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.

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 RIGHT NOW: HOME

Is there anything more fulfilling than being home for a holiday!





I am loving:

Sonic Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper

Family photogs

Girls night in

Chat with Sis over Rolando's Plato Cubano

Sporting flip flops in November

Bestie, Marci's Birthday celebration

Momma Jane's famous down home cooking including my favorite spaghetti dish

Meat less dressing, yum

An understanding, flexible, and fabulous Mom in Law

Green Bean Casserole

Trivial Pursuit Tournament, even though my team lost, it was a close game

Bestie Steph's homemad pumpkin pie (crust and all)

Knocking out Christmas shopping and present wrapping a month early

Sharing the holiday spirit and stress with loving hubs

Cruising around in an old jeep wrangler blasting Keith Whitley's Greatest Hits (on cassette of course)

Christmas trees and decorations (which we will not partake in at our house this year)

BIG Family + ONE place = Pure Bliss

Homemade Rolls

Dinner with bestie Pris

Sweet Potato Casserole

Drinks (or faux drinks for me) with bestie Melissa

Cut and color from my favorite stylist

Mashed Potatoes

Unloading all the worlds problems then solving them around the kitchen table

Baked Squash

Trey Johnson rocking a new sound at the Big Chill

Those big and genuine 'haven't seen you in awhile' hugs

Home Sweet Home

Wherever you are this Turkey Day I hope you are loving the little things.

Toodles from one very busy and very grateful smalltownista home for the holiday.