#92/93 of 101 Things

This is a blogpost on #92 and #93 of my 101 things in 1,001 days goal!

Tommy and I finally went apple picking together! I have been wanting to do this for YEARS, and have just been too lazy to make the plans to go. Then by the time I think, "Hey, we should go apple picking!" I find out all the apples at the orchards near me are picked by people who actually have their shit together at the start of Fall.

So this year I put it in my calendar, and even tried to wrangle people to go with me! It ended up being just Tommy and I, but it worked out because we were able to go see Dana and Marvin before we went to the orchard. We visited their new house!

Then we drove to All Season's Orchard in Woodstock, IL. It only took us about 20 minutes to get there and the place was busy! We ended up finding a spot to park pretty quickly, and walked to the entrance. It was wet from the rain the night before, and semi muddy, but we expected that going into it so I wore my boots and it worked out well! It was $14.50 a person, and each person got a 1/2 peck bag of apples with their admission. They have a bunch of other stuff you can do there, but the other activities (corn maze, corn kernel pit, petting zoo, etc.) costs more money and we aren't 5 so we just stuck with the apple picking part.

When we walked in, we lucked out and got straight onto the wagon that takes people to the apple trees. We were given a short speech on how to pick apples, and the different kinds that were available. We got these long poles with a basket on the end to use to get the apples off without bruising them. They took a little getting used to, but definitely made the process easier and quicker! Tommy and I ended up mostly picking Jonagold and Golden Delicious. They didn't have any Red Delicious ready, which was ok with me, but they are Tommy's favorite! He ended up picking and semi liking the redder Jonagold apples that we took home.

After filling our bags, and taking a wagon ride back to entrance, we decided to get an apple cider shake, and an apple cider donut to share there. The sun started coming out and it was a fun place to sit and enjoy our treats together :) After hanging out for a bit, we walked around and picked out two pumpkins to take home.

It was a super fun day! I feel like we will definitely be coming back next year, though we might wait until they have some Red Delicious that are ready!

#54/101

This is part of my list of 101 things in 1,001 days!

#54- Visit a friend in another state

Last month I went to visit my dear friend Alyssa in Minnesota! It all happened rather fast.
Emily and I were texting one day, and since I was on my commute home, and it takes me an entire episode of This American Life to get home, I figured I would call her instead
Calling people: it's a thing.

So we got to talking and catching up as old friends do, and it was rather nice! Later that night, Emily text me around 9:00 p.m. and said that Alyssa would be alone on her bday that weekend because her husband, a pilot, would be out of town flying. Emily said that she was going to take a road trip and head up to see Alyssa. Welllll, I didn't get that text until around 11:00 p.m. that night, and after some support from my husband in helping rearrange plans, I decided that I would go too! Emily and I have both been saying that we wanted to go see Alyssa and the house she just bought with her husband, and that visit was long overdue so it seemed perfect!

I slid out of bed, threw some stuff in a bag, and then went to bed. The next day was Friday, and I had to work, but shortly after dismissing the kiddos, I drove to Emily's new house to meet for our road trip :D

On a totally separate note, Emily and Joe are doing so much awesome work on their new house. When I stopped by to see it for a quick tour, they had just painted a beautiful gray, and were going to be getting the floor done that weekend! (I saw it in person and it's gorgeous!!)

Sooooooo I left my car in Emily's driveway, along with my wallet and ID....though I didn't know that until about half way through Wisconsin. smh.

It was a super pretty and easy ride! Mostly because of the company, but also because there was a ridic sunset as we were driving. It was so nice to chat about life, try new snacks, and have a throwback with my girl. And the best thing? That what was the whole weekend was like!!

When we got to Alyssa's house, it was pretty late at night, but we got a tour and stayed up and chatted, duh. We met her doggie, Maverick, and then got ready for bed.

The next morning Emily and Alyssa were already up (surprise, surprise) making coffee and setting out muffins. When I woke up, I got myself some coffee and we sat in all sat in the kitchen together. We chatted about the day's plans, and decided that we would go to Stillwater and walk around downtown because they have good antiquing, and good food! We got coffees at Caribou (miss that place!) and went for a beautiful drive to town.

{Mug that matches my soul}

You guys, Stillwater is adorable. It's right along the river and has all of these old mill looking buildings. Totally picturesque. We went into basically all of the antique shops they had to offer and found a ton of cool things! I wanted to buy it all. It all. After a few hours we got some lunch at a place that was on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives called Smalley's and had their sweet potato fries, and chicken wings. They were soooooo good. The decor was fun too- totally pirate from floor to ceiling.

