Sunday, December 12, 2010

Top 10 Music Releases 2010.


This year was a great year for music.  So much great new music came out.  I got to see a lot of bands in concert and have some great memories.

1. Innerspeaker by Tame Impala
2. Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter
3. This is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
4. Teen Dream by Beach House
5. Total Life Forever by Foals
6. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
7. Beast Rest Forth Mouth by Bear in Heaven
8. Fields by Junip
9  Broken Bells by Broken Bells 
10. High Violet by The National







Sunday, December 5, 2010

First Snowfall.

I love the first snowfall.  And this year is the first year I have been trying to run outside all year long.  So far has been really great going down to the lake front for my twice a week if I can runs.  The area I run has some of the best views of the city and being close to nature and no traffic really keeps me motivated.  So the day after it snowed I went out not knowing what to expect.  It was about 28 degrees outside the coldest out so far too.  I was amazed at how truly beautiful it was. The sky was cloudy with the sun peaking through and the few runners I did see all seemed to be enjoying it.  I warmed up about 5 minutes into the run.  My fingers were pretty cold though but at the end of the run I was feeling good.

I normally run up this hill at the end of my run but today all the kids were sledding down it so I watched wishing I had a sled! Looks like I may need to invest in one because it looks like so much fun.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Quotes

I like hearing great advice or a good quote.  So many wise and important quotes mean so much in times of joy, sorrow, celebrations, challenges to over come and just living life.




1. Life is either a great adventure or nothing.  by Helen Keller

2. "When you reach a fork in the road take it." Yogi Berra

3. “Dance as though no one is watching you. Love as though you have never been hurt before. Sing as though no one can hear you. Live as though heaven is on earth.” by William W. Purkey

4. "Meeting you was fate, becoming your friend was a choice, but falling in love with you I had no control over.” unknown

5.  
"Life is way too precious & beautiful to let anyone hurt me, make me sad or feel worthless, take my happiness away." Janice Peurrung

6.  "Sometimes you eat the bear and sometimes the bear eats you" unknown but heard this a lot from my tour guide Stephen when I traveled through Europe in my early 20's.  



7. "I just think with my heart" Kate Field


8.  "With Love you find strength, with passion we find joy, in our lives we persevere, we keep going we can fly" Lori Field Peurrung.


9.  "Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity.  Gilda Radner


10.  I've always liked the serenity prayer and never knew the author Reinhold Niebuhr wrote this extended version.  


      God, grant us the...
Serenity to accept things we cannot change,
Courage to change the things we can, and the
Wisdom to know the difference
Patience for the things that take time
Appreciation for all that we have, and
Tolerance for those with different struggles
Freedom to live beyond the limitations of our past ways, the
Ability to feel your love for us and our love for each other and the
Strength to get up and try again even when we feel it is hopeless.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Birthday and Halloween weekend

My birthday just happens to fall the day before my favorite holiday Halloween.  Who doesn't like Halloween.  Watching scary movies, eating candle apples, dressing up and eating my favorite candies mini butterfingers and Reese cups.   I normally take the day off and do something fun.  This year it fell on a Saturday so I took Friday off and decided I needed some kind of pampering.  I read about this Korean bath house called King Spa And Sauna.  I was just going to enjoy all the sauna rooms and baths but decided I needed a scrub.  I got the best scrub/massage and felt like I had been on a vacation when I left after 3 hours.  That may become my new birthday ritual.

Bear in Heaven



Friday night I went to a concert with some friends.  I had not yet been to this new venue called Lincoln Hall and heard great things about it.  Was one of the best venues to see lives music.

On Saturday I went to my favorite places in the city called Garfield Park Conservatory.

 Dinner with friends made my Birthday complete.
Thanks everyone for all the Birthday wishes!!

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

cold season

You hear this is the time of year for flu shots.  I am considering getting one this year. I got a cold that has been going around.  Here are some tips to prevent colds and if you get a cold how to feel better.
I try and do these all year round to stay healthy.

1.  Wash hands, wash hands and wash hands.  Have plenty of lotion and purell hand sanitizer on hand.
2.  Drink more tea.  Especially green tea which has many healthy things in it.
3.  Get plenty of sleep.
4.  Try to keep stress to a minimum.  I do yoga to help with this.
5.  Exercise even if its just walking.
6.  Eat well.  I don't think eating lots of chips and dip and cookies count. But I'm all for comfort foods in the colder months.  I take a one a day vitamin to make sure I get all I need.
7.  Laugh A LOT! May not ward off a cold but it will make you feel better.  And break stress which will help.
8.  Do something fun or pampering for yourself.  Once a day if not once a week.
9.  Drink plenty of water. I do that all year round but in winter its pretty dry so its important to stay hydrated.
10.  I eat more garlic in the colder months. I pretty much put it in every thing I can.   Supposed to be good for warding off colds...and vampires!




If you do get a cold:
1.  Don't panic.  Hopefully when you start to feel it you can do some things to keep it short.
2.  Have plenty of kleenex.  I love the ones with lotion in them!
3.  Take extra vitamin C or drink Emergen C or eat more things that are rich in C.
4.  Get plenty of rest and take it easy.  Which means slow down or stop working out if you have a fever.
5.  I try not to take over the counter stuff but I give in if my symptoms are bad and I need to function or sleep I will take them.  I found an old hot toddy recipe that works well at night.
6.  Drink water and tea...lots of it!  So many good teas out there for colds.
7.  I like to take a steam either at the gym or at home.  Yes I turn the hot water on and sit in the bathroom.
8. If you have a fever or feel run down best to take the day off of work.
9.  If you do stay home wear most comfy warm clothes.  Read, watch movie or TV, stare out the window and nap.
10.  Be patient and kind to yourself.
11.  Oh and chicken soup!!!!!

