We were sitting around the kitchen table when I snapped this little gem:

That would be my grandma drinking wine out of a sippy cup with a crazy straw. It’s not every night that we (mom, me, aunt and grandma) gather around the kitchen table to reminisce about childhood nicknames, unremarkable bladders and jejunums. Today was different because my grandma only had about two hours of sleep last night and spent nearly 12 in the emergency room. My grandpa, who was recently told he had pancreatitis was brought in to the ER this morning after getting really sick last night.

He is currently being held in an isolation room because they believe he could be fighting an infection that may or may not be airborne. However they show little concern over the fact that my grandma and I have been living with him. If I die, Jamie gets my blog. Anyway, my grandpa is in good spirits and will be going through some more tests tomorrow to figure out what is wrong with him. They’ve ruled out pancreatitis and something with his colon. However, as of this evening I guess the colon may be back in the game. My grandma brought home a written report of the test results from today. It mentioned that his intestines were filled with fluid in some areas, which isn’t good. The report also mentioned that his bladder was unremarkable.

When you have four women who are all exhausted, a bit giddy and a bit drunk (I’m looking at you grandma!) the more hilarious everyday words become. So you can imagine how hard we laughed at that statement, “Bladder is unremarkable.” I think our hour-long chit-chat session around the table was exactly what I needed. I accomplished zero studying and homework, but that’s okay. Family is more important. I’m nervous for what tomorrow may bring. I’m nervous about failing another test, but I’m more nervous about my grandpa failing his. Fingers crossed that the doctors figure out what’s wrong and it’s treatable.

The hours leading up to my San Francisco trip were a blur. I spent Wednesday night shopping for some last minute necessities* and whining about not feeling prepared. I believe I began the actual packing process around 10:30 p.m. Note for future travelers: Packing while exhausted is not a good idea. All of my organization training flew out the window as I randomly threw clothes, shoes and hygiene products into my bag. This method requires at least 15 minutes of re-packing in the morning because you A. either forgot something or B. couldn’t close your suitcase. I chose A and B.
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After arriving at the airport and meeting up with Jamie the Adventures of J & J could begin! It’s been a while since I last traveled with somebody. The last 10 or so flights I’ve been on have been solo trips (thank you long-distance relationship). Our flight wasn’t great, but it could have been worse. It was really crowded and it seemed that most of the children on board were conveniently located near our row. I also had the pleasure of sitting near a particularly gassy woman. That was very unpleasant. I’m not used to flights lasting more than two-ish hours. Midway through our flight I had to pee. I tried to hold it until we landed because airplane bathrooms scare me. They’re dirty and smelly and what if I get sucked through the toilet when I flush? Ew. I gave in and ended up waiting in line. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and went in. I felt super dirty afterward. I wish I could have bathed in hand sanitizer.
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Once we landed, I was hit with a blast of cool air. Thinking it was only the AC, I shrugged it off and continued on my way to baggage claim. Thirty minutes later, bags in tow, we were on our way outside to wait for our ride. That cool air I felt was NOT the AC. It was Oakland. I was completely surprised because I had just left 90-degree weather in Chicago. SF was at least 30 degrees cooler. I began to rethink my wardrobe in my suitcase.
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My friend C picked us up in a hijacked Prius and took us to our hotel. He pointed out various sites on our drive from Oakland to SF. We saw Treasure Island and the Bay Bridge as well as areas that we should avoid. Once at the hotel, I paid $10 to park for 25 minutes while we ran our bags upstairs. Our hotel, The Hotel Carlton, was really adorable from the wall paper to furniture! Our room was on the top floor and we had a pretty great view of the city. There were even balloons, two wine glasses and a bottle of wine waiting for us.**
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The hotel is making an effort to be “green.” They have recycling bins in each room as well as a shampoo, conditioner and shower gel dispenser in the bathroom. They are also equipped with solar panels and is certified as a Green Business by the City of San Francisco. The hotel staff was beyond helpful. In addition to the birthday upgrade and goodies, they were very useful when asking for directions, opinions and assisting us with getting back to Oakland for our return flight. They were very pleasant and welcoming.
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After I changed to more weather-appropriate clothes, C and I set out to cram a day full of site-seeing into four hours. I’m amazed at everything we were able to do. First we went to Fisherman’s Warf for some clam chowder. I have never had it before and was pretty nervous about trying something with clams in it. The sourdough bowl sort of made me excited though. I ended up really liking it. I even recommended that some of the BlogHer gals make a trip to Boudins to try some. From there we drove through Haight Ashbury, Golden Gate Park and saw the Legion of Honor. I was able to get a few great pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge during this trip. Before wrapping up our adventure, we walked along the Golden Gate Bridge stopping every few minutes to take pictures. We didn’t walk the whole thing as the bridge is deceptively smaller when looking at it from a distance. We got about a third of the way through it before the cool winds became too much to bear. I’m glad I was able to experience it though. I also had a great view of Alcatraz, Angel Island and the city.
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On our way back to the hotel C drove me down Lombard Street. Holy hell. I was NOT expecting the hills to be so steep! At the very top I couldn’t see the road in front of our car and was convinced we’d fly off a cliff if we drove forward. Turns out there is a road there, no worries! I could not imagine living on that street with the number of tourists always there walking around taking pictures. It is very beautiful though. The flowers and view of the city are amazing. The houses are pretty spiffy, too!
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Once C dropped me off a the hotel, I went to meet Jamie, Katelin and Vanessa at Lori’s for dinner. Apparently there are two Lori’s on the same street and I went to the wrong one to begin with. Not cool. I ate a very nutritious dinner consisting of a Coke and two scoops of strawberry ice cream and orange sherbet. I’m 24, I’ll eat what I want. From there we went to the Westin St. Francis, where BlogHer was being held, for the Newbie Mixer. Talk about overwhelming! We met up with Jessica and her friend/colleague Theresa and bounced between the Newbie Mixer and the People’s Party downstairs. I also met Sizzle hwo is ridiculously awesome and even more beautiful in person. Be jealous. Bloggy business cards were being handed out left and right as people recognized blog names and finally put faces to them. It was a great experience and the bags full of free swag were a bonus.
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* Necessities include a new dress, shirt, mini deodorant and Cosmopolitan.
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** Stay tuned for two videos about our wine fail.
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See other blogger’s recaps:
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Vanessa
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Katelin
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Jessica
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Jamie
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Why does bad news come on good days?

