tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51974473934325451562024-03-13T21:12:50.493-05:00Summer SistersThis started as a blog to document my monthly dinner 'club'. It has morphed into an everything and anything blog.Natalie Mikolajczakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03073640554635300165noreply@blogger.comBlogger201125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5197447393432545156.post-57460959586157097802013-01-31T10:34:00.001-06:002013-01-31T12:42:49.931-06:00Bro vs. BroSome things really intrigue me. I think it is so cool that Jim and John Harbaugh are coaching against each other in the SuperBowl. On my drive in this morning, I was thinking about their dad, and what he must be feeling. I mean, not only does he have two sons who are head coaches in the NFL, but they are both freaking going to the SuperBowl. I mean, COME ON!<br />
<br />
Then I started to think about my brother and my nephews, Cooper and Carter. Wouldn't it be cool if they coached against one another in a big ass game? Okay, so it might not be the SuperBowl, but they might be captains of their respective prison softball teams.<br />
<br />
<br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LBv4LdgRa38/UQqdQeOTIWI/AAAAAAAAAz4/dWUSml1oMZI/s640/blogger-image-1407889138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LBv4LdgRa38/UQqdQeOTIWI/AAAAAAAAAz4/dWUSml1oMZI/s640/blogger-image-1407889138.jpg" /></a></div>Natalie Mikolajczakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03073640554635300165noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5197447393432545156.post-39396814495551570312013-01-30T15:28:00.001-06:002013-01-30T15:28:49.351-06:00“Let’s Get the Whole World to Dance”<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/l-gQLqv9f4o" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
I love this video, and I love this kid.<br />
<br />
In the video, he says, “Let’s get the whole world to dance.” And I’m all like, right on!<br />
<br />
I think the world would be a much better place if people were more willing to laugh at themselves. I love being silly and goofy, and most times have a great capacity to laugh at myself. I think this is a place where my parents greatly succeeded; they taught my brother and me to laugh at ourselves (we’re also pretty good at laughing at others, but that’s beside the point).<br />
<br />
And this reminds me of something that happened over the weekend:<br />
My building is next to one bar and across the street from another (I know, awesome, right?!). The other evening, Ignacio and I were walking home from the movies and one of the bars sometimes pumps its music outdoors. Well, as we were approaching the bar, they were pumping the song “Fame”, and I was all like, I can’t stop my feet, and I did these big old jazz runs, some turns, and ended with these big old kicks right past the bar.<br />
<br />
And you know what? It felt awesome.<br />
<br />
So yeah, let’s get the whole world to dance. The world will be a better place; no doubt about it.<br />
<br />
Natalie Mikolajczakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03073640554635300165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5197447393432545156.post-79693701478572327102012-11-29T05:17:00.001-06:002012-11-29T05:17:27.842-06:0010 line poetry<br />
Over Easy<br />
<br />
I never knew about<br />
red wine, foreign films, the Peace Corps, or over-easy.<br />
Growing up, our eggs were always sunny-side up, the<br />
yellows and whites too wet for my liking.<br />
<br />
My house was filled with the aroma of American cheese,<br />
Old Style, the Mid-West, and big love.<br />
I realize now, it was also the scent of fear.<br />
And it's been passed down like a treasured<br />
heirloom. It's time to break tradition - move<br />
to my edges.<br />
<br />
I'll take mine over-medium, please.Natalie Mikolajczakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03073640554635300165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5197447393432545156.post-78709462684845400742012-11-27T11:03:00.001-06:002012-11-27T11:03:16.954-06:00My Person<br />
I watch Grey's Anatomy on Netflix, a season behind most other people.<br />
<br />
I love Christina and Meredith. Meredith always says, "Christina is my person." Christina says the same about Meredith. I'm jealous.<br />
<br />
I totally get that, and have totally wanted that my entire life. I've read up on introverts a bit here and there recently, and we introverts tend to crave that "one person". The person they can go to whenever they need to. The person who knows their entire life history. The person who knows their entire life history and still loves them anyway.<br />
<br />
When I was younger, I thought if I had a sister, she would have been my person. A lot of my friends seem to be super close with their sisters.<br />
<br />
I don't feel like I've ever had my person. What a lonely thought, right?<br />
I don't even know what to do about that. I don't think there is even anything I can do about that.Natalie Mikolajczakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03073640554635300165noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5197447393432545156.post-9900483268521885772012-11-26T10:42:00.001-06:002012-11-26T10:42:56.832-06:0010-line poetry<br />
<br />
Leaving the Nest<br />
<br />
Next to our garage, the perfect tree for climbing.<br />
Every year brought new heights and new limbs.<br />
I was an adventurer, a philosopher, a tom-boy.<br />
I'd pack girl scout tins with sustenance of<br />
ruffled potato chips for extended stays.<br />
<br />
That tree cradled my mind, body, an soul; never<br />
betraying my secrets, though I am sure I heard<br />
the leaves giggle.<br />
<br />
My tree is long gone, as well as my powers to be someone else,<br />
somewhere else.<br />
Natalie Mikolajczakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03073640554635300165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5197447393432545156.post-27117588172317104172012-11-23T12:52:00.000-06:002012-11-23T12:52:43.551-06:0010-Line PoetryFreefall<br />
<br />
I jumped out of a plane once. It was loud<br />
and fast and cold. Exhilarating. Then I pulled<br />
the ripcord and all was quiet and still<br />
and perfectly peaceful. It was magical.<br />
And I was invincible.<br />
Temporarily.<br />
<br />
I need to be invincible again.<br />
There must be an easier way than freefalling.<br />
The answer is easy: just close your eyes, hold your breath,<br />
and take one single step.Natalie Mikolajczakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03073640554635300165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5197447393432545156.post-65481369834724100882012-10-12T13:10:00.001-05:002012-10-12T13:10:42.218-05:00I'm a Poet<br />
I have started my much anticipated poetry class with the amazingly talented
and all-around awesome <a href="http://www.mayastein.com/">Maya Stein.</a><br />
<br />
I’ve always been the math chick. I’m an accountant; numbers are kind of my
thing. In high school, I remember crying in English class when I was given an
assignment to write. Words are not my thing. They fail me and they escape me. I
would get so frustrated at my inability to write, that the tears would come to
eyes, and I’d try to blink them back. It was always so hard for me to create.
