Grandma and Baseball Can Go Together

Shoot I am really behind! 3 days ago was my grandma’s Birthday, and before it got too late I wanted to share a few memories and facts about one of the greatest women in my life! After spending lots of time with my grandma these past 25 years, I have a lot of memories but I'll try to pull out some of the faves for you.

Ever since I was little I remember spending holidays like Thanksgiving and the 4th of July with my grandma. I remember sitting in her car on the way to summer camp /pre-school while she would drive through McDonalds. I remember my grandm (along with my pop pop) taking me to ice skating and events like the Nutcracker and Phantom of the Opera. Every special birthday my grandma would take me somewhere special. Once we went to the Melting Pot where I experienced my first fondue tip, there was a hibachi grill and one year we even went to a Polynesian restaurant which was awesome.

My grandma and grandpa took me to some really cool places when I was little too. For example, they took me to a Rodeo in Texas, Zoos, Disney Land, Universal, a drive through safari and even a place where I could see REAL mermaids, seen here:



And how could I forget my first cruise through the caribean?! I also remember going out on the ocean in my grandparents boat and sitting in the front with my grandma. Ohh or what about when my grandma helped me make a mohowk out of all my hair for wackiest hair day? Or better yet, when she helped me to learn the B52s love shack so I could perform it in a lip sync contest?

My grandma was one cool chick! Before I even knew what Nintendo was, my grandma was an official Nintendo member. From the time I could pick up the remote my grandma had me venturing out on Zelda quests. We used to play so much, we would carry our game world into real life. Once in awhile, driving to school/camp we would think bad guys were going to jump out of the bushes. My grandma and I almost beet every Zelda together, between my “jumping” ability and my grandma’s brains, we were a force to be reckoned with. Don’t even get me started on any of the Mario Brother games, especially not Mario Kart (I took a gold medal in Greek Games my freshman year of college in Mario Kart – on the Super Nintendo Machine, my grandma must have had something to do with that)

As cool as all of this was, I still owe some of my love towards baseball to her and of course my grandpa, even though my grandma is a Yankees fan and a Cubs fans (after all the cool things mentioned above, you could forgive her for being a Yankee fan too) I remember watching the Chicago Cubs on WGN almost where ever my grandma lived and I remember watching the Cubs play in away games. I remember going to lots of Rangers games back in the Nolan Ryan days and I remember the Marlins when they used to play at “Joe Robbie Stadium.”

(My grandma loved Ally McBeal. I remember staying with her one summer where the introduced the singing baby. My grandma thought it was so cool, so I learned the dance for her and even preformed it for some of her co-workers. Back in the day the internet was not for everyone and You Tube seemed light years away, however somehow the dancing baby made it to You Tube so in honor of my grandma’s Birthday week I dedicate this entry and this little dance to her - especially since i know she reads this, love you grandma!!!)

Cutest Pets!

Please help! Vote for Minne and Buddy as the cutest pets and give them a chance to win money to donate to their favorite charity. We'd donate the money to one of the hubs favorite charities, A.D.O.P.T. (Animals Deserving of Proper Treatment) which is a local nonkill shelter. You can read more about it here. Or if you're looking to adopt a furry little friend this site is also a great place to start. If you're still on the fence, check out what Ben Stein has to say here, you won't be disapointed.

Not sure who Buddy or Minne are, you can read this previous post or this one too to get a recap.

Love Diet Coke

I don't just love Diet Coke for the taste, but look at all the cool things they do. Check this out .

Be inspired, Happy Monday.

Valentine's Day Weekend

This year Valentine's weekend came and went so fast. The hubs had to work on his truck, so he made another trek to Indiana, leaving me and the doggie all alone in Chicago. It was sad not to spend the entire weekend with him, but don't worry Minne and I made do. There were plenty of Valentine's day cards to go around.

Cards from Aunt Em and Uncle Ryan

With everything Minne likes, she ate them

We started the weekend out by watching the 2010 Winter Olympic Opening Ceremonies with my middle sister. They were awesome. I think we all got a little geography lesson and we really enjoyed the special effects. Especially, the when they made it look like whales were swimming around in the middle of the arena. SO cool.