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The other day I asked my mom to guest blog for me. At first she was hesitant since she is new to the Blogosphere. Once I told her she could write about whatever her little heart desired, she was game. I read her post while I was at the Sox game and was cracking up at the stories she chose to share. Some may think these are embarrassing, but they’re not. I’m quite proud of my chubby cheeks and hamster-like storing abilities. As promised, I have selected a few pictures to share. If I left this up to my mom she would probably choose my “Zest-fully-clean” pictures. That’s not happening. This is a family blog (no it’s not.)
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Before I post, if you haven’t already checked out my mom’s blog, I highly recommend that you do. She just finished her first month of NaBloPoMo and I couldn’t be more proud. They grow up so quickly! ::snif::
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Forgive the quality. I used a less-than-amazing scanner.
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I had that duck for years after this picture. I’m curious why I’m wearing it in the house and not in a pool.
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Pantsless. Nice. My aversion to pants started early.
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There’s the pool! In addition to sucking on a “vi-vi” I really enjoy drinking out of spray bottles.
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I don’t remember this, but my mom tells me I was trying to be a monster.
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One of my many mornings at the kitchen table with waffles. This is an amazing product placement shot.

Guess who has a sun burn and couldn’t be happier?
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This chick!
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I spent my entire weekend outside enjoying the beautiful weather Chicago provided. Of course, tomorrow it will be in the 50s and I’ll be regretting this sunburn like no other. I might even swear a bit as I pull a bra strap over my shoulder. Sure this is only the third burn of the year - it’s not even summer yet! It won’t be the last and I’m okay with that. At least it’s not snowing (sorry folks who dig the white stuff, I can’t do it!)
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How was your weekend? Did you scrape paint off a garage door? Finish two books? Play Uno twice, and win twice, with your family? Did you eat too much at a BBQ? Have a wee bit too much to drink? Get woken up by an awesome thunder storm? Have a dream in which you were best friends with the chick from “That’s So Raven?” Wash your car? I did.
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Why am I making that face? I ask you why not?

