Los Porchs

Let's be honest, Whole Foods should just be called Whole Paycheck.  And Aldi's conjures images of dented cans and the like.  But Trader Joe's?  Hellllloooooo fabulous! Los Porchs had their first experience this weekend in Madison, home of the hippy-dippy granola crunchy kind of people... it was cool.  We like organic foods and acknowledge that they're good for us.  Heck, I can sometimes even convince Porch to eat veggies!  Back to Trader Joe's... I enjoyed the Madison store and knew that there are three locations in Chicago but had never been and found it hard to believe it could be the same kind of experience.  Overwhelming only in the fact that there were many people in the store tonight, it was a pretty great experience!  Lots of goodies!  But let's not get carried away, some items are still cheaper & better from Dominicks.  Porch has been making lunches (and might want to consider making dinners if his schedule continues as is) so I had to pick up so

We've watched every special on HBO about the making of and the sneak peeks of Game of Thrones.  I'm excited about a new show, but Ryan has taken this to the next level.  He quickly got up off the couch and flipped off the lights in the living room, both perplexing and startling me, and I said "I guess I didn't realize this is a 'lights out' kind of show."  His response? "Yup!" He is as excited as a kid on Christmas; I sure hope HBO doesn't let him down!!! "You realize you've seen most of this episode, right?" I say (still confused by the darkness) "If 15 minutes of an hour long show is most, then yes." "Well it's a quarter." I retort. "Which is.... less than half." [ silence ] "I guess I didn't realize that half is most." "You have a gift for effing w/ me...." while chuckling.

The best part of using Fandango?  I was able to purchase tickets for the movie Ryan really wanted to see and tell him we were going to see something else.  I told him we were going to the 1:20 showing of Limitless but actually, we went to see Hanna.  He didn't notice anything (including the display above the door -- clearly shouting HANNA 1:20) until the movie started and then he turned to me and smiled. He had been had. It was my way of saying thanks because I went to babysit last night during our quality date time.  But a friend was in a bind & her children are super cute, so instead of Los Porchs, I had a movie date with two children under the age of 5 & we watched Despicable Me (which, let's be honest, is both better w/ children and something I probably would have made Porch watch at home anyway).   Like anyone could resist this?!  Capped off our afternoon w/ trips to Target & Dominicks to pick up some essentials for the week and now each have a be

Porch & I slept in and after a fantastic breakfast of omelets and bacon with coffee, we headed to Home Depot in the South Loop with a short list that included a light bulb & a planter for the seeds that had been growing in Ziplock bags on the patio door.  Clarification:  he doesn't like that they're not actually terra cotta but are the same color and are pretending to be the real thing.  I personally don't like the texture of the real thing, but whatever. We got the light bulb.  And two planters, three plants (tomato, orange bell, and banana pepper), a giant bag of soil, and plant food (mostly for Barnabe).  We stopped at Walgreen's on the way home to refill our propane tank so we can be ready for the season.  We typically have to refill the tank once a year, in April.  Last year it was $19.99 for the refill, so that's what I expected today.  We pulled up and I was greeted with a sign that said $24.99.  Ugh.  I went inside and paid & was pleas

So.... it's the weekend again and the fridge is well-stocked (with beer) and I am officially declaring this weekend to be work-free.  For myself, anyway.  Ryan's going to work tomorrow and I will again be without a car and without a project.  Better believe I'm looking at the house and wondering what I can do to keep myself "busy" while he's gone.  The chairs & table from last weekend were fun but now they're done and since I won't have a car, I can't really go to Home Depot to get the planter I want.  Am open to suggestions.

It's true.  I love my mom.  She's my best source of advice & wisdom, even though it took me roughly 20 years to figure that out.  I just wanted to take a quick second and thank her for all that she's done for me and especially for the things she didn't do for me.  =)  I wouldn't be the person I am today without her. Love you mom! We're pretty fabulous, no?

 It's true!  With plans to barbeque chicken tonight, we headed outside and were pleasantly surprised to find that it's about 60 degrees out there!  Say whaaaat?!  I was so excited, I promptly made Porch take Barnaby Jones outside so he too could enjoy this spring-ishly awesome weather.  Actually, come to think of it, the reason Porch went outside was to take Barnaby Jones out... hmm... well, either way, it's gorgeous out there!  Porch is even sportin' flip flops!  We're so excited for Spring!  

I finished the two chairs & the table completely and am now looking out the patio door wondering When are we going to have the Effin' Catalina Wine Mixer 2011?! It needs to be soon & sorry to offend anyone with the name, but we love Stepbrothers more than anyone should and it's tradition.  Can't break tradition. Doesn't this set just beg to be used for the wine mixer?!  No Arbor Mist this year, O'car!  No mas!!!  :)  Start thinking of some spring-ish dates so we can plan something amazing!  Now... what to do with my afternoon time... Hmmmmmm...

I did check the weather before digging in, apparently it's supposed to rain this afternoon/evening, but only a 30% chance.  So, being me, I dove in!  Quite pleased with how things look, even though I only did 2 chairs and half the table so far.  Two coats on each and they are looking fantastic!  It's like getting new furniture but only paying $10 for it!  Elbow grease is practically my middle name.... I can just see my mom's eyes rolling as she reads this post. Anyway, here are some quick before/after pictures I snapped.  More to come (obviously) as I finish things up.  I tucked the other 2 chairs away for another weekend... don't want an entire set in my living room drying if it does actually rain.  =) Only 2 more chairs and half a table to go.  I just may finish before Porch gets back from the office!  Not sure if I should feel proud that it's done or sad that he's still at work.  Either way?  I accomplished more than usual for a Saturday and that's

Since Porch has been working so much lately, it leaves me with time and idle hands (a terrible combination, I know this).  I follow this amazing blog, Young House Love , about a cute little family who is doing amazing things with their home using a very DIY approach.  I think of all the little jobs I'd like to do around the house & realize we don't own it so I don't want to invest a ton of time or money into a project. Cue Saturday morning, coffee in hand, gazing out of the patio doors wondering how warm it is out there... last weekend was brutally cold and windy.  The sun seems to be making an appearance.  I poke my head outside and am ever so pleased to discover that it's not cold.  It's quite nice.  My eyes are drawn to the eyesore that is our table and chairs set.  Oh Ikea, with your wonderful furniture... honestly, it's hit and miss over there but I love it.  We got this set when I was living on Milwaukee Ave and we were getting ready to move into our

I fear the Kia Pet is no more.  As I was on my way to pick up (of all things) chicken for our staff meeting last night, the light turned yellow so I hurried up and went through since I was already in the intersection.  Nice man in the LARGE Dodge van had the same thought and completed his left-hand turn at the same moment.  Needless to say, the Kia is now in shambles awaiting some TLC or at minimum, a decision.  It was a shock, as the air bags did deploy, but I was able to just kinda jump right out of the car and look at the wreckage.  Mind you, I've had bronchitis all week and it was a bit chilly yesterday so I'm standing on the street waiting for Chicago's finest, coughing myself silly.  I was fine... until I called Porch.  Then the tears started, but I quickly pulled myself together with the thought I'm alive.  It's a car.  It can be replaced.  I made it to my staff meeting about 30 minutes late, but they had started and were already engaged in the workshop --