 

We moseyed on back to the car stopping here and there, and enjoying the weather. Then we headed back to pick up Alyssa's niece and go to dinner with her in-laws to a really good place called Doolittles. The food is amazing, and it was nice to sit outside as the sun set and visit with Kevin's family that is taking care of our girl out there! After dinner we went back to Alyssa's house and walked through the neighborhood and down the street to a cute little bar where they served me a drink off of a picture of my license that Joe took for me since I left my entire wallet in IL....heh. To the bartender I was like, "I'm 28 I promise. I have a picture of my passport that my husband sent me. Or here's a picture of my license that I left back in IL when I decided on a whim to drive 6 hours to come see this girl for her bday!" And the guy gave me a glass of wine, yyyyyyeeeeeeeaaaaaassssssss.

Then we strolled home to Alyssa's, chatted some more all snuggled on the couch together (duh- it's not a girls weekend without some kind of snuggling) and then poured into bed.

The next morning we drank coffee in the crisp weather on Alyssa's porch with the sun shining and the birds singing deciding where to go for brunch. The place we went to was all mason jar-y and cute and we ate outside and took a picture before Emily and I had to hit the road to be back at a decent time on a Sunday before a full work week. We hugged, and cried, and laughed, and then hugged and cried some more because it was such a nice weekend and no one wanted to leave. Alyssa suggested a different more scenic route home that was a wonderful choice, and Emily and I started the drive. (Emily is such a trooper btw. She drove that whole thing.)

{Morning coffee on Alyssa's porch- TAKE ME BACK!}

{The drive home}

When we got back, Tommy was there with Joe and they were working on some things for the house. Emily's parents were also there helping. We all checked out the new wood floors (OMG) and then got dinner at a place nearby that they liked. We ate it outside on their porch on a makeshift patio table and chatted with Emily's parents and about the trip. It was perfect. Tommy and I said goodbye around 8:00ish, and I'm pretty sure I fell asleep on the ride home, lol.

Overall, it was a wonderful weekend. I mean, though I had a lot to say about the weekend {See Above, ha} I really cannot put into words what it was really like. What's it's like to have such friends. What it's like to engage in some of the most meaningful conversation I ever have in life. What's it's like to truly have people in your life that you are yourself with. That's what this girl's weekend was. In a nutshell. A very big, very happy, loving and fervent nutshell.

Love your girls fiercely and always!

Five Forgotten Photos on my Phone

{This wall at Starbucks that I want as my wall}

{Kelsey's wedding invitations that took us forever!}

{This wanna be Festivalgirlmillennial selfie}

{This way more accurate Amy selfie}

{This snap of Tommy holding a cat that doesn't look like a cat}

Oh Gosh.

These past few weeks have sucked.

_________________________________________

Lol. I love that this has been saved in my "Draft" folder for, like, years and that all I wrote was the above sentence and "oh gosh" as the title.

Podcast obsession

Hullo friends and stalkers,

The thing on my mind today? Podcasts. 

Do you listen to podcasts? Yes, Serial is a podcast. No, Making a Murderer is not a podcast. Neither is that audio book that you just downloaded through Audible. 

A podcast is like a radio show, you know, the kind that used to be on this thing:📻 Legend has it that people used to sit around their radios at a certain time on a certain night to listen together as a family to a story told with NO PICTURES! 

The thing is, these days people still do this semiregularly, but it's a little more convenient now! Podcasts are on the Internet, can be downloaded to a phone or computer, or streamed through an app that will automatically tell you when the next episode is released, and will keep track of the episodes that you have listened to...BONUS for us list makers!

Here are some podcasts that help me not to make angry decisions while driving 45 minutes to and from work everyday:

1. This American Life- It is very well known in the podcast world, and has the dreamy voice of Ira Glass. These episodes typically center around a theme of some sort and include first and second hand stories, poems, and snippits of interview with people who are experiencing the theme of the episode. Each episode is also about 45 minutes long. (Snaps to Katy for introducing me to my most favorite podcast!)

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2. Serial- "One story told week by week" in the words of Sarah Koenig herself: the creator/producer of the show. (Who also has a dreamy voice btw) Each episode advances the main storyline, which is a non-fiction account of one specific topic that is very complex. There is one previous season, and not only are we waist deep into the second season right now, we also are getting updates about the first season's main character: Adnan Syed. He is currently serving a life sentence for a murder that he may or may not have committed (but we don't think he did it...? Maybe?) We are getting updates on him because they are looking into his case again with a key witness that, for some reason, was never called to trial the first time around. The defense feels that Adnan's previous lawyer's declining health was to blame for this misstep. TBD on if Adnan will get a new trial or will go back to jail with forever and ever amen.
The current season centers on Bowe Bergdahl, who was in Afghanistan as part of the U.S. military. One day, he walked off of his post into to desert. In the current season that is unfolding, we are learning the many layers of why he did this, and what he hoped to achieve.

