As many of you know, I grew up in a small community on the northwest side of Chicago. I attended a small parochial school (Lutheran) where all my friends were just like me; WASPS. After graduating grade school, I moved to a small suburb, minutes from where I grew up, to live in a neighborhood and attend a high school that was predominantly Italian American (with a peppering of Polish), and where everyone was Catholic. I proceeded to further my education by attending Dominican University (private, Catholic college), where I lived for 4 years while completing my studies. While not everyone at DU was Catholic, those who weren't were Lutheran like me. So, when I started dating the loving husband and learned that much of his family celebrates the Jewish faith, I became extremely interested in learning what I could. Over the years, I have learned a lot and have found many wonderful things to appreciate about the faith...one especially meaningful time called Rosh Hashanah.
Rosh Hashanah is the beginning of the lunar calendar year, and is therefore called the “head” (Rosh) or beginning of the Year (Hashanah). Rosh Hashanah literally means “Head of the Year” in Hebrew and is the most celebrated holiday in the Jewish faith. I remember one Thanksgiving, a few years back, Mike's Aunt Anita telling me how she used to prepare for Rosh Hashanah for days leading up to it and have all the family to celebrate with tables upon tables of food...much in the same way Christians prepare for Christmas (which is centered around Jesus' birth) and celebrate in big ways, the High Holy days of Rosh Hoshanah (followed by Yom Kippur) falls in the month of Tishrei, which is believed to be the month in which God created the world. Hence, another way to think about Rosh Hashanah is as the birthday of the world.
One lesson I especially find beautiful in this celebration is that on this day Jews take the time to examine their lives and repent for any wrongs they have committed during the previous year. They're encouraged to make amends with anyone they have wronged and to make plans for improving during the coming year. In this way, Rosh Hashanah is all about making peace in the community and striving to be a better person. The thought behind this is that you want to have a year filled with great blessings and happiness by taking the opportunity, through thought and action, to draw all of the energy that will reveal itself later. Everything done on the days of Rosh Hashanah (this Thursday and Friday) is meant to assist in planting the right and best seeds for the blessings wanted and needed in the coming year.
Whether Lutheran, Catholic, Jewish, Buddhist or even Atheist, we can all benefit from living an examined life; by righting any wrongs done and by striving to be better people. I know this past year has been an especially testing one, and I have learned more in this year then I think I have in my lifetime. I want to take these lessons learned, my thoughts on what I've done and can do in the year to come, and use that positive energy in ways that will manifest as blessings and happiness in the year ahead.
Shanah Tova.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Friendship Divorce
I was talking to one of my bestest friends about this very thing not too long ago when I came across a newsletter from the website GOOP that I subscribe to. My girl Gwyneth posed the question that I have been posing to myself more and more recently, and that is:
“What do you do when you realize that although you may have years of history, and found real value in each other in times past, that you kind of don't like a friend anymore?"
Have any of you ever felt this way? How did you handle it? I am forever the eternal optimist, trying to always find the best in people and always trying to be compassionate and understanding. Sometimes, however, it just doesn't matter and all you really want to do is file for friendship divorce.
I thought the contributors had some really insightful comments and thoughts on the subject, and I especially liked the piece written by Cynthia Bourgeault who says that while oftentimes friendships are situational, true friends do still exist "amongst all the situational flux". She goes on to say that these “ 'friends forever,' ” however they play out in your particular life situation, always seem to share three characteristics: (1) They have a capacity to grow with you (and you with them) through life’s changing circumstances; 2) They are low-maintenance, rarely-to-never imposing themselves or laying expectations on you; and 3) contact with them, when it comes, is never a duty, but always a gift “heart to heart.” Such friends—always a rare and special breed — have an uncanny knack for being able to stay in tune with you emotionally over huge gaps of time and space. Maybe you don’t hear from them for three years — or thirty — but then the phone rings and there they are again, and it’s like picking up as if you never left off."
I loved this because it reinforced my belief that while, yes, many of the friendships I have are situational, my true frienships are anything but friends of convenience. Actually, when I think about the friends I have that really are "forever friends", I realize that we have more differences in our lives than we have commonalities.
Which brings me to my final thought...is it okay to have these types of feelings? Sure is, and guess what? Not only is it normal, it's also healthy to feel this way and actually do something about it. You're not a "bad person" if you feel like a "friend" does more harm than good in when it comes to your life and well being and changing that dynamic will make you better for it in the long run.
“What do you do when you realize that although you may have years of history, and found real value in each other in times past, that you kind of don't like a friend anymore?"
