More Lame Stuff About Fall

Believe it or not, I saw these flowers in Whole Foods and I couldn’t help but snap a quick picture. I had never seen red star gazer lilies before! Was a beautiful moment of fall inspiration…a nice way to welcome the season.

Have you noticed my utter fascination with autumn? It’s showing up everywhere in my blog. I can’t help it, this is the best time of the year. And yes, I am a nerd. Just deal with it. Cheers!

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Hello October…it’s been awhile

So tomorrow will be October 1st.

Back up…WHAT?! Where did this year ago? Sheesh. On the other hand- AWESOME. I love October, particularly Halloween and the gloriously changing weather. And Columbus Day, which just so happens to be designated holiday according to my employer. High five!

I will be hopping on a plane early tomorrow en route to New York. Be back on Sunday. Till then blogging will be light…but that just means I’ll be photographing everything and saving up memories to post upon my return! New York is a fantastic place so get excited for fantastic photos….yaaaaay!!!

On a side note (and I mean really far off to the side), I simply had to post a link to this utterly absurd story. I don’t know what’s more disturbing…the concept of a nude Sarah Palin portrait hanging in a bar or the fact that the bar owner’s daughter served as the model. One thing is for sure: alcohol sales are up.

In Retaliation To My Sister (Insert Creepy Laugh)

If you’ve read my sister’s scathing post about my giving away a foam finger to a sweet little boy, you know that I am fired up! This cool little dude was sitting in front of Fitz and me at Miller Park, and was completely transfixed with my blue Cubs foam finger.

So I gave it to him.

My sister immediately began freaking out and screeching about how I gave away my birthday gift from her. True, she did give me the foam finger on my birthday…but she also gave me a Coach purse and a pair of spa socks (which you should run out and buy right now because they are AMAZING). I was shocked that she would be so stubborn when it came to a little kid’s happiness. She still hasn’t completely gotten over this.

So I ask for your judgement- but before you judge, check out the photo evidence the little dude’s happiness:

Does it get better than this?

I know, right?! This kid RULES.

In The Wake of A Bad Economy, Rely On Sarcasm

I know that this morning I was waxing optimistic in the post below but let’s face it…our economy is the furthest thing from stable right now. The $700 billion dollar bailout didn’t come to fruition and everyone from from Ben Bernanke to Warren Buffett is basically shaking their head and saying, “Dude…we’re screwed. Big time.”

I kind of agree. But at the same time…there has to be a way to fix this jumbled mess. We Americans must rally around a common solution; we cannot accept failure in the face of adversity. People are losing their homes and jobs and that is simply unacceptable.

But while I get around to thinking up a plan, at least we can all have a little chuckle with this stellar demotivator:

Ah so true

Yes, this is an actual company. Check out it out here.

And in all seriousness, say some prayers. We really need some hope right now.

Good Words For Today, For Always

“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds up to be” (Abraham Lincoln)

Are you happy today? There are so many reasons to be. For one, the Bears beat the Eagles last night.

And I’m traveling to New York on Wednesday.

And I had a delicious cup of green tea this morning.

And the Midwest has been blessed with warm, beautiful autumnal weather this year.

And I feel immense love from my family, friends, and fiancee. A smile erupts!

The list of happy things could go on and on and on…

This feels nice

Photo Courtesy of Flickr: Moranga’s photostream

Best. Bumper. Sticker. Ever.

Spotted at the Jewel Osco in Antioch.

My reaction: ridiculous giggles while Fitz rolled his eyes. I mean…really? It’s one thing to take ownership of your personality traits (however unfavorable they may be), but to just put the facts out there, on your car, for the world to see…well that’s pretty bold.

Pretty much says it all

Mr. Bill Tailgates In Milwaukee

Little known fact: Mr. Bill lives in my co-worker’s office. So I grabbed him last week and decided he would spend the weekend with me, and I would document his adventures. What better place to take him than my family’s tailgate at Miller Park in Milwaukee?! The Cubs were playing the Brewers and naturally my fam was representing.

Mr. Bill fit right in with the party! Just look where he turned up…

This Trail Mix Is Delicious

OH NO

Uh OH

“Dude, These Brownies Suck”

***Warning: I’m not sure who reads this blog so just in case…please know that the clips below are rated PG-13. I can’t have parents calling me or leaving weird comments about my playing a role in the corruption of innocence. Word.

In honor of my recent Can’t Hardly Wait post, here is a hilarious clip that is positively brills:

Disclaimer: I do not own this clip. Found via YouTube: jimspearson

Two Flat Tires: Perhaps It’s Good Luck??!

Since my beloved Roo (11-year-old white Subaru) seems to getting senile (i.e. not wanting to start, making odd noises that I know aren’t right), Fitz has been AWESOME about letting me borrow his car every now and then. Yesterday, was just that kind of occasion.

Fast forward to this morning. Fitz wakes up, walks into my dad’s kitchen (we’re in A-town..Cubs Game…Milwaukee…remember?), and my dad informs him that there is good and bad news.

“The good news is…I have a fresh cup of coffee for you,” my dad cheerfully announces.

Immediately, FItz knew that if coffee was supposed to good news…the bad news had to be pretty bad.

“The bad news is…you’re car has two flat tires,” he concludes.

