Day 286 does it family style

BAM. This happened. Thursday was part 2 of what we're now calling "family dinner". It's the greatest. I'm a fan. It means I get to eat food with my friends, and pretty much nothing makes me happier than that. I made a chili. It changed lives. VA made these crazy awesome cookie bowls. (See mine sans chocolate chips in the back. Awww yeah.) They baked a little, well.... crazy. But were seriously delicious so it didn't matter. The food and the company was just top notch. Family dinners ftw.

Day 281 says "I do"!!

One of my best friends since HS walked down the aisle this weekend and I was so honored to be there to celebrate with her and her family. She was simply stunning, everything was perfect, and the best part? She didn't stop smiling the entire day. Sigh. Isn't love grand? Love you, manda!!


ps. BONUS ROUND! Us 3 kids all went to HS together. Reunion, what what!

Day 280 did not get slimed

My friends and I made a quick stop at the grocery store. My eyes went straight to this toy crane machine with a stuffed Slimer doll. I know, I know - it doesn't really look like Slimer. But the Ghostbusters tag on his little arm assured me that it was. If you know me, you know I love Ghostbusters. Love it. My one friend, who admittedly is a bit of a gambler, tried her luck at the machine. We each threw in some money, as she got really close to winning Slimer for me. No such luck! But it was fun to give it a try. You win this round, Slimer.

Day 268 was the BEST day ever.

This is officially the second (maybe 3rd???) pic of myself in this blog. Rare, but worth it, right? My beauties and I had what we are still calling "the best day ever" in Chicago on Sunday. I mean.... spectacular. What did we do? What didn't we do? We just had one of this marvelous day where nothing was planned, but everything happened perfectly. Somehow we ended up on Lake Michigan, on a rooftop, eating insanely delicious food for all meals, and just being together. Sigh. Best day ever.

Day 267 is so FREAKING excited!

MY FRIENDS ARE HERE!!!!!!!!!!!! Aaahhh! I almost knocked them over with excitement as soon as they got out of the cab. Saturday we had a chillaxin and wonderful day. That included lots of wine and food and movies and talking and general happiness. 7 hours sitting around a table talking to some of your best girlfriends? Yup, I want that everyday.

Day 247 and the seagulls

One of my dearest and most inspiring NY friends has just moved to Chicago. Woot!! We spent his second day in the city at the beach. Despite it being a bit cooler and windy than we wanted, we still enjoyed sitting in the sunshine and sand for an afternoon, chatting and watching the seagulls go about their business. It was quiet and perfect and just what a Sunday should be sometimes. So much happiness.

Day 245 throws a few back

Long Island Ice Tea.... in a pitcher. Insanely delicious and slightly more potent than any of us realized. Made for a pretty sweet Friday night, if I may say so myself. Now if you'd please excuse me - I need some coffee stat.

Day 226 has a cold one (or two)

The friend visiting continued today! (And this time the weather played nice.) A bunch of us went to the Goose Island Brewery where we enjoyed, what else, many a beer. We got a "sampler" bucket of 5 different beers and two of us split it. OY! That was a lot of beer.... but so so delicious. I'll definitely be back there for more.

A very happy Day 225

Saturday was rainy but perfect because one of my absolutely NY faves was in town for a visit! We spent a fantastic full day together and not even the rain could dampen the good mood. This is a view of downtown from the Westin hotel where he was staying. Chicago, you are so lovely, even in the rain.

Day 194 is so so so happy!!

My sweet, sweet Emily is here in Chicago! My very first visitor and I couldn't be happier. And look at this fancy bag and jewelry she brought with her. Love. Tomorrow we're throwing on our Dumbledore's Army shirts and rocking the HP midnight showing in total geek fashion, cause we're just that awesome. Yayay!

Day 184 has a lot going on

I have my 301 class improv show in a few hours and I needed to get a few things straightened out for work beforehand. Also, some of my wonderful friends are coming to see my show, so I wanted to make sure I know what's going on in Philly the next two days for their stay. I'm nervous, anxious, excited and happy, which translates into a frantic Katie.

Day 112 knows how to unwind

I had a lovely date night with my darling Nina this evening. We just spent 5 days traveling together and we still haven't had enough of each other yet! Ha! Lots of chatting, some eating, lots of wine, one of my favorite movies, and a very classy dessert of Reese's to go along with that wine. Today I learned that red wine and reese's are a delicious pair. I highly recommend you give it a shot when you can. It was some serious yum time.

Day 110 is a pool shark

Tonight I went out for dinner and a few games of pool with some friends. It was a blast! Now, I'm not a very adept pool player. I won one game, only because my friend scratched the cue ball towards the end of the game. Impressed with my pool lingo? Yeah, I'm clearly becoming a pro. It won't be long before I'm hustling unsuspecting individuals at pool halls.

Day 105 is ready to party, party

And thus begins the wedding weekend! The rehearsal dinner we just got back from was all kinds of awesome and now we're chilling and laughing and remembering great college stories all night. Perfection? Yes, indeed. Hooray for a great weekend with even greater friends!

Day 104 is back

Whoa whoa whoa. It feels so weird being back in NYC. Seriously. Bizarre is the only what I can really describe this. Bizarre, but also all kinds of awesome. Spent a great day/night with friends and the night is still young! Two of my bestest friends in the city recently got a gorgeous little pup and she is full of energy and love. Perfect! Ugh! Here's a little pic of miss Parker. Isn't she just perfect??! I know. She is.

Day 84 is having a good time

I had the kind of day, well week, that requires much drinking and fun time with friends. Which is happening now. Literally now. There's music playing in the background, drinks being poured and me at a computer blogging, which clearly needs to stop now. Off to the party I go! Hope you're all having a great night.

no strings attached on Day 37

Last day of the weekend adventure with my Chicago friends. Sad. One of our activities for the day was to rock out at the EMP (aka. the rock & roll exhibit). We took some time to jam out and get in touch with our inner rock stars and it was all kinds of awesome. Best part of the exhibit was definitely getting to play with the instruments and pretend we knew what we were doing - that alone was worth a visit to the museum!

Day 33 wants you to stay

Okay, so you know that whole "walkin on sunshine" bit I was going on about before... it's possible I spoke too soon. Trusty weather.com informs me that we're back to clouds and drizzles here in the emerald city for at least the next 5 days. This makes me sad mostly because I so desperately wanted my chicago friends to have a bit of Seattle sunshine while they're here. But alas.... it wasn't meant to be I guess. Perhaps the silver lining though is that it will be 50º in Seattle this week vs. the balmy 2º (yes, 2º.) it will be in Chicago... that's still a win in my book.

Anywhooo - here's the last of the sun we'll be seeing for at least another week. Goodbye dear Seattle sun, next time, stay a bit longer won't you?

ps. check out mt. rainier out there in the lower right. what a beauty!!

Day 23 goes Bowling!

My trip to New York was a blast (except for leaving my phone behind, thus changing my sleeping arrangements. Thanks again Mer!)! We went bowling at The Gutter in Brooklyn. After a 3+ hour wait and a few brews we were ready to hit the lanes. Good laughs, good friends, good times! And no one got hurt - well at least not anyone in our group...

Day 22's bags are packed, sorta.

I hate packing. I'm going to New York today to visit some of my best college friends (some of you might be reading right now- hi friends!). This is a short one night visit and I have no clue what to bring. The worrier in me wants to bring five changes of clothes, a couple books and a first aid kit. Logically I know I just need the basics. If I forget something I can always buy it, this is America afterall!