Spring has come and gone!

Two months since my last post.  What is wrong with me? I love blogging, I guess I have been too busy lately.  Thats a bummer.  In summary: I quit Women In Film, I joined a Book Club.  860th attempt to quit smoking starting tomorrow.  Ugh I'm too old, fat and out of shape.

In other news, Industry Events came and went and took up all of our Spring semester - however they were pretty good, still lots of room for improvement, but that's what the next year is for.
The past two months in picutres: not all pictures though since my phone was stolen, but what I have!

Bill's Adorable Birthday Invite Photo

Greek Easter AND Cinco De Mayo!  The food was ah-mazing.

Ryan and Uncle Billy!

Small, Medium and Large: Olive, Tequila and Lenny!  They loved having their best dog friend stay for a weekend!

Old neighbors reunite during family dinner!  I love all of you!

Fun Manifest Stuff.

Teeny garden!

Giant Garden - yes I was overzealous and planted stuff too close together.

 

And I will leave you with my solo dance party.

ACK! I'm almost 35!!

And I think because I'm almost 35 I keep using the word ACK, from good old Cathy comic strip.  Anyway, lots of action per usual, summing it up in photos.

Bill's knee is SO MUCH BETTER, he can hopefully go to work on April 11th.  Please let him go back to work, although it will make the puppies super sad.

Bill looking dapper as usual, at the super duper crazy fun Thaw benefit for Links Hall.

Work is crazy crazy crazy as usual in the Spring, as we are gearing up for our Industry Events Series.
I'm so work crazed I dressed to match our branding:

And we're a bit behind schedule, and I took 3 days off this week because the Greeks were supposed to come in but now its pushed back a week.  SIGH.

I went out to celebrate Molly's birthday - she is about to have her THIRD DAUGHTER!  Its so exciting for her, and she looks amazing per usual.

Moving into Spring, Rachel and I started a "Seed Draft" to correspond with the guys Fantasy Football Draft.  We got lots of fun stuff:

And lastly, there is an awesome new chicken place that opened by us called The Art of Chicken and it is Amazeballs.

Rambling March post.....finished!

Bill's Surgery

So my adorable husband has to have surgery. His first time, my first time to deal with this.  He ruptured his ACL in his knee, and torn both side of his meniscus playing softball in October.  They did win the championship, but I wish none of this happened.  He is going to be low-mobility a couple days then on crutches and at home for the next month.
I really hope he has a fast recovery and I will keep updating this blog!

Update***
We arrived at Northwestern at 6am - wowzer it was early. Bill was pretty crabby this morning, as to be expected.  We had a huge dinner last night and it was awesome, but eating large generally means the morning you are extra hungry.

Steak, Grands (he loves them) Blue Cheese stuffed baked potato, Revolution Brewery IPA and Brussel Sprout Salad.

Here's a Pre-Op photo:

The surgery took about two hours, and he is in recovery right now.  Hopefully I can see him in about an hour or so!  Oh, and thanks to Jason for the best hashtag: #theBigComeback2013

Post op Photo:

Bill on his machines

Bill and the Dogs taking advantage of him

Winter Time Updates!

Happy Winter Everyone!  Although I feel like life has finally slowed down a touch, things are nutzo in their own right.
I had my Women In Film Kickoff Party that I was part of the committee last week.  It was a success, but we were way over budget and didn't break even whatsoever!  Its our big membership drive, but I think people really had fun and that is also what matters!

It was a fun night, I think it went well!!!

We're still working on getting Lenny acclimated to the new house.  He is really having a hard time getting used to it- we thought a bigger space would be better for him, but I guess not.  His new thing is attempting to break into the refrigerator.  It's really annoying.  We have to put baby locks on the fridge and push the Butcher Block Island in front of it...its getting old.  We don't know what else to do!

Also - don't put plants in front of the window!  Lesson Learned!

Kyle & Marie-Elena moved to Minneapolis, but Kyle was in town and brought Tequila over for a play date with Lenny and Olive.  They're the greatest folks around, and I am already missing them so much!

And of course, my obsession with Olive continues...per usual.

WBEZ

I'm writing this only because I wasn't allowed to tag this photo on Facebook.  I have been a High Fidelity Member of WBEZ for at least three years, if not more.  And I never utilize my membership - not once have I used the member card, which is basically buy one entree, get one free at tons and tons of restaurants, or do any of their fun events.
Well, I asked Mackie to come along with me for a tour of the station (for High Fidelity Members) and she agreed!
And here we are:

Hello summer! Sort of!

