Weekend Recap

This weekend was fun, frustrating, a mix of all things in a woman's world.

I read James Patterson's Lifeguard in about two days. Loved it. Robert Ludlum is next.

I spent a couple of hours at the gym, which was much needed after my Oreo cookie/bahama mama binge from earlier this week.

Saturday I had Rosie for a couple of hours. I was already at her house when her dad and she came home from an outing. She usually naps in the late afternoon, and was so tired she threw a knock-down dragout over something we never did figure out the moment she and her dad walked in the door. I successfully distracted her and got her engaged in painting so her dad could get ready to go. Later on, she was watching a Barney video, so I laid down on their couch with my book. A few minutes later, Rosie climbs on top of me, lays down with her head on my chest, and fell asleep for about a half hour. That was such a sweet half hour. I love that little girl, and enjoyed those moments.

Sunday I went to early service at my church (I never make it to early service) then went to Starbucks for what's becoming my Sunday paper tradition...clipping coupons, reading the paper, then leaving my coupon leftovers and my paper for another person to enjoy in the paper bin by the comfy chairs.

Then I went to my 'friend's' house and hung out with him outside while his kids played with others in the neighborhood. It was such a perfect day outside. Fall is on its way, it was cooler than its been, and the sky was clear. I had a blast playing with the kids. I brought bubbles over, gave them a balloon and taught them to blow it up then stretch the lip of it while the air comes out, and coordinated bike races for the kids in the neighborhood. Our speed designations included: fast, super fast, and super duper fast. You were deemed super duper fast if you could keep biking over the big crack in the sidewalk without it slowing you down.

I'm not sure why, but I was exhausted when I got home last night. I found myself falling asleep while watching television. I turned it off and was asleep by 11 pm.

Ahhh....a blissful weekend.

It's been awhile...

I realized what a blogging slacker I've been of late! I've been really busy.

We have new students on campus this week, and classes start next week. I've had a gagillion meetings related to the start of school, as well as for some new departments on campus. I'm also working my tail off on an event we have scheduled for Sept. 6.

I also have a new "friend." He's fun, and we giggle like teenagers and have such a good time. I'm excited to hang out with him this weekend. He's h-o-t, and a homeowner. Those of you who are familiar with the housing market in Chicago understand this is a huge feat in the city. Owning a condo or a townhouse is going to put you out $300,000 to $600,000 for a one bedroom, but a house is something else altogether. Most folks rent. (Read: Alison rents.) =) He also is renovating/decorating it, himself, and he has great taste.

I finally finished Dan Brown's Deception Point. Not my favorite Dan Brown book, but it was still good. I read James Patterson's Honeymoon in one day, and am thinking about reading a Robert Ludlum next (author of Bourne Identity books.) We shall see. I'm clearly in the mood for thrillers these days.

Menu Planning

My only menu planning for this week was to not order out lunch every day. I think I need to put a one-day limit. That way I feel like I can still order out or go out to lunch when I want to, but not excessively.

At any rate, I went to Trader Joe's and bought some yummy stuff. I want to recommend the asparagus risotto and the basil pesto chicken and turkey brats. SOOO yummy! So inexpensive!!!!

I also bought a bag of pink lady apples. They are my FAVORITE and they are in season. Hooray!!!!

Pool Party

Her parents are so resourceful. =) Last Sat when I went over to babysit, I saw this in their yard and burst out laughing. It was a smart idea, though, and R loved it! Her mom sent me this picture this week.

To-Do List for the Weekend

I feel I have gotten too lazy during my time off. I often have all these big to-do lists for weekends or evenings, and don't do them. I thought that publicly declaring my list of to-dos might prompt some of you to ask how much I accomplished.

1) Finish sewing bag. (I designed it and cut out the pattern!)
2) Create pattern for top I sketched, cut out fabric and have it half completed by Monday.
3) Spend a couple hours in office to complete: 2 publicity emails, new job description and my consulting piece. Done - one publicity email.
4) Go to first book club meeting!! (Just finished 'A Brave New World' by Alfred Houxley) Done
5) Exercise both Saturday and Sunday. Done
6) Grocery store for the items I need to make recipes for week. DONE
7) Beach time with a book and a dip. See #5 - perhaps I can combine it all in one. =)
8) Meet with the youth pastor at my church to see about joining ministry team.Done

Nashville Star

I love that Melissa Lawson won Nashville Star! She was by far the most musically talented, but I thought she would have a hard time, given that she is not 22 and isn't a size 6. She was in the bottom two the first couple of weeks of competition.

She's gorgeous, she's got a beautiful family, and she's lost over 70lbs in the last five months. My favorite part was when Jon Rich told her he couldn't take his eyes off her because she's so hot. =)

Free Tuesdays

The Contemporary Art Museum has free Tuesday admission during the summer, followed by live jazz on their terrace.

I went this week with my roommate, Chantel. It was interesting.

I totally felt like I was in that scene of 'Along Came Polly' where Ben Stiller and Phillip Seymour Hoffman go to the art exhibit with the bizarre sculptures. The layout of the galleries were similar, as were some of the exhibits.

There were giant balloon art animals, several instances of vaccuums mounted on the wall or inside plexiglass boxes, and an extremely graphic pornographic section of photos that were blown up to huge proportions. Chantel actually yelled an exclamation when we walked into that exhibit gallery. There were also several pieces of sculpture that consisted of blown up pool toys (think the baby rings or plastic blowup animals that kids sit on in the pool) stuck in ladders or tied to string and hanging from the ceiling. My personal favorite was a small, dark room with speakers inside that were shouting voice-altered recordings in such a way that you couldn't understand what they were saying. I almost burst out laughing when we left the room.

Let's just say I'm more of a traditionalist when it comes to art. There were a couple of exhibits I really liked: Leon Golub and Alexander Calder. Calder's sculptures were colorful and something I would have in my house. Golub's art is a political commentary which I found intriguing and important, and his style is impressionistic (my favorite.) Most important, Golub's work evoked an emotional resopnse in me.

My Little Charge

Some new photos that her mom sent. I LOVE her big, huge smile! That's my little R...always happy and smiling.