Now, numbers on the other hand, they were black and white and needed no
creativity. Numbers have been a comfortable friend.<br />
<br />
So, this is the poem that I worked on last week with Maya.<br />
<br />
And…here goes nothin’.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>WAITING ROOM<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>That middle of the night
phone call – it came.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Speeding to the
hospital, I made wicked deals with a<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>God I didn’t believe in.
The door to the ER eluded me,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>playing hide-and-seek
like a game around a fat tree trunk.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>My father kept me
away. I know it. He hid so I would<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>be unable to call him
back.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>His most selfish act.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>I found it – in time for nothing except<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>to sit in a waiting
room for the words to destroy me:<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>he’s died.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<br />
Natalie Mikolajczakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03073640554635300165noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5197447393432545156.post-3594214789260093852012-09-21T10:55:00.000-05:002012-09-21T10:55:14.901-05:00I'm BuzzingWhen I am really, really tired, my body feels electric; like it’s vibrating. This morning, I feel the vibration. I am a ball of electricity. I am pretty damn tired.<br />
<br />
<br />I am back to interpreting in the evenings after my day job. I am a Sign Language Interpreter. I love being able to say that. It sounds so much cooler than “I’m an accountant.” Which I am; I am an accountant, but I am also a Sign Language Interpreter, and after a six year hiatus, I am back, baby.<br />
<br />
I am so very grateful that I am working. So.Damn.Grateful. This week is my first week of almost an entire semester of working every weekday evening. I go from day job, run home, feed the dog, 2 cats, and myself, and then run out to interpret for the evening. Now, normally, my bedtime is 9pm, but that is not going to happen for awhile. I don’t get home until 10 or 10:30 most evenings, and sleep hasn’t been coming until after 11:00. So, for this chick who is used to getting up at 5am; I’m a bit sleepy this Friday. <br />
<br />
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays: OH MY…….but as the song says, “I can sleep when I’m dead.”<br />
<br />
But, I CAN do this. I have to do this. It feels good to have my hands moving again, and my brain working in that very special way an interpreter’s mind works. Yeah, call me in December after my umpteenth week of five nights a week, and see how perky and optimistic I sound. <br />
<br />
And, things I am looking forward to:<br />
<br />
*A poetry class with <a href="http://www.mayastein.com/">Maya Stein</a> starting October 1 (I hope to fill my blog with my musings after this class)<br />
<br />
*The new Cultivate Courage workshop with <a href="http://www.superherolife.com/">Andrea Scher</a> starting October 8 (I am going to come to work wearing a superhero cape after this class)<br />
<br />
*Our annual girls weekend to Park City, Utah (I hope not to have a week-long hangover after this one)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And here is me saying to myself in a bathroom mirror: “You got this, beyotch.” (as an assignment for another of Andrea Scher’s classes: Treasure Hunt)<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/8009361433/" title="You got this! by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="You got this!" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8306/8009361433_edc9117330.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Excuse me now as I lay my head down on this accounting spreadsheet for just a minute…<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Natalie Mikolajczakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03073640554635300165noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5197447393432545156.post-51510586532650986012012-09-01T17:11:00.003-05:002012-09-01T17:11:53.557-05:00What Spice Am I?
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The last couple of years have left me wondering which spice
I am. I struggle with it often.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Am I Sporty Spice?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Am I Scary Spice?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Am I Posh Spice?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m certainly not Baby Spice, and I don’t really know what
Ginger Spice was all about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually,
it’s amazing I know the Spices at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was definitely too old to follow them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, I’ve been trying to find out where I fit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Am I Sporty Spice? Would <a href="http://www.athleta.com/">Athleta</a> clothes be more my style? I
drool over the Athleta catalog and the fit models.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all look like they completed a kick-ass work-out, and
threw on some really cool clothes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I would kill to have a body like the Athleta models.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Am I Posh Spice?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well, posh for me is more similar to <a href="http://www.bananarepublic.com/">Banana Republic</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am I classic and put together? I would
love to feel put together and classic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Like sometimes you see a woman walking down the street, and you just
know she has her shit together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
would love to give people the illusion that I have my shit together.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Am I Scary Spice?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Am I the funky chick who wears cool, funky outfits and feels unique and
hip? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just wait until Fall arrives and I can wear my Athleta
dress, with some cool red patented leather hiking type boots, then I’ll be
Scary-Sporty Spice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I guess there’s a bit of everything in me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wonder if other women are the same,
or if they have one particular style.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Natalie Mikolajczakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03073640554635300165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5197447393432545156.post-37904252317758817222012-08-04T19:49:00.001-05:002012-08-04T19:49:13.736-05:00Kids wear me out.<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/7713187264/" title="Cooper and Carter July 27, 2012-2.jpg by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="Cooper and Carter July 27, 2012-2.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7263/7713187264_d7b37e466b.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
This was the epitome of my few days with my nephews.<br />
<br />
Last week, I had my nephews stay with me for a couple of days. Cooper is just about 9, and Carter is 6 1/2, and they are a freaking handful. When my sister-in-law dropped them off Thursday morning at 6:57 in the AM, she told them to be good or that she would just come back and get them, and that would be that. At about 9am, I texted her and asked her to come back and take them home. She just laughed a maniacal laugh, and the boys stayed with me.<br />
<br />
By hour 3 of their stay with me, both boys were in the bathtub. The result of a tie dye adventure gone wrong. I had a tie dye kit that has three bottles of color, and you just squirt the colors onto your rubberbanded and twisted t-shirts. Carter picked up the UNcapped bottle of blue dye, and felt the need to shake it up. The dye went all over his ear, and all over his nice Under Armor work-out shirt. I should have known better and given those boys smocks to wear. We put our shirts (oh yes, I said "our". Do you think I would let those boys have tie-dye fun without me?) in bags to sit overnight.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/7713018956/" title="Untitled by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8434/7713018956_f2f506bbe6.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
