Sandy dog

This is a picture of Irie after our romp at the beach this morning.

The best dog park ever

Through one of my doggie playgroups I found out about this amazing dog park in the north suburbs of Chicago. It's actually a huge forest preserve where they've designated a big portion of it to the dogs. There are trails, a big pond, prairie grass, open fields... and it's all fenced in! It was an absolutely fabulous place to spend our first nice day in a long time this Saturday. Irie loved being able to run for miles, jump into the pond, and wrangle her way through the underbrush. She was one pooped (and muddy) puppy by the end of the day, as you can see.

The aftermath....

Chicago got hit by a pretty major storm yesterday. It was a little creepy. It hit downtown around 3:45pm and suddenly the skies turned black and the rain started swirling around - it actually looked like it was snowing.

On my way home I was kept entertained by all the branches, debris, etc littering the streets. Thankfully my apartment and car were both fine. Here are some pictures of my neighborhood and a few from the Chicago Tribune.

We're supposed to get hit again tonight so we'll see what happens. A lot of people still don't have electricity and a ton of the street signals are out. Making traffic a lot of fun around here!

A little of this and a little of that

It's been a long time since I've posted. Most of what's been on the forefront of my mind these past weeks is generally inappropriate blogging material. It's unfortunate - there are a lot of highly entertaining stories there, but, still I think careful blogging is in my best interest. So instead, I will offer you some tidbits and hope that my life will eventually go back to its "OK to share with the public" way of being.

First, let me share with you all that I am now 100% debt free. As of the first week in July, I have officially paid off my car. It was kind of funny to get the title in the mail - I sat there and looked at it for a minute and thought, "Now, what am I supposed to do with this?" Don't worry, it's in a safe place now. But since I paid off college loans awhile ago and credit card debt has never been my thing... I don't owe anyone anything. It's kind of a strange sensation. But a good one.

Secondly, we've been having a lot of rain storms here lately and due to this, I've found something that really makes me laugh. Whenever there is a big storm coming, the Chicago stations will run the ticker-tape across the screen announcing warnings. And guess what... Chicago has a fun catch phrase they like to use. "Turn around. Don't drown." For awhile there I only seemed to tune into the warning when it said "don't drown" and I was just convinced someone at the TV station was having a good ol' time putting silly stuff on the ticker. But, no, come to find out, it's an actual saying. Kind of like, "Arrive alive. Don't drink and drive." I have to say I really think the "Turn around. Don't drown" one is more a stretch though. Maybe the difference between a positive and negative outcome. At any rate, it's one of my new joys in life to watch for this warning to come across the screen.

I have also recently decided to throw myself into enjoying all that Chicago offers for the next few months. It's been awhile since I've done any of the touristy things and I think it might be time to give them another whirl. It's easy to treat Chicago like just another place to live, but I figure I'm not going to live here forever, so I should take advantage while I can. It's a piece of a larger plan that is formulating as I go, but not quite ready for public consumption yet.

OK, so now you have some little pieces of information to tide you over perhaps. I'll do my best to keep my eyes open for entertaining things that are blog-worthy.

If I went goth...

These are some pictures of Beth and I dressed up like "Kiss" for a kickball party. I was dubbed "mean Ingrid" for the night. Guess goth isn't my thing.

Harry Potter Mania

July 20th, 2007. A date that shall live in all Harry Potter fans memories forever.

It's been a big month for us "Potterites" (as I hear we're called.) On July 11th, the 5th movie (Order of the Phoenix) was released. I purposefully did not re-read the book before I saw the movie so that I wouldn't be so in-tune to things they left out of changed which proved to be a smart move. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Of course, the movies will never come close to the richness of the books, but it was good. Even better I got to see it at the IMAX so the last twenty minutes were in 3D. Cool. :-)

And then this past Friday, it was mass "potter"monium. The 7th (and final) Harry Potter book was released at midnight Friday night. I've never taken part in the release parties before, but since this was the last book, I felt it was an experience I should have. Oh, and it was an experience.

