Club Med

We may technically be homeless but we've checked ourselves into an all-inclusive in Glen Ellyn. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are cooked to order. Rooms are spacious, beds are comfortable and the rate can't be beat. Ella's Lolo and Lola are the most patient inn-keepers for these weary travelers.
I must admit, it's pretty weird to be sleeping in Jerry's childhood room. His sleeping chambers were of course off limits when he last lived at this address. While claiming some space in the closet for our belongings we ran across an old wrestling singlet, a Debbie Gibson cd and quite a few pictures documenting Jerry's mullet. This is why I married the man. Can you blame me?

Goodnight Home

We tucked her in for the last time tonight at 832 Home Avenue. Hard to imagine that these walls will soon house another family. This home has seen families through the Great Depression, Sonny and Cher and the Bush era. Since 1913 this house has been home for so many. But tonight, it's ours and I'm convinced our stay has been one of it's happiest chapters.

Preparing for the Move

This weekend has seen it's fair share of boxes, pulled muscles and packing tape. It took two solid days of work for us to really feel like we put in a dent. How did this happen? When did we accumulate so much stuff? I thought I was successfully anti-stuff! But we easily filled a sixteen foot storage pod with our family's necessities. AND WE STUFFED...like Kim Kardashian in leggings! Another pod was quickly ordered and arrived within hours. Jerry certainly put in more man-hours. He must have drawn the short straw, because while I was with Ella and her Aunt Karin in Lincoln Square eating brunch outdoors, Jerry was keeping company with the movers. I hate to overgeneralize, but are all movers required to have a criminal record and dental issues before hired? Seriously, I kept checking in with Jerry throughout the day to make sure he wasn't held captive by Cliff and Jay aka Dahmer and John Wayne. I digress. We now sleep on a mattress in our living room and count-down the days till our move. Bitter-sweet certainly defines our current feelings. Gonna miss this old place tons. We will never be able to capture in pictures everything that we want to remember. New adventures await.

Dad Caved

Jerry finally agreed to a haircut! After months of wearing him down, Ella's face is now visible behind the fringe that was quickly approaching her chin. And it's just in time for her school pictures which will be taken on Friday. Her freshly cut hair was tucked neatly into an envelope which Jerry proudly accepted. Behind that tough exterior is an utter softy. "...but it was the hair she was born with", has been heard on more than one occasion. If it were up to him, our daughter would be the next Crystal Gayle.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Full day of sunshine. That's for sure. Don't remember the last time we saw a rain cloud. Trying to enjoy the last few weekends before the big move. Getting in as much of the city as we can. We fueled up on a lunch of pork, dumplings and sauerkraut with the Karela clan before naps and a late afternoon trip to the beach. Perfection.

It Ain't Swine Flu...

but it's Fifth's Disease. Sounds equally glamorous, doesn't it? Consumption sounds more romantic though. I dragged my tired "a" to the doctor today after a few days of aches, a low grade fever and multiple queries about H1N1. The last straw was waking this morning with a rash. What adult gets a rash? Before smearing myself in diaper cream, (because doesn't that solve everything?), I decided to call an MD. I am now on self-appointed furlough. We'll see how long that lasts. Being sick is so boring.

Destined for Hair Band Greatness

Ella,
Between your father and I, we have your hopes for hair band royalty covered. Check out the kinky waves, lustrous mullet and height. Have you ever seen such magnificent manes?
You can thank us later.
Love,
Parental Units

What Do You See When You Just Stand Still?

Paper or Plastic?

I thought I avoided most of the pitfalls normally encountered by rookie parents at the grocery store. She was well-rested and fed. My grocery list was limited to ten items all organized by department. I had an inkling as we whisked through produce that a storm was a brewin. The dairy aisle is where we stared melt down right in the eye. The low point was a time out by Purina. Oh, the indignities!
*Heartfelt thanks to that woman offering me her unsolicited opinion/parenting advice over the loud screams in aisle four...really...go jump.

Summer in Pictures

Make a Smilebox slideshow

A Proper Farewell To Summer

We sadly bid adieu to summer as Labor Day ushers in the new season. The air is thick with the bitter-sweet smell of BBQ and surrender. The Hobby Lobby indicates that Christmas is right around the corner as I found myself lost among garland and ornaments this afternoon. Jerry and I took an opportunity to inventory our summer last night. We concluded that although hectic, we were able to capture enough summer to last us through the fall. Winter is another story entirely. We hit the beaches in three states, took an official "family vacation" to Colorado, went to a garage sale or two, partook in the bounty of Lolo's garden and ran through enough grass to fully awaken our senses from a winter slumber. Can't think of anything more a summer requires.

Happy Six Year and One Day Anniversary!

Thanksgiving

I am having a thanksgiving moment in September. As Jerry and I continue to flounder in the real estate market, two of our dearest friends have come to our rescue. Tony and Scott have always wowed us as friends; but now they have moved into a whole new stratosphere of "wow". Scott, an architect, can peel back layers of plaster and mortar and envision a completely livable, comfortable space that makes sense. Tony, a contractor and realtor can talk numbers, warn us about pitfalls and work a deal like no other. Are these really the same guys we used to act a fool with in college? We cannot tell them enough how grateful we are for their friendship and guidance. We are also incredibly lucky that they married such beautiful, intelligent, classy, thoughtful, talented and graceful women (did that cover it girls?). Women that are willing to fly solo with the kids for a night (or more, sorry Mandy). When all is said and done, I cannot wait to have them over and raise a toast in their honor. Thanks guys. We love you.

Hi Stranger

Jer,
It's been a while since we've been able to string together five words and complete a sentence let alone a conversation. I know we start, stop and get distracted by the many things that are vying for our attention. I want to know about your job, how you are handling all of this pressure, your thoughts on packing and starting a new chapter. I want to know if you want to go get some gelato on Madison once we have a moment. I know that moment will come soon. In the mean time, remember these guys above?