the daily X

For the Love of Tori

Tori Amos is hands down my all time favorite musician. The love story started years ago when I was in high school and overheard Little Earthquakes coming from my boyfriend's sisters room almost every time I was over there. I remember thinking that it sounded so different, like nothing I had ever heard before. And it was simply beautiful... her voice, the piano, the stories she was telling. It was mesmerizing and inspiring.

And so the love story continues.  Her new album Night of Hunters comes out today and I've been listening to it on NPR. I no longer buy CD's except for hers and sometimes I buy two just so I can keep one in the plastic. Silly - I know. There is just something about looking at the insert and reading the lyrics. 

I came across this layout I created in 2008 after finding these stickers from an album. Definitely brings back memories.

Life With Chris

Life with Chris, aka Mr. X, is never boring. I could dedicate an entire blog to silly songs he makes up on a daily basis. Or the names he makes up for people, including his closest friends. Or the silly prank phones calls I get while at work. Even though I know it's him calling, I can't help but laugh.

One thing I really love about him is his ability to make me smile when I am sad.

Sunday morning I woke up to his potless pot roast* cooking in the crock pot. One of his favorite meals especially during football season. I do not particularly like it nor do I like the smell it creates in the house. I don't eat beef and when the entire house smells like beef I sometimes feel like throwing up. BUT, I've learned to deal with it. I sat down to watch the 9/11 specials on TV and started sobbing on and off for about 2 hours. To distract myself, I moved to working on the computer while watching CNN.com read off the names on the 9/11 memorial. Then Mr. X woke up and walked around the corner. I looked up at him, started crying and said "don't get me started". Of course he was like "okaaay" and headed downstairs. About 5 minutes later he comes back up and says "are you really that upset about the smell of my potless pot roast?"

*Potless Pot Roast is basically a vegetable stew. Potatoes, onions, carrots and seasonings cooked in beef broth for hours....everything except the meat. 

My Golf Game

Hot air balloon passing by in the background on hole 17.

 

I played golf on Monday up in Lake Geneva at Geneva National. It was our annual department outing at work and I was quite nervous as I was the only female in a group of 11 and I haven't golfed in about 10 years. And when I played last it was a 9 hole, par 3, park district course and not an 18 hole course designed and named after a professional golfer.

My dad is an amazing golfer with a couple hole-in-ones under his belt and he taught me everything I know, which turns out to be quite a lot. I knew I wouldn't make a total fool out of myself but I also knew there was no way I would be able to keep up with the guys. I figured I would hang back, have fun driving the golf cart and enjoy a few beers.

Turns out I was wrong. Not only did I have fun recklessly driving the golf cart I was able to keep up and win 2 of the 3 contests: longest drive and longest putt. I'm not going to lie...it feels pretty damn good.

So now it's two days later and I still feel like I got hit by a truck and I have a crazy ass blister on my hand. Absolutely worth it. Looking forward to going out again before the summer is over.

P.S.

While in Portland I met Bob Marley's son Ky-Mani Marley. We were checking into our hotel at the same time and after asking to get a picture with him he offered us tickets to the show he was playing that night. BUT due to technical difficulties with the hotel telephone, I didn't get the message from his people to add our names to the guest list until two days later. Thanks a lot Marriott. At least my brother took a bad ass photo of us.

60 Hours

So that was a little crazy. 60 hours without power. This is the third storm that has come through our area recently. We got lucky with the first two. Not so lucky this time. Some of our family is still without power and they are estimating another 3 days. It's amazing what a wind storm can do....

Horses, Horses, Horses

Saturday Mr. X and I went to see my dad's cousins horse race at Arlington Park. It was such a fun day. We sat in the Million Room overlooking the track, we got to go in the paddock to see his horse Cool Bullet get ready, we bet money, we lost money and we had a great time!

Flashback Friday

I received the sweetest email today from my cousin Mindi who I haven't spoken to in years (she lives in Florida, I live in Illinois). Anyways, as life has gotten in the way, we have lost touch. Luckily she is one of those people that once we start talking again it's like no time has been lost and we can pick back up where we left off. Don't you love relationships like that?

This photo was probably taken over 15 years ago in Florida. That's me on the left, my Aunt Joanne, cousin Julie and cousin Mindi. I love this picture.

Happy Friday!

Flashback Friday

Me in Key West.

Sometime after I graduated from high school my dad and I took a trip down to Florida to visit family and then went to Key West for a few days. I remember feeling like I was far, far away from the US. It had a very carribbean feel and I LOVED it. We had a fantastic time together. Eating at great restaurants everyday, riding bikes around the island, taking a trip to the Dry Tortugas and relaxing by the pool. Something I hope to be doing Saturday.

Christmas Past

Christmas 1979.  What am I doing to Santa's beard?  And why does my brother look like he's going to take off running?

 

Not sure when this photo was taken since there was no date on the back.  Had to be during a time when knee socks and perms were in style.

Old Photos

 
I love old photos.  I've been scanning in quite a few lately so I can print them out and use them on my scrapbook pages.  This one didn't have a date on the back so I'm not sure when it was taken.  I do remember it was at Victory Park in Waukegan.  I was probably watching my brother play baseball or something.  I love the old cars in the back.  I love the simple, metal playground which has since been replaced with a more kid friendly plastic version.  I love the pink indian moccasins I have on.  I remember I was quite fond of that shoe style at one time.

Chris and I came across this website the other day, My Parents Were Awesome.  It's pretty great.