Fleeting (randomness)

On the train on my evening commute home, I was very preoccupied with 3 separate thoughts: 1) that even though I woke up with the best of intentions this morning, my post-work trip to the gym wasn't happening, followed shortly by 2)pleasant surprise to hear from an old friend who's been completely out of touch for far too long, and finally, 3) struck by an amazing sunset that was streaking the sky with awesome shades of orange and purple as the city whizzed by through the windows.

Fleeting feelings of disappointment, surprise and then delight. All in one train ride. I hurried my walk from the train station hoping to get to my camera so I could capture the sunset, but it had faded by the time I made it home. Fleeting indeed...

Happy that yesterday's snowstorm was followed by that gorgeous sunset today. Hopeful that spring (and then summer) truly are just around the corner. And also? Excited...because a happenstance connection might help me kick this blog thing up a notch, once and for all.

I've said this before here, but sometimes it is simply true...just another (manic) Monday.

Happy Spring from Chicago!

Everything covered in ice and snow...

Little guy ventures onto the roof deck to check out the white stuff
We are so glad that we just uncovered our deck furniture when it was close to 70 last week! (PS trying out my editing chops in iphoto for the first time - liking it!)

Macbook, Meet April

Very exciting news to share on this bleak and chilly Saturday. I am typing this post on my very first Mac. That's right - finally bit the bullet and bought the Macbook. I'm loving it so far - haven't played too much yet, but Internet, I have plans. Big plans. Lots of plans. As a matter of fact, I may never leave the house again.

And also? We remedied our printer situation too. In case you don't know what our "printer situation" was, allow me to tell you. We didn't have one. Now we have a fancy wireless one that is also a scanner and copier. Plus, it is wireless which is just blissful. It also reads the card from my fancy new camera, so I can print photos to my heart's content. 

I'm totally, completely geeking out with my new techie toys. When we walked out of the Apple store, the workers said "Congratulations!" I totally get why.

Taking Each Other Along

I'm remembering that line from the film Stepmom when Susan Serandon tells her impossibly sweet daughter in a gut-wrenching scene that "that is how people live on forever...because other people take them along on their life's journeys." I love that. I think of the people I carry with me and I hope that someday when I'm no longer here, that others will take me along on their own adventures.

I stumbled on this photo while catching up with my neglected feeds and it truly gave me pause. My favorite part? That some fine soul took the time to scrawl this note on paper and because of that simple action, many others stopped and thought about a man they'd never known...or perhaps, in some remote and fleeting way, they did know him after all.

Happy Monday and happy spring - who will you bring along for your journey, who do you tell your stories to?

Things I've Learned from the Flu

I have been sidelined with a pretty nasty flu bug this week. And pretty close on the heels of that awesome sinus infection I had over my birthday not even a full month ago. According to my doc, this current affliction is a bit of a mashup: a fair dose of flu, some sinus congestion mixed in, and a dollop of allergies to up the sucktitude factor to a new high.

I'm on my second full day of working from home and thought I'd share a few insights from my couch side view:

• This is likely no surprise to anyone, but I am terrible at being sick. I hate to sit still, hate feeling couped up, hate feeling pathetic. Not to mention the medicine taking, the nose blowing, the lack of appetite. Ugh, ugh, ugh! Hate all of it.
• I don't really "do" rest very well. I'm a great sleeper, but at night. Not much for naps and not much for daytime "resting." Would rather feel useful and check things off my lists.
• Dogs are the best medicine. They make being couped up a good experience. Almost.
• I am very productive as it relates to work things when I'm home. Maybe it is the lack of constant interruptions? Not sure, but even feeling horrendous, I've plowed through a lot of deliverables. Score!
• Dogs following the pattern of the sun through our windows to various spots in the house throughout the day so they can "sunbathe" is hilarious. And also? Impossibly cute.
• Daytime TV leaves much to be desired.
• They need to make better headache/sinus masks. The current variety isn't the right size and doesn't conform to your head enough to make a maximum impact. Give me a few more spare days working from home with this flu bug, and I just might invent one.
• When I exercise good faith against my better judgement and get a flu shot, I'd like the end result to be that I'm sick far less than year's past. I don't think that is unreasonable.
• We need to install a better phone for our never-used land line. And it needs to have a speaker phone function - this a better "home office" makes.
• I'm getting back to my normal routine Monday - come hell or high water (or high fever and more snot, whichever).

