Happy Friday, friends! It feels like Chicago has finally turned the corner on spring weather (fingers crossed!), so I’m going to spend this weekend being outside as much as possible. I haven’t done a Friday favorites post in a while where I just talk about life, so I thought I’d share some mini updates today.
Chris just worked seven night shifts in a row, and I’m so glad that’s over. Seven 14-hour shifts in a row are exhausting, and it’s a relief to get back on a more manageable schedule.
On Wednesday night, I got emotional watching a legend retire. Growing up, my dad worked crazy hours, but he loved to unwind by watching Lakers games. I loved watching them with him, and the games quickly became our father-daughter activity. Kobe Bryant was my hero. As someone who has an extremely competitive nature, he taught me it was OK to be that way. I have always admired his determination to be the very best (I even wrote a book report about him in the sixth grade!). Two of my favorite memories were going to a game with my dad and sitting right behind the Lakers bench, and the time the Lakers won the championship while we were in Hawaii, and Dad ran out on the balcony and screamed “Lakers are the champions!” The amazing part was a bunch of people shouted back at us!
This week, I watched a legend go out in style (60 points!). It felt like the end of my childhood all over again. I will always remember all those nights with my dad watching an incredible player.
On Thursday, I met up Lex from Lex Nelson Photography for a fun photo shoot! She wanted to play around with a film camera, and I volunteered to be a model for her. She’s so sweet, and it was super fun! She offered Chris and me a mini session in exchange for the film shoot, and we had a blast. I can’t wait to see how the photos turn out!
Skyler is always so excited when her Chewy shipment arrives, so I felt a little bad that this time, the shipment was for me. This month, I picked the Nature's Miracle Stain & Odor Remover in Tropical Bloom, and I love it already! When Skyler get sick, it can be hard to get rid of the smell. This stain and odor works super well and smells great! I love how I can use it both on our hardwood floors, our rugs, and our furniture. I will definitely be picking up another bottle once we’re done with this one.
I received the Nature's Miracle Stain & Odor Remover in Tropical Bloom from Chewy, but all opinions are my own.
After our photo session, we made it over to another restaurant off of my Chicago restaurant list, Smoque. I was in the mood for a chopped brisket sandwich, and Smoque really delivered. I’ll share more about Smoque in my next Chicago update, but let’s just say it’s worth the drive.
Also, I didn’t want to include this as part of my Friday favorites (because it’s not), but I have an MRI on Monday, and I would love your prayers and positive thoughts! (I feel strange sharing even this tiny health tidbit on an online platform, but I have tried to be as honest and authentic as possible on this blog. I will share a little update once I know more.)
Michael has always LOVED Kobe too so that was a big deal night for him! He was pretty emotional and then SO ecstatic with him scoring 60 points! (He also doesn't like the Warriors so he was happy Kobe overshadowed them breaking a record that same night haha!) Oh my gosh a good stain/odor remover is SUCH a must for us. Sending positive vibes your way over the MRI! Hope everything is okay!
Sending lots of prayers your way for your MRI! Health issues are definitely not easy to handle! On a positive note, hooray for less chaotic schedules for Chris, and for getting a free mini photo session! I'm sure that the pictures turned out wonderfully! Enjoy the more spring like weather in Chicago this weekend!
I hope everything is ok with your MRI, and I hope you guys have a nice weekend after all that work. 14-hour shifts?! That's so loong.
Oooh, Smoque sounds so unique (love that name) and brisket is always delish! Your basketball tradition with your dad is so sweet- what a great memory! Good luck Monday! I'll be thinking about you!
I used to be a huge Lakers fan. I'm pretty much turned off by the NBA as a whole now. I'm glad everyone let Kobe go out in such a big way, but it got to feel too over the top, especially here in LA.
Seven fourteen hour shifts? My goodness. I complained because I had to work fri-sun and tue-thur, but I can't imagine 14 hour shifts. Good luck with your MRI, I am definitely sending good thoughts your way!
That natures miracle stuff is great! I use it all the time. That photos shoot sounds like fun! Good luck on your testing. I have been through that so many times, so I will be thinking of you!
