Vegas Crew

Rob, me, Jen, Dave, Jim, Jessica -- at the Palazzo indoor waterfall in the Venetian compound.

Quote of the day

"When I hear people saying that feminism has ruined X, Y, or Z, I always want to know what planet they're living on, because I'd probably like to move to a place where feminists have that much power." - Kate Harding, salon.com.

Ha. Seriously.

Vegas and Other Stories

We were in Vegas this past weekend with my long-time, awesome friend Dave, his girlfriend Jen, and Dave's friends Jim & Jessica, who are married. I'll post pictures eventually, but suffice to say we had an awesome time. Not only was the company fantastic, but we had one of the best meals I've ever had. Ever. Ever. At Bouchon. I'm quite sure I'll be going back to Vegas just to eat there again.

Rob and I aren't huge gamblers. I played with about $25 on slot machines and $5 on video poker. I ended up down $4.75 come Sunday afternoon. Rob played a bit of slots and a bit of Blackjack and ended up down $80. But not too shabby all things considered.

As for the "other stories," today Resa and I went to a talk show taping here in Chicago. But I'm not allowed to say anything about it on my blog because of the release I signed. So I'll let you do the math. If you want to hear about it, email me!

Doctors and Patients

This is an article about the last living American provider of later-term abortions following the murder of Dr. Tiller in Kansas. Please read it and pass it on. I've already emailed this to some of you. In my email I wrote, "Sometimes in all the debates and rhetoric, it's easy to forget that we're really just talking about doctors and patients facing unique and difficult (to say the least) circumstances." This article is a powerful reminder of that fact, and of the burdens this doctor, his staff and their patients shoulder because that fact is so lost these days.

http://www.esquire.com/features/abortion-doctor-warren-hern-0909

Family Reunion

Last weekend we were in Cleveland for my Grandma's 91st birthday. Our cousins Carol and Judy planned a backyard Olympics on Saturday. Below are a few video links. My cousin Margaret Mary and won the three-legged race, which was awesome. And you can see both me and Rob being the bottom halves of wheelbarrows at the far end of the screen too. 

Three-legged race. 

Post-three-legged race excitement. (Yes, that's me squealing.)

Wheelbarrow race. 

Thanks Jen for the videos! And yes, I'm related to just about everyone in these videos. 

I'm Not Ignoring You, I Swear

I know it seems like it. I just haven't had much to say lately. I also lost the little thingamabobber that lets me download pictures from my camera. So my inability to get to my pics makes me even more unmotivated to blog.

Anyway. We've been up to a lot since my last post. We went to the East Coast for the 4th of July weekend. First we hit NY for Mark's family's reunion. Then we headed south to NJ to see Rob's family - Grandma, Kyle & Taber & Daniel & Lauren, Gena & Jay. Great way to spend a four-day weekend. And I can't say enough that if I ever want to feel loved, I just have to walk into a room where Daniel and Lauren are sitting. The very best part of the weekend might have been taking a walk with Daniel, at his request. How much longer will our so-soon-to-be-teenage nephew who wants to take walks with his nerdy aunt? :)

The weekend after that, no, we didn't stay in Chicago. We headed out to LA to help Libby, Colin and Tess move into their new house. It was an exhausting weekend of packing and moving and baby-watching and unpacking and shopping and furniture-assembling. But it was great to see Tess again. Rob was totally smitten too.

The last two weekends we've been in town, thankfully. Two weekend ago we hit the Three Floyds brewery and brew pub in Indiana with Georgia and Oli. Great beer! Then dinner with Ali at the always awesome Volo. Then hanging out with my old, no-longer-Chicago-dwelling friend Eric and his great girlfriend Sharon.

A couple days later it was my birthday. Age 33. Lord that sounds so much older than I feel. Kindof. Except for the fact that my knees definitely hurt a lot more than they used to. On my actual birthday I worked from home because we got new kitchen countertops installed. As my friend Dave said, "Wow, you really are old and married." Then Rob and I caught a late showing of Harry Potter 6. Loved it!

Friday night we had a few people over to taste some Italian wines as a birthday celebration. Rob cooked lasagna -- my favorite! It was a very last minute party. We had a blast the whole night with everyone who could make it on such short notice!

Then Sunday we ran for the third year in the third annual Teb's Troops March on Melanoma 5K. I think I just about tied my time from the first year (right around 36 minutes), which is better than last year's 38 minute time. Rob -- now a seasoned runner -- didn't run with his slowpoke wife this year, although he offered! So he jogged his was to a finish under 30 minutes. Even better though is that we officially raised over $1000 to support Teb's Troops through the 5K. (Thanks Jason for closing us out!) What rockin', supportive friends we have!!

