Airports Suck

I apologize for my post-dated entry. I started this when I was traveling to Denver for business last week. I have been saving it to finish up, but decided my wrap up was just right. I hope you enjoy and share your airport woes.



As I sit waiting for my (late) flight to board, the baby in the next aisle starts screaming, causing a chain reaction of wailing toddler, to baby, to baby.... my head hurts. I am thrilled when I realize I get to spend the next three hours with the hundred or so people around me crammed into a can that is magically staying afloat thousands of feet above land.

This flight - the one that I am currently waiting for - is a last minute trip to Denver. "Who goes to Denver on a Tuesday?" you may ask. Well, everyone. I got the last ticket on an overpriced flight. I am in seat 16E. That is smack in the middle - in the middle seat - on a flight 10 minutes shy of getting the movie. I promise, there is an upside. Oh no wait, they didn't even sell me that lovely boxed meal.

I have officially made my trip from the airport to the hotel to the conference room and back to the airport where I am now waiting.

I am waiting for my flight, which is now officially 3 hours behind schedule. I understand that snow can fall in May. It's a perfectly normal thing. I am in no real hurry to get on this three hour flight (plus I lose an hour) because it's only 7:30.

Though I might be overly exaggerating the pleasantries, I can share with you the exact reason I am in such a foul mood. I want a McChicken Sandwich. This is the conversation I just had with the McDonald's guy that put me there:

Me: Do you have the dollar menu McChicken sandwich?
McD guy: No. We don't have a dollar menu.
Me: That's fine, but can I get the McChicken. The one with lettuce and too much mayo that is usually on the dollar menu.
McD guy: You mean the spicy chicken sandwich?
Me: No. Can I just order a chicken sandwich with lettuce and mayo.

Three minutes later I am sitting by my gate, and I gleefully pull my sandwich out of the bag. WTF!

Now if it weren't for the noticeable, greasy fingerprints all over the sandwich box, I might have just sucked it up. But as it was, I threw the box in the trashed and proceeded back to the McDonald's counter.

Me: It wasn't what I wanted. Can I just get a 6-piece chicken McNuggets?
McD guy: We don't have the 6-piece here, only 10.
Me: That would be super!


Share your airport horror stories...

Can't we all just be nice

Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you. The Golden Rule is an adage we all know. One that was taught to us by our mothers, and to them by their mothers, and so on. Yet, in today's busy world, we often lose site of this simple idea.

Granted, my perception is a bit skewed. Like millions of others, I am a "professional." Professionals (for the most part) are a group of individuals who are self-motivated, highly driven, narcissists who are paid way too much money to almost tell someone else something of possible value. (Just not enough value that we might get sued.) Seems a little harsh? Let's look at the obvious players - we have your lawyers, consultants, and we mustn’t forget the accountants. We are a group of people who work long hours and are over taxed. And so, it is not surprising that each day I find myself looking at my surroundings and thinking, "Can’t we all just be nice?"

I will also admit that women are a self-destructive bunch. We feed off of each other, laugh at the meanest of stories, and often gang up on those who are innocent. I find that I like myself a great deal more when I avoid this trap (see "That Girl" entry).

A few weeks ago, it was raining as I was walking into work. A woman came running down the side walk, clearly late for something very important. Her umbrella collided with that of other woman, as she ran passed. Still moving forward, she turned and offered a quick apology to the person she had bumped. And in return, she received a lovely morning greeting, "Why don't you watch where you are f*^&ing going!"

Is there something more rewarding about yelling expletives rather than saying, "that's ok"? Is there something endearing about a person who makes fun of their friends? Is there something more exciting about making fun of someone's muffin top, than talking about their lovely weekend or their great new shoes? And, even if making fun of some one seems like a good time (which, let's face it, it can be), what do we gain from being so negative?

I read a sign today that said, "If a guy is nice to you, but mean to the waiter, he's not a nice guy."

I think this is true for all people. We need to stop excusing the darkest things we do in life because we look at the sum of our actions, rather than the parts.

Here is my charge. Think of those things that make you most upset - when someone honks at you, when the lady at the grocery store is mean to the check out boy, when someone whispers about a coworker in the cube next to you - and don't do those things.

Do unto others.... well, you know how it goes.

5.21 Monday Meals - Tomato Soup

This week's Monday Meals' recipe is for Tomato Soup. The fist time I had really good tomato soup was 6 years ago in New York, and I have been working on finding its duplicate ever sense. Tomato soup (with the complimentary grilled cheese) holds a special place for each of us, and I hope this recipe becomes on of your favorites.