Saturday was an adventure. After working our, I met with my old badminton coach (go ahead and laugh, yes I played badmitton in high school) to catch up on everything. We talked about friends, family and careers. She is now working with a law firm and she is doing some relestate so it was a great way to kick off house hunt 2010. Yup, the hubs and I may be interested in starting the house hunting process. We don't anticpiate it happening this year but we should probably start looking at some point.

After lunch I was able to get some much needed errands done and then started family time. I was able to go to my HS almamater to watch a HS basketball game and, more importantly, my little sister cheer! I hadn't made it to one basketball game all year and was pleased I was able to make it to one. It was a shame the team got slaughtered, but my sister nailed all her stunts:


Sorry my phone camera did not work well with the lights in the gym

I was then talked into a girls night with my sister and her best friend from forever ago for her friend's Birthday. Let's just say the night looked a little something like this:



The next day, I got up super early to work out and go to work. Luckily work went fast and I was able to get out at a decent time because I had gotten great news, the hubs was back just in time for my cousins dual Birthday celebration! We ended our big "Valentine's Day weekend" with Portillos so neither of us had to cook, oh and the best part? My husband let me wear sweats!

Hump Day

By the middle of the week, I think we all start to get a little Antsy. So this Hump Day, I'm giving my shout out to Rant from last Wednesday.

Remember when I introduced you to Minne's Birthday toy Rant the Ant? Well it didn't take long for Minne to do her own little rant before she completely pulled out the guts.

Last Wednesday while hubs was out of town I was getting ready for work. Normally, Minne is my guard dog. She follows me all around and even asks that I put make-up on her. She really does, it drives hubs nuts. So I was a little surprised while I was getting ready that there was no sign of Minne. I called her a few times and still nothing. At this point I got a little worried, I mean our dog seriously is always attached to hubs and I at the hip.

I come out of the bedroom and make my way to the living room and am immediately stopped in my tracks by this:

Can you find Rant here? Look closer.

Normally when Minne does something bad, she sits there, shaking with her ears back. There was no sign of that this particular morning. Instead, it was as if she was proudly saying, " Look what I did mom." I knew I had to capture a photo to send to the hubs and a week later I am just now getting around to posting the remains of Rant the Ant:



May you all have a better Wednesday than Rant.

Super Bowl in Miami: Been there Done that Part 2

The morning of the big game was kind of soupy. I got dropped off by my aunt at the hotel in Ft Lauderdale where all the players, family, and staff stayed. The only color you could see admist the grey was blue, COLT BLUE.
Colts family and friends gathering for the big bus ride in



I didn’t know this but apparently for events like the Super Bowl, friends and family of players, coaching, and staff get bussed in by a police escort. BUT what’s even better is that even the express ways get shut down just so all the busses can get escorted in. You can see the police block here:


I am guessing that some people plan to be alongside this road block because there were fans alongside the expressways and other roads with signs. Some got out of their cars and waved to us. It was a really cool feeling, even as a Bears fan. How could you not love the Colts energy that was everywhere?!


As we got closer the weather got wetter. The temperature stayed pretty warm at first but as you can see, as we neared Joe Robbie disability was low:


So now I know what you’re thinking. “She’s a Bears fan first and foremost, how is she riding on the Colts bus to a game where the Colts are the enemy?” Secondly (maybe even more importantly, “What is she even wearing?” I guess I have always thought if you like something you shouldn’t be ashamed by it. I like the Colts. I had no shame showing up to the Super Bowl with Colts fans or even wearing a Colts shirt, pre-game any way.

My mentor and me

Yup, I ran into my boss from the Indianapolis Indians, again. What a nice surprise.

