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A Return to Normalcy.

As we mentioned earlier this week, this summer has been the busiest on record for this here duo. The months leading up to our DIY wedding just a few short years ago seemed hectic at the time, but I’ve got to say that this one takes the cake. Shoot, you may even remember our nuptial-bike-wheel momento that brought up this recent dilemma.

Not only have we just made it through the Great Flood of 2010 and emerged unscathed, but we’ve helped to build and open Chicago’s first ever dedicated bike park and took on an all-hands-on-deck approach to get our familiar friend Renee up and running with her first official photo studio space (with the latter two events enjoying substantial grand opening celebrations and a blog to boot!).

Countless “to do”s, ample stress, and a lot of good old-fashioned hard work have weaved their way through our collective lives this summer, but it’s with great confidence that we can honestly say that it was all worth it. We’ve helped accomplish some truly ground-breaking and life-changing moments in the last few months, all while maintaining the nine-to-fives and keeping all of you fine folks informed on this here blog. Which, by the way, makes our day that you all keep stopping in. You’re a favorite part of this winding journey.

We don’t want it to seem for a minute that we both don’t absolutely love doing all of the things that have kept us so busy. That said, it has certainly been a long time since we’ve been able to say “I’m Bored.” But as you may know, we love nothing more than to take a cue from our four-legged children, and I think it’s safe to say that we can all learn a thing or two from their chilled out demeanor.

We’ve vowed to enjoy all that our city has to offer for the remainder of the summer months, which includes enjoying everything from that big ol’ lake to our east to squeezing in all the barbecues our meat-loving hearts can handle and soaking up the warm sun with good friends and frosty drinks. We’ve definitely earned it.

But enough about us. Has this summer found you especially busy? Or maybe you’ve chosen to take a well deserved time out to relax, breathe deeply, and gather ’round family? How have you spent your warm nights and breezy days in the place you call home? Let’s hear the dirt, and maybe we can all rest assured that we’re in this together.

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  • Danielle8.12.10 - 7:18 AM

    HEY! We stayed at a hotel right outside of the John Hancock building! So cool! Yes, this summer has been the summer of hell for us…and busy! I am glad things are getting back to normal for you guys.ReplyCancel

  • Susan @ Jubilee Furniture8.12.10 - 8:23 AM

    My summer too has been busier than I would like – but agree with you, Scott – that overall it’s been good.

    As I’ve gotten older (I’m 51 – yikes!) I’m learning it’s not so much WHAT you do each day, but HOW you do it. Have you lived intentionally? Been present to those around you? Looked for the positive? Laughed at your own foolishness? Listened well to others? Let go of small grievances and not allowed your pride to get in the way too often? *Smile*

    Maybe it’s too early to be so philosophical?ReplyCancel

  • Atlanta Remodeler8.12.10 - 8:27 AM

    Feeling same thing with ya’ll. I’m an Atlanta, GA remodeler, married with two daughters, it’s been 95 degrees or hotter almost every day since June 1st, so we’re about ready for Fall! Love your pictures, especially the beach on the Great Lake, man wish I was there with you, we have some small lakes here in GA, but miss the Great Lakes (from Buffalo). If you get time, check out some of what we’ve been working on this summer at http://www.affordablecraftsmen.net , unfortunately, didn’t get much done on our own house this summer with all the work for clients, but in this market, glad to be paying the bills :-) Look forward to reading your future blog posts, hope ya’ll have a great Fall and will be thinking of you when those first cool breezes blow into Atlanta :-)ReplyCancel

  • amberto8.12.10 - 9:27 AM

    we’re always busy. most of the time it’s hard to say what we’re busy with. people will ask, “what have you been up to?” and we look at each other like ???. somehow the time seems to just fly. we thought that after our wedding things would slow down, but it’s been 2 years and we still feel like we’re going all the time.

    i don’t mind it that much, partly because i’ve always been this way, but also because we do tend to wind down in the winter. we’re in michigan and like to hibernate during the cold months. so i don’t mind being busy and running around during the 3 months of nice weather we get a year :)ReplyCancel

    • Kim8.12.10 - 9:51 AM

      We’re so glad to know that we’re not in it alone. Sounds like it’s the year of the busy summer for most of us. I agree with you, amberto, at times we can’t even remember what has kept us so busy. We just know that we are.

