The Siberian American: Friday Favorites: Mini Life Updates

Friday, April 15, 2016

Friday Favorites: Mini Life Updates

Happy Friday, friends! It feels like Chicago has finally turned the corner on spring weather (fingers crossed!), so I’m going to spend this weekend being outside as much as possible. I haven’t done a Friday favorites post in a while where I just talk about life, so I thought I’d share some mini updates today.

One.
Chris just worked seven night shifts in a row, and I’m so glad that’s over. Seven 14-hour shifts in a row are exhausting, and it’s a relief to get back on a more manageable schedule.


Two.
On Wednesday night, I got emotional watching a legend retire. Growing up, my dad worked crazy hours, but he loved to unwind by watching Lakers games. I loved watching them with him, and the games quickly became our father-daughter activity. Kobe Bryant was my hero. As someone who has an extremely competitive nature, he taught me it was OK to be that way. I have always admired his determination to be the very best (I even wrote a book report about him in the sixth grade!). Two of my favorite memories were going to a game with my dad and sitting right behind the Lakers bench, and the time the Lakers won the championship while we were in Hawaii, and Dad ran out on the balcony and screamed “Lakers are the champions!” The amazing part was a bunch of people shouted back at us!

This week, I watched a legend go out in style (60 points!). It felt like the end of my childhood all over again. I will always remember all those nights with my dad watching an incredible player.

Three.
On Thursday, I met up Lex from Lex Nelson Photography for a fun photo shoot! She wanted to play around with a film camera, and I volunteered to be a model for her. She’s so sweet, and it was super fun! She offered Chris and me a mini session in exchange for the film shoot, and we had a blast. I can’t wait to see how the photos turn out!

Four.
Skyler is always so excited when her Chewy shipment arrives, so I felt a little bad that this time, the shipment was for me. This month, I picked the Nature's Miracle Stain & Odor Remover in Tropical Bloom, and I love it already! When Skyler get sick, it can be hard to get rid of the smell. This stain and odor works super well and smells great! I love how I can use it both on our hardwood floors, our rugs, and our furniture. I will definitely be picking up another bottle once we’re done with this one.

I received the Nature's Miracle Stain & Odor Remover in Tropical Bloom from Chewy, but all opinions are my own. 

Five.
After our photo session, we made it over to another restaurant off of my Chicago restaurant list, Smoque. I was in the mood for a chopped brisket sandwich, and Smoque really delivered. I’ll share more about Smoque in my next Chicago update, but let’s just say it’s worth the drive.

Also, I didn’t want to include this as part of my Friday favorites (because it’s not), but I have an MRI on Monday, and I would love your prayers and positive thoughts! (I feel strange sharing even this tiny health tidbit on an online platform, but I have tried to be as honest and authentic as possible on this blog. I will share a little update once I know more.)


Linking up with AmandaKarli, and the High Five for Friday girls.

Hope y'all have a wonderful weekend! 

16 comments:

  1. Good luck on Monday!! Have a great weekend!

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  2. Michael has always LOVED Kobe too so that was a big deal night for him! He was pretty emotional and then SO ecstatic with him scoring 60 points! (He also doesn't like the Warriors so he was happy Kobe overshadowed them breaking a record that same night haha!) Oh my gosh a good stain/odor remover is SUCH a must for us. Sending positive vibes your way over the MRI! Hope everything is okay!

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  3. Sending lots of prayers your way for your MRI! Health issues are definitely not easy to handle! On a positive note, hooray for less chaotic schedules for Chris, and for getting a free mini photo session! I'm sure that the pictures turned out wonderfully! Enjoy the more spring like weather in Chicago this weekend!

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  4. I hope everything is ok with your MRI, and I hope you guys have a nice weekend after all that work. 14-hour shifts?! That's so loong.

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  5. Oooh, Smoque sounds so unique (love that name) and brisket is always delish! Your basketball tradition with your dad is so sweet- what a great memory! Good luck Monday! I'll be thinking about you!

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  6. I used to be a huge Lakers fan. I'm pretty much turned off by the NBA as a whole now. I'm glad everyone let Kobe go out in such a big way, but it got to feel too over the top, especially here in LA.

    Good luck with your MRI. Thoughts and prayers going your way!

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  7. Seven fourteen hour shifts? My goodness. I complained because I had to work fri-sun and tue-thur, but I can't imagine 14 hour shifts. Good luck with your MRI, I am definitely sending good thoughts your way!

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  8. I'll be praying for your upcoming medical tests. I know how scary things like that can be.

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  9. Olya, all the positivity that I can throw at you is coming your way for Monday.
    I think I'd want to hibernate after 7 straight nights and 14 hour shifts.
    mmmm....now I want a brisket sandwich.

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  10. That natures miracle stuff is great! I use it all the time. That photos shoot sounds like fun! Good luck on your testing. I have been through that so many times, so I will be thinking of you!

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  11. Yay for Chewy shipments and the long stretch of overnights being over for Chris. Hope you enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend <3
    Green Fashionista

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  12. That first picture of you guys is so cute! Praying your MRI is normal on Monday, or that you at least get answers!

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  13. Chris is hardworking.
    I think the world did feel sad for watching Kobe retire. What an inspiration he is to other athletes especially to the young ones.

    Hope you have a good week ahead.

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  14. My husband works every single day for long stretches like that; I always feel so relieved when he has some time off. Hope everything is all right with your MRI. Sending positive vibes your way.

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  15. oh my goodness, i am a day late but i hope your MRI went well. fingers crossed.
    i loved #2, though i have heard the name kobe bryant i didn't actually know who he was, or how long he'd been around.

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  16. I hate that I'm reading this so late that I missed the MRI news. I will definitely be praying for you! Keep us updated as you want. I understand how hard it is to share personal stuff via blogging, but I've found the blogging community to be super supportive when I've opened up. Anyway, I hope all is well!

    Also, Kobe's retirement was huge! I loved reading about how his basketball career inspired you!

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