Jam-packed weekend

What an awesome weekend!

Friday night we went to dinner at Carmichael's which was really great and then went to the Caps v. Hawks game with another couple. We had a great time minus the fact that the Caps lost. Boo. Somehow out of all the people in Chicago, we ran into Mark's cousin Nick at the game who was there for a bachelor party. Small world.

Saturday was crazy busy. Michigan Avenue was a mess and I somehow deemed that the appropriate time to run around returning things. From there, Mark and I went to Lakeview and Lincoln Park to look at houses for a few hours. We found two in the same building that we really love and are hoping one works out. It's hard to buy a house with four months left in your lease. From looking at homes we ran to our apartment, walked the dog, and went right back to Lincoln Park to Emily and Mike's place. We had a delicious dinner party with them and Deanna and Brett. Yummy food and lots of fun!

Love these girls!

Yesterday was my lazy Sunday and I got to re-watch Bridesmaids, which was just as funny as ever. My back was so sore after running around all weekend so I'm so happy to go to PT today.

Highlight of this week has to be that I am going home in a few days!!!! Can't wait to see people and go to Josh and Sam's wedding!

Bear Down

Sorry I have been neglecting the blog. This has been a crazy few weeks. I am like a 90 year old woman and hurt my back. Ironically, the doctors seem to think it was from my attempt at running again (see C25K blog post). So I am back in PT for a few weeks, but it seems to be helping. My interpretation of this injury and my past knee injury is that God just doesn't want me to be athletic. Never was, and maybe never should be. I think I'll stick to yoga and pilates when I recover.

Since NFL season started again I decided to (at least try to) be more into football. With that, I am now a Chicago Bears fan, as well as a Redskins fan. But being a Bears fan is kind of more fun while living in Chicago. I even sort of learned some rules! Sort of. The one sport I do enjoy watching is hockey, and am super excited to go to the Caps vs. Blackhawks preseason game Friday night. Go Caps!!!!!

My family came this past weekend, plus one set of grandparents, minus my brother. Dan: you were missed. Being here makes me miss my family, but seeing them reminds me even more how much I miss them. We had a gorgeous weekend here in Chicago- probably one of the last. Luckily, we are going home in a week and I get to see everyone again, including Mark's family. Super exciting!

Right after these pictures were taken I changed my hair back to my natural color- dark brown. Other people seem to like it, but it's still growing on me and is hard to get used to. I'll take some pictures soon and post them with the next blog post.

And suddenly... it's Fall!

After a week of both Mark and I being sick, we were back with a vengeance.

On Saturday we went with a bunch of our friends to see Guster at Ravinia. The concert was amazing, and they were even better than I remembered them being five years ago. It was such a fun night. Good music, good company, good snacks/drinks.

On Sunday Mark and I walked around all of Lincoln Park to get a better idea of where we would like to look for homes. We definitely know what area we like, and are hoping we can find something in that area sometime soon! Later that night, my friend Shira came to visit while on her crazy tour across the country, working. It was so nice to see her. I love being with high school friends, and anyone I've known that long; it brings you back to reality having someone who knew you when.

Monday was Labor Day and we did the brunch thing. We had originally planned on being at the beach that day, however, Mother Nature decided that Chicago only functions between hot and cold...not in between. So it was 65 degrees and the beach was a no-go. We relaxed, then went to The Whiskey Bar, then to dinner at Tavern on Rush, where the lovely (just kidding) Reverend Jesse Jackson was at the table next to us. I'm not a big fan, so it wasn't exactly a celebrity sighting.

Later this week, Mark's oldest friend Danny is visiting on his way to California. He is moving there and we are the stopping point. It's always so nice to see everyone.

Have a great week!