So we've used our cute little cart to get groceries, but I tell you what, no matter how you slice it, grocery shopping is a lot of work! I think we've been to the grocery store almost every day since we've been here. I think it will be better when we finally get all the staple items stocked in our fridge & pantry. We donated what we could in OKC & threw away the rest so we're starting from square one. Even still, you have to really think about what you're doing b/c whatever you buy, you've got to figure out how to carry it home. Our strategy so far is to never get a buggy, we always get a basket b/c once the basket is full, you pretty much know, that's all you'll be able to carry home!
I'm also working on getting a few re-usable totes b/c the plastic bags are really mounting up & we've only been here a week! I try to be good about recycling or finding ways to re-use the plastic bags but I have a million already.
We've also learned that they have a delivery service but we haven't priced it yet. One guy in our building told us about peapod.com & supposedly, you give them your list, the day you want it & for $20 they'll bring it right to your door! Interesting! Might be worth it every once in a while! :)
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Rollers Trip to Chi-town!
So a few months ago, our good friends James & Joanna Roller booked their trip to spend the 4th of July in Chicago with us! We had been talking about it for months and I can't believe they've already come & gone...I can't wait for them to come back! Jo & I did some serious shopping and we all had a GREAT time! Despite not having furniture for the first half of their visit! They sure are troopers though & we're forever grateful for their help unpacking & keeping us sane!
You may remember my earlier post about the "Moving Fiasco"...well it didn't get much better, but I suppose all is well that ends well, right?! Matt & I are still married (it was touch & go there for a moment! haha!) and most of our things made it through the move without a scratch. Notice, I said most things! RIP: lamp, salad bowl, monogrammed plaque, salad spinner, chair...We left for Chicago last Monday since our contact with the moving company said they "might" deliver our things on Wednesday. Wednesday came & went and then Friday became the next day thrown around in the conversation with the liars...oops... I mean movers! No, I think I still mean liars. So...I came to the harsh reality that we needed to get extra towels/pillows/bedding for our guests b/c we were using the airbed that we'd bought for them! My dear friend, Lauren, comes to the rescue! She lives about 30 mins away & had a spare airbed, towels, sheets, everything we needed to get by until our things arrived! Lauren, you were a LIFEsaver! Thank you so much! (PS: I need you to teach me how you fold fitted sheets, b/c you apparently know some secret I don't!)
So...we picked up James & Jo from the airport Friday morning. By that I mean, we rode the train out to meet them! :) We walked around & shopped most of the day on Friday. We finally heard from the movers Friday afternoon and good news! They were coming Saturday but wait! All the earlier move in times for the elevator were already we had to pay extra for them to deliver at 7pm on a Saturday since that's "after hours". Grrr, so we paid them b/c well, you really have no choice. They have your stuff!
Once that was done, we continued our wonderful weekend with the Rollers! We took them to Giordano's to experience Chicago style pizza, shopping on State St & Michigan Ave (I must find employment ASAP!), the beach, Navy Pier, the Bean and Gibson's steakhouse! Whew! And we still didn't get to do everything we planned on doing but it was a great start and that just means they'll have to come back to cross everything else off the list! :)
Willis (aka Sears) Tower. I haven't figured out how to turn the picture! Sorry!
Best shopping buddy ever!
Waiting for our pizza outside Giordano's! You order your pizza before you get seated b/c it takes THAT long to cook it! Worth it.
The boys enjoying their cigars out on the sundeck.
At the beach! We scoped it out and decided to go back the next day! Lake Michigan is beautiful!
We learned how to make our own lounge chairs out of sand! How did I never think of this before?!?
OK, Lake Michigan is beautiful but C.O.L.D! We saw all these people swimming around like the water was great, well its NOT! It took us about 20 minutes to inch in up to our waists. It really does get better & you get used to it, but, WOW, it was chilly!
Out at Navy Pier, I just love the skyline view from the end of the pier!
The boys standing over the grates looking "buff"! I show you this picture to say to the ladies, be careful where you walk in Chicago, ESPECIALLY if you're wearing a dress! I experienced my latest "Most Embarrassing Moment" after dinner the other night. We're walking back from Gibson's just chatting having a grand time when all of a sudden, my dress is up around my waist!!! I scream & everyone across the street turns to see what's going on! I had just flashed poor James who was walking behind me. Little did he know he was going to get quite the show! All I could do was laugh b/c really, it was pretty hysterical! I did NOT look as graceful as Marilyn Monroe, I can guarantee that!