Try this recipe with a grilled cheese made with extra sharp cheddar and a little dijon, some southwest cornbread, or slices of baguette toasted with a little goat cheese - and show Campbell's how it's really done!

5.21 Pro Tip
Chop it on Sunday.
If you are a foody obsessed with the Food Network, you know who Robin Miller is. If she annoys you to no end, you can automatically be my friend. However, if there is one thing Robyn can teach us all it is to prep in advance. I am BUSY. Every weekend I make a list of the week's meals and head to the store. When I know I am going to have a particularly busy week, I prep all of my fresh ingredients in advance. I may take and hour to trim the chicken, dice three onions, and rinse half-a-dozen other assorted veggies, but I am much more likely to make a healthy, homemade meal when I get home from work during the week, when most of the work is already done.

5.21 Recipe
Tomato Soup

1 sweet onion
4-5 gloves of garlic
Large can of whole tomatoes
1/4 tsp. red pepper flake
1 can low sodium chicken stock
1 cup milk (2% or whole)
Bay leaf
Salt and pepper to taste

Roast in 400 degree oven until caramelized (about 10 minutes)
Add a small amount of oil to the bottom of a soup pot
Finely dice the onion and cook until caramelized
Add tomatoes and garlic
Season with salt and pepper
Add stock, water, and bay leaf
Simmer for approximately 20 minutes of until liquid is half gone
Remove bay leaf
Puree in food processor or with immersion blender
Carefully add milk, stirring constantly to keep from curdling
Serve with your favorite side(s)

Into the door...

Today, I walked to the bathroom in my office. On autopilot, I put out my hand to push the door handle down, allowing me entrance. Alas, my hand was 1-inch to the right; I simply grazed the handle and walked face-first into the big heavy door.

I have trouble with doors. I collide with them frequently. Not because I am not the sharpest tool in the box (note to husband - keep mouth shut), but because no one can make a door that works. Or a handle that is intuitive. Or a label that is helpful.

Adam Carolla - famed host and comedian - feels my pain. A few years ago, he pointed out that "Push" and "Pull" are very similar words. If you simply glance their way, you will find yourself failing to get the door open. His advice, which I completely subscribe to, is that all doors should labeled "Shove" and "Yank". (For future reference, when your boss is struggling to push a door open, don't say, "It's a yank.")

There are the doors with sensors. At the grocery store the other night, I found myself (once again) with my face smashed into the glass. Listen sensor! If you are only going to open the door a third of the way and then stop, why bother at all?!

In my very fancy, Loop building we have a central bay of elevators that is separated from the office by a set of floor-to-ceiling glass doors on either side. To get from the elevator to your desk you swipe our little card, wait for the beep, and enter within 5 seconds. Things can be a little trickier on the way out. The doors have a motion sensor on the ceiling that "knows" when someone is coming and unlocks the doors. However, at least once a day, you hear a muffled curse as the sensor fails and someone walks directly into the door. After my first run-in (pun intended), I spent the next week approaching slowly and waiting for the small green light above the doors to allow me through. As if with a sick sense of humor, the first day I forgot to check - SMACK!


I also find bathroom stall doors challenging. (For the males in the audience - Yes, we have doors AND stalls.) Particularly in airports. Would it kill you to make a door that swings out? I am a small gal, and even I have trouble maneuvering around the door, smashing myself into the toilet, sucking in, shutting the door, and repeating the process on the way out. Try this with a roller bag or a baby.... forget it!

Do not get me started on screen doors. I know that I am not the only one that has ended up on top of the door face-down on the patio. I had a dog once that ran into a screen at full-speed. From that day on, he would bark at the door and approach with caution only when forced.

I beg you door makers, work it out. Make me a door that knows when I am there, opens both ways, and, above all, stops flattening my nose.


Share a story about a recent (good or bad) experience you had with a door.

_______________ ,

Dear Friend,

Thank you for reading my blog.

Love,
Sincerely,
Best,

Ann


A dozen times each day, I get to the end of an email and think, "What now?!"

I am a communicator - I love to talk, write, read (I am working on the listening) - and so I struggle to find the right expression to send my readers off with the proper sentiment.

What do you say to a friend that you adore, but aren't ready for "Love,"? What do you say to a business associate that is also a friend? And, if you can't come up with something clever, should you just leave your name off too?!