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Fall Field Trip

I took the day off of work so I could enjoy my favorite season FALL.  I wanted to get out of the city and experience some color so my friend recommended Morton Arboretum about an hour from my house.  This place is amazing and just what I needed to feel, smell and taste fall.











Sunday, October 10, 2010

Pumpkins

Its that time of year when you see pumpkins everywhere.  I'm a big fan of all things pumpkin.

Pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin pie
Pumpkin butter
Pumpkin soup
Charlie Brown "The Great Pumpkin"
Pumpkin Ale
Pumpkin Bread
Pumpkin muffins
Pumpkin Latte
Pumpkin carving
Pumpkin patch
Pumpkin Festival
Pumpkin candles from Tatine

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Favorite Things

I have a favorite things I can't live without.  I know Oprah does her favorite things but I don't have enough money to give you all my favorite things so instead I am just going to write about them.   Not necessarily in any kind of order

1. My Uggs-yes I know everyone has them.  I have to be one of the first to bring them over when visiting my sister and her family in Australia.  I only wear mine around the house and to take the trash out.  They have lasted me about 15 years and they are the most cozy shoes to wear in winter months.





2. My iphone.

3. Milk and Honey granola. This local breakfast/lunch place makes their own and sells at places all over. I get mine at Whole Foods.  I'm waiting for Maggie my niece to make me some of her homemade granola I hear about!  I eat it with fruit and yogurt almost everyday for breakfast.


4. Newman's pretzels.  I have been a fan of his company and products for a long time.  I love that they give so much of the profits to charity.  These pretzels have 5 grams protein per serving so they are a great work snack.  Great dipping into humus or good mustards too.

5. Tatine Candles.  My friend Margo makes the most amazing candles.  I light them almost everyday.  Pumpkin ones are my favorite this time of year.

6. KEXP radio.  Love this Internet radio station.  Listen all day at work.  I get to hear a lot of new music and some great old stuff too.

7.  Apartment Therapy: love this website/blog.  I get so some much great information from it.

8.  This warm fuzzy blanket I got a Target few years ago.  Great for snuggling up on the sofa.

9. Yogi tea.  I drink some coffee usually a soy latte once or twice a week but I try and drink more tea. I love that they have quotes at the end of the string of the tea bag.  They are so inspirational to read.

Says "True Understanding is Found Trough Compassion"


10.  Lucas Pawpaw ointment: This stuff is amazing.  I do not go anywhere without it.  I bring back some every time I go to Australia and pass on to my friends I love it so much. Use it on my lips and hands when they are dry.  Great for the winter months.

What are some of our favorite things?

Sunday, September 26, 2010

A Day in the Country.





I was invited view weeks ago to visit an old friend I haven't seen in a some time who now lives in Valparaiso Indiana. Its about an hour east of Chicago. I was ready for some time outside the city.  See I love Chicago but sometimes city life can burn me out.  I love this time of year and I have been so busy a nice day in the country and a bike ride sounded perfect.  Was nice to have fresh air, beautiful scenery, sounds of birds, no traffic and no one to run me over.
It was my first bike ride in Indiana and I laugh because I was never sure why Indian was called the Hoosier  state?




Saturday, September 18, 2010

Lesson and Signs

This year for me has been full of reflection.  Not sure if that is mid life or just the things that happened this year or both.  I really try and find the meaning of things and its not always easy to do.  I  look for signs to tell me things will be ok or give me strength to get through.  I was out with some friends Friday after work doing our weekly ritual of getting together to talk, laugh and and have some drinks.  I got a call from my neighbor that my building was on fire but that it was on the south side of the building.  I live on the north side.  Some workers who had been doing work on the roof accidently set the roof on fire.  I have been through a fire before so it was strange I didn't want to rush home because I didn't want to experience the trauma of seeing the building I live in flames as all the neighbors watch.  I knew no one was hurt so I decided to stay and enjoy my friends.  Some may think that is avoidance or denial but I knew I couldn't do anything and I would deal with whatever I had to when I returned home.  I was very lucky as others were not.  My condo only smelt like smoke and I didn't have electric for 12 hours.  I can handle that though it did bring back memories of the first time.  I woke up the next morning and went to my yoga class and the new art work on the walls were these paintings of beautiful birds.  There was also a really great thunderstorm during class.  Those signs brought me peace.  My friend Terry who is Jewish told me last night was the holiday Yom Kippur.  And that they fast after sunset and reflect on the past year.  I like that and hope that all that I experience with the support and love of my friends and family makes me a better and stronger person.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Labor Day



They say its the official last weekend of summer.  I decided to spend mine with my family in St. Louis.  My first road trip there in a very long time.  I normally fly there so my 5 year old car with only 25,000 miles on it was excited and so was I.  I wondered on my drive how Labor Day holiday came about.

Things I did in St. Louis:  some time by the pool, eating, went for a run with my brother Pete around Creve Coeur lake. local brew pub Schlafly Brewing, bike ride, St. Louis Cardinal Game vs. Cincinnati Reds, more eating and drinking.  The weather was perfect all weekend and enjoyed spending time with my family.  Thanks everyone for all the fun!  Mom for all the cooking, Pete for treating the beers and Dad for getting my car washed/gassed up. Great way to end my summer and bring on fall!!