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
Family
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
One Size Fits All – Fashion Advice from Cousin Craig
“There are moments, Jeeves, when one asks oneself, 'Do trousers matter?'" "The mood will pass, sir.” ― P.G. Wodehouse, The Code of the Woosters My dearest cousin asked me to write a post for “Odd,” and I asked her to give me a topic. She said, “fashion”. Now, most of you don’t know me, but … Continue reading One Size Fits All – Fashion Advice from Cousin Craig
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?
Kids These Days or How Did I Survive Childhood
Kids these days have it so easy. I’m sure you’ve heard this lament. It could be because I work on a college campus, but I hear it a lot. And between you and me, Odd reader, I don't agree. Growing up now is so much harder than when I was young. Let’s discuss! I'll build … Continue reading Kids These Days or How Did I Survive Childhood
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
Mercedes I Want My Metris!
Tootling along in our loaner Metris van, my twenty-year-old (Cole) suddenly noticed the check engine light blink. The blinking code indicated that the loaner would soon need a routine service check. Cole and I started to laugh hysterically. And then the check tire pressure light came on, and we laughed even harder than hysterically. Your … Continue reading Mercedes I Want My Metris!