Tag Archives: chicago

dad with the big heart

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So many of you know my dad. He’s loud, funny, loving, loud, makes a delicious pizza, and is pretty much the best dad ever. He’s walking the Heart Walk in Chicago, and he needs help raising his fundraising goal.

Many of you know my dad because you ask me to call him up for medical advice (he’s a nurse by trade) – a weird pain here, a cut that won’t heal, questions about whether or not walking pneumonia is contagious.

Some of you know my dad for our family’s pizza nights. Our favorites include bacon and onion, mushroom, and clam.

Others just know my dad through me, and you know that while intimidating sometimes, (“Girls, stop laughing and go to bed, it’s 1 am), he’s really just a guy with a big heart who loves his family, his work, and his country fiercely.

Did you know that heart disease claims the lives of more people than the next 3 leading causes of death combined? I am sure you probably know someone who has had heart disease, and it’s a scary thing to see someone go through. Research, education, and access to care can make a difference, and these walks help us to reduce the number of people lost to heart disease.

Do it for me. Do it for my dad. Do it in memory of my Uncle Tom, or your uncle or mother or grandfather or your neighbor or your husband or your wife. Do it for you!

Let’s help my dad reach his goal and maybe even double it — who knows, with a little help from us, we just might make the world go round.

Thanks, friends.

adventuring across the country

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I don’t know how it happened, but all of the sudden I am taking two trips in three weeks to visit my family and some of my bests that live in/around New York.

First, next Wednesday, I head to Chicago to visit my family, see James Taylor, and generally frolic around the area.

Then, I come back the following Monday, work scant two weeks, then head to New York on August 14 to see Katie, Sierra, Marissa, and enjoy New York in August (I try to say this without a scoff. If it’s 100 degrees, we may spend our time fanning ourselves in a department store.)

The following week, Kelly and Aaron are in my neck of the woods, and then its basically September. Someone, please tell me how that happened?

I am so glad that these trips came together — I cannot wait! In the meantime, I want to say: Happy Birthday, SS. I remember when we celebrated your birthday circa 2005, and I can’t wait to see you soon to celebrate this one, eight years later!

Here is a photo of me and SS, circa 2006, when I convinced her to traipse around Europe with me on about $500 and some luck. She came, because she was a good friend. We survived, have lots of stories, and will never do anything that silly again (will we?)

I love you something fierce, and can’t wait to see you in a month!

 

i know the song i’m singing is not your favorite kind

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Rolling into Tuesday means rolling into a false-Friday; an early close and a day off to celebrate the fourth of the July.

I have several random things and thoughts that I figured I’d share.

1. This article is dabomb.com. Mainly because a) I fall into the busy trap and b) I also think that if I wrote 4-5 hours a day, that would be enough of my contribution to the world. Obviously not everyone can live that life, but I say why not strive?

2. In an effort to simmer it down, tonight I had a no-cook dinner (I put together a salad) after forty five minutes of serious yoga, and nearly caught up on my Bunheads. The show was created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, who also created Gilmore Girls. So far, Kelly Bishop has wooed me, as has Sutton Foster, and I can’t wait to see what’s coming up.

3. Jeff, Ellen, and I are running this 5k in September. Our eight week training starts next week, and since I haven’t run really this year, we’re starting from scratch. Wish us luck.

4. We got a new Ork poster, and now have three in our house (one of Michigan, too!)

5.  Today is my parent’s 29th wedding anniversary (happy day, mom + dad!) Here is the video we made for their 25th Anniversary.

Mom and Dad’s 25 Wedding Anniversary Video from Jennie Palluzzi on Vimeo.

Up this week: 4th of July spiral hot dogs, friends, pools, polenta, maybe a cake or two.

What are you up to for the fourth?

Getting.it.together.

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Hello folks! This week is about cleaning up my act, getting back in the swing of life, and unpacking my suitcase for long enough that I actually put it away and have to pull it back out. Some random things to tell you:

1. Last night Jeff and I made mozzarella sticks from scratch. Pictures to come, obviously.

2. There are a lot of birthdays coming up: Mary’s, Katie’s, Brittany’s, Liz’s, Jeff’s…you get the idea. Looks like I have some gifts to find.

3. My dad is graduating this weekend, which is why I went home last weekend in the first place! It was nice to celebrate with him and the rest of my family when I was home, and I am ever so proud of him.

4. When I was home, I went through a lot of my old stuff in an effort to help my parents downsize. Things I got rid of? Middle school notes, high school notes, books from classes, and random bottles of sand…

5. I saw a friend this past weekend I haven’t seen since 1999. We had a lovely breakfast in Chicago and chatted all the live long day (or for two hours, I’m not sure which.) Mary, as always, it was delightful to see you.

6. Also discovered? My CD collection, which means I have new jams on my computer, including but not limited to: TLC (Fanmail), Sheryl Crow (C’mon, C’mon), Linkin Park (Hybrid Theory), and Barenaked Ladies (Stunt.)

Looks like I have some listening to do.

As the week comes down off this Wednesday high, I have the following things to look forward to: laundry to clean, recipes to make, cakes to bake, parties to attend, children to coach. Here’s to the week being half-way done.

 

For those of you who read my sister’s blog…

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…I haven’t really had need to post. She’s documenting well (minus the fact that I did not see Canada at all this trip, because that was a JW-fam adventure.) I have also been eating like there’s no tomorrow, will probably not fit in my bridesmaid dress, and am heading to Chicago today for more eating.

But first, I am picking up my laundry from all about the house and trying to pack up my stuff. And I am ill, so apparently my lack of sickness on the west coast has more to do with climate than I thought…

At least I am not the only sick one. I am sitting at the kitchen table with my parents, both sick, both on computers, both taking turns with me coughing.

It’s good to be home.

Jeff comes tomorrow, but not until after a full day of wedding dress shopping and I am sure eating. Then comes more wedding dress shopping, a break for a Groupon use at Nordstrom Rack, and maybe some more food.

Here goes nothing, folks.