How could I forget?

I was reminded yesterday of something blog-worthy that I so rudely forgot to mention. (My apologies, Sarah!) Sarah, our friend from Chicago, so graciously offered us tickets to the Cubs game in two weeks. Just having the tickets offered is cause enough for celebration, especially for any Cubs fans out there. But wait, there's more! Not only is the game on a Friday, but it is against the Cards (for those non-Cubs fans, the Cards are the rivals) AND it is on the practice day of the air and water show. Last Cubs game we were at during air and water show, one of the Thunderbirds buzzed the crowd during the game! So close, in fact, that the first baseman hit the dirt because he didn't know what it was!

Thanks again, Sarah. That is truly blog-worthy!

Is it 'blog-worthy'?

This weekend while in Chicago, I got to talking about my blog with a lot of people. Namely Shark and Jane (you're in the blog again Shark!) who were asking me how I decided what I wanted to write about in my blog. They suddenly had the idea that I only wrote about things that were extra funny, extraordinary, or compelling. Well, I'm sad to report that most of what you're going to read on the blog isn't going to fit in any one category. In fact, to some readers it may be down right boring. Oh well, sometimes life just seems that way.

It was humorous though, to listen to people trying to be the funniest or wisest to be 'blog-worthy'. At one point I was witness to an impromptu dance-off between people that wanted to 'win' their way onto the blog. I really wish I had a video camera - this event was blog-worthy in itself, if anything, for entertainment purposes. (By the way, said people have already been mentioned in the blog. Twice. Don't let it go to your heads.)

In other news, that may or may not be considered blog-worthy, Stein and I had a delicious dinner last night. First we had a steak in the fridge that we wanted to grill. Also, our basil has been going crazy this year (I REALLY need to make pesto soon) and our tomatoes are starting to ripen. So we cooked the following recipes that really don't go together, but tasted good all the same.

-Grilled Korean-Style Steaks with Spicy Cilantro Sauce (the sauce is what makes it):
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_16359,00.html?rsrc=search

-Tomato, Basil and White Bean Salad:
(I can't find a link, but you basically take a 1/2 lb. of tomatoes chopped, a 1/2 cup of shredded basil, 2 cans of cannellini beans, and then saute 3 cloves of garlic in a 1/4 cup of olive oil. Mix it all together with some salt and pepper, let it stand for 30 min. and you have a perfect summer side!)

Let me know if you have anything blog-worthy to submit, including yummy recipes...

Weekend in Chicago

I went to Chicago this weekend (via my sister Mickey's house in Indiana) for Chris' surprise birthday party. I got into Chicago on Friday afternoon, had lunch and hung out with my friend Erik, had dinner with Shark and Jane (Shark, you made it into the blog!) and then went to the party Friday night. Saturday I had breakfast with Chris and Linda and then headed home.

The party was really fun. I love to surprise people just to see the reaction on their face. Chris was surprised, as was Mike who didn't know I was coming in for the party. While I didn't know a lot of the people, it was great to catch up with friends and laugh about nothing in particular.

As always, I ate and imbibed way too much all weekend, and arrived home last night exhausted. Even though we make it back to Chicago often enough to curb our instinct to pig out on all our favorite Chicago foods, I found it hard to resist once again. I had fish and chips at Globe Pub with Erik on Friday for lunch. I had a chicken sandwich for dinner with Shark and Jane at Southport Saloon. This could've been healthy without the mound of cheese and avocadoes on it and the side of fries. And then at breakfast on Saturday, I had my favorite "Sassy Eggs" at Over Easy. (That would be 2 eggs over potatoes and chorizo sausage, topped with cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and hot sauce. So, so good, and enough food to feed a family of four.) By the way, if you're looking for a good place for breakfast in Chicago, I recommend "Tweet" on Sheridan. It's pretty north (near Foster) but very good. And the service is REALLY friendly and fast.

