Bopril

Mix Well and Serve. As Often as Possible.

I've got the perfect ingredients for a terrific weekend. Wanna see?

A ticket for a boat ride

A cold beverage

A perfect summer breeze

A killer city skyline

 

A ferris wheel ride

Best. Parents. Ever.

Combine with a hefty serving of laughter, reminiscing and relaxation. You're going to want to serve this often. Trust me.

On My Mind...

For your reading pleasure, I submit the following list of random (and very likely mundane - at least to you) list of items occupying space in my mind, on my to-do list, or both:

• I must get back into my early morning workout routine. Yes, once again after establishing a great "groove," I have fallen off the wagon and am now going weeks without workouts. Again. Yes, again. Shut up. My name is April and I am addicted to a vicious and terribly unproductive fitness cycle. Please send help. Or chocolate.
• I've been thinking a lot lately about an attitude shift. More to come on this one when I'm ready (read: when I'm actually able to articulate what I mean by this), but for now, enough to know that it is something I recognize a need for and will soon put into action. 
• Cooper gave us quite a scare last week - turned out to just be a mini back injury, but had my mind going to very scary, very dark places. Also? I'm terrible with vet visits and am hit with huge waves of anxiety the minute we walk in the door. How am I ever supposed to witness a human child receive vaccinations is entirely beyond me. 
• Confession number 1: I have been watching a soap opera off and on since high school. Confession number 2: it has mostly been "on." Confession number 3: I got an embarrassing amount of joy out of seeing Jason and Sam rekindle their romance this week. I'll let you determine which soap. It strikes me that I could easily become that old lady who always has to watch her "stories."
•   I'm so excited and sending out major congrats to our good friends Brett and Laurie who welcomed a baby boy into the world yesterday - on my baby brother's birthday no less! 
• I have said this before, but I'm going to say it again anyway. I need to get in a more regular groove of posting to this blog. Maybe I need to create my own editorial calendar? Or maybe that will make this space seem too much like work...must think more about this. Will report back. 
• Must diversify my diet - need to get a better variety of veggies into rotation - too heavy on the potatoes as of now. I've never met a potato I didn't love. No, seriously. Never. 
• I wanted to know what all the buzz was about, so I randomly jumped into both True Blood and Mad Men a couple of weeks ago. I totally get in. In both cases. Suddenly, I just can't get enough of vampires. Odd. And also? That show is a little crazy. And a lot graphic. And completely awesome. Same for Mad Men. In an entirely different way, but still? Awesome.  

  
  I could do this for ages, but I realize you've likely bailed before even getting to this point. So here's a cute doggie photo to make up for it.
  Sugar Daddy. And Half of Cooper. Terrible cropping, but I love this pic!
  
  

Weekendings - the Parental Edition

It was the best way to spend a weekend. Hubby was gone, but for once, I had a distraction to keep my focus on other things. We hadn't hung out together - just us three - in I don't know how long, but it was a fantastic three days catching up, remembering, looking forward.

We saw Chicago in entirely new ways - I'd never really thought of exploring the history and culture and fun of the windy city until I planned this weekend. But as we heard about the city's architecture on board a large and open decked boat, and then wondered around Navy Pier, riding the ferris wheel, laughing at tourists, snapping photos, eating "vacation" food, it was crystal clear that this is a pretty fantastic city.

There was plenty of shopping, lots of eating, excellent bottles of wine opened and finished and of course, the talking. Lots and lots of talking. Remembering, laughing, discussing, making plans, realizing in real time the amazing gift of family. 

They are still the same people, still giving me advice, encouraging me, talking through life's many decisions and all the while, seeing the fun, seeking out the laughter. For 30 years, and counting.

Thanks Mom & Dad. It was just what I needed.

And So it Goes

Well, hello there. It seems that I remembered today that I have a blog. And that I like to write on that blog. And also? That my posts are far too infrequent of late. Sorry about that, Internet!

Suffice it to say that I've been living on the outer edges of my comfort zone lately. Not always in a good way. I certainly recognize the need and the benefit in stretching my comfort zone, but these past few weeks have been a different experience altogether. I'll say only that for now, but I haven't been able to come here and articulate my feelings because truthfully, just sorting through them and keeping my head down to get through endless days has sucked up every ounce of my energy, my time, and my "output" so to speak.