First I had to arrive at the bookstore at 6pm to get a bracelet. The number on the bracelet indicated what "buying group" I would be in when the book actually went on sale at midnight. Even the line to get the bracelet snaked around the store. So I spent a good 45 minutes waiting in line with some pretty entertaining people trading theories on what would happen in book 7. The best part was honestly to look around the store at everyone in line and find that a good 80% were over the age of 25. Just made me laugh.

With a few hours to kill before the "midnight madness" party started at 10pm, I went and grabbed dinner and went to see "Hairspray" at the theater next door. (Hysterical, by the way!)

At 10, I returned to the bookstore and was met with magic potion demonstrations, the sorting hat, costume contests. It was hilarious. I think I spent the majority of the next two hours just watching people.

I think my favorite quote from the evening was from a little girl (probably about 8 years old) who was there with her slightly over-excited mother. The little girl looks up at her mom who's jabbering away about how exciting this all is and says, "Can I lay down for a little while?"

Luckily I was in the 2nd group to get called to buy books, so I was actually out of the store by 1am and at home reading by 1:30!

While I was intending the weekend to be devoted to reading, I actually didn't end up getting much in. I still have a good 3/4 of the book left, and I'm already stunned by what all has happened. I actually had some nightmares last night. It's crazy! I'm not sure how all the younger kids out there are going to deal with this, but man, JK Rowlings sure didn't waste any time diving into the meat of this book.

So, now I'm anxiously counting the hours until I can go home and get back to reading - and hoping that I don't run into any "spoilers" along the way!

Here are a few pictures I took of "Midnight Madness."

This was my favorite little Harry Potter. His dad (who was a big guy) was dressed up like Hagrid. It was hysterical. This kid was in the costume contest and when they called him to the stage, he pulled out his wand and yelled, "Expecto Patronum!" Hehehe.

Luna, Harry, Harry #2 and Hermione

Oooh... those summer nights

Perfecting the doggy paddle.

There are days when having a dog is a burden. Days where I just want to go out with friends or something but I know Irie's been cooped up all day and I need to get home and play with her. And today was kind of one of those days.

Work is stressful right now, life in general is feeling pretty stressful.... And, well, I just didn't really feel like going home to a hyper puppy tonight.

But on my way home I had a bit of inspiration. It was a beautiful night outside - perfect to take Irie on her first visit to the local dog beach.

It was a blast! As you all know, I love the beach anyway, so I had that going for me. But even more so, it was just a great time to watch Irie play in the sand, romp through the water, run away from the little lapping waves. She was amazed by it all.

We both came home tired and dirty, but I think it was well worth it. I'm sure it is the first of what will become many evening trips to the dog beach.

This is just another example of something Irie gives me an excuse to do. If it were just me, I would talk myself out of heading over to the beach just to hang out for an hour, but Irie gives me the perfect reason to head over. And there's no being bored sitting around with Irie there!

And, wha-la, I'm happy to have a dog again! :-)

Free wi-fi is neat

I'm sitting in the Little Rock airport killing time before my 7:45pm flight back home at the moment. Once I land in Chicago, the plan is to hop in the car and drive over to the farm (aka, my grandparent's place.) This will get me there at approximately 2am. Am I crazy? Yeah, probably a little - but it's the only way I'll get a chance to see my dad and little brother before they take off on their wild summer trips - dad to Italy and Zander to Nicaragua. Their lives are so much more exciting than mine!

I've been a little disappointed that I wasn't going to be able to be at the family reunion this weekend, because I had to be out of town for work, but I think this weekend has been good for me to refresh my enjoyment in my job.

It's never fun to have to miss out on things I want to do in order to work, but at the same time, I'm always just so amazed by the people we have all across the country who are doing such great things and it's always a shot in the arm to remember who I'm serving in my job. They were unbelievably friendly and receptive. Positive beyond belief and just so ready to learn anything that was thrown their way.