For example, you can't write:
Dear John,
Thanks for letting me borrow that screwdriver.
XOXO,
Ann
(or can you?)

When does it become inappropriate for a 25-year-old to say things like "Toodles" or "Kisses" or "Later Alligator"? (Answer: never)

And, don't get me started about business emails. I almost always default to the safest bet:
Thanks,
Ann
(Thanks for what?!)

Somehow, saying hello seems easier, but still not ideal. "Dear," really is tried and true. "Hi!" seems to be in fashion, but it's definitely not the new black.

In a world of short and concise, what happened to taking some time to say hello and goodbye?

So, until next time...

First Ever - Monday Meals

By popular demand, I am going to start a weekly post called Monday Meals. As many of you know, I love to cook. I try to cook a homemade dinner every night of the week. Not because I have a desire to one-up Martha, but because I honestly find it relaxing.

For those of you that start to have heart palpitations when the meal is more complicated than frozen veggies, I assure you, I wasn't always this way.

To help ease you in, each Monday I am going to share an Ann pro-tip and a recipe. Help me out by trying the recipe and sharing your thoughts. Or, if the thought of cooking is just too daunting, share your comments if I have made the meal for you. Or, feel free to request recipes for future Monday Meals.

Enjoy!


5.14 Protip
Buy a big knife!
For those of you who don't own a big, scary knife. I PROMISE it will make cooking safer and easier. The less effort it takes to cut a tomato (or produce of your choice), the less likely you are to have a knife slip and end up in your finger!


5.14 Recipe
Pasta Primavera
1 Medium Sweet Onion
1 Sweet Bell Pepper
1 Cup Sliced Mushrooms
2 Clove of Garlic
3 Tbs. Flat-leaf Parsley
2 Chicken Breasts
1 Cup Fresh Parmesan (finely grated)
1 Cup Milk
1 Cup (small) Heavy Cream
1/2 cup (1 stick) Butter
4 Tablespoons Flour
1 lb. (1 box) of Pasta

Preheat broiler (or oven to 450).
Lightly toss Chicken in olive oil and season liberally with Salt & Pepper.
Broil/bake chicken for about 15 minutes, turning once.
Cook pasta in salted water.
Slice the Onion, Pepper, and Mushrooms and saute in olive oil or butter.
Finely chop of press garlic and add to vegetables. Salt & Pepper to taste.
In a separate sauce pan, melt the butter and whisk in the flour.
Allow to cook until pale brown (this is a rue).
Slowly whisk in the Milk & Cream, incorporating all of the rue.
Allow the mixture to come to a simmer and thicken.
Whisk in the cheese until completely melted.
Season with Salt, Pepper, and Parsley.
Slice Chicken and toss with vegetables and pasta.

Click to view and print the recipe card.

Happy Mother's Day

As anyone who has lost someone knows, it is not always the day you expect to be sad that hits the hardest. The anniversary of my Mother's death comes and goes, but for whatever reason, this day is a bit harder.

Today, I would like to celebrate all things Kathie and share the little things I love best about my mom.

She could dance. She didn't do it often, but every once in a while, you would catch her grooving around the house to a song playing in her head. I never asked what the song was, for fear that she would say "Elvis" or "The Beach Boys."

She loved pink. Our house was always decorated in "shades of taupe." To be honest, I think she wanted every throw pillow to be fuchsia, but didn't have the nerve. One weekend during college, I came home from a visit to find the kitchen had been painted pepto-pink.

She could bake. Lord, could this women make a pie. She helped put herself through college by winning 4H competitions. When asked what they wanted as a birthday
gift, her friends would always answer, "Coconut Cream"
or "Pecan" or "Blackberry Pie."

She loved T.J. Maxx. We are not talking liked or occasionally made a trip. She would often say things like, "Oh, that lamps is new. I wonder when it came in?" I spent HOURS
hating this place as a child.
(Now, I can't get a enough!)

She teased her hair. She teased it every day. I think she came out of the womb with a plastic comb in one hand and hair spray in the other. ONLY because she grew up in the near-South in the 60s will we forgive her for this.

She was a beautiful friend. My mother firmly believed that family had nothing to do with blood and everything to do with love.

She was my mother. And an amazing one at that.

So today, I say "Happy Day, Mom. I hope each and every day that I will someday be half the person you were. That I will open my life and my heart to those around me. That I will embrace life, even in the face of death. And that above all else, I will be the mother that you showed me how to be. I love you."


