Paper schmaper

I was ecstatic to pick Joe up at the airport tonight after an extremely quiet weekend. After I dropped him off at the airport on Friday, I spent the rest of the evening, until very late, working on my paper. Then again all day Saturday, most of Sunday afternoon until late last night and then most of today. I did take a break yesterday to go to church and then to see Sex and the City. (Does that sound as weird as I think it did? I went to church and then I went to see SATC afterwards??) Anyway, I thought about it on my way into the theatre...that fact that I was going to see a movie about the bonds of friendship by myself. Kinda pathetic but whatever...plus I really needed the break. So about that paper? It is due tomorrow and I think I am finished...except for the fact it is a couple pages short. I am just spent so I am debating whether to blabber on about nothing, to just turn it in as it is or to spend a few more hours tomorrow seeing what additional research I can find to include. We'll see what I decide tomorrow when I wake up.

Holding down the fort

I. Saw. A. Mouse. I am currently freaking out. I just went to the store to buy some mouse-catching-killing supplies...and some wine...and maybe some chocolate. I am pretty sure the grocery store employees think I am nuts. Don't worry, I will be sure not to harm my dogs in the process of this adventure. Those lazy creatures were too busy sleeping to realize that a pest has invaded our house. Upon my return home from the store? I spotted it again. Totally freaking out now.

Amy meets Jen

Awhile back, Meagan sent me some Jen Lancaster books. I decided about halfway through the first book that I wanted to be best friends with Jen - is that weird? (1) She makes me laugh. A lot. (2) She lives in Chicago. (3) She likes reality tv....I could go on but trust me - if you haven't read any of her books, do it. Tonight I was thrilled to be able to go to her book reading and signing. (Joe came along for moral support and to browse the store, uninterrupted, while my attention was elsewhere.) Unlike my Candace Bushnell and Chelsea Handler book signing experiences, I wasn't intimidated or afraid of Jen. I actually talked to her!! I especially enjoyed her Q & A. Three cheers for living in a city with really cool things to do!

Celebrate!

Today I am wishing Joe's Grandma Dorothy a very happy 90th birthday. Recently, I asked his family members to share some photos with me for a little photo project. In doing so, I got to see photos spanning about 90 years and learn so much that I didn't know before. Being a new family member, it was really fun to be able to put together some pieces of the puzzle and learn more about Joe's family.

Tomorrow Joe is heading out to the Pacific Northwest for the birthday celebration. Because even Southwest wanted a small fortune for airline tickets over the holiday, I am staying behind to watch the dogs. But not to worry, I still have that almost 40 page paper to keep me company. I have a feeling I will need all the time I can get between now and when I turn it in on Tuesday.

I am also wishing my (second, right?) cousin Meghan a very happy wedding weekend. I know there will be a lot of celebrating in Missouri!

Losties

This video is for all my Lost friends. Warning: watching it only frustrated me further.

Sunday Fun Day

Joe and I both found this cartoon from The New Yorker to be hilarious.

Art Saturday

Today Joe and I went downtown to the Art Institute to see the special Matisse exhibit. We both enjoyed the exhibit much more than the last one (Munch) that we saw there. This is definitely my favorite museum and I have been there far more than any other museum (probably more than every museum I have been to in my life combined) but somehow in all my visits, I have always missed the Thorne Miniatures Room exhibit.

Upon our arrival, Joe reminded me about an interview with Wes Anderson where he mentions taking the train across country, stopping in Chicago for a few hours and always stopping in to see the room of miniatures. We were intrigued at the time of hearing the interview since we have always managed to miss this exhibit, tucked away in the basement. So today we stopped in and it's fantastic! The miniature rooms are so realistic and the details are unbelievable. I was especially taken with the tiny rooms' crown molding and ceiling details. Below are a few of the pictures we took from that exhibit. (No photography allowed at Matisse.)

This is a California room from the 1940s. You can see a little balcony to the left of the room. If you look out the balcony you can see the LA skyline in the distance.

My no good, terrible, rotten day

My husband and I switched cars over the weekend while I was out of town. I noticed this morning when I got in my car that my driver's door wasn't all the way shut nor was it locked. I was a bit peeved but went on my way. When I got home I decided to get started on some of my homework for international business and remembered that I had left my school bag in my car. Since school started, I have never left my tote bag in my car but did this past week because I went to the grocery store before class and had a few bags to carry in, plus my purse, and realized that my tote bag would be just fine in my car until I needed it...because I always LOCK my car.

I was horrified to go to my car and find my tote bag missing. First of all, it was a terribly cute black and white tote bag. Secondly, it contained my international business text book (which I need for homework), my notebook (which contained all the research and notes I took for my group project due in 2 weeks), a jump drive (containing past homework assignments but more importantly, my resume and cover letters) and two calculators. I was in denial at first and ransacked the house looking for it but I am POSITIVE it was in my car when I left the house on Saturday. My husband didn't use my car until yesterday and today I found it unlocked. So it either got stolen out of my car in our driveway last night or when Joe took the dogs out on a hike yesterday.

