Swimming

Like most of the weekends that we have been having around here, this past one was great. It really started Thursday night when we went to Movies in the park.  This is apparently something that a Chicago bank does every Thursday night, at parks around Chicago.  This Thursday it was The Lorax at Hollywood Park, which is the park that is literally, steps away from our house.  Nico was a gem, but didnt want to stay for the whole thing.  This was after Nico's school went to Shedd Aqaurium during the day.  I can totally tell that Nico is an only child- he has no perception of the idea of sharing.  Still.  I will post pictures from Shed later.

Friday night we met one of his school mates at a jump place in Niles.  This proved to be very fun and they proved to be good people.  Apparently, he is part of the old swedish mafia of North Park (it was originally settled by swedes).  They have a boat and have promised to take us out sometime.  Which is awesome, because I was just thinking that I needed to figure out a way to swing having a boat.  But it seems a bit unrealistic when the cost to park a boat in Lake Michigan is probably more than our rent. 

Saturday we headed to the YMCA for Nico's swimming lessons.

He was not too keen on sticking his face in the water, since he did it last week.  Which makes sense, I guess.  But then this happened:

(Sorry that Nico is selling so much crack... those trunks were a bit big).  

Here he is with Ms. Erin swimming.  No big deal.

Saturday afternoon I went up to Michigan to see Uncle Scott and JJ (who just moved to Kalamazoo from Rochester, NY).  We hung out at the house and watched Old School (apparently Rock had never seen it before).  

Sunday, I met Dave and Nico at the soccer field and we played two games (we won one and lost one).  Then we headed home and got to bed early.  Arent you worn out from reading all of that?  This coming week, we are going to try some vintage transportation vehicles museum/festival in Rockford- which Dave found.  The general consensus is that Nico is going to love it.  

Today I had a skin doctor appointment.  For the last year, I have been a bit nervous about skin cancer- mostly because I am terrible at remembering sunscreen.  And when I do wear it, it never seems to keep me from getting burned.  In particular, I was nervous about a couple of spots on my arms and a spot my nose.  Turns out my doctor just froze off some "likely precancerous" spots off my left forearm.  Which is so much better than I thought it might have been.  

Ramping up Festivities

We're  a couple of weeks away from Nico's birthday and we are starting to ramp up the preparations.  For one, there are there:

I ordered the Emergency shirt from CafePress a couple of weeks ago.  And the Chicago Police and Chicago Fire Department Shirts from the Kids Museum at Navy Pier.  Aren't they awesome?  We're also thinking about getting Nico, his first big kid bike (with the training wheels, of course).

Also, we are going to try a play date with a kid from Nico's school.  This kid's mom clued me into this: http://www.olearysfiretours.com/

I know right?  Can you imagine?  Not sure we are going to do this, but OMG, it looks like so much fun!!

Swimming Lessons

So this week has been a bit exciting.  Dave went to Florida last week for work and Nico and I hung out in Chicago.  He's not super excited about going to school yet- I think it's mostly because he doesn't have any really good friends there.  But I am working at it.

On Thursday night, we made homemade ice cream.  We did it with heavy whipping cream, so it was sort of gross... mostly because it was so greasy.  But Nico thought it was fantastic!!

Know what is really great about living 1.2 miles away from his school?  Being able to walk to pick him up from school.  Even cooler, is that the walk home took us through North Park's campus village and Peterson Park.  And we saw this girl.  Just hanging out.  

Saturday, Nico started swimming lessons at the YMCA.  He was a champ.  I was worried that he wouldnt want to do it... since he was a bit reluctant on Saturday morning when we woke up.  But he jumped in the pool and listened to his teacher and everything.  It was great.  After, we headed out to Franklin Park (near O'Hare) and had Sonic for lunch.  Then we scooped up Dad from the airport.   

