Today is a pretty big day. We can now count ourselves as proud homeowners! This 110 year old beauty in St. Louis' Tower Grove South neighborhood is all ours.
You hear a lot about homeownership being a milestone and I think what they say is true. It feels pretty major. This home is only possible because of years of hard work by the Husband and me. All those drudge-worthy career dues paid, years of un-airconditioned apartments sweating it out and shoe shopping trips avoided were all for this. We did it all on our own and I'm so proud of us.
While this beauty was rehabbed a few years back, she needs a serious infusion of taste and non-beige-ness (totally a word), so there's certainly more to come. One cannot live on food porn and recipes alone. Now we're off to celebrate!
This guy... oh man, I love this dog. Today is the 2nd anniversary of "Gotcha Day." Since Howard was adopted from a shelter, he doesn't have an official birthday (our best guess is that he's 5-ish), but that doesn't stop us from celebrating the day he came into our life. The day we got him... "gotcha."
Although I thought I knew everything about this dog -- I mean, we ARE best friends -- I learned a little bit more at the vet this weekend. Turns out the poor guy has worn down patches on the backs of his teeth that are likely the result of chewing on a cage for a prolonged period. I don't mean to go all Sarah McLachlan on you, but I was practically in tears when I heard this and imagined my guy trying to chew his way out of a cage day after day. How someone could lock-up this cuddly, sweet boy, I don't know.
What I really mean to say, is that there are a lot of dogs out there that need loving homes where people don't leave dogs them in cages all the time. In the past two years, Howard has made our lives exponentially better and I only wish everyone could enjoy the same love. If you're planning on bringing a dog into your family, please consider adoption.
Food and how we get it can be a complicated thing. No, this isn't another blogger on a soapbox about local and organic, it's about where we do our most basic shopping. Truth is, I'm a food blogger living in a food desert.
If you're unfamiliar the term, it means that I live in an area where fresh, affordable and healthy food is unavailable. See all that green below? Those are the areas around my home where there is no grocery store within a mile.
Is it annoying that I have to get on a highway to go to the grocery store? Yes, but that's not why I'm writing about it. That sad reality is, I live just a few blocks from an affordable housing development where many of its residents don't have automobile access. This leaves many of my neighbors to buy their groceries at the local Walgreen's. I'm grateful it's there, but they just don't have the fresh food offering of a grocery store.
But there are some exciting things happening around here. Not one, but TWO groceries stores are being built in the neighborhood. And there will be a little something for everyone:
Field Foods is full-service market opening up in early 2014 and will cater to food lovers like me, with a focus on local ingredients.
Save-A-Lot is opening in just a few weeks. Couldn't be more excited for an affordable grocery store to serve low-income members of the community.
Grocery stores are transformative things for neighborhoods. Not only for sheer livability, but it's where we come together. How many times have you stood in the aisles talking to a neighbor?
Mad applause for both Field Foods and Save-A-Lot for coming into the city and supporting our growing neighborhood.
We all need to take time to recharge from time to time. Vacation is a good thing. Taking a total break from email, blogging, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, texting and aimlessly scrolling through Buzzfeed was a good thing.
The Husband and I spent a week wandering the Northwest visiting friends, eating, drinking, hiking, roadtripping and eating some more. We actually went without a schedule or much of a plan, which was a desperately needed change of pace. Sounds cheesy, but the journey was totally the adventure.
Between traveling and watching the World Series every night (Go Cards!), I'm playing catch-up. Enjoy some Northwest gorgeous while I get my shit together in the kitchen.
*I had planned to post this on my last day in Chicago (Friday), but failed to remember that my internet was being disconnected and computer packed up. Who's the smart girl now?
Sitting down to write one more blog post in Chicago is an overwhelmingly daunting task. I mean, how do you sum-up the ten most formative years of your life? To reflect on my time in Chicago is to reflect on becoming an adult. I can't say for sure whether I'm a "real" adult or not yet, but I think there's a lot to be said about becoming. And Chicago was the place that inspired me to become.
Becoming Light-Hearted
I moved here as a slightly disgruntled 18-year old who probably just needed to calm down. Too many times judgement and anxiety stood in the way of having fun. This city and the wonderful people who live in it truly appreciate the power letting loose. Chicago taught me how to have a blast and make a few bad decisions -- the ultimate prescription to break free of worry. Don't grow up before you have to. Savor the precious years with only small worries and commitments. Laugh at yourself, because you're probably being kind of ridiculous.
PS -- Is there another photo in the world that says "22" more than this one?
Becoming Tough
It can't all be fun and games -- wah wah adulthood. Chicago made my skin a lot thicker, literally and metaphorically. Working in big agency PR was no cake-walk and I definitely cried in some bathrooms and may have made an intern cry at some point (obviously not on purpose). Put in the time and energy to do good work and you'll build the confidence needed to survive. Oh and you're probably going to screw a few things up along the way. Move on, dwelling on it will only make it worse.
