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!

I went to WGN today!

I hitched along on a field trip to WGN today with a broadcast journalism class.  The presenter is an Alumni, and the teacher was awesome to let me go with.
Here is me nerding out on WGN broadcasters:

One week later

Ok, so one week has gone by so quickly since Bill's surgery.  We have realized some challenges:

• Bill Showering.  He has, thankfully, but thanks to Mary-Frances for dropping off a shower chair!
• Bill doing anything:  Putting dishes away, washing dishes, folding laundry (although I don't believe that one whatsoever) he has such a hard time balancing on his crutches that I need to do it all. 
• Cooking:  Out of the question
• Filling up his cooler with 7lbs of ice every 5 hours:  This is a huge challenge - the ice melts and becomes water that sloshes around, its a pain in the butt, and although I have been creative making ice, I can't use all homemade ice because of this suction thing in the cooler so I also have to buy ice (wow its expensive when you buy it all the time)
• Going places:  Bill went to his fantasy baseball draft last Saturday, which was on a second floor. I'm happy he went, he is SO BORED and needs to get out, but then he fell asleep for many hours afterwards, it takes a lot out of him.

We're getting there!  Being the only shoveler of 9 inches of snow kinda sucked yesterday, but its what you gotta do.  I'm thrilled we're homeowners, don't get me wrong, but man there is a lot to shovel!  I'm glad our neighbors are nice enough to help us out.

Anyway, Columbia closed early yesterday due to the storm, and this happened:

Violent Intruder Alert.

That was dramatic!

All for now.....

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

Hello February!

Man it is FREEZING outside!  Like so cold that after our garage door broke (bad and old sensors) the actual door to get into the garage froze!
When it is this cold all I want in life is soup, and I found an awesome recipe from Smitten Kitchen. I'm a sucker for chard, sausage and garlic - as well as lentils so it is totally in my wheelhouse!

And the dogs are saying chill, too:

 Doesn't Lenny's paw look like it has an angry rooster face?  Or is it just me and too many Daisy Cutters?

Olive was totally over our dance party last night:  Bill and I are up to 5 action packed hours of sweet jams for our Valentines Day Party!

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.

Welcome, 2013!

New Years Eve was wild - we went to a wedding to the ceremony and cocktail reception for Bill's boss, then went back to the city for a party at James & Rachel's.  The photos tell this story:

And for New Years Day:
Our Huron neighbors have an annual NYD hangover brunch, and we had lots of food and good times. What made this year special and different, and that our beloved Kyle, Marie-Elena and Tequila are moving to Minneapolis.  While its super exciting and ME is so excited about her new job, its not Chicago, and we have become very near and dear friends with them.  And Tequila and the dogs love each other.

Olive still in bed, I think she and Lenny hit the town or something.

Yes, that IS bacon wrapped pineapple.