Monday, February 28, 2011

59/365:2 /// Bench Monday | Stripy Socks Edition

"we danced in the sand
And the water rose - higher and higher
until I found myself floating - in the sky"

- sonic youth, little trouble girl -

It has been awhile since I participated in Bench Monday. Today seemed like a good day to hop up on a chair and take a photo though. It's a Monday, so I'm wearing my new green leggings and stripy socks for derby class later on tonight.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

58/365:2 /// Week 8 of 52

Paul Frank slipper socks

--

I took one photo last week for my 52 Weeks project, but didn't really like it. Then I forgot to take one yesterday. So here is one a day late...I'll have another one this week, assuming I don't forget again.

Did 2.50 miles on the treadmill in preparation for the 8k in a little over a month. This weeks starts Week 5 of my training and this consists of a lot more running. I still don't know why I signed up to do this. It will be good for me though. After running, I decided to do a little rearranging of furniture in the living room...more specifically rearrangement of the treadmill. It looks better in the living room, but my view is now a wall, rather than out the window. I listen to music and try to focus on my running anyway, so maybe less distraction will help.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

57/365:2


57/365:2
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
We went to a vegan potluck tonight for our friend's birthday. I've always heard about her cupcakes, and finally got to try one tonight. On the left was my vanilla with peanut butter creamy frosting, and on the right was John's horchata. mmmm...yummy. Our potluck dish was sesame noodles. They turned out really well and we had some to bring home, so I'm thinking lunch tomorrow.

Kenzie had fun playing with the kids that were there (Milo and Danny). She was the oldest one and would just push those boys around to get her own way. I think we're in trouble!

Friday, February 25, 2011

56/365:2


56/365:2
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
"I'm treated with cold, cold kisses
And I'm treasured like a piece of junk
I call you up to say I love you
You only call me when you're drunk
And still you keep me hanging around
Like I was some old sofa you found in a second-hand store

Oh, forgive me
For running down your door
I thought all those fancy words were yours"

- ida maria, forgive me -

Dinner out tonight with John and the kids. Mexican food then a little drive around the city. That's how our weekends tend to be when it's cold out. Just a good way to get out of the house for at least a little while. John spotted this as we walked to our car after dinner. He always sees things like this, whereas I tend to walk right past. If he ever had the time or patience, I'd be interested in seeing what kind of photos he would come up with for a 365.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

55/365:2


55/365:2
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
Currently listening to -
artist: those darlins
album: those darlins
--
I went to Target today to pick up some things we needed, and somehow ended up getting a couple of pairs of $1 sunglasses for Kenzie. I always leave with stuff I didn't go there for. At least most of the extra stuff was from the bargain section. Who said kids need expensive stuff to be happy?

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

54/365:2


54/365:2
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
I didn't really take any photos until tonight when I knew I needed to get at least one in for my 365. I had laundry to catch up on, some housework some housework that still needs to be finished, worked out this morning, walked the dog in the afternoon, and managed to find time to watch a documentary called "Dear Zachary" that my brother told me about...not once, but twice. I watched it in the afternoon, then told John he should watch it too this evening. So I put it on again, but since I had already watched it while Kenzie was napping her distractions were not as annoying as they would have been if I had not seen it already.

Anyway, here is a picture of our snail crawling upside down along the topside of the fish tank.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

53/365:2


53/365:2
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
3
---
She was actually saying this was "4". It was in reference to the "4" Barbies that are on the shelf.

Low-key yet busy day. I had a custom baby booties order to finish, and then I made a pair for my shop. It always takes a lot longer to get those little projects completed when I am constantly interrupted. Naptime is the only time I can work unbothered; however, both girls seem to be sleeping at different times, so it doesn't always work out. Two pairs of booties in one day is good for me though, and maybe I can try and make this a weekly thing. I need to get my shop stocked up again.