It’s important to follow a reflective post about a not-so-peppy subject with one of smiles, happiness and great people. What better opportunity to tell you about my Saturday night.
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I have to say that the Chicago bloggers are pretty awesome. This doesn’t mean those of you in other cities aren’t spiffy. I’m just really enjoying meeting the people behind the blogs I read. And it’s not only when there’s a big official blogger meet-up planned. There’s smaller groups who break off and do their own things and get together for fun nights out with mini food or great nights in with laughter and pizza.
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Let me begin by saying that Jamie was missed very much throughout the entire evening. But for the record, she was there in spirit.
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Angela and I met Kayleigh and Jessica for a much needed girls night in. We met at Kayleigh’s apartment, which is beyond beautiful by the way. I found out her mother has quite the awesome decorating eye. We’re pretty much BFFs now. (Call me!) Kayleigh is just as sweet and lovely in person as she seems in her blog. Jessica is a doll and eff’in hilarious! Angela, well it wasn’t my first time meeting her, but it was my first time seeing/hearing some of her monologues. It’s amazing how effortlessly she goes in and out of character. Angela told us about her new gig at Tony & Tina’s wedding. Congrats to you! I’m hoping she gets to play the pregnant bridesmaid because she sounds awesome!
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The original plan was to watch Sex and the City, eat and drink martinis but it was 9 p.m. before we picked up the pizza. The conversation was flowing and we never realized the time. The pizza was fantastical. I do enjoy Pizanos a lot. During our two-block walk three cabs stopped and hoped we needed a ride. Where were you when I was trying to catch a cab on the way there?! Jerks. We did get those martinis though. In my opinion they were delicious! We talked and laughed some more. We shared personal stories and comedic tales. We learned about baby names (Celeste rhymes with Molest - think twice) and heard a story about a man who kept a rat in his pants. I even got some nice cuddles from Angela. They were needed.
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It was nearly 12:30 a.m. before Angela and Jessica left and SATC began. I think Kayleigh and I got through one more martini and three episodes before we passed out. It was a great night and I hope we can do it again with more laughs and more tasty food and drinks. I feel incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to meet these lovely ladies and share an evening of getting to know each other with them. Onto the pictures! (Thanks to Angela for taking these)
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Angela couldn’t get her timer to work so she jumped in front of the camera just in time and still looks beautiful. I, on the other hand, look drunk.

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I’m not telling you who’s who in case you try to stalk one of them.

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Well you already know me and Angela.

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The gals with Jamie’s paint-tastic spirit (told ya she was there!)

This was too good to pass up! Plus this blog could use a little humor this week.
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It took me nearly a minute to figure out what “effishuncie” was. I was thinking f-is-hunch-ie!
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Getting together with family is always fun. Especially when they ask you difficult questions about your relationship or wonder who will get married first: you or your cousin. As it turns out, my aunt may be walking down the aisle before any of us and I’m okay with that. What’s different about it is that she doesn’t seem very excited. Her boyfriend was like “Dear, when are we getting married?” He’s ready. Get him to the church! This made me laugh and wish my boyfriend were a little less of a commitment-phobe. I think I’m getting better dealing with the whole “it’s not working” thing though. Anyways…back to Easter. Gotta love family.
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Two of my younger cousins are sisters. There’s a couple years between them but they’re at that in between age where they want to act older than they are yet still whine, complain and be lazy. The younger one said that the older one treats her like a pack mule. When asked if she knew what a pack mule was, she said no. It was still funny though. They both spent a majority of the afternoon with their iPods watching episodes of Hannah Montana, ANTM or Carrie Underwood music videos. They also both agreed that they’d kill their father for his computer because it’s “faster than lightning.” I asked what kind of computer it was, expecting it to be a Mac, they said “a regular one, not a laptop.” Cute. But seriously, what kind is it? “A fast one.” Okay thank you. That helped. Good luck with killing your dad. My mom said she’ll see them on an episode of Snapped one day. I don’t doubt it.
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The dog had a pretty fun time. She remained on the couch, avoiding any feet from kicking her, until she could smell the turkey and ham being pulled out of the oven. That sneaky little dog found her way under the table to lick the bottom of the pan that was set on the floor. Clever. She also has a striking resemblance to the lamb cake we ate. Good thing we didn’t confuse the two!
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I’m still not used to having a baby around. My cousin Carl and his girlfriend came over with her kid. Long story short, it’s not his. She has these big round eyes that are so adorable they’re almost scary. She’s pretty cute when she’s not crying. My biological clock reminds me that it’s still there when I see babies, but the minute they start fussing, drooling or trying to touch me with their sticky hands, that’s when I remind that clock to shut up, let’s focus on a dog first.
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Easter, good. Food, good. Relationship questions that really tick me off, bad. I know it’s not their fault though. They’re just concerned. My anger is elsewhere and not with them. But it’s still frustrating to have to explain everything to people, especially when I don’t even know what’s going on myself.
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Anyway, I hope everyone had a great Easter, if you celebrate it that is. If you don’t, I hope you had a great Sunday!

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Many bloggers post often about their adorable puppies (I’m talking about you Lovely!) and I’ve been feeling out of the loop. I don’t have an obnoxiously cute puppy to share with you all and let’s face it, cats don’t have the same appeal as puppies do. But I do have a new addition to my mini family who I would like to introduce you all to as he will be a big part of my life:
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His name is Barry, Bar for short.So I decided to jump on board with everyone else and share pictures of my new pet:
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There he is with his toy. It’s his favorite.
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Aww good boy! Have a treat!
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Bar’s comfortable with his sexuality and enjoys sleeping in a pink princess bed.
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He ate the whole thing!
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Come on Barry, let’s go out for a walk!
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Who’s a good boy? Who’s a good boy? You’re a good boy!
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Thank you taking the time to welcome Barry into my family.