Yesterday was Drew’s and my fifth anniversary and we had plans to go out tomorrow night to celebrate, but I wanted to do something special for him and celebrate on our actual anniversary, too, so I surprised him with a night out and we had such a good time. In the morning, he gave me a beautiful bracelet and a gift certificate for a massage, which was all a surprise since we don’t usually do anniversary gifts, and I told him that his gift “hadn’t arrived yet,” which was true. Then, that evening, our sitter arrived at about 6:30 and he said, “Oh, I think there’s a mistake?” And I said, “No! your gift has arrived!” And I whisked him away for some drinks and dinner. It wasn’t super grand or anything — we actually ended up just hanging out at a neighborhood bar we like a lot that has a little patio where we sat and watched the sunset and had cocktails and sandwiches — but Drew seemed to appreciate the little surprise and it felt so luxurious to get a night out knowing we’d be going out again in two days. Plus, there were oysters.
Tomorrow night, we’re going out again — this time to a real dinner and then to listen to music. Other than that, I don’t think we have any solid plans for the weekend. Maybe we’ll take Jack to Coney Island. When we took him last year, he didn’t care for it but a year makes a big difference in the life of a toddler. Which reminds me: Jackson has hit a couple milestones this week; he is finally riding a trike with finesse, AND he’s going to the bathroom multiple times a day, usually without any prompting from us (he just says he has to go and that’s it). I’ve been bribing him with dinosaur gummis and they seem to be doing the trick. Very exciting stuff in the Condellberry household.
Anyway, happy weekend! What are you all up to?
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Addie Pray July 25, 2014, 4:43 pm
Oh I like Jenny Lewis. I saw her in concert at the Park West in Lincoln Park two, maybe three, years ago. That reminds me: she was in Troop Beverly Hills. Remember that movie with Shelly Long?
So this weekend I have ZERO guests in town which is very exciting for me. On Saturday I’m going to see the matinee showing of “Boyhood,” then chill with Moose, then go to yoga, then chill with Moose. I can’t wait. On Sunday I’m hiking at the Indiana Dunes. Then going to mass with my friend whose 11 year old nephew is sick – very sad. And then BAM it’ll be Monday before we know it. I hate how quickly the weekends go.
Addie Pray July 25, 2014, 4:45 pm
Um, not that I haven’t enjoyed my summer guests – Call-Me-Hobo was a FREAKING DELIGHT – I’ve never met anyone so easy to be around and for two days without a hitch (except for my flat tire which she fixed). She’s a gem, that one.
LadyinPurpleNotRed July 25, 2014, 5:53 pm
I went to visit her for a weekend a couple years ago and it was awesome! She really is superb!
Addie Pray July 25, 2014, 5:55 pm
Ha, at first I thought you meant you went to visit Jennie Lewis. I was thinking “what, no way, you’re friends with he!?!? Oh but you meant “just” Hobo. Ha.
Addie Pray July 25, 2014, 5:55 pm
*Jenny
*”with ‘her'” not “he”
* typing is hard
LadyinPurpleNotRed July 25, 2014, 6:11 pm
1. Typing is hard.
2. Hobo is THE coolest. No one can beat her.
Addie Pray July 25, 2014, 6:15 pm
truer words were never spoken.
call-me-hobo July 26, 2014, 9:08 am
Awww, you guys are so sweet. YOU TWO ARE AWESOME.
Wendys Dad July 26, 2014, 11:54 am
Well, Addie, have fun at the Dunes. I mis-spent 4 years of college at the Dunes. I went to Valparaiso University (about 8 miles away if I remember correctly), and the call of the Dunes in the spring was overwhelming. I do wish that I hadn’t cut so many German classes, however; little did I know that I’d be living there 25 years later. Oh well, the Dunes were great.
Addie Pray July 26, 2014, 2:49 pm
Do you remember the Cowles-Bogs trail? That’s my favorite. It’s a loop that let’s you access this amazing secluded beach with the fluffiest sand. Afterward we’re going out for a late lunch at Three Floyd’s in Munster. That’s basically my perfect day.
ktfran July 25, 2014, 4:48 pm
I saw Jenny Lewis last summer when she and Ben Gibbard paired up and toured. I LOVE HIM! And Her! And I absolutely loved Troop Beverly Hills.
Dear Wendy July 25, 2014, 6:07 pm
Your weekend sounds like what I miss about being single and living on my own. Well, except the sick nephew part, which is sad. To see a movie in the middle of the day! I really want to see Boyhood, too. Report back and tell us how it is. I’m hoping our friend can babysit in a couple weeks and we can go watch it.
Addie Pray July 26, 2014, 9:45 pm
It was so good. I’m having so many feelings and crying. But I can’t articulate why. I’m feeling like life is going by too fast. And there are so many things I want.
Classic July 26, 2014, 10:55 pm
It does go by fast, Addie Pray. Try to make it the way you like it.
Dear Wendy July 26, 2014, 11:15 pm
I can’t wait to see it. But since I feel the feelings all the time anyway, I think it will be an overwhelming movie to watch.
