Melt and freeze

Last week things got a little....swampy over here. We had huge drifts of snow in our front yard, but with the random 45 degree weather they've melted down considerably. I knew it had to happen eventually. If spring is ever going to come then the snow must go. Alas most of the melting snow seemed to make it's way into our basement where there was an inch or two of standing (very cold) water. No big deal besides the fact that my washer, drier and freezer are down there. I just had to slosh to the freezer in my boots for a day. The other melting problem came when I had to get into my car which I park on the side of the road. The water was about ankle deep around it so I put on Derek's big boots to get in and then switched into my shoes once I was in the car. Quite the process. Now I understand why my parents built their house on a hill ;)

This is me wearing derek's shoes so I can get into my car which was surrounded by melting snow....I think I need rain boots!

Then this week came and it is f-r-e-e-z-i-n-g once again. Thus our mass amount of snow melting issue has dissipated (for now anyway). It used to be that I would hunker down inside when such temperatures came. Now it seems to be the norm. In fact I've considered going for a run and pretending that spring is just around the corner......but a few gulps of frigid air and I'm right back inside. I remember how forecasts for "big" snows made me stay home, cancel plans etc. Now it seems like "winter storm warning" is no more uncommon than hearing someone say "please pass the salt". The last time there was a winter storm advisory my sister and I were out shopping and running errands while driving through a few inches of unplowed snow. I don't think we even batted an eye. Thus is Illinois life:)

Love and Sniffles

I hope everyone had a sweet Valentine's day filled with lovely memories<3

Derek brought these roses home to me Thursday night...and they brought a huge smile to my face:)

Each day up until February 14th I put a heart on Derek's closet door with something about him that I Love.

February feels like it's flying by as I watch from the couch. Last week I went into the Dr with a terrible sore throat...I left with an antibiotic prescription. My sore throat seemed to dissipate, but I started feeling extremely tired and congested. I feel kinda ridiculous because in rapid succession I sneeze, blow my nose and go into a coughing fit. And then repeat. Anyway before the weekend I started spiking a fever so now I have a new antibiotic and am praying it nips this in the bud. Derek has been a champ through this all. I know I haven't been very fun to be around, but he still makes me smile and cheerfully gets me medicine, more sprite, more Kleenexes and any other request.

I'm feeling so much better now and am convinced if there was a little spring sun to sit outside in I'd feel 100%:) Speaking of spring weather....am I the only one who thinks that the state of Illinois was secretly transported to Antarctica?!

So Long Malibu

That time we ran out of gas:)

We said goodbye to my good 'ole green Chevy Malibu a few nights ago. Actually it was me saying "goodbye" and Derek saying "good riddance". When we traded her in I felt like I was betraying the mild tempered little car. I promised myself I'd drive her till she didn't run anymore (thinking we'd make it to at least 200,000 miles). The time inconveniently came sooner than later (147,000 miles). We have memories together. Never mind that most of them involve blue and red flashing lights in the rear view mirror....she liked to go a little too fast and I had to reprimand her for such behavior. Ms. Malibu hit a deer on the back roads one time, nearly giving me a heart attack and giving her a new fender. She also rear ended a brand new car going down the ICC hill on one rainy day. The air conditioner gave out in the dog days of summer one July...it was that summer that I took summer classes at ICC North Campus. It was a long, sweaty drive until that got fixed. Lets not forget the big old dent in the drivers side door from that Brink's trunk. After getting that dent I couldn't roll down my driver's side window anymore which made going through drive-thru's a complete joy. The body of the car was dinged up, dented up, but she drove on.....until one fateful winter day when her fuel pump (or something) went bad leaving me stranded on War Memorial during rush hour. That wasn't our fondest memory together. Alas we got her fixed and drove on we did until recently the head gasket blew and it was no longer worth it to put any more $$'s into her. So she's gone and we have a Ford 500 (never thought I'd drive a Ford), but the heated seats sure are nice! Still there was something freeing about driving my Malibu....it had enough dents that I was never worried about acquiring another. I said a lot of prayers while commuting back and forth to work and school in that car. I cried some too while driving her (cars are the best place to have a good cry right?!) Alas she probably went to some auction (thank you Derek for that bit of sad information). So long Malibu!
So what was your first car and fondest memory of it?

Enjoying the Everyday

Enjoying the fact that my husband doesn't complain a bit when I ask if we can just have leftover chilli....for the third night in a row:) I made a big crock pot of it awhile ago. I may or may not forget that there are only two of us living here.
Enjoying afternoon shopping with my sister and niece....and learning that to let a walking one year old out of a shopping cart is to never get her back in there again {without a crying fit that is}.

Enjoying learning new easy recipes from Pinterest...because let's face it....that is my Cookbook. I think I may own one cookbook, but I have no clue where it is. Thus around suppertime the ipad is sure to be found on my counter with the pinterest app opened {no doubt dusted in flour or some other ingredient that ipads are not meant to be coated in}.

Baked Chicken and mashed potatoes...thanks Pinterest:)

Enjoying Mondays that really feel like Saturdays because when you work on the weekend everyone else is dreading Monday while I can't wait for my coveted day off to come..
Enjoying super bowl parties where there's too much food, enough football watched to last a year {in my opinion} and great company.
Enjoying spontaneous outings with a friend who just happens to be a teacher who has been getting a ridiculous amount of snow days off from work {I might be a little jealous, but I love getting to see her}.

Mmm...Madison's on the square with a good friend:)

Enjoying that pink, red and love month is here {aka Valentine month}. Who doesn't love saying I love you in creative ways? Pinterest is full of creative ways to do just that...and not just this month, but at all times of the year :).