But regardless, I am excited to get out to the farm to see the family who is still there and just get to spend some time at one of my favorite places. There's just something magical about my grandparent's place to me. I actually think all of us grand-kids feel that way to an extent. It's the surroundings and the family for sure, but it's also just somehow relaxing to me. Maybe just because it's so far removed from the city! I'm really not sure how much longer I'm going to be able to take the city.... I love it, but... I think I'm just about ready to move on and get back to my roots. :-)

However, being in Arkansas this weekend has reminded me what real humidity feels like and I'm not sure I'm quite ready for a return to Carbondale summers. :-) It's amazing to me that you can still feel humidity in a room that's 67 degrees, but you can. Humid enough that it was even a little hard to sleep. Weird. Chicago can get humid, but not like this. As I type this, there's water dripping from the ceiling of the airport. It's that humid. Hehehe.

Alright, off to find something entertaining to do for the next hour! :-)

High School Reunion

Somehow the years have slipped by and my ten year high school reunion is suddenly upon me. In some ways I can't quite the believe this, and in others - it really seems like a different lifetime.

Most of you know high school was not my favorite. I went from being voted "most class spirit" my freshman year to "least class spirit" by my senior year. I spent as little time in school as I possibly could and really only went so I could participate in extra-curricular activities.

Thankfully UIC reinstated my belief that not all education is horrible and confirmed that I hadn't completely lost my sense of humor and passion.

One of my friends sent me a little quiz earlier today to determine what my "wish for my high school reunion is" and I felt the need to share.

"Go team! Ha — like you ever went to a pep rally! So maybe high school and all that goes along with it — the jocks, the cliques, Homecoming — wasn't exactly your cup of tea. Now that it's behind you, though, you can laugh about it — and all those silly things that went with it. Never one to go along with the masses, you march to the beat of your own drummer. Part of you enjoys rattling people's cages and making them think twice. What better chance to do just that than by showing up at your reunion? You're bound to have some laughs and maybe reconnect with your old rebel friends. How sweet."

Hehehe. It hasn't changed my mind about going though. Maybe if my class was actually doing something for our reunion I'd consider it, but as it stands.... I just can't do it.

We received an email invite a few weeks ago to join the class of '97 at a local Freeport bar for a night of drinking and karaoke later this summer. No questionnaire about where we are now. No special events, plans, etc. Just meet at a local bar and sing some songs. Really? But the best... they didn't even bother to spell check the word document invite attachment. We were asked to write down how much money was "inclosed". That's Freeport for you.

Happy to be somewhere else! :-)

Bruised and battered

As if Saturday wasn't enough fun for the weekend, I managed to get into even more trouble Sunday morning when I locked myself out of my apartment. Not a huge issue except that I didn't have my cell phone on me and Irie was locked inside. So I had to beg my unfriendly neighbor to let me borrow his phone and give me the number to the building manager. He was oh, so helpful.

The building manager didn't inspire any confidence in me that I would be getting back into my apartment anytime in the next... well, 24 hours, so I decided to take matters into my own hands.

Into the basement I went to determine if there was anything in there that could help me break into my apartment. Fortunately there was a rickety small step stool, so I used that to get me up high enough to get my front window open and push my air conditioner through. As I was doing this though I lost my footing and fell, scraping the majority of my body in the process.

But by now I was determined. So back to the basement I went to find something to set the stool on to give me a little more height to have a better shot at actually getting in through the window. I found a little shelf and got myself set up. Attempting not to create the same falling scenario again, I tested my weight and realized that if I stepped on the edge of the step-stool I would tip the whole contraption over. Thankfully, two ladies happened to be walking by about then, so I very politely asked for their assistance in holding the stool. They obliged and I managed to shimmy my way in through the window. Thank goodness for passer-bys.

I am now covered from head to toe in nice scrapes and bruises. My arms took the brunt of the damage, but my legs are looking pretty hot too. At least 10 people have asked me since then who jumped me this weekend. Awesome.

