Summer of '25

 Labor Day marks the end of the summer. It wasn't the busiest summer I've had, but good nonetheless. I spent some time in the "shop" with Kristin, spent time reconnecting with old friends, hung out with the Framily, and read a couple of books. I use to be a lot harder on myself when I wasn't filling every second of every day. Now, what I get done is good enough.

My summer recap:

Attended my first Chicago block party (reminded me of when Kristin and I were young in Springfield).

Egg down (I don't remember the egg toss at our block party).

I looked forward to the creatures my cleaning crew would make from my washcloths.

I celebrated another year around the sun.

We celebrated my birthday at a Yacht Rock concert (this was more for Nella, but I had the best time).

And we all had a "first": An Aperol Spritz jello shot.

I can't forget the cotton candy surprise from my colleagues.

Or popcorn from Garrett's.

The summer sunsets were beautiful.

I helped Kristin unpack the shop, design some trees, and decorate the dreaded porch pots. 

Of course there was a new shirt - and accessories.

I visited Rachel at the lake and picked up fresh veggies at the local farm stand.

I saw Chicago from new heights.

I got to spend quality time with my nephew, Finn. 

I was a panelist at the Legal Marketing Association event.

I enjoyed the Fall drinks from Starbucks (before Fall).

Kristin and I expanded our straw topper collection.

I tried a new drink (cotton candy, my favorite).

And supported by favorite summer team.

Heavenly Birthday

 Today is Cosmo's heavenly birthday (18). I miss him every single day, but I know he is living his best (after) life.

Red in the morning...

...sailors take warning. Is that really true? 

From my 1 of 1 experience, no. 

I took this photo Saturday at 5:15 a.m. The image is not retouched (pretty good for 22 floors up and looking out the window). 

Most of the day was cloudy, but it cleared up and was sunny before the sun set.

Beautiful.

First lake visit of the season

Linda and I had the chance to visit Rachel at the lake earlier this month. We wanted to see Rachel's parents - Barb and Stu - while they were in town (although they will be back this way later this summer). 

We took the scenic route - unplanned - to Wisconsin. But that's OK. We enjoyed our visit with the parents, the cats (and even the lake cats Rachel is taking care of), and the birds, even though it was cooler than expected. 

Little did we know that Rachel has become a "bird nerd." She has the binoculars and the book to show for it (on, and the "Framily" hummingbird). 

Until next time.

A first for Chicago

The National Weather Service issued the first dust storm warning for Chicago earlier this month. Now, before I get to that, I have to say that on the day I saw a post on social media from NWS that there would likely be a dust storm for portions of Illinois just south of Chicago. Within minutes of seeing that, my watch alerted me (much like an Amber Alert) that a dust storm had been issued for Chicago. Still thinking they got it wrong, I texted my Dad and my sister to let them know of the "weird" warning, to which my sister (yes, who knows all) said that warnings were relatively new an were implemented after an accident in Illinois a few years earlier that left a number of people dead (the culprit, a dust storm). 

So, I looked outside and saw this:

That "white cloud" looked more like a storm cloud to me. But soon, I realized it was not. These are some photos (in chronological order) of the "dust". 

The storm lasted a few hours (2 rounds, I counted). 

Who says our planet isn't experiencing an environmental crisis?

Honoring the PEEPs

I love PEEPs. I know it may not be a popular choice, but I have loved getting PEEPs in my Easter basket since I was a young girl. As I became an adult, PEEPs evolved into a pop culture icon. Soon, additional flavors were released (Cotton Candy is obviously my favorite) and PEEPs merchandise could be found. In fact, Cosmo's Auntie Rachel gifed him a number of PEEPs stuffy's over the years and he would always sleep with a PEEP right until the end. 

This year, PEEPs stepped up their merchandise game. And, my sister had a fun time finding items she'd thought I'd love. And with that, I created several videos of my PEEPs haul.

I truly thank Kristin for taking the time to find all these cool items. I have shared a few with friends and their children. I've also been able to do a taste test of the cotton candy "flight" that she snuck into my basket. 

The girls and I had an impromptu Easter dinner, which was great to be able to spend time with my Framily. My parents enjoyed a quiet celebration at home and Kristin spent time on a few flights - bumpy ones at that - making her way back from a trip to Japan.

And, I did get a chance to put on one of my new pairs of PEEPs ears for my traditional "holiday headgear" photo (and with the PEEPs tree)!

Green River 2025

 Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Or in Chicago, I'd call it the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day. The day the river is dyed green and the city is flooded with hundreds of thousands of partiers. 

This year, I watched from the safety of my balcony.

I did go out and brace the crowds to see the color in full effect.

And I will be counting the days until there is no more green. Today is day three and it is still green!

Now today will be a less eventful as the City has pretty much gotten the party out of their system. 

But you can bet I'll still be making a statement today #potofgold.