three digit goodbye.

I would argue that most goodbyes are hard.   Let's be honest.  The only ones that are okay, are the ones that for one reason or another, alleviate stress, or are the first step in taking you back to a place you've missed more.

Last week Audry and I said a goodbye to the most recent of our loved and fondly reflected upon, 3 digit houses.  If we kept record, 3 digits are all we would need for some of our favorite addresses.  Sure, there was 275, 309, and 240... all numbers that I will look back on lovingly in the 517 area code... The two latter of which, will never make me look at that time on a clock, the same way again. In fact, it's guaranteed that if i find myself in the presence of any former roommate, and that time chimes (3:09, 2:40), an honorary announcement, and acknowledgement will be made.  It's a bond we share. and we love it. 

Well, last weekend, 644 joined those rankings... From here on out, you'll find it in the chapter of "Friends 3 digits we miss".  And so here is her goodbye... a tribute to a classic.

today we say goodbye to the lovely miss 644 Union.  As our great friends leave her, she will be left behind with the good, the bad, and the ugly... as all of us are.  We will all be a little better off to part ways with that d@mn side door,  that freezing living room at night, and the bathroom with no fan and the window that doesn't open (ick).   As all good friends are though, her strengths always surpassed her weaknesses.   We will miss the confidentiality of her walls, and the way that we could defy physics, and (almost) always surpass the weight limit on the pullout couch in her living room.  Let's also not fail to remember one of my favorites, the summer day where we sat on her awesome porch, ate chocolate chip pancakes, and took the time to take in the surroundings.  We will miss all the primping that went on there... whether it was for New Years, dinner, or a trip downtown. But no less will we miss the days of sleeping too late, and laughing out loud, but never too loud.  I will miss the artwork on her walls, and the sounds that lived there.  A little 50, mixed with classic rock and some over the rhine... see, it's hard to imagine how such a mix could be so good! but trust me, it always was :)   We will miss the tv watching that went on there... the discovery channel specials on anything from the rain forests to odd cults (yes, sometimes intriguing)... and the movies watched on that couch (honorable mention to blue crush for the perfectly lazy day it blended so well on a DWYWW - and P.S I love you, which was always intended to be watched there, but never was).  She will not be left in bad company.  With this next move, she joins the likings of 711 Hawthorne and 588 Notre Dame. both classics in themselves. 

So today I leave you with a glimpse into the welcoming arms of a house that was lived in, in an unparalleled way to most of her neighbors on any given Saturday throughout the year. 

xoxo 644.  we'll miss you. 

Sunny with a high of 75

I'll be the first to say that one of the top reasons I love living in Michigan is because of the four seasons... no, not as in Frankie Valli and his boys... although ever since I saw the movie Heart and Souls, I will forever love with the song "Walk Like a Man" :)  It was one of the first movies to ever stir emotion in my heart... I think I was ten, maybe twelve when I first saw it. 

Anyway, back on track... I love the seasons.  I love the gifts that each one brings, and honestly, feel bad for people who don't get to experience all of them in their glory! I still look forward to the first snow every year.  My heart is refreshed with joy when I see the first little flower poke its way through the soil (and am thankful that God continues to be faithful in bringing Spring again!). I love driving with the windows down, and sometimes air on too, because life is too short to not experience something so close to perfect! And I will always look forward to crunchy leaves, and hearing the weatherman prep his viewing area on when colors will be at their peak! See... I really do love them all :) 

Although, today, when I was looking at some old pics on my dads computer, I couldn't help but get excited for Summer to get here...  I'll post the pictures and explain why. 

This picture is one of my favorite summer pictures. For an obvious given, it's one of my favorite people :) But I love so many things about summer in this picture. 

                                                                  

 

* I love that you can tell it's the end 

of the day by the shadows that are being cast... and that it doesn't matter, because it's still beautiful enough to be outside. 

* I love the green... all the shades of beautiful green!

*Short sleeves and rosy cheeks!

* I love that it makes perfect sense to drink coca cola out of  a yellow, plastic goblet. 

* I love how Hannah's hair tells the story of how much playing was done that day. 

