My first experience as a Chicago Permit Seeker. We need a new backyard fence. So I put on my happy homeowner's hat and scouted out fence builders. A few estimates later, I fenced a deal. Construction would start the middle of July. At the end of June, customer service informed me I needed a fence … Continue reading Chicago Permit Seeker
Author: Katybeth
Ten years ago
Many of you noticed that while the light was on - Odd's front door was stuck. Thanks for letting me know and welcome back! The door is open. We still need to fix a few things in the basement but come on in and meander around to your heart's content. I'm happy you are here … Continue reading Ten years ago
Dirty Laundry-Grand Appliance
Supporting family-owned businesses is important to me. After all, I run a family business. So when our Maytag washing machine took its final spin after 14 years of service, I decided to shop at a local family-owned appliance store. Grand Appliances. They have several locations in Chicago, and one is in my neck of the … Continue reading Dirty Laundry-Grand Appliance
Birthday Boy Dining in Chicago
It could be true that I had a kid for only two reasons: birthday parties and Halloween. For 13 years, we celebrated Cole’s birthday with a large kids’ birthday party and a family and friends party. You name it, we did it, from panning for gold in the living room to carnival games. No ponies, … Continue reading Birthday Boy Dining in Chicago
How to Find Lost Stuff
(First Post in this series: Keeping You in Suspense) It's not lost until Mom can't find it. I read this in a book once, but I was saying it long before I read the book, so quote me. Finding things is one of my superpowers—a superpower cultivated through lots of practice and experience over the … Continue reading How to Find Lost Stuff
Keeping You in Suspense
Buckle up. We’re going to *Ohio! Pack snacks and a cooler with some drinks. You might want to swing by Starbucks. The food of the day (Wednesday) is Chopsticks?? I guess that means eat Chinese food. Thursdays are dog park day. Yes, it’s February, but we head out to the park in the rain, snow, … Continue reading Keeping You in Suspense
Why Have Kids If You Don’t Torture Them
A while back, I wrote about a well in Chicago. Families come from all over the city to pump well water into various containers and lug it home. While the Adult (aka my son) and I used to frequent the well a lot to people-watch, we hadn't been in some time. This past Sunday, I … Continue reading Why Have Kids If You Don’t Torture Them
Why’d it have to be Rats?
Oh Rats! Rats terrify me. This fear was triggered by an experience I had shortly after moving to Chicago. I’m not going to relive that experience in the telling; suffice to say, I’m more than a little afraid of these four-lettered rodents. Do your fears stalk you too? Do you know what I mean? Snakes … Continue reading Why’d it have to be Rats?
Once Upon A Grooming Tub
Do you want to hear our grooming tub story? This isn’t a “once upon a time” story. It starts with an internet search and a debit card, not deep in a primeval forest. No princesses or singing snowmen. In a nutshell: The Millennial (aka Cole, Day Camp Director) and I bought a grooming tub—from a … Continue reading Once Upon A Grooming Tub
Tis the Season to Slow Down
Grocery stories are one of my least favorite places. The harsh lights, overwhelming choices, and end displays are all meant to confuse you and to trap you into buying things you don’t need or to keep you from finding the things you do need. And they are always moving stuff around. When I recently discovered … Continue reading Tis the Season to Slow Down