Have any of you ever felt this way? How did you handle it? I am forever the eternal optimist, trying to always find the best in people and always trying to be compassionate and understanding. Sometimes, however, it just doesn't matter and all you really want to do is file for friendship divorce.
I thought the contributors had some really insightful comments and thoughts on the subject, and I especially liked the piece written by Cynthia Bourgeault who says that while oftentimes friendships are situational, true friends do still exist "amongst all the situational flux". She goes on to say that these “ 'friends forever,' ” however they play out in your particular life situation, always seem to share three characteristics: (1) They have a capacity to grow with you (and you with them) through life’s changing circumstances; 2) They are low-maintenance, rarely-to-never imposing themselves or laying expectations on you; and 3) contact with them, when it comes, is never a duty, but always a gift “heart to heart.” Such friends—always a rare and special breed — have an uncanny knack for being able to stay in tune with you emotionally over huge gaps of time and space. Maybe you don’t hear from them for three years — or thirty — but then the phone rings and there they are again, and it’s like picking up as if you never left off."
I loved this because it reinforced my belief that while, yes, many of the friendships I have are situational, my true frienships are anything but friends of convenience. Actually, when I think about the friends I have that really are "forever friends", I realize that we have more differences in our lives than we have commonalities.
Which brings me to my final thought...is it okay to have these types of feelings? Sure is, and guess what? Not only is it normal, it's also healthy to feel this way and actually do something about it. You're not a "bad person" if you feel like a "friend" does more harm than good in when it comes to your life and well being and changing that dynamic will make you better for it in the long run.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Done & Done!
Despite the fact I had a late meeting & didn't get home last night until after 7:30, I still managed to pull it together & be at the gym by 5:30 this morning. By 7am, I was already en route to the office for another long day. But, guess what? My night is free to do whatever I please, like heading to Pier 1 to buy that chair I've had my eye on. Who knows, maybe I'll even cave & get the dresser ;)
Here's to hoping I don't nap under my desk, Costanza style! Rock on, party people!
Here's to hoping I don't nap under my desk, Costanza style! Rock on, party people!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Morning, Schmorning
As far back as I can remember, I have always loathed morning time. It seems, no matter how many hours of glorious sleep I get each night, it's never enough. I can remember back when my parents were married and we lived in our 2-flat in Edgebrook, my dad (King Morning Person Extraordinaire) would come barging into me and my deeder's room at crack ass and rouse us from sleep. When this method was sure to fail (with me anyway), he would snatch the covers off my sleeping body to startle me into wakefulness. I am convinced, because of this barbaric treatment, I now must be coaxed into wakefulness each and every day. Additionally, once I am up and at 'em, no one (including the loving husband) is allowed to talk to me for AT LEAST 30 minutes after I get out of bed.
Lately, however, I have been finding it difficult to schedule in my gym time each day. Not only must I make this a priority so I'm not reminiscent of the good year blimp, I also look forward to relieving stress from my workday by sweating it out on the elliptical. The health club where we're members is conveniently located across the street from our house, in addition to the free membership I am offered with my employment in the building where I work. It can not get more convenient than that, I tell you. While the membership I am offered through work is free for me, I also would have to work out on lunch, which...no thanks. When I work out, I like to really go full steam for an hour or more. This would require a post-workout shower prior to returning to the j.o.b. and while long lunches are nice, they're not an everyday kinda thing, you know what I mean? So, this has left me with my only other option of working out at the Club after I get home from work. The problem I find here, however, is that by the time I finish up, get home and take a quick rinse, it's pushing 8pm and dinner hasn't even been considered. And if I should have an errand or two to run after I get home, push that to 9pm.
So this leaves me no choice but to consider a morning workout before the day begins. Even typing this is giving me a sense of dread. Have I mentioned, I hate mornings? Oh okay, just wanted to be clear. Not only would switching to a pre-dawn workout free up my evenings, the Club also has classes that are much better starting at 5:40 am (gasp!) that would not be available to me in the evenings. I need to do this. I must do this.
How the hell will I do this?
So, for those of you with full time careers, how do you manage your workout routine? If you do an early morning session, how on earth do you do it? I for serial need all the help I can get!