* and most of all, I love thinking back to the conversations that were had between Audry and our little Han.  Oh yeah... and the other pictures we took, that I guarantee will be duplicated her senior year of high school (I know... I would )

This is another great summer shot.  It's from our trip out to Krista's family cottage in Canada.  It's perfect because...

*we all were able to clear our busy schedules to spend a few days together.

*it was perfect weather for popsicles or cold beer.

* our (un)scheduled event was to watch God's glorious sunset...He never messes those up.

           

                                                                   

I love this shot.  It's not frame worthy, but it captures family summer parties.  And one more set of reminders on why summer is welcome back with open arms.

*you can sit on the back porch, and be entertained by all the outdoor activity.

*bare feet. 

* Dasha being tired from running her little heart out in the backyard... but still willing to take a stroll with her buddy :)

* First base not quite being tagged, but I think that's okay when the other team is all facing the opposite direction.

*slip n' slide.... need I say more?!?

how great is it that we get to experience it all!?!  I'm sure i'll eventually be back with my Winter, Spring, and Fall highlights too :) but until then... tell me why you're looking forward to welcoming back summer?!?!

come on with the rain.

"into each life some rain must fall"  - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 

It's been raining here for 4 days straight.  On my way to meet a friend for dinner, I saw an entire front yard underwater, an orange sign advising of potential street flooding, and a jogger with proper reflective gear, but no umbrella.  Yes, I understand that an umbrella hinders full workout potential... but as I drove by, I thought, "man, he is SO wet"... and all that on a ten minute drive.   I guess I should back up, and say that last Friday was gorgeous.  Around here, we tend to have a good understanding of what "in like a lion, out like a lamb" really means for March.  Friday was the exception.  Friday was the tease that people will cling to, and remark in a wishful fashion, "I hope this weather sticks around!"  inevitably, it doesn't.  And so, like i said above, the rain came... and hasn't stopped.   Instead, people are answering greetings like "how are you?" with, "oh man, wet!" and saying goodbye with statements like, "stay dry!"

Since the rain, I've missed a block party, used the word "hibernate" to describe my saturday activities, and avoided wearing my new shoes for fear that they would be prematurely ruined by the rain/dirt combination... blah.  My granny called twice yesterday... both times, worried about the potential of the pooling water in her backyard finding it's way into her garage.  Which in turn, lead her train of thought to the basement... and what company should she call to get all that (hypothetical) water out?!?! It's soggy.  There are puddles. And maybe, blow drying your hair this morning was borderline pointless.  People are moving a little faster... scurrying from house to car. car to building. hoping that by running into the rain, you get less wet then the rain falling onto you. After all, rain can't touch what rain can't catch... can it??? 

Everybody's talking about it, and everybody is experiencing it.  But I can't help but think, that everybody (myself included) isn't appreciating it.  

"Snow not enough to help western NV with drought"

"California could suffer Australia-like drought"

"Drought conditions worry farmers"

All are titles of articles that were in today's news. 

Thankfully, I have a dad that's good at reminding me of all the gifts we should be thankful for.  When I made some inessential comment about the weather, he said, "Em, you know there are people in this world that would fall to their knees in thankfulness for this rain? rain is good." And that was it. It wasn't meant to make me feel bad, but rather to put the puddles into perspective.  We are a blessed people. 

So today, when the biller stopped by our office, and responded to "how are things with you?" with a "good, but it could stop raining!" I kept my thoughts to myself, but gained appreciation of my new perspective on the weather.  

Yes, I know... too much rain can be bad too... but you won't find me singing, "rain, rain, go away..."  anytime soon.  Plus, the good 'ol weatherman says that tomorrow will be party cloudy, which also equates to mostly sunny... and until then, i'll just wear my rain boots and follow Gene Kelly's lead :) 

 

peanut butter and pine cones.

 There is always something about this time of year that stirs up an extra bit of nostalgia.  

