• Confessions,  Family Fun

    Netflix #StreamTeam Does Halloween!

    I am a member of the Netflix #StreamTeam and will be happily sharing monthly tips and stories about how my family uses Netflix on a regular basis. (Okay, that’s an understatement. I should say CONSTANTLY. We use Netflix CONSTANTLY.) This post is sponsored by Netflix, of course! Halloween is finally here, after what seems like months of build-up. I personally love checking out my Facebook news feed to see what all the little kids are wearing these days, for class parties and trick-or-treating. Although I’m well known for my failure to decorate my house for the holidays, Halloween was always a fun time around here with D and J. They…

  • Blessings,  Friends

    Eight.

    Today is my eighth blogoversary and while I don’t have the time to write what I consider a “proper post”, I really didn’t want to get to midnight without saying something here. I mean, eight years is pretty good! Thanks to the Facebook “On This Day” app, I was reminded of the post I wrote two years ago. (Wait, apparently I didn’t feel the need to write something last year for Year Seven? Okay, that’s weird.) ANYWAY, two years ago I made a really cool list of the experiences I’ve been afforded as a result of blogging. The year before, I wrote about some of the knowledge I’ve gained since…

  • Favorite Things,  I've Got Mad Skillz,  Jim Has Mad Skillz,  Pretty Pictures,  Travels

    Epic Road Trip: Check!

    I just drove in from New Jersey and boy, are my arms tired! Ba dum bump! Wait, that’s wrong. That’s an airplane joke. My arms aren’t tired at all because I didn’t fly to New Jersey. Also, I’m not a bird. Maybe I’m breaking that down a little more than necessary. Maybe you’re clicking awaaaay….WAIT! Over the past few years, my fondness for road trips has grown immensely. There’s something about being totally in control of where I’m going, when and why I’m stopping, and all kinds of other things. When I was planning my third annual fall visit to see my sistuh-from-anuthuh-muthuh and the rest of her (our!) family,…

  • Fun in Chicago,  Something That Could Change Your Life

    Go Float! (Part 2)

    Disclosure: I am writing this post in exchange for flotation therapy at Anicca Float Club. As usual, all opinions are mine. It was just a few weeks ago that I went to Anicca Float Club for my first “float”, a sensory deprivation experience that takes place in a tank containing salt-filled water, ten inches deep. I loved it. Since then I’ve floated twice more, and I still love it. The post about my first experience includes a lot of the nuts and bolts about the experience. This time I wanted to write a little bit about how each float was different, or the same, and how I’ve progressed. My first…

  • Fun in Chicago,  Roxie

    Dogs and Baseball Go Together

    It seems like I’ve officially become one of “those” pet owners. You know, the ones who dress their dogs in clothing? Well, I have. And I haven’t. I mean, TECHNICALLY I just bought a shirt for my dog. This is the same dog who has a winter coat but to be honest, I’ve only put it on her less than ten times in four years. It’s not even like that counts as clothing. So this shirt. It’s not what you think. Earlier this week, Roxie had surgery to remove some lumps, common in older beagles. She’s fine, thank goodness. Her incisions are on her back and shoulder, two places that…

  • Pretty Pictures,  Travels

    How To Do Memphis In Three Days (If You’re Me)

    Well Memphis, it’s been fun. I think it’s safe to say that I used up every available moment enjoying what this city has to offer, except for the two hours yesterday afternoon when my back and the blister on my foot indicated that laying on my hotel room bed watching “Friends” would be a better option than sightseeing. Memphis is incredible. It might be my new favorite town in Tennessee, and I lived in Knoxville for five years! (Shhh, sorry Knoxville.) There is no shortage of things to do (or places to eat), and if I had a few more days (and more travel money!) I could have easily filled…

  • Favorite Things,  Food,  Travels

    Walking In Memphis

    I’m in Memphis for a few days while D is attending a design conference. While I did my normal level of research on activities and places to eat ahead of time, I didn’t plan everything out by the hour like I typically do. I dumped everything into a list on my Wunderlist app and have been flying by the seat of my pants, truly. My favorite part of this trip, as usual, is the time I’m spending just walking around and taking photos. I’ve spent a lot of quality time on Beale Street. The neon signs are ridiculously fun. Love and happiness basically sums it up around here. I made…