Also, Chicago is freaking cold. Like really freaking cold. There is not a cell in my body that will miss that. I am good with never again waiting for a bus on Lakeshore Drive with wind so cold that I can feel my contact lenses. The city is wonderful and makes up for the winter in so many ways, but it's still damn cold.
Becoming Reflective
I'm not always good at "turning off," never really have been. Whether it was school or my crazy-ass job, I had to teach myself how to step away from it all and not think. This is truly an acquired skill for type-A's. Find a hobby that helps empty your mind -- its cooking for me -- and find a place that can put you in a good mood no matter what. Mine was the lakefront and boy will I miss it, but I know there's a new place to be discovered.
Becoming a Partner
The best friend I ever made in Chicago wasn't even there for the first year. That's right, the Husband and I started as a long distance couple and I count the day he showed up in Chicago for good as one of the best ever. Chicago will always be treasured as the place we dated, were engaged and were newlyweds. And I can confidently say we made the most of it. Here's the best thing though... my best friend comes with me now, no matter where we are. Home is wherever we're together (with the tiny dog, of course). That part of becoming an adult pretty much rules.
Becoming Carey
I'll always love a hot dog after 2:00am (no ketchup!) and I'll always melt a bit watching Ferris Bueller. I hope I can always find a way to have fun, even if it's the 12th day straight below zero. I hope I've learned when to be firm and when to mellow out. I will always remember Chicago date nights and I hope we'll always feel like newlyweds out on the town.
Even when we move far away, the places we live become part of our histories and the fabric of what makes us "us." Chicago will always be a part of becoming me. On to the next adventure...
After 10 years for me and four for the Husband, getting kicked out of every bar on the north side, (almost) winning a 16-inch softball championship, surviving snowmageddon, voting twice in every election and managing to never eat deep dish pizza on a regular basis, we've given this "Sweet Home" all that we've got.
Let me be clear... we still have nothing but love for the Chi. Alas, the pull of family, friends and affordable real estate was too tempting to pass up. Moving was always in the plans and when an opportunity with my company came up, we knew it was the right time. Everything else has fallen into place with relative ease, which has been such a positive reassurance that this is what we're supposed to be doing right now.
We've been telling our friends in Chicago and St. Louis for the past few weeks and I'm getting a lot of the same questions, so I thought I would draft a handy dandy Q&A for you guys.
Why St. Louis?
I'm from there. I moved to Chicago to go to college and have lived here ever since. My family lives in St. Louis and the Husband's family will be in driving distance. So what are you guys doing for work?
I'm staying with my current company, but will make the transition to work on St. Louis based accounts. It's a smaller office, so will be a change of pace for me. It's also a dog-friendly office, so hello Howard the Intern. We've been extraordinarily blessed that the Husband was offered a new job that will have him working from home (so much time for marinating!).
Are you moving in with your parents? Buying a house?
No to both. We found a jazzy new loft to rent. Moving across state lines was enough to think about, so maybe we'll tackle our first home purchase next year.
What about your kitchen? Finally getting that ice-rink-sized slab of granite?
The new kitchen is bigger, but still not huge. But wait for it.... it has a dishwasher! Amazing. I'm also going to have an electric stove, so I'll be sure to let you guys know what I think of the comparison. Which will reign supreme... old busted gas stove or newer electric? I'm sure you're on the edge of your seat waiting to know. Plenty of pictures and decor posts to come.
Are you sad to leave your pathetically small kitchen?
Yes. Sundays are a pretty big deal in the Morgan household. I cook and the Husband and I listen to Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me on NPR. We've spent the first years of our marriage in that tiny kitchen, making everything from quick weeknight meals to the fuel of legendary parties. That tiny ill-equipped kitchen has seen a lot of action in the past three years and was the starting place of this lovely blog. Even when they're small, kitchens are the heart of a house. I found myself tearing up when we started packing boxes. It will always be a special place for me.
Are you pregnant?
Nope. I'm going to use this as a soapbox (it's my blog after all)... stop asking people you don't know well this question. While we're not at that stage of our life yet, you never know what someone is going through. If I've learned anything from my fab Mom friends, it's that deciding to start a family is an intensely personal decision and sometimes complicated process. I think Sherry over at Young House Love put it so well. One life change does not necessitate another.
What food stuff are you going to miss in Chicago?
The plethora of ethnic restaurants will be tough to leave. Heck, the plethora of restaurants in general; we hardly ever repeat a date night. And sausage... this town knows sausage.
What food stuff are you excited about in St. Louis?
Real BBQ for one. Sorry, it only gets better the further south you go in this country. We'll also be living in walking distance of Historic Soulard Farmer's Market, which will be so fun to shop at. Better produce in general too, everything in Chicago grocery stores always seems to be a day-too-ripe. Are you capable of maintaining a regular blogging schedule whilst moving across state lines?
Not really. We're going to make the most of our time left in Chicago and therefore the posting schedule may get bit sparse for the next few weeks. I'll try my best to keep going, but I see some pizzas and Thai take-out in our future.
So here we go... let's mix this up. Get crazy, Midwestern-style. More Nelly.
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