Sunday, Dave and I had a game at the Foster Turf fields.  And one of Nico's sitters came and hung out with him.  I got to play in goal (I have been playing in the field).  And we won.  Does anyone else wonder how it is that the two games where I wasn't in goal are two games that we lost?  Coincidence?  I think not.  Okay, don't tell any of my teammates I said that.  :)

School choice

With Nico starting his new school, I have been thinking a lot about how we are going to do school in Chicago.  I know, right?  Just what I need, something new to obsess about, right?  Given that we are thinking about having another kid in the next year or so.  And given that not all of Chicago's schools are that great.  And given that we're not opposed to moving up to Evanston, Skokie or any of the other nicer suburbs on the northwest side of the city... it's a lot to think about.

One thing that gives me pause is that CPS doesn't allow for redshirting.  I understand why, intellectually.  It creates an unfair situation where the kids of affluent parents (who can afford another year of preschool) are at a natural advantage because they are older, bigger, smarter, etc.  when they start.  And therefore will be for the rest of their lives.  As an October baby, I believe that I had a distinct advantage over a lot of my peers because I was much older than most of them... because I turned 5 right after the cut off, I had to wait till I was almost 6 to start kindergarten.  Nico's case is even more extreme because he will turn 5 about two weeks before he would start kindergarten.  CPS deals with this by putting a kid into the age-approrpriate grade.  So even if one did redshirt their own kid (but letting them do another year of preschool/junior kindergarten), CPS would fix that by booting that kid to 1st grade when he started (not kindergarten).  Most people I have heard of have never regretted holding their kid back a year, but most have regretted not holding them back.  And this seems to be the case with boys... since they are so immature anyways.  Of course, this is all part of a crazy conversation about parenting, one that I have no interest in conducting here.

While we have a couple of years to think about it and make that decision, I am looking into our options.  We could enter him into the lottery for a magnet schools.  Chicago actually offers STEM, Language and the Humanities magnet schools... although I am not sure that is a great idea... to start fostering a love of the humanities at such an early age.  I mean, I'd like for him to be employable at some point.  The unemployed humanities major that decides to get a PhD in humanities and still cant find a job is sort of an inside joke in Academia.  

The other options are regular school,  private schools, charter schools, and selective enrollment schools (Chicago really is the wild west in terms of education).  The good news is, that two of the best schools in the city are close to us (Edison Regional Gifted and Northside Prep).  The downside is that they are both selective enrollment schools, which means that he would have to test into them.  BTW, I have no idea how one would test into a kindergarten.  I mean, seriously.... what the hell?  However, that said, I am kind of  in love with North Side.  Choice of languages one can learn: mandarin, chinese, japanese, latin, french, and spanish.  And seriously, you can't swing a dead cat at the course offerings without hitting an AP class.  

Of course, this is all assuming that Nico is going to be interested in being all academic.  It's possible that he's not able to do the work.  Or that he won't want to.  I mean, I was burned out of school by my junior year at Ft. Myers.  And if he wants to be a soccer player or a judoka?  I am not trying to have Nico staying up to 3 AM doing school work and trying to be an athlete.  

Then there are the private schools... not unless one of us gets super rich.  Charter schools?  Actually, it's funny you mention charter schools.  But someone at my work is working on a project where he compares the test results for charter schools and traditional schools?  Yeah, charters aren't really that great.  They just tend to look better because the "cream of the crop" of students (the ones with educated/engaged/interested/concern parents).  Coincidentally, those are also the kids who have regular bed times, eat breakfast, and don't live in shitty neighborhoods (all things that can influence academic outcomes).

So it's a lot to think about.  In the mean time, we are going to start "academic enrichment night" at the Bishop-Royse house.  Instead of going to the park and the gym and such, we're going to do academic things after work and school.  Like science experiments, reading, writing, etc.  It will all be fun and games and low-key.  At least till we get a sense of which direction we want to go.  

New School

Things are going well.  Nico has started his new school.  And loves it.  The first day, he was clingy and didn't want to be there- but since, he's been excited to go every day.  It's a Montessori school- so it's good in the sense that he has quite a bit of freedom.  And apparently it's fun.  So that is great.

I'm hoping to go up to Michigan this week.  Apparently South Haven has a blueberry farm... so Nico and I might head up there and then swing by to see Uncle Scott.  Which could be fun.

The house is coming along.  We have it mostly unpacked.  I got the girl cave squared away.  Dave's parents are coming up next month- so next up is getting the rest of the basement good to go.

