My new creative outlet .. charcoal and conte
heaven and hell
Yep, the past two years have been a pandemic blur. Home became more important than ever since we’ve been spending more time there than ever in recent memory. Buying a 1930’s row house has been the best and worst decision of my life to date. Best because I got more space, a dedicated office, dedicated gym and back yard!! Worst because, well … M O L D. That silent killer. I discovered it hiding behind almost every wall inside my “new” house.
I know every homeowner encounters problems with their homes, but do feel I have gotten a pretty extreme amount right out off the starting blocks! Learning about flat roofs, closed cell insulation, mold remediation, gas leaks, tuckpointing, grubs and so much more. One day I will pull together the mold story …
the year age got me
This is the year age caught up with me. I have, for the most part, been pretty healthy and able to do most anything I wanted until this past year. Achy back, essential tremor and two bouts with plantar fasciitis just threw everything off balance - literally. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still up an at’em but finding that I need to refocus on the physical me so I’m not immobile as an old lady. I still want to be traveling and on the run well into my later years. I’ve taken up pilates, yoga and meditation (which I still struggle with) to end the year and plan to keep it going! Here’s to a great 2019!
Sneaky
I decided to have a small bowl of ice cream 🍨 since it’s #nationalicecreamday - I set it down and in came Miss curiosity. I grabbed the camera and let her sneak a couple of licks.
Phoebe age 8
My blonde beauty turns 8 this year and still such a kitten.
punta cana
To celebrate my friend Amanda's 40th birthday a few of her closest friends few to the Dominican for some fun, sun and relaxation. This was my first experience at an all inclusive resort and while I didn't love it, I didn't hate it either. I would do it again - it is nice to just have everything you need all in one place, but I don't think this will replace my other travels.
We arrived to rain - then the sun came out - then it rained again -then we ate - then the sun came out - then we saw a monkey - drank piña coladas - coco locos - floated in the pool - at again - had spa treatments - rented a cabana for the day - ate more - then it rained again. Despite the rain it was beautiful! The Dominicans are happy hospitible people!
Oh Lucy
My beautiful girl is getting old - 12 years old this year. She's still my lap cat. Has to be sitting on or next to me at all times. On a lazy Sunday morning these are the faces I get. How can you resist?
Reed Point
While we loved our time at the cabin, we did venture out to a couple of little towns nearby - the closest Reed Point population 96! The sign says it's 'the sheep drive capital of the world' .. funny thing I only saw one farm that had a few sheep. Wonder if this title still rings true? We grabbed a dink at the Waterhole Saloon and loved every second of it. to only were the people that worked at the Saloon friendly and curious about our girl group, so were some of the patrons. One guy even bought us a round of drinks to help us celebrate our reunion. How damn sweet is that - you'd not find that here in Chicago. Even better, on our way out to explore the tiny town, the owners of the bar thanked our friend who lived in MT for bringing us in. ❤️ Upon walking in you notice there are hundreds of coins stuck in the logs that line the bar - we asked what the deal was and the bartender handed us a hammer and a sharpie and said leave your mark! How fun is that?
Montana
In an effort to visit all 50 of the United States, this year I am knocking off two new states. First up - Montana! I have a friend from college that lives in Big Sky so I set up a little trip with some girlfriends to get some R&R at her family's log cabin just outside of Reed Point - how beautiful is this place? Upon arrival we were greeted by a deer lapping up some water in the pond on her property. Woke up the first morning to a deer outside the bedroom window just munching on some grasses. Were visited by all kinds of birds, bees and bats! Late one evening while we were on the deck just chatting away I spotted an owl perch on top of one of the trees - just checking us out then after a bit flew away. How crazy is that!? Emily says she's seen all sorts of animals there but never an owl! The sound of the wind through the pine trees might be my favorite part - so soothing and beautiful. While I was completely out of my element (city girl deep in the country) I really enjoyed everything!
Montana makes state No. 32 .. got a little way to go yet.
10 on 10 [4.2017]
April showers for sure. We have had solid rain for what feels like forever and finally a tiny break this weekend - couldn't be happier to have a lazy day to be able to head to the lake to walk. I chose to go SOOC on these - no editing - just because.