The infamous "bean"! This thing is really cool when you see it!
Laying on a blanket waiting for the fireworks!
James & Jo, we had the BEST time with y'all! I can honestly say we're like family, if we weren't before, we sure are now! haha! Can't wait for our next trip together! You're always welcome to come stay with us! Love you both to bits & pieces!!!
You may remember my earlier post about the "Moving Fiasco"...well it didn't get much better, but I suppose all is well that ends well, right?! Matt & I are still married (it was touch & go there for a moment! haha!) and most of our things made it through the move without a scratch. Notice, I said most things! RIP: lamp, salad bowl, monogrammed plaque, salad spinner, chair...We left for Chicago last Monday since our contact with the moving company said they "might" deliver our things on Wednesday. Wednesday came & went and then Friday became the next day thrown around in the conversation with the liars...oops... I mean movers! No, I think I still mean liars. So...I came to the harsh reality that we needed to get extra towels/pillows/bedding for our guests b/c we were using the airbed that we'd bought for them! My dear friend, Lauren, comes to the rescue! She lives about 30 mins away & had a spare airbed, towels, sheets, everything we needed to get by until our things arrived! Lauren, you were a LIFEsaver! Thank you so much! (PS: I need you to teach me how you fold fitted sheets, b/c you apparently know some secret I don't!)
So...we picked up James & Jo from the airport Friday morning. By that I mean, we rode the train out to meet them! :) We walked around & shopped most of the day on Friday. We finally heard from the movers Friday afternoon and good news! They were coming Saturday but wait! All the earlier move in times for the elevator were already we had to pay extra for them to deliver at 7pm on a Saturday since that's "after hours". Grrr, so we paid them b/c well, you really have no choice. They have your stuff!
Once that was done, we continued our wonderful weekend with the Rollers! We took them to Giordano's to experience Chicago style pizza, shopping on State St & Michigan Ave (I must find employment ASAP!), the beach, Navy Pier, the Bean and Gibson's steakhouse! Whew! And we still didn't get to do everything we planned on doing but it was a great start and that just means they'll have to come back to cross everything else off the list! :)
Willis (aka Sears) Tower. I haven't figured out how to turn the picture! Sorry!
Best shopping buddy ever!
Waiting for our pizza outside Giordano's! You order your pizza before you get seated b/c it takes THAT long to cook it! Worth it.
The boys enjoying their cigars out on the sundeck.
At the beach! We scoped it out and decided to go back the next day! Lake Michigan is beautiful!
We learned how to make our own lounge chairs out of sand! How did I never think of this before?!?
OK, Lake Michigan is beautiful but C.O.L.D! We saw all these people swimming around like the water was great, well its NOT! It took us about 20 minutes to inch in up to our waists. It really does get better & you get used to it, but, WOW, it was chilly!
Out at Navy Pier, I just love the skyline view from the end of the pier!
The boys standing over the grates looking "buff"! I show you this picture to say to the ladies, be careful where you walk in Chicago, ESPECIALLY if you're wearing a dress! I experienced my latest "Most Embarrassing Moment" after dinner the other night. We're walking back from Gibson's just chatting having a grand time when all of a sudden, my dress is up around my waist!!! I scream & everyone across the street turns to see what's going on! I had just flashed poor James who was walking behind me. Little did he know he was going to get quite the show! All I could do was laugh b/c really, it was pretty hysterical! I did NOT look as graceful as Marilyn Monroe, I can guarantee that!
The infamous "bean"! This thing is really cool when you see it!
Laying on a blanket waiting for the fireworks!
James & Jo, we had the BEST time with y'all! I can honestly say we're like family, if we weren't before, we sure are now! haha! Can't wait for our next trip together! You're always welcome to come stay with us! Love you both to bits & pieces!!!
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Chicago or BUST!
Here are a few pictures of our road trip to Chicago!
This was as we were leaving the temporary apt in OKC! Headed to Wichita Falls to spend a couple of days with the folks!
We had just left Stroud after spending a few days with the Wilson's! This was RIGHT before being pulled over for "Improper Lane Use" haha! See the post below titled "Sorry Officer"! :)
After spending the night just outside St Louis, we saw the sign we needed... Chicago North I-55!!!