Addie Pray July 27, 2014, 5:59 am
Ok, I’m less emotional, now. There’s a scene near the end where Patricia Arquette (i love her) is talking about milestones and how life is a series of milestones that she’s hit but she thought there would have been more. That’s when I lost it and then from there through the end it just had me FEELING. I was FEELING from the beginning, too, but that scene struck a chord and I couldn’t stop crying. But over-all the film was slow and uneventful as far as Hollywood would be concerned; instead, it was a series of moments in relationships – really, from the boy’s perspective – that strung together made up this boy’s childhood – and all those moments were very real, very Richard Linklater, and I loved every second of all 2 hours and 45 minutes of it.
Dear Wendy July 27, 2014, 7:17 am
Brilliant. Right up my alley. Next babysitter night, Drew and I have to go see it (or, hell, I may just go on my own or with a friend if I can’t wait).
d2 July 25, 2014, 8:53 pm
Indiana Dunes! Woo Hoo!
trixy minx July 25, 2014, 5:39 pm
Tonight I’m going to a free concert near the lake with a couple friends. Saturday I’m doing volunteer work at the horse rescue ranch and then afterwards I’m going on a date. Sunday is my free day and i plan on lounging outside and getting a good tan.
There are two different guess I’m supposed to be going on a date with this weekend but I’m kinda meh about it.
trixy minx July 25, 2014, 5:41 pm
Guys*
Addie Pray July 25, 2014, 6:15 pm
oooh dates!! I don’t even remember the last time i was asked out on a date. oh i went on a date with a neighbor in june, that counts. (not my old neighbor but a new neighbor who just moved to boston but still keeps his place here so i guess my new neighbor is now an old neighbor too – i run them all away, ha). anyway, good for you for going on dates – being meh is ok – low expectations are the key to happiness i think. deep thoughts.
Lyra July 25, 2014, 6:25 pm
Big weekend this weekend! Hanging out with my BFF tonight and we’re eating Chipotle and watching trashy movies and drinking. Tomorrow my uncles are getting married!! Their wedding is at my grandpa’s farm in a hay field. And it will be so faaaabulous because they’re fabulous. That open bar is calling my name.
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Navy Guy gets back tomorrow night! But I won’t see him till Sunday due to the wedding. Boo. I’m not looking forward to giving his kitty back. I love my (*ahem*, our…) kitties! I absolutely adore having two cats. There’s always room for one more!
Dear Wendy July 26, 2014, 8:29 am
Explain the two uncles getting married. Is it one uncle and his fiancé or is it two uncles having a double wedding?
Lyra July 26, 2014, 1:41 pm
My uncle and his partner. 🙂 They’ve been together for 25+ years so we all call his partner our “uncle” even though it’s not official yet. We didn’t think it ever would be a possibility until same sex marriage became legal in Minnesota!
MissDre July 26, 2014, 1:55 pm
That’s awesome!
Lyra July 26, 2014, 3:13 pm
And OH MY GOSH one of them just posted a picture of all the booze they are going to have there…cases upon cases upon cases! It’s literally a wall of liquor. This party is going to be fabulous!
Dear Wendy July 26, 2014, 3:51 pm
Yessss.
Dear Wendy July 26, 2014, 2:36 pm
Congrats to your uncles!
Lyra July 27, 2014, 2:03 pm
The wedding was fantastic. They even had a full fireworks show like the shows that every town puts on during the 4th of July!! It was amazing. My favorite part was watching my grandpa during the ceremony because he was literally grinning ear to ear the entire time. I love how supportive he is of his children and how happy he was to see my uncle finally get to marry his partner.
gigi July 26, 2014, 8:00 am
It’s my birthday today! Last night my daughter performed in her Summer Theater musical, she was beautiful & all the kids did Duch a fantastic job. Today I get to hang out at the lake with my BF & kids here locally, then tomorrow I leave for vacation in MN! Yay! I am looking forward to a week of no work 🙂
Dear Wendy July 26, 2014, 8:29 am
Happy birthday! And happy vacation!
Portia July 26, 2014, 2:53 pm
Happy Birthday!
Portia July 26, 2014, 2:52 pm
I’m visiting my parents and having the most relaxing time here. Well, except for the HUGE hikes they’ve been taking me on. I’m glad they’re in good shape but they shouldn’t be in better shape than me!
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And on the job front, I got an interview for a very well paid internship for the fall. Cross your fingers, might mean good things for my post-grad career if I end up getting it. Plus, I think it’s time to start making real person money…
Dear Wendy July 26, 2014, 3:51 pm
Fingers crossed for you!
Cassie July 26, 2014, 5:52 pm
@Wendy, you seem to like a lot of the folksy gal singers. Just curious, but have you ever heard of Neko Case? She’s one of my favorites.
Addie Pray July 26, 2014, 9:43 pm
I like Neko Case too.
Dear Wendy July 26, 2014, 11:14 pm
Of course! I love Neko Case. She and I share a birthday, along with Pink and Patsy Cline.