We bought a house

My life long dream has been realized!  We bought our cute little 3 bedroom bungalow on the Northwest side of Chicago on June 22nd....and boy have we been busy since then!

The house we bought we got a GREAT deal on, however it needed some work....most of the work was cosmetic, and stuff we knew we could do ourselves.

Check out our progress so far.

The house from the outside.  See the lovely lace panels in the window.

 Oh- and the lovely green carpet...

 new window coverings- stained glass applique from home depot!

 peel and stick tile from home depot---- what a difference!

Living room- white walls, carpet

dining room- same carpet- the molding was there, and they gave me the idea of the different color above the molding

My brother came to town and refinished the floors- we did a couple coats of paint, and voila- a whole new room.

More pics to come!  We are planning on moving in on July 21st!  Just shy of our one month of homeownership!

Thanks for looking!

Music...makes the people...come together

Let's go back about 10 years...When I had the amazing experience of spending 4 months in the Dominican Republic with 14 other college students, one ultra cool mentor and one allergy and accident prone Jesuit Priest/ philosophy professor...

One of our first days there, we were sitting by the beach, just watching the fluctuation of the tide. And Jorge decided moving forward we would have a "Song of the day".  That day our song was "Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding.  From Jack Johnson and Ben Kweller, to the Beatles and Janis Joplin, I learned alot about music.  Throughout the highs and lows of our journey there, there are many songs that creep into my head and put me back on my island, where I knew what was right and what was wrong, and I found myself. 

So what does this lovely intro have to do with anything?  I have recently re-discovered my love for music.  I have always loved music, for anyone who really knows me, you know I was born to perform.  I love the spotlight, and for many years, it was me singing in the spotlight.  Now, I refuse to watch American Idol or any of the singing shows as that is not where my life took me and I get a bit melancholic...anyways--- wow is this post plagued with diversions---

I bought my Lollapalooza tickets after much coaxing from friends in St. Lucia (Caribbean islands= music), and have decided I need to get familiar with these new bands, and not the crap I hear on the radio 16 times a day.  So I have been spending money like crazy buying up all the itunes music I can.  I am in LOVE with some new female solo artists and band groups.  

So for anyone interested in expanding their music collection, may I recommend a few artists/bands:

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals- I bought her live album- they rock.  I can picture myself at their concert, for some reason, I see it as barefoot in the park...beer in hand, maybe something a big stronger...hair down and just dancing.   My favorite song thus far- "Paris (oh la la)"

Kate Voegele- shes a little bit country, a little bit rock and role.  Kate was a secondary character in One Tree Hill  for a few seasons playing Mia, who, funnily enough, was a singer/songwriter.Kate's songs are catchy, uplifting and just songs you want to belt out in the car.  My favorite is "Sunshine in my Sky" from the Gravity Happens album.

Kat Edmonson- I heard about Kat on an NPR episode, I guess she raised all the money herself to put together her new album "Way Down Low", which has a unique and coquettish femininity to it.  She is playful, and amusing.  My favorite on this album is titled "Champagne" and starts with an infamous lie that many of us have told ourselves at least once "I'm never gonna drink again".  I picture sipping cocktails, at a swanky piano bar while listening to this album.  A perfect cocktail hour CD.

As you can probably imagine, none of these bands is coming to Lollapalooza, so my musical search will continue.  But I hope you tune into some of these new artists and enjoy them as much as I have.

look what I made today

not an early adaptor

"Early Adaptor", Im not sure if this is a new term, or if it has come about with the constant changes in technology that seem to be driving adoption.  I guess there were probably people who first bought telephones after Bell's discovery.  Were these the same people who bought TV's and then color TV's? 

I have come to realize that I am generally a little late on the 8 ball.  Here are some of my late comings:
1.  I bought a palm pilot in 2006...when everyone else had already moved to "do it all machines", a phone that will give you your email, calendar, etc.  so for a while, I had a palm and a blackberry....which makes for a very heavy purse.
2.  I have never had an iphone, I still have a blackberry, that according to our companies mobile central office is "ancient"
3.  I just got an e-reader.  As someone who reads around 40 books a year, this may seem rediculos.  I just like the way pages feel, so I held out for a long time.
4.  I have only owned 1 of my "own computers", not owned by my company that I need to give back.  My computer broke, I never got it fixed.
5.  I use a MAP, not a GPS, a good old fashioned map.
6.  I just learned how to play angry birds
7.  Most importantly, I never watched Arrested Development....WHAT was I missing..  This show is HALARIOUS, I wish I had watched it when it was live.  I wish I had watched it wth everyone else, so when I quote lines people don't look at me like i have 5 heads.

So, I am going to try and make a solid decision to be a little bit more "early adaptive".  Take advise from people, listen, learn and embrace change....

