My friend Kristin is helping me get the “look” of our new apartment put together (so many ideas but I don’t have the wherewithal to make it all work) and as we were talking about paint colors and painting she suggested something that I thought I would throw out to all of you. If you would like to come meet That Family, you can come over at 1:00 pm on Saturday and join us for a Painting Party. If you’ll email me to RSVP I’ll make sure to have some treats there for you, and of course you can give T1 as many snuggles as you please, even if you’re covered in paint.
Send me a note at thatwife {at} gmail {dot} com if you want to come over and party with T1 and TH and TW. It will make the painting go so much faster, and I would love to meet some of you Chicagoans in person! Don’t worry if you aren’t available, I’m thinking a holiday party style meetup in November/December would be fun!

Oh, and the wedding in Maine this weekend was AMAZING. After 14 hours of shooting on Saturday I was definitely exhausted with aching feet, but I admit I was a little sad to say goodbye and see it all end. Pictures of that, and my time with the Boston Weddingbee writers coming soon!
Also, I miss my blogging. I just want this week (from heck) to be over already!















August 23rd, 2010 on 3:48 pm
I hope people come and help! Painting can be very tedious.
I did a lot of it last summer at my in-law’s.
Good luck with the moving in and getting settled! I’m jealous that you get to paint… but I’m also moving in a few months, so maybe it’ll happen later.
Reply
August 23rd, 2010 on 3:52 pm
I love love love love Maine. My grandparents built a cabin there and I went every summer. We picked blueberries, hiked, rode four wheelers, and went fishing. The people were so nice too and the seafood didn’t get any better!
Reply
August 23rd, 2010 on 3:55 pm
I LOVE painting walls!! I am helping a friend this week do this very task. This is such a fun activity – no dressing up, no need to do your hair, just go with a smile! And when you throw on some tunes, its awesome.
Best wishes with the move!
Reply
August 23rd, 2010 on 4:20 pm
You’re so nice! I don’t live in Chicago, but the fact that you’re opening up your house to complete strangers to come by and say hi and meet your cute baby is just so great. I didn’t think people did stuff like that anymore. You’re a real inspiration, Jenna!
Reply
August 23rd, 2010 on 4:46 pm
Eeee! You could probably post a photo of Cormac’s toe and I would be excited, but this is lovely!
Reply
August 23rd, 2010 on 4:50 pm
Wow, I wish I had the gumption to do this. It would sure ease the pain of the redecorating we’re currently doing! Hope you get a lovely turnout.
Reply
August 23rd, 2010 on 5:12 pm
AH! Why am I busy?! I would totally come help! I want to meet you (and T1) face to face and I love painting, but I already have plans with a best friend who is moving to L.A. for grad school.
Hope something else comes up soon! Congrats on the move, btw!
Reply
August 23rd, 2010 on 6:35 pm
Wow, what a great idea! Blog meet up plus painting party so you don’t have to do everything?
Makes me wish I lived in Chicago. We’re only 5 hours away in STL but still.
Reply
August 23rd, 2010 on 7:40 pm
What a fun idea!!! I wish I could come!!
P.S Sean is going to Poland next month!!
Reply
August 23rd, 2010 on 8:14 pm
My friend owns an apartment in Chicago, and she’s moving back there from Phoenix this weekend. I might be coming with her, but we’d get in late Sunday, so we’d miss the painting part, boo! But I’ll be there all week, so if you want another Chicago newb to go exploring with/help wrangle a baby I could be of assistance in that regard
Reply
August 23rd, 2010 on 10:50 pm
I missed your blogging too!
Glad you’re back and good luck with the move! If I was in Chicago I would certainly help you paint!
Reply
August 24th, 2010 on 9:57 am
Dear TW –
Those of us with cable/DirecTV subscriptions dread the summer months, when our favorite television programs are on hiatus. It is akin to the feeling I have looking at my GoogleReader… come back!
Sincerely,
Bored Reader
Reply
August 24th, 2010 on 10:36 am
Painting tips from someone in the building industry:
I’d bet you probably already planning on this, but be sure to invest in the low-VOC paints. Not only is it much better for your family while painting, but you’ll avoid off-gassing for months afterward.
The low-VOC paints are more expensive, but they are generally higher quality paints overall. This means you’ll get better coverage, more durable for cleaning, better color mixing, etc.
I also would recommend that you hit up a real paint store (we’ve got Parker Paint, Sherwin Williams in WA, but I’m not sure what’s in Chicago). They have actual professionals who know their stuff. Also, their paints are about 1000x better than the big box home stores, especially if you’re going to invest in a low-VOC paint. Yeesh this sounds like a sales pitch, haha. But after several frustrating painting projects, I will NEVER go back to Lowes or Home Depot paint departments.
Just my two cents!
Reply
Sandy Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 10:45 am
Appreciate the tip Sarah! I will definitely looked into low-VOC paints as we plan to paint our interior walls within the next few months!
Reply
August 24th, 2010 on 11:14 am
I will be there with paint brush in hand!
I can’t wait to snuggle T1. I was with my little first cousin once removed (or something like that…I just like the say “nephes” since I am Aunt Kristin to him!) over the weekend which sent my baby-fever into overdrive!
Reply
Kristin ~ Bien Living Design Reply:
August 24th, 2010 at 11:16 am
“nephew”
Reply
August 24th, 2010 on 12:41 pm
Great idea for a painting party. How did you like Maine? I love it up there. I used to be a camp counselor at a camp an hour north or Portland. I don’t think there is a more beautiful state!
Reply
August 24th, 2010 on 1:58 pm
Wishing I lived closer…I am a very talented painter
Can’t wait to see the results!
Reply
August 24th, 2010 on 3:57 pm
Hi Jenna!
I have been following your blog now for about six months! I became a newlywed in Nov 2009 and started a blog with my husband just to update our friends/family on life! I wanted some inspiration from other bloggers and found yours through another page (can’t remember which one now!)
Anyway, long story short – I live in Chicago in Hyde Park with my husband and our cuddly cat! I can’t come to help with the painting, but I hope that it goes well and I just wanted to say Welcome to the Neighborhood!
Reply
August 25th, 2010 on 9:55 am
I love to paint and wish I could help but we are working on reroofing our house this weekend. Boo!
Reply
August 26th, 2010 on 10:59 am
Hi Jenna,
I hope the big move goes great. I am up in Logan Square, about a 20-25 minute drive from Hyde Park. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be able to come help paint this weekend. I wish I could! Our weekends have been crazy. If things change, you can bet I’ll be there.
Have a safe drive here! We’ve been having beautiful, sunny 75 degree days so hopefully you can catch some of this great weather!
Reply
August 27th, 2010 on 3:45 pm
Welcome to Chicago! Can’t wait to meet you and the family
I’m coordinating a wedding this weekend so am MIA, but have fun painting and excited to see you soon!
Reply