I just had to try this out.
I got my new Verizon Wireless card today for my work laptop. So, when I realized that not only did I leave my cell phone at home this morning - but I also did not call Steve from the office to let him know when to expect me - starting up my laptop was the obvious answer.
Not a major catstrophe by any means - he could live without the information that I am on the 4:28 which gets in at 5:12.
However, now I have the ability to send him an email from my laptop on the train. Alas - I have no idea how fast it will send from underneath union station nor if I even caught him before he left the office....
What's a girl to do?
Of course I can send a text message to his phone.
So now I am in utter suspense. Did he get the emails (one from gmail, one from my work account)? Will the tm reach him in time?
The only way I will now for sure is if when I exit the train a small pup named PorTillo is waiting for me....
So now we will see how long it takes to post a blog....and how long my battery lasts. In 15 mins we have gone down to 78% - not looking good.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
I get phone calls ......for dead people
One of the things about living in a house that has been in the family for a while - is that most if not all of your utilities bills may in fact be in the names of relatives who are no longer with us.
Getting our names on the bills - is changing this week as we officially have a mortgage as of tomorrow. In the meantime - it is awkward to have someone call and ask for your grandmother who has been dead for 8 years.
When I first lived in the house only a year after my grandpa passed, it was hard to get calls and mail for him because it reminded me of him. As time passed the calls lessoned and having my name on the phone bill has certainly made an impact.
It seems like some of the charities are going off of old phone lists. When we get calls for picking up donated goods, I have to resist saying "no, she's no longer with us."
Many of the marketing materials that come to the house just say "Residents at..." so you are never quite sure if it is a mass mailing or targeted to some demographic.
I did for a time get mail with my name on it for funeral homes, senior living, being cremeated, etc - which I can only assume was due to having my grandparents demographic info mixed with my name. I can assure you - I mainly got dating service ads when I was at the townhouse.
So what prompted this post? I received a reminder phone call the other day for a pick-up of a donation. The woman completely skipped over asking for one of my deceased relatives and went directly to "Is your mom there?"
Given what I described above - I am ready for people calling and asking for just about anybody - but my mom, really do I sound that young. So I guess in addition to clearing up names associated with the house, I am also going to have to work on sounding like I am older than 12.
Getting our names on the bills - is changing this week as we officially have a mortgage as of tomorrow. In the meantime - it is awkward to have someone call and ask for your grandmother who has been dead for 8 years.
When I first lived in the house only a year after my grandpa passed, it was hard to get calls and mail for him because it reminded me of him. As time passed the calls lessoned and having my name on the phone bill has certainly made an impact.
It seems like some of the charities are going off of old phone lists. When we get calls for picking up donated goods, I have to resist saying "no, she's no longer with us."
Many of the marketing materials that come to the house just say "Residents at..." so you are never quite sure if it is a mass mailing or targeted to some demographic.
I did for a time get mail with my name on it for funeral homes, senior living, being cremeated, etc - which I can only assume was due to having my grandparents demographic info mixed with my name. I can assure you - I mainly got dating service ads when I was at the townhouse.
So what prompted this post? I received a reminder phone call the other day for a pick-up of a donation. The woman completely skipped over asking for one of my deceased relatives and went directly to "Is your mom there?"
Given what I described above - I am ready for people calling and asking for just about anybody - but my mom, really do I sound that young. So I guess in addition to clearing up names associated with the house, I am also going to have to work on sounding like I am older than 12.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Itsy Bitsy...Spiderman
Who else can teach your kids about gang signs?
I just saw a commercial for "IBS" and had to know about this plush toy that is sure to be a Christmas blockbuster.
Well worth seeing the flash promo with the singing and dancing.
hmmmm...actually some of those dance moves look vaguely familiar.......
I just saw a commercial for "IBS" and had to know about this plush toy that is sure to be a Christmas blockbuster.Well worth seeing the flash promo with the singing and dancing.
hmmmm...actually some of those dance moves look vaguely familiar.......
Unknowingly keeping Da Bears 6-0
Sometime during the 4th Quarter I got a phone call from Steve who was watching the game from a local watering hall with a few friends.
"Go to my closet and put on my Walter Payton jersey right now".
I am not a wife who takes kindly to such demands - but I had seen the 4 interceptions in the first half and I knew what I would have to deal with if the Bears continued down the path of a total disaster.
Miraculously, the Bears pulled out a win as I learned in another call (putting on the jersey didn't curtail my watching home improvement shows).
Just happy I was able to help out the team.