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3. Criminal- This is the most perfect description for this podcast, as taken from it's own website: "Criminal is a podcast about crime. Stories of people who've done wrong, been wronged, or gotten caught somewhere in the middle." It is not just stories are murder, but of all different kinds of crime. I think that's my favorite part about it! They are quick episodes, and they are interesting to listen to!

4. Stuff You Missed in History Class- which is exactly as it sounds. Narrated by two women who do a lot of research into the topic of the episode. Real talk right now: these episodes are gross, depressing, and mostly about murder with an occasional random show on the history of butter vs. margarine (for example). Sometimes, which I find the most interesting, they tell you about some random person from history! Yay!

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5. Women of the Hour- short one time podcast with extras with everyone's favorite twenty something year old to hate: Lena Dunham! This is just meh, but I see where she was going with this. It's worth a listen when you've become obsessed with podcasts (like me) and have listened to every episode of your favorite shows and have nothing left to hear!

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6. The Longest Shortest Time- all about life with children, children things, preggos, and the culture of having children. It's interesting. Things to know about this one: the baby/child laughter at the beginning of each episode is annoying AF, but the commercials are creatively done through a phone call the host makes to a friend/relative to tell said friend/relative about some baby/mama product. This makes the commercials waaaaay more listenable until you remember that there is a button that lets you fast forward like 15 seconds that you can use on the commercials!! (And the annoying baby in the beginning😄) Listener beware though- they just did an episode on pilling the placenta and it was HARD to listen to. I'm a firm believer of finishing podcasts (and books) that I start though so I just rode the listener train on that and tried not to lose it on the way to Target😝

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7. Guys We F****d: The Anti-Slut Shaming Podcast- I really tried to listen and like this one because of the title. I was all, "Yea! Women power! Anti-Slut Shaming is a thing!" And then I listened to this show....well, like, 10 episodes and I just couldn't do it. It's terrible, and annoying. They're comedians, and they spend the first five-six minutes of the episode just plugging their upcoming tour dates and saying a lot of "Uh, yea" to each other. Just don't on this one. (I'm not even going to provide you with a link to this one. It's that bad. NO)

This link will not take you there but just click it.

So there you go! 6 podcasts that I think are listen-worthy! If you're looking for something more stimulating than tv and less work than a book.....PODCASTS! Open that purple app on your iPhone (that came with the phone and that you can't delete) called Podcasts, click the "search" button at the bottom, or check out the "featured" button :) Happy podcasting!

And if you're looking for more...these also rock: Presidential, Stuff You Should Know, Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me or any of the TED talks!

Five Forgotten Photos on my Phone Friday

This picture I drew in 2nd grade of "Someone I listen to" lol

A photo of these two from a few years ago hanging out. 

This photo of my cat after she was at the hospital a year ago :/ She's better now!

This annual text message between my sister and I about our favorite time of year

This snap of my mom and I having coffee on a beautiful day in May two years ago and chatting about life

New Years Eve 2015 and a Year in Review

This year we celebrated totally different.....
We normally stay in and do the following things: have a fancy dinner cooked by moi, watch a movie from Redbox or On Demand, take a nap before the ball drops, watch the parties on TV the hour before, drink sparkling cider, and pull poppers and shout Happy New Year when the ball drops into the next year. Ok, only I do that last part, but sometimes I coerce Tommy into pulling a popper too :D

 {End of the Night}

We at least do some variation of this every year. Sounds like the typical twentysomething NYE right?

Heh, well this year, I decided we would actually interact with other people on New Year's Eve and go out to celebrate! I'm so glad we did! It was super nice to change it up.

Do you like my shirt and Jill's dress? We went to the mall together and found them to wear for this very occasion. Jill introduced me to a new store: Dry Goods 😄🙌😻

Some friends in LRC were going out to The Loaded Buffalo to drink and see two bands to ring in the new year- The Suburban Cowboys and The Modern Day Romeos- both of which were so so good!
I got us the base price tickets, and just paid cash at the bar for drinks. It was a fun place. Even though I have driven by that place for basically my entire life, I have never been inside. I knew it was a country bar, and though it has changed names a few times since it's been around, I'm pretty sure the basic skeleton of "local country bar" has remained the same.

I feel like it doesn't look that big from the road, but it's pretty spacious. They have a bar, a pool table (I think), some tables, and a huge TV right when you walk in. That's also where they set up the appetizer bar for people who paid a higher ticket price. The second part of the building has a large wooden floor that has bar level seating around it, and a stage for the band. At the back end of the room is also another bar, and more tables along the wall.

We parked it right outside of the wooden dance floor near some stools for the night. Right smack dab in between the two bars- surprised? Duh.

Then we hung out, chatted a bit, danced to music, and drank! I also saw an old friend from elementary school, and a new friend that I made last year! Small world :)

Thanks for the pictures everyone!

