WALKING FOR HOURS

Today I had a little meeting with the Knoll reps at the Merchandise Mart.  It was just a little meet and greet set up by my very sweet previous employers.  It was nice to meet some new people and to get out and about for awhile.  Since I knew that I was going to be downtown I planned to go to a couple of places that I knew I'd have easy access to. Nordstrom Rack... hello cheap designer clothes!  H&M... because I needed some 80's fashion and Toga undergarments for our quickly approaching trip to New Orleans (the most famous US city for the days and days of Mardi Gras celebration).  I was happy to find that H&M was just adjacent to Rack.  Easy peasy.  The trouble came when I realized I didn't know where I was.  I pretty much knew how to get to these places just by my memory of previous trips but I had no idea how to find one of the big things I was looking for.  A Sprint store.  I'm pretty sure I walked around for a hour, easy (and probably in circles), trying to figure out what direction I was going and what street I needed to be on.

Soon enough I found it (and was able to purchase the power cord that I needed because one of our little monsters bit through my other perfectly fine one) but oh man are my feet tired!  It's one of those times when you just want to fall to the ground kicking and screaming like you are 4 years old again saying to the friendly looking woman in front of you, "CAARRRRRY MEEEEEE!!!!!!" (Remember you are using your best whiny baby voice.)

I didn't end up doing that but I was so close...

And I eventually found my way home but had to stand the whole train ride 'cause it was rush hour.  Don't feel too bad... it's only 4 stops!

XOXO

LET IT SNOW!

Well... let it snow once we get back from St. Louis...

Since our new home is cold and snowy for nearly half of the year I think it's about time that I embrace the beauty of winter.  To begin my new seasonal love affair I've decided that I needed a fun winter activity.  So I went up the the roof and built myself an mini snow man. He is photographed against the beautiful skyline that is Chicago.

As soon as his body was built it dawned on me that I had no accessories for him (next time I will be more prepared!).  But photoshop quickly and easily clothed him and now he's ready for winter...

I'm thinking I'll build a whole family next time... animals and all!

XOXO

DO YOU RECYCLE?

Would you if it were easier?

I image you would...  We've been regular recyclers for a few years now.  In St. Louis, before we were able to be a part of the Earth Circle Recycling program, we'd just drive all of our recyclables down to Target or near the Y and drop it off in one of the large dumpsters.  It was fairly easy... minimal effort on our part.  And there was always room, the areas are well kept and easily accessible.  Then we found out that we were in a zip code that was eligible to be a part of the weekly pick up program.  I was super excited when I found out about that... how much easier would that make it!  And it did... they dropped off a bin and we just put that out front every Thursday for them to come by and empty.

Recently, we got a letter in the mail saying that St. Louis was putting a blue recycling dumpster in the alleys.  WAY TO GO ST. LOUIS!  I was so happy to hear that... and even happier to see that we were one of the first alleys to get one.  And yes, they added a fee to our refuse bill... but who cares!  It's the right thing to do.

We have noticed here in Chicago the city doesn't quite have the recycling thing figured out.  For some they do but for those who don't have a bin in their alley it's quite a pain. First off, it was impossible to find a location near our condo.  And once we did we found that the drop off center was full... beyond full.  With all sorts of recycling waste lying all around the dumpster ready for the wind to blow it away at any moment.  And I've read a lot about how these large drop off centers never get emptied.  

I hope to see Chicago embrace recycling as I've witnessed how the city of St. Louis has made it so much easier for it's citizens! 

XOXO

EXPLORING ON FOOT...

On Sunday we decided to take it easy.  It wasn't until about 1:00 when we left the house. The plan was to get some food in our bellies.  Pizza Metro was the destination, only a little over a mile away from the condo.  It was a nice day and a walk was in order!  While we were exploring a street we hadn't been down... thinking, wow, that house is HUGE... it dawned on me.  This would have never happened in St. Louis.

We just didn't walk to get somewhere.  It was so much easier to drive, maybe more convenient is the right term.  I suppose here it's just easier to walk, parking never seems to be where you need it to be.  And then there is the fact that people in Chicago are actually out and about... it's just what you do.  So I'm enjoying the change of pace, walking to our destinations has been fun.  Mostly we are headed to restaurants but there are other places to go too... there is a 7-11 if we need a Slurpee, a dentist if it's time for a teeth cleaning or even a little neighborhood market if I need to stop to pick up some limes on my way home.

I'll get back to you when it's below zero... I may have changed my mind about walking by then!

Oh, and by the way, the pizza was yummy!  (As were the Suppli and Potato Crocchetta appetizers.)

XOXO

BUCKTOWN

Intersection of Damen, North and Milwaukee. Taken by Matthew Sallee

Chicago Magazine recently put out a call to all amateur photographers who can show those 'undiscovered' pieces of Chicago, what they called 'your Chicago'... you know those places that aren't seen everyday.  The winner has been chosen and is featured in this months issue but the one I loved is this great picture of Mr. D and I's new neighborhood.  Isn't it a great picture!  That flat iron building is my favorite building so far.  This is where the Bucktown and Wiker Park neighborhoods meet.

We are still discovering little places here and there... it's a big city and we have a lot to explore!

XOXO