But then game time started. All allegiances were out. It was time for a Bears big victory (let’s be honest I’ve come to terms with the fact that I may never see the Cubs get there so I need to take what I can get). Go Bears:


Unfortunately but yet fortunately, the Colts win. I say that in the most honorable way to the Bears. However, since I rhode in with the Colts families and was able to take the buss back with them. This meant, post party at the hotel. Yup, Coach Dungy was the one who passes around the trophy, awesome right?



This Colts Super Bowl, I may not be in Miami but I am still routing for the Colts, lets go for 2 Peyton!

Super Bowl in Miami: Been there Done that Part 1

3 years ago on this day I was attending Super Bowl XLI in Miami where the Colts took out the Bears 29/17. Yup, that’s right, a Colts Super Bowl in Miami, I’ve been there and done that. But before I get there we should back up a few days because a lot happened.

Photo taken at Joe Robbie Stadium (It was called Joe Robbie, look it up)

One of my college professors was an adjunct who also had a great realm of experience in the sports business. After our semester ended I looked at him more as a mentor and a great contact. He taught in his class, it’s not what you know but who you know – boy was he right.

Growing up in Chicago I had a longtime love for the Bears. But after living in Indianapolis and absorbing the Hoosier way for 4 years I also had developed a love for the very lovable Colts. I came to terms with the fact that the chances of the Bears and Colts playing in a game outside of a preseason game was going to be pretty slim. This made it ok to adopt the Colts as my second team, especially since I jumped on board before bandwagon fans. Then one day, I had a feeling - yup Black Eyed Peas style.

4 months out of school at the start of football, Septemberish, I Facebooked my mentor with a note that said I65 Super Bowl, Bears Colts, wanna bet? He obviously couldn’t take any bets but he said if it happens he would work to get me to Miami to see it happen.

Fast forward to November. Both the Bears and the Colts were looking dynamite with records that looked like they’d be going to the playoffs.

Fast forward again to 2 weeks before the Super Bowl. At this point everyone in my life (minus my husband who is a Packers fan and my dog who is a hometown Minneapolis homer) was pumped to see their team go to the Super Bowl. I received a text late that night that said “you’re prediction came true, we have an I65 Super Bowl.” I am not someone who like asking for things but we did have a very informal Facebook agreement.

After 4 of the longest days of my life (most of it spent agonizing whether or not I should ask the question), I caved. I called up my mentor and said what are the chances of me coming to the Super Bowl. He said to hang tight as he may be able to get me 1 ticket.

I didn’t have long to linger on the trip so I went to my boss requested off, bought a plane ticket, arranged for PU & DO, and some family time. I of course wanted to share this experience with my husband and family and friends but sometimes you just have to take risks and do something completely out of your element to experience something cool, case in point – attending the Super Bowl, by yourself.

I spent the first part of my trip visiting with my grandparents who have always served as my second parents. It was sad that it took a big event to plan a trip for me to visit them but I was so greatful for the time I got to spend with them. To this day I talked to my grandma almost every day of the week, my phone bill can attest to that but I'll hit on more on this later.

Me and my "pop pop" or "King Bugga Bugga"

Along with quality time with my grandparents I was able to watch my Goddaughter play soccer coached by my uncle. Living thousands of miles away from family while in college isn't the easiest way to watch your family grow. It was a cool experience to see her all grown up.

My aunt and my cousin/Goddaugher

My grandma and I

I also got some great time spent with my aunt. This was my first visit where I was of legal drinking age and I could attend some local hot spots. She took me out to see what Ft Lauderdale had to offer and we spent most of the time visiting the Hard Rock Seminole:



Us getting ready to go out for the evening

The Hard Rock was awesome. We got to see a lot of local celebrities and I got to ride a bull:

(I should mention that Anna Nicole Smith was at the Hard Rock and was rumored to be riding this very same bull the same weekend, she died the Monday after RIP Anna)

While here, I even ran into this lady who was my first boss as an intern. She oversaw me when we worked for the Indianapolis Indians but we hadn't seen eachother since I graduated - SURPRISE



We cut the night short because the very next day was Feb 4, SUPER BOWL DAY! Part 2 coming tomorrow.