After their bath in lavender bath salts (I don't have Mr. Bubble at home), the boys and I hopped on the 'L' to McDonald's for lunch. Those two just LOVE public transportation! After lunch, we usually hop the 'L' north a couple of stops to Marshall Field's. I refer to a lot of the free stuff we do as "adventures". The boys buy it. So, our adventure to Marshall Field's is an adventure because from the train, we take the "secret passage" right into the basement of Marshall Field's luggage department. Then we pretend we are taking a trip to Paris, and shop for luggage.<br />
<br />
We didn't make to Marshall Field's because for some reason, Chinatown came up. Cooper told me that Chinatown was in California. I told him we have one in Chicago, too. The two of us argued, then to prove my point, we got back on 'L', and went south instead. We landed in Chinatown and did a little bit of shopping and walking around. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/7713307978/" title="Untitled by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7122/7713307978_cc548fb3b0.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/7713755376/" title="Untitled by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7118/7713755376_b29822cd14.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
We headed home for dinner before walking to SummerDance. On the way to SummerDance, we did some <a href="http://bunkosummersisters.blogspot.com/2010/11/have-you-heard-of-this.html">Geocaching</a>, and the boys LOVED it. That night SummerDance was some sort of Hungarian gypsy/folk dancing or something, so we didn't last long. <br />
<br />
Friday morning, Cooper woke up at 5:30. Yeah, I said 5:30 in the morning. I made him stay in his room until 7. Then, we hit the ground running. We took the dog for a walk, got to wash out our tie dye shirts, had a photoshoot, and then headed to the movies. We walk to the movies too. The boys always want to take the train everywhere, and they don't understand that the trains don't go everywhere.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/7713199650/" title="Cooper and Carter July 27, 2012-8.jpg by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="Cooper and Carter July 27, 2012-8.jpg" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8293/7713199650_ea19c5aa38.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/7713297866/" title="Cooper and Carter July 27, 2012-7.jpg by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="Cooper and Carter July 27, 2012-7.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7272/7713297866_fd5c91595e.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/7713203936/" title="Cooper and Carter July 27, 2012-15.jpg by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="Cooper and Carter July 27, 2012-15.jpg" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8434/7713203936_1ea036564b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
After the movies, we headed to Millennium Park for the symphony. They were playing Beethoven's Fifth that evening, so I thought the boys would at least recognize the music. We also discussed going back to SummerDance for Disco night. I had packed a small picnic for the symphony, so we sat and ate, and listened. Well, not really. The boys were in such a mood! They would not sit still, they would not be quiet, and they would not stop touching each other. I was so frustrated, but really, what was I to expect with two boys at the symphony? I asked the boys if their mom ever cried out of frustration. Finally, I had had enough, and told the boys we were heading to Disco night at SummerDance. Carter told me that he thought he was already listening to Disco. Oh my! Beethoven's Fifth is Disco? Priceless.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/7659075950/" title="Beethoven at Millennium Park tonight. by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="Beethoven at Millennium Park tonight." height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8283/7659075950_86e2034ea8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/7659053338/" title="Beethoven at Millennium Park this evening. by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="Beethoven at Millennium Park this evening." height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8005/7659053338_e1ef747765.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
I had to get the boys home early the next morning for football equipment pick-up, but Cooper came back downtown later for his first concert. We were going to the Doobie Brothers/Chicago concert at Northerly Island, and I gave Cooper a ticket for his birthday gift. He loved it! Standing, dancing, singing... he totally got into it.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/7665552298/" title="Nat and Coop. Doobie Brothers and Chicago concert. by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="Nat and Coop. Doobie Brothers and Chicago concert." height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7127/7665552298_42760f5ba6.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
On Sunday, I think I napped the day away.Natalie Mikolajczakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03073640554635300165noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5197447393432545156.post-84515483923406346842012-05-21T14:09:00.002-05:002012-05-21T14:09:56.303-05:00RPM<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/7228883008/" title="untitled-183.jpg by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="untitled-183.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8155/7228883008_a551239550.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
I don't watch the show, but Nancy and Jodee do, so the very next day after girls' dinner, we headed to Bill and Giuliana Rancic's restaurant, <a href="http://rpmitalian.com/">RPM</a>. We were seated at Bill and Giuliana's table because we are just that cool. (No, Bill and Giuliana were not there, but if they had been, they would have LOVED our company).<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/7228884202/" title="untitled-184.jpg by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="untitled-184.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7084/7228884202_6e4b6e2d0f.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
We started off with a little cocktail (of which now I cannot remember it's yummy name).<br />
I think Jodee became really nervous when we were told that this was yet again a place to share plates. I felt really bad because I know I wouldn't want to have to eat with me if I were in their places.<br />
But, it wasn't too bad, we shared two salads and four appetizers, and then we each ordered our own pasta dish.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/7229179306/" title="My creation by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="My creation" height="334" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5344/7229179306_67a23bbe41.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
I was really having issues with trying to remember to get a photo of each dish. We had shredded brussels sprouts with avocado salad and the arugula with shaved artichoke salad. Both damn yummy.<br />
For appetizers, we had fried olives, gnocchi with gorgonzola, lobster caprese, and roman-style artichokes. I didn't like the gnocchi that well; the gorgonzola taste was too strong for me. The olives had sausage in them, and the girls loved them. I quickly fell in love with the artichokes. HEAVEN.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/7229205320/" title="mosaic19e7fed2d0041f642fcca77afa5ec643886cb0d9 by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="mosaic19e7fed2d0041f642fcca77afa5ec643886cb0d9" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7219/7229205320_33124dfba9.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
We ordered a bottle of wine (most likely two) to accompany our dinner. Our mini pasta dishes were: sweet pea risotto, the special ravioli, short rib pappardelle, prosciutto pansotti (I'm not 100% sure about the last one). And here's what happen with the pasta: we scarfed down those bitches like it was our last meal on earth. Our plates were all void of any pasta, but we could see sauce, so we did what we had to do. We yelled at any busboy that came by to try to take our plates, and ordered bread so that we could lick our plates clean. <br />