Posts have materialized in my head, only to disappear completely the minute I fire up my Mac leaving me to stare blankly at my screen, the blinking of the cursor quite literally taunting me with each flash.

I've been reading a lot about authenticity and freedom to chart your own course in life and about the reality that, to really embrace this and more importantly, to live it, requires a level of courage (and often sacrifice) that I am not sure I currently possess.

So for now, I keep walking. Because really, what is my alternative? One foot in front of the other and a constant reminder that I can control only my own path and my reactions to any given situation. From challenging times, we grow. I believe this. Even when it is hard to see the forest for the trees when in the depths of it (don't have a better word...what is IT? Not sure...life, career, self worth, the search for inspiration? who knows.)

I'm focusing a lot on that old quote that I heard ad nauseam in high school and college and beyond: "Many people miss opportunity because it is dressed in overalls and it looks like work." I have no clue who to attribute this to anymore, but I'm trying to find my own personal truth in its meaning. I am searching for the opportunity in situations both challenging and mundane. I have to believe that the search will pay off, and eventually, if I look long and hard enough, I will find what I'm looking for.

Weekendings

For the first time in quite awhile, Chicago decided to provide irrefutable proof that it actually IS that radiant, amazing city (most especially in the summer) that so many folks passionately describe. Often in the past 2 years since moving here, I've stared at these people, my eyes wide, confusion coloring my entire face, with an unfortunate array of proof points to the contrary. Not that I don't love this city - truthfully, I've had an affair with it from the beginning - it's just that...the weather - my GOD the weather - has at times made it seem impossible to want to stay here forever.

This weekend, though? I could see it. A future - ours - here in this spot. Because it was sparkly and bright, sunny and not humid, breezy but not gale-forced-knock-your-ass-over windy, and we could not get enough outdoor time. That is my favorite state of affairs, Internet. Because, truly there is no such thing as too much time spent outdoors.

We kicked things off with takeout from one of our favorite neighborhood haunts, and were fast asleep on a Friday night at an hour that would have made us cringe in earlier years. I'll let you guess the time all on your own. :)

I fed my inner tech-geek and finally brought home the MACdaddy of all gadgets (pun intended). Spent much of the remainder of the weekend playing with it and customizing to my own liking. It's been 2 days, and I'm already completely baffled at how life was even possible before this little guy. Dramatic, much?

Finally pulled the bikes out from their dusty winter home and did a nice long lakeside ride; miles and jello-legs and hours later, the walk up our stairs was painful, but the relaxation and mind-clearing capacity more than made up for it. The fur babes enjoyed the weather too; we freed the beloved orange ball from its prison in the very back of our car (where, frankly Jack can STILL sniff it out) and let them frolic for more than an hour. They made friends, they snapped at other "friends," Jack ran until we thought his tiny heart would explode, and Cooper ate his usual motherload of grass.

Dinner and Entourage and talk of weekends and plans ahead wound us down - and today is day one of the cleanse folks. Wish me well, will you? I have a feeling it is going to get interesting around here over the next 20 days.

And you?

p.s. - apologies for the lack of photos. iphone obession kept my camera out of use the majority of the weekend

Embarrassingly Late

I can't believe I'm just getting around to posting this, but Big Man turned 4 in early July! I can't believe how quickly the time has flown by since we first brought him home at 10 weeks of age. He loved us from the beginning - he proved it by puking all over me and the car on our way to the pet store to pick up our essential supplies. 

We've come a long way though and he's our happy, frisky, sensitive, snarky, funny, sweet, loving boy. He'll still tear your hand off if you mess with his treats, but there's no better source for cuddle-bug action in all the world. 

Of course we had a party and yes, we pulled out the hats again. They loved them as much as they always do. Happy Birthday Jackson/Big Man/ Bugger/ Bubba/ Cutie Guy/ J-Man/Goose. You're the best and we adore you. And also? Please stop humping your birthday cake toy - it's weird. XOXO

I'm FOUR years old!!! (and sporting my birthday boy t-shirt)

Party time. Not only did we make them wear hats - but they were PINK. We're clearly evil.

new birthday loot