So that's what we've been doing. Pictures of all of this will follow. Some day.

Oh, and in other awesome news, come February, Rob and I will have seventh niece/nephew! My little sister is pregnant! Whoo hoo!

Two weekends in a row in Chicago!

I've been in Chicago the past two weekends. Wow! Last weekend we took in a couple Cubs v. Indians games at Wrigley... and watched the Tribe lose both times. Very depressing.

This past weekend I ignored all the baseball highlight shows, since the Indians are trying to tank their season, and Rob and I stuck to other activities. On Saturday morning, Rob had booked a massage for me after watching me keep a grueling schedule at work last week. That was awesome! Then we hit the mall, finally having the occasion to appreciate an outdoor mall in Chicago, for some overdue shopping for our house and closets. Saturday night we picked up my friend Ali and headed out to the 'burbs for pizza at Burt's. The pizza was indeed excellent and worth the trek, although not quite so amazing that I'd turn around and run right back.

Today we got up early (for us... for a Sunday) to play tennis with our friends Erin and Brian followed by a delicious pancake breakfast. We came back home in time to get our hopes up and then dashed by the US Men's National Team in their big game against Brazil. The first half was pretty exciting though! Then we ran a few errands, rented a couple movies, and settled in for the evening so I could do work while Rob folded laundry. Fun.

Nothing too exciting, but I can't even express how nice it was to just spend a weekend at home and see friends who I've missed a lot lately.

Our new niece Tess!!!

My twin sister Libby and her husband Colin welcomed their first child into the world today -- baby Tess!

Tess with Daddy.

Tess with Mommy.

Tess up close -- showing us a peek at her blue eyes.

Tess with Grandma Wendy!

Libby and Colin just before Tess was born!

Whoo hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Almost)

I'm in LA... at LAX to be specific... waiting for my mom's flight to arrive. Then Colin will pick us up.

Tomorrow morning is Lib's delivery. I'm so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Funny how strange it seems that my twin is about to be a mom. Especially since Rob's twin has been a mom for 10 years. :)

Post-Wedding Brunch

Today my Aunt Margaret and Uncle Tom (Angela's parents) threw a post-wedding brunch at their house.

My little cousin Marta enjoys some food.

My little cousin Joseph (Angela's youngest brother) frolics in the front yard.

Three of Angela's other brothers -- Nathan, Anthony and Andrew -- relax after some fierce croquet battles.

Me and Rob sit in the shade.

Angela's oldest brother Paul and his girlfriend Whitney.

Angela's Wedding

We went to my cousin Angela's wedding in Virginia this weekend. Angela looked beautiful and happy. It was nice to catch up with family and eat and drink and dance the weekend away. Tomorrow night I'm off to California because on Tuesday my new niece will arrive!!!!

Angela and Eric leaving the reception under sparklers.

Me and my cousin Anne, who was one of Angela's bridesmaids.

The happy couple making the rounds at the reception.

At the end of the ceremony, all smiles.

Championship weekend

Our nephew Daniel made the winning out this weekend in his Little League chapionship. He was at shortstop and threw out the final batter at first base.

Here's the video, which starts with the final throw already in progress.

Whoo hoo!!!!

Hellooooo

Not much time to blog these past few weeks. I know I always say I'm working like crazy, but lately it's been a whole new level.

We had a nice weekend last weekend though. My friend Rachel came through town for a wedding, so we took her out on Friday night to a Jenny Lewis concert, which was fantastic. Then Saturday night we saw (my cousin Paul's girlfriend's) Whitney's play which was really good and intriguing.

Of course I did a ton of work during the weekend. And I had to get on a plane on Sunday. Back to Chicago Monday night. But now I'm back out of town. Tomorrow back to Chicago. But then off to Virginia for my cousin Angela's wedding on Friday. Then next week I'm off to California to see Libby and hang out in the hospital waiting room with my mom while Libby and Colin's baby girl is born!

Anyway. Lately I'm still way grumpier than I should be. I think I'm just so mentally worn out from all the travel. I need to chill. So I'll just say publicly that my poor husband has had to put up with a really annoying wife lately. It only makes me love him more. I can't wait to have a travel break so I can actually spend time with him. And catch up with my friends. And sleep. And mellow the heck out.

Scooter News

No, not that kind of scooter. The actual scooter you ride around on.

Resa and Nick have a scooter. My dad got on it on Sunday and after a successful turn around the block, ended up hitting the pavement on his second turn. The end result was thankfully just a day in the ER and three lost teeth. Could have been worse! He's off to the dentist tomorrow to get some new teeth. In the mean time, he's taking painkillers and eating soup.

Never a dull moment in our family, I tell you!