Though we broke the mold by actually going out for NYE, I haven't gone off the deep end and completely abandoned tradition...so here is the quick run down of the year:

1. Tommy turned 27 on January 8th...and we celebrated with our families and friends multiple times :)
2. Kyle and Kelsey got engaged and we celebrated with them! Kelsey also asked to be a bridesmaid!!! I'm so excited for them!
3. Emily and Joe got married on a beautiful snow covered day in January, and it was amazing
4. I donated 12 inches to Children with Hairloss, which is the most I've ever donated! I chose this organization over Locks of Love and Pantene Pro-V Healthy Lengths because CWH doesn't charge for wigs, and provides wigs for children and young adults with all kids of hairloss, not just cancer.
5. I studied a ton, and passed my Reading Specialist test! Woot Woot! Now I'm certified to be a Reading Specialist K-12 :D
6. I tried a bunch of new recipes, and took a bunch of photos of my cat, lol. Stay tuned for a 2015 Flipagram of Kittypants. You've been warned.
7. We visited Megan, Jeff, and Danny in central Illinois with Emily and Joe
8. I FOUND OUT WHO A IS FINALLY. Ugh, I just had to say that.
9. We went out with Kelsers for her bday at Casa Bonita and Mickey Finns
10. Stephanie met us at Eataly and we had good food, good conversation, and good wine together 
11. Dad turned 60, and we had a bday/Easter party for him and my grandpa (who turned 90 this year!)
12. I hosted Alyssa's wedding shower at my house with her Maid of Honor. 
13. My sister Katy surprise visited me for OUR BIRTHDAY! We have the same birthday six years apart. We haven't been able to celebrate together for years since I was at college, she moved to LA, etc. It was super nice to have everyone over and celebrate our day together (Me:27, Her:33)
14. I met Karena and Katrina in Chicago which was omg. 
15. I went on the 7th grade Springfield trip as a chaperone and had a blast!
16. Katy, Dad, and I flew to Las Vegas and visited Grandpa Lacio one final time before he passed later in the year in July. It was a blessing to be able to have that time with him, and with family. 
17. Ben Folds (!!!) came to Chicago to play with the CYSO and Tommy and I went. It was pretty great.
18. We celebrated Alyssa and Kevin's wedding over the summer in Minnesota :) It was a fun trip and a really great night
19. Tommy and I went to dinner for our 4 year wedding anniversary!
20. Our friends put together a fabulous camping trip that Tommy and I went to in southern Illinois. It was super awesome- bugs and all
21. We went to Meghan's wedding :D and Laura's wedding in the same month a week apart. It was super fun to celebrate with them.
22. Kelsey, Taylor Swift, and I sang together as loud as we could at Soldier Field for freeeeee! Thanks KissFM!
23. Tommy and I traveled to Captiva Island, Florida for a week and it was heaven. #takemeback
24. I bought a new car! A Toyota Camry, and passed on the green diesel to Chrissy :)
25. Mike Brunette, our fearless LRC founder, organized two races- both of which we volunteered at, and one of which I ran! {The Twilight Shuffle 5k, and the Run of the Dead Elimination Run 4.25 mile loop}
26. The BMW Championship came to town again and we wrote the 8 miles to the course on our bikes everyday at 6 am. It was amazing.  I'm still having withdrawls.
27. Katy, Dad, and I flew to Maui together to celebrate Grandpa Lacio's life. We spread his ashes in the ocean, met amazing and beautiful family members, and spent some quality time together reminiscing. Blog post to follow....one day. Too soon.
28. I signed up for, trained for, and ran (HALF) of the Chicago Marathon. I stopped because of a tendonitis flare up. Now that I've been to the doctor and have learned that I just might not be able to do certain things without out being largely in pain, I'm not sure that I'll attempt another marathon. Wow, that feels better to say out loud here, but I immediately feel weird about it. 
29. The Hot Chocolate 5k came back to Chicago and we ran it for the 5th year in a row. 
30. I saw the final Hunger Games, and the next Star Wars
31. Ran the Santa 5K in AH with Lisa dressed as Santa!
32. I went to multiple ugly sweater events in my very own Grumpy Cat sweater creation. I would like to wear it everyday actually.
33. My mom and dad hosted Christmas on the 26th this year, which meant that Tommy and I had more time with his side of the family on the 25th. We also went over early to mom and dad's to watch Star Wars on Laser Disc help cook and clean for dinner. I also was in charge of dessert- I made a pumpkin pie (in a graham cracker crust, oops!) and two kinds of cookies FROM SCRATCH!
34. We celebrated NYE at The Loaded Buffalo with LRC friends- See above.
35. Oh! And we ran so, so, so many miles this year. The most miles in one sitting that I've ever run! It was harrrrrrd and semi painful on my tendonitis, but I learned a lot about myself as a runner. 

What a year world.

Hello 2016! Welcome to my life!