We ordered two of the desserts, both of which were chocolate, and both of which I wish I could eat everyday for breakfast (not that they are breakfast foods, I just want it everyday). OH MY!!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/7229205320/" title="mosaic19e7fed2d0041f642fcca77afa5ec643886cb0d9 by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="mosaic19e7fed2d0041f642fcca77afa5ec643886cb0d9" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7219/7229205320_33124dfba9.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Afterwards, we walked to The Westin on the river so that we could continue drinking and talking. This seems to be our "go-to" joint. It's relatively quiet so that we can hear one another, has cozy couches, and they give you free nuts!<br />
Nancy and I had taken the 'L' from my place to the restaurant, and our way back, Nancy was such a chicken shit! She was so scared of the 'L' at night. Sheesh, you can tell <i>that </i>one lives in the suburbs.<br />
But, as always, great night with even greater friends.<br />
<br />Natalie Mikolajczakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03073640554635300165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5197447393432545156.post-59138341403718749262012-05-19T15:36:00.000-05:002012-05-19T15:36:28.797-05:00May Girls' Dinner<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/7228861970/" title="untitled-161.jpg by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="untitled-161.jpg" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7212/7228861970_48ca9ecd54.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
This past Thursday, the group headed to <a href="http://www.sablechicago.com/">Sable Kitchen & Bar</a> for our monthly get together. The executive chef of this joint is Heather Terhune of Top Chef fame. (I was trying to count, and I think this is the third restaurant we've been to of a Top Chef contestant...we have many more to go).<br />
Sable dishes are meant to share, and because I am a MAJOR pain in the ass when it comes to what I will eat, the group hates me at these types of places, and I don't blame them one bit.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/7229038294/" title="mosaic214f10f840706f143979b889281d79739af209d8 by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="mosaic214f10f840706f143979b889281d79739af209d8" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7073/7229038294_f0b72acfdd.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
We had mini wild mushroom veggie burgers, pear and brie flatbread, tuna tartar tostadas, sweet corn creme brulee, potato and cheese pierogis, balsamic roasted cauliflower, and bacon wrapped dates.<br />
<br />
The food was fantastic. The stuff was really good. I think it's all about being a bit brave at some places (yeah, that's coming from the chick who won't eat meat, mushrooms, or olives), but something that sounds strange like sweet corn creme brulee is delicious. It's a strange phenomenon when you are sharing plates, there is always a bit left because no one wants to seem greedy and take the last bite. So silly. <br />
<br />
The best part of my evening, was my 'L' ride back home. I walked down into the subway, and I heard music playing, so I peaked through the little doorway in the subway tunnel, and saw the musician singing and playing guitar on the other side of the tunnel. I stood and watched and listened to him serenade ME with "Darling, you send me, ooooh, darling, yooooouuuu send me, honestly you do" for quite awhile. I motioned to my camera, and gestured to him to make sure he was cool with me snapping his photo, and he moved to the edge of the platform, so that he was a bit closer to me, and allowed me to snap away. As he heard my train coming, he stopped playing, and blew me a kiss. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/7228880456/" title="untitled-180.jpg by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="untitled-180.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7217/7228880456_126e4af56f.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/7228877318/" title="untitled-176.jpg by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="untitled-176.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5339/7228877318_dfc308bcec.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/7228878328/" title="untitled-177.jpg by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="untitled-177.jpg" height="333" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5441/7228878328_79f26dc861.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
That is kind of stuff I live for. The little serendipitous moments. <br />
<br />
A juicy evening, indeed.<br />
<br />Natalie Mikolajczakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03073640554635300165noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5197447393432545156.post-41007197701275274792012-05-02T15:06:00.004-05:002012-05-02T15:06:54.402-05:00Back in the Saddle (or ballet shoe)<br />
I’ve finally done it. I went back to ballet class. It’s been years since I was in dance
class. The mirror has not been my friend
(but that’s another story for another time).
I got a great deal on Groupon for ballet class at the Joffrey Academy of
Dance. I purchased the Groupon in
January, but it took me until April to get my ass to class.<br />
<br />
There was the issue of the lost ballet shoes. I had two pairs of relatively new ballet
shoes, and they disappeared into the ether of my closet. It’s kind of okay because when I had my
mother sew the elastics on the shoes, she used black thread. Did you hear me? She used BLACK thread on my pink ballet
slippers. Oy, mother.<br />
<br />
So, it took a couple of months for me to purchase new ballet slippers. Then, it took me a couple of months to sew
the elastics on. (I used bright yellow
thread). Then, it took a couple of weeks
to gather the courage.<br />
<br />
So, three weeks ago I made it to a Sunday morning class. It wasn’t as bad (read: painful) as I thought
it would be. I thought I wouldn’t be
able to walk come Tuesday, but I was pretty okay. The studio is beautiful. It is right on the corner of State and <st1:city w:st="on">Randolph</st1:city> just north of Marshall
Fields. Two of the walls are floor to
ceiling windows, and it is just an amazing city view. I’ll have to take an evening class to see the
night view.<br />
<br />
I learned that if I raise my eyebrows during <span lang="FR">relevé</span>, I can balance much better.
I also have decided that arabesque is an unnatural position and should
not be required in people over 40. I
also learned that I get much dizzier than I ever have before when doing turns
across the floor. On my second week of
class, the teacher was trying to give me a correction after a turn sequence,
and I was so dizzy, I couldn’t even see her.<br />
<br />
Sunday mornings are a great time for ballet class, so feel free to join
me. I’ll be the chick hiding in the
back, wearing all black.<br />Natalie Mikolajczakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03073640554635300165noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5197447393432545156.post-8317514132737543762012-05-01T12:01:00.000-05:002012-05-01T19:24:41.794-05:00April Girls' Dinner<br />
Six of us headed to <a href="http://www.grangehallburgerbar.com/">Grange Hall Burger Bar</a> for our April dinner. <br />
<br />
The joint was really cool. The music selection
was the best I’ve ever heard in a restaurant, but then again, I am a sucker for
70’s tunes. The décor was really cool,
too. The plates, the bar, the wine
glasses, etc.; it was so cute.<br />
<br />
The burgers were good, but I would have to say that the burgers and
selection are better at <a href="http://burgerbarchicago.com/">Burger Bar</a>. Grange Hall definitely worth a trip, though.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/6982724060/" title="April Girls' Dinner by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="April Girls' Dinner" height="334" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8006/6982724060_c4d5045a93.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Natalie Mikolajczakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03073640554635300165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5197447393432545156.post-10625816916890723812012-04-30T11:55:00.001-05:002012-04-30T11:56:56.787-05:00March Girls' Dinner<br />
March?! Are you kidding me? Why the
heck am I so late with this? Umm, no
freaking idea.<br />
<br />
March’s dinner was at <a href="http://chicago.metromix.com/venues/mmxchi-salatinos-venue">Salatino’s</a>.