Yay for Chewy shipments and the long stretch of overnights being over for Chris. Hope you enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend <3
That first picture of you guys is so cute! Praying your MRI is normal on Monday, or that you at least get answers!
I think the world did feel sad for watching Kobe retire. What an inspiration he is to other athletes especially to the young ones.
My husband works every single day for long stretches like that; I always feel so relieved when he has some time off. Hope everything is all right with your MRI. Sending positive vibes your way.
i loved #2, though i have heard the name kobe bryant i didn't actually know who he was, or how long he'd been around.
I hate that I'm reading this so late that I missed the MRI news. I will definitely be praying for you! Keep us updated as you want. I understand how hard it is to share personal stuff via blogging, but I've found the blogging community to be super supportive when I've opened up. Anyway, I hope all is well!
Medical Malpractice Lawyer | Maryland Medical Malpractice Lawyer | Birth Injury Lawyers | thesleepaway com
A mainland renovation worker who waved a 30-centimeter knife in front of a High Court judge has been sent to jail for 16 months. In sentencing Yu Zulin, District Court Deputy Judge Don So Man-lung said the case was unprecedented and the convicted heedless of law. Yu, 53, was found guilty of criminal damage for chopping a table inside a court. But he was acquitted of two other counts of criminal...
From January 31 this year, attendees at High Court have to pass through a metal detector and have their bags checked. Drinks from outside are prohibited.
Alright, it's time to give a few hints to some of the more trying clues: hints will be injected in red alongside the quotes to which they pertain. Have fun! I'll also post the correct answers that have been submitted.
But I want to have a blast too, without blasters, those laser-beaming guns that Storm Troopers carry around in "Star Wars."
So, without further ado - and without IMDB, or Google, mind you - identify the movies that contain these quotes:
4. "You pooped in the refrigerator? AND you ate a whole wheel of cheese? How'd you do that? That's amazing. Heck, I'm not even mad."
Meg Ryan to Greg Kinnear in "You've Got Mail," a college favorite. Trivia: Emily's grandmother used to babysit Greg Kinnear's dad. Indiana is a small town somebody made a state.
7. "With a prompter in every cellar window whispering comebacks, shy people would have the last laugh."
"No, not that war. Monsieur Audel was killed on January the 12th, 1917. It was quite a blow to Madame Audel."
[at confession] "Each time I tell myself it's the last time, but then I get a whiff of her hot chocolate, or..."
"...Seashells. Chocolate seashells, so small, so plain, so innocent. I thought, oh, just one little taste, it can't do any harm. But it turned out they were filled with rich, sinful..."
"...And it melts, God forgive me, it melts ever so slowly on your tongue, and tortures you with pleasure."
9. "Hey look, mister - we serve hard drinks in here for men who want to get drunk fast, and we don't need any characters around to give the joint "atmosphere". Is that clear, or do I have to slip you my left for a convincer?"
10. "Oh, sit up straight, Jane! Pull your shoulders back! A man could go a long way without seeing a figure like yours, if you could only make the most of it!"
the five-hour, watch-them-all-marathon-style, BBC version of Jane Austen's "Pride & Prejudice" - I am happy to say, sans Kiera Knightley.
Have fun unraveling these lines from some of my favorite films! You may place your guesses in "comments."
#2 is most definitely the best movie/book/etc. of all time, my beloved Little Women. Oh, maybe I should go watch that now while the boys are sleeping...nothing says christmas to me like that book/movie.
#3and i think this one is A Christmas Story?? Talking about the leg lamp...which by the way, you can buy rather inexpensively at drugstores. I got one this year for someone...i won't say who in case they read this ;-).
Hooray! I love this game. I know six of them, but I'm going to wait awhile to name them. Numbers 1 and 6 are bugging me because I might know them - I just can't tell. Should I know them?
Becky - right on! "Little Women" always means Christmas to me, too...maybe I should put it in tonight!
#9 It's a Wonderful Life - Why is Nick so mean during the "You were never born" phase? I don't think George Bailey had that much influence over a person's very character. I just don't.
Mom: yep, #1 is "What About Bob?" - the kid who's afraid to dive, to the neurotic, psychiatrist father.
Em: yes to all three guesses. I think Nick is mean, not because George Bailey had that much influence over one person's character, but because he had influence on other people who also influenced Nick. The feel of the whole town was different, and then in itself probably jaded Nick.
