SO THAT HAPPENED...

You may have noticed there were quite a few months of silence from this Smalltownista as I seemingly dropped off the face of the blogosphere. Well, it was not for lack of inspiration and ideas, but rather...

Wednesday January 12th, 2011

Ugh, why is my phone ringing? And look, it's 3:30 in the morning. Telemarketers. Who would possibly be awake for a sales call at this hour. Vibrate...what a fabulous notion!

Again, really, well this is seriously disturbing my REM sleep. Wait, why is a 312 number calling me...and is that the hubs phone vibrating from its charging perch?

Oh no, this must be some sort of emergency!!! Something must have set off my security alarm at work...did I lock the front door? check! Did I lock the back door? I feel certain this is also a check! From deep within my semi-conscious state I fumble with my iphone attempting to redial the 312 number, but instead happen upon this voicemail...

ONE YEAR LATER. . .

It's hard to believe a year has gone by since we unpacked our Penske and embarked on a new life in the grand city of Chicago. What amazing things take place in only 365 days, big and small.

I have come a long way from the fearful smalltownista paying for my first solo cab ride with sweaty palms. Hopping the Red Line is no longer an anxiety riddled experience, but a daily occurance which allows me to read my newest book in peace, well minus the gospel ranting rider and the occassional stranger animately and feverently talking to themselves.

WELCOME TO THE QUARTER LIFE CRISIS

Just found Quarterlife Crisis: The Unique Challenges of Life in Your Twenties today, plan on ordering and reading after lifting my self-imposed 'No more buying books policy'

Honestly, the title of this post was inches away from becoming the title of this blog and it is a very real thing folks. Very real, indeed. As the Quarter Life Crisis chapter is coming to a close for me, I am only now realizing how prevalent it is. Of course we have all heard of the mid-life crisis and possibly even witnessed it with our own eyes. Fast cars, hot lovers, erratic behavior, hey, wasn't that our early twenties?

SMALLTOWNISTA ON HIATUS

Whew, this last week has been a whirl wind. . .

*Survive first week solo on the Dream Job. Check

*Clean house for Momma Jane's visit. Halfway check

*Bid farewell to the hubs as he embarks on sea side vacay. Check

*Imbibe one green beer for first St. Patty's Day in Chi town festivities. Check

*Prepare week's worth of lunch for work. Not even close to a check

*Top off latest read from massive book collection. Almost check

*Unpack from Road trip and do laundry for two. Check

*Catch up with a few besties via phone date. Check

*Find a place for at home Yoga practice in new routine. Working on it, but will be much easier and more convenient when new Yoga studio opens up, 3 doors down from work. Counting down the days, er, months!

*Bask in the Spring time weather teaser. Check

*Lend a helping hand to fellow city dweller. Check & it was fun to actually know where I was going well enough to give someone else directions. YAY.

Hitting my stride at said dream job is going to take a little time, but I will get there. In the meantime, this little smalltownista is on hiatus from posting. My focus for now is on work, the hubs, yoga, meditation, reading, and catching up with folks when I have a free moment. If there is any blogging to be had it will be few and far between. I hope to be back in the swing of things soon, but until then. . .

Toodles for now!

WHAT I'M LOVING WEDNESDAY-"LIFE LESSONS FROM JIMMY BUFFETT"

Today is a very fun post for me as I had the opportunity to interview my friend, very talented writer, and fellow Smalltownista, Lauren Sisson. Being a die hard Jimmy Buffett fan or parrothead I should say, Lauren has recently launched the blog Life Lessons from JB and it is sure to be a place for you to find fun, quippy, and informative posts.

WHAT I'M LOVING WEDNESDAY-ELIZABETH GILBERT

Okay, so not quite the love affair I had with Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia, but I certainly could relate to Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage a little bit more.  Sure, Ms. Gilbert is working through her thoughts on marriage number two, but I was just as skeptical about marriage number one.  It was no surprise that as a 'child of divorce' or as Ann Coulter would prefer, "Future Stripper" I had no fairy tale notions associated with marriage.  Fortunately, I find myself very happy and fulfilled with my hubs.  I should probably clear up the fact that I have never been nor am I currently a 'stripper' but thanks for vote of confidence Ms. Coulter. 

DEAR CHICAGO

Dear Chicago,

You're a rascal.  I must admit I was leery of you at first, but you have proven yourself to be very kind indeed.