Share your favorite memory of Kathie or Mother's Day.

Here we go...

Yesterday, I attended a lunch for "Women Employed," a philanthropy dedicated to equal working rights for low-income women. The key note speaker was John Edwards. As I read my bulletin over lunch, preparing for the Senator’s arrival, I found myself thinking, "Here we go."

I LOVE election year. I love a good issue or debate. I love trying to one-up someone with my political wit. This year, however, I am excited for change. It is not that I think President Bush is a bad person. I think he is a bad president. In fact, I think he is an incompetent president. I think he has become so narrowly focused on the war that he has left the rest of the country and its issues behind.

Now, I know this is the point when many of you scurry away, but I promise, my Bush rant is complete.

I knew (and still know) very little about Sen. John Edwards. I knew that I will agree with him on some things. I knew that I feel compassion about his wife's illness (and I worry it will overshadow the real issues of his campaign). And, I knew that he's not too hard on the eyes. What I didn't know, was that I would leave my "working" lunch with a nagging feeling that just would not go away. So, here we go...

Poverty is an issue that is near and dear to the Senator's heart (a.k.a. platform). He spent the majority of his speech outlining ways that we can reduce poverty in America. These were practical, well-reasoned changes - create "stepping-stone" jobs, raise the minimum wage, stop the segregation of poverty by creating mass, low income housing. No American should wake up in the morning and choose to feed their child or pay for gas to go to work. (And, let's be honest, how much longer can any of us afford to pay for fuel? But, that is a topic for another day).

Now, I know it is not a shocker to anyone that I agree with these issues, as I am blue, blue, blue. I am from a small town were people live from pay check to pay check. My mother was the recipient of years of public aid - without which she would not have lived as long or died as well.

But, I also believe in responsibility. What is the old adage? "Pull yourself up by your bootstraps." A Rush Hannity favorite. (They're the same person, right?) The problem is, you have to learn responsibility - from parents, from teachers, from society, from higher education. And, all of these things are failing because all of them require someone to be responsible in the first place.

So you decide - did we fry the chicken or scramble the egg?!

In conclusion, (my 4th grade English teacher would be proud) I don't know who I will vote for. I like a lot of people. I like what a lot of people have to say. Including myself. And, with that, I hope you enjoyed this little soap box moment.

What do you think is the greatest "political" issue today?

Who do you like and why?

What issue do you care most about?

THAT woman

When I was younger, I remember thinking "I wish I were a boy, it's a lot easier." Years later, I find myself thinking the same thing. Do you know why..... because of other non-boys.

What is it with THAT woman?!



You know who she is.
She cuts you off in the parking lot and then gives you a dirty look.
She gets jealous that you are your husband are happy.
She makes up things about people at work.
She is not nice to be around.
She is not nice.
And, one of her is everywhere.

In High School this was always the girl with too much black eyeliner that always had something bad to say about everyone. In college, it was the person who was notorious for stealing boyfriends. Now, as an "adult" she could be your boss or your coworker. (She could be both.)

When I run into one of her. I first try to be nice. Then, once I feel wounded, I get upset. Usually, this progresses to anger and a moderate level of her-bashing. At which point, I feel like I am just as bad and start to question if it is just me. I top it all off with a short whinefest and a bowl of ice cream. (My husband says there is a squeasel in my brain!)

It is a bad day when you get stuck in stage three: bashing. Past down through generations, this is what we women are best at.

In honor of this post, I am proclaiming that I will be a nicer more welcoming person for at least one week. I will learn from others. And, if that too fails, I will share all of my juicy stories about her next week!


To make sure I still get my fix, share your woes about THAT women or advice for dealing with her.

A garden of love

Pictures as promised of my little paradise...

Paperland

Falling through the rabbit hole into wonderland means one thing to me.... a paper store.

Fancy cards tied in a satin ribbon and packed in a delightful little box are the things (my) dreams are made of.

So today... let's talk paper! (and my paper picks)

First...
I first remember falling in love with colorful sheets of cotton stationery at a gift shop in Carbondale, Illinois - Kaleidoscope. As part of our all day shopping adventures, my mother used to drag me here to look at the unique gifts and hand-made jewelry. However, on one trip I found a little shelf in the back of the store. Each shelf contained a different color of decorative paper and matching envelopes. If you are ever visiting SIU, I recommend a visit.