Industry Events is over! The Spring semester is over!  We ended the semester 2 weeks early because of the NATO summit - Columbia is pretty close (or close enough where it matters) to Grant Park where the protest are, so the school was worried about the safety of employees and students.  Now that the G-8 moved, we just have Nato, which is May 18-21.  We have those dates off :)

Anyway, time to settle into the summertime planning and moving on with my life!
Bill and I are starting the home search again - its pretty necessary.  We're still unsure whats up with our apartment, and I REALLY want to own a home.  Paint a wall, tear down a wall, etc.  I'm ready to start nesting.

Anywho you six readers out there, prepare for a summer of veggie shots from my CSA, and of course my garden.
Over and Out.

Me and Richard Steele, journalist and reporter at WBEZ at the Radio Industry Event.  Man my arm looks fat.  And working out can resume now, too!

100th post, and I'm 34

Wowzer!  Really?  My 100th post.  Overdue, that's for sure.
I had a lovely birthday week - I normally don't have a birthday week at all, my birthday happens to usually fall on a weekend, or over spring break when I have time to take my birthday off and this year is different.  I didn't get to speak to David Carmona, the wonderful man and soul that has never forgotten to call me on my birthday.  I wanted to call back, but he's on a fantastic vacation with his family so I would rather not disturb.  It means so much more that I'm in his thoughts, I love him so much.

I had a great birthday celebration at Archie's, there were so many moments when I looked around and thought "Wow.  I'm so lucky.  I literally have so many friends here for ME.  For me.  They love me.  And I love them.  And I am so loved.  And I am so happy."  That is the most important thing I took away from my birthday.  Being blessed.  So amazingly blessed.  Friends are family and they really do make the world go round.

I guess thats it in a nutshell.  David called and left me a sweet message, Japes has yet to miss one of my birthdays yet when he shows up I'm stunned, John rolls in on his bike even without Kadima, and all my city people are there.  Mary bought me pretzel rods.  Friends brought me unnecessary gifts that I didn't need but wow, I love.   And didn't ask for at all.  Bill bought me shoes that yes, I do love.

I woke up on my birthday to a sweet birthday song from Molly, Ryann and Taylor. You can't ask for any better.

I love you all.  Thank you all for being my friends.  We travel down the road and back again.  And you know the rest.

March and April

Running at full speed ahead into spring - we somehow "sprang" forward already yesterday, and now its already almost halfway through the month.

Work is freaking crazy, I have been going full steam ahead with Industry Events and the first event is less then a month away.  Kind of freaking out over here.

I also have been going to Industry parties, any kind of social engagement to invite professionals to Industry Events.  The best ones have cotton candy.

That's Lisa from Women In Film.  Its good to have people to tag team these events with.
And thats about it.  All I do is work.  I have started working on my website but I have no idea what I want my website to actually be.  So its kind of all over the place.
Anyway, there is nothing I would love to do now more then anything then lay under my desk and nap.   But I can't.  But I wish I could.

Oh, and my birthday is coming up - just planned it Here!

The House we want to buy

Here we go again!  Our building is in foreclosure, and Bill and I have had enough!  We found a house that we both really, really, really like.  Here are some photos!

Almost There!

I need a vacation.  So badly. I'm running on fumes at this point.  I'm burnt out. Out of creative ideas and energy.  But...finally what I have been working on (and off) is Mom's Cookbook!
Memories of Love From the Kitchen and the Heart.
I'm so happy and proud its finally completed!  But now we can only hope it comes in 9 days.  I'm kind of doubting it, so Amy mounted the front and back cover just in case.
Here are some of my favorite photos from the book:

                                       Mom, Cousin Jeanie, Aunt Carol and Uncle Denny Paul.

                                                   Me & Dad in Mom & Pop's dining room.

                                                                         Mom & Pop

 One of my favorite childhood memories was grilling outside, sitting at this table and braiding all the fringe.  And eating of course.

                   This looks like just a regular dinner at Mom & Pops. That's where I always sat.

 Uncle Denny Paul at the head of the table.  I feel like I can smell all the awesome food on this table.

        The "Nosh" portion of a Julian gathering.  Please note Bob Ford's famous Deviled Eggs!!!

                                                   Mom, Pop and Uncle Denny Paul.

                                                          Eating Amy's birthday cake.

                                                    Mom looking hot behind the bar!

                                     Proud Amy on her 8th (?) Birthday?  And that's THE CAKE.

                                                 The cover of the cookbook, Mom & Pop.