What's IN/OUT this week

I am writing this late in the evening because I did not realize what day of the week it was. I swear I’m going to get back on track with my routine soon. But I’m also reminded of the time I told my old therapist that I was going to create and stick to a schedule… and she laughed at me.

IN: Pie on the ice cream menu. I met up with my friend Lacy at Margie’s, a great old-school ice cream parlor (Montrose location, for the Chicagoans). I was planning on just getting a scoop or two in a cup, then we were handed menus and I noticed they offer pie à la mode. I asked what was being offered that day — and baby I got myself a slice of pumpkin pie with a scoop of moose tracks. There is still joy in the world!! OUT: Understanding how to dress for cooler temps. My brain glitches when the seasons change and I really struggled in front of my closet before meeting up with Lacy. How do shoes work with pants? Where did my body go under this sweatshirt? Will I just be a shapeless blob until spring? Probably, if this Thursday night dessert date keeps up.

IN: Running with the dog. It’s cool enough for Dottie to comfortably go on runs with me again, and we’re loving it. She is a sporty girl and going for a run is in her DNA. Unfortunately, it doesn’t wear her out. But everyone passing by loves to see her little tongue hanging out while I struggle behind — because I also haven’t figured out the right running clothes for the fall. OUT: How dark it is in the morning now! Although it is nice to see the sunrise when you get up and go outside in the morning. As so eloquently put by this woman on Instagram: I’m better than you.

IN: Midday hangouts. I’m going to write something longer about this sometime, but midday hangouts are the move. My friend Abbie made doughnuts last weekend and told everyone to BYO coffee mugs to her balcony between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Everyone was very on board with eating pastries (that homemade grape jam!!) and slamming coffee, free to spend the rest of their day as they pleased. It was so lovely and I enjoyed watching everyone’s hands shake because they refilled their mugs too many times. AND she sent us home with little jars of jam. OUT: A scarcity mindset with food. I almost didn’t open the jam right away because I wanted to save it, but what am I waiting for?? This is a real problem I have: Hoarding food because I’m waiting for a special occasion. Dave cracked open the cheese and prosciutto we snuck home from Italy the day after we got back and I was nearly horrified — WHY?? Just eat the food! You can choose to make the day special, all you have to do is crack open the shortbread cookies you picked up at Heathrow airport.

IN: Chicago. OUT: ICE. I cannot begin to describe how uneasy things feel right now, but I also cannot say enough good things about the way Chicagoans are pulling together. The city of neighborhoods has some great neighbors.

Tell me what you hated this week!