Best...
You can find the country's favorite stationery right here in Chicago. Crane & Co. is the oldest paper company in the United States. Paul Revere engraved banknotes for the Colony of Massachusetts on Crane paper to help finance the American Revolution. Today, U.S. currency is still printed on this fabulous stock. Though it can be a bit pricey, they now make a fabulous line of "Imprintables" that promise to give you flawless invitations regardless of your printer's quality. Visit the Crane & Co. store at Watertower Place on Chicago's Magnificent Mile.

Funnest...
"Create something every day" is the motto of my next company. I love (LOVE) this store. Don't believe me? Go in and ask to pull up my account. "Which one?" they will ask. I have three. You should find a Paper Source near you and spend too much money there.

Really-wanna-make-something...
Though, you cannot walk into this paper store (unless you live in southern CA) you should check it out. If you are in the market for wedding invitations, announcements, or some really awesome paper, Envelopments is the company for you. And, if looking at these two-dimensional pictures makes you think "I have to have those cloud nine portable pockets!" talk at me.... I know people.

Needa-crapload-of-envelopes-for-pennies....
This may not be the fanciest paper, but it is cheap. Envelope Mall (which sells a lot more than envelopes) keeps prices low by selling only bulk stationery. Again, they don't have a store front to wonder through, but they are located in Chicago which means GROUND = NEXT DAY AIR!

I-don't-really-need-it-but-I-want-it...
Finally, if you want a little shop full of fancy cards tied in a satin ribbon and packed in a delightful little boxes, spend the afternoon in this little Old Town jewel. Pulp & Ink certainly doesn't have a lot of things I "need," but there might be a few things I end up with.

So I beg you... close your email (not this page) and write a note to someone you love (on your fanciest, deckle-edge cards with matching vellum envelopes).

Then, share a story about your favorite invitation, card, or box of notes....

Green Thumb (in a cute pair of gloves)

Once when I was younger, I said to a family friend, "I don't want a yard. If I have a yard, I want someone who comes and takes care of it for me."

Things have changed.

Now in what I am told is called the "nesting period" of my life - I want a house with a yard and a garden. I want to grown tomatoes and roses and take pride in stepping stones.

I come from a long line of gardeners. My grandmother was president of her gardening club. There were always fresh flowers in her home from her yard (or across the street).

In February, we moved into a townhouse with a small yard. And, I decided to test my green thumb.

First thing's first.... a trip to Target.

Hum.... what do I need. Ahh yes, I pair of gardening gloves. Cute ones. And, a matching kneeling pad. The little shovel is cute. Of course, the bag to match the gloves. I decided on a pair of yellow and white polka-dot gloves, and yellow and white flower bag, and a yellow kneeling bad.

The hat proved to be too important a decision for my first trip and will require some additional shopping.

What?! You can't be expected to garden without the proper equipment.

Next... What to grow?

I am from Central Illinois or "literally the corn," as I often say. In my hometown you can get the best, fresh, ripe tomatoes. In fact, you can get them in all of the neighboring communities and cities. I now live in Chicago - a mere 150 miles (or 2.5 hours) away. I cannot find a good tomato ANYWHERE! And, I don't understand.... you can fly them in from El Salvador, but you cannot drive 2 hours?

But, I digress.... First on the list: TOMATOES, then flower, then pots of flowers.

Third... somewhere to sit to enjoy the flowers.

Ladies and gentlemen, patio furniture is expensive. I mean "a new leather sofa" expensive. And, so I am proud to announce that I made my own. I had an old wooden table in storage. My brother-in-law drilled a hole in the middle of the top for me. Next, I stripped the old paint and applied outdoor paint. A trip to IKEA to buy some cheap chairs and an umbrella, and the set was complete.

Fourth... trip to garden center.

Note: do not go to the Home Depot at the Glen garden center on the first nice Sunday afternoon of spring. (Note to my note: I would avoid Home Depot at the Glen at all times, if possible.)

Note: do not wear nice or white clothing to the garden center. Bags of dirt are, well, dirty. (Note to my note: Thank you Clorox!)

Note: if you think you need 20 edging stones, you need 50. (Note to my note: If you are coming over in the near future, I apologize for my stupid looking edging stones.)

Finally... plant garden.

The tomatoes and potted flowers are in. The flats of multi-colored petunias and pansies and inpatients are waiting patiently for attention. Tomorrow night?

I promise a pictures once the yard is complete. And, if I fail, at least I have earned a good manicure!