into the great wide open/under them skies of blue

Hey there, chickadees.

Yesterday was an excellent day of football and wings and hanging around.

And also packing.

And laundry.

So it was pretty much an even split between business and pleasure.

I can’t complain about that.

Also amazing, the Bears won (so we’re undefeated- nice way to start the season), and JW and I managed to keep both our picks in our annual football pool (thank you, Philadelphia, for eventually winning, but just barely), so it was a good day for competition.

I love competition, in case you were wondering.

Also in case you were wondering, at this moment, I’m headed to CA until Wednesday, then FL until Sunday, and then the ‘burbs until Tuesday.

All those miles in the air will be fueled by lots of water and a couple handfuls of anti-anxiety meds.

Flying has never been my strong suit.

Since I’ll be working my tail off and getting up extra early during the next week or so, I decided it made no sense to try and keep my posts up to date in my absence.

You wouldn’t want to try and decipher my over-caffeinated, sleep-deprived ramblings anyway, I don’t think.

However, I do hate leaving the lights off around here for that long, so I called in favors from some of my favorite people and asked them if they’d contribute while I was away.

Luckily, I had a lot of quick “yes” votes, and thus, my blog will likely be funnier and more interesting than usual while I’m crisscrossing the country.

You’re welcome, chickens.

Enjoy what’s coming up this week- I can’t wait to get back and tell you how everything went!

 

You’re the pride and joy of Illinois

Happy Sunday, chickens!

Yesterday was an extraordinarily productive day, and I’m just about ready to place my belongings in a suitcase and take off for sunny California for a few days and then head to Orlando on Wednesday.

I may have a spreadsheet detailing my outfit options.

This is a long trip, pals. I can’t trust myself to pull together an undocumented ensemble.

In any case, I’m one nail appointment from being socially presentable, and then I can focus on what’s really important about today.

Which is that it’s the Bears’ opening game of the season.

 

There is nothing more beautiful about the fall (in my opinion, anyway), then the fresh start to a long season of football.

I have been known to get a little overly enthusiastic about a football game- generally I spend the duration of it jumping up and down, yelling things like “Run, you beautiful man!” and “Hester Hester HESTER!” while making wild arm movements.

Sometimes I black out due to excitement and find myself on top of the couch without really remembering how I managed to get up there.

I’m dedicated to the spirit of the game, chickadees.

And I’ll certainly be one happy lady today starting at around noon.

Bear down, Chicago- it’s almost kickoff time.

taking it to the next place.

Happy weekend, chickadees!

We spent last night listening to Bruce Springsteen at Wrigley Field (from the outside, but hey, it was pretty good from there, and the price was more than fair), having drinks, and laughing pretty hard.

After losing my keys in an unfortunate situation, I realized after work last night that I was locked out of my own home, and had no choice but to head to a bar with Ky and begin our evening of cocktails.

I love when I can take it from negative to positive.

Just like Pitbull, chicks.

This morning however, I was feeling a little groggy after a long night, and bells were a struggle.

“Watch out! I’ve had a double shot of espresso!” Gene exclaimed.

I groaned and did 800 more pushups.

Luckily, C & I headed to grab breakfast and coffee after, which meant the first pumpkin cream cheese of the season.

There’s not much I like better than the fall, my friends.

Or a Saturday morning at the Farm Market, where it was sunny, cool, and just about the perfect time for everything I love to be in season.

 

And with that, I’m off to enjoy this beautiful afternoon running errands and hanging out. Enjoy the sunshine if you’ve got it (and we’ve got all of it here).

together again.

Ok, chickens, I’m running late (are we surprised) so I’ll just keep this quick and to the point.

Like, happy Friday, you guys!

I’m feeling a little bit tired this morning, since I was having this kind of fun last night:

 

I must have moved at the last minute.

 

We hit up the back garden at Volo (a cute wine place), and while I’ve been there a few times, I didn’t even know the back garden was a thing.

“I feel like we’re in Spain!” JK exclaimed.

We nodded our heads.

Someone said they wished they were in Spain.

More vigorous head nodding.

Then we drank wine flights until we couldn’t.

And then, when the waiter asked us not to leave, we had another glass.

“I thought you’d stay longer, ” he said sadly.

“Ok. Then bring us another round!” CJ decided.

We’re a fairly easy going crowd.

 

Eventually, we switched venues (and to beer), and continued the night.

I left before these girls, since I’ve got to bust into work today, unfortunately.

It was a lovely, laughing kind of night.

“It feels like I never left,” JK mentioned to us at one point.

“I feel like you never did,” I said, as we chatted and poured more wine.

That, I think, is how it should always feel when you make it back home.

Enjoy this day, chickadees- the weekend’s about to hit us.

Well I know what’s right/I got just one life

You guys.

More beautiful, uplifting speeches last night.

And that’s all I’ve got to say about that.

In any case, I’ve got Fleetwood Mac and Tom Petty on my playlist this morning, and I couldn’t love it more.

I was up before six and had done over four miles before seven.

It was a solid, non-rhino breathing four miles, for the first time in a long time.

It’s gonna be a good day, chickens.

******

In other news, my lovely, funny friend JK is flying into town this evening, and I am beyond pumped.

 

This picture is from many moons ago, but I think it properly showcases my level of excitement over this weekend’s visit. After a long couple of weeks of meetings and trying (read: pretty much failing) to get myself together in time for my upcoming trips, I’ve decided that what I really need is to laugh until it hurts.

JK’s pretty much perfect for that kind of thing.

Up next: getting through this morning, figuring out how little laundry I can get away with doing before I leave my home for 9 days, and trying to make a plan.

The plan is to come out on the other end of this trip triumphant.

Or at least unscathed.

I have my doubts.

Luckily, that’s never stopped me.