Lately, however, I have been finding it difficult to schedule in my gym time each day. Not only must I make this a priority so I'm not reminiscent of the good year blimp, I also look forward to relieving stress from my workday by sweating it out on the elliptical. The health club where we're members is conveniently located across the street from our house, in addition to the free membership I am offered with my employment in the building where I work. It can not get more convenient than that, I tell you. While the membership I am offered through work is free for me, I also would have to work out on lunch, which...no thanks. When I work out, I like to really go full steam for an hour or more. This would require a post-workout shower prior to returning to the j.o.b. and while long lunches are nice, they're not an everyday kinda thing, you know what I mean? So, this has left me with my only other option of working out at the Club after I get home from work. The problem I find here, however, is that by the time I finish up, get home and take a quick rinse, it's pushing 8pm and dinner hasn't even been considered. And if I should have an errand or two to run after I get home, push that to 9pm.
So this leaves me no choice but to consider a morning workout before the day begins. Even typing this is giving me a sense of dread. Have I mentioned, I hate mornings? Oh okay, just wanted to be clear. Not only would switching to a pre-dawn workout free up my evenings, the Club also has classes that are much better starting at 5:40 am (gasp!) that would not be available to me in the evenings. I need to do this. I must do this.
How the hell will I do this?
So, for those of you with full time careers, how do you manage your workout routine? If you do an early morning session, how on earth do you do it? I for serial need all the help I can get!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Have You Been Pinned?
By suggestion (via comments in my last post) my deeder suggested I use pinterest to organize all my lovely ideas. Where has this been all my life and why, pray tell, have I not heard of this amaze website until recently?
If you've not heard of/used pinterest before, I highly recommend dabbling on the google and getting acquainted immedes.
Happy hump day pretty people!
If you've not heard of/used pinterest before, I highly recommend dabbling on the google and getting acquainted immedes.
Happy hump day pretty people!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Oh, The Possibilities...
So, folks, remember yesterday when I mentioned the loving husband & I would be redecorating the 2nd bedroom? While we've yet to actually purchase any new pieces for this room, the possibilities are endless. Currently, the 2nd bedroom is used as a guest room, and it in we have a full bedroom set, complete with a 4 poster bed, an armoire and mirrored dresser. This set was gifted to us by my great aunt, who received it from her parents. It's a beautiful heirloom set from Belgium and is in fabulous condition. I love it, and if I had a 2,000 sq ft home with several bedrooms, you better believe it would be showcased in one of the rooms. But, I don't. In fact, I have a 1,100 square foot condo, with this massive set housed in a bedroom with dimensions measuring exactly 11x10. It's a tight fit in there, to say the least. Not only that, it's a major waste of space in a home that's not exactly overflowing with extra square footage. Don't get me wrong, we defs don't feel cramped in our little home and have enough space to meet our needs, but when even a small amount of that space feels like wasted space, something's gotta give. The loving husband and I spend the majority of our time in the living room, which opens up into a separate dining room. It's an open floor plan and really does meet the needs of our lil' family of 2 (3 counting Rae, of course). But in that living room, we not only watch T.V., we also entertain, work (laptop typically stays in this room), read and just plain ol' hang out. What if we had another space that was specifically designed for a work space, while also serving as a guest room when needed? Winner, winner, chicken dinner.
Since the bedroom set is so beautiful, we wanted to keep it in the family. Ideally, when Mike and I buy a home, we will use this set in one of the bedrooms. In the meantime, my mother-in-law will be using the dressers and my mother will take possession of the double bed for her spare room. My MIL has already received the dressers, so it's just the bed that's left. Mike has been steadily going through his clothes (that were being stored in BOTH dressers as well as the closet) and is donating (fingers crossed) at least half of the loot within. This is a HUGE undertaking as there is AT LEAST 10 years worth of clothes to go through. Good luck honey!
So, while husband has been working feverishly to organize and get the room in order, I have been shopping around. I know without a doubt, a dresser of some sort will need to be purchased for whatever clothes will not be stored in the closet. I defs want something functional, yet decorative since this piece will double as both storage as well as decoration since it will be the 2nd largest piece of furniture in the room (save the daybed). I have had my eye on this beauty from Pier 1 for some time now and paid a visit to the nearby store to check it out. It's an even bigger beaut in person:
You can't exactly tell from the pic, but it has an entirely mirrored finish. Since the room looks like an exact square, with the windows being on the wall directly across from when you walk in the room and the closet being along the same wall as the door. This then leaves the walls to your left and right for major furniture, television, etc. The plan is to put this to the left wall and mount the flat screen directly above it. The daybed will go on the wall opposite and perhaps the desk directly underneath the windows. The walls are painted a very light green, much like the color seen here. The style I am aiming for is something between farmhouse/vintage and shabby chic, with the main objective to keep the room light, airy and minimal. Since re-doing our floors 2 years ago and going with these beautiful Armstrong floors, it's certainly become somewhat of a task to keep the house from looking too dark and foreboding. So, having said that, we will be keeping the look fresh and the best way to do that, in my opinion, is through the furniture style.