We picked up our keys!!! Matt opening the door to our new home for the very first time!
First things first! We were starving so we found this great little place that just happened to be having a Taco Tuesday special! If you know us very well, that's probably our favorite so we had some tacos & margs! YUM!
AND! The first night we were in Chicago, we had some friends in town! David & Taylor are some of Matt's fraternity brothers! They were with a group for a business conference and some of them had tickets to the Cubs game so we ventured down to Wrigleyville and hung out! What a way to start! We had a blast!
This was as we were leaving the temporary apt in OKC! Headed to Wichita Falls to spend a couple of days with the folks!
We had just left Stroud after spending a few days with the Wilson's! This was RIGHT before being pulled over for "Improper Lane Use" haha! See the post below titled "Sorry Officer"! :)
After spending the night just outside St Louis, we saw the sign we needed... Chicago North I-55!!!
We picked up our keys!!! Matt opening the door to our new home for the very first time!
First things first! We were starving so we found this great little place that just happened to be having a Taco Tuesday special! If you know us very well, that's probably our favorite so we had some tacos & margs! YUM!
AND! The first night we were in Chicago, we had some friends in town! David & Taylor are some of Matt's fraternity brothers! They were with a group for a business conference and some of them had tickets to the Cubs game so we ventured down to Wrigleyville and hung out! What a way to start! We had a blast!
Happy 4th!
So my grandpa, Pop (Daddy's dad), passed away when I was about 9 and I do have lots of memories with him but I never really knew much about him. Well, as I get older, I try to ask more questions about him and his personality. I remember him being such a kind & sweet grandpa! I would stay at their house once a week (most of my family lives in Wichita Falls so I would stay at each grandparents house and my aunts house certain days of the week while my parents went to work) and I remember us going on bike rides to the park to feed the ducks and playing games! They had one of those bikes built for 2! SO FUN! When I was really little there was a kid seat on the very back and then as I got older/taller, my Mimi and I would ride it together!
Anyway, since then, Mimi has remarried. My Aunt Tana came to visit from Arizona to go through Mimi & Pop's things so that Mimi & Ron can have more space and have their things. Well, Tana has come across all kinds of family photos and letters and things but my favorite is my Pop's Navy uniform! I had no idea he was in the Navy! I knew he did something in the military at some point b/c he received a flag at his funeral. I think it was maybe a day to day uniform, not the nice, crisp uniform but I don't really know. Well, while I was home, I decided to try it on and it fit almost perfectly! haha! I don't remember Pop being short but I think the pant style wasn't like today's style. The pants were just long enough for me (I would imagine they were MAYBE to his ankles) and they were SUPER high waist-ed! He must've been a string bean in his early 20's!
So here's my best salute! Happy Independence Day and thank you to all who have & are serving our country so bravely! We are so proud of you & forever grateful!
PS: Shout out to my cousin, Keith! Happy Birthday! I had so much fun celebrating your birthday every 4th of July when we were kids! Fireworks AND birthday cake?! Can't beat that!
Anyway, since then, Mimi has remarried. My Aunt Tana came to visit from Arizona to go through Mimi & Pop's things so that Mimi & Ron can have more space and have their things. Well, Tana has come across all kinds of family photos and letters and things but my favorite is my Pop's Navy uniform! I had no idea he was in the Navy! I knew he did something in the military at some point b/c he received a flag at his funeral. I think it was maybe a day to day uniform, not the nice, crisp uniform but I don't really know. Well, while I was home, I decided to try it on and it fit almost perfectly! haha! I don't remember Pop being short but I think the pant style wasn't like today's style. The pants were just long enough for me (I would imagine they were MAYBE to his ankles) and they were SUPER high waist-ed! He must've been a string bean in his early 20's!
So here's my best salute! Happy Independence Day and thank you to all who have & are serving our country so bravely! We are so proud of you & forever grateful!
PS: Shout out to my cousin, Keith! Happy Birthday! I had so much fun celebrating your birthday every 4th of July when we were kids! Fireworks AND birthday cake?! Can't beat that!
Saying Goodbye to the best LifeGroup on the planet...