Last week when Hannah was over, we made hot chocolate, and put up the Christmas tree.  Every once in a while, Aud and I would be putting up an ornament, and go.. "ohhhh remember this one?!?" and then share a memory about it, and tell Hannah why it was special.  Even our mom popped in the room and said, "oh... I love that bunch of grapes at the top of the tree, it always reminds me of my dad" :) 

Well, if you're wondering if that Picture is our Christmas tree... it's not... But... it does carry it's own bit of significance.  You see, spending pretty much your whole life in the same city does heighten the probability that your tri

ps down memory lane will increase. 

 

That's the tree outside the police station in downtown.  Every year around Christmas they have a special tree decorating party.  Growing up, my sister and I would go with our girl scout troop (handmade ornaments in tow) and go for the celebration.  Saturday, Aud and I were running some errands and saw this years decorations.  You see, WAY WAY back in our day, we would spread peanut butter on a pine cone, dip it in bird seed, and it was an ornament.   On our way back from the bank, we decided to stop and admire this years tree trimmings.  The one to the right is the one that caught my eye @ first glance... and rightfully so :)

We walked around for a few minutes and admired, laughed, and tried to figure out the thought process of developing some of the unique gifts on the tree.  See, every ornament on the tree is made of edible items for animals (who probably look forward to it as much as the kids).  Some had already fallen to the ground, but it just added to the character of it all :)  It was heartwarming to see the layout of this masterpiece.  All, and I mean ALL the ornaments were all set yay high... as in not any higher than my eyesight... just high enough for the little ones reach :) it's awesome. 

what are your favorite Christmas memories?!? 

p.s. - please enjoy the pic below of what we have lovingly named, "The Christmas Sloth".  It resides out front the apartment across the way from my friend Andrea.  I'm sure it will not be a forgotten holiday memory for that family...

going organic

no, i haven't given up potassium benzoate ( the ingredient that "protects taste" in diet coke)... but i've begun to see a new twist on the importance of going organic... especially this time of year. 

I'm attempting to make the leap this Christmas. I'm going organic.  I'm working on getting rid of the unnecessary additives. I'm making a point to remind myself of the main, pure, nourishing part of Christmas: Jesus.  

It struck me yesterday in church, and then again earlier this evening when I was watching Charlie Brown Christmas.  It was an issue in 1965 when the t.v. special first aired, and continues to captivate us today.  I'm not sure how many times i'll be able to say this... but I've got the same concerns as Charlie Brown.  Commercialism vs. Christmas creates conflict in me.

Now i'm just as guilty of the next person to get swept away with Christmas... I enjoy santa, his reindeer, cookies, ornaments, stockings, candy canes, and the fake snow that gets sprinkled around our Christmas village... but thanks to pastor Chris and Charlie, I have become refreshingly aware of where I can choose to focus my attention this Christmas. 

I hope that you celebrate with purpose this Christmas season... That you acknowledge the gift of Christ, and that you have friends like Linus to remind us of what Christmas is all about.  

Charlie Brown Christmas

I hate those pants

I had an, "I hate those pants" day... are you familiar? 

It started with waking up @ 8:28 on a Monday morning.  A Monday morning where I was supposed to be at work by 8:30.... supposed to be.  

Now those of you who read this blog most likely know that I don't like mornings.  I wish I did... but when you get down to it... i just don't.  Alarms going off send an adverse reaction through my body.  I purposely set my alarm early so i can take it to the clock and hit snooze as if to show it up (and yes, it does makes me feel a little better). Well those days when the alarm mysteriously "doesn't go off" (i'm often the number one skeptic of that excuse)... sends a whole new series of feelings... panic, confusion, shock, frenzy, anxiety... and often leads to the perfectly, imperfect day. 

no snooze for you... instant jump out of bed... check yourself out... do i wash my face? will it be worth it to save time if i just put my make up on now? what about my hair? does it really need to be brushed?reality check. you deal with people all day... wash you face, brush your hair (and teeth).... BUT FAST!  oh great... patient @ 9... move faster!  grab the first clothes you see... i hope they match.... one leg... then the other... man... I hate these pants. shirt. hair in a pony. i look good enough. man, i still hate these pants... The first good thing of the day is the cup of coffee that meets me at the door... the good thing about the ride to work is that it's always going to take as long as it takes... enough to enjoy the coffee :)  