"Go to my closet and put on my Walter Payton jersey right now".
I am not a wife who takes kindly to such demands - but I had seen the 4 interceptions in the first half and I knew what I would have to deal with if the Bears continued down the path of a total disaster.
Miraculously, the Bears pulled out a win as I learned in another call (putting on the jersey didn't curtail my watching home improvement shows).
Just happy I was able to help out the team.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Piecing together 108 North
So tonight I was doing some research on the style of 108 North. The house was included in a book, "A Guide to Chicago Historic Suburbs On Wheels & On Foot" and classified as of the Italianate style c. 1870. I began by googling Italianate house and was able to find the following:
The Italianate style was derived from the villas of the Italian countryside. Two full stories, low-pitched hip roofs with cupolas, and expansive overhangs supported by decorative brackets are typical features of the style.
The Italianate style dominated American houses constructed between 1850 and 1880. It was particularly common in the expanding towns and cities of the Midwest as well as in many older but still growing cities of the northeastern seaboard.
Here is an example of a classic Italianate house. I can see parts of 108 North in this image...
The Italianate style was derived from the villas of the Italian countryside. Two full stories, low-pitched hip roofs with cupolas, and expansive overhangs supported by decorative brackets are typical features of the style.
The Italianate style dominated American houses constructed between 1850 and 1880. It was particularly common in the expanding towns and cities of the Midwest as well as in many older but still growing cities of the northeastern seaboard.Here is an example of a classic Italianate house. I can see parts of 108 North in this image...
The Guidebook indicates that the front porch was most likely added in the 1910s which seems to fit with my family moving in to the house in 1916. It also refers to the "slightly lower service wing" which we call the kitchen and dining room as having the original tin roof. What is troubling to me is that it doesn't seem to fit with the Italianate style. Although the upstairs windows go to the floor - they have none of the characteristics of the style. Plus the roof doesn't match.
The more I look at the house - the more I want to know how did it get to be this way? What were the original owners like? How many bedrooms were there upstairs? Why was the "service wing" made lower than the rest of the house? Was the back always 2 stories? The house was white when I was little - but what was the original color?
The more questions I come up with the more I want to know. I guess I'd better get back to the "service wing" - the dishes won't wash themselves.
***Crazily enough our plans for that part of the house include expanding the kitchen into the dining room - so I guess we may be returning it to its original use.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Reflected Reflection
Please honey, you have given insight into more important things that College basketball or Mall walking.
My list is as follows (just to name a few):
1. Naperville - deserves its reputation.
2. Just do it - while I like to plan 108 projects - you start removing wallpaper.
3. We have to make appointments - talk about busy schedules.
4. Little dogs - yeah, I will give that one but I still want a Husky!
5. From Professional woman to little girl in 3 seconds flat - when you want something or need something after I just sat down to watch Patton.
6. Features and Benefits - we are both stubborn but even when I say "End of story" you continue to zig and zag and before I know it I am sold on an idea. Slighty evil.
7. It takes two to tango - I thought I did a lot when I was solo, that is nothing compared to what we got ourselves into now (108, a certain clock ticking which I can't mention, etc.)
8. Cool chicks - they exist! Who had the idea of me coming in as Elvis and then let me do it?!?
9. Thinking things through - "what would happen if I strapped a jet engine to the car? hmmmm" (I would like to say those ideas are no more but at least they are less frequent)
10. Angel - I can't tell you enough of how I need you in my life.
My list is as follows (just to name a few):
1. Naperville - deserves its reputation.
2. Just do it - while I like to plan 108 projects - you start removing wallpaper.
3. We have to make appointments - talk about busy schedules.
4. Little dogs - yeah, I will give that one but I still want a Husky!
5. From Professional woman to little girl in 3 seconds flat - when you want something or need something after I just sat down to watch Patton.
6. Features and Benefits - we are both stubborn but even when I say "End of story" you continue to zig and zag and before I know it I am sold on an idea. Slighty evil.
7. It takes two to tango - I thought I did a lot when I was solo, that is nothing compared to what we got ourselves into now (108, a certain clock ticking which I can't mention, etc.)
8. Cool chicks - they exist! Who had the idea of me coming in as Elvis and then let me do it?!?
9. Thinking things through - "what would happen if I strapped a jet engine to the car? hmmmm" (I would like to say those ideas are no more but at least they are less frequent)
10. Angel - I can't tell you enough of how I need you in my life.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Reflection
Yesterday we celebrated Steve's 35th birthday with the family (although the actual date is this Sat the 14th). It has been a tradition for the last few years to go bowling for his birthday.