Enjoy the sunshine if you’ve got it chickadees!

The question is: what do we believe?

Ok, chickadees.

So I know not everyone likes when I take a political tilt here.

I get it- I’m more in demand when I’m making you laugh.

But over the next couple of months, it just might creep in here now and again.

Can’t help it.

Don’t want to, actually.

In any case, in my political mini-segment of the day, I’d like to tell you that among the many highlights of my DNC watching, Deval Patrick, the governor of Massachusetts, was my absolute favorite.

He’s smart, well-spoken, and he made me clap in my living room.

While JW just shook his head at me silently.

I love clapping.

So, in case you missed it, or in case you’re interested, check it out. This guy is gonna be someone, chickens.

You heard it here first.

In other news, aside from my obsessive Twitter-following of the convention over the next few days, I’m gearing up for football season.

There is nothing I love more than football.

Except maybe my family.

Probably some other stuff too.

But I like it a lot, chicks.

And I’m ready to gear up and bear down.

I love you, Hester (and the rest of you guys, too).

Who needs summer anyway? I’m thinking.

Remind me I said that in December.

Enjoy this one, everyone.

 

mixing it all together.

Well, that went by rather quickly.

And here we are, post-summer and pre-weekend.

But, chickens, it’s Tuesday, and that is certainly putting me ahead of the curve today.

This is my last week in the office before I take to criss-crossing the country- first to Anaheim, and then, mid-week, to Orlando.

It’s gonna be a long one, but I suspect it will be just slightly less fun as it is work, and so I’m actually looking forward to it.

Check back in with me on Sunday night to see if that statement still holds.

Yesterday, I spent the morning in a kettlebell class, where I happened to wear shorts (due, my friends, to a lack of Clean Laundry- one of my most frequent life issues), and thus, embarrassed myself several times in the Shin Sweat department.

Also, every time I hit the ground for a floor move, I inevitably went sliding across the hardwood floor.

I am nothing if not graceful, chickadees.

I’ll stick to my crops from now on.

After I recovered from my session, we headed out to the suburbs to enjoy a day of chatting, cooking, and gearing up for Political Convention, Round 2.

I’ll try to keep a low profile.

I might not succeed.

We also enjoyed about a million delicious items from my parents’ garden, including these heirloom tomatoes:

 

Even as a non-tomato lover (I know, I know!), I was impressed by these guys and took down an entire slice with only a slight grimace.

I’ve got some tomato issues to work out, you guys. Stand by.

And with that, I’m ready to hit the train and get back to my regularly scheduled program.

Enjoy the sunshine if you’ve got it (we don’t here, today).

 

letting it languish.

Welcome to Friday, chickens.

That feels good, right?

Also, say hello to my new chicken.

I picked up this little guy a couple weeks ago, brought him home, and tasked him with guarding the butter.

A prestigious job in the Palluzzi/Wagenschutz household, if you ask me.

I thought it was about time for an introduction.

Last night, I successfully hit the gym for the second night in a row, this time with a pair of socks.

I love when I get it right.

My only mishap was when I got a little too feisty on the treadmill and my left foot flew off the machine.

Luckily, I righted myself quickly.

I’m almost sure no one saw.

So I’m letting you all know.

In any case, I am so very much looking forward to the long weekend and the last three official days of summer.

I would ask everyone where on earth this summer went, but it’s quite obvious that it was full of hot days, beaches, and trips to the beach.

I can’t complain too much about that kind of set up.

I can only hope to fit in some more time outside before the season blows the whistle and sends us all back to school.

Or back into my cubicle, I guess.

Either way, enjoy the three days, chickadees!

keep it flowing.

There is something about the beginning of the work week that’s not so bad when you know you’ve got a nice, long yoga class at the end of it all.

Sort of like an antidote to Monday, if you will.

And so with an hour spent in vinyasa flow, sweating more than is actually imaginable (I’m still shocked every week), I am calm and ready to take on Tuesday.

Which is good, because yesterday’s day at the office ended with me spilling bags and tripping all over the street.

All it took was one seemingly stressful visit to the deli counter (what are you talking about? my pals said, as I explained my angst over waiting for cold cuts. it didn’t even take that long. They’re right, as usual) to spiral me into a falling-over-myself, high-pitched whiny traveler.

Luckily, they put me in my place, and we were on our way, but not until after I swung my (plastic! killing the earth!) bags into the sidewalk and nearly bit the dust.

My delicious turkey sandwich today will make it all worth it.

Sometimes I’m the worst, chickadees.

But I’ve got a new intention and a sunny day ahead of me, so I’m willing to take one deep breath and wade through it.

Plus, I’ve got the promise of a run tonight.

The trick is, chickens, to just keep moving.

 

 

 

i can see clearly now.

Morning chickadees.

Early morning.

On a Saturday.

But I don’t mind. I’ve got my bag packed for a quick, relaxing trip to MI and the lake.

That’s something I can rise early for.

I’ll be floating in the water for the next 24 hours.

In other news, last night JW was kind enough to snag my new glasses on his way home from work last night.

Did you look at them already, I asked.

He nodded.

Are they too hipster, I said, eyeing the case with suspicion.

I’m worried I’m not cool enough for my spectacles.

He told me I should probably just put them on my face so he could get a better look.

This is the lowdown.

 

What do you guys think?

Aside from the fact that I’ve had no coffee this morning and I’m not really sure how to use Photo booth properly.

Ignore those items, please.

I think they maybe say part hipster, part aspiring urban.lady.author.

A girl’s got to dream, right?

In any case, I can see, and that seems to be the most important thing here, I think.

I feel more creative already.

Also, less apt to run into things.

It’s a wonderful world when you can kill two birds with one stone, I think.

Enjoy your weekend, chickens- we have arrived!