There were six of us there for dinner. I texted Nancy (our seventh diner)
to see if she was on her way, and she completely forgot about dinner, even
though, we’ve been meeting on the third Thursday of the month for YEARS! <br />
<br />
I hate when I take so long to write about dinner because I forget all of the
juicy details. From what I *can*
remember, it was pretty good Italian fare.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/7128784339/" title="March Girls' Dinner by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="March Girls' Dinner" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7134/7128784339_454597d5a8.jpg" width="500" /></a>Natalie Mikolajczakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03073640554635300165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5197447393432545156.post-20246015294853000882012-02-21T10:47:00.000-06:002012-02-21T10:47:16.744-06:00I'm very, very, very smart.<br />
Have you seen these?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e1xbA_8weUg/T0PKLMqmHMI/AAAAAAAAAyo/3axGe4bTqOs/s1600/vibram-sprint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e1xbA_8weUg/T0PKLMqmHMI/AAAAAAAAAyo/3axGe4bTqOs/s1600/vibram-sprint.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I’ve seen people wear these shoes at the gym. Of course, they are the skinny runner types that
wear them. But, what I am wondering is how sizing works.<br />
<br />
You see, my middle toe is as long as my pinky finger. It is one helluva long toe. You know how they say; a long middle toe is a
sign of high intelligence. I believe
that one just like I believe it’s lucky for it to rain on your wedding day and
also when a bird shits on your head.<br />
<br />
Anyway, what do the makers of these shoes do when someone such as me with
very high intelligence wants to wear their shoes? Tell me if I’m wrong, but I’ve never seen a
pair with an extra long middle toe like I would need.<br />Natalie Mikolajczakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03073640554635300165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5197447393432545156.post-1613475170157769932012-02-20T11:56:00.000-06:002012-02-20T11:56:50.424-06:00February Girls' Dinner<br />
February’s dinner took place at the brand, spanking new <a href="http://breadandwinechicago.com/">Bread & Wine</a> on <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Irving Park Rd.</st1:address></st1:street> There were 10 of us in attendance! Some of my devoted readers (all two of you)
may have noticed that there was no post about January’s dinner. Well, that is because there was no January
dinner. I know! Very disappointing. <br />
<br />
February more than made up for January’s disappointment with the ten of
us. We had three new ladies join
us. And, listen to this…we walk into the
restaurant, and I’m told our friend, Julie, who lives in Kentucky, called and
sent our table two bottles of wine. That
was, like, the nicest thing ever. And, it got us off to a great start for a
total of seven bottles of wine for the evening.
Not bad for a Thursday night! <br />
<o:p> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/6910839507/" title="My creation by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="My creation" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7066/6910839507_d649acfcfb.jpg" width="500" /></a></o:p><br />
I think our newbies, Andrea, Meredith, and Linda enjoyed themselves. Of course, we’ll see if they show up for
March’s dinner. <br />
<br />
For dinner, people ordered: chorizo tacos, chicken breast, fettuccini, and striped
bass. We had a cheese and meat plate and delicious herb fries for an appetizer,
and we ordered one of each of their desserts.
Well, that’s not completely true.
I, of course, ordered my own dessert because I still haven’t progressed
enough to share my dessert. And, let me
tell you, the sweet potato doughnuts with caramel sauce were amazing.<br />
<o:p> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/6910829575/" title="My creation by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="My creation" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7055/6910829575_ed6fd60a86.jpg" width="500" /></a></o:p><br />
The restaurant is brand, spanking new, and little bit loud right now, but I
know they are planning on fixing that.
The food was really good and I really like the look and the vibe of the
place.<br />
<br />
After dinner, a few people went back to Aimee’s house, and more wine was
consumed. I know one person ended up
sleeping on the couch because she was too intoxicated to drive home. If anyone wants to rat her out in the comments,
that would be great.Natalie Mikolajczakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03073640554635300165noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5197447393432545156.post-92014592955525419472012-02-17T12:00:00.000-06:002012-02-17T12:05:09.600-06:00I took a little bite.<br />
Listen to this. <br />
<br />
My cousin treated me to a trip to NYC. She TREATED me to a trip to NYC. I’ve never been to NYC, and Melissa made it
happen for me! I was able to take a
little bite out of the Big Apple.<br />
<o:p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/6873202285/" title="NYC February 2012-120.jpg by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="NYC February 2012-120.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7210/6873202285_39868a4554.jpg" width="333" /></a> </o:p><br />
It was a wonderfully fantabulous weekend.
I arrived Friday morning and met Melissa and Andrea at the hotel, and
then we hit the ground running. We hit <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">5<sup>th</sup> Avenue</st1:address></st1:street>
(or do you say: <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Fifth Avenue</st1:address></st1:street>?),
Central Park, MoMA’s café, Grand Central Station, and <st1:place w:st="on">Greenwich
Village</st1:place>. <br />
<o:p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/6873135199/" title="NYC February 2012-29.jpg by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="NYC February 2012-29.jpg" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7207/6873135199_48d47f8679.jpg" width="500" /></a></o:p><br />
<o:p> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/6873142401/" title="NYC February 2012-38-2.jpg by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="NYC February 2012-38-2.jpg" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7062/6873142401_34071134f6.jpg" width="500" /></a></o:p><br />
<o:p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/6873155435/" title="NYC February 2012-54-2.jpg by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="NYC February 2012-54-2.jpg" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7192/6873155435_a62b5330a5.jpg" width="500" /></a></o:p><br />
<o:p><br /></o:p><br />
Andrea and I ventured to Grand Central Station and fell in love. There was a certain calm and peacefulness to
it. My friend, <a href="http://www.bethkujawski.blogspot.com/">Beth</a>, told us about a new
bar inside of Grand Central called the <a href="http://nymag.com/listings/bar/campbell_apartment/">Campbell Apartment</a>. It was AMAZING. It is very small, and so very cool. We sipped on our yummy cocktails and snacked
on some delicious cheeses. Heaven, I
tell ya. Seriously, any day that
contains laughter, cocktails, and cheese, is going down in the books.<br />
<o:p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/6873171001/" title="NYC February 2012-76-2.jpg by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="NYC February 2012-76-2.jpg" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7193/6873171001_97be0e0923.jpg" width="500" /></a></o:p><br />
<o:p> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/6873177233/" title="NYC February 2012-84-2.jpg by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="NYC February 2012-84-2.jpg" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7209/6873177233_fcb47fa438.jpg" width="500" /></a></o:p><br />
<o:p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/6873165661/" title="NYC February 2012-70.jpg by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="NYC February 2012-70.jpg" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7069/6873165661_51b8d5490f.jpg" width="500" /></a></o:p><br />
After filling up on cheese, we picked Melissa up at the hotel, and took the
subway to <st1:place w:st="on">Greenwich Village</st1:place> (where I asked to
see the pope), for a fabulous dinner.
