Gettin' it right

I am generally not a horoscope person, but for some reason today I happened across mine and felt it connected with how I'm feeling today. Thought I'd share....

"You may be feeling battle weary today as you tire of your old familiar games. Your current temperament might prevent you from laying low as you once again join the front lines in social engagement. Even if you have obligations now, remember that you are being presented with an opportunity to begin an important healing process. Don't distract yourself from the real work at hand."

I have had several of those "ah-ha" moments these past couple of weeks. I really enjoy those moments of clarity. They're almost euphoric - just wish I could hang on to the high a little longer! But I think I'm learning that if I spend a little more time exploring them they feel more concrete and tend to stick around longer.

But speaking of distractions from the real work at hand.... I must get back to work.

I know everyone's just dying to know

where I'm going on vacation, so here it is....

... the lovely Riviera Maya!

• 6 nights, 7 days
• all inclusive
• sunny, warm weather (I'm hoping!)
• water sports
• ruins

Ahhhh, I just can't wait!

Payton and Aunt Ingy

...as Sarah (Ches) likes to call me.

Just chillin' after his baptism. Check out the sock that's about to fall off.

And here's the little guy hanging with me as we watched the Bears make it to the Super Bowl.

Decision made

After several months of back and forth about the "to buy or to rent" decision, I put in an application for a new apartment yesterday.

Though I've looked at lots of condos to buy, none of them were really what I wanted and with feeling as indecisive as I am about how much longer I want to stay in Chicago and with the housing market the way it is... it just didn't feel like a good move.

That's not to say that if I found something that I just loved I wouldn't go for it. That's why renting in Chicago is kind of nice. You can almost always find someone to take over your lease.

Anyway, I've been consistently looking for places to rent for the last several weeks and really hadn't found anything - though I will admit my list of requirements were a little tricky.

But yesterday I saw a place that, while it's not perfect, hit just about everything I'm looking for. It's about the same size as my place now, just laid out a little differently. It has space for a dining table, is a 1st floor apartment in a house, has a fenced-in backyard, is 2 blocks to a dog park, has laundry in the building, and is in a very fun neighborhood which isn't too far from the train that takes me to work. Oh, and it has a parking spot included in the rent. All in all, I think it will be great!

I move in March 1st, so now comes the ultra fun task of packing up this place and getting ready to move. Good times.

Working like a dog

Outside of the weekends, I think Irie's favorite day of the week is Tuesday when I take her to work with me. She absolutely loves the office - I think mostly because it's arranged in a big circle so she can run at top speed around and around and around. But when I reign her in and put the baby gate up in my office door she settles for curling up at the edge of the desk and looking out the window. It's really pretty funny. Did I mention I'm very lucky to work somewhere where they not only allow dogs but actually encourage you to bring them? I am.

Irie keeping an eye on the street.

Why are you taking pictures of me? If you're not working - why aren't we playing?

It's a rough life.

Sometimes I just have to laugh

In a recent email at work, I received the following ps....

"ps what is a burning desire i thought it was for some one that really going away but than i heard it was for good things happening can you claify this for me"

Hummm. Apparently I consult on all kinds of things now.

Sigh.

Oh little destructive one

Irie is going through a bit of a destructive phase right now. I'm hoping it will be short lived, but so far we've lost a sheet, the cover of a book, and this morning the cord to a curling iron (not one I ever use, but still....)

The biggest issue seems to be if she gets bored at night. Apparently I've gotten pretty good at sleeping through her craziness. Giving her a rawhide when I first go to bed seems to help. Guess it keeps her occupied for long enough to get her tired. The curling iron was a first for just a random act of destruction. But I was in the shower so maybe it was just the closest thing to chomp on without having to leave the comfort of the bathroom. Who knows.

Anyway, here's a picture of her latest conquest. Really, how can you be mad at that face???

Ringing in the new year with a few resolutions

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone's 2007 is off to a good start. This past week has been a little rocky for me, but I'm bound and determined to start 2007 off right.

First a recap of last year's resolutions and the results...

• Get in 2.5 hours of workout time each week (Yup, I did this. Not every week, but for a vast majority of the year. And usually it was more than 2.5 hours, so I'll give myself full credit.)
• Spend time at the ocean (I spent a little time there. Not as much as I would've liked, but at least got a little in.)
• Visit a new place (I went to Portland, some of the Florida keys, Austin. There were probably others, but those are the ones that come to me right away.)
• Get MaverickÂ’s teeth cleaned (This is a bit of a cheap one, but I did do it.)
• Find a new doctor (I did this one too. I like her much better!)

2007 Resolutions

• Take a vacation. A real one. (Not that I don't enjoy visiting family - you know I love it, but I think I need to get back to taking a week to go somewhere new and exciting that is just something I want to do.)
• Find a new place to live. (Still in Chicago, but get into either a new apartment or condo.)
• Find a new p-doc. I've been putting this one off way too long.
• Put more effort into maintaining my old friendships while still building new ones.
• Break past my indecisive dating patterns
• Be nicer to myself, especially by reminding myself that I'm only human and not above the feelings we all experience

I'm sure there will be more as the year goes on, but it'll work for now.