Monday, February 21, 2011

52/365:2


52/365:2
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
"in the middle of winter
no one haunts me like you do"

- the black angels, phosphene dream -

snow again. I am so tired of winter. it rained all day yesterday, and I actually liked it. mostly because it made me feel like spring is closer. this cold weather is just too dreary, and I am ready for nicer, sunnier days. I think the kids and the dog are too.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

51/365:2 /// 139/365

Day 139
--
It was nice when she was sleeping today. When she was awake she was super crabby. I just wish those teeth would come through and maybe she won't be so fussy. She just wanted to be held all day today. When I would put her down to play, she'd be ok for a few minutes, then all of a sudden she would just cry non-stop. It was driving us nuts. Eventually she calmed down in the evening, and as I type this she is soundly sleeping in her crib (knock on wood!). I have a feeling I may be up during the night, but maybe I'll be lucky and she'll stay asleep.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

50/365:2 /// Week 7 of 52

Zigi Soho Tellie boots

--

"O' Shimmering moonlight sheen upon
The waves and water clogged with oil
White gases steam up from the soil

On my beach at night
Bathe in my moonlight"

- dead kennedys, moon over marin -

These have been my go-to boots this winter (at least not on really icy, snowy days) since they aren't leather and can handle getting wet. I don't normally wear this height boot with skirts, but John actually liked how these looked with my tights and skirt better than the flats I had picked out. So I wore these today. We ran errands this afternoon then tried out a new restaurant/bar on Taylor Street called Three Aces. Definitely adding it to the list. It's more of a bar than a restaurant, but the food was tasty and the atmosphere was cool. I guess they have punk rock and garage rock nights where they just play that kind of music. We definitely want to go back and check it out. Hopefully, we can try it out one night without the kids. I have a feeling it might be awhile before we can do that, but we're keeping it in mind.

Friday, February 18, 2011

49/365:2


49/365:2
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
geese
arrigo park/taylor street
chicago, il

--
"The land returns to how it has always been.
The scent of Thyme carried on the wind.
Jagged mountains, jutting out,
cracked like teeth in a rotten mouth.
On Battleship Hill I hear the wind,
Say "Cruel nature has won again.""

- pj harvey, on battleship hill -


My brother stopped by after work this morning to see his nieces. After he left, we took a walk to enjoy the weather. It was windy, but warmer than it has been. We spotted these geese as we walked back towards home.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

48/365:2


48/365:2
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
Currently listening to:
artist: pj harvey
song: the words that maketh murder

After my blow dryer died last week I had to go and get a replacement. I ended up getting one with this funky "beach waves" attachment. I normally dry my hair straight, but decided to try out the wave attachment. It was pretty cool and definitely enhanced my natural waves. I might end up wearing my hair like this more often since it was so easy to do and I didn't need to get a curling iron out to do any touch ups. When the weather gets warmer, and more humid, it will help to not have to fight keeping my hair straight. I'll just go wavy. And to think I thought I was not going to have a use for that attachment. I was wrong.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

47/365:2


47/365:2
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
It's been awhile since I used my diana lens, so I thought I'd use it for some shots today. It takes nice soft shots, but tends to work best with lots of sun, which we did have today.

We've had several warm days now and all the snow from the blizzard is melting. It's good, but also really annoying. There are so many huge puddles of water everywhere, and more annoying is the water leaking into our upstairs bathroom. Of course, the bathroom that was totally disgusting for years until we had it completely renovated in the Spring of 2008 right before Kenzie was born. So not even 3 years after having it done. We never had water leak in when the bathroom was disgusting. We discovered the leak initially in late 2009/early 2010. Over the summer, John did a lot of patching on the roof. We hoped it was fixed, but didn't want to patch or repair any drywall until we got through a snowy winter. After a heavy rainstorm late in the fall, we had some water come in, and now with the 2 feet of snow we had a couple weeks ago I have a feeling the ceiling is going to be dripping for awhile. Why couldn't this have happened *before* the bathroom was renovated???

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

46/365 /// 134/365


46/365 /// 134/365
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
Day 134
Week 19
--
Wearing a sweater dress that was mine as a baby. Kenzie wore this too a couple of times.

