storm.

I love clouds, especially when they are ones you don't get to see often.

I love a good storm. Here in Chicago we just had a CRAZY storm. Tornado sirens, huge lightning bolts, dark sky, thunder that shook my doors. Usually I'm all for a nature show, but tonight made me a little nervous especially since every room in my apartment is full of windows.

For the last hour, I've been watching the clouds fade from dark grey to light orange to purple to pink to eerie. The scary part has passed. The sky is calming down. And I was lucky enough to see a FULL RAINBOW at the end of it all. This made the nervousness worth it to me. There was even a hint of a double rainbow.

I wish I could have captured its beauty, and its wholeness, but really, nothing beats seeing a full rainbow right out your back door.

I could only capture half due to the limited space on my back porch. It was gorgeous.

bathtime.

Growing up, my family never had dogs. I know. Sadface. Both my mom and sister were (ARE) allergic, so I never knew the happiness (and stress) a dog could bring into a life or a family.

Fast forward to now.

I'm so in love with the BF's dog. LOVE her. I get it now. She cracks me up every time I see her, and I just about die when she comes and plops on my lap while letting out a big sigh.

But the thing that she does that kills me is...well...you just have to watch the AFTER.
Oh, sweet crazy J.

BEFORE A BATH.

AFTER:




(Song: Show Stopper by PEACHES)

ticker tape parade.

As many of you know, the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup for the first time in 49 years. I'm not anything if not a sports girl. I LOVE watching and playing sports. I'll be the first to admit that I've only been to a handful of Hawks games throughout the years, and I really don't know much about the rules of hockey. But. I do know how to celebrate Chicago sports and all their glory.

Today I went to the ticker tape parade to celebrate the BIG WIN, and let me tell you. It was awesome. I hadn't originally planned on going, but when I got to work, my boss said I could duck out for a bit to see it, and I definitely got swooped up in the madness and fun.

Here are some things they don't tell you about ticker tape parades:

• Your feet will get stepped on a minimum of 50 times
• A kid just may faint on you while he's alone
• Ticker tape hurts when it falls on your head

Yet, the camaraderie of the city makes up for all of that ten times over. Admittedly, we had to wait awhile for it to start, but once it did, it was amazing to be in that atmosphere. It was also interesting to see how the different players celebrated during the parade since it seemed the young appeared a tad nonchalant, albeit happy, while the older, ahem, mature players had huge smiles on their faces and lots of cheers. Don't get me wrong. I know they were ALL SUPER PUMPED about winning, and they can celebrate anyway they please, but as an observer I couldn't help but notice the difference.

I'm definitely glad I had the chance to go to the parade. If you ever have the chance, I highly recommend it!

summer = fun for free.

My BIG little plans for a wonderful weekend:

1. Bring my bike in for a tune-up at Iron Cycles so I can start riding my bike to work.
2. Free yoga class outside in the beautiful Millennium Park Saturday morning with live music.
3. Summer open house at Lillstreet Art Center means free art classes. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for metal stamping.
4. Graceland West Community garage sale. Multiple sales in one hood. Yes please.
5. Blackhawk watching.
6. Traditional Keg Tapping viewing at Maifest.

Have I mentioned I adore my new neighborhood?
What are you excited about this weekend?

on the horizon.

Walking in the park today made me realize how much I want to love and live the simple life. I want to color in coloring books while eating sandwiches on the grass. I want to walk barefoot on the sidewalk and bury my legs in sand. I want to read outside, eat outside, play outside.

Thinking more clearly makes me realize how much I want, yet still do not know how to grasp. There's so many things I want to do, and while I poke on the outside of this list, I'm still trying to figure out how to make it work.

I need to focus. I need to accept the fact that I enjoy solitary time. I need to stop comparing my life to others; It's not fair to me or anyone else. I have a lot to give this world, even if it's only my kind words and open heart, but it's what I believe in.

I'm gradually grasping the concept. Instead of feeling bad about what I haven't accomplished, I'm starting to enjoy the moment. It's difficult for me though. I sometimes feel like a failure for being in my late twenties, working three jobs and not making the time to do the little things I love like cross-stitching, putting together puzzles, taking pictures. But I'm on the verge of getting there.

I know I need to make that leap into self-acceptance. I'm not quite there yet, but I'm at least starting to see it on the horizon.