Tag Archives: abattylife

Pinch Me, Please

Posted in Liz's Life by

It feels so nice to finally be settled into our new home here in Lake Tahoe. We’ve been running around like busy bees getting our townhouse unpacked, opening bank accounts and buying a SUV.

This past Sunday we set aside all our to-do’s to have a day of fun. We kicked off the morning by driving around our new town, Incline Village. Then we drove to South Lake Tahoe, where I work, to take in some skiing at Heavenly.

We stopped along the way at a couple of scenic viewpoints. Yes, my commute has scenic viewpoints!

We spent the rest of the day on the slopes taking in the beautiful views, fresh snow and sunshine. I felt incredibly grateful and lucky the whole day. I still can’t believe that we live here!

To Chicago, With Love

Posted in Liz's Life, Moving by

Dear Chicago,

I know recently I may have hurt your feelings with all my talk about wanting to leave you behind, but you should know that you’ll always have a place in my heart as one of my first dreams come true.

I initially fell for you as a young girl when my family would take our annual “big-city” long weekend to shop and explore. Wandering Michigan Ave. I remember looking up in awe at the beautiful buildings, glamorous people and lively culture. I vowed to one day be a resident.

During the summer of my junior year of college, you brought my sister and me together while I lived with her during my internship. We are six years apart, so we didn’t know each other all that well. She loves you just as much as I do and made sure to show me all the ropes right away.

By the end of those three months, we had hit up all the hot spots in town, she introduced me to sushi, and I got to know her now-husband. But greatest of all, we became best friends. Thank you for helping make our relationship so close.

During college, I majored in broadcast journalism. It seemed to fit all my dreams for a career, except one thing…it would likely never bring me back to you. I decided that just wouldn’t do and switched my path to public relations three months before graduating!

My parents thought I was crazy, but I knew I couldn’t give up on my dream to live in your grand city. I worked my butt off and got an internship in….well, not Chicago, but New York City. Hey, it was a stepping stone!

After five months in NYC (that place really swallowed me up!) I networked my way to a gig at Weber Shandwick right in your downtown. I was so excited to officially become a resident of yours and to be working at THE best PR agency in town.

Luckily many of my friends from college also realized your greatness and were starting their new lives here too. I will never forget the first few years causing trouble my best friends in some of your best neighborhoods- Lincoln Park and Wrigleyville. Living in a big city can be overwhelming for some, but your neighborhood hang outs, friendly inhabitants and live-able lifestyle made it fun for us to tackle together.

Your lively dating scene brought me in contact with a lot of interesting people and taught me a ton about myself and what I needed in a partner. Eventually, I found Luke. Your amazing restaurants and many romantic spots made our early years of dating a wonderful adventure.

I’ll always remember you as the place where Luke and I fell in love, said “I do” and began our married lives together. We have lots of happy stories to tell our future kids about you!

Please know that while we’re moving on to a quieter (and no offense, more scenic) place, you are my first love when it comes to cities. People say you never forget your first love, and in this case that will always be true!

I promise to come back and visit often. Thanks for being so wonderful.

Yours always,

Liz

A Few Days of Respite

Posted in Daily Musings, Liz's Life by

Well, all our packing is essentially done and we’re prepared for our big move on Monday. In the meantime, we’re relaxing down in Florida with my family for the holiday.

It’s really nice to be around my parents, brother, sister and their spouses. Catching some rays and spending time reading (I’m mid way through The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo) has been exactly what we needed after several stressful weeks.

We’re about to all go to dinner and then bowling! I’m looking forward to getting revenge on Luke for the last time we bowled- he beat me by one pin! lol

I hope you guys are set to have a fabulous Thanksgiving. What are your plans??

The Annoying Side of Moving

Posted in Daily Musings, Liz's Life, Moving by

So far of all the details involved with our move, subleasing our apartment here in Chicago has been the most nightmarish. We’ve had a hard time finding renters and the process has been frustrating to deal with.

Here’s the story.

After about two weeks listing the unit on Craiglist, we got a call for a showing with a couple who already live in our building. They came and really liked the unit, but must have known we were getting a little desperate because they made a lot of requests outside the parameters of the lease.

They wanted to move in on Dec. 15, not Dec. 1. They wanted a reduced rent rate during our sublease period (four months) before resigning with our landlord. They wanted our landlord to put in a break clause that lets them get out of the lease at any time with one months notice and an extra months rents. It was getting to be a bit much, but we didn’t have any other interested parties.

That night I got a message from someone else asking if the unit was still available because she was moving to Chicago. I immediately responded and even went home on my lunch break to take and upload extra pictures to send her.

She responded that she wanted to see the unit the following week when she was in town, so I told the other couple that we had another party interested that would meet all our terms. They agreed to hang tight until we showed it to her.

Well, that showing was supposed to be on Wednesday around 4pm. I got up in the morning and thoroughly cleaned, came home from work early and freed up my whole night (which isn’t easy to do when you’re moving across the country and have a million things to get done) to conduct the showing.

And….the girl never showed up. Not a call, not an email. Just radio silence.

I’m trying in my head to give her the benefit of the doubt- there are a lot of things that could have happened to make her neglect to show or call, right? Grrrr.

Anyway, once I realized we were being stood up, I contacted the original couple to let them know the place was theirs. Nothing is that easy though and they told us that they would need to “discuss” it as they may want to explore other options now.

I really hope this ends sometime soon!

On a brighter note- we’re having a going away party this Saturday at Zella’s (where we met!) – 1983 North Clybourn Avenue at 8:00 pm. If you’re around, please come join us!