Beth was right on with another recommendation. We went to <a href="http://biancanyc.com/home.html">Bianca</a> and it was cheap and tasty
as hell. We had a bit of a wait, but the
bar next door is very accommodating. <br />
<o:p> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/6873182653/" title="NYC February 2012-91-2.jpg by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="NYC February 2012-91-2.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7188/6873182653_2e97821ac1.jpg" width="333" /></a></o:p><br />
After dinner, we stopped in <st1:place w:st="on">Times Square</st1:place>
where my cousin and I had a pose off. It
was hysterical, she would take pictures of me, and then I take would pictures
of her, and we’d be doing to same poses.<br />
<o:p> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/6873190169/" title="NYC February 2012-101-2.jpg by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="NYC February 2012-101-2.jpg" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7042/6873190169_af677fc517.jpg" width="500" /></a></o:p><br />
<o:p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/6873202969/" title="NYC February 2012-121.jpg by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="NYC February 2012-121.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7044/6873202969_cc5aa5d50e.jpg" width="333" /></a></o:p><br />
<o:p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/6873204355/" title="NYC February 2012-123.jpg by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="NYC February 2012-123.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7199/6873204355_b2d0797fea.jpg" width="333" /></a></o:p><br />
<o:p><br /></o:p><br />
Saturday was a walking marathon. We
took the subway to SoHo, walked around NYU, to Little Italy, through Chinatown,
and then we walked half of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Brooklyn</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridge</st1:placetype></st1:place>. And we got our Mary Tyler Moore on on the
bridge. Awesome, right?? After that, we went to a decadent dinner in
the Meatpacking District to a beautiful restaurant called <a href="http://www.spicemarketnewyork.com/">Spice Market</a>. Every single item we ordered was
fantabulous. That includes the pitcher
and a half of ginger margaritas. Oh, I
would love to have my girls’ dinner club there.
YUMMY!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/6873213419/" title="NYC February 2012-136.jpg by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="NYC February 2012-136.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7206/6873213419_c7d17857ac.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/6873219569/" title="NYC February 2012-143.jpg by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="NYC February 2012-143.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7044/6873219569_18a20fa6b2.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/6873215847/" title="NYC February 2012-138-2.jpg by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="NYC February 2012-138-2.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7199/6873215847_7a6e4664fe.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/6873228773/" title="NYC February 2012-152-2.jpg by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="NYC February 2012-152-2.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7041/6873228773_e81954506b.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/6873231791/" title="NYC February 2012-159-2.jpg by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="NYC February 2012-159-2.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7191/6873231791_830ec7b523.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/6873244803/" title="NYC February 2012-180-2.jpg by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="NYC February 2012-180-2.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7062/6873244803_2102eb8f54.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/6873270565/" title="NYC February 2012-223-2.jpg by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="NYC February 2012-223-2.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7189/6873270565_f30a91462a.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/6873264563/" title="NYC February 2012-215.jpg by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="NYC February 2012-215.jpg" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7184/6873264563_b38f8b0ce5.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/6873258063/" title="NYC February 2012-205-2.jpg by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="NYC February 2012-205-2.jpg" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7184/6873258063_63e161ec9c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
After dinner we went to see a Broadway show.
We saw <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Memphis</st1:place></st1:city>,
and again, it was awesome. The singing
and dancing…..well, I guess that why it’s Broadway. There were some talented people on that
stage.<br />
<br />
On Sunday, we walked around a bit, but the weather was much colder, and our
legs were a bit tired from WALKING TO BROOKLYN the day before. All we managed to do was belly up to the bar
at a nearby Irish pub, drink some cocktails and eat some grub before it was
time to take a cab back to the airport. <br />
<br />
The trip was fast and furious, and deliriously fun. I am so happy that I am getting to know my
cousin all over again. She’s patient and
kind and generous. BUT, she has the
Mikolajczak sense of humor. Now, I, for
one, LOVE the Mikolajczak sense of humor, but you’d better have tough skin. Being with Melissa is like being with her dad
and my dad. She reminds me so much of
them. I love it. I love her. And Andrea is the ridiculously happy Costa
Rican. She is so sweet and kind, and she
is always happy. I had the time of my
life in NYC and also took away some life lessons from these amazing women. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/6873284451/" title="NYC February 2012-241-2.jpg by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="NYC February 2012-241-2.jpg" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7176/6873284451_0e5f6e3ac2.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Thank you, Missy. From the bottom of
this cold, hard Mikolajczak heart, I thank you.
And as my brother, Tiger, says, “Mikolajczaks 4Life”Natalie Mikolajczakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03073640554635300165noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5197447393432545156.post-65036434210313603262012-02-02T14:35:00.000-06:002012-02-02T14:35:38.028-06:00Where the hell have I been?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
I tell you where I’ve been; I’ve been in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Dillon</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">Texas</st1:state></st1:place>. I’ve been there for a couple of months now,
and because of Dillon, I’ve haven’t written on my blog, I haven’t Tweeted, I
haven’t done much of anything interesting.<br />
<br />
You see, I was way behind, and finally started watching Friday Night
Lights. BRILLIANT! Last night, I watched the 76<sup>th</sup>
and final episode and cried like a baby.
