My grandmother and mom are trying to leave Chicago today. They might have to drive it if they don't get on a plane. They planted a ton of plants on my patio but they will probably all die in my very uncapable hands. Mom thinks everyone is flying to Memphis for Memphis in May and to eat ribs. I don't blame them at all.

We also had a leaky ceiling in the basement this weekend. It was the toilet (gross). We wouldn't have noticed it if my grandmother hadn't been sewing me up a very cute retro dress. We took the toilet apart, cut a hole in the ceiling and then fixed everything. It doesn't leak anymore! Everyone was curious if Martin could get the toilet back in place on the first try. Several folks told us we would need two wax rings. Well, so far so good and now we need to get the ceiling repaired in the basement and the tools put away.
My cousin Katy graduated last night in Naperville. There were fireworks and a lot of names. She had almost 800 students in her class. She will be going to school in Mississippi, like the rest of the family.
Some other things I've added to my list for the summer include:
* Getting the pool ready
* Taking a pottery class at the local community college.
* Training a new person at work.
* Buying a new car. Did I mention that already?

One of my favorite things about the upcoming holiday - Passover for those not in the know - is tying out new recipes that adhere to restrictions of the celebration. I don't go for gefilte fish (which one of our in-laws called fish loaf) or most of the more traditional fixins. Here are some recipes that I will probably make this feastive holiday season:
Sabra chicken
Matza Pizza
Almond Meringues
Herbed Fish Cakes with Green Horseradish Sauce
Marinated Broiled Lamb Chops

Of course we will have matzah ball soup and other stand-bys but sometimes a little something different is fun too!

Eh, so the Bears lost. I am just proud to say that I sat through the whole thing! That is a first for me. It was rather exciting to watch, I must admit. Martin and I were particularly fond of the #63 Saturday who plays for the Colts. Mainly I think Martin liked the name. My favorite part of the game, though? PRINCE That man is freakin' awesome. After wardrobe malfunctions and old farts playing the half-time show, he really showed us how it's supposed to be done. And in the rain too.
My mother points out that I should always support Peyton Manning because my aunt made us follow his father through the New Orleans Garden District one Sunday morning. My aunt, probably one of the biggest Archie Manning fans to not really like football, made us take her picture in front of his house and just as we were leaving we saw Archie and his wife drive by. They were headed to church and my mother followed them all the way to the doors of the First Presbyterian Church. Even funnier is that she met Archie's wife a couple of years ago shopping for baby clothes. So, with a history like that, it seems that I have to support Peyton in my mother's eyes.
For the most part, as a transplant to Chicago, I remain unaffiliated to any sports teams. So don't feel sorry that the Bears lost or anything like that. I just like saying "Go Bears" because it seems like everyone will answer appropriately in Chicago.

This morning it supposedly felt like -12 degrees Farenheit. I am of the opinion that if it gets below say, 25 degrees, it is no longer that important how cold it is, it's just cold.
My in-laws are visiting this weekend. I have a cold and am not the happiest of campers. They (my in-laws) don't like cinnamon in their coffee.

Lately I have been taking friends' advice and listening to their music recommendations whether they know this or not. Some interesting stylings of late include:
the Decemberists
Imogen Heap
the Mountain Goats
Feist
The Submarines

I have been running errands and every chance I get I say the requisite "Go Bears!" It is interesting in that it is not so much a yell or spirited fighting words. It's usually responded to with a bit of excitement and sense of "this is the way it's supposed to be." I love it even though I am probably the least sports-oriented person in the entire world. Go Bears!