Having extraordinary adventures

You know, it has to be hard being you guys and not being us.  I am almost at the place where I am like, "look at your life, now look at mine.  sadly, you don't have this life..." but I figure that would make me even more insufferable than I already am.

We are having a blast.  Seriously.  We are loving living in a city of decent size, with decent weather.  I am also loving working at a place where securing the next R01 isn't that big of a priority.  I take days off.  Isn't that crazy?  Last week, Nico and I drove out to Earlville to pick strawberries.  It was a bit of a drive, but worth it in my book.

And since we had so many strawberries, we made strawberry pie this weekend.  I mean, what else would you have done.  I brought one in yesterday and was declared queen of the pies at work.  

Friday had an MRI on Friday (guess what? He has a torn rotator cuff.  It's a good thing he lives with a doctor.  Because I diagnosed that mess a year ago).  This necessitated me staying home with Nico on Friday.  Which started with us going to breakfast at a freaking Swedish restaurant.  In our neighborhood.  It is called Tre Kronor and is our go-to place to go when family and friends are in town.  Look what Nico had:

Doesn't that look heavenly?  After said breakfast, Nico and I went to the library.  The library stresses me out a bit because they don't have many firetruck or police car books.  But we'll find them, I think.  

Saturday night, we headed down to Navy Pier.  We had dinner and walked around.  Nico took us to the Children's Museum store and we picked up a couple of t-shirts for his birthday (Chicago Police and Chicago Fire Department).  Which is very awesome.  Do you see them wearing sweatshirts?  Awesometown!!  I remember this time last year playing a game of soccer in Tallahassee where I had sweat dripping off my eyebrows.  And I was standing in goal.  Seriously.    

Sunday we played soccer.  We joined an 8 v 8 league on a team that already has a goalkeeper.  You know what that means?  Me playing in the field.  Which you know is never good for business.  The bad news is that we ended up losing someone to a red card and then proceeded to lose the game.  The good news is that it wasn't me.  So I have that going for me.  

This week I have Thursday and Friday off... so we're probably going to have some more adventures.  

Wedding in Louisville

We had kind of an interesting weekend.  One of Dave's cousins got married in Louisville this weekend.  Since we haven't found a vet/dog hotel yet, I didn't go, I stayed with the dogs in Chicago when they drove down on Saturday morning.  Apparently Nico was a peach and a half.  For serious.  Here is one of the few good pics from the wedding, where Nico and his cousin Darby are apparently having a blast.  Even though I told Nico NO HAVING ANY FUN without me.  

Me?  Well, I got a workout in, plus I got a massage and saw a movie.  I headed up to Michigan on Sunday to see Uncle Scott.  In all, it was a great weekend.  Not long enough.  Not enough of the house is unpacked.  But I guess it will do. 

Engine 82

This week has been crazy.  I took Monday and Wednesday off of work... Monday to go to the doctor and Wednesday to hang out with Nico.  When I went to the doctor, I tried to have the conversation with him about replacing my left knee.  He doesn't seem to think that is a good idea, since I can still play my sports.  Says I ought to consider doing different sports.  What is weird is that he was completely different with Dave, wants to help Dave get his shoulder squared away, so he can keep doing judo.  This was very strange.

A couple of nights ago Nico and I were pretending to be EMS workers:


Isn't that adorable?

This was also the same night that the Blackhawks lost to the Bruins.  Here are some of Nico's thoughts:


Isn't he funny?

Dave and Nico are headed to a wedding in Louisville this weekend.  I am going to stay at home with the dogs.  I am hoping to be very productive.  But I might go see a movie.  Or two.  :)

Nico in the K'Zoo...

On Wednesday, Dave took Nico to the Children's Museum.  Which is apparently, the best place on earth.  While there are things to learn there, the place is mostly for play.  Including this:

Doesn't that look like fun?  Can't wait for the cousins to visit... think they will love it!!

Yesterday Nico and I drove up to Kalamazoo to see Uncle Scott.  It's an easy, if somewhat boring drive.  Which is saying something, because I figure I have driven every inch of Florida's interstates, plus the turnpike.  Uncle Scott is having surgery today on his arm, which he broke in the car accident last week.  