      And Susan, it’s never too early to be philosophical! These are questions that Scott and I have asked us ourselves very recently, and as a result, we’re taking the time to focus on the little moments, relaxing, and taking the time to laugh. Strangely, it can be a challenge when your mindset is to go go go, but we’re taking baby steps. And we’re enjoying the last hurrah of summer.ReplyCancel

  • Amanda8.12.10 - 10:34 AM

    You’re definitely not alone! Although I can’t claim a big disaster like a flood, I have the ever-present big-ol house projects to loom over me. The unfinished basement still taunts me, and the back yard is overgrown with morning glory. Still, I’ve managed to fit in a few trips- Vancouver and Yellowstone, plus the occasional jaunt up one of SLC’s lovely canyons- to keep it real. I’m glad that we bloggers are crazy enough to document the madness along the way.ReplyCancel

  • Kelly8.12.10 - 11:48 AM

    OMG I can totally relate!! Trying to balance a baby, a job, a business all while trying to maintain a social life has been tough to say the least!I still haven’t figured it out and don’t know if I never will – haha. Maybe I’m meant to live in a state of craziness forever…ReplyCancel

  • Dale8.12.10 - 11:53 AM

    I am SO likin’ the fur children doing major coolness on the bed up there! LOL

    My two kitties – Diva and Star, in case you were wondering – harass me to get up in the morning so that they can commando the bed away from me! Hee hee

    Have you found it difficult to keep the fur down when they shed on furniture? I’ve tried everything except that huge sheet of (what is essentially) scotch tape. The Fur Fighter, some gadget from late night tv, etc., etc. Any suggestions?

    On a related note, have you tried that fur shedding fabric that costs three arms and two future fur children? It’s rumored to work quite well – until the evil witch bill collector demands the body parts! LOLReplyCancel

    • Kim8.12.10 - 4:06 PM

      Dale,

      We love a good kitty story. Aren’t they the best? To answer your question, our only trick is a lint roller. I keep one handy in the bedroom, and a few times a week I do a quick roll at the foot of the bed (where Maddie likes to sleep) and on my pillow (where Libby likes to sleep). While they are super duper furry kitties, it’s never so much an issue that we find it a big pain. We do a quick vacuum about 3-4 times a week, which also helps to cut down on the dust bunnies that get kicked up from time to time. And no, we’ve not tried the fur shedding fabric! If you ever give it a shot (and don’t have to worry about the bill collector!), let us know how it turns out!ReplyCancel

  • Amie8.12.10 - 1:31 PM

    OMG. Unbelievably busy. Impossibly busy.

    Never in my life have I had ALL of my weekends from July through September BOOKED. I don’t have any time to do anything! Parties, family functions, chores. Trips, travels, buying new car for the significant other. It seems like the summer is nearing to a close and I’ve gone to the beach twice!

    It’s gone by so fast. I want to stop time.ReplyCancel

  • Scott8.12.10 - 1:33 PM

    Thank goodness all of you folks have been feeling the crunch as well… we were beginning to think we were losing our minds! We truly hope that everyone can make time to relax and have some fun for the rest of the summer. We’re working on it. Promise!ReplyCancel

  • Kalli8.12.10 - 3:13 PM

    aw, I wanna tickle those kitties! Hope you guys get in some quality chill-out time. You’ve reminded me that I’ve hardly made it to the beach this summer so I’m going to go today or tomorrow. I miss just laying in the sun and listening to the roaring sound of waves.ReplyCancel

  • Lynn Stevens8.13.10 - 1:44 PM

    Thanks for helping put together The Garden bike park. I saw the article in the Chicago Tribune not too long ago and thought what a great idea for that space. The alternative surely could have been for someone to shut down the bike activity that was already going on surreptitiously, but instead it’s sanctioned and widely celebrated. There are worse ways to find yourself busy.ReplyCancel

  • chrystie8.13.10 - 2:28 PM

    yes, been super busy just like you guys. I’m still working on decorating my new place, then along with that I work full time, I started my blog http://www.anchoringgemini.blogspot.com, I’ve had inlaws in town about three times and counting, sometimes have to work on the weekends…it hasn’t been a very relaxing one. But, I can say that it has been fun..and in San Francisco are warmest months tend to be September and October, so I’m still looking forward to the late Summer to enjoy some more bike rides, picnics and bbq’s.ReplyCancel

  • Scott8.17.10 - 3:00 PM

    Chrystie-

    We’re headed your way in the fall! We can’t wait. What’s the weather typically like the first couple of weeks of November?ReplyCancel

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We’re Kim + Scott, Chicago based content creators behind the Home + Lifestyle brand Yellow Brick Home.

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