So in the spirit of celebrating my hubby, I started thinking about how in addition to a bowling birthday what else Steve has brought into my life (in no particular order).
1. Watching the news in the morning - I am just not a news person in general and so without Steve I probably would have never known what was going on in the world.
2. NPR - to be honest I am more tolerant of news in the morning than news radio, but it is good to see this whole other world called "Wait, wait don't tell me" and "Car Talk" - although I can only handle about 15 mins
3. Rescue Me - definitely a show I would have never thought to watch. Plus the theme song gets stuck in my head.
4. Discovery & History Channels - 2 channels I seriously never knew existed
5. Elvis - while I will always be more of a Beatles girl - I have to say that the man has grown on me
6. People watching - Steve enjoys sitting and watching people more than anyone I know and so when I travel (read am stuck in the airport or eating dinner by myself without a book) - I find myself people watching because I know how much Steve would appreciate it - if he was there.
7. Soccer - I now not only understand some of the rules - but can sit through a whole game and plus I love the side bets
8. Beer - now I am not saying I enjoy beer anymore than pS (pre-Steve), but I have a better appreciation for how many different kinds there are
9. Rolling Stones - another band that I always enjoyed - but didn't get until we saw them live
10. Fantasy football - I haven't gone so far as to look at "his guys" but I do ask how he is doing and have a general understanding of how it works
On the flip side - here is what (I think) I have brought to Steve - perhaps he has his own thoughts.... (hint, hint - this is where you chime in)
1. Watching videos on MTV and VH1 in the morning
2. College basketball
3. Little dogs
4. Apple donuts from the Long Grove Apple Festival
5. Westin's Heavenly Bed
6. Russell's dry cleaners
7. Panera's Potato soup
8. Mall walking
9. Home repair/design shows
10. Tom Petty
So in the spirit of celebrating my hubby, I started thinking about how in addition to a bowling birthday what else Steve has brought into my life (in no particular order).
1. Watching the news in the morning - I am just not a news person in general and so without Steve I probably would have never known what was going on in the world.
2. NPR - to be honest I am more tolerant of news in the morning than news radio, but it is good to see this whole other world called "Wait, wait don't tell me" and "Car Talk" - although I can only handle about 15 mins
3. Rescue Me - definitely a show I would have never thought to watch. Plus the theme song gets stuck in my head.
4. Discovery & History Channels - 2 channels I seriously never knew existed
5. Elvis - while I will always be more of a Beatles girl - I have to say that the man has grown on me
6. People watching - Steve enjoys sitting and watching people more than anyone I know and so when I travel (read am stuck in the airport or eating dinner by myself without a book) - I find myself people watching because I know how much Steve would appreciate it - if he was there.
7. Soccer - I now not only understand some of the rules - but can sit through a whole game and plus I love the side bets
8. Beer - now I am not saying I enjoy beer anymore than pS (pre-Steve), but I have a better appreciation for how many different kinds there are
9. Rolling Stones - another band that I always enjoyed - but didn't get until we saw them live
10. Fantasy football - I haven't gone so far as to look at "his guys" but I do ask how he is doing and have a general understanding of how it works
On the flip side - here is what (I think) I have brought to Steve - perhaps he has his own thoughts.... (hint, hint - this is where you chime in)
1. Watching videos on MTV and VH1 in the morning
2. College basketball
3. Little dogs
4. Apple donuts from the Long Grove Apple Festival
5. Westin's Heavenly Bed
6. Russell's dry cleaners
7. Panera's Potato soup
8. Mall walking
9. Home repair/design shows
10. Tom Petty
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
One simple project
I have started one little project slightly under Katie's radar. I read an article in FastCompany about these lightbulbs and I have installed a few but now I am on a mission to replace all of them. The decorative ones will remain the same, but the rest are getting swapped out one by one.
This is an underlying theme in my mind for 108, simple ways to make the house more energy efficient and a bit more green. Another idea is to replace the water heater with tankless one.
Baby steps...ummmmm baybay!
This is an underlying theme in my mind for 108, simple ways to make the house more energy efficient and a bit more green. Another idea is to replace the water heater with tankless one.
Baby steps...ummmmm baybay!
Monday, October 02, 2006
Here's a novel idea...
So I was reminded tonight by my husband that the purpose of this site was to blog about the house....so I thought I might want to actually post some pics of...welll...the house.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Pics from the "Katie and Steve Show"
Steve and I put together a slide show for the rehearsal dinner.