After the dresser, the next major piece will be the workstation. While I have yet to find "the perfect desk" I definitely know what I'm looking for. It doesn't need to be very large, as it's going to house an iMac desktop computer that is quite compact (no tower, only a screen) and a photo printer. The desk itself will mostly house paper and craft items (I am an obsessive crafter), as well as crafting tools. Ideally, I would find a wooden desk thatI could refinish my brother in law Joey can sand and refinish to look antiquated white and/or robins egg blue. Something along these lines:
I'm also planning to add storage elements like these from etsy to the side of the desk for additional storage. While I have found a bunch of desks, storage elements, dressers I really like, I'm not 100% sold on any of them (well, maybe with the exception of the Pier 1 dresser, but the hefty price tag gives me pause and I can't help but wonder I'm able to find something I love just as well, with a more manageable price point). Since the style I am going for is shabby chic/vintage, that gives me much more room to think outside the box. I'm thinking resale shops and estate sales may be my best bet. Any suggestions on places, websites, etc that you think I should check out would be most appreciated!
The only absolute purchase I will be making is this chair, which will double as a reading chair and a desk chair:
The daybed is already in my possession, which is a pretty enough wood, but I want it white (vintage chic) so my adorable brother in law will be sanding, painting and re-sanding it for me for the desired "weathered" effect. It sure does help having a contractor/construction/jack of all trades in the fam! Thanks Joey!
So, as you can plainly see, we have our work cut out for us. But, like any true stylist, I must have a deadline to stick to. After much consideration, I have decided that this room must be completed, it its entirety, by the Halloween gala, which is taking place on Saturday, October 29th, therefore the Monday prior (October 24th) this room will be complete. I realize the enormity of what I am committing to, and like any girl with a mission, I am determined not only to meet my deadline, but to also have, at the end of it all, one fabulous spare room/office/tv room/reading room/crafting room. I know there are many details (such as fabrics and accents) that I haven't even touched on, but feel that until I decide upon and purchase the furniture, can' even consider that.
So, loyal readers (you know, all 12 of you out there), help a sister out! I promise to also post pics of the progress for those of you who won't be around throughout the process to see it in person! xoxo
Since the bedroom set is so beautiful, we wanted to keep it in the family. Ideally, when Mike and I buy a home, we will use this set in one of the bedrooms. In the meantime, my mother-in-law will be using the dressers and my mother will take possession of the double bed for her spare room. My MIL has already received the dressers, so it's just the bed that's left. Mike has been steadily going through his clothes (that were being stored in BOTH dressers as well as the closet) and is donating (fingers crossed) at least half of the loot within. This is a HUGE undertaking as there is AT LEAST 10 years worth of clothes to go through. Good luck honey!
So, while husband has been working feverishly to organize and get the room in order, I have been shopping around. I know without a doubt, a dresser of some sort will need to be purchased for whatever clothes will not be stored in the closet. I defs want something functional, yet decorative since this piece will double as both storage as well as decoration since it will be the 2nd largest piece of furniture in the room (save the daybed). I have had my eye on this beauty from Pier 1 for some time now and paid a visit to the nearby store to check it out. It's an even bigger beaut in person:
After the dresser, the next major piece will be the workstation. While I have yet to find "the perfect desk" I definitely know what I'm looking for. It doesn't need to be very large, as it's going to house an iMac desktop computer that is quite compact (no tower, only a screen) and a photo printer. The desk itself will mostly house paper and craft items (I am an obsessive crafter), as well as crafting tools. Ideally, I would find a wooden desk that
I'm also planning to add storage elements like these from etsy to the side of the desk for additional storage. While I have found a bunch of desks, storage elements, dressers I really like, I'm not 100% sold on any of them (well, maybe with the exception of the Pier 1 dresser, but the hefty price tag gives me pause and I can't help but wonder I'm able to find something I love just as well, with a more manageable price point). Since the style I am going for is shabby chic/vintage, that gives me much more room to think outside the box. I'm thinking resale shops and estate sales may be my best bet. Any suggestions on places, websites, etc that you think I should check out would be most appreciated!