I just returned from filing a report at the police station. No, it's really not that valuable but I would like my stuff back if it is recovered. And then there's what to do with just a couple weeks left in school and no textbook...I still have assignments to do. Thankfully, the book I need for my 40 page paper is in the house safe and sound. So, yes, I am not having a good day...and my husband feels terrible.

Apparently, Oprah has that much power

About a week ago I DVR'd an episode of Oprah, which I almost never do. Anyway, now the DVR will not let us erase it. I have tried for several days...apparently, Oprah really has that much power. I am scared to record anymore of her shows for fear that Oprah and our DVR are somehow in cahoots.

Oliver!

Over the weekend, I got to meet Ben and Natalie's new baby Oliver. He will be four weeks old tomorrow. Already he has had so many visitors and I couldn't be more impressed with Nat - she seems like she's been a mom for years.

Dorian's shower

Yesterday I went to Edwardsville for Dorian's spa bridal shower. Guests were pampered with facials and foot and hand treatments. Dorian has a great group of friends and we had a lot of fun. The big day is less than a month away!

Oh my!

I faintly remember as a child using a blue pen to make "something pretty" on a white foot stool. I think I remember my mom telling a story about me practicing my scissor skills on some curtains, too, although I don't remember it. Anyway, Breanne's husband posted about this site on Facebook the other day and it might be the funniest thing I have ever seen. Oh my goodness.

Testing 1-2-3

Happy Mother's Day! We have had a wonderful weekend - Iron Man 2 on Friday, Joel McHale and Chicago hot dogs on Saturday and this afternoon a jaunt to the arboretum. A few weeks ago, we bought a totally sweet camera and so we decided to take it on a test run today. Here's a few of our snapshots.

This view is of the lake and walking path we like to use while at the arboretum.

In addition to all the trees, there are always beautiful flowers, plants and meticulously groomed hedges.

This is my favorite picture from today. :)

Funny stuff

I have a crush on Joel McHale. (Okay, as you may have noticed by now, I basically have a crush on anyone with the initials JM.) Anyway, I have watched him for years on E! and practically the only television that Joe and I watch together is his NBC show on Thursday nights - we love it!

I have wanted to see him do standup before but for whatever reason I never have. Well when I heard he was coming to town a couple of months ago I was running through the house squealing. I am seriously not sure of the last time I have been so excited. I have been looking forward to this night for months! In fact, the day the tickets went on sale, I was in my car on a trip out of town. I made Joe schedule in the ticket buying as a meeting on his work calendar so we were assured tickets. Thankfully, he didn't let me down.

Tonight was the show and I had such a good time. Donald Glover opened for him and Danny Pudi was in the audience. Later the two of them joined Joel on stage so they could "krump"
to John Mayer's, "Daughters." That's funny stuff.

Doodle

I just read this article about labradoodles. We don't know the background of our doodle because someone Joe used to work with found him wondering the streets as a puppy so Joe took him in. I have often wondered if he didn't escape from a puppy mill considering his health is quite sensitive. I do love all things doodle.

Withdrawals

I have really curbed my soda intake over the past week or so. Typically, I would have about two Diet Cherry Dr. Peppers a day. I know it isn't the best thing I should be drinking so I am trying to find other things to have instead. I am not giving up caffeine; no, that would be terrible. I am still having lattes and iced tea occasionally but in the past week and a half I have maybe had one soda. Cutting back but not cutting it out all together. Anyway, the past three days, I feel like I have hit a brick wall at around 2 pm. My eyes get heavy and I'm blinking trying to keep them open but it's been almost impossible. I did fall asleep the other day and when I woke up, I seriously felt like I had been drugged. I could barely move and get to class. I am hoping this side effect ends soon or I might have to start drinking (soda) again.

My kind of diary

Has anyone read The Carrie Diaries yet? I read the first chapter free on Joe's Kindle but it's on my list of things to do. I am missing the local book signing and reading tonight by CB so I can go to class and learn about International Business. Blah.

Smells like...

I was just reading in the newspaper that you can actually buy a White Castle-scented candle. Seriously. The proceeds do go to charity but coming from someone who burns candles on almost a daily basis and usually opts for more subtle fragrances like vanilla, I am trying to imagine my husband coming home to a house smelling like greasy burgers and fries and nothing on the stove. I'm not sure that would be any more appealing than a candle that smells like my dogs when they have gone too long without a bath or a good teeth brushing.

Girls' weekend!

My mom and sister came up on the train Friday and we had a lot of fun over the weekend. Friday we met my mom's cousin Terrie for lunch and then shopped for several hours before going to Benihana with Joe that evening. Saturday we lunched at PF Chang, shopped some more, I cooked dinner that evening and finally we settled in for the night with a dvd. Mom and Cathy left this morning and I am just about ready for a nap. What a great weekend!