Nico was a gem, except for a 2 minute meltdown he had when we left because he wanted to cuddle with me.  So, we swung by my grandparents old house on Lorraine Ave (literally a street away Scott's).  I sat in the back seat and cuddled the boy while a bunch of nosy-body neighbors wondered what the hell was going on.   

To me, this is a very "Michigan" house.  I can't even explain why.  

We had to stop three times on the way home so Nico could pee.  Including once in a traffic jam.  We pulled onto the left shoulder.  Nico totally peed outside... with lots of slow traffic driving by.  As we were getting back in the car, a tow truck pulled in front of us.  And then I had to explain what we were doing there.  Apparently, Chicago drivers take disabled vehicles seriously, because a bunch had apparently called to report a disabled vehicle on the shoulder of the westbound Edens.  See what I did there?  I just referred to 94 as the Edens.  In the 2 months I have been here, I have listened to the weather report on WBEZ and have had NO IDEA what was going on.  But apparently it's like this: The Edens=I-94, The Stevenson=I-55, The Kennedy=I-90, The Drive=Lakeshore Drive.  Yeah, I am really figuring things out.  

Trashy?

Not much new going on around here.  Nico and I are going up to Kalamazoo on Thursday to see Uncle Scott.  Should be fun.  It's nice to be able to drive 2 hours and see family.

Dave has been working on setting up work space in the basement.  Which is awesome.  Seriously, when you are in the basement, it's easy to settle into a nice little zone work-wise.  

I found the missing piece to the bed.  But for the life of me, I can't figure out how to put the damn thing together again.  Seriously.  We put it together last night, but it was not right.  I heard loud creaks and bangs from the bed frame this morning and it definitely has an unnatural slant to the middle of the bed.  I think we may just get rid of the damn thing and keep the box springs on the floor.  Is that trashy?

Holy Weekend!

We had a bit of a wild weekend!  Dave's boss Craig was in town, so I took Friday off to hang with Nico and Craig's daughter Lila.  We started off by going to Lincoln Park Zoo.  Which is awesome.  It's free, so it wasnt that annoying when Nico decided 20 minutes after being there that he wanted to go.

After the zoo, we headed back to their hotel, where the kids went swimming in the indoor pool.  We also had Giordano's pizza for lunch.  It was amazing.  It's what deepdish was always meant to be.  Sooo good.

Saturday we had kind of a chill day.  I went to a fitness class in the morning and Dave and Nico went on a drive about.  They went up to Niles and Lincolnwood to check things out.  When they got back, we caught a quick nap and then headed over to the lake for a late picnic.  It was a bit cool, but not too bad.

The grill is one of those portable/disposable things that we got for our emergency preparedness supplies (in case we ever had to stay at a shelter for a week or two due to a hurricane).  Here is Nico the Firefighter putting out the fire.   

Then on Sunday, I gave Nico a hair cut.  Isn't he just precious?

After, we took Lila and Craig to see the Cubs play!!  As an early Father's Day present, Nico got Dave a new Cubs shirt!  The game was awesome.  They won.  And Nico was really good for the whole game.  Seriously.  He lasted all game.  It was great.  I was very proud of him. Lila left her purse in the stadium, so I went back for it, and they all headed back to the hotel, which was down in The Loop, where there was more swimming.  I think it's probably time for swimming lessons for Nico, because little homey is completely unafraid in the water.  

He's been okay, considering all the change.  He still gives Dave a rough time of it for nap time.  But we haven't had any back sliding in terms of potty training or anything.  He says he's going to start sleeping in his firetruck bed when he turns four (yes he still sleeps with us- dont judge).  

Ice Cream

So, one of the best things about the new place is it's proximity to a Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robins.  When I got home from work yesterday, Nico and I sent Dave to do some work at a coffee shop and we did some stuff around the house.  I tried to put the bed together- but failed because we are, apparently, missing a piece (don't ask me how).  Then we had some dinner and walked to get ice cream.  Isn't that awesome!!

