Category Archives: Appetizer for Life

My New Year’s Resolution: Be Flexible

Posted on by January 9, 2012

New Year’s resolutions. Did you make one? I do every year and more often than not, I’m able to keep them. It’s not because I’m some super self-disciplined person who’s goal-directed personality doesn’t let anything get in her way.

Oh no. I procrastinate with the best of them. I generally keep my resolutions because I feel choose them wisely. Buuuuut last year, I did a Chicago bucket list and admittedly didn’t accomplish much. There were 12 items and I’ve done four. Whoops. They were: Run … Read more ...

The Long Flight To Norway: Have Kids. Will Travel.

Posted on by December 24, 2011

So we made it. All 10 hours and 3 minutes on a plane. Covering 4,691 miles. Or as they would say here, 7,549 kilometers.

We are in Norway. For those who missed it, my husband’s Norwegian. This year we’re spending Christmas with his family, most of whom live in the land of the Vikings.

Packing for this trip was quite the feat. Since we’re going to be gone for awhile, I wanted to pack for five days and then just do the laundry to recycle. … Read more ...

My Crazy Family, Axl Rose and a Chicago Deli

Posted on by November 29, 2011

I’m crazy and it’s because I come from crazy. Last week my entire family made the historic trek to visit me for Thanksgiving. Some would call this a nightmare but not me.

Most of the family in the middle of Thanksgiving dinner.

Most of the family in the middle of Thanksgiving dinner.

It’s been about 10 years since everyone came to Chicago to see me at the same time. This year, all of the planets came into alignment allowing for my mom, dad, sister, her significant other, my niece and nephew to come.

I’ve always … Read more ...

Stream of Consciousness: Quiet and Relax

Posted on by November 18, 2011

Sitting here, watching the ripples on the lake outside the window. It’s quiet. Gloriously quiet. I wish I could bottle up this moment of peace and uncork it whenever I needed.

I’m at a friend’s cabin in Door County. Well, he’s actually my hubby’s friend, but still. I feel like he’s given me a slice of serenity. I can hear nothing of my life back home. There’s no planes flying above, cars whizzing by, cell phone chiming with texts, Twitter chirping, cooing of my little … Read more ...