Um…yikes. Naturally I feel terrible about this and Fitz is all, “Don’t worry, I noticed the tires getting low…”

But I still feel bad. However that didn’t stop me from trying to remove blame from myself (“Maybe when you drove us to the Port last night, you parked in some glass…you never know!”) but Fitz could see right through it. What can I say? I’m a middle child and a former broker- I’m used to negotiating in my favor! The good news for me- there is a quick and easy remedy to the situation and Fitz is understanding and cool about it all.

So I’m thinking…one flat tire is typical. But two is kind of rare…so perhaps this is good luck for today’s Cubs game?! Don’t worry, I have my camera and the day (and all its debauchery) will be heavily documented. For now, it’s tire-fixin’ time and pre-game. It’s a beautiful fall day and I get to spend it all with great family, awesome friends, and the best fiancee a girl could have.

GO CUBBIES!!!!

Suburbia Awaits, But For Now Let’s Debate

This weekend I am on a quest…to see grass.
Just kidding.

I always joke that I occasionally venture to the suburbs so that I don’t forget what gardens and trees look like but actually, I will be there to spend some time with my and Fitz’s fams and go to the Cubs game in Milwaukee.

As for the presidential debate tonight, I definitely want to catch it. I’m hoping that John McCain and Barack Obama will speak about the economy, education, health care, and most importantly, the issue of too many bad reality tv shows taking over television networks. I’m also curious if Obama will totally house McCain over the whole ’suspending the campaign’ phrase. Tune in, my fellow Americans…

Even MORE Random Info About Me

Brace yourselves: I don’t know how to whistle.

Gasp! 

I know. Discuss.

Yes, I’ve tried. Many people have attempted to teach me using a variety of methods. But it just hasn’t come to fruition, and I look like an absolute idiot practicing, so I’m not going to push it. It’s not as simple as wetting your lips and blowing air- this stuff is complicated people!

My name is Kelly and I’m a non-whistler.

Random Information You Probably Don’t Care To Know

I’ve never eaten a plum. Ever. Not to my knowledge anyway (my memory only stretches so far back into my childhood).

Also, the first pear I ever remember having was when I was a junior in college. No joke. When I took my first bite, I was surrounded by friends who just stared at me, in awe that someone could go 21 years without ever having a pear.

I was a picky eater as a child. Actually, I still am. It’s just that my taste buds have totally flip-flopped.

So try that on for size.

A Little Twilight Tease, Can’t Hardly Wait

Check out this article featuring an interview with Peter Facinelli regarding his role as Dr. Carlisle Cullen in the Twilight movie, as well as a DVD release of the movie Can’t Hardly Wait (which, if you haven’t seen this movie, stop reading right now and go to your neighborhood Best Buy). Why do I adore this flick? Let’s see…the Loveburger, the geeks getting drunk for the first time in attempt to seek revenge while acting out Star Wars scenes, and….wait for it…Trip McNealy’s return (greatest former jock burnout name that ever was).

Also in this article…new Twilight photo with Peter, Nikki Reed, and Robert Pattinson!

Clearly at the hospital

Disclaimer: I do not own this image. Property of Summit Entertainment LLC

Just a little something to wet your whistle…

Generosity Still Exists In A Bad Economy

I read a story in the Trib today about a boy who was homebound because his customized wheelchair was stolen (it was in his mother’s car, which was stolen out of the driveway). The young boy has cerebral palsy and his wheelchair was worth about $5,000.

The good news…there are still kind people in this world. It made me so blissfully happy to hear that donations have been pouring into for this family, and funds have been set up to help get this little boy a new chair. Also, the company that built the original chair has dropped off a temporary replacement so the little boy can go back to school!

Doesn’t that give you goose bumps?

In the face of adversity, there are some who see the silver lining…and then there are those who simply choose to create one for all to relish. It’s nice to know that even in a bad economy, good things are happening and generosity is alive and well. BRAVO!

I’m Surrounded By Idiots

Oh I know this

A few years ago, I was strolling down Michigan Avenue on a lazy Sunday, doing a little shopping. The foot traffic downtown is awesome, as there is AMAZING people watching. On this day in particular, a young, rotund boy (I’m guessing about 14 years old, even though I’m terrible at guessing ages) walks by wearing a white shirt that reads, “I’m surrounded by idiots.”

I thought this was hysterically funny because as a young teenager, your hormones and angst completely corrupt your mind into thinking that you are so smart, so cool, so all-knowing….that you would probably genuinely believe you were surrounded by idiots.

Today….I can empathize with this young lad.

I just walked across the street to my bank to open up a joint checking account (this is the kind of fun stuff you do when planning a wedding). I turned over two forms of ID to the bank clerk and she quickly raised an eyebrow and smirked. This could be due to the fact that I handed her a driver’s license photo of me with short blond hair (which I clearly no longer have), and a truly heinous passport picture taken when I was 15. I’m now 12 years older.

I widened my eyes, smirked right back as if to say, “I know…it’s ridiculous…but it’s me.” She decided I was legit, so I decided she was a pretty cool bank clerk. That didn’t last long…

“Do you have an account with us already?” she asked.

“Yes,” I replied pleasantly.

Silence for about 4 minutes. Her computer freezes. We start over.

She smiles and asks, “Do you have an account with us already?”

“Um…Yes. I have a checking account. I want to open a joint checking account. I’m assuming I’m not the first person to come in here asking to do so,” I responded.

“Oh…well when I asked you earlier if you had an account with us, it sounded like you said no,” she said, “But…you do have an account here, you said?”

Aw sheesh, lady!!! 
I know, I know…patience is a virtue.

Image Credit: Cafepress