#6 is not "Kill Bill," though I like both "Kill Bill" movies a lot, and there are plenty of places where that line would work!
I'm actually surprised that no one has guessed that one, it's such a great line, from such a great movie.
Correct: #8 IS "Chocolat." Favorite quoted line from that movie, in college? The look accompanying the line, "I'll stop by later to get the squeak out of your door." How roguish.
It's not Tombstone, is it? Is it Tombstone? I'm thinking Doc Holliday (sp) with the whole bustle line, but I could be way off.
Diane Armstrong Jackson on a 1951 M Farmall tractor with a M-12 high drum cotton picker. The equipment was purchased by her dad, Charles F. Armstrong of Dell, in 1951. Rick Cohn of Monette repaired the picker and has it running. (photo provided)
Rick Cohn of Monette enjoys restoring and collecting antique tractors. Most of his tractors are John Deere green but his latest find is red. The 1951 M Farmall tractor with a M-12 high drum cotton picker, his newest project, is up and running for the first time in over 40 years.
The cotton picker belonged to the family of Diane Armstrong Jackson of Dell. It had been in her family for as long as she can remember.
Her dad, the late Charles S. Armstrong, was a farmer in the Dell area. He farmed until he was 76 years old when he turned the farming operation over to his son, Charlie Armstrong. Mr. Armstrong died in 2012.
The cotton picker was bought by Mr. Armstrong in the 1950s and Jackson grew up riding on it and can remember her dad letting her get into the basket when she was very young. She was small enough to stand up in the basket. She talked to her brother about the picker and the best he could remember the last year it was used to harvest was 1973.
"My brother said he drove it to the shed in 1973 and parked it," Jackson said. "My dad got a two-row picker the next year, then another two row picker and the one row picker was not moved until we decided to let Rick Cohn see what he could do with it."
Jackson stopped by Cohn's business in Monette and they started talking tractors. She told him about the M Farmall tractor and cotton picker and how she did not want it to go for scrap.
It took her a couple of months to decide to part with the picker. When she made up her mind she called Cohn and told him to come and get it.
Cohn said it was a job getting the equipment from Dell to Monette. He aired up the back tires, put the front tire back on and pulled it home on a dolly-type trailer.
Many of his antique tractors are one-family owned. He can trace most of his tractors back to their original owners. Many times families have let him purchase the tractors with the agreement he will not resell them.
"Some of the former owners come out just to see the tractors from time to time," Cohn said. "They are very pleased when they see their tractors when I am finished with them."
Cohn does the research on his tractors. He knows the history behind them. Many of the owners come to him because they know his concern for preserving the history of the tractors and the area.
"The high drum picker is rare for the time and the axle on the tractor is also for a high crop," Cohn said. "Also, it has an aluminum cast head which was only used for two or three years. Another great feature of the tractor is it has five forward gears."
Cohn put a picture of the tractor on "Yesterday's Tractor" and a gentleman saw it and contacted him.
"He had the information books on that particular tractor and cotton picker and sent them to me," Cohn said. "He called it a donation to the history of that cotton picker. Life has been good to me with my collectibles."
Cohn gives credit to several knowledgeable men who have influenced him in the restoration of his tractors including Fred Mangrum of Monette; Jr. Wallace of Lake City; Tom Weawer of Jonesboro; Donald Routon of Paragould; Jimmy Jameson of Hornersville; Jimmy Hicks of Manila; and G.F. Stewart of Monette.
A friend of Cohn's, Billy Ray Tilley of Monette, gave him some good pointers during the repairs of the antique tractor and cotton picker. Mr. Tilley is 82 and retired from International Harvester.
He managed to do so in seven days. He called Jackson and told her to come by and drive the cotton picker. She took him up on the offer and it was an emotional moment for her.
Jackson, a retired nurse, said she is happy to have found a home for the cotton picker that had been in her family for so many years.
When you think it is finally time to move outside of your current residence for one reason or another (or you are just being forced out), the fact remains that you need to decide what option makes the most sense for you on where to go next. There are more than enough options of where to live, but even more important than where you actually live is the idea of what type of unit and living arrangement you settle on. Instead of buying your own home or living in an apartment, why not consider a condo as a unit that comes with the best of both worlds?
