Sunday Morning

I think this is officially the longest I've gone without posting in years. And I haven't even been on vacation! I've been working and rehearsing. That basically sums up my life the past couple of weeks. Oh, and I've been running. The Indy Mini-Marathon is in five weeks. I was supposed to run an 8K today called The Shamrock Shuffle. It's a big Chicago tradition. It was thundering and snowing when I woke up this morning. So I just turned over and went back to sleep. It's too dangerous to run in the slush and snow when I have a race coming up. I'm not broken-hearted about it. I got the free t-shirt.

Last night I had a Playground show. Since everyone was supposed to be taking part in "Earth Hour" we decided to celebrate it with our show. In case you haven't been connected with the real world, it's when everyone is supposed to turn off their lights for an hour last night from 8:30 - 9:30. I, of course, accidentally left on a lamp in my apartment. I don't like coming home alone to a dark apartment. So, there went that idea.

What was I talking about? Oh yes, our show. We decided to have all the lights turned off to perform the show. This is normally called a "Bat" - when you can't see anything on stage and you have to listen. It's a fun form. We decided to all bring flashlights and create our own lighting. It was pretty cool. Some of our scenes suffered because of it, but some really came together. I don't know if the audience liked it, but we thought it was pretty interesting and created interesting atmospheres and situations. I'd totally do it again. This time we will at least have an idea of what we're doing instead of discussing it as we warm up in the theatre bathroom five minutes before our show. That's improv. And I love it.

Hope your day is much sunnier and warmer than ours here in Chicago. I did watch a movie with the rooommates. Happy-Go-Lucky. It was a cute/interesting movie. I was just happy to be relaxing and not running off somewhere.

Let's Joust!

This weekend Jessie and I escaped the insanity of St. Patty's Day crowds (really, I forget how many people live in this city until the weather turns warm) and headed to Barrington. An organization was holding a fundraiser of designer second-hand wedding dresses on sale for $50. We had to go! Jessie wasn't feeling confident of her dress (which is gorgeous and she looks amazing in it) and thought this might be a fun opportunity.

There were some pretty dresses, interesting dresses, and dresses straight out of a 1989 bridal magazine (puff sleeves made of pure lace). As many times as I've gone dress shopping with people I've never been tempted to try on a dress...until this weekend! I found one that was originally $3,000 and on sale for 50 bucks. It looked like it was straight out of a Jane Austen novel - so I HAD to try it. I mean, it was only my duty as an avid fan and thespian.

What do you think? For $50 I should have bought it and put it in my closet for a rainy day or homemade rendition of Sense and Sensability. It was fun to wear, but who has room for something like that in their closet? Let it be known that I would NOT wear a dress like this for my wedding. Unless we were getting married at Medieval Times.

Something's Fishy

Last night I made fish tacos. I was so excited about how delicious they turned out the first time that I thought I'd make them again. It's simple:

• Two wheat tortillas (nuke them for 20 seconds to warm them up)
• Shredded Cabbage - place row on tortilla
• Alaskan Cod - drizzle olive oil and salt & pepper - bake for 15 minutes at 450 - place a strip over the cabbage.
• Salsa - fresh or any of your favorite flavors - spoon some on top of the fish.
• Serve with side of salad or steamed broccoli.

They are seriously delicious. Unfortunately I didn't realize how badly the fish makes the apartment smell. I left for a while last night and came home to the house stinking of fish. I even smelled it in my sleep and it's still there this morning! I took out the trash, opened a few windows and am hoping for the best when I go home. I need to send my roommates a huge apology.

Jess & Jay

Here's an updated picture of Jess & Jay after the engagement. You can see her gorgeous ring in this one!

We all were home later Tuesday night and had our own roommate toast with champagne for Jessie and Jay. It made for a fun workout the next morning. Read: not so much.

Aren't these two just adorable?

Wedding Bells

I am one excited girl to be able to bring you such happy news! My cousin, Jessie, and her boyfriend, Jay, got engaged this weekend up in Door County! I am so excited to welcome Jay into the extended family. He has no idea what's ahead of him in regards to the family reunion. All I know is that I want him on my sand castle team. He'll add a little artistic touch.

I'm sad to lose Jess as a roommate. We're trying to convince Jay to move into her tiny little room. We'd be one happy family!

We wish you the best Jess & Jay!

Quinn's Party Pics

See what I mean? I was being wrestled to the floor by little Piper. She's a little thing that packs a big punch. And no she isn't grabbing my boobs in this picture. I moved her hands before one could be taken. I can't wait until my nephews are big enough to wrastle. Yes, that's wrastle with an "a."

Here's a picture of me, Janell and Angie. Angie and I went to junior high together. Fast forward a few years and I get a call from my cousin, Josh, telling me he's dating a girl I knew in JH. RANDOM! They've been married for eight years. That's so cool. And so is she. Yeah, we tore up the volleyball and basketball courts at TCA.

Below is one of the cutest kids you will ever meet. Happy First Birthday Quinn!