I knew that opportunity was abundant in your fair city, but was unaware I would be fortunate enough to find my perfect fit.  Leaving my previous business behind was a difficult task and left me unsure that I would find anything at all comparable. Enter... Pelle Sana Salon with its eloquent owner, charming physique, and heaps of character, it's precisely what I was seeking. Suffice it to say, I have found my dream job.

WHAT I'M LOVING WEDNESDAY: WELLIES

What did sufferers of Chicago slush storms ever do without wellies?  So glad I did not have to find out.  Thus far, my wellies have been the most useful purchase of the year, of my first year in Chi Town to boot. 

My friend, the very talented artist, JlWren recently pointed out how inviting it is to revert back to childhood puddle jumping while sporting a pair of wellies.  How true it is.  The city seems to be alive with child like grown ups mulling up and down the streets awaiting the next great puddle.  Even if they are not expecting it.

I have certainly fallen victim to what I refer to as 'black slush', similar to 'black ice' back home in Arkansas, black slush can be pretty tricky.  It likes to blend into the pavement, especially the pavement in the mouth of a crosswalk.  Do you see where I am going with this?  Yep, you think you are stepping off the curb onto the street, but alas, you plunk down into 6 inches of slush instead.  Black slush is a tricky beast indeed and would be quite dangerous, not to mention gross, if not for lovely protective rubber footwear. 

My advice to smalltownistas and city dwellers everywhere, strap on a pair of stylish wellies, wait for the next round of rain, and get to puddle jumping.

Toodles from one wellie loving Smalltownista

AN ODE TO MY MATTY

Never one to shy away from my lot to live a life submerged in an abundance of strong women, I love my girls.  Never do I have trouble voicing my adoration for the hubs, but today there is another man in my life whom I simply must dote on.

My Matty, well I have to share him with what seems to be half the world, but nonetheless, in my eyes he will always be my Matty. 

Matt and I have been besties since the first day we met, over fourteen years ago.  We lived across the street from eachother and our moms introduced us in that awkward "Kristin will be attending your school in the fall, you two should get to know eachother" type of way.  It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship indeed. 

TREAD LIGHTLY & CARRY A BIG HANDBAG

I have always been a tiny tote carrying gal, but in leui of a lifestyle shift, I am singing a different tune.  My new motto in the city is "Tread Lightly and Carry a Big Handbag."  Passionate about purses, also known as, a Crazy Bag Lady, it seems time to pare down from my numerous small bags in exchange for fewer, but larger ones.  Also, after I left my wallet on the kitchen counter for a shopping spree day with my friend Cass, the last minute bag switch is no longer in my favor.


Why would life in the city require a larger shoulder accessory?  It is the lack of a personal vehicle that has left me lugging around all those extras that previously tumbled about in the gypsy wagon.  My lovely little hybrid was dubbed the 'gypsy wagon' for obvious reasons.  Often, it looked as though I lived as a nomad with all the junk sliding around in the floor board.  Needless to say I have ditched a lot of the excess items, but there are still those essentials required to be on my person. 

Items that have made the transition from wagon to bag include, but not limited to: Sunglasses with case, Reusable shopping bags, Sweater, Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper from Sonic = bottle of water (sad, but probably a good thing), Lipstick Pepper Spray - Silver (this is a new addition), A good book (currently the compact, Holidays on Ice: Stories by David Sedaris), Ipod = Iphone , and as for my Yoga Mat , well, it's handy, but not in my handbag. 

If only I could get my hands on that magical Mary Poppins bag, I could have a good read accompanied by good lighting at any given moment.  Wouldn't that be marvelous!  In the meantime, my neck, back, and shoulders are slowly adjusting to this new necessity, which reminds me of another new addition, Aveda Blue Oil , for sore muscles. 

Of course all of the above goodies are in addition to those regular musts, such as wallet, keys, and mentha lip shine.

Are you a fan of the oversized handbag?

OR

Do you toss your all your extras in your car?

Toodles from one treading lightly and carrying a big handbag Smalltownista.

DEAR CHICAGO

You'll never guess . . . just kidding, I am not going to sing one of my 'too many to list' favorite Ryan Adams numbers. What was I saying? Oh yes.

Dear Chicago,

You are forever fabulous with your seemingly endless array of music venues, superb shopping as far as the eye can see, and enticing eateries on every corner. But why must I always be disheveled by your unyielding winds? I am on to your charm sir.