Happy Middle of the Week

Today couldn’t start out any better. About to hit the gym for an early morning yoga class with 2 of my favorite ladies, my mom and lil sis, photographed here:



After that, I’ll be heading to work anxiously waiting for the hubs to get home from his work trip. That is if he wants to come back to this cold snowy weather. He’s been sending me photos from his “work trip” that I talked about here.

Photo One From San Diego

Photo Two From San Diego

Photo Three From San Diego

I can't wait to go to work so that when I get home, Minne and I can spend some time with him.

Local Votes Count

Up bright an early to vote locally.

Image found here

A Good 1st Day

I firmly believe that having a good "first day" of anything in your life sets a tone for the rest of your experience.

Case in point, the last time I started a job, my first day consisted of me getting locked out of my apartment. Here's how it went down. My husband had flown out of town on business the night before and I had only lived in the apartment for 2 days. While getting ready for work I heard our wonder dog Minne crying to go out. It was a warm rainy day so I figured I could run out and run right back in and didn't think about putting on a coat or even shoes, instead opted for the quick slip on slippers. Plus, it was my first day of work, I didn't want to be late.

Well Minne and I run outside, quick pee and we shot right back inside. Wait...back up. I wish it were that easy. We went to run back inside but apparently the door locked behind me. I tried the sliding doors and it was locked too. Shoot. It is now starting to rain and Minne is now whining, she hates water.

I saw a neighbor walking by and in my now soaking wet white t-shirt and slippers, I figured I should introduce myself and beg to use her phone. Luckily, she felt bad for me and handed me her phone. I called the husband but he didn't answer. I called again and still no answer, so I left a message. Next, I called the apartment office. They said they would send someone right over after they verified I was on the lease. 2 minutes later, I get a call back, guess what? The husband hadn't added me to the lease yet so I was stuck outside while the husband was thousands of miles away.

What's a girl to do, other than throw her entire body, including her hip into the door and bust the door down? Yup, that's what I did. At some point there were photos of this door but the below photos is pretty close to what I did.

Photo found here, however this was not our door, just a similair case.

Sure enough, I make it into the house and guess who is calling me? Yup, the hubs. I tell him what happend expecting to get sympathy and even email him photos of the door and the instant bruising on my hip. Instead of sympathy, he was angry, apparently fixing door frames and doors are kind of expensive and aren't covered in the lease. OOPS

After all that I ended up getting to work late on my first day. I think the fact that I am no longer with this employer shows that my experience there wasn't one of my favorites. Lucky for me, today was the first day of my new job and it went smoothly. I had a great work out with my mom at 5:30am followed by a great walk with Minne. Even though the hubs is out of town, there was no getting locked out, there was no rain and no bruising. I hit no traffic during my commute and I already felt comfortable with everyone I work with. Awesome right? I hope today is a reflection of the rest of my time with the UC.

A Case of the Manic Mondays

Last night the hubs and I made it home from our crazy trip to small town Indiana. After working for a few hours the hubs took me to dinner and a movie. It was a great way to end a nutty weekend and an even better way to start the week, for him anyway.

Once we got home from the movie, he "had to pack" for a work trip to San Diego. This meant lots of laundry for me as the hubs mentally prepared for his work trip. Sounds like a work trip huh? Actually, the only thing that seemed like work to me was watching him pack 3 days of clothes in a carry on bag. Apparently, if girls from work can do it, he's certain he can too.

Bag with one day of clothes and work out attire, notice the items that aren't in the suit case yet

Meanwhile, Minne spent her time working really hard to tear apart her Birthday gift, Rant the Ant. Toys that have a 1 year warranty usually take Minne about a half hour to eat through. Once she gets to the insides we have to throw them away before she eats them. This wouldn't be an issue but her small belly gets sick after eating to much stuffing, strings, thread, squeekers, plastic...the list goes on.

She spent about an hour with Rant, before we had to take him away from her.

After a very productive night, I'm off to my first day at my new job and the hubs is on his way to sunny San Diego.