I have biked to work two days this week.  It's a nice ride... about 12.5-13 miles round trip.  Overwhelming though, because I see all these places where I want to go... this bar...this restaurant... this book store.  Its hard to keep my bike going.  It's weird because I used to be so gunshy about riding my bike.  I would go out of my way to stay on bike paths.  And often I would end up lost.  I've finally just said, "to hell with it!" and just got out there with the cars.  I fully expect to get tagged some day... but since I am riding on crowded city streets,  I am banking on the offending driver only going about 20-30 mph when they hit me.  And since I am wearing a helmet, I think I will be okay.  I mean, obviously, it would hurt, which is why I am careful- defensive. When I have questions about other drivers being aware of me- I just hop off my bike and wait for them to go by.  No big deal.  

It's cool. 

I also finished my work for the College of Medicine this weekend.  I had been working half time for the grant since I left in April... helping with presentations and posters and such.  Yesterday was the big annual meeting and I helped pull together the figures for it.  It was a bit unceremonious of an end for me.  The person who took over my position seemed grateful for my help, but my old boss seemed a bit ambivalent about my contribution.  Oh well.  Consider that a life lesson learned.  

All for now. 

In Chicago

We've made it safely to Chicago.  We are still unpacking- hence the no updating.  Nico is loving the crap out of the city.  He likes riding the train (no surprise).  I have been working while Dave and Nico are at home.  This has resulted in this thing where they go do fun stuff without me.  Nico and I have a new thing where I tell them not to have fun without me.  Then at the end of the day, Nico reports on all the fun things they did.

Nico seems to like our new house.  I am so relieved to be past that shitty part... past living apart from my boys, past packing up, past unloading the truck.  Now we are slowly putting together our house.  I have a girl cave.  This is a place for all my craft stuff.  I want to make it a craft space+photography studio+home office space.  Dave says the weird little room in the basement isn't big enough.  I say challenge accepted!!

Our kitchen is tiny.  And apparently, I can't say no to kitchen devices.  Seriously, I just can't do it.  The result is that our painfully small kitchen is spilling out into the dining room.  So I took this island and made it a bar cart.  As soon as we get those plates off of there.   

Thursday I came home from work and scooped up Dave and Nico and went to a German place called Leshatt's Inn.  Was one of the best meals we've had in a long time.  Of course, it's not hard when you have a crazy beer selection.  Afterwards, we stopped for ice cream... which was completely off the chain.  Nico loved it of course.

I found out that four of my five favorite musical acts are touring this summer (Springsteen is touring, but it looks like mostly Europe for now:(  Counting Crows+Wallflowers and Goo Goo Dolls+Matchbox 20 will both be in Chicago this year.  I keep trying to convince my sister and mom to please come to Chicago so they can go with me.  To no avail. 

I think I might suffer from some type of mild manic depression, only with out the depression. Because I get on these whiriling, high energy "must do all the things now!" kicks.  The latest one has produced a new blog... that is separate from the Royse show.  It's more about crafty mccrafterson stuff.  

http://thejbrshow.com/

Basically I just want to blog organization+food+crafty+diy+photography+awesome+memes+chicago stuff for moms who ain't got time for that!!  Still trying to figure out a posting schedule.  But I am working on it.  Especially now that I have a girl cave.  

Starting to get Sad

It struck me today, that we are leaving Tallahassee- and it's not all rainbows and butterflies.

I was talking to Nico tonight on the phone and we were talking about how we are going to be moving in a few days.  The conversation turned to Graham, and Nico insisted that Graham is coming with us.  I guess when they have talked about it school that has been the conversation: that Nico and his family are moving to Chicago and Graham is going to come with us.  And I just got really sad for Nico.  I don't question the decision we made.  In the long run, this is going to end up being amazing for him.  He doesn't realize it, but things are going to change for him this weekend.  His two best friends (Graham and Ovid) are still going to be in Tallahassee and he will be in Chicago.  We are going to try to see them one final time this week, but it's difficult, because none of them will realize that it's probably the last time (at least for a while) that they will see each other.  