Here are some of my favorite pictures of me. Steve's will be up soon as well....
(Left) - This was taken at Brookfield Zoo. As the lore goes, soon after the shot was taken - the pig knocked me over.
(Right) This picture cracks me up for several reasons - note the groovy 1970s outfits and my dad's ears looking very Spock like. It is also cool to have a picture at 108 in the dining room when I was small.
(Above) oh yeah - I was styling in my patent leather shoes and underoos!
Here are some of my favorite pictures of me. Steve's will be up soon as well....
(Left) - This was taken at Brookfield Zoo. As the lore goes, soon after the shot was taken - the pig knocked me over.
(Right) This picture cracks me up for several reasons - note the groovy 1970s outfits and my dad's ears looking very Spock like. It is also cool to have a picture at 108 in the dining room when I was small.
(Above) oh yeah - I was styling in my patent leather shoes and underoos!
My problem with blogging or Where do I start part2
Brevity.
I have really good intentions - I will just write a quick stream of conscious post about the important/interesting parts of an event....but I end up flooded with words.
Take my last post...I even started with a list. That will for sure keep me on track........not so much.
To me every detail is important - summarizing is great for 6th grade book reports - but doesn't fit with how I think or write. So bare with me as I learn to find my blog "voice" and describe my life in a way that might be interesting to more than just me. I may have to start up a diary again for the detailed descriptions of life at 108.
In the meantime, here is one of my favorite pictures from the wedding. It reminds me of Reservoir Dogs as I walk with my posse. PorTillo was great - it was like he knew exactly where he was going.
I have really good intentions - I will just write a quick stream of conscious post about the important/interesting parts of an event....but I end up flooded with words.
Take my last post...I even started with a list. That will for sure keep me on track........not so much.
To me every detail is important - summarizing is great for 6th grade book reports - but doesn't fit with how I think or write. So bare with me as I learn to find my blog "voice" and describe my life in a way that might be interesting to more than just me. I may have to start up a diary again for the detailed descriptions of life at 108.
In the meantime, here is one of my favorite pictures from the wedding. It reminds me of Reservoir Dogs as I walk with my posse. PorTillo was great - it was like he knew exactly where he was going.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Where do I start.....(part 1)
Since it has been so long since I posted (and someone has taken to adding his own 2 cents), I don't know where to start.
Some highlights of the last few months:
1. Passed Will Ferrel in a Dallas hotel in July while he was out promoting Teledaga nights (wrote a very nice blog about it which will remain in draft mode most likely forever....)
2. Had bridal shower #3 at the Walls home (last weekend in July)
3. Two weeks before the blessed event was in beautiful Dublin for work(ok so it was Ohio)
4. Ran around like a crazy woman the week before the wedding finishing all of the last minute details (programs, menus, seating chart, etc).
Side story: During the last week - I was having some difficulty getting a hold of our very ditsy wedding coordinator from the reception site. Finally 3 days before the wedding I find out that she is "pursuing other opportunities within the hotel". I was pissed - I decided not to lose my head over it because I wasn't overly confident in her abilities - but it still was frustrating to have to walk someone else through the wedding details......
5. Rehearsal Dinner - was awesome. A very relaxed dinner at Portillo's with family and close friends. My dad gave a speech that made me cry and Steve and I even managed to pull off the "Steve and Katie Show" a powerpoint pictorial of us throughout the years.
6. Post Portillo's, Steve decided he need to give me a wedding gift that night back at our house. He had made (with the help of my mom, his sis and his mom) a scrapbook of pictures of me over the last 28 years....again more tears. It was so sweet....I couldn't help but feel bad that his gift was less than sentimental (to be opened on the wedding day - the Band of Brothers DVD set and a very nice card)
7. Morning of - I woke up (I guess that is what you call it after going to bed at midnight, walking up at 3:30 and falling back to sleep around 5:30), took care of the pup, showered and headed for the salon. Jill and Amy were well on there way to beautiful and soon it was my turn.
Becky (my neighbor and hair stylist) did an awesome job on my hair and make-up. Needless to say - I don't wear much make-up (read: NONE) and so I was not good at letting someone be so close to my eyes. She finally relented on the eyeliner as I explained I would tear up and ruin everything else.
We all headed back for the house - not without some drama in between though....
Steve had forgotten his tux at the house and so we had to coordinate it getting to him without us talking - in hindsight - we probably could have relented on that rule. He also then called Jill while I was getting ready because he also needed "something" (to be identified later) for the reception - which he could only somewhat describe to Jill and I had to hide in a bag for him to get post-ceremony, pre-reception.....I know it's confusing.