I don’t know what I am going to do without my friends from Dillon. <br />
<br />
Who woulda thunk that I would fall in love with people from <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Texas</st1:place></st1:state>?! All of the “y’all”s didn’t even get to
me. This show is about football and the
people in <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Texas</st1:place></st1:state>
who are crazy about football. But
really, it is SO much more than that. I
wish I could express and review and explain all of the reasons why this show
was so brilliant and magnificent and funny and warm and touching, but I know if
I tried I wouldn’t do the show justice.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xPDkCOeKc6k/TyrytPKTzWI/AAAAAAAAAyc/yPxhjXzoZ_s/s1600/FNL_199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xPDkCOeKc6k/TyrytPKTzWI/AAAAAAAAAyc/yPxhjXzoZ_s/s400/FNL_199.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The show made me laugh and it made it me cry. It really touched me. I absolutely loved the actors and the
characters of this show. I wish everyone
could have a love and relationship like Tammy and Eric Taylor. They listened to each other; they tried to
understand each other. They walked in
each others’ shoes, and their love made me melt.<br />
<img alt="After Tami sees Matt buying condoms, Tami and Julie have a frank and moving talk about sex." height="276" jquery1328212931473="99" src="http://www.nbc.com/app2/img/412x370xS/scet/photos/52/8080/05.JPG" style="margin-top: 47px; zoom: 1;" width="412" /><br />
<br />
The actors were so ‘real’ to me. My
favorites were Matt and Landry. Their
interactions were so natural and they made me laugh every time they were
together. It was like they weren’t
acting, just talking to each other like real people. Their dorkiness was so real, it was amazing.<br />
<br />
So, I haven’t blogged in over a month and it’s because I was in Dillon, with
my new friends. Man, I loved them, and I
am so sad that they are all gone. So, if
you were late getting to the Dillon party like I was, do yourself a favor, and
take a trip. I promise you will love it,
and I will want to talk about it with you. Seriously, that show made me drop off the face of the earth for two months so I could watch five seasons worth of shows.Natalie Mikolajczakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03073640554635300165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5197447393432545156.post-23519358898365047902011-12-16T15:31:00.000-06:002011-12-17T11:40:28.789-06:00Yee Haw! December Girls’ Dinner<br />
We chose the brand new <a href="http://www.bartomachicago.com/">Bar Toma</a> for our December dinner. Tony Mantuano from Top Chef Masters is the
chef. It’s a cute little joint with an
ample bar. It looks like it would be a
fabulous spring and summer spot because it has the big windows that look like
garage doors that would roll up for some al fresco dining.<br />
<br />
We were under the impression that the restaurant didn’t take reservations
(it now does), so a few of us selflessly volunteered to belly up to the bar an
hour early to put our names on the list.
Jodi and I arrived around 5:45 and got started on the wine. Jodee and Heather arrived a bit later, and
then it was time for more wine and snacks!
We had calamari, potato chips (that had a yummy orange flavor), a mozzarella
cheese plate (that was freaking awesome), and a margarita pizza. Hmm, did I say snacks? <br />
<br />
When the rest of our party arrived, we were seated and we started on the
next bottle of wine. Yee Haw! We ordered
two salads and four pizzas for the seven of us.
We thought it might be too much food because of our earlier ‘snacks’. But, don’t you worry, we did just fine. We had a spinach pizza, goat cheese pizza, pepperoni
pizza, and another pizza with meat on it.
Now, the pizzas are much fancier than just a ‘spinach’ or ‘goat cheese’
pizza. They were really tasty. I think most people favored the goat cheese
pizza. Oh, goat cheese, how I love thee.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/6526411201/" title="My creation by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="My creation" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6526411201_999d418083.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Oh wait! I’m ahead of myself. After we ordered our food, we started in on
our yearly grab bag gift exchange. There
were some damn fine gifts on that table: fancy pampered chef goodies, awesome
earrings, a wine aerator, fancy lotions and pedicure socks, fancy lipgloss,
cute fingerless gloves and candle, and an infinity scarf. I think everyone went home happy with their
gift. I know I did. I finally own a wine aerator. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/6526385385/" title="My creation by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="My creation" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7172/6526385385_4483db4d6c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
After dinner, we had some fancy gelato and were treated to some tasty
prosecco.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/6526400581/" title="My creation by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="My creation" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/6526400581_d98756c6e2.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
After dinner, someone had the great idea to belly back up to the bar, so four
of us went back to the bar. Aimee, Jodee,
Beth, and I chatted and laughed and drank more wine. I really love public transportation. I never
have to worry about getting home; I just hop on the red line and it lets me off
at my front door. The thing I do have to
worry about is getting to the L station after too much wine.
We said our good-byes, and Jodee and I started walking a bit so she
could catch a cab, and then I continued on to the L station. But, then I figured out, I had walked too
far. So, I turned back and I figure I probably walked about ½ mile out of my way.
The funny thing is, is that I didn’t even remember about it until the next morning
when Jodee texted me. That’s what happens when I try to keep up with Jodee at
the bar.<br />
<br />
Anyway, it was a REALLY fun evening, and those pizzas rocked! I will definitely be back to <a href="http://www.bartomachicago.com/">Bar Toma</a>.Natalie Mikolajczakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03073640554635300165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5197447393432545156.post-60799890178974238902011-12-07T11:10:00.001-06:002011-12-07T11:23:32.279-06:00I'm Dog-Tired<br />
I am dog-sitting for cute Gabby. That
means there are two cats and two dogs in my small condo this week. It also means I sleep in the back bedroom on
a<i><b> twin</b></i> trundle bed close to the floor so that the dogs are able to jump up on
the bed without yelling (barking) at me for assistance.<br />
Last night, as I was trying to fall asleep, I was wishing how I could have
someone take a picture of me with my menagerie of animals. But, if I were to ask Ignacio to come in to
take a picture of the spectacle, most of the animals would jump out of bed, and
then it would take me another 20 minutes to calm everyone down, and get cozy in
bed.<br />
So, I did the next best thing. I
hired an artist to draw their best rendition of my nighttime follies.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7mTRNnRGiRM/Tt-fYbbIroI/AAAAAAAAAxg/6jkirRBI9w8/s1600/bed0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7mTRNnRGiRM/Tt-fYbbIroI/AAAAAAAAAxg/6jkirRBI9w8/s320/bed0001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<o:p> So, there is Gabby, the dog, at my head (it is cold in the bedroom), Sweetness, the cat, next to the pillow, Camel, the dog, trying her best to spoon with me.</o:p><br />
Yes, my feet hang off of the bed.<br />
No, I dare not move the entire night, lest I wake someone up, and then they
all get up, and want to pee or want to play or want treats or want a belly rub. I stay as still as possible the entire night.<br />
Yes, I wake up stiff and achy. <br />
No, I haven’t made it to the gym this week. <br />
Yes, I am still waiting for the fourth animal to join us.<br />
<br />
(I am really liking how thin the artist depicted me)Natalie Mikolajczakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03073640554635300165noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5197447393432545156.post-58958077773595302972011-12-01T09:34:00.001-06:002011-12-01T09:37:30.934-06:00Who Me?<br />
I walked in the door from the gym this morning and my dog, Camel, came to
greet me like normal, but there was something really big in her mouth.<br />
<br />
When I go to the gym, I don’t wear my contacts, so I could not make out what
Camel had in her mouth. So, I went in for
a closer look, and she had a big ass piece of bread in her mouth!<br />
<br />
Here is what I think went down: Piccolo (one of the cats) jumped on the
counter in an attempt to make her and Sweetness (the other cat) a picnic
lunch. In Piccolo’s frustration at her
inability to get the twist-tie off of the bread, she knocked the entire package
to the floor so that Camel would do the grunt work (and take the blame should
they get caught in the act). Camel
obliged and went at that twist-tie and package.
