The Latest
Pandemic-style Paczki Day adventures and me
Everything is an adventure around here, it seems. Including Paczki Day (Also known as Fat Tuesday). The first thing you should know about me is that I’m not really a planner. In the writing world, they call me a pantser (because I fly by the seat of my pants — though I prefer to say […]
When books make you think a little bit harder
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I would find reading about the 2008 financial crisis a “page-turner,” and yet, here I write before you. About to tell you what a damn page-turner it was. It took me several weeks to read President Obama’s latest tome, A Promised Land, a deep dive into […]
The difference four years can make
Today, I woke up with a dog snuggled as close to my back as she could be without being on top of me and a husband scrolling on his phone for the morning news, memes, whatnot. As soon as it was remotely evident I might have been awake, the dog began army crawling on top […]
The New Year’s resolution joke’s on me
If you’ve been here for a while, you probably already know that I typically don’t subscribe to this whole New Year’s resolution, “new year, new me” bullshit. Hell, I get mad when people talk about what a shit year the previous year was. Somehow, we’re expected to start every New Year with resolutions. Resolutions to […]
My (Sometimes) Ridiculous Life
A decade ago
I started 2010 with my favorite people in all the world: my family. We played Wii and ate snacks, and my godson spent the night at my house so he could keep playing video games for a few more hours. He fell asleep to The Doctor Seuss Sleep Book sometime around 3 am, just before […]
The 4 People on the Train That I Didn’t Miss While Working From Home
The Friday before Christmas was my last day in the office. I worked from home for 5 days (Christmas and New Year’s Day were holidays and I took Christmas Eve off). I resumed the daily commute yesterday morning in blizzard conditions. Figures. As I was riding the train though, I realized that there are people […]
Dear Cary Elwes, I’m REALLY Sorry.
Dear Cary, Can I call you Cary? I hope so. I’m going to assume that you’ve probably forgotten all about me. And Brian. I’m really hoping you forgot about Brian. So, I’ll start with this. I’m a big fan. Huge, actually. I remember seeing The Princess Bride when I was a little girl, and it […]
Life is Just Plain Weird. Oh, and I Quit My Job Today
Quitting a job is absolutely bizarre. Today is my last day at my current company. In two weeks, I’ll start a new role at a new company, where I’ll learn new things and make new friends and start a new routine. But over the last week or two, things have been…weird. Because I knew I […]
The Married Life
Reasons I’m Going to Marry Brian
Brian and I are getting married on September 16. For those of you not interested in mathing that out, it’s approximately 4.5 months (or exactly 142 days) from today. We had our engagement photos last weekend, and they were ridiculous, just like us. For those of you not following on social media, here’s a sneak […]
My new favorite word is husband
Heeeeey there, Blog Friends! I went and got married on you last month, and obviously I’m a brand new lady with a whole new personality. I’m lying about that last part. I’m the same me. Just way less stressed than I was during that whole wedding planning bullshit. Our wedding was magical, and I can’t wait to […]
Real Talk About Babies
So, now that we’re married, Brian and I have been having the baby conversation. You know, because we’re not spring chickens or anything. Note, before we get things going here: I AM NOT PREGNANT. Okay good. Glad we got that out of the way. The conversation has kinda gone something like this. Me: Brian, I […]
4 things that save my marriage every day
Brian and I have been married for more than 6 months now, so I’m pretty confident that gives me authority to offer up marriage advice. As it turns out, there are a lot of things that can help a marriage along, especially when you’re navigating alternative facts and not really sure what’s real and what […]
Our Home – AKA I Hate Cleaning
Sweet Baby Cheeses, We Found the Hidden Madonna
I realize that my mother is probably going to kill me and I’m probably going to hell courtesy of that title. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200. Whatever. So, a couple months ago, I told you about the random shit that was left in our house by the previous owners. As we started […]
In Honor of World Naked Gardening Day…
For those of you who are naively unaware, today (the first Saturday of May) is World Naked Gardening Day. (Warning, the following link is NSFW and contains an older gentleman’s dingaling on the front page. You’ve been warned.) Tenth Annual World Naked Gardening Day. (No, seriously, guys. You’ve been warned.) It’s World Naked Gardening Day. […]
Rest in Pieces, Delilah: A Eulogy
In honor of my dear friend of 19 years. She was a true champion. We met the summer between 7th and 8th grade. She kept my little brother and I occupied, distracted, and entertained that first summer she arrived, when Mom was sick. She taught me about responsiblity, maintenance, and pride in a job well […]
We Broke Up With Our House…Or…We Almost Bought a House
Remember two weeks ago, when I was planning all the exciting things for a house we hadn’t bought? And last week, when I bragged about a secret? And Tuesday when I teased about an exciting day to my Facebook followers? And the majority of those two weeks were spent pinning home decorating images to my […]
Wedding Shenanigans
Wedding Comeuppance is Upon Me
You guys. I’m a little concerned. With my pending nuptials coming up faster than I can say September 16, I’m starting to realize that this is time for a little payback. From my friends and family. You see, it may surprise you, but I’m not always the most well-behaved wedding guest on the block. I’ve […]
Planning a Wedding is Hard Work
It’s been a little over two months since Brian and I got engaged. We (and by we, let’s be honest here, I mostly mean me) are deep in the throws of the planning. Since Brian has been telling me we would get married this year since last January (why yes, he did wait until December […]
Meet me under the tallest Christmas tree
I woke up in a hotel in River North the morning after Brian’s work holiday party. I had brought a couple outfits but after the wild night, I was leaning toward a pair of tie-dye yoga pants and a hoodie. Brian steered me away from super comfort and suggested I try something else. “Okay, ya […]
Eats and Drinks
Touring Wine Country with #PetalumaMade
A lovely group of influencers and Brian got together in California. This is the midday result in photos. Blog Friends, I’m LOVING Petaluma! Have you been to Petaluma? What are your favorite California wines?
Subliminal Messages About Comfort Food and Why I’m Going Back to the Gym Tomorrow
Thanks to the wonderful people at Skinny Scoop for taking a chance with an unknown kid. By sponsoring this post about comfort food, they’ve helped support my Midnight Moon addiction. I’ve been consuming a LOT of comfort food lately. Maybe it’s the cold. Maybe it’s the stress of working and blogging and dealing with Chicago […]
Gettin’ Skinny With It
Things I Discovered While Eating Healthier (Plus Pocketful of Quirky Grace DietBet Results)
As y’all know, I started the DietBet a month ago. I knew that it was scheduled to end just days after my birthday, and still I signed up. After several years of slight drops, but mostly raises, in weight, I wasn’t sure I would ever feel that drive to lose a few pounds. I’m comfortable […]
I Fit Inside a Box and Other Weight Loss Related Updates
What would you do with a large, empty cardboard box?
