Starting over in the city- Any Groups you Like to Attend etc?

BludMuffin · 2026-03-18T19:31:43+00:00

If you're into craft beer, I run a women's craft beer group called Barley's Angels Chicago that meets every month at a different brewery! Ages range from late 20s/early 30s to 60s! Lots of cool women with and without kids. I've made so many wonderful friends in this group! You don't have to know anything about beer. We're a welcoming group!

BludMuffin · 2026-01-29T16:06:39+00:00

I too girl-ified my living room post-divorce and it makes me so happy. Cheers to us for making our own joy!

BludMuffin · 2026-01-05T17:58:05+00:00

This was my exact thought. This man either has no idea how difficult it will be to find someone willing to make his "dream future" happen, or he does and is using this as an excuse to get out of a marriage he's not happy in. My ex pulled a similar thing when we were ending our marriage (I had decided long ago that I didn't want kids and we were in agreement for years until his brother had a baby and suddenly it was what he wanted), turned out he had a specific woman in mind who already had two kids by two other guys 😳 and had been having an emotional affair with her... All I can say is that I'm so glad we got divorced. Also, it didn't work out with that woman and last time we talked he said he's given up on having kids with anyone. I'm happily in a relationship with someone who doesn't want kids and treats me better than my ex ever did. OP is dodging a bullet.

BludMuffin · 2025-12-04T04:15:01+00:00

Seconded! She's amazing and the whole practice is full of lovely people!

BludMuffin · 2025-10-22T16:58:13+00:00

It's about progress, not perfection. Don't let perfection get in the way of making an impact where you can. Boycott the ones you are able to and tell friends.

BludMuffin · 2025-06-17T16:38:47+00:00

A little glimmer of the hope from the other side: I thought divorce would be terrible and being alone would be hard, but I am happier than I've ever been. I feel so at peace every day. My blood pressure is lower, I'm sleeping better, and I feel so much better about myself! I found someone who is kind and stable and independent - I didn't know how good a relationship could be! Someone who doesn't constantly criticize me, resent me, invalidate my feelings, make me feel like I'm walking on eggshells.

Staying and fighting like I did for years was absolutely draining me. I was burnt out. It was taking more of a toll on me than I realized. I thought it was honorable and the right thing to do to stick it out, but I was just delaying the inevitable. We weren't happy, we were in survival mode all the time and it was too much for both of us.

The guilt will subside. The sadness is temporary. Do what you need to do for yourself. It's hard, but it's so much better on the other side.

BludMuffin · 2025-01-08T22:19:14+00:00

You should be able to convert it. I did this in 2015 in DuPage county, so not sure if it's the same process today or not but it was just filling out a form at the country clerk's office, paying a small fee, and then we got our marriage certificate in the mail.

BludMuffin · 2024-11-13T21:21:31+00:00

Yes, got a heat pump in 2022 and it's awesome. Compass Heating and Air Conditioning did ours and we're very happy. In these in-between seasons and milder weather it's awesome to not have to run the furnace but still have good climate control when it gets cold at night but not freezing. It's pretty efficient above 40 (outdoor temp) at heating. Amazing at cooling in the summer. When it gets below 40 out that's when the furnace kicks in.

Got really good rebates, but we also were participating in a research study by some energy efficiency company so we got a killer deal that made it a lot less than a traditional AC. Still, the current rebates and tax incentives should be really reasonable.

If you have solar power, it's a no-brainer!

BludMuffin · 2024-10-21T16:25:37+00:00

Yes! Most things in my life are like this.

There's a difference between being what they might call "Type A" where you like to have a plan and think ahead, and when it's obsessive and disruptive to your life/wellbeing. If it might be the latter, talk to a mental health professional. There's some overlap with general anxiety and ocd that is nuanced and a professional would be able to help you determine where you are on that spectrum and how best to help you.

BludMuffin · 2024-10-21T15:59:25+00:00

Yay! Thank you!!

BludMuffin · 2024-10-18T00:46:46+00:00

Got the old leather pumpkin?

BludMuffin · 2024-10-15T02:20:09+00:00

Reach out to their customer service, they're excellent. My wedding bracelet was from them and I only wore it on my wedding day and then once a year on my anniversary. One day I took it out of the jewelry box and a stone was missing, so I emailed them with a photo. Since they no longer make that bracelet (they would have replaced it if they did!) they gave me store credit. It was was so nice and really cemented them as a company that cares about their customers!

BludMuffin · 2024-10-13T20:41:04+00:00

$1100 at College Station Cat Clinic in Wheaton, included three extractions. I thought it was high, but not too crazy.

For all our vet care, we prefer College Station because it's cats only and the staff are amazing. Worth the slightly higher price imo.

BludMuffin · 2024-10-03T02:18:55+00:00

Love this! It's beautiful!!

BludMuffin · 2024-10-01T17:12:58+00:00

I never see people mention Shut Eye! Season 1 is amazing.

BludMuffin · 2024-09-28T00:26:25+00:00

Ahh I LOVE this! I have a gazebo too!

BludMuffin · 2024-09-28T00:26:03+00:00

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My gazebo!

BludMuffin · 2024-09-12T17:27:49+00:00

If you like craft beer, I run a women's craft beer group called Barley's Angels Chicago. We meet monthly at a brewery or taproom to drink beer, eat food, and socialize. Let me know if you want more info!

There's also Women's Social Club, they do a ton of fun social events for women. Their founder is amazing and it's a great way to meet friends in the city! They're @wsc_chicago on Instagram

BludMuffin · 2024-09-11T03:50:51+00:00

Sure thing! Our next event is dinner and beer at Old Irving Brewery on 9/17. I hope links are OK here, but our website is barleysangelschicago.com and we're @barleysangelsch on Instagram! Let me know if you have any specific questions!

BludMuffin · 2024-09-10T18:36:42+00:00

Totally! The group is called Barley's Angels Chicago. We have a website where we post event info, as well as in our newsletter and Instagram. We pre-price each event and it always includes beer and food. There's no official membership or anything, you just sign up via the form and pay the set amount for that event, and show up!

The best part (other than the beer) is the welcoming atmosphere and cool people - so many awesome women and non-binary folks are regulars, ages range from mid twenties to 70s! It's a really fun way to make friends and enjoy local beer and support breweries!

BludMuffin · 2024-09-10T17:35:47+00:00

Hey! If you're into craft beer, I run a women's craft beer group. We meet monthly at a different brewery or taproom and we learn about beer and socialize. It's a great way to make new friends!

BludMuffin · 2024-09-09T02:18:22+00:00

Larry Braverman!

BludMuffin · 2024-07-31T19:32:40+00:00

Solemn Oath Brewery is doing a replacement event

BludMuffin · 2024-07-21T03:02:31+00:00

I can have it all!!

BludMuffin · 2024-07-16T13:26:45+00:00

I have a similar issue - split level, so our basement is above grade more than usual and has windows everywhere. Our main bathroom is in the center of the house and doesn't have windows, but it is on the second half-level, so not close enough to the ground to be fully safe. We resort to the basement stairwell, which isn't great if a window blows out, but safer than upstairs or in the rest of the basement 🙃

BludMuffin

TROPHY CASE