<br />
By the time I arrived, the bread bag had a nice hole in it, and I did find
the twist-tie in the carpet. Piccolo
must have taken off when she heard my key in the door, and poor Camel just got
caught in the act.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/6436094955/" title="Who me? by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="Who me?" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6436094955_e9529779b0.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />Natalie Mikolajczakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03073640554635300165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5197447393432545156.post-55360873488841688172011-11-29T11:22:00.001-06:002011-11-29T15:53:08.076-06:00November's Dinner: Bistro VoltaireFor our November dinner, Nancy chose <a href="http://bistrovoltaire.com/">Bistro Voltaire</a>.<br />
<br />
I am a Francophile and I love all things French: the food, the language, the country, etc. So, I was excited to go to this restaurant. It is right down the street from where I took French class at the <a href="http://www.af-chicago.org/app/homepage.php">Alliance Francaise.</a><br />
<br />
It is a very French joint. The hostess is an elegant French woman and our waiter was a French man. I tried out my limited French skills, with limited success, but that is okay because I got to speak French!<br />
<br />
The food was amazing. I had the french onion soup and a french style gnocchi; both were fabulous. Other dishes that were fabulous were: the coq au vin, the boeuf with mushrooms, the puff pastry, and the mussels. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/6427168997/" title="Untitled by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="" height="500" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6045/6427168997_e4c945c253.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/6427166475/" title="Untitled by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7143/6427166475_bcd4a84bf3.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nataliejillphoto/6427161557/" title="Untitled by nataliejillphoto, on Flickr"><img alt="" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7004/6427161557_9cdc737c65.jpg" width="374" /></a><br />
The food was absolutely delicious. I will definitely be back there.Natalie Mikolajczakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03073640554635300165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5197447393432545156.post-32808296637244197352011-11-10T11:26:00.000-06:002011-11-10T11:26:54.226-06:00Lofts, Hot Chocolate, and Sports BrasThis past weekend was my neighborhood’s annual <a href="http://www.loftwalk.com/">Loft Walk</a>. I live in the Printers Row/South Loop neighborhood of Chicago and the old printing houses have become some magnificent lofts, and once a year, they are shown off. My cousin, Melissa, just moved back to Chicago after a 30+ year hiatus in warm climates, so I invited her on the Loft Walk (all the while really hoping she moves to my ‘hood). There were five of us in our group, Ignacio, his son, my mom, Melissa and me. We saw 15 lofts. They were amazing, and one even brought tears to my eyes. It’s like a nosey Rosie’s dream to be able to walk into peoples’ homes and snoop all around and to see how they’ve rehabbed and decorated. The views in the place on Michigan Avenue were amaze-balls! I told the owner she might have to kick me out at the end of the day because I was never leaving.<br />
<br />
<br />
While we were on the walk, I kept seeing people in these jackets:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wISCYdyk11o/TrwI0NFmOoI/AAAAAAAAAxU/RedGI5uo-3I/s1600/hot+chocolate+back2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239px" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wISCYdyk11o/TrwI0NFmOoI/AAAAAAAAAxU/RedGI5uo-3I/s320/hot+chocolate+back2.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
(thank you, Sheree!!)<br />
<br />
You see, that morning, there was the annual Hot Chocolate 5K/15K run; a run that ends with hot chocolate and chocolate fondue. Chocolate. Chocolate!! A run that ends in chocolate. A novel idea that just might make me get off my butt and RUN!<br />
<br />
I told Melissa that I wanted to run the Hot Chocolate race next year. That is funny for a lot of reasons. The main reason: I can’t even *run* across the street. I have stopped and started the<a href="http://bunkosummersisters.blogspot.com/2010/01/couch-to-5k-and-back-to-couch-again.html"> Couch to 5K app</a> on my iPhone more times than I care to admit. But I get these crazy ideas in my mind, and become obsessed. Just because I become obsessed, it doesn’t mean I follow through.<br />
<br />
Monday morning, I went to the gym to start (yet again) Week 1 Day 1 of Couch to 5K. I wore my heavy duty sports bra that I finally found in the back of my drawer. I need extra control up top when I ‘run’ (just saying “when I run” makes me giggle). So, heavy duty sports bra (I think I should name her “Madge”) and I hit the treadmill. Madge is one tight bitch! Yeah, Madge keeps me from giving myself a black eye, but she also makes it tough to breathe. I need to weigh my options here: black eye vs. ability to breathe while ‘running’ (I’m giggling again).<br />
<br />
I got a cold that evening when I got home from work. I blame running. Madge and I haven’t been back to the gym since. I have a year to prepare to run a 15K. I don’t have high hopes for Madge and I to actually complete 15Ks. I might bronze Madge if I were to even complete 5Ks. I’m already thinking about the possibilities for next year’s Hot Chocolate race: pay the entry fee and just meet everyone at the finish line and indulge in the chocolate fondue, all the while wearing my KICK ASS HOT CHOCOLATE JACKET.Natalie Mikolajczakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03073640554635300165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5197447393432545156.post-79197303810681304642011-10-28T09:56:00.000-05:002011-10-28T09:56:18.510-05:00The only good thing is that it’s FridayI prepared my elixir early this morning. I made two chai tea lattes and put them in the freezer so I could pour them into my sippy cup before I left for work. Wouldn’t you know it, I left my sippy cup on the counter, and now I have no morning elixir.<br />
<br />
<br />
Ever wear something more than once before you wash it? That’s the name of the game for me. I put a sweater on this morning, and when I got to work, I saw that there is melted chocolate on the sleeve. You know how that happens, don’t you? Yup, you’re eating a dark chocolate bar after dinner, and the little slivers of chocolate sometimes break off into your lap (or sleeve). You try to brush all of the crumbs/slivers off, but sometimes there is a rogue sliver of chocolate, that when it melts, it becomes a huge chocolate mess on the sleeve of your sweater.<br />
<br />
And last, but not least, I forgot to put on freaking deodorant before I left the house.<br />
<br />
It’s one of those things where as I am leaving the condo and closing the door, I say to myself “Am I forgetting anything?” And I answer, “What could you possibly forget? You’re golden, woman!”<br />
<br />
Yeah, I’m so golden that my pits stink, and I dying for some chai tea latte.Natalie Mikolajczakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03073640554635300165noreply@blogger.com0