April 17

Do you ever wish that you had an internal camera? Something to store an image just the way you see it, or to take a picture that is available NOW and not five seconds from now when you can fumble your camera out of your purse, or when you want to inconspicuously take a picture without being noticed? I do that all the time - mostly on the El or around the city when I see people in particularly horrendous outfits, or when I'm driving or on the bus and see something beautiful.

Anyways, this morning, we were driving to work and we saw a bright spot on Lake Michigan. The morning was a bit overcast and there was one spot where the sun had broken through the clouds and it looked like the kind of sunbeams that you imagine with angels, or something. But it was really beautiful. I don't think my photography skillz would have done it justice regardless, so it's probably better I didn't try and get a pic of it. The skillz would not have done justice to the 100% pleather outfit I saw out on the street either, but that's neither here nor there.

So THAT is my picture of the day. While I didn't capture it digitally, I did capture it in my head. And it was more beautiful than anything else I saw today, so it wins!

April 16

On Monday, I went back to Northwestern to see another doctor (this time a head-neck guy, someone in Otolaryngology, I believe), to try and clear up the mysterious case of "Why a 27 year old would get croup." For now, we're going to go with a combo one-two punch of acid reflux (which I very rarely, if ever, actually feel) and disfunctional vocal chords, because he is the doctor and I have no freaking clue.

On the way in, I see multiple instances of this: some HUGE car (hello, this one is a Navigator) parked in a spot marked "Small Car ONLY", pretty much taking up two spaces. This guy was monopolizing the one to his right, and leaving the one to the left pretty much open, which is more than I can say for most folks. The Northwestern parking garage is the biggest cluster I have ever seen: people parking crappy, driving slow, driving fast, not watching, etc. Pretty much any bad driving you can think of.

And, for your enjoyment, part of the conversation with my doctor:

Doc: Do you ever get out of breath when you run?

Me: No more than anyone else, I would think. Isn't that kind of the point?

Doc: Well, some get out of breath worse than others. Or it's more of a gasping.
Me: I don't think so. But then again I don't run very fast. I'm currently at a 12 minute mile.

Doc: 12 minutes? I am no expert on running or anything, but that is very SLOW.
Me: Thanks

Doc: No, I just mean, do you go slow so you don't get out of breath?
Me: I don't know. I just go slow.

Doc: Did you ever get out of breath doing sports as a kid?
Me: I didn't really do sports as a kid.

Doc: What do you mean? Everyone does a sport as a kid. Did you not do sports because you got out-of-breath?
Me: No, I didn't do sports because I'm just not very sporty. I just recently learned how to use an elliptical machine without falling off. I am very uncoordinated.

Doc: ... (Blank stare. Wonders how people like me exist)

Med student who is observing: (understanding nod- Seems like the kind of guy who wouldn't do sports as a kid either)

April 15

Seriously? Organic Rice Krispies and Mini Wheats? The funniest thing was is that they were priced much cheaper than the regular version... must not be too popular of an item!

April 14

AGAIN with the forgetting to take a picture. Today I spent largely on the couch, fighting off a nasty cold and a nastier hangover.

BUT Chicago won the U.S. 2016 Olympic bid! Yay!

April 13

Today we went bowling with the work crew. This is Beth showing off the special beer bottles at the bowling alley. How cool are they?

April 12

Aren't these the most sullen, weird-looking mannequins you have ever done seen? Good job, Macy's on State (RIP Marshall Fields)!

April 11

Seriously? Gah. Spring is my favorite season, and it looks like we're not getting one of those this year in Chicago.

April 10

Tonight, Cory and I hit a training dinner at Morton's. Yum-O!

Taking being "That Girl" to a whole new level

Things I have purchased very recently:
-Pink ipod shuffle (1G! Great for the running! If it ever does get warm....)
-Pink underarmour tank to wear for mini-marathon
-Pink underarmour sports bra (OF COURSE to go with the pink tank top! Duh!)

I think I need to go to "Pink Stuff Rehab"

I also forgot to take a picture! BAD MONKEY!!!

April 8

Today we celebrated Easter by going to church at Pisgah (where Mike went to church in high school). Mike's friend Dale's wife is very sick, and any prayers for him and his wife would be greatly appreciated! Then, we went to lunch at Grandma Hoch's, and dinner (@ 4! I am surprised I was able to eat!) at Grandma and Grandpa Kovacs' house. All the food was so good, and I got a good pic of Aydan:

Then, we were driving back to Chicago and I got some good shots of the skyline and Soldier Field:

April 7

What I did today:

• Woke up at 7:30 AM
• Ran 8 miles at the Logansport gym (Good treadmills, loved that they didn't have a 60 min limit!)
• Went to the chiropractor for the pain in my left hip. He noted that my hips were twisted; as a result the right leg was a full inch longer than my left (THAT would be why it hurt)
• Had lunch at Mr. Happy Burger (omg SO GOOD)
• Visited with Mike's Grandma Knowles (totally reminds me of a southern version of Grandma Stratton)
• Napped a sweet, glorious, 3 hour nap
• Had dinner with the fam
• Played with Dade and Aydan

This is my favorite pic from the day, Dade cheesing. He cracks me up!

April 6

This is a pic I took on Friday night of Billy, Mike's parents dog. Billy likes to bark at me when I come in, but quickly decides to ignore me in favor of anyone that will give him food. :c) Fine by me!

April 5

How I spend most weeknights

With Rachel Ray

And with The Boy

I am one blessed Monkey.

April 4

Meet my new best pal, the 30 calorie plain old popsicle. Yum! What, they are not good for you if you eat 10 of them? Wha?!?

April 3

Today, my friend Beth gave me the new Norah Jones CD. Seems that she purchased two on accident. Yay! Thanks, Beth!

And this is my culinary masterpiece of the day: turkey cutlets, dredged in bread crumbs and cooked in a pan with Olive Oil flavored Pam spray. They were SO good, and super-healthy too. Each piece was only like 90 calories, and plain marinara sauce on top is only about 20.

April 2

Today, the audit team went to Bennigan's for lunch. So good. See Beth hiding behind Brian there? Haha!

A Side NOTE: OK, seriously. If you are a corn dog fan and you want to be a bit healthier than an actual corn dog, you have to get these things. They are only 160 calories and TASTE JUST LIKE A REAL CORN DOG. I am in luuuuurve.

April 1

Happy April Fool's day! I didn't do a whole heck of a lot today except for sleep and do some invitations. Mike and I tied about 20 ties on the invites and I addressed about half of them. Good times! This pic is of the bed upstairs, which has been turned into Invitation-Assembly-Central.

March 31

Some random shots of the day!

The Chicago Olympic logo.... pretty cool

The Boy and I at Duffy's

The Salmon in Lemon Brodetto with Pea Puree that I made Emily on Saturday night

March 30

Since the purple line shows up so few and far between, I thought it deserved a picture!

March 29

A pic of the address sign at my ENT's office