Like a moth to the flame, I’m back.
Things have been fairly hectic, and I haven’t had the time to keep up with everyone’s blogs, which made me feel like a bad friend/blogger/human being. Plus, rather than write short, crappy blog posts, I would rather just wait until things simmer down and I have the time to write quality blog posts again.
Turns out, that will never happen. (also turns out I never had quality posts in the first place – touché!)
I am now half way through my “6 months of stupid” as Bobbi calls it. That means I have been at my new job for 3 months, and it is still a huge challenge to try and master so many new, engineering-heavy things. I have strategically started to make alliances by keeping Hershey’s kisses on my desk, and it seems to be working. Straight to the top, this one!
Matt also started a new job a few weeks ago! I have been trying to help out as much as I can with the pup and general chores to take some of the burden off of him, but either way, it’s a lot of change for us. Good change, but change all the less. The main issue with Matt’s job is that the commute is horrendous. Which leads to the next big change.
Matt and I are leaving Chicago. I didn’t even want to type it, because that just makes it real. Although we are moving next weekend, so it’s already pretty freaking real. I have lived in Chicago for the past 10 years, and the thought of leaving makes me really sad. But, I also always knew that Matt does not love Chicago the way I do. The traffic, the crime, the noise, has always bothered him, and he has put up with it for me. So now, I will be experiencing all that the west suburbs has to offer for him. (Spoiler: it’s Olive Gardens. Lots of em.) So, as I begrudgingly swap the Lakefront Path for the Prairie Path, I am basically looking for people still in the city to not forget me, because basically I am only 20 miles away, and honestly, I can run that far if need be.
Most importantly, what does Waffles think about all this?
“Hey guys. Waffles here! So you might have heard I’m moving, and the truth is, I am pretty psyched. I will now have my very own fenced yard to poop in, and there is a tree to lure squirrels. Stupid squirrels. Mom has been moping around talking about how much she will miss everything, but I don’t get it. Every week she would whine about parking tickets and rush hour traffic. Sure I will miss my city friends, but I am pretty cute and make friends easily. Plus, mom and dad are getting me a year pass to the Dupage county off-leash dog park system! There are also lots of nature trails, which I love to run on. I hear the food is not the same, but to be quite honest, I ate a stick of body glide last week, so my tastes are questionable at best. And, just to make sure I can visit Chicago anytime I want, I am learning how to drive. Mom says I am already better than half the drivers in Chicago!”
So, stay tuned for the adventures of Suburban Foxxx!
Don't worry life in suburbia is pretty cool! There's also a lot of Targets and Walgreens.
ReplyDeleteI think I can get down with this!
DeleteWhile I don't know you, I always feel a little sad when someone leaves Chicago! I'll pour a little gatorade out of my chalice for you.
ReplyDeleteI do like that you still reference distance to how far you can run!
Good luck with the move and adjustment! I'm sure waffles will be helpful :)
Luckily, despite leaving, I still have friends in the city, so I'm not a total lost cause. Props on drinking your Gatorade out of a chalice!!
DeleteWe will never forget you! Just, you know, keep blogging so we can keep up to date with all the new suburban shenanigans Waffles will surely get into.
ReplyDeleteHopefully less time in my car = more running, blogging, and waffles time!
ReplyDeleteWhat? Suburbs? DuPage County? Olive Gardens?!! Huh? Is this really the "urban/nightclubbin'/all-night-partying" Gingerfoxxx or did someone hijack her account? I will verify this story with the real Gingerfoxxx at the "Run for Boston" this Saturday where I will be working the beer station with her and Matt. Until then I think I am on to you Mrs. (or Mr.) Impostor... :-)
ReplyDeleteYes! And you can yell at Matt for kidnapping me and relocating me!
DeleteWaffles seems pretty darn excited for the transition. Olive Garden is enough reason for me to want to move. Soup, salad, and breadsticks wins. Good luck with the big move!
ReplyDeleteWhen you said you were leaving Chicago, I thought you meant ChicagoLAND, like for a whole new city! Long commutes take a lot out of you (you guys know this), so hopefully this is a change for the better! The suburbs aren't all bad, and 20 miles isn't too far! I see my friend who lives in Westchester (which is closer to the city than I'm guessing you are, but not by much) more often than I see some friends who live in my 'hood - so it's just about everyone making the time/effort :)
ReplyDeleteWe'll have to chat on Saturday, I'm curious which 'burb you're moving to! My husband grew up in Clarendon Hills and plays softball in Darien, so we're out that way just about every weekend!
I hope you're near meeeeee!!! Also, you'll be ok. It took me a full 2 1/2 years for Rich to convince me to move. The parking alone plus great trails plus tons of easy errand running AND the slower pace makes it worth it.
ReplyDeleteAfter the drive in to the game last night, all I could think was I COULD NEVER FUCKING LIVE HERE!! Even john, who DID for a while, was so irritated by it all. It's such a beautiful city, but city living is not for me.
ReplyDeleteI hope you love your new place :) and here's to the back half of the 6 months of stupid!
Waffles seems absolutely stoked. I am sure you will be just as excited once you settle in. Will your commute be better to by moving?
ReplyDeleteWaffles will have to find a new neighbor cat to steal food from!
ReplyDeleteI hope you love your new home/hood! Or... like it? Hee hee. I have to second what Bobbi says. I am not a city girl. I love how nice and quiet it is (when my neighbors aren't being assholes) where I live. AND ALL THE TRAILS!!! I am also curious to hear where you are moving! :)
Suburban living really allows me to appreciate the city that much more. It has a novelty and allows me to fondly reflect on my memories of when I lived there. Best of luck with the big change! :)
ReplyDeleteOMG OMG, this is my favorite post ever! We do the prairie path! We see Britt on a weekly occasion. You still sound east of us..but would love to go for walk/runs. We will see you tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteLife in suburbia, especially west Chicago suburbia, is not too terrible. However, I am totally biased, because I don't compare other suburbs to Chicago, I compare other suburbs to the south burbs. I hate to admit this, because it is where I am from, but the west burbs are AWESOME compared to the south burbs. The south burbs are like a desert of all that is fun. There are some pockets of awesome (my old run club, a couple breweries, a few nice "downtown" areas) but compared to the west burbs ... no contest. If we ever relocate to the burbs (you know "for the children" that we don't have), I would opt for the west burbs, hands down.
ReplyDeleteAnd your first order of business is planning a Prairie Path/Two Brothers beer run! :)
I need to clarify ... by south burbs, I mean east of I-57. Just want to point that out before the west of I-57 south suburbanites (Kelly, the Amandas) chime in. (I personally consider those southwest burbs.) If they see this at all. Since I'm like a week late in commenting.
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