Packed
The weekend before one goes away on vacation, isn’t one supposed to focus on packing one’s belongings to get ready for said trip? Yeah, well, my weekend was packed. But, not the vacation preparing kind…
To give you an understanding of traffic in Chicago, let me recap my Friday night plans. I work in the suburbs north of the city and was meeting some friends in the suburbs west of the city. Total drive distance, according to Google Maps was 30 miles. Total drive time (under normal travel conditions), according to Google Maps, was 50 minutes. I left my office at 4PM (maybe even a few minutes before) and rolled into my friend’s house at 5:45. One hour, 45 minutes. Traffic was insane. And this is not an uncommon commute time. Sigh.
But, it was worth it. I got together with some of the girls Sweets grew up with (something I haven’t ever done without Sweets). Got to share giggles over keeping pregnancies quiet (found out one of them is due in February). Got to ooooh and ahhh over planned trips to Mexico. And had a generally enjoyable evening catching up with two women I usually only see at family gatherings.
Saturday, I was up and out of the house early to drop SoMi off to get groomed. Mind you, this is a point of contention between Sweets and me, since he doesn’t feel she ever needs to be groomed, since she is short-haired. But, she was getting scruffy around her neck and butt and tail and we needed to have her nails clipped anyway, so I deemed this appointment necessary. (Let it be noted, this is the first time she’s been groomed in over two years, so it’s not exactly like I obsess over her looks). And I fell in love with the place where she got groomed. What I loved the most? Dogs seemed happy there. They were quarantined behind a half wall, but allowed to roam free (instead of being locked up in kennels). There wasn’t any barking and the dogs that were being groomed looked relaxed. Big plusses in my book.
While SoMi was being groomed, I headed over to see the baby’s mamas and my niece. When I arrived, they asked her who was coming over to visit. Zora said, “Aunt Nilsa.” Score. I’m finally being acknowledged. And boy am I being acknowledged. Girlfriend hammed it up for the camera when I asked her to smile, but eventually came around to giving me more age-appropriate smiles. I’m finally making inroads with that girl!
After a long walk with Sweets and SoMi on Saturday afternoon, we had a decision to make. The weather was hot and steamy on Saturday and we were supposed to meet friends at a street festival. But, I just wasn’t feeling the weather and Sweets wasn’t feeling the street festival. So, we bailed in favor of going to the movies with our neighbors. We saw Inception, which I thought it was OK. Definitely a movie that has you thinking the entire 2+ hours (not relaxing at all). And all I could focus on is how much Leonardo DiCaprio has aged. Boyfriend is the same age as me and he used to look so young. I guess we’ve all aged over the years. Sigh.
Sunday, I got up early to take SoMi on another long walk. When we got home, I was called to rescue Sweets, who got a flat while out on a long bike ride. That afternoon, we went to Sweets’ folks’ house to celebrate a birthday (and, of course, take the dogs to the leash free park for a long walk). And Sunday night, Sweets and I had rooftop tickets to see the Cardinals play the Cubs.
Nowhere in my weekend did I do one ounce of packing. Or preparing. Or even really thinking about our upcoming roadtrip. And yet, I left the weekend feeling packed, in a very different kind of way.
How did you spend your weekend?
July 26th, 2010 at 7:05 am
Oh my gosh! She’s so adorable!! I love the hamming it up :) This definitely sounds like a very busy weekend, no wonder it felt packed!
My weekend was spent working on a new craft & eating fresh blackberries. I’m a big fan :)
July 26th, 2010 at 8:28 am
Baby Z is so adorable. That first picture is priceless. Your weekend sounds very fun, even with long commute times and flat bike tires. This weekend I took some much needed down time spending the majority of Saturday just hanging around the house and Sunday with my 15 year old cousin perusing a book store and talking over a long dinner out.
July 26th, 2010 at 8:29 am
There was so much in my weekend as well that it’s tough to sum it up in one sentence, but I’ll try: poolside beer with the family followed by a late night dinner; up and at ‘em early on Saturday to help my Gram dinette shop, the requisite Target trip, homework, followed by dinner & a movie (Mexican & Despicable Me in 3D); Sunday morning finance group project, lunch with a friend who is moving, detailing my car (myself), reading poolside, ice cream, sleep. I don’t feel rested at all but that’s okay; some of the things just had to be done :)
Zora is adorable!
July 26th, 2010 at 8:33 am
I have only heard great things about Inception….and I really want to see it despite Leonardo Decrapio being in it.
We were supposed to pack for our move this weekend and didn’t. We were too busy with a family party, weeding and doing other things around the house. Whoops!
July 26th, 2010 at 8:46 am
Baby Z is too cute. How old is she? My niece was not a huge fan of mine when she was around 2. Actually, it would change from day to day, she’d latch on to you one day and then next wanted nothing to do with you.
My husband had a productive weekend working on the house, but I mostly laid on the couch and then felt guilty for not helping.
July 26th, 2010 at 8:47 am
She is so precocious and cute! Sounds like you had a well rounded weekend with friends and Sweets! You can pact today and tomorrow, with a weekend liek that you have to tkae advantage!
We spent the weekend spending money on Rosie. We signed her up to intermediate doggie “manners” class. Yesterday we were at the vet (thank goodness for Sunday hours) because she was throwing up since Saturday morning. So we spent the weekend with one sick puppy.
