Drum Roll Please...

I am happy to announce that Roger and I have decided to move to a new location at the end of June when our current lease is up. 

Where could we be going?

Bejing?

LA?

New York?

Staying in Chicago and moving just a little north on Lake Shore Drive?

Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner!

We are heading over to sign the papers tonight... a post with pictures of the new place will be posted soon.  Let me just say.... it is AMAZING!  Can't wait to show you!



One Beautiful Day and One Small Blunder...

So I totally got sucked into all of the excitement surrounding the Royal Wedding last week.  Honestly, until about a week before the wedding I totally wasn't interested, thought I would probably watch some highlights and that would be it.  Then, I watched one pre-wedding show that covered all of the details and BAM!  I'm hooked. 

I shamelessly got up at 4 am to watch the big day with my sisters and my good friend, Courtney.  I thought everything was amazing.  Kate looked beautiful, the couple was so comfortable and cute together, loved her choice of minimal flowers and lots of greenery, liked that they kept the tradition but also added some of their own touches...


All and all, a beautiful day. 

However, I did see one small blunder in this photograph.  See if you can catch my drift...

Really?

She's a commoner turned Princess and you can't make sure that her dress isn't creased or laying wrong before the official royal photograph that will be placed in the palace for years to come?

Really?

Someone was following her around making sure her dress looked perfect at every moment execept for this one?

Oh well, I guess there are always small blunders here and there, even in the biggest and most historical moments.  Luckily, the day was perfect in every other way, and that's saying a lot!  Congratulations to Prince William and Princess Catherine!

(I'm such a nerd...)

Shameless Plug...

Hello blog world!

The reason for my post today is a shameless plug for a cause near and dear to my heart! 20 scholars from my Charter School in Chicago have been accepted AND have won scholarships to attend an enrichment program at Northwestern University this summer! This is an opportunity that has endless benefits. They will grow academically, be exposed to college life, and learn to make life changing goals for the future. However, these scholars live VERY far away from the Evanston campus, and most of their families cannot provide transportation to the program.




So, we are attempting to raise $6000 for busing to and from Evanston every day for these scholars. We really want them to be able to make the most of the opportunity they have worked so hard for. I can guarentee that any and all donations are directly benefiting the scholars I see every day.



If there is any way you can help, or if you just want some more information, please click the following link!



Thanks so much for your time!

http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/stephanie-bartell/galapagos2011

First Night on the Roof!

Roger and I spent our first night out on our rooftop deck last night.  This deck literally sits on top of our apartment complex and offers amazing views.  We took a bottle of wine up and lounged on the lounge chairs.  Spring has definitely arrived!

Besides almost getting blown off the roof once or twice, it was an amazing evening.  I love our little life in Chicago, and it's nights like last night that remind me exactly why!

Here is a picture of a similar view to ours.  I opted to leave all electronics inside the apartment, so I'll have to snap a picture next time of our actual view.

Ahhhh....

The tortoise bought me quite possibly the most amazing gift ever for my birthday in January... a massage.  I am such a sucker for massages and I absolutely positively will accept any and all offers for one.  Needless to say, I was pumped when I received this gift.

So, in January I headed in for my amazing deep tissue massage.  It was awesome, and afterwards I was wakling around in a haze.  Blame it on my haziness or on my extreme relaxation (I blame it on my Hare-like impulsivity)  but I may or may not have (I did) signed up for a monthly massage membeship after that initial massage.  Because the tortoise loves me and is a fabulous person he agreed to let me keep it.  It's actually a good deal, and it allows me to enjoy a massage every month which wipes away all the stress that I could ever accumulate.

Last night, I headed in for my April massage.  As I was in the middle of the process, I realized that I go through the same thought process every single time I go in.  I always opt for the deep tissue massage to relieve the most tension.  As I am getting poked, prodded, and pounded I am ALWAYS thinking, "Next time, I am going for a Swedish massage.  A more relaxing, less intense, swedish massage.  This hurts."  Then inevitably, I feel the tension melt out of my back and my immediate thought is, "Nevermind."

So, I guess there is only one way to really describe my relationship with massages.  We sort of have an abusive relationship.  They hurt so good...

Cubs Weekend!

Roger and I had the good fortune to be able to score some Cubs tickets from a friend of his at work.  We were excited to be part of the opening week extravaganza.  It was lots of fun, although very windy.  We went to the game on Saturday, so we did in fact get to watch the Cubs come back in the 8th inning to beat the Pirates!

Here are some pictures from that fun, although slightly chilly game:

And of course, my very favorite part of any baseball game...

Sick Day... and a New Baby!

NO, I'm not having a baby.

Ok, now that we have that cleared up...

I'm spending the day at home, on the couch, in front of the TV.  I have been battling a nasty cold/sinus issue/cough/headache/fever/overall feeling of terribleness since Saturday.  I went to work Monday and Tuesday of this week, and after being incredibly crabby with the kids, not being able to breathe out of my nose, and passing out promptly as soon as I got home every day, I decided this was an ok time to take a sick day.  I have to say, after one half day of total rest, I am already feeling a little better.  I'm hoping this R and R does it's job fast so I can be feeling back to myself asap.

On a more happy and exciting front, my cousin Kristen and her husband, Dan, welcomed their new baby boy, Blake, into the world on Monday.  Congratulations to the new family!