But, I did learn some important things throughout this....

1. No one is ever around when you need them to be.
2. When you suspect someone is unfriendly, you're often right.
3. There are many people in the city of Chicago who will walk right by someone who seems to need assistance.
4. Thankfully there are a few that won't.
5. Carrying your cell phone with you at all times is smart.
6. You'll never get anywhere without asking for help when you need it.
7. Irie doesn't understand that all the doors and windows lead to the same location - outside. She was utterly bewildered to see me come in through the window when she KNEW I left from the backdoor. She kept running back to the door and then to me looking very confused and refused to be satisfied until I opened the back door and closed it again.

How the other half lives...

Saturday night I had plans to go to Ravinia with Nicole, Jason and Jamie. For those of you who are not familiar, Ravinia is basically an outdoor concert venue, but it's on the north shore of Chicago and pulls the more "upper-class" Chicagoans usually. People bring their picnic baskets full of crazy food, their little tables... it's really quite the scene. We were prepared to do it up right (or at least as close to "right" as we're ever likely to come), but then Nicole encountered the cicadas that have over-taken the woods around Ravinia and decided she just couldn't handle it. So that left me and Jamie, which in itself is fine, but Nicole and Jason had some of the food and supplies we had intended to have (like glasses.) Jamie and I, being the make-do people we are, decided that drinking straight from the wine bottles was completely acceptable. We got a few laughs and plenty of funny looks, but we had a great time. We didn't exactly fit in with the high class standards around us. Here are a few of the pictures that tell the story maybe better than I can!

Me and Jamie enjoying a beautiful evening outdoors.

We didn't have a knife either. Wheat Thins are amazingly durable little crackers!

A candelabra at an outdoor picnic? I know... these people are weird.

And what table is complete without fresh flowers?

Classy.

This is what happens when you're as unsophisticated as us - everybody around you leaves.

Reading is fundamental

I realized something about two weeks ago. I haven't been reading. At least not for pleasure. I used to read all the time. Every day. But when I went to think about what book I'd last read - I realized it had been quite awhile - and I hadn't even finished that book before I returned it to its rightful owner.

So, I recently picked up a book and I'm happy to report I'm back to reading every day. It's really funny what a marked difference it makes. I've been feeling like I don't take much time for myself a lot lately. I've seemed to be constantly struggling with balancing friends, work, Irie, family and "me time." But reading (even if it's not for very long) every day, seems to take the edge off of that missing "me time." There's something about it that just helps me to feel really connected to myself I guess.

It makes me really sorry for people who don't enjoy reading because I get so much pleasure from it. But I'm sure people find other things to take pleasure in. :-)

And in case you're wondering what I'm reading these days, it's called Love Walked In. It's just your standard novel really, but it's got an interesting twist of being told from a twenty-something woman and an 11-year-old girl's point of view. I'm liking it.

I think in part I was drawn to it because of the image on the cover. It's a waist-down picture of a girl in a pleated skirt with knee socks. Very The Time Traveler's Wife, which is of course one of my all-time favorite books.

Iwie, Iwie!

Some favorite pics

All tuckered out.

Lily has a new favorite playhouse.... Irie's crate. I kept telling her this could be viewed as child abuse, but she wasn't buying it.

Karate Kid.

Better watch out.

Terra wondering why Irie's getting the attention. Look at the smile on Irie's face. Hmmm.

Too cool for words.

How I spent my memorial day vacation...

I'd been thinking about taking a few days off to expand my memorial day weekend and doing another road trip out to Baltimore. Somehow I talked Mom into joining me so last Friday morning we loaded up the car with road trip necessities and Irie and headed out. It's a much more enjoyable trip with someone else - especially someone as entertaining as mom. (And Irie's antics help keep me on my toes as well.) Both directions of the trip went pretty seamlessly and we made awesome time both ways.

The time we actually spent in Baltimore was great as well. Irie and Terra seemed to get along much better this time around. While Irie is still by far the hyper one, they played together pretty well and even tolerated sleeping on the same couch now and again.

Lily was absolutely adorable and hysterical (as usual.) She's in a "no-no-no" phase these days which is actually one of the cuter things in the world. Even when she's saying it in absolute hysterics, it's still somehow endearing. She was a huge fan of telling the dogs no.

In general, she paid a great deal of attention to Irie. I'm not sure if she really liked her, or just liked having someone to yell at, but it was pretty funny. Whenever she couldn't see Irie she'd start yelling, "Iwie, Iwie, Iwie" and running around looking for her. Irie didn't seem to totally understand why this child was calling her all the time and telling her no, but she was a good sport. I've got a pretty decent video of Lily calling her so I'll try to post that soon.

I know I say it all the time, but I really can't wait for Carl and Kathleen to move back to the midwest. I get out there more than most people can, I know, but it's still not enough! When can it ever be enough when your first niece is growing up over-night?

Yee Haw!

Up.

Almost....

Got it. Yay.

Something seems to be missing though.

That's better!

Mom and I were bound and determined to teach Lily how to say "Yee Haw" this weekend. We were somewhat successful, but I'm guessing her non-country parents will break her of it soon.

Pictures from Nashville

This was labeled a "Customs House". Just thought the architecture was cool.

Nashville's idea of vending machines.

Funny.

Dog on horse. Love it.

I've been saved!

So, I'm in Nashville for work this weekend. I had a facilitator training here today and because of goofy flight schedules I had to fly in Friday and can't leave until tomorrow morning. Other than just having to be away from home, this actually isn't so bad. I really enjoy Nashville.

I got in yesterday afternoon (after some crazy travel problems) and wandered around downtown for awhile and was reminded why I love this place. It was the middle of the afternoon and I was able to just aimlessly walk into bar after bar, sit down and listen to great live music. Yes, I enjoy country music, so that helps, but there was really a lot of variety out there. I love that I can order a Bud Light and look down the bar and see at least half the bar is drinking the same thing. I love that the bands don't take themselves too seriously and are just having fun. I like that everyone says hi.

So I ended the day thinking, why do I live in Chicago? And then, I remembered.

After my training was over today I headed down the street to get some BBQ and then go on to this City Festival that's going on. I was thinking, man, what could be better. I just happened to hit the weekend when there's a big festival in town - free music, fun atmosphere.

So I'm walking down the street towards the festival and I start to see people wearing christian themed t-shirts, accessories, etc. I think it's a little odd, but whatever. Then I walk by a festival tent that's labeled "Prayer Tent". Yikes. I start to pay more attention to everything around me. I tune into the blaring speakers and, yup, I was in the midst of a christian festival, complete with a preacher telling me over the loud speaker to give up my life to god.

Awesome!

Yeah, I can't take that. As much as I love country music and just generally am happy in this atmosphere, I just can't take the thinking. Too bad. I made a u-turn and headed back to the hotel. I may venture out again after the festival is over. We'll see.

Recent favorites

This are a few pictures stolen from Pumpkin News, but I know some of my frequenters don't get over there too often so I just had to share. Can't wait to get out to Baltimore to see my favorite little munchkin again soon!

Lily's ready for her modeling career.

As discussed with Kathleen - you can't judge a book by its cover. No matter what she's wearing, she's a tom-boy at heart.

What 18 month old isn't scared of weird fuzzy characters? Lily, that's who. She just amazes me.

Sunday at the zoo

Definitely get uglier as they get older.

This is the newest polar bear cub at Brookfield. Still nameless for the moment.

See you parents of little ones aren't the only ones who get to enjoy the zoo!

I also got to take my first motorcycle ride yesterday. (Yes, Mom. Yes, Dad. I wore a helmet and didn't have any skin exposed.) I have to say, it was actually a little fun. Still kind of intimidated by the other cars on the road and I don't think I'll ever be one of those people who enjoys weaving in and out of traffic, but it was fun none-the-less.