So I am eating my Jimmy John's, Tony is on Portillo duty because the photographer is early and I am not even in my dress yet. I say to the photog"here - take some pictures of my very pretty and uncomfortable shotes". I was so not ready to be in charge of the getting ready - and a little overwhelmed by it all. As Steve said when he looked at the pics - you were not smiling with your eyes.
I get dressed and we take a few pics by the bay window. I then have it my head that it will be an awesome shot to have me in the front hallway up on the staircase....I didn't really plan on how big my dress was and the 3 inch heels - but I made and didn't kill myself.
I will now take a short pause so that I can rejoin my life (ie packing for a work trip to Dallas) and will plan to pick up this saga at a later time.............
Some highlights of the last few months:
1. Passed Will Ferrel in a Dallas hotel in July while he was out promoting Teledaga nights (wrote a very nice blog about it which will remain in draft mode most likely forever....)
2. Had bridal shower #3 at the Walls home (last weekend in July)
3. Two weeks before the blessed event was in beautiful Dublin for work(ok so it was Ohio)
4. Ran around like a crazy woman the week before the wedding finishing all of the last minute details (programs, menus, seating chart, etc).
Side story: During the last week - I was having some difficulty getting a hold of our very ditsy wedding coordinator from the reception site. Finally 3 days before the wedding I find out that she is "pursuing other opportunities within the hotel". I was pissed - I decided not to lose my head over it because I wasn't overly confident in her abilities - but it still was frustrating to have to walk someone else through the wedding details......
5. Rehearsal Dinner - was awesome. A very relaxed dinner at Portillo's with family and close friends. My dad gave a speech that made me cry and Steve and I even managed to pull off the "Steve and Katie Show" a powerpoint pictorial of us throughout the years.
6. Post Portillo's, Steve decided he need to give me a wedding gift that night back at our house. He had made (with the help of my mom, his sis and his mom) a scrapbook of pictures of me over the last 28 years....again more tears. It was so sweet....I couldn't help but feel bad that his gift was less than sentimental (to be opened on the wedding day - the Band of Brothers DVD set and a very nice card)
7. Morning of - I woke up (I guess that is what you call it after going to bed at midnight, walking up at 3:30 and falling back to sleep around 5:30), took care of the pup, showered and headed for the salon. Jill and Amy were well on there way to beautiful and soon it was my turn.
Becky (my neighbor and hair stylist) did an awesome job on my hair and make-up. Needless to say - I don't wear much make-up (read: NONE) and so I was not good at letting someone be so close to my eyes. She finally relented on the eyeliner as I explained I would tear up and ruin everything else.
We all headed back for the house - not without some drama in between though....
Steve had forgotten his tux at the house and so we had to coordinate it getting to him without us talking - in hindsight - we probably could have relented on that rule. He also then called Jill while I was getting ready because he also needed "something" (to be identified later) for the reception - which he could only somewhat describe to Jill and I had to hide in a bag for him to get post-ceremony, pre-reception.....I know it's confusing.
So I am eating my Jimmy John's, Tony is on Portillo duty because the photographer is early and I am not even in my dress yet. I say to the photog"here - take some pictures of my very pretty and uncomfortable shotes". I was so not ready to be in charge of the getting ready - and a little overwhelmed by it all. As Steve said when he looked at the pics - you were not smiling with your eyes.
I get dressed and we take a few pics by the bay window. I then have it my head that it will be an awesome shot to have me in the front hallway up on the staircase....I didn't really plan on how big my dress was and the 3 inch heels - but I made and didn't kill myself.
I will now take a short pause so that I can rejoin my life (ie packing for a work trip to Dallas) and will plan to pick up this saga at a later time.............
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Game on!
Well, after months of saying, "We'll do that after the wedding", it's time. We had a great honeymoon and got back to a list of projects. We will keep updating as we go and it looks like 108 will be the biggest project of them all. And it may be too early but I would like to start a countdown to 'bay-bee' time, it would be at about 545 days right now.
Editor's note - if I could figure out how to strike through this post I would, and since there are 2 comments on it - I won't remove it. I just think someone was a little premature in his announcement......kg
Editor's note - if I could figure out how to strike through this post I would, and since there are 2 comments on it - I won't remove it. I just think someone was a little premature in his announcement......kg
Thursday, July 13, 2006
They have email in Alaska?