8:48. amazingly, not that late. I understand, it's relative... and I've even been trying to be more intentional about arriving actually on time instead of a few minutes late... but considering that a mere 21 minutes ago i was still in a deep slumber... I'm impressed... disheveled... but impressed.  I walk down the hallway, apologize to my boss, and get to work... man, I still hate these pants.  These pants fall into the category of "should still be good"... they are a reputable brad name, have yet to show wear, and for all practical purposes... should still be ok... but they're not.  They're a hair too small... and just short enough for me to feel self conscious about. i hate these pants. every time i use the bathroom, I go through a repeated ritual that is as predictable as Sean Casey up to bat... I pull up my pants... high.  I button them just shy of my belly button, place my hands in my pockets and spend the next few seconds wiggling them down as far as the waist will take them. I hate those pants. I then check the cuffs, make sure they are past my shoes... take a deep breath and leave. i hate those pants. That's the story of the day... those darn pants.  Every time i get up, sit down, walk fast, or sit still... it doesn't matter what you do, they just never make you feel, or look right.... they were on my mind until 5:11 when i returned home to put on my favorite pair of jeans...

... and put the pants back in the closet. 

Call me Kobayashi.

okay... so don't really.

maybe I should have titled it, "you could have almost called me kobayashi"... it just wouldn't fit in the title bar... and it's pretty much like trying to claim, "I almost ran marathon"... it doesn't really count if it didn't happen... right?!?

I went to Chicago this last weekend on a slightly spontaneous trip, and in the end, it was well worth it, as almost all spontaneous trips are... mainly b/c of the sandwich eating contest i almost entered.  To preface my story I will tell you my flight was delayed into chicago (yeah, i was big league-in' it) and since it had been nearly 8 hours since my last meal I got a slice of pizza, a diet coke, and a cookie... obviously being intentional about having a sample from each food group...  I was basically on the verge of paranoia that they would board me on the plane and then make me sit on the runway for 3 hours, as a storm that, "covered all of wisconsin" took it's time passing over... and i figured I needed to keep my "on board" time focused on praying that the plane didn't get struck by lightning or that the wind wouldn't flip it @ 15,000 feet, rather than using my thoughts to convince myself that my stomach lining was eating itself.  Coming to find out it was a wise move,  seeing as our plane landed at 8:06 pm :) 

Sara picked me up soon after... fresh from a hit and run.  

not what you expected.  I know.  She was the hit(ee) not hit(er)... and they were both in cars. Don't worry, the best part about the story is that when she saw him flee, she chased him down. yes she did. potentially dangerous? yes.  Did he switch 3 lanes? yes. Did she? yes.  Did he take her down side streets? yes. But is it something any of the Charlie's Angels would do in a heartbeat... absolutely yes. and for that (and the good outcome of the story) I am proud... and yes, she turned that sucker in.  He had it coming. 

So you're probably thinking, "and why should I still be almost calling you kobayashi?"  well, when we finally made it to dinner, I was given a challenge.  We went to a place in Wrigleyville called Lucky's.  They are known for their sandwiches, and the fact that the french fries come on it (don't knock it til you try it)... As I was finishing my sandwich the bartender asked how I liked it, I told him it was great and (in typical emily - joking fashion) told him I was ready for my next one... Only to find out that there is a little competition at this restaurant where if you eat 3 sandwiches in one sitting, you get your name, picture, and a nickname on the wall.  Um, Hello...  the competitive wheels in my head started turning, and the fact that my sister was sitting beside me saying, "em, you could totally do it" and knowing there is yet to be a female represented on the wall was playing a crucial part in me trying to make my brain tell my stomach it could down two more of those bad boys... and momentum kept building... bets started coming down the bar... "i'll give you $20, forth row tickets to a cubs game, i'll buy one of the sandwiches..." 

The dramatic climax to the story turns to a dramatic thud.  

i didn't do it.

I told myself if i didn't have that darn pizza at dtw it would have been in the bag ;)  

I haven't completely given up though... let me know if you want to carpool on my next trip to Chicago... I know this little bar with great sandwiches ;)