little notes

dear readers,
sorry i've been m.i.a. for a bit...school has become a bit overwhelming. too much lesson planning and rearranging stuff last minute. i'm going to try very hard not to disappear as often.


dear umpqua oats,
thank you for being a delicious alternative to my typical saturday morning breakfast of cinnamon roll and coffee.  you make eating healthy so much more appealing and easy.


dear students,
i am encouraged by your amazing participation and excitement during class lately. i hope to find pleasing ways to keep you excited about learning.


dear jessi,
your lengthy emails put a smile on my face. i love that though we cannot sit in coffee shops for hours upon hours discussing books and life, we are able to carry on that same long conversation through email. miss you, girl.


dear neighbor,
it is too cold for your dog outside. you know how i know that? he's been barking for the last two hours. please bring that poor pup inside.

{image via}

little notes

dear auntie and uncle,

i don't mind cat sitting at all. well, except for that little part about being allergic to cats. ahhh ahhh ahhhchoo.

dear espys,

clearly aaron rodgers was the best make athlete. what were you all thinking giving it to someone else? did we watch the same games??

dear patrick,

thanks for passing on the old family recipe for kugeli. i only wish it didn't require the fine grating of 5lbs of potatoes. this is going to take time.

dear marisha,

thank you so much for the cubs tickets at wrigley, it was an amazing game and incredibly fun day. but it also made me realize how much i miss you. more plans soon?

dear chicago metra,

next time you want cops to take riders away in handcuffs, could you somehow do it faster, please? 30 minutes is a bit long.

{image via}

Little Notes

Dear Mother Nature,

Please do not skip Spring. My body has a tough time adjusting to the 95 degree heat {with humidity} a week after 50 degree temp.

Dear golf clubs,

Please start working with me, I'm trying.

Dear student's mom,

Your sweet, lovely letter brought tears to my eyes, I'm so glad you're pleased and really appreciate the note.

Dear Tim Tebow,

That's awesome you had an hours-long meet-and-greet with fans, but I just wanted new underwear, not to stand in line for hours.

Dear Clemente,

You are, by far, my favorite cat in the world and I love you, but cuddling in 95 degree heat is not an option. Sorry.

{image via weheartit}

little notes

dear mr.sun,

it's so nice to see you. please feel free to stick around.

dear dictionary,

it’s canceled or cancelled. it can’t be both. {can you tell this is a pet peeve of mine?}

dear cubs,

why must you lose every game I go to at miller park. looks like i'm better luck for the brewers.

dear brewers,

why must you lose every other game I go to at miller park. you can only win if you're playing my favorite team? not ok.

dear nichole,

you are one of my best friends, i love you. but no, i will not go to a mary kay party. i don't love anyone enough to do that.

little notes

dear janine.

i was happy to help you move this weekend, but next time, please hire movers. i. am. so. tired.

dear lemon street gallery.

thank you for changing the artwork at my favorite coffee shop. I’m glad the painting of the creepy boy is gone, even if it has been replaced by a disturbing painting of a cat in a dress.

dear common grounds.

we've spent a lot of time together in the past week or so. while i love you dearly, i hope to spend time away from you and your afternoons of textbook-reading and paper-writing.

dear adelyn.

congratulations on your baptism. it's too bad you slept through the entire thing. actually, i was a bit jealous about that part.

dear technology.

i like you, why can't we just get along? did i do something to upset you?

{image via weheartit}

little notes

dear maggie & patrick.

i'm so glad i got to spend a great weekend with you. it was so much fun, i wish you didn't live all the way on the east coast. i will miss you a ton and can't wait to see you again.

dear the nook.

your coffee is strong, your hummus plate delicious and your atmosphere the perfect cross of cozy and edgy. you will be seeing me again very soon.

dear madison girls.

thanks for an amazing night out at our old college haunts. also, and even more, thank you for showing me that while i miss the undergrad lifestyle, it is much better left in the past.

dear craig.

i'm glad we got a chance to hang out during your leave. enjoy your time in north carolina and be safe in iraq.

dear agatha christie.

you write amazing mysteries full of surprising twists and interesting characters. and one day, i will solve a murder before hercule poirot.

{image via weheartit}

little notes

dear blackhawks.

i love you. after a fantastic season, you did it, you brought the stanley cup back to chicago. thanks for a season full of thrills and chills. love, your devoted fan.

dear janine.

i'm so glad you moved to chicago. it's such an amazing, charming city, you'll love it. and it'll love you. have fun.

dear mish and bobby.

welcome to a life of love and enchantment. congratulations to you both.

dear marissa.

thank you for such wonderful book suggestions. i just started reading mountains beyond mountains by tracy kidder and it is absolutely amazing.

dear mom and dad.

happy anniversary. one more year of love, laughs and crossword puzzles. congrats and love you both dearly.

{image via weheartit}

little notes

dear matt. thank you for organizing a tailgate for sixty plus friends. your organization and effort ensured a great night for everyone. we all owe you.

dear friends. i'm glad i could make your night by wearing a brewers ball cap. just don't get used to it, i'm still a cubs fan.

dear madison. years after graduating and moving away, thank you for still making me feel at home. i cherish every moment i spent with you and miss you dearly.

dear spring. thank you for making another appearance. i was beginning to miss you. please stay longer this time. and bring your buddy, summer.

dear prof. downs. i was just reading through my old notes from college and want to thank you for being such an amazing professor. i never laughed so hard or learned as much as i did in your class. and it was probably one of the most difficult classes i’ve ever taken: first amendment law.