TGIF - even if I'm stuck home with the fluallergysinuscreepingcrudsuckiness.

Cabin Fever

The temps are supposed to reach 70 (or maybe even soar past that mark) today in Chicago. You know how exciting this is...oh, SO exciting. But alas, I am at work. Indoors. With a stunning view of Lake Michigan sure, but oh how I wish...I wish was out THERE. Enjoying the sunshine with my guys. I've got a major case of Cabin Fever...but I wouldn't trade it for anything because Internet, do you know what this means? There is a light at the end of the tunnel...the loathsome tunnel called Winter. And also? Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Cooper frolicking in the park over the weekend - Little Man, I wish we could do this today!
Jack in action - doesn't he look happy?

My little sleeper - doesn't this just scream "five more minutes puh-lease??"

Weekend Fun in the Park

Vitamin D Finally!

This weekend brought our first glimpse of Spring and it couldn't have come at a better time or been more needed by our little family.

The temps hung out in the high forties, evening breaking into the low fifties a time or 2, but more importantly, the sun shone brightly almost the entire weekend. Even as I type this, there is a lovely glow streaming through the window over my shoulder. Ahhhhhh.

The boys got reacquainted with fun outdoor walks, we dusted off the roof deck furniture in anticipation of many balmy evenings and meals outdoors. Jack and Cooper even dined al fresco for Saturday breakfast. :) Even though it was technically a bit too chilly, we took the boys for their first romp in the park in many months - it was so cute to see them running around and of course, I got some great action shots with the fancy new camera.

I worked from home on Friday and it was bliss - actually a very long day and lots of work got done, but in my sweats with Jack on my lap and Coop snoozing on his bed by my feet, which made such a difference after the stress of the last few months. Just lovely. And for the remainder of the weekend, I left the crack berry on the counter and just focused on enjoying some much needed time "unplugged."

We got a jump start on spring cleaning too, ridding several closets of overflow in my ongoing effort to declutter every possible nook and cranny.

It is hard to see the weekend coming to an end, but I can face the week a little better with a good dose of sunshine under my belt. Oh, and happy early St. Patty's Day all! Chicago celebrated on Saturday with its usual enthusiasm, noise and drunkenness. So funny just to people watch - our neighborhood street was full of revelers as early as 8am. Let's just say it was QUITE a different walk to Starbucks that is typical of most Saturday mornings. :)

Enjoy the week ahead - and here's hoping you got a little sun to warm your spirits too!

A little guy on the ride to the park - the blurriness was unintentional, but I love the shot
Their favorite past time - lounging in "sunbeams" in the den

Saturday breakfast al fresco!

We pulled out the deck furniture and did a little sunbathing practice!

I picked up some fresh flowers on Friday to brighten things up a bit - I just love these beautiful hydrangeas!

Whew

Just thought I would check in quickly from the Big Apple. My big work event just concluded a couple of hours ago, and I have to say, it feels really good to have that behind me. I am hoping to be able to catch my breath on all things work related, at least for a little while. Time will tell.

Unfortunately, it is a quick trip and today's weather is most unpleasant, so I really can't get out and enjoy the city at all. I was hoping for a glimpse of my beloved Central Park, but in the wind, cold and rain, I'm just not up for it. Next time for sure.

Just a few more things to wrap up today, a celebratory client dinner tonight, a quick breakfast with Ash tomorrow and then finally, back home to my guys. Can't wait.

Hope your week is off to a great (and dry) start.

A Little Moment for Me

I went for a run late this morning - after a morning downpour and just before the downpour going on right this second - and it was awesome.

No running or working out of any kind really in the last few weeks - I've really let everything slide in deference to work, work, and more work. It was so great to just listen to music, let my mind wonder and just take a break for a little bit, just for me. All by myself. I needed it and didn't even know how much.

And, also? I realized that I need to make it happen more often. Work will always be there - it isn't going anywhere...and no one is going to make me a priority if I don't, right? Anyway, it was a nice reminder.

Know what else that run confirmed for me? That I'm screwed for the Shamrock Shuffle in a couple of weeks. Seriously - sooooo not ready for an 8K. Crap.