Ok! I know these posts have been a bit out of order but I'm trying to get caught up! A few weeks ago, our LifeGroup had a little bon voyage party for us! We've spent the last year & a half or so of our lives with these wonderful people and they've become like family to us! We've shared lots of memories and laughs together and we would do anything for each other! Even though we're 800 miles away, we hope to be lifelong friends with these folks! You know I love you all & I hope y'all can make it up to Chicago! Girls...we can shop til we drop!!!
The "grub"! Crawfish, shrimp, potatoes, corn and onions! Cajun feast!
Kris and Tilly! Everyone in our LG has "kids" and we're going to miss those pooches! But...we're glad we didn't let the "you guys have to get a dog" peer pressure get to us! Can you imagine taking a pup down 42 floors and around the block to find a place to pee in the winter?! Uh...no thanks! For now, we'll just love on other people's pets! :)
Amanda & Jo! They're absolute dolls and I love them so much!
Matt & Kris sporting their World Cup gear!
Matt & John discussing sports...the usual!
Amanda, Jo & Libby! Precious gals in my life!
The whole gang! Or almost everyone! It's a messy meal but a GOOD one! YUM!
Mmmm mmm good!
Robin, Emily, Amanda, Jo & Abby! Thanks Libby for taking pictures!
WE LOVE YOU GUYS BUNCHES & miss y'all already! Skype us in to LG sometime! :)
The "grub"! Crawfish, shrimp, potatoes, corn and onions! Cajun feast!
Kris and Tilly! Everyone in our LG has "kids" and we're going to miss those pooches! But...we're glad we didn't let the "you guys have to get a dog" peer pressure get to us! Can you imagine taking a pup down 42 floors and around the block to find a place to pee in the winter?! Uh...no thanks! For now, we'll just love on other people's pets! :)
Amanda & Jo! They're absolute dolls and I love them so much!
Matt & Kris sporting their World Cup gear!
Matt & John discussing sports...the usual!
Amanda, Jo & Libby! Precious gals in my life!
The whole gang! Or almost everyone! It's a messy meal but a GOOD one! YUM!
Mmmm mmm good!
Robin, Emily, Amanda, Jo & Abby! Thanks Libby for taking pictures!
WE LOVE YOU GUYS BUNCHES & miss y'all already! Skype us in to LG sometime! :)
Saturday, July 3, 2010
STL!
We decided to stop in St Louis for the night A) b/c I'd never seen the Gateway Arch and B) our belongings are on a truck in Ohio so why not?!
The arch was incredible! When you see it up close, it's amazing to think about how someone came up with the design! I got a little dizzy looking straight up at it though b/c the clouds were moving and it was a weird optical illusion!
We saw a ton of people in Cardinals gear and found out there was a game that night so we bought a couple of tickets in the nose bleeds and had a great time! We got to watch one of Stillwater's Hometown Heroes, Matt Holliday! He was drafted straight out of high school, can you imagine?!
The arch was incredible! When you see it up close, it's amazing to think about how someone came up with the design! I got a little dizzy looking straight up at it though b/c the clouds were moving and it was a weird optical illusion!
We saw a ton of people in Cardinals gear and found out there was a game that night so we bought a couple of tickets in the nose bleeds and had a great time! We got to watch one of Stillwater's Hometown Heroes, Matt Holliday! He was drafted straight out of high school, can you imagine?!
Sorry Officer...
After we said our goodbyes, we set out for Chicago! After about 20 minutes on the turnpike in OK...we get PULLED OVER! Awesome. We're off to a great start! It was basically a speed trap and Matt was going 5 over MAX, so we were kind of shocked the guy pulled us over! Well, as soon as he got to the window, he told us he was only going to give us a warning but to keep it at 75. WHEW! He also mentioned the left lane is for passing cars only. OK, let me just say it is my PET PEEVE when people drive in the left lane constantly and Okies (in my experience) tend to be the WORST about it! It used to really bug me when we first started dating b/c I pass and get over and Matt will pass and hang out. His reasoning, I'm still going faster and I'm gonna pass this next guy in a few miles so why not just stay here?!
BAH HAHAHAHAHAHA The officer wrote the ticket for IMPROPER LANE USE! I laughed for about the next 10 miles and don't kid yourself, I thanked the officer for settling our 5 year argument! :)
BAH HAHAHAHAHAHA The officer wrote the ticket for IMPROPER LANE USE! I laughed for about the next 10 miles and don't kid yourself, I thanked the officer for settling our 5 year argument! :)
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