Sweet Home Alabama

Lately, I have been listening to a lot of Lynyrd Skynyrd... There is something so comforting about it at this point in my life. It brings back memories (college- specifically, Touchdowns-, the first taste of freedom, and on and on). Every, single day I listen to Sweet Home Alabama (sometimes on repeat) and it makes me long for the South. It invokes memories of family and friends. For so long, I dreamed about leaving the South and I finally did move to Chicago in 2003 with my best friend/life partner/now fiance. Four and a half years later (1.5 graduate degrees later for me and almost a law degree later for Jamie), I realize how much I miss it. That does not mean that I want to pack up and move back. I simply wish that I had the same relationships/friendships here with me now. The only time I see my family is at Christmas. I see my friends from the South much less. With everything that has happened, those relationships seem so much more important and I am so far away there is nothing I can do to fix it and that frustrates me. I need that support now and I don't know how to ask for it. Plus, I feel bad asking my local friends for help even though I am truly suffering after my Daddy's death.

Well, this post went from could-have-been-fun to depressing... it mimics my everyday. Hopefully, you have a support system that is a little closer than mine... (cue "Debbie Downer" music). Tell them how much you appreciate them before it is too late.

Pea Pod = Lazy

So, we have been ordering my groceries online lately and we are officially spoiled. Going to the grocery store has not been the same sine I have converted to an online grocery shopper (especially since the high this weekend is 6 degrees with a wind chill of -15). If Peapod (http://www.peapod.com/) is available in your area then you should definitely try it. You can virtually shop in the aisles. The newest feature is that you can copy and paste your grocery list into a little box and it will shop for you. You just pick the brand and size you want. Items can be sorted by price, price per unit, calories, fat, fiber, etc. THE BEST PART... you can order beer and liquor. In my most recent delivery (tonight) I bought a bottle of Bailey's, a bottle of Kahlua, and 2 12-packs of beer. Of all of the perks of living in the city, delivery of anything (and I mean everything) beats it all. Ahhhh, I love the city...