July 26th, 2010 at 9:23 am
Your weekend sounds nice! That is SUCH a long commute though, wowie! Guess that’s big city living for you -- it takes me that much time to drive to ANOTHER city and visit my friends :)
This weekend I did freelance work ALL day on Saturday and then yesterday I did my 14-mile marathon training run in the morning and then spent the afternoon with an old high school friend who is currently sleeping on my couch :)
July 26th, 2010 at 9:35 am
Is this Zora’s photo debut on your blog? She is precious! And older than I thought! Love that wink!
We get our mutt groomed. He has naturally long hair, and until a couple of years ago (he’s 13), we hadn’t ever had him shaved. But when we do, he struts around all proud! So cute! And I’m sure much cooler on these 115 heat index days in Georgia!
July 26th, 2010 at 10:16 am
I leave for a 5 day trip on Th and all I managed to do was laundry which is a feat in my packed schedule. Hooray for me!
I saw Inception this weekend too. I liked it though I noticed the music was constantly at a crescendo and it made me feel on edge- it was a constantly intense movie. I was tired after it!
July 26th, 2010 at 10:33 am
ok can zora be any cuter?!? love the wink!
i’ve been meaning to ask you, are you going to be in chi last weekend in aug?
July 26th, 2010 at 11:10 am
She’s adorable! And growing up quickly! Love the wink.
I take it Chicago was ridiculously hot as well? If you spent more than five minutes outside this weekend over on our side of the US, you’d more than likely burst into flames. That’s mainly why I stayed inside, nursing my cold but doing work on my laptop (for work) at the same time. It was still a good weekend because sushi dinner was had last night!
July 26th, 2010 at 11:20 am
I saw Inception too. Considering I was just beginning a cold, my mind was too tired to want to think that much. lol! In truth, I was kind of bored through the movie and the whole time kept thinking, “Oh what will the world think of me when they ask me if I like the movie and I said no?” I felt like an angry mob might come after me. LOL! what can I say? It just wasn’t for me.
Great pics!
July 26th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
She’s really putting 100% into that wink!
I saw Inception too, and had the same thought about Leonardo. I mean, obviously he’s not OLD old yet, but he’s not a boy anymore. Still, I think he’s aging well. Looking rugged, with shades of Brad Pitt.
July 26th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
You have left me dying to know who is pregnant, assuming you hung out with the crowd that I am thinking of! No fair!!
July 26th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
We didn’t pack a thing yet either. There are 6 of us! My husband is an expert packer since he travels all the time but the kids and I hardly ever go anywhere for more than one night. Crazy! I am thinking the rest of this week is going to be even more crazy busy for us than usual!
Zora is such a cutie pie!
July 26th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
I’m all about the last minute panic packing, personally. Have fun!
July 26th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
Totally unrelated-to-this-post comment: I saw a clip on the news this weekend that there was some major flooding in Chicago, and I thought of you. I hope you’re staying safe/dry/un-flooded! :-P
Related-to-this-post comment: I am a last minute packer to the max. And sometimes it’s totally worth the stress to put it off in favor of a different kind of packed-ness. Sounds like you had a pretty good weekend! (Oh, and that kid is TOO cute.)
July 26th, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Your niece is ADORABLE! You have time to pack and get ready this week. No stress!
July 26th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
That is one cute kiddo!
I am the worst about packing…though I do make excellent lists which speeds things along.
July 26th, 2010 at 6:03 pm
Baby Z is beautiful :)
I spent my driving out to the farms to buy 30lbs of fresh berries … and then dealing with 30lbs of fresh berries.
July 26th, 2010 at 7:30 pm
Wow, what a busy weekend… but good-busy with lots of fun things! Your niece is adorable (it’s the cutest when they finally start to recognize you! :)).
July 26th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
Your niece is so adorable! Love the wink. :)
July 26th, 2010 at 8:39 pm
Baby Z is adorable! And I totally know what you mean about traffic. It is SO depressing that it takes 50 minutes to go 15-20 miles. The logic on that is SO OFF.
July 27th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
Again, how do you fit it all in, woman?! Baby Z is so cute! I love the winking picture.
I saw Inception last weekend and it melted part of my brain. Seriously. I’m still frustrated because I can’t figure it out.
July 27th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
Traffic is crazy here too. It’s amazing how long it can take to go just a few miles if you time it right (or wrong!).
I saw Inception too, and it kept me more entertained than I thought it might. Leo is definitely starting to show his age. I kept noticing how permanent and deep his frown lines are!
July 27th, 2010 at 3:49 pm
You did have a full weekend! That sucks about the traffic but I am glad the rendezvous was so much fun. I love nights like that with great friends. They are so restorative!
My weekend felt pretty full. I was at my parents cabin so there was plenty of time to relax during the day, but I got up early both days to run. Esp Sunday when I got up at 5:30, ran, quickly got ready, and hit the road with my mom. We came back to Minneapolis, went to a community theater musical that my aunt directed (which was really good & well done), then over to my aunt’s house for dinner. It was sort of too much for one day, esp when the day started so early with a 14 mile run. I think I forgot how taxing those long runs can be. It went great, but I was so drained, I nearly fell asleep during the musical… Oops…
July 27th, 2010 at 8:10 pm
Zora is just adorable! What a cam-ham!
Glad that you had a great weekend. I spent mine entertaining friends from out of town and enjoying Oregon’s lovely Brew Fest.
July 29th, 2010 at 7:48 am
What a cutie that niece of yours!
My weekend was spent packing, but the moving kind ;)