It's been a lot warmer this week than it has been, so a lot of snow is finally starting to melt. Once more of it melts and the temperatures stay warmer, I can finally get back outside for my afternoon walks with the dog. It's just a little too hard right now with the massive snow piles everywhere. Soon they will be gone...or at least I hope so!

Monday, February 14, 2011

happy little valentine | 45/365:2 /// 133/365

Day 133
--
We had to go for Aubrey's 4 month check up this afternoon, which also meant she was getting a couple of shots. She's handling it well though. I was afraid she would be really cranky for John while I was at derby practice, but apart from a brief fussing, she slept most of the night. She's almost doubled her birth weight and is now up to 11 lbs 12 oz. Not bad considering she was 6 lbs at birth.

44/365


44/365
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
Sisters playing in the baby gym...
--
We went to see the Windy City Rollers play at the UIC Pavillion with a couple of friends yesterday. Afterwards we went to dinner at Salatino's a relatively new Italian restaurant just down the street from our house. Both girls were pretty good, which was nice, especially since we were gone for a quite awhile. The waitress brought Kenzie some vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup on top. Needless to say she was pretty wired by the time we got home, but fortunately, she went to bed with no problems.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

43/365 /// 130/365


43/365 /// 130/365
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
Day 130
changing table mirror
---
Since the weather was well above freezing, we took the el to State Street and went to Block 37 to walk around, then headed over to Macy's. Having the double stroller was a savior. We did a little shopping, ate a late lunch/early dinner at the Walnut Room the hopped back on the train to come home.

Aubrey was really excited seeing her reflection in the mirror. I had to snap some photos, of course.

Friday, February 11, 2011

42/365:2


42/365:2
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
The upside to today: Started Week 3 of the Couch to 5k training and did ok. I slowed my pace to build my endurance rather than distance. Though my average pace was slower than it has been, I think I might be able to run for longer periods if I just keep it slowed down a touch. I also have to be realistic and know that running outside is going to be a lot harder than running on the treadmill, and my pace will probably be much slower than the pace I have had. I'm sort of psyching myself out thinking about the fact that I have to run 5 freaking miles, and I can't do that. So I need to just tell myself, "I can do it...I can do it...I can do it..."

The downside to today: My blow dryer stopped working. It blows cold air, but when you have thick hair and usually blow dry it straight, this is a major annoyance and warmer air is sort of necessary. oh well....I guess it's time to get a new one.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

41/365:2


41/365:2
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
Not much to write about today. Just ran errands. It was really cold today, so we just did our best to stay indoors and stay warm.

This is me and and girls messing around with Incredibooth. It's been awhile since I've used it with Kenzie, and I realized I didn't take any photos today until I started snapping these.

Wednesday, February 09, 2011

40/365:2 /// Week 6 of 52

Ben Sherman wedges
Union Jack socks
--
I bought these socks in Sheffield, England the first time I went abroad in 1998. They are surprisingly still in pretty good shape. I used to wear them quite a bit when I first got them. I still wear them, but not as often as I used to. I got the shoes a few years ago, maybe in the fall of 2007. I like the mod, vintage '60's look they have. I haven't worn them in a long time. Mainly because they have a heel, and I just don't wear heels that often anymore. It's too hard to chase a toddler, so I opt for flat shoes most days. I just put these on for the photo today. We didn't do anything, but stay warm in the house and work on projects.

Tuesday, February 08, 2011

39/365:2


39/365:2
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
I headed out today to go to Michael's to get some stickers for my bike helmet/derby helmet, and to also pick up some stickers and fun things to work on with Kenzie. I think we're going to make some Valentine's things. We did make some little foam owls, decorated a little foam mailbox, and made a necklace with one of the little owls. We also made some cards to put Eeyore stickers on. Kenzie wanted to play with the Eeyore stickers, but I knew if we didn't put them on something, she would end up ruining them. So we made "letters" to put in the foam mailbox. I think we're going to try and make arts and crafts time each day, so Kenzie can start learning some more new things.