Anyone have any new technologies I should try?

Happiness

Are you happy?  If you are happy in one area of your life, but not others, where does that put you.  Should we strive for happiness in all area's of our life, or is that asking a bit too much.  Have I set my bar for happiness too high?  Should I really just be content, or is it ok to know that part of you isn't quite "there".

What is happiness to you?  I'm guessing that if I asked you what happiness was I would get all sorts of answers:

Charlie Brown told us that it's "finding a pencil", "two kinds of ice cream", "climbing a tree"
The Dalia Lama states that Happiness is a state of mind- well, that makes it individualistic, that's for sure.
I doubt that happiness is having all the money in the world, I know people who are poorer than many of us can imagine, yet their outsides shout "I am happy"...but who knows what their insides shout.  And the old saying goes that money CAN'T buy us happiness, or in other words "Mo' money, Mo' Problems".

As you can see, I have been thinking a lot about happiness, and mostly why I am "not".  I have a wonderful new husband who I love and adore and who loves and adores me.  I have several great friends and am not often "lonely". I have a job that pays well, for a wonderful company.  In this day and age, I don't have a lot to complain about.  But should we be happy by default?  Should we happy because the world tells us we should?

I have always had these grandiose dreams of what I am going to become, what I am destined to become and the truth is...my job is just not that exciting....It that really just adulthood setting in?  I'm not going to be a writer/sewer/designer....I didn't go to school for any of these things, so i don't know what i thought it would be that way.  I am starting to learn that I really don't like people all that much (I don't mean YOU of course), but gee whiz, people are hard to manage...especially when I have such high expectations of myself and those around me.  As Bing Crosby so elegantly put it, if you put someone on a white horse "they are bound to fall off once in a while", and my knights on white horses fall off alot...as do I.  and when I fall off, that's when I really get lost.

So, are you sick of hearing me wallow...because I certainly am...and the way I see it, no one can fix this but me.  So, 2012 is the year of self help.  I just purchased "The Happiness Project" and I can't wait to start helping myself be the happy person I used to be.  

"I am a money management genious"

This is what I was yelling on Friday as I was taking some web based e-learning training titled "finance for non-finance professionals".  Scott backed away from me for fear of lightening striking me down dead.  But it was true.  I got all the answers right on the course regarding managing money.  The points the course was making regarding cash flow, money in and out, etc. were very, well, basic.

You shouldn't spend more money than you have.  If you find yourself in a cash crunch because your invoices are not being paid timely, or because of unexpected emergencies, you need to prioritize what monies are going out, ensuring that what needs to get paid (any fixed expenses- rent, phone, salaries, etc) are getting paid.  If you see this being a regular occurance where your money out is always more than your money in...well, Houston...we have a problem.  More drastic measures need to be taken, whether that is across the board cuts, or getting more income.

So yes, on paper money management is easy.  However, this is probably one of my biggest flaws as a human.  I do really good for a couple of months (Jan/Feb/March---I did AMAZING).  April....I sucked!  and when I am stressing about financial issues you know what I do?  Shop...because of course, shopping cures everything.  I bought 4 new pairs of shoes in April, 3 new shirts from Victoria's Secret, I bought new throw pillows for the coach, new curtains for the living room, new fabric to make purses, not to mention a trip to Kansas City.  (oh- and the fact that I owe the dang government a million and a half dollars :(). 

So, now I have found myself cooking up "get rich quick" ideas.  Here are some of the ideas I've come up with this week:
1.  Sell stuff on ebay.  I have a billion books that are collecting dust on my shelf,  I have stacks and stacks of DVD's that I never do anything with.  I have clothes that no longer fit- this time in a good way!

2.  Sell things on Etsy....I mean, everyone is doing it.  I just made a super cute purse...do you think I could make purses and sell them on Etsy?  I mean I do have all this extra time where I am not doing anything;)

3.  I could actually be better at watching my spending...but what fun is that.

Do any of you have any "get rich quick" schemes?

Oscar Fever

For the first time in...I don't know...ever, I felt REALLY prepared to watch the Oscar's this year.  I saw 7 of the 10 best picture award winners, was able to fill our a pretty confident ballot, and have been waiting to give my reviews of movies as I see them.

The weekend before the Oscar's, some friends and I decided that we want to try and go see movies.  After a "double feature" on Sunday, I was able to knock out The Fighter and The Black Swan.

The Fighter: Christian Bale....amazing.  The second I saw him on screen I thought...."what the heck is this guy on".  Christian was phenomenal in playing the drug addicted, fame seeking older brother of Micky Ward (Marky Mark).  He was believable, you shivered with him as he went through withdraw in jail, you hated him at at times for being so pompous, and your heart broke as you saw the reaction on his face when he realