Train Graffiti

Mr.U despises trains (mostly just when they're in his way).

So – last night – when we left the K of C to walk home, he was incredibly irritated by the train in our path. We had to stand&wait for a good 15 minutes before it passed.

He was annoyed...

...I was excited to check out all the graffiti as it passed by.

Faded Beads

I had to cut off my summer anklet for the wedding this weekend.

It had faded so much anyway.

Kind of wild.

x2

That makes twice now.
Someone’s been caught looking.
When they shouldn't.

.and have no reason to.

Birthday Charms

Mr.U’s mom’s birthday was Thursday last week and I had it set in my mind to find her a shamrock&peacesign Pandora charm. After stopping at the mall without finding what we wanted, we discovered the jewelry store right down the street from our office carries Pandora. I was ridiculously excited to give her the beautiful charms we found, but – unfortunately – she had
a wicked cold last week, so – after giving our gift – we agreed to have birthday dinner this week. Steak dinner at the KofC. Should be interesting – hopefully I’ll find something to munch on.

Alumnae Status

I didn’t have the best ending to my undergraduate, sorority career.

Thus, I never really cared about the chapter once I left.

Didn’t want the newsletters, though I was never offered them.

Didn’t want to go visit the house, though I wouldn’t have anyone to see.

Just didn’t want that taste in my mouth.

But I always knew that I’d want it again.

I always considered local chapters in thinking of places to move.

After so many years as a leader to my sisters...

...being an advisor would be wonderful.

Well, today, my chapter put itself back in my life

and

I’d have never been able to guess how happy it made me.

For some odd reason, I decided to check my e-mail spam

and

there it was: an e-mail from alumnae relations.

A newsletter.

An intvite to alumnae day.

A smile I’d never expected crept onto my face.

– my chapter –

– my house –

– my sisters –

– my events –

– my memories –

I didn’t realize today would be the day I’d start to miss it all again.

But it is.

friggin' walls.

"I feel like I'm talking to a brick wall."
"does the wall talk back?"
"only with unrelated, negative responses."

Fountain Wishes

I watched a little girl excitedly run up to fountain
near where I was eating my lunch
and
throw a penny in and wish.

(I actually saw an older, non-english speaking woman do the same thing earlier.)

So much excitement for a simple wish.

Adorable.

Concrete Prints

These prints I found sunk into the sidewalk in Chicagocaught my eyeand made me smile.

City Connections

It’s good to know people.

.a great tailgating spot for baseball..excellent deals at the bar..major discounts on hotels..free movie tickets.

.plenty of friends to enjoy.

Breakfast&Baseball

This past weekend, Mr.U&I were finally able to make it back to Chicago for a reunion with my favorite Mr&Mrs.Jones. After an incredibly early morning drive from our city to theirs, we taxied it out to their new town house for breakfast&drinks before a baseball game.

.Baseball&Skylines..Chocolate Chip Waffles..Veggie Omelets..Mimosas..Cubs&Rockies.

Sleep&Sunshine

Mr.U is a pretty awful roadtrip buddy.
He falls asleep as soon as he hits the passenger seat.

(if I really need him – he’ll wake up and drive)

Reminds me of my bunni

…

she could never stay awake on roadtrips.

I don’t mind.

My sleepy passengers make me smile.

So did the sunrise this morning.

Friday's Season

Mr.U had a softball game tonight

– Oldies vs. Youngins –

a fundraiser for the KofC

held at the high school softball field.

I took a book I’ve been looking forward to reading since I didn’t figure the game would entertain me too much. The night was surprisingly lovely, though, – crisp fall air and the cheers of high school football fans just across the lawn.

I love this season.

Lion's Beer

I know it’s football season

when the beer cans

have their football theme back.Go Lions.

Charmed Friends

My best friend from high school is getting married in a week and
– perfect timing –
I rediscovered the charm bracelet we created senior year.
– some charms for her –
– some for me –
– some for both –
It made me so happy to wear it again, I couldn’t stop looking at it all day.

Magazine Times

I love love love getting magazines in the mail, so when a recent Google Deal offered an incredible discount on 3 subscriptions I had to order one for Mr.U and two for myself.
(Mr.U got a Muscle Mag and I got Marie Claire and Harper’s Bazaar.)
When I discovered the ginormous Fall Fashion issue sitting on the coffee table I was giddy about enveloping myself in its pages. So enjoyed a hit and flipped for hours while snuggled into the couch on yesterday’s chilled, rainy evening.

Snugglin' Ernie

Mr.U is such a sleepy boy sometimes.

And, when he’s really sleepy&snuggly (or hungover), he nuzzles up with his childhood Ernie toy (which is actually a puppet) and rubs Ernie’s nose with his thumb.

It’s adorable.

I love love love when I wake up to see Mr.U&Ernie snoozin’ on the couch.

Bubye Dawson

Barbie&I finally finished our Dawson’s Creek marathon that was years&years in the making.
The ending was too sudden.
.Heartbreaking&Quick.
More would have been nice.

One of my favorite quotes came while Dawson talked to a psychologist about his dad’s death:
“Just because he died doesn’t mean he gets to win the argument.”

After lots of laughter&tears over a pretty cheesy tv show, I’ll openly admit that it’s depth really did have some great lessons.

"I don't wanna wait for my life to be over. I want to know right now - what will it be?" - Paula Cole's "I Don't Want to Wait

Grandma Eggs

I love to have poached eggs with my grandma.And I really need to get one of these adorable egg poaching pans.

Cards, Fog, & Cake

Another weekend spent with the grandparents.
We had Spaghetti&SweetCorn Friday night then I passed out reading my book on the front porch after a riveting game of cards.When I woke up in the morning to the sunrise, fog was rolling in over the neighbor’s pond – the start to a day full of errands and celebrations.(A 50th wedding anniversary party for my father’s parents and a 70th birthday party for my aunt’s mother.)
I indulged in one delicious piece of Cake&ButterCreamFrosting before all the festivities were over.

Shucks, Grandpa

I’ve never shucked corn before.

Not quite sure how that’s possible since I grew up in ‘the country,’ but I haven’t, so my grandpa showed me how this past weekend.

It’s pretty easy – and worth it for the deliciousness of sweet corn.

I’d learn anything my grandpa was willing to teach me.

Country Roads

I love the country roads and rustic landscapes of the area I grew up in.
The weather was perfect for all my drives this past weekend.
.Windows Down on Sunny Days..Curvy Roads on Farmland..My Heart on a Map.

Quaint Downtown

The hair salon I went to this weekend was in one of the towns that neighbors the one I grew up in.
Cobble Stone Streets

Substantial Brick Buildings

The whole area just feels like a time warp into a quaint, historic area.

I couldn’t help but snap some pictures of the little details that made me smile.

Ombré Time

All I wanted was an ombré.
I didn’t exactly get it
– since my hair-dresser-cousin doesn’t like them, thus wouldn't do it –
but I got a couple steps closer.

At least it was a great price and nice reunion with my x-cousin-in-law who I never get to see anymore. The salon was super cute, too, with neutral paints, pops of color, and mixes of earthy&crystal accents.

Falling Star

I wished for our happiness.

Cause you're the best thing that's ever happened to me.

Braided Mess

I’ve been really into braiding my hair for the crimpy after-effect these days. But the day that the braids are still in has become one of my favorites, too. I braided little mess taking over my head makes me happy.

Matching Jeans

I always made fun of Mr.U for his black jeans

(even though I have a pair)

until today when I realized we were both wearing them

and

I thought it was kinda cute.

Midnight Muscles

Mr.U
– unlike me –
likes to go to the gym late at night.

By the time we get there
...I’m ready for bed.
I usually get the buzz once I’m there
...hop on an elliptical
or
...throw some weights on a machine to kick off my midnight workout.
Once the motivation has taken hold,
momentum floats me around the gym
till I’m ready for bed again.

Seafood Dinner

Mr.U’s mom was craving Red Lobster last night, so we joined her for dinner.
(honestly, who can turn down those cheddar bay biscuits?)
After a long day, I was in need of a beer while looking over the menu. The first item that caught my eye was cajun rainbow trout and my intuition was right – it was delicious. And it all brought me back to Sunday afternoon lunches with my parents. I had to get Thousand Island dressing on my crisp, dinner salad just because it’s what my dad always gets. And it didn’t disappoint.