The only absolute purchase I will be making is this chair, which will double as a reading chair and a desk chair:
So, as you can plainly see, we have our work cut out for us. But, like any true stylist, I must have a deadline to stick to. After much consideration, I have decided that this room must be completed, it its entirety, by the Halloween gala, which is taking place on Saturday, October 29th, therefore the Monday prior (October 24th) this room will be complete. I realize the enormity of what I am committing to, and like any girl with a mission, I am determined not only to meet my deadline, but to also have, at the end of it all, one fabulous spare room/office/tv room/reading room/crafting room. I know there are many details (such as fabrics and accents) that I haven't even touched on, but feel that until I decide upon and purchase the furniture, can' even consider that.
So, loyal readers (you know, all 12 of you out there), help a sister out! I promise to also post pics of the progress for those of you who won't be around throughout the process to see it in person! xoxo
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Out with the Old & In with the New
Whew...I am legit tardy on my blog updates, and have 0.0 excuse (other than the fact I've been tre busy). Last week flew by, busy as ever at work and before I knew it, Labor Day Weekend was upon us. Wasn't it just yesterday that I was yip yapping about good ol' Mem Day Weekend? Huh.
So, allow me to re-cap for those of you that care to hear about my adventures (because, as you're well aware, there's never a dull moment at Casa Batch). Friday I jet setted out of work early to start off my amaze weekend. My Birchwood bestie Megan and I met at my fav watering hole Market to do what we do best...analyze everything whilst drinking bubbly. 2 1/2 bottles plus, mind you. This was captured just before bottle #2
Best.Night.Ever. Coasting into Saturday, I was rested and ready to move my in-laws. Saturday was also, quite possibly, the hottest, most humid day of the century. But, I put my big girl pants on and got it done. Moving 16 years of love and life from one home to another was not without its challenges (or emotions, as this was my husband's family home and where he lived when the magic began 13+ years ago). But, it was time to move on and the new home is more fab in all the best ways <3
Saturday night was another ridic fun time with my bestie Rena in Wicker Park at Prasino's for our friend Natasha's 30th birthday party. This included sushi, Prosecco and even a decadent cake all in honor of our girl Tash.
Sunday brought us back to the in-laws to help some more & then Monday was spent cleaning our house and me starting the planning of this year's Halloween costume gala. Yes, you read that right, gala. Not to be confused with party. I have already hand crafted the invites, which are just begging to be mailed. All the while planning the redec of our 2nd bedroom. So much to be done, purchased, refurbed etc. As this blog is appropriately entitled...out with the old & in with the new. In more ways than one.
This past Labor Day weekend we had nothing ridic planned, but it turned out to be one of the best weekends I have had in a long time...and the fact that it was spent in the company of some of the best gals a girl could hope for, is not lost on me. Grant it, we all have our "stuff", and the last few months have certainly been a roller coaster...however, at the end of the day, I wouldn't trade places with anyone. Not for all the money in the world.
So, allow me to re-cap for those of you that care to hear about my adventures (because, as you're well aware, there's never a dull moment at Casa Batch). Friday I jet setted out of work early to start off my amaze weekend. My Birchwood bestie Megan and I met at my fav watering hole Market to do what we do best...analyze everything whilst drinking bubbly. 2 1/2 bottles plus, mind you. This was captured just before bottle #2
Best.Night.Ever. Coasting into Saturday, I was rested and ready to move my in-laws. Saturday was also, quite possibly, the hottest, most humid day of the century. But, I put my big girl pants on and got it done. Moving 16 years of love and life from one home to another was not without its challenges (or emotions, as this was my husband's family home and where he lived when the magic began 13+ years ago). But, it was time to move on and the new home is more fab in all the best ways <3
Saturday night was another ridic fun time with my bestie Rena in Wicker Park at Prasino's for our friend Natasha's 30th birthday party. This included sushi, Prosecco and even a decadent cake all in honor of our girl Tash.
Sunday brought us back to the in-laws to help some more & then Monday was spent cleaning our house and me starting the planning of this year's Halloween costume gala. Yes, you read that right, gala. Not to be confused with party. I have already hand crafted the invites, which are just begging to be mailed. All the while planning the redec of our 2nd bedroom. So much to be done, purchased, refurbed etc. As this blog is appropriately entitled...out with the old & in with the new. In more ways than one.
This past Labor Day weekend we had nothing ridic planned, but it turned out to be one of the best weekends I have had in a long time...and the fact that it was spent in the company of some of the best gals a girl could hope for, is not lost on me. Grant it, we all have our "stuff", and the last few months have certainly been a roller coaster...however, at the end of the day, I wouldn't trade places with anyone. Not for all the money in the world.
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