My dad, the outdoor adventurer (pictured left on last summer's family trip to Door County, WI) arrived safely in Alaska.
Steve jokingly asked my dad if he was also going to blog his trip. Instead - I have posted his first email as proof that they have email up there.
"The flight was good. The weather was beautiful the first day, sunny and 70s. We are staying at the Anchorage Guest House which is like an adventureer's bed and breakfast. We hiked to to top of Flat-top Mountain. It was beautiful and little more strenuous then I would have imagined. We were out of breath, but 9 out of 11 made it to the top. Peter a 65 year old retired engineer from Argonne will be my tent mate the rest of the trip. "
It sounds like this years summer trip will be more adventurous than last years! Although dad, Steve and Dr. Tony did attempt golfing -
Less than 1 month!
Yesterday (July 12th) marked the official one month countdown to the big day.
I am happy to report that we are in the final stretch and should be ready for all the big doings over the next few weeks.
Should we happen to deviate from my very well planned schedule - I am sure you will hear about it.
In the meantime, feel free to visit the wedding website for any details.
Steve and I both are getting really excited for the celebration!
I am happy to report that we are in the final stretch and should be ready for all the big doings over the next few weeks.
Should we happen to deviate from my very well planned schedule - I am sure you will hear about it.
In the meantime, feel free to visit the wedding website for any details.
Steve and I both are getting really excited for the celebration!
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Steve's Triumphant Return to the States
(Told in the third person, because obviously my body was overtaken by aliens when I inserted myself into this adventure...or perhaps just a little anxious to see my sweetie)
2 days prior to arrival
Tom W.: "Katie, I'd like to meet Steve at the airport what time does he get in?"
Katie: "Let me check - Steve sent me an email with all of the flight info. I'll call you back tomorrow. "
Katie sorts through numerous emails with no luck. She thinks to herself, "Hmm..which email did he sent it to? We definitely need to get better about subject lines. Ok - I'll just go to Air India's website. This is certainly no American Airlines - oh there it is. Flight AI127 with a scheduled arrival of 1605."
Later that evening....
Steve's mom: "Fred (Steve's dad) would like to greet him at the airport and take a picture."
Katie: "Ok - I think Tom W. also wanted to pick him up. I will call him tomorrow to let him know."
Steve's mom: "Well - he will probably just take a bus out there to meet. "
Katie (thinking to herself): "I wish I could leave work early - because I'd really like to meet him. Oh well, sounds like they have got it figured out." She talks to both Tom W. and Fred and have passed along the info. She is also posting/emailing Steve - so he will be on the lookout for them.
Day of Arrival:
10am
Katie looks at the Air India site only to see that the flight is delayed - but no time information is indicated. She calls a 1-800 number and they tell her that the flight is delayed until 4:55pm. She passes that info to Tom W. and tm's Steve to let him know that his dad will also be at ORD.
3pm
Katie sits at work - trying to focus so she can get her work done and get home to meet Steve. Since his flight is "delayed" she decides she may be able to take an early train home, pick up the pup and meet Steve in LaGrange at his parents. Sounds like a plan.
4pm
Katie wraps up her work and realizes what an odd coincidence it is that her co-worker is heading in a cab to ORD in a few minutes to catch her flight. Katie quickly packs up to see if she can catch her in the lobby and tag along.
Now 4:15pm
Katie thinks to herself, "Steve will be so surprised that I made it out to greet him and I am sure it will take him time to get off the plane and through security. I have plenty of time." She hops in the cab and throws out any ounce of common sense she has about 1. time 2. space 3. rush hour traffic 4. the reliability of Air India's phone rep. All she can picture is how happy Steve will be to see her.
4:30pm
Steve unboards the plane and calls his dad as he gets through security. The flight arrived on time and Steve does everything he can to navigate through the airport quickly. Once they meet up - Steve is anxious to go and does not want to wait to meet Tom W. He tries to call him and tell him to turnaround - they will just take a bus.
Katie enroute calls Tom W. and leaves a message that she is on her way. She then tries to get ahold of Steve's dad.
4:45pm
Fred answers the phone and learns of Katie's wherabouts. He passes the phone to Steve.
Steve, "Katie, I really just want to get home. Can you have the cab turn around or meet us at the O'Hare oasis?"
Katie feeling sick to her stomach, "Um, no I can't. I am in the cab with someone else. Can you just wait - the cab driver says it should be another 10-15 mins."
Steve, "Where are you? It's bumper to bumper traffic, isn't it?
Katie, "Near Foster, I think. Yes - it's pretty heavy."