The reason that people jump to owning condos right off of the bat and the reason that they continue to see such high property values is simply because you can literally have your cake and eat it too. You do have ownership, but without the same level of responsibility. For example, the fact is you don’t have to do the chores outside as someone else takes care of the actual property itself. That being said, you do still “own” the unit because you have purchased it. That is real ownership and not just that you are passing through for a while like in an apartment.
The good thing is that with this ownership you still get the lifestyle of owning something yourself and having flexibility and freedom that comes with making changes to your living space. With respect to the interior changes, you have the right and the freedom to make those changes. It will depend on the specifics of your condo agreement, but in short you get to decide what to do and where to do it so long as you are doing it within the walls of your unit. For more minor items such as painting, changing the carpeting, adding some different appliances or even carpeting the interior, you should be ok. The key is to make sure you aren’t doing anything beyond the walls of the unit. That being said, you do have to refer back to the buyer’s agreement and condo association rules because those are what you are agreeing to and those may differ from association to association. However, in short you own the unit so you can do what you like.
The biggest thing that many people see as the best part of the deal is the personal freedom that comes with your place. When you think about the maintenance work that you need to do, it’s virtually none. The upkeep that comes along with owning a home may be a lot, but with a condo that is already taken care of for you. The truth is you don’t need to worry about maintenance and upkeep other than doing your dishes and laundry within your unit. Other than those sorts of personal things, the rest of the work is done for you!
When you think about how much time, effort, and money can be saved (not to mention the general stress) by owning a condo, you can see why some people prefer them to owning a house. The work is done, you get the lifestyle you desire, and when it comes to actually breaking your back to fix things or make sure that they are kept up to date, you don’t have to worry about doing work or taking on extra stress.
The grounds being done is a nice thing. Not only does this mean that you never have to mow a lawn, trim hedges, or pick up trash in the area again, but it also means you can take pride in your area. And, when you consider what else this level of sophistication brings, you can see why so many are drawn to it. By having an area that is pristine and always in the best of condition you are able to essentially keep out the wrong crowds. Not that there is anything wrong with anyone, but if you are a hard working professional do you really want a class of kids who are going to make noise living next door to you? Or do you really want people who are going to be up all night and keeping you awake as well? The benefits of a condo having their grounds maintained may not directly be put in place in order to keep out a different type of noisy people, but it can absolutely help.
When you consider the pure security point of view, it also makes sense to search for a condo for rent with PropertyGuru Singapore. These properties are well-kept, but that could attract those who may want to steal or to vandalize in general. Seeing as many condominium associations can actually have security in place, however, general riff raff is kept out and you and your belongings are going to be safer and more secure than before. This not only helps with the general crime levels being lower, but it also helps because people don’t like crime so in turn property values go up.
When you consider the general costs of renting an apartment, there are significant costs in the form of cash flow each and every month, however, you don’t see any of that money ever again. When you consider the costs of buying a full home, you can build equity but you are also stuck because when you think about equity you are thinking about the sweat, effort, and stress that needs to be put into place first. With a condominium, however, you can build significant equity fairly quickly without putting in the effort. In fact, the condominium association does the work for you and you can actually just sit back as they continue to manage the property and have the whole thing work to your advantage. Rising equity means strong resale value, and it also means you are earning that return on someone else’s effort.
One thing that people in general don’t seem to gravitate towards until later in their years is the general flexibility a home provides. It’s nice to have a rental or a home that is huge if not gargantuan, but at the same time it can be a pain to even leave for a few days because who is going to watch over and take care of the place for you? The key with a condo is that someone is always taking care of it for you. You can travel and not worry about the grounds or the crime or the upkeep in general. So while your personal plans don’t have to include traveling all of the time, it’s nice to know you can be flexible because your responsibility list is minimal.
A condominium in general provides so many options with respect to living that more people are jumping into the game all of the time. The key is simply making sure you know what makes the most sense for you. If you want to focus on the responsibility and the stress that comes with owning a home, then that is simply your decision. However, if you have the ability to live stress free, then why not look to a condo for your home base?