This spring, I read "Nurture Shock" by Po Bronson.  It's basically about what the latest science says about children and how they develop.  One of the most intriguing chapters of the book was about the psycho-social development of kids and the degree to which they learn sharing, compassion, and empathy from the relationships that they have with siblings.  Turns out that the better predictor of their abilities to express compassion, empathy, and to share come from the relationships that they have with their friends.  Since Graham has a little sister, he's always had to share.  And he is awesome with her.  He is very matter of fact about her abilities and the fact that she is little.  But he doesn't ever seem to view her presence as a drag (bringing down the fun that Nico and he were going to have).  His way and what he wants aren't the only thing that matter.  So when he interacts with Nico, they have a really fun way of playing, where they go from activity to activity to activity, both playing together.  Bossing each other and pushing back against the bossing, but never abandoning each other.  Never getting pissed at each other and deciding to do something different.  Which I think is awesome.  I hope that someday, when Nico is an older brother, he is half the brother Graham is to his little sis.  

In any case, we'll try to do google hangout and facetime and all of that.  I am in the process of assembling a mail kit for Nico, so that he can send letters and post cards to Graham and Ovid.  I'm also going to have a photobook printed of his friends and the house on Atapha and the hospital and the house on Apakin.  And the parks.  I hope it will help.

Swimming and May Day!

So, Nico had a pretty terrific weekend.  It started with a going away party at Joe and Kari Follick's house on Saturday.  And guess what?  There was swimming!!

He has suggested that it is time for him to start learning how to swim.  Which I am completely okay with.  I think we might need to look into swimming lessons up here.  He seems like he's old enough now where he can go and listen to the teacher and I can lounge nearby in the sun.  Just as it should be.  

His school also did their May Day celebration.  

In this event, there was singing and a party.  When someone (whose name rhymes with Rave) finally uploads the video, I will post a link to some of the performances.  Apparently, Nico knows that after doing a performance and people clap, you should bow.  He was the only kid who bowed.  Which is awesome.  

There were also horse rides, which is fantastic.  Nico has been on a horse more in the last three years than I have been in the last 20.  And I lived on a horse ranch.  Go figure.  

I fly home tomorrow to scoop up my boys and bring them to Chicago.  Don't know what next week will look like, so I probably won't post much.  Once we get to Chicago, there will be all the unpacking.  Can I share with you how much I am looking forward to having all my kitchen stuff?  Mixing bowls?  Pans?  A microwave??   Thank god.  If I have to eat another shitty spinach smoothie for breakfast, I was going to have a fit.  Surprisingly, sugar-free andes mints added to the blender, a delicious breakfast smoothie don't make. 

Singy McSingerson

Nico's school is having a big May Day celebration this year.  We've noticed that Nico has been singing songs that we haven't taught him.  He's kinda shy about it, so Dave had to record this surreptitiously:



I think they might be doing this song too at May Day, because Nico knows the words:


Also during bath time, Dave has been teaching Nico all the words to yellow submarine.  Which is awesome

Plants and the Cubs!

Last night, when I got home, I got the chance to put my herbs into plants and hang them.  Plus, I started some tomatoes.  Don't they look cute?

Also, Dave's boss is coming to town in June, and we want to take him and his daughter to a Cubs game.  So I bought tickets.  It's going to be fun!! Of course, I am a bit spoiled.  The first game I ever went to at Wrigley, we were in the 12th row of box seats.  So, I am a bit spoiled.  

Weekend with my boys!

I flew home on Friday, for Mother's Day weekend.  I had a bit of a debacle leaving Chicago though.  Apparently, there was going to be some bad weather, so Delta delayed my flight out of O'Hare, but I would have missed my connection in Atlanta.  And not get into Atlanta until 1145 pm.  And Mama don't play that.  So, after consulting with some coworkers, they suggested, I get in a cab and then get on the phone with Delta when I couldn't get the Delta website to work for rebooking my departure.  I did and was able to get Delta to reroute me through Midway, leaving an hour earlier.  This put me into Tallahassee at 830 pm to see my squish and Dave!

Saturday, Nico and I started with a trip to the park with Ovid.  There is a new spinner thing that they just did not get tired of.  It was pretty much amazing.  

Saturday night, we stayed in and tried to watch Finding Nemo.  Nico was still not entirely interested in watching a movie all the way through (even though I thought he'd be all over Finding Nemo).  Oh well.  

