I have previously mentioned in posts my love of Meetup.com but today I thought I’d get a little more into why.

A little backstory:  The thing about living in city like Chicago is that there is always ALWAYS something to do but when you only have a handful of very close friends who have busy lives like your own then you can’t always find someone to do those things with you. Then you have the usual friends getting into new relationships and disappearing until they step back from the honeymoon and realize they don’t need to eat, sleep, breathe their SO. I originally found meetup because of just that…a combination of friends in relationships and a real need to get out of my apartment.

Its super easy to join and just search for the kind of groups you are looking for. I am a member of all girl groups, couples groups, co-ed social groups, movie marathon groups, monthly dinner groups…etc.

You may recall my super awesome 80’s NYE party? I made an event on meetup for that and had quite a few people show up to party with my friends and I!

** While typing this post I realized I never posted about my 80’s NYE party! So expect that soon.

Or the even more awesome holiday cookie exchange I do every year?  Posted the idea on meetup and it blew up to about 60 girls! I actually had to cut the list and start charging $5 a girl so that we could rent a space to have it.

This is just the group that was left at the very end

I did start a couple’s group back when The Boy and I were doing our thang. We had many brunches, bowling nights, ice skating, and even toured a brewery & distillery with the group. After we broke up I was so not in a place to be running a couple’s group so someone else took over for me. Now I have joined a couple, though I am not sure I am ready to be running one again!

So if you are new to your area or just want to explore your city and make some new friends I highly suggest Meetup.com!

** this was not paid for or  sponsored in anyway by Meetup.com, I just really like using it!

– Do you ever notice that people who say they are “leaving drama behind” in a new year are actually the ones that cause the drama? Just saying. Where is this drama coming from? Who is really causing it? Is it being left behind because people left your ass behind?? Something to think about.

– It feels so much better to be lazy…except then Im tired all the time because Im not healthy…and I have to buy new clothes because Im becoming a chunky monster but then I get so sore from working out and that sucks and I don’t want to be sore…and cookies taste so good…and I love sleep and its cold…I could just do it tomorrow…tomorrow I will be healthy…but tomorrow is soandso’s birthday and I want to have cake too…so maybe I will start thursday…but then its the weekend and I can just work it all off…and blah blah blah.

This is what runs through my mind on a daily basis as I attempt to bring myself into a healthier lifestyle.

Oh the Monday after winter break is always a rough one. Especially since I am trying to make myself get up earlier as part of healthier routine. #nomoresnooze (lets see how long that lasts). I’m anticipating children behaving like monkeys…should be exciting.

It was a pretty dull weekend in anticipation of returning to work today. I did my best to relax and still be productive so I managed to get about 5 inches of hair cut off (SOOOOO needed) and see the eye doctor for some much needed glasses.

Ooh and got to spend my gift cards to VS for their semi annual sale….nothing says New Year like new bras!!!

I did have brunch at a new restaurant Beatrix It has been on my list to try for a while now and I joined a meetup brunch there this past Saturday. I ordered a bloody mary, lemon pancakes and some maple bacon. All delicious!

 

Then headed off to my visit my family for Three Kings Day. My mom made a delicious dinner of Mole chicken and rice and we had a Rosca De Reyes.

I got the baby Jesus first so I will be hosting dinner at my place on February 2 (Dia de la Candelaria)

Thenewguy and I are doing a Marvel Movie marathon leading up to Avengers: Infinity War coming out in May.  I am more of the superhero nerd than he is so we have to catch him up on all the movies.