Bopril

Happy Halloween Everyone!!

Labels: halloween, pets

*photo by Enrico Fuente

Share the Love, Rock the Vote

I officially exercised my right to vote today - and it felt good. Sometimes it seems as though I can't even remember a time when this campaign wasn't happening and after all the reading, watching, commenting, debating, hoping, praying, searching...standing in that line and touching that important screen felt amazing. My right. My privilege. My obligation. My voice. Early voting came at a cost - the cost of my time - but the rewards made me forget that 2 hour wait almost before it was even over. In a fun Chicago twist, I met Oprah while waiting to vote. Yep - THE Oprah - not making it up. I love her, admire her, am often inspired by her. To see her in just that place at just that time was really pretty special (even if I am being a little schmaltzy). I said hello and her words to me were brief. And right on. "Hi! Get in there and let your voice be heard girl!" I did Oprah. And I hope you all do too. Happy LOVE THURSDAY - may you recognize this unique moment in time and share the love that got us here. And because there is no way for me to NOT post about this, check this out if you need a little love reminder (but have a tissue handy too). A special thank you to the law officials who helped this Mama Bear in her time of need.

Labels: love thursday, oprah, vote

Special Friends

I have never been one of those people to consistently keep up with huge groups of friends. I've certainly known an amazing variety of folks through my various life stages, but at the end of the day, I have a pretty small circle of the kind of friends that just make life worth living. These are women who have known me at my best and my worst and loved me equally. They've helped to shape me, change me, inspire me and keep me going when I needed them the most. It has been my life's journey to be geographically separated from my best friends more often than not. This has created stress and doses of sadness for sure, but the more important side effect has been the incredible ways in which those relationships have flourished anyway. We've proven that distance is no barrier and that the love of a friend doesn't equate to the frequency that you're in the same place at the same time. Today, I am thinking of one friend in particular. She is embarking on such an exciting new chapter in her life...she will welcome an undoubtedly gorgeous baby girl (trust me - with her gene pool, there is simply no other way for this to turn out) into the world in just a couple of short weeks. This friend is creativity personified. She is bubbly and warm and can lighten any load in a matter of moments. She transcends labels and stereotypes and truly just spreads joy everywhere she goes - every single day. Rob, welcome to this limitless space of the blogosphere - I'm thrilled to be connected with you in yet another place. Thank you for your friendship, your inspiration and all the ways you've made my world better. Just by being you. That is one lucky kid.

We Heart Halloween

My love of holidays is no secret and having dogs makes me enjoy all holidays even more. We got an early start to our Halloween fun this weekend. Hubby and I spent Saturday night in Park Ridge with the niece and nephew and about 20 other kids for a little house party. The costumes were adorable and we had a great time catching up with family.

The fun continued today with a Halloween pet parade sponosored by one of our favorite little doggie shops. Besides an early mishap (I screwed up the time, so we missed the beginning and had to join the pups at the park instead of the store), it was a really fun day. The dogs were adorable, the weather was perfect and our little froggie and monkey enjoyed themselves immensely (even if Cooper wasn't a huge fan of his costume).

Stay tuned for next weekend's post about our neighborhood event - Trick-or-Treat on Southport!

We hope your weekend was just as fun!

Labels: dogs, fall, halloween, parade, park

Peace

I began one workday really early last week and was feeling a little stressed and just needing a break. On the drive to work, I noticed it was a particularly beautiful fall day, and when I got to my office - eerily quiet since I was the only one there - I was greeted by this amazing sunrise. Nothing better to add a little perspective. It was Friday before I knew it...

It's The Little Things...

I am kind of particular about certain things. Like eyebrows. Eyebrows are important; they frame your face and if someone has a mishap with the waxing, things appear uneven - like for example, my whole face!

After much searching and trial and error (more error than anything), I have finally found a great esthitician in Chicago. Thanks to my fabulous sis-in-law Robin for the referral.

Anyway, I love Alina - she's terrific and my brows are definitely rebounding under her care. Beyond evening things out though, she's reminded me of the importance of details. I love everything about her shop. It is super tiny and she is a one woman shop, so only sees one client at a time. But everything from the actual location to the decor when you enter to her peaceful disposition really makes you feel so relaxed and doted on...it feels indulgent. And luxurious. And I love every minute I'm there - every time I go.

Reminded me it is really the little things that set the stage for the greater experience.

Love Through the Cracks

I've been thinking a lot about love lately. Lots of different thoughts, many different lenses to shift perspective, but the same core theme. I've thought of love through the lens of politics and struggled to understand why so many adamantly deny any form of love in a world so riddled with hate. Since I can't solve this complex problem, I mollify myself with the reality that our country gives us the freedom to not only have those types of views and opinions, but the freedom to express them. And part of enjoying that freedom is recognizing others' rights to hold opinions and views I don't agree with - or even that I despise. And that is something I can love. I've thought of love through the lens of personal experience and I've realized I'm infinitely blessed because I have not walked one step in my life without a full network of love and support to catch me if I fall. I've thought of love's role in the bigger picture of life's journey and realized that finding my life's partner was my greatest gift. I live that love every day and it makes me relish in the normal and find magic in the mundane. Even when my expression of it is less than stellar, it is there. And it fuels everything in me that shines. Happy LOVE Thursday everyone - may you recognize love in the cracks of your life- after all, that is where the light comes through.

