Fresh air

via ... How sweet is this print?!

B and I both had the stomach flu last week. lovelyyyyy. But the crappiness was rewarded with a beautiful Saturday afternoon. Do you feel lonely on solo adventures [movies, etc] ? I kinda love them sometimes. He wanted to work on art projects and a personal to-do list. I went to the beach and got some fresh air. Drove around my old neighborhood in the city... bought a necklace for myself with a gift certificate... went to the beach + had a picnic + talked to an old childhood friend... dropped by the Paper Source - love LOVE that store... grabbed some coffee for the drive home. It was awesome.

Great Minds Discuss Ideas

I have this print in my office.

The new year brought a sense of stability and less anxiety as I transitioned from a consultant to a full-time Project Manager. Hooray! I even traveled to Philadelphia at the end of March for a staff retreat. I'm especially excited as I was offered the opportunity to focus more on sustainability + community development.

***
I read this quote by Carl Jung a couple days ago...

"Loneliness does not come from being alone, but from being unable to communicate the things that seem important."

I think it translates to the loss of someone you dearly love. It also strikes me to the lonely process of being unemployed or in transition. Being unheard. Sending out all those freaking resumesssss and wanting so desperately to be heard and valued.

I'm just so grateful right now.

Bookmarks

B + I are really enjoying this album as of late.

Watched Seasons 1 - 4 (!!) of "Doc Martin" during the flu of February... ugh. LOVE IT. The show takes place in the fictional Cornish town of Portwenn and reminds me so much of the 90s show "Northern Exposure."

We started watching "30 Rock" from the beginning and ahhhhh! - I'm Liz Lemon. I can't wait to read Tina Fey’s new book Bossypants.

It's CSA season already- our first delivery was the first week of April. I'm SO GLAD because menu planning was getting borinngggg. I just love our farmer. It's so fulfilling to support someone that truly enjoys what they do. How many of us can really say that each morning?

This bag seems a little too nice for a shopping bag. I like the simple construction.

How's that for rambling thoughts and links.
.... And Scene.

Back to the future

"I love old photos. I admit being a nosey photographer. As soon as I step into someone else’s house, I start sniffing for them. Most of us are fascinated by their retro look but to me, it’s imagining how people would feel and look like if they were to reenact them today... A few months ago, I decided to actually do this. So, with my camera, I started inviting people to go back to their future."
--Irina Werning, photographer

(via A Cup of Jo)

Possibilities

I went to bed later than I wanted and didn't wake up rested. I hate that feeling. It is bitterly cold today and not the kind of day where you enjoy public transportation. Work is tremendously busy. I like my work. A lot. Feeling needed is a wonderful feeling to be graced with and most of the time I feel blessed (but sometimes I feel overwhelmed).

I got to work a little early this morning and grabbed some hot coffee before delving into emails. I saw him there, all bundled up in his warmest clothes, selling StreetWise and trying to make some meaningful conversation outside the coffee shop. I fished out a dollar before heading back outside. The magazine was two dollars. I immediately fished for another dollar... while he offered to hold my coffee. He.Offered.To.Hold.My.Coffee. I felt like a complete snob. He was amazed that I took the time to get out my wallet in the cold. I told him it was too cold for him to be out here. He excitedly said he was going to be featured in next week's magazine. How great, I said. Then we smiled and went our separate ways.

I thought about that exchange all morning and happened to come upon this quote...

Each day comes to me with both hands full of possibilities, and in its brief course I discern all the verities and realities of my existence; the bliss of growth, the glory of action, the spirit of beauty. ~Helen Keller

The bliss of growth,
The glory of action,
The spirit of beauty.

I think I was supposed to be right there at that moment in time. It was humbling to say the least. I needed that... more than the coffee.

Winter doldrums

Yup, I'm there. The "I-can't-wait-for-winter- to-end" feeling. The deep freeze, after last week's blizzard, has been grand. But luckily there is good music, hot drinks and Netflix. And phone calls with old friends. I'm on a documentary and English drama kick right now. I think Netflix thinks I'm doing grad school research.
**
I enjoyed this music interview today. A whole life in a song?

"Some people write love songs about what happens in the beginning of a relationship," Bergquist says. "We've sort of moved on to what happens during the bulk of that relationship — the work, the investment, the commitment, you know? And some of it doesn't really sound all that sexy."

God, I love them. I own several OTR albums now. His liner notes always read like a beautiful and poignant short story.


(Image taken by Vana. That was such a fun trip!)

The Groundhog Day Blizzard

Abandoned vehicles litter northbound Lake Shore Drive on Wednesday morning. (E. Jason Wambsgans, Chicago Tribune / February 2, 2011)

It's been an interesting week where all conversation has largely been about the BLIZZARD OF 2011. I've never seen so many adults giddy for a snow day. And what a wild storm it was- high winds, snow, thunder & lightning! Chicago got pounded and today we woke up to Arctic cold & a migraine (for me at least. grrr). The snow is soooo bright. Luckily, I have an understanding boss and I'm working from home again today.

B & I participated in the neighborhood block party yesterday aka digging out our vehicles. It was a group project - hooray for nice neighbors!

This car was behind our Jeep. No one ever came out to dig it out & today it is a big block of ice.

If you take the time to clear out a spot, you must be sure to mark "dibs." Typical in the city. And you must abide by the chair rule (or orange cone, inflatable sled, etc) or people will be REALLY annoyed. Rightly so, eh? We haven't left our space yet. B took the train to work.

In keeping with the winter theme, we're going to the Shedd Aquarium on Saturday for a Penguin Encounter (Christmas gift from my folks).

Eating Local

My church has organized a Speaker Series and the first one of 2011 was Farmer Vicki, our CSA farmer. This will be our fourth year as shareholders and the third with Vicki. I'm the CSA organizer for our neighborhood drop-off site and it's a 9 month/3-season volunteer gig. Which let's be honest, easy work compared to her daily chores! And over the last three years, we've become friends. I may live in Chicago but I really enjoy the weekly farm reports.

My college roomie lives on a farm. My brother and his family farm. B's uncle farms. I appreciate knowing where my food comes from. And I love that "my farmer" is featured in this wonderful book.

Charley Harper

I'm a huge fan of the artist Charley Harper. I love his geometric animals.
(above images from here)

I never buy a full-price calendar in December. Sometimes I receive one as a gift but I usually take my chances and head over to the sale table at the Art Institute of Chicago. I found this gem at a different downtown shop today - 50% off. Once/month I get to color a cool Charley Harper image. Work is busy... and I'm excited for the creative breather.

Year Beginning.

Bookends.
A wake this evening.
A baptism on Sunday.
Epiphany pageant tomorrow.
Hellooooo 2011.



In the past I've made some lofty goals in January. This year, I'll try for these four ... with perhaps a few surprises in-between.

1. Take a vacation. One that doesn't stretch for one long weekend. Or sleeping on a friend's air mattress. It's been awhile. And we deserve it.
2. Go to more concerts. We both love music + live in the city. No kids yet. Make it happen.
3. Read more classic literature. I picked up a Charles Dickens novel at the library this week after being captivated by the BBC mini-series, "Bleak House." Oh.So.Good. Watch the trailer here.
4. Live with less. Declutter our apartment. Take inventory. Donate.

Number five was to find more meaningful employment... but I can check that one off the list. My consultant position recently developed into a staff position. Hooray!

Ready. Set. Go.

{mini goals clockboard}