In the meantime, Tom W. arrives to pick them up. They decide to get Steve home and come back for Katie at the airport. Fred ends up having them turnaround and drop him off so he can wait for Katie at the bus stop.
5:30
Katie's coworker gets dropped of at Terminal 3 for her flight.
5:40
Katie's taxi cab driver has no idea on how to get to the bus stop so she gets out at Terminal 5. Katie takes the tram over to the bus stop and meets up with Steve's dad. They wait for the 5:52 bus to LaGrange.
5:52pm
They take the bus to its final stop before heading to the garage. Apparently - this was the one bus that doesn't go the rest of the route. They transfer to another stop and wait for the next bus.
6:45pm
Steve greets Katie at 409. His right ankle is bandaged and swollen and his left is not much better. He has at least 3 days of stubble and smells of a man who has not showered for a few days and was camping in Berlin.
7:45pm
Katie and Steve arrive at 108 North. His flight from Germany took him 9 hours and his journey from O'Hare took 3.5. Steve is weary and worn - but exactly where he belongs. Home.
2 days prior to arrival
Tom W.: "Katie, I'd like to meet Steve at the airport what time does he get in?"
Katie: "Let me check - Steve sent me an email with all of the flight info. I'll call you back tomorrow. "
Katie sorts through numerous emails with no luck. She thinks to herself, "Hmm..which email did he sent it to? We definitely need to get better about subject lines. Ok - I'll just go to Air India's website. This is certainly no American Airlines - oh there it is. Flight AI127 with a scheduled arrival of 1605."
Later that evening....
Steve's mom: "Fred (Steve's dad) would like to greet him at the airport and take a picture."
Katie: "Ok - I think Tom W. also wanted to pick him up. I will call him tomorrow to let him know."
Steve's mom: "Well - he will probably just take a bus out there to meet. "
Katie (thinking to herself): "I wish I could leave work early - because I'd really like to meet him. Oh well, sounds like they have got it figured out." She talks to both Tom W. and Fred and have passed along the info. She is also posting/emailing Steve - so he will be on the lookout for them.
Day of Arrival:
10am
Katie looks at the Air India site only to see that the flight is delayed - but no time information is indicated. She calls a 1-800 number and they tell her that the flight is delayed until 4:55pm. She passes that info to Tom W. and tm's Steve to let him know that his dad will also be at ORD.
3pm
Katie sits at work - trying to focus so she can get her work done and get home to meet Steve. Since his flight is "delayed" she decides she may be able to take an early train home, pick up the pup and meet Steve in LaGrange at his parents. Sounds like a plan.
4pm
Katie wraps up her work and realizes what an odd coincidence it is that her co-worker is heading in a cab to ORD in a few minutes to catch her flight. Katie quickly packs up to see if she can catch her in the lobby and tag along.
Now 4:15pm
Katie thinks to herself, "Steve will be so surprised that I made it out to greet him and I am sure it will take him time to get off the plane and through security. I have plenty of time." She hops in the cab and throws out any ounce of common sense she has about 1. time 2. space 3. rush hour traffic 4. the reliability of Air India's phone rep. All she can picture is how happy Steve will be to see her.
4:30pm
Steve unboards the plane and calls his dad as he gets through security. The flight arrived on time and Steve does everything he can to navigate through the airport quickly. Once they meet up - Steve is anxious to go and does not want to wait to meet Tom W. He tries to call him and tell him to turnaround - they will just take a bus.
Katie enroute calls Tom W. and leaves a message that she is on her way. She then tries to get ahold of Steve's dad.
4:45pm
Fred answers the phone and learns of Katie's wherabouts. He passes the phone to Steve.
Steve, "Katie, I really just want to get home. Can you have the cab turn around or meet us at the O'Hare oasis?"
Katie feeling sick to her stomach, "Um, no I can't. I am in the cab with someone else. Can you just wait - the cab driver says it should be another 10-15 mins."
Steve, "Where are you? It's bumper to bumper traffic, isn't it?
Katie, "Near Foster, I think. Yes - it's pretty heavy."
In the meantime, Tom W. arrives to pick them up. They decide to get Steve home and come back for Katie at the airport. Fred ends up having them turnaround and drop him off so he can wait for Katie at the bus stop.
5:30
Katie's coworker gets dropped of at Terminal 3 for her flight.
5:40
Katie's taxi cab driver has no idea on how to get to the bus stop so she gets out at Terminal 5. Katie takes the tram over to the bus stop and meets up with Steve's dad. They wait for the 5:52 bus to LaGrange.