Monday, February 07, 2011

38/365:2


38/365:2
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
"Well I'm lookin at the snowflakes
And they all look the same
And the clouds are goin by me
They're playin some kind of game"

- galaxie 500, snowstorm -

Ugh...more snow. I have derby tonight, and really hate driving in bad weather. Mostly because I don't do it that often anymore, but also because there are so many bad drivers who drive they're usual way...even when the roads are slick and there is tons of snow everywhere. I just need to remember to bring the snow shovel in case I need to shovel my way out after class.

Sunday, February 06, 2011

37/365:2


37/365:2
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
"let's hear it for love"

- smoking popes, let's hear it for love -

We were watching Nick Jr. this morning and between shows they were showing some sort of craft project that involved making hearts for Valentine's Day. I wasn't really paying attention, but apparently they started making heart shapes with their hands because Kenzie was making the shape with her hands and telling me about the hearts. I tried to get her to do it for me so I could take a photo. This was the best photo I could get. With a little tweaking, it turned out alright.

Saturday, February 05, 2011

36/365:2


36/365:2
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
New orange toe guards for my quad skates. My skates were starting to get a little scuffed, and it also seemed like it would be fun to add some more color to my skates. Unfortunately, while putting them on this afternoon, I cross threaded the toe stop on one of the skates. Really annoying. REALLY annoying. It's barely threaded, but it is STUCK and won't come off for anything. We used the vice and wrenches, and manpower to try and get that sucker off, but it won't budge. Fortunately, it's turned so that I can use the toe stop (who am I kidding? I can barely stop with my toe stops!) for class on Monday. I'm guessing I'll have to order new stops so that we can just yank this thing off. Ironically, I thought about ordering new stops last week, but decided I didn't need any, since mine were just fine. Oh well. Time to get the fun orange pair I was looking at.

Friday, February 04, 2011

35/365:2


35/365:2
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
I got a good deal online for a casual winter coat last week. Unfortunately because of the blizzard we had, the package which was supposed to arrive on Tuesday, didn't come until last night around 6 p.m. I wasn't going anywhere, so no big deal, but I do hate waiting for deliveries. I actually got two short, casual jackets for about $12 each. One is lightweight and will be perfect for spring. This one isn't going to keep me warm if I had to stand outside for hours (none of my coats will really), but it's perfect for a casual coat, and the faux fur hood is fun.

Thursday, February 03, 2011

34/365:2


34/365:2
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
snow day!

I got one of my old stocking hats with ear flaps out for Kenzie to wear since it was pretty cold out. The best part of using a big hat, was that I could put her hood on her head and put the hat over it, so she was nice and warm. After playing for awhile, I went and got out my warm mittens and put them on her too, so that I could cover her arms more. We were outside for almost an hour before she decided she was cold and was ready to come back in the house. I think if her face wasn't cold, she would have stayed out longer.

* decided to use this as the 365 shot instead of the other one I originally posted.

Wednesday, February 02, 2011

33/365:2


33/365:2
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
Zoe is pretty tall, so check out how high that snow is.

Chicago got hit with a big snowstorm/blizzard late yesterday afternoon into today. We got lots of snow...reportedly 20.5 inches at O'Hare airport, putting this storm in third place in the top five snowstorms in Chicago. Fortunately, I don't have to be anywhere so I don't mind it that much. Of course, if I had to go out in it, it would be a real pain.

Tuesday, February 01, 2011

32/365:2


32/365:2
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
orange amp
ad30 twin channel
---
I love my amp, I just wish I had more time to actually play it. Sometimes I forget that I have a pretty darn nice piece of musical equipment. Unfortunately, lately it sits collecting dust. Kenzie likes when I decide to play because that usually means she can play the drums. A few weeks ago, John and I rearranged the basement, and afterwards we tested out the new layout and played a couple of songs. Kenzie and Aubrey were both on the futon. Aubrey fell asleep, even with all the noise we were making, but Kenzie was watching and seemed so excited that momma was playing the guitar for her. I think she usually sees daddy playing it, so it was a change to see me. I don't want to force her into playing an instrument, but I would love it if she did. So far she seems really interested in the drums. I think when she gets just a little bigger we'll get her a guitar of her own. I have a mini-orange amp that she can use, and I think she would probably really like it.