Last night we went to dinner at Doug and Susan's house, who had some people over. It was a beautiful night like so many we've been lucky to have this summer. And we did a few of my favorite things: we had drinks and munchies and then dinner out by the pool. There was a great breeze coming off the lake, which made it a perfect night. We ended it with a fire.

Have a great week everyone!

Triple Birthday!

Today is a triple-birthday day. Chris' sister just had her baby this morning. Welcome to the world, Patrick William! And congrats Caroline and Sirmon!

The other birthdays that I know about today are our niece Mia and my brother Rick. Happy Birthday!

Well, it's out there

Just as Sally said to Harry, "It's out there", my blog is officially out there as of last night when I sent the "announcement" email. It's a little nerve wracking, knowing that this group of people (or the world) are going to be reading your blog. Am I being funny enough? Am I being "bloggy" enough (whatever that means)? Are people going to keep coming back for more? These and other questions that you have when you're putting something out there. My tech teacher also warned us about putting stuff on the internet, how it stays there forever. I'll try to keep that in mind when posting pictures of my latest escapades. Right.

In other news, I am currently working in the reading clinic at school as part of one of my classes. It's going really well. I'm working with a girl who is going into 4th grade next year. It's exciting to me because I will be student teaching in 4th grade. She is eager to learn and read, we just have to work on her fluency of reading. The motivation is definitely there, and that's usually more than half the battle. I'll try to keep you posted on how it goes. Yesterday she was very concerned about the treats that I am going to bring the next time, asking for specific ones like Skittles and Doritos and telling me not to bring back the peanut butter ones I gave her that day. Ah, yes, the honesty of a nine year old...

My Love for Joe's

Well, some may call it an obsession. I call it a love. I love Trader Joe's grocery store. For those of you who don't have a Trader Joe's near you, I'm sorry. You're missing out on a gem of a grocery store. Their shtick is that they eliminate the middle man, so the prices are low. And, most of their products are private-labeled, and so yummy. And preservative and artificial free, and... I was going to jot down what I buy there and how I use those items. Well, I realized that "jot" wouldn't be the correct word to use. I realized that I buy A LOT of different items there. Everything from bread to wasabi mayonaise to peanuts to chicken burgers to name a few.

Tomorrow Can't Come Soon Enough

So I used to travel a lot with my old job. But I was the one traveling, and Stein was the one who stayed home. While I didn't like traveling, I didn't realize just how hard it is on the person who stays home. So Stein has been in Yellowstone the past week helping out his parents who took two of our nephews out there. A lot of other stressful things have happened this week, so that coupled with him gone, made it one VERY long week.

I did manage to get some things done around the house that needed organizing, but for the most part, I realized how long the days have been!

He gets home tomorrow night at 9:30. Talk about a late flight! But I know he has a lot of stories to tell. He has seen some amazing things while he was out there. His parents always have a list of animals that they would like to see when they go and they have covered them all. They have seen bald eagles, bears, wolves, elk, bison, moose, and a coyote. I may be missing one or two...

Anyway, I'll be glad when he gets home tomorrow night!

My First Post

So here I am on the web! I have been reading other people's blogs for so long and thought it was time to have my own. My professor actually gave me the nudge I needed to get this going.

As for me, I'm still a student for the next 4 weeks. Then on to student teaching this fall. I can't believe the end is near. It seems like it was so recent that I even decided to make this career move.

Classes are going well. I have a Reading class that will be hands-on. Kids come into the clinic and we work with them for 2 hours twice a week. I get to meet my student on Monday. I think he/she is going into 4th grade. I'm excited to start!

I'm also taking a technology class which has been good so far. Some stuff has been review, but a lot hasn't. I'm learning a lot of things that I can eventually use in the classroom.

Other than that, things are going well. Summer is my favorite season, so I'm happy. The past few days have been gorgeous. Cooler tempertaures mid 70's and 80's and a nice breeze. Perfect sleeping weather!

I'm going to try to post daily, but I'm not making any promises. Hopefully this will give you an idea of what's going on with me...