5:52pm
They take the bus to its final stop before heading to the garage. Apparently - this was the one bus that doesn't go the rest of the route. They transfer to another stop and wait for the next bus.
6:45pm
Steve greets Katie at 409. His right ankle is bandaged and swollen and his left is not much better. He has at least 3 days of stubble and smells of a man who has not showered for a few days and was camping in Berlin.
7:45pm
Katie and Steve arrive at 108 North. His flight from Germany took him 9 hours and his journey from O'Hare took 3.5. Steve is weary and worn - but exactly where he belongs. Home.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Free to a good home
One man's trash is another man's treasure? Or so the saying goes....
In the aftermath of yesterday's garage sale, we took two cars full of stuff to the Goodwill store. There were some remaining items that never made it to the garage sale because they were trash or broken and a few other items that seemed to bulky to be carted off in the car. We had a theory that putting these items out with the trash would allow them to go to good homes without the middle man of goodwill.
Mind you, many of these items were marked under 5 dollars. For the last hour, we said everything was 1/2 price. People still hemmed and hawed over paying $2 for a kids microscope set which still had its original price tag of $33. Needless to say, I believe it was donated in the end.
I fully expected that long before the garbage man came tomorrow morning a mirror, wobbly table and chair with a yellow flowered print cushion would be taken. Interestingly enough - the man who took the chair sat in it during the garage sale and wouldn't pay the "sale" price of $1.50 for it.
The most suprising thing was the number of items that were taken that we had deemed "not garage saleable" - an old box of Cheer (most likely from the early 80s), a mirror that had once been attached to a dresser and a rusted and dented dollhouse.
A teenage kid on his bike took a lawn chair that was riped only to have it open on him as he rode away. The girl he was with kept asking - "What are you going to do with it?" and made the observation that it was also a rocker and not just a regular chair.
I was annoyed with a few people who took it upon themselves to investigate one of the big black garabage bags by ripping it open - seriously, just untie the handles. No need to make a mess for the garbage man or me.
Even though we made a few bucks off the garage sale and were equally surprised at what people will spend their money on - in the future I plan to be sure and display more "junk" in my yard on garbage day...just to see if it gets taken. I know - I need to get a life. Not to worry - Steve will be home in less than 24 hours and he won't let me throw away anything.
If it's before 7am on Monday July 11th as you read this - feel free to stop by and pick through my garbage. There is still a metal bird cage, push mower, and an old chair with a crack down the middle of the seat. Just leave the rest alone. And don't bother with the canned tomatoes - best we can tell those are from the 60s.
In the aftermath of yesterday's garage sale, we took two cars full of stuff to the Goodwill store. There were some remaining items that never made it to the garage sale because they were trash or broken and a few other items that seemed to bulky to be carted off in the car. We had a theory that putting these items out with the trash would allow them to go to good homes without the middle man of goodwill.
Mind you, many of these items were marked under 5 dollars. For the last hour, we said everything was 1/2 price. People still hemmed and hawed over paying $2 for a kids microscope set which still had its original price tag of $33. Needless to say, I believe it was donated in the end.
I fully expected that long before the garbage man came tomorrow morning a mirror, wobbly table and chair with a yellow flowered print cushion would be taken. Interestingly enough - the man who took the chair sat in it during the garage sale and wouldn't pay the "sale" price of $1.50 for it.
The most suprising thing was the number of items that were taken that we had deemed "not garage saleable" - an old box of Cheer (most likely from the early 80s), a mirror that had once been attached to a dresser and a rusted and dented dollhouse.
A teenage kid on his bike took a lawn chair that was riped only to have it open on him as he rode away. The girl he was with kept asking - "What are you going to do with it?" and made the observation that it was also a rocker and not just a regular chair.
I was annoyed with a few people who took it upon themselves to investigate one of the big black garabage bags by ripping it open - seriously, just untie the handles. No need to make a mess for the garbage man or me.
Even though we made a few bucks off the garage sale and were equally surprised at what people will spend their money on - in the future I plan to be sure and display more "junk" in my yard on garbage day...just to see if it gets taken. I know - I need to get a life. Not to worry - Steve will be home in less than 24 hours and he won't let me throw away anything.
If it's before 7am on Monday July 11th as you read this - feel free to stop by and pick through my garbage. There is still a metal bird cage, push mower, and an old chair with a crack down the middle of the seat. Just leave the rest alone. And don't bother with the canned tomatoes - best we can tell those are from the 60s.
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