{image via weheartit}

little notes.

dear knot club.

hello. glad to be a member. i hope i live up to the high standards and reputation.

dear wilson.

i'm glad we bumped into each other and a quick hello turned into a cup of coffee and hour-long chat. we should bump into each other more often. i'm always up for coffee and good conversation.

dear friend.

i'm so sorry you and your long-time boyfriend broke up. it's a terrible situation and i am here for you, always. i hope you two work things out. but with that said, i'm glad we've gotten to spend more time together.

dear "sisters".

i cherish every day we spend together. i'm so glad we were able to get together again, especially when cake is involved. let's make more reasons to get together.

dear midwestern weather.

i'm confused. is it spring, summer or fall? please make up your mind.

{photo via abbytryagain}

dear poughkeepsie {and hyde park}

you are much nicer than the new york reputation. i guess people are just nicer outside of the city.

though your main highways have been conquered by chain stores and restaurants, you hide your personality and charm in neighborhoods. well done.

i'm not a fan of the randomly-placed one way roads, especially those that come without warning. {it's difficult to tell when you can only park on one side of the road}

you are lucky to have the culinary institute of america and all the delicious food that comes with.

it took a bit, but we found some great places to hang out {soul dogs, the derby and blue mountain cafe}.

little notes

dear sam.

i'm so happy you made the trip to chicago from denver. {also to lizz and maggie} it was great to get lunch and catch up with you all. i miss all of my medill friends. we really need to get together more.

dear metropolis.

you are indeed one of my favorite coffee shops in chicago. i can't wait until we can share another weekend afternoon.

dear big star.

you are the reason i look forward to march. your food is absolutely delicious {and greasy}. i just wish it didn't take an hour to order your amazing burgers. opening weekend, i suppose.

dear jenny.

thank you so much for covering me at work so i can go to new york for a week. i truly owe you big.

dear dave at u.s.cellular.

i really appreciate your help getting a new phone. you made the process far simpler than i expected. i am writing a letter to u.s.cellular so they also know how great you are.

{image via audreyhepburncomplex}

little notes.

dear the girl with the southern accent at the coffee shop,

thanks for making people watching and eavesdropping on a thursday evening more interesting. the combination of your crazy family stories and accent made my night. thank you.

dear mags,

i'm so glad i got the chance to close down the coffee shop with you, not once, but twice last week. i miss chatting with you. love you.

dear karina,

you are honestly the most beautiful newborn baby i've ever seen. and such a sweet personality already. trust me when i say you have an amazing and cool mom.

dear rachel,

so glad we could finally get together for brunch. good luck on all of those grad school applications. they are a pain, but definitely worth it.

dear cwtv.com,

why won't your video player work for any show i actually want to watch. you're making it very difficult to catch up on my shows. and costing me money.

{image via flickr}

little notes

dear syreeta.

i don't trust anyone else with my hair. especially after the last disaster. thanks for doing such a great job and making a haircut so much fun.

dear samantha, jessi, rachel, lindsey and alyssa.

i'm so glad we were all able to meet for brunch and spend the day together. i miss our long coffee talks and movies nights like in college. i'd pull many more all-nighters if that meant more time with you all.

dear snow plows.

thanks for going down every road in town except mine. big help.

dear laura.

i know i already said it, but you did an amazing job in the play. i am so incredibly proud of you. i can't wait to see your next performance.

dear green tea.

sorry for avoiding you lately. we will meet again soon, i promise, because i miss you.

dear dan.

i miss you greatly. i have even been seriously considering a trip to south carolina to visit. possibly a road trip.

{image via weheartit}

little notes

dear holiday shoppers.

please don't be stupid. especially while waiting in line. thanks.

p.s. no checks.

dear egg nog.

you are the most delicious part of christmas. i wish i could drink you year-round.

dear snow.

i love waking up to your blanket in the morning. even if that means scraping my car windows before work. you are welcome to come back any time.

dear smallville.

it took me almost nine years but i finally found you. and oh how great you are.

also, major points for another sci-fi babe.

dear christmas music.

i'm glad others have finally accepted you as i did months ago. happy listening.

dear squirrels.

please stop teasing my cat early in the morning. i don't like waking up to clemente racing between windows and whining.

little notes

dear madison girls,

i'm so glad i got to spend the weekend with you. i miss you all so much.

dear snow,

i'm ready. you can come any time you want.

to my three year old friends,

turkey is not "disgusting," it is delicious. you will learn this someday.

dear trivial pursuit,

i love spending nights with you. you know just how to make them better.

dear library,

thank you for carrying such an expansive array of Christmas cds and dvds. you put me in the holiday spirit.

dear starbucks barista,

yes, when i ask for a mocha i would like espresso in it. please remember next time, thanks.

{image via we heart it}

Little Notes

dear any and all coffee shops. i don't know what i would do without you.

dear librarian at Northside. thank you so much for helping me track down my books. unfortunately, it wasn't worth it.

dear maggie. you are an amazing sister and friend. i could not ask for more. happy birthday! i hope your days is as special as you are.

dear cast of how i met your mother. thank you for making me laugh so much i cry. especially you mr.segel.

dear nfl. you fill my sundays with hours and hours of football. i heart you. also, more close-ups of tony romo, please.

{image via weheartit}