Sunday morning, Dave and Nico took me to a special Mother's Day brunch at the Hotel Duval, which is kind of a swanky place in downtown Tallahassee.  The brunch was very nice.  We had to get dressed up. I am not sure, but I think Nico might be modeling here.  

The brunch was delicious... there were mimosas, floats, quiches, etc.  It was awesome.  The brunch was held at the Level 8 lounge (which is the bar/lounge of the Hotel Duval).  It has a fantastic view of the skyline of Tallahassee.  

Sunday afternoon, we scooped up Graham (Nico's best friend) and Graham's sister Lydia, to take them to the soccer field.  I wanted Dave to be able to play soccer, so I kept the kids.  Nico and Graham had a grand time... they played nicely for two hours, with the occasion break for snacks.  Including watermelon.

  

Then, this morning, we took off for the airport.  Nico and Dave dropped me and I flew back to O'hare and headed to the office.  In all, it was a great weekend.  Nico's been a peach- but I am definitely looking forward to getting the boys up here.  

Walking with History

I am becoming a massive fan of Yelp.  I love being able to open the app on my phone and search nearby for "Cheap Dinner" or "Burgers" or "Brunch".  On Wednesday night, I had a massive headache (which I think was brought on by either hunger or dehydration) so I went looking for a place to eat something quick before the event I went to.  

I ended up at a place around the corner called "Lincoln Station".  Had dinner, it was okay.  But then today, when I went to review it on Yelp, I found out that it is across the street from The Biograph Theatre, which is where John Dillinger was killed by the FBI.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biograph_Theater

That is crazy. 

And that is what I love about Chicago and all old cities.  That you can walk though the streets and literally be walking where history has walked.  LOVE IT.  

In other news, I am headed home today... I say "home" because home is wherever Dave and Nico are.  I cant wait to get them up here. 

Green Thumbs Unite!!

Not much going on here.  Last night I went to an event that was hosted by the DePaul Social Science Research Center.  One of the organizations that we work with was having a launch party, and my boss was supposed to speak.  So, I went.  It was ok.  I am looking forward to doing cool stuff like that.  Last month, DePaul hosted Sister Prejean and Tim Robbins (Sister Prejean was the sister the story of Dead Man Walking was based on).  Why Tim Robbins, I dont know, except that he might be a Death Penalty Advocate.  Other things that are awesome about Chicago: The Counting Crows and the Wallflowers are playing Chicago.  Together.  (Counting Crows being one of my favorite bands).  And other such cool things. I am pretty sure Springsteen plays Chicago whenever he's one tour.  And Jimmy Buffet.  So that will definitely be cool... getting at least have the opportunity to see great acts.

This week, I went to Home Depot to get the garden started.  There are three not so great things about our house:
1.  The kitchen. Its small.  And not impressive.  But all electrical outlets work.  And I havent blown a fuse yet... so that's cool.
2.  In the summer, there are rats in the alley (we have an alley that runs behind our house- where the garbage cans are).  WHAT. THE. ACTUAL.F? Seriously?  Supposedly, its because we live so close to a park (I dont know what that correlation is).  I was talking to a neighbor when she told me about it.  My thought is that there are clearly not enough predatory snakes in our neighborhood.  Cuz you know, Florida snakes don't get down like that.  I am considering what it would take to have an outdoor cat... could we get an outdoor cat to handle that?  Build her a little house or something?
3.  The yard is tiny.  And gets a lot of shade.

So, in terms of the yard situation, I think I might try to funnel most of the gardening efforts into container gardening- which is great, since we have so many containers.  So, I headed to Home Depot, where I spent the better part of an hour wandering around the garden section.  Guess what else they have in Chicago?  Seasons.  Like, where you can grow things besides cotton, peppers, and tomatoes.

Look what I found:

Based on what was on sale at Home Depot, this is very popular: large bowls of color annuals.  I guess, since so many people have decks, terraces, and balconies instead of yards.  I really wanted it- but I could not justify the $90 for it.

So I settled on some containers for herbs that can hang on the steps going out to the back porch.  And some peat pots for mai seeds.  When Nico gets up here, we are going to have to hit the ground running getting some seeds going.