showings. Not just one. Two. The first came with a 20 minute warning. I scrambled around the house like a madwoman, trying to corral the day's clutter with a crying one-year old clinging to my legs. And the three-year old saw this as the oppprtune time to poop his pants (like I said, he's been a challenge). And it was thunderstorming outside. And we didn't have the car.

For the first showing, we just walked across the street and spent some time with Trish's dog Ozzie in their living room, and for the second showing several hours later, we walked downtown under umbrellas for some tea and hot chocolate. 

We still ahven't heard anything back from the realtors, but our house looked remarkably tidy considering the circumstances. 



When Liam and I were talking about the people coming to look at our house, and how we are going to get a new house, he looked at me in all serious and said:

They are going to need my scissors.

What? Why?

To cut my room up. It won't fit in their car.

So then we talked about how we are leaving our house here for the new people to live in, and we are going to live in a different place.

He paused, thinking  this through, then gestured to the couch next to us:

Can we take the couch?

Yes, we'll take all of our stuff with us.

Oh, okay.

And he went back to playing.

chicago trip: good eats (or not)

On our first trip into the city, my mom and I were discussing the food plan, and we emphatically agreed that, along with deep dish pizza and Chicago dogs, we were not going to eat anything that we can get in Arkansas.

What was the first thing I ate? A Jimmy John's turkey sub. And, yes, those are available at a handful of places in AR.

I was hungry, and our hotel wasn't near any eateries, and the train station conveniently had a Jimmy John's inside. So much for foodie plans.

But we still managed to eat pizza at the founding restaurant for Chicago deep dish. Spinach, mushrooms, cheese, and sauce piled thick on a crispy crust. Yum.

 

The Chicago dog. Also good.

On Friday, I went to the city by myself for the day. I started at the Lincoln Park Zoo, but didn't stay long. The zoo was amazing. So wonderful that all I could think about is how much I wish my kids were with me to enjoy it. I left before I got to weepy, and spent some time walking around the Lincoln Park conservatory.

After that, I hopped on a bus uptown, and ended up walking a number of blocks to make my connection. In my wandering, I chanced upon Wrigley Field just before a cubs game.

This was unplanned, but I snapped my picture and continued on to somewhere oh-so-much more exciting: Anthropologie. Now I understand what all of the fuss is about. Their clothes: so stylish. Their houseware selection: I'd like one of everything. Their price range: way out of my thrifting budget. But it was inspiring. And it gave me all kinds of DIY ideas. But, really, just being able to browse around a store on my own was all that I needed. That and the porcelain egg carton for our countertop.

After some shopping, I stopped at Southport Grocery and Cafe for some lunch. I enjoyed my lunch (ramps and asparagus omelet) with a pot of tea and a good book.

Saturday afternoon, the weather turned cold and drizzly and miserable. Which made the trip to Chinatwon all the more interesting.

My mom and I huddled under the umbrella together, discovered that a good bathroom is hard to find, and all of the shops will call the police according to bright signs on the front windows.

The bakery cases held all kinds of treats, some more appelaing than others. Bean paste pastries? No thanks. But we split a flaky coconut cream turnover and it was tasty.

But the real excitement was in the Chinatown Market. I ended up buying all kinds of groceries: tea, dried mushrooms, gummy candies, cookies for the kids, and black sesame seeds. I would have bought more if my carry-on bag would have allowed.

But the poultry at the meat counter? That wasn't so enticing. Not even the black chickens.

Over the course of the weekend, I also enjoyed a Jamba Juice smoothie and some Dunkin Donuts, neither of which can be found in AR. But a Starbucks stop also sneaked in at one point. But since they were at almost every corner, it was inevitable.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Inspired by Amanda.

chicago trip: getting around

Our first full day* in Chicago, I started my morning with a 90 minute massage, compliments of my sister Molly. I know. Amazing: The massage and my generous sister. While my mom and her boss, Erin, spent the morning at their conference, I studied maps and transportation options to get us into the city that afternoon.

* Our flight was scheduled to arrive at O'Hare in the early evening on Wednesday, but we ended up sitting on the tarmac at XNA for over 2 hours before taxiing back to the gate to get out and stretch before our plane was finally cleared to leave at 9:45.  The spring storms made for a turbulent flight. Not my favorite thing.

We stayed at The Westin North Shore, about 25 miles from the dowtown loop, because that is where the conference was located. But getting to the city was no big deal once we discovered how easy it is to hop on the Metra commuter train for a ride to Union Station. And it only cost $4.50. That's a real bargain compared to the $60 cab fare (with surly driver) from O'Hare to the hotel. Yikes!

A short 45 minute train ride later and we were in downtown Chicago.

Here is my favorite thing about visiting Chicago: public transportation. Especially, riding the "L" above the traffic bustling down below.

From Union Station, it was just a short walk to the brown line, which circled the Loop. From there, we could take a number of different bus lines.

And going down to the subway, that was especially exciting.

I know this seems silly, getting so excited about trains and buses, but, remember, I live in Arkansas.

 We don't see a lot of this:

 Or this:

And taking the late train back towards our hotel, along with some inebriated revelers, that only added to the adventure.

Another day. Another giveaway.

Grosgrain is giving away a sillhouette machine. If you've never seen one, follow the link below. They're amazing.

SILHOUETTE MACHINE GIVEAWAY!!!!

back from Chicago

I spent the last 5 days in Chicago, tagging along with my mom for a work-related conference in the Windy City.

This was my first trip away from Liam and River. It was nice to get a break, but I was more than ready to see them after so many nights away. Gabriel was Mr. Mom while I was gone, along with the help of some wonderful friends (Thanks, Mary Ann and Crystal).

I have lots of pictures and stories to share, but it has been a long day of jumping back into the swing of things here: grocery shopping, house cleaning (for our first potential buyer scheduled to come and tour the house tomorrow...), and a hematologist visit with River. The doctor visit was routine, very informative, and overall a positive one, but just added to an already tiring day.