PS Thanks for indulging my uber-whining last week. I'm slowly but surely catching up on sleep and getting past my funk. :)

Grumpfocious

Grumpfocious is what Rob and I call the other when that person is being a total grumpy monster. It's typically a description of me in the morning. And it's exactly how I've been feeling since Monday night this week. A few big annoying things have happened that seem to have sealed my mood into grumpfociousness. Now I'm stuck.

I'm sure I'm not helped by the fact that I started the work week blitzed out of my mind with exhaustion. But why am I getting the pile on this week? Why are there a gazillion little annoying things all at once -- things that normally I wouldn't care about, or would be able to talk myself out of caring about, are avoiding the rational part of my brain -- when I'm already feeling stressed and tired and all-around bummed out? Can someone upstairs give me a break? Please? This is not going to get me out of my funk!

After multiple delays getting on a plane, I finally made my way to the East Coast and am currently in a hotel. A supposedly fancyschmancy hotel. But they couldn't find the package that was delivered for me. And half the television stations aren't working. And the room service is too expensive and not that good. (I ordered off the kids' menu -- just a grilled cheese -- because I couldn't stand spending $30 for quesadillas and I actually love grilled cheese. But even the undercooked grilled cheese was $30. Although presumably if I were a kid it'd be $14.) And then there are silly mishaps that are only a big deal in that they are forcing me to stay up late and do things that should already be done, which always stinks.

I'm sitting around yelling "Seriously!?!?!" in my own head at every turn.

Sorry to be so grumpy. I just... really, universe? Really??

Here's to next week.

Libby's Baby Shower

Resa, Rob and I went out to LA for the weekend so Resa and I could throw a baby shower for Libby. The shower was a lot of fun and it was so good to see Libby, who is just a few weeks away from having her baby girl! The shower was at Chado Tea Room, which is a great little space with delicious afternoon tea.


Resa, Libby (plus one) and me.

Me and Resa.

Me and Roxanna.

Libby opens presents. Apparently a saleswoman tried to talk Libby's friend out of this gift bag, saying, "You know it's a girl, right?" Apparently the saleswoman doesn't know the women in our family very well. :)

Libby chitchats.

En route to the shower, I'm stuck in the back seat with the balloons.

Wisconsin Weekend - Post-race!

Post-race we hit the Jelly Belly HQ in Kenosha. We took a tour, nabbed some samples, and bought a whole bunch of Jelly Bellies.

I would lovelovelove to own this car. Seriously.

Hanging from the ceiling in the warehouse.

Rob with Superman made from Jelly Bellies... and apparently this Superman doesn't shave.

A Jelly Belly welcomes us.

Wisconsin Weekend - Rob's Half-Marathon

Rob ran his half-marathon in Kenosha on Saturday morning at the ungodly hour of 7:00am! We stayed up in Kenosha, woke up at 5:45am, and made our race to the starting point by 6:30am.

After I dropped Rob off, I parked and made my way to a spot a little before the two mile mark so Rob could toss me his long-sleeve shirt he'd no longer need by then.

Because the course ran in a couple loops, I was able to see Rob just before two miles, just before five miles, just before eleven miles and then (barely) at the end. I had to run to the finish line to beat him there!

Rob did amazingly well. He finished at about 1:56 which put him at an 8:54 minute/mile pace. Whoo hoo!


Post-race we went back to the hotel to change clothes. Rob fell asleep just after getting dressed. :)

Medal around his neck, Rob came in 381st out of about 1200 people.

Crossing the finish line. You can see that he came in with the official clock still under two hours!

Nearing five miles, Rob gave me a wave when he went by.

Greetings from Connecticut

I'm in CT for work until tomorrow night. Then in NYC for work from 11pm tomorrow night until 6pm -- so no time to say hi to anyone. Booo. I get back to Chi-town Friday night, jump in a car, meet Rob in Kenosha, WI for his mini-marathon Saturday.

Soooo... four states in three days. And here I thought I was going to be traveling less this year. And last weekend we were in Indiana for the Teb's Troops event, which I'll blog about soon hopefully! It was great.

States I've been to in 2009:
IL
IN
TX (airport stop, hardly counts)
CT
DC
MD

Countries I've been to in 2009:
USA
Canada
Mexico (pre-swine flu, whoo hoo!)

Other states I have plans to go to in 2009:
NY (this week)
WI (this week)
CA (next week)
VA (June)
OH (August)
ME (fall)

Hmmm. Maybe 2010 will be my non-travel year? Nobody else out there is allowed to get married or have a baby this year, okay?

Random pics

Some old pics I don't think I've posted.

Emily, Tim and Rob rock out on Rock Band.

Rob and I ride the escalator at the United Center after a Blackhawks game.

Rob shows off his new Patrick Kane jersey.