Click here and here to see more pics of the party.

Christmas in Lakeview

Christmas is one of my favorite times of year. We obviously love it in our apartment.

















I mean, just look, I'm hugging a tree!
















We recently celebrated our roommate Christmas. Janell cooked us up a fantabulous dinner (served, of course, on my Christmas plates!). Here's how the night played out:

Janell: "You two are just such fabulous roommates. I want to wish you both a Merry Christmas and Happy New Years! Cheers!"






Me: "I know exactly what you mean Janell. We have been so blessed. I have so many deep thoughts in my head. Can't you tell just by looking at my face? I'm about to say something really profound. Get out your pen and paper y'all. You're going to want to write this down."

Jessie: "Deep schmeep! Let's keep it light and fun! It's Christmas! I just got my hair done so I no longer have roots! Let's open our presents and God bless us everyone!"





Katy: "I need a nap first. I ate too much. When are we having dessert? I smell chocolate."




(feet shuffling into the living room)


Katy: "Janell! Anthropologie?! You are like a mind reader!"












Janell: "And I'm looking HAWT in my new necklace. Horseshoes are for luck girls. Watch out world, 2008 is going to RAWK!"











Jessie: "And I am really hip you guys. Not only do I have really hip platinum blonde hair and a cool cut, but now I have hip makeup and an ipod alarm clock to go with it. I'll give you guys makeovers after Christmas. I could do so much with your look."





From our home to yours, Merry Christmas!

Christmas Delights

'Tis the season for really cheesy Christmas movies on Liftime and ABC Family. Most of the movies have something to do with Santa being ill or missing and unable to fulfill his duties, so his wayward child takes over and learns a life lesson which inevitably makes them a better person. Can I get a side of hot cocoa with that?

Last night Janell and I sat upon the couch next to the lit Christmas tree and proceeded to watch Mario Lopez and Melissa Joan Hart in Holiday in Handcuffs. Oh yes we did watch it! I'll be honest, I forced Janell to watch it with me. It was predictably cute. And predictably, Mario Lopez had a scene in which he happened to be without a shirt. Merry Christmas to me! A.C. Slater is in fine form. Dancing with the Stars treated you right! A note to the readers: I did NOT shed a tear.

City Gone Wild

This city is just crazy right now. I don't know if it's the fact that the airshow is going on this weekend or that the Cubs are actually doing good this year, but the fact remains that people are just nuts! Suddenly people have forgotten how to drive, how to use crosswalks, and how to do normal things like chew with their mouths closed. I'm almost scared to go anywhere tonight. Janell's mom is in town and is taking us somewhere delicious for dinner so I think I'll risk it. I'll do almost anything for a good meal.

It's been a really really long week at work and with my personal life. I'm so glad it's Friday. And what am I going to do now that So You Think You Can Dance is over? I asked Jessie the other day who would win if we had a So You Think You Can Dance competition between the girls in our apartment. Honestly, I think it would be me. I don't mean to brag but... Then I said that she would win if we had a So You Think You Can Sew contest and Janell would definitely walk away with the title of champion if we had a So You Think You Can Cook competition. Lately I'd also win for the So You Think You Can Ignore Your Alarm and Sleep In Instead of Running Off Those Cookies You Ate Last Night contest.

Housewarming Party

Saturday we had our first official house party! Here are a few pictures from the night. It was fun bringing all of our friends from a billion different walks of life. Thanks everyone for celebrating with us!

Aaron Eckhart

OH MY GOODNESS! My roommate is a manager for a Starbucks in Chicago and she just called to tell me that my ALL TIME MOVIE STAR CRUSH IS IN HER STORE! She just served him up a grande non-fat latte. I could love a man who drinks a grande non-fat latte. If I hadn't of just taken my lunch break you could guarantee that I'd be in a cab right now heading down there to see him (and Kelly, I would choose to take you out for a birthday lunch any day over stalking a crush). Apparently he's just sitting there reading a book. Janell said he's gorgeous. I could hear her blushing over the phone. I wish I could talk to him on the phone...oh that voice.

Now I sound like a stalker. I'm really not. It's not stalker-ish to know that we have the same birthday. No, not stalker-ish or junior high-ish at all.

She's going to try and sneak a picture of him for me. She's a good roommate to call and tell me this news.

I'm DYING! Maybe I'll run into him sometime. Seriously though, I have a plan of what I would do if I saw him. I'd pretend to trip and fall right in front of them. That way we'd have to talk. Brilliant? I believe it is!

Movie in the Park

Wednesday night we celebrated Janell's birthday by going to see Sixteen Candles in the Park behind the Chicago History Museum. This is perhaps one of my favorite things to do in Chicago. People bring picnics, share food with their neighbors, and talk to people they normally wouldn't have the opportunity to meet. Movies in the Park bond people together. There would be peace in the world if more people attended these events. You can quote me on that!

Here are some pictures from the evening. I wish I had taken a picture of Long Duk Dong on the big screen.