Last Haircut til Spring!

The boys and I had a very productive weekend. My aforementioned love of lists was in full effect and I crossed many errands off. Top of which was Jack's final grooming of the season - the temps are getting cooler here in Chicago so we went in for one final styling session. This time we just did the basic trim so he doesn't look too much different - just clean and fluffy and lovable.

While Jack was getting the full treatment, I did my usual self grooming job on Cooper. Thanks to some doggie ice cream, it was actually a fairly simple session and he looks adorable if I do say so myself - albeit slightly crooked - but whatever.

We just finished a brisk fall walk and since we'd just done the bath thing, I pulled out the boys' coats to keep them cozy. They weren't thrilled at first, but they warmed to the idea (note the pun) pretty quickly.

Here's hoping your snug this fall evening - in front of a fire with warm tea and maybe some yummy soup. Have a wonderful week!

Jackson before...

Cooper before...Jackson after - a close up! See how fluffy and huggable??Cooper after - you can't tell b/c he had just rubbed his head all over his bed making his hair crazy like this, but he actually looks pretty good and we cut a good bit of scruff off him!Both boys snuggly warm & ready for our evening walk. XOXO

Making my lists, Checking them twice

I love lists. I make lists of the lists I need to make. I get an obnoxious amount of fulfillment and accomplishment from crossing items OFF my many lists. I have decided tonight to make two important lists - evolving ones really - to challenge myself to move beyond the normal and the comfortable once in awhile. And also to set and track future goals - more on this later as I got the best idea from my sister-in-law over lunch this week (seriously, love her idea) - because to write it down is to make it real. And seeing it in print encourages commitment to follow. Without further ado - I live in a great city that I really haven't made much of an effort to discover in the almost 2 years I've been here, so I'm starting my list thusly:

1. Go see the ballet.
2. See Dirty Dancing the MUSICAL (and part 2 of this is to find someone to see it with me since I'm not sure it is Hubby's cup of tea)
3. Check out a museum. We have so many, the opportunities are endless.
4. Check out the smart home that is part of one of said museums. Love this concept and want to see the final result of so much effort.
5. See a concert and have a picnic at Ravinia (might have to wait for next season on this one - no bother, its going ON the list).
6. Discover great hiking trails in the Chicago area. Reunite with hiking on said trails. I love hiking and you can STILL hike in the fall. Even in the tundra that is Chicago. ON the list.
7. Find an indoor dog park that we can frequent during the colder months. Running around with the munchkins is one my greatest joys - and snow doesn't have to eliminate it.
8. Dedicate one weekend night as "date night" with Hubby - try new restaurants in various sections of the city until we've really gotten to know all the options available to us.
9. Sign up for one class with Hubby (and maybe another couple) at The Chopping Block!
10. Go to Michigan or Wisconsin for a long weekend. I've heard amazing things. I'd love to go apple picking...or hiking...or wait for a summer lake adventure. Or all of the above.
11. Go ice skating in Millenium Park (or anywhere else for that matter).
12. Wine tasting - don't care if its Napa or a local spot (although Napa would be great one of these days).

And now for list 2 - to focus a little more on goals. Behold:

1. Learn at least the basics of photography and get a good camera to work with. I've always wanted to do this - since high school! I have no idea why I keep putting it off.
2. Really learn yoga and practice it regularly. I love what it does for my mind as much as what it can do for my muscles.
3. Make physical fitness a life priority and be CONSISTENT with it. I'm tired of hearing myself whine about this one. Time to mix up a bunch of my favorite activites, create a schedule and start sweating.
4. Pay more attention to my philanthropic side and dedicate time to it. As my place of work says, Live in COLOR.
5. Learn at least the basics in the kitchen. I feel like a bumbling fool right now, but I need to throw caution to the wind and just get in there!
6. Try something new every season (thinking maybe tennis lessons with Hubby for the winter).
7. Try - seriously try - to focus my energy on positive thinking. Limit road rage, nagging, frustration, etc by slowing down and breathing before responding. Hopefully this will inspire calm and patience - not all the time, just more often.
8. Start a family. And be good at creating balance.
9. Be fiscally aware. Perfect the art of discretionary spending and define and stick to savings plans. Basically, take charge of my own personal economy (and that of my family).
10. Rescue a dog. And give him/her the best life possible.
11. Travel. I'm one of the only people I know that hasn't seen Europe yet. I mean really - there is a great big world out there. And I want to see it.

I think this is a good start, don't you? I will track my progress via the blog and will let you know when I'm adding entries...I find this especially appropriate as I wind up my 20's and head straight toward 30.

Bring it on.

Labels: goal, list, organize