» Grace in Small Things

Grace in Small Things: 74/365

Ree — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 20:12:33 +0000

Late on Saturday mornings, we load up the bikes for a day touring Chicago. Sometimes it’s a leisurely trip – exploring neighborhoods and marveling at the changes a few blocks can make. Sometimes, though, like yesterday, it’s a balls-out ride through the city.

Two and a half hours and 20 miles after we left our courtyard, we were ready to lock up the bikes and call it a day.

Our route

We did get an opportunity to stop here for lunch after wheezing through the special effects smoke the filming of Transformers 3 down on Michigan & Wacker. (No, there were no Shia LaBeouf sightings, but we did see the crew parking lot and catering tables.)

And now on to the list:

Leftover steamed vegetables and rice for lunch.
This link that Mr. Hot sent me.
Dog beaches.
Listening to Shortman playing Johnny Cash on Guitar Hero.
Wrap dresses for work.

—- Amazingly enough, my knees survived the ride. Pippin, though, echoed my thoughts when we got back. —-

I can haz nap nao?

Grace in Small Things: 73/365

Ree — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 19:07:05 +0000

I have a confession. I’m not a good summer blogger. (Pick that jaw up off the floor and don’t let that “duh” come out of your mouth, m’kay?)

By the time I get home from the office on weekdays, it’s after 6 o’clock – and the patio, a vodka/limeade, a good book and Mr. Hot are calling my name. On the weekends, in order to make every attempt at getting some sort of exercise, we’ve been tooling around the city on our bikes.

I think I need to start a new series here – something to get me writing again with some regularity. Scenes from Chicago bike rides? The crazy people I see on my street?

I’m working on it. But, in the meantime:

Spending the 4th at Wrigley Stadium. Unfortunately, the Cubs lost.
Ribs cooking in the slow cooker – I’m drooling on my keyboard here.
Today’s the last day I’ll have to listen to the vuvuzelas on television. Right???
Going to the beach yesterday. It’s only 15 minutes by bike.
Shortman returning safely from Michigan after spending 4 days with his girlfriend’s family.

—- He drove himself there and back. I hyperventilated the whole time he was gone. I’m still not sure if it was because he had the new car or because THERE’S.A.GIRLFRIEND. —-

Wrigley Field, July 4th, 2010. Cubs 3, Reds 14.

Grace in Small Things: 72/365

Ree — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 21:23:34 +0000

Nice neighbors
Gardening in the city
Sleeping with the windows open
Hugs from Shortman
Baby feet

—- The nice neighbors have a 9-month old girl and I get to play ~~gramma~~ beloved aunt. —-

Wage a battle against embitterment and take part in Grace in Small Things. Thanks to Schmutzie, as always.

Grace in Small Things: 71/365

Ree — Sun, 23 May 2010 17:29:13 +0000

Fresh fruit – strawberries, pineapple, bananas and kiwis – from the supermercado down the road.
A box of mangos for $5 from the guy on the corner.
An almost-ready for prime time living room.
Chicago Closet Works. They saved me. And relatively inexpensively, too.
This stupid cold that I’ve had since Wednesday is almost gone.

—- It’s 84 in Chicago right now. All the windows are open and there’s FRESH juice in my future. —-

Grace in Small Things: 70/365

Ree — Sun, 16 May 2010 22:04:23 +0000

Riding bikes around the city with Mr. Hot.
A sunny weekend.
Wheat cakes for breakfast at the local diner.
Cats sleeping in the windowsill.
A parking place in front of the building.

—- And the smell of the corn dogs Shortman is heating up for dinner. —-

Wage a battle against embitterment and take part in Grace in Small Things. Thanks to Schmutzie, as always.

Grace in Small Things: 69/365

Ree — Sun, 09 May 2010 22:28:51 +0000

Clearing a “free from boxes” path in the living room.
Birthday and Mother’s Day flowers competing for space in my kitchen.
Baskin Robbins ice cream cake.
An “I love you, Happy Mother’s Day” from my step-daughter.
The Encyclopedia of Chicago.

—- Happy Mother’s Day to all of you Moms. —-

Grace in Small Things: 68/365

Ree — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 19:34:24 +0000

Shortman finishing his freshman year.
Lilacs blooming in the neighborhood.
Address change cards.
A family for our house – their new home.
The return of the songbirds.

—- Spring is all about new beginnings. —-

Wage a battle against embitterment and take part in Grace in Small Things. Thanks to Schmutzie, as always.

Grace in Small Things: 67/365

Ree — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 19:54:16 +0000

Craigslist: Less STUFF to worry about moving, more CASH for vodka.
My tulips are blooming. I get to see them one last time.
The birds are back at the birdfeeder. And splashing in the birdbath.
Mr. Hot in a White Sox cap.
Poopy the puppy in his new harness.

—- Shortman thinks Mr. Hot is the worst kind of traitor ever. —-

Wage a battle against embitterment and take part in Grace in Small Things. Thanks to Schmutzie, as always.

Grace in Small Things: 66/365

Ree — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 00:25:34 +0000

You guys won’t judge me because I’m a day late here.
Oh mah holy hell, it was beautiful this weekend in Chicago.
Risotto. Leftover from a wonderful lunch.
Finding enough quarters to wash and dry a load of laundry.
Robert Cray at the House of Blues.

—- Seriously, I want my own washer and dryer again. —-

Wage a battle against embitterment and take part in Grace in Small Things. Thanks to Schmutzie, as always.

Grace in Small Things: 65/365

Ree — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 16:15:16 +0000

Look! – up there – I have to blog for at least 300 more Sundays! Snirk.

Chicken noodle soup on a wet, dreary day.
Hearing the dog snore.
Saying, repeatedly, “in 5 more weeks, we’ll be in the new place.”
Mid-70s by the end of the week.
A clean and organized linen closet.

—- Although that closet is only going to get cleaned if I get my ass up there to do it. —-

Wage a battle against embitterment and take part in Grace in Small Things. Thanks to Schmutzie, as always.