We are such rebels. We snuck wine into the park. There's something so sophisticated about drinking wine out of a coffee cup. And I had to post this picture of Jessie because she likes to post terrible picture of me on her blog. She actually looks cute in this picture. Dammit!

Apron Strings

This is a roommate picture that we took on Sunday. My mom was in town this weekend and bought us each a cute apron. She's probably hoping that it inspires me to cook more often. Tuna salad and crackers is cooking! I'll probably die of mercury poisoning from the amount of tuna I eat weekly. But it's a meal I can eat immediately. My hunger pangs don't have much patience! AND it's high in protein and low in fat. Again, that's neither here nor there.

We had fun cooking it up in the kitchen. Janell cut up watermelon. Jessie made oatmeal and chocolate chip cookies (Temp. Tation! I can hardly resist!). And I entertained them! I wore my apron while doing it. I think I've finally found my calling.

My New Apartment

Here it is! I was finally able to upload my pictures thanks to me pirating someone's wireless internet in my building.

I'll give you a little tour. I took these pictures the day we moved in so some things have changed. But honestly the boxes are still everywhere.

Here we go:

Hello and welcome to our home. This is our entry way. I love the ceiling!

This is our enormous living room. Jessie and her parents are painting it this weekend. I'm not sure what color but I'm sure it will be fabulous. We have space!

This is our lovely view from the living room. One side is lakeview; the other side is of downtown. Can you see the Sears Tower and the Hancock building? Neato.

This will eventually be our dining room. For now it's storage.

And a Butler's Pantry. What the heck is a Butler's Pantry? I don't know, but I can tell you it's very nice.

And this is our kitchen. I'm sure I'll cook many fabulous dinners because we actually have counter space now.

And my very own bathroom!

Here's my bedroom. I have bay windows! And it's huge. The closest space is even better than I could have dreamed. Hello shoes.

And I have a room with a view!

And here it is in all its glory. Now people can see me in all my glory. I really need to work on closing the shades.

I hope you've enjoyed the tour. Now come visit! (Unless I don't know you. That would freak me out. And I have pepper spray. Actually I don't. But I do have a kick-ass roundhouse.)

The Rules

So I have a little quirk. I thought it was a cute little quirk that could be shared and enjoyed by those around me. I learned last night that it is neither cute nor enjoyed by those around me. I love to sing. I find it nearly physically impossible not to sing when I hear a song I know on the radio, on the television or just in my head. I must sing! Here are my favorites:

• Any 80's tune
• Top 40 hits from the 1990's
• Anything U2 or Shania Twain (can't. help. it.)
• Indigo Girls: don't you dare cut me off in the middle of an Indigo Girls song to tell me some lame story that I will quickly forget.
• Musicals such as Phantom of the Opera and Grease

Speaking of Grease...my apartment has somewhat grown attached to the cultural phenomenon known as "Grease: You're the One that I Want." Grease is one of my all-time favorite movies. It was only recently that I finally grasped what some of the phrases and inuendos mean. Shocking. Grease was the perfect recipe for enjoyment for a young girl who loved to sing and dance. No matter how much we pretend we despise it we secretly love it when the wedding D.J. spins "Summer Lovin'" and we all dance and sing at the top of our lungs. Am I right? Don't deny it. I'll call you a liar. Liar. Told you.

So this brings me to last night's conversation between the roommates. I of course was singing along to "Jesus Christ Superstar" and Janell immediately turned up the television.

"What? You don't like it when I sing along with these songs?"

"No, you can sing along, just do it during the commercials."

"But it's not nearly as fun because there isn't music! So now there are rules for watching this show?"

"Not rules, just preferences."

"I'll be sure to try and respect your wishes. It will be tough and will take all I have to hold myself back."

"Thank you."

I couldn't help but briefly forget the rules and bust out during one of the male vocal performances. I covered my mouth quickly.

"Sorry, I forgot."

"Oh you can sing during the men's performances. You harmonize so I can hear them over you."

"Oh, so now there's new rules?"

I can't say anything because I established rules with Jessie when it comes to television and the guitar. She can't play the guitar during a show, only during the commercials. It's a miracle that we haven't driven each other to the brink of insanity.

Jessie

My cousin/roommate, Jessie, says that I need to mention her more on my blog. So here Jess, I'm mentioning you. I should also mention the fact that she is part of the bet we made with Robert, my neighbor. She's going to make him cookies if the Bears lose. But the game is on and I should be smelling some Jumbalaya soon. The bears look good and Rexy looks sexy; manicured eyebrows and all. Let's hope they can keep it up for the next 10 minutes of game time.

Inspiring Quotes

...from my life. What do they inspire? Laughter and tears.

Spoken while watching a Gap ad: "Skinny black pants is probably the worst news these thighs could possibly hear."

Janell said, "Katy, he's perfect for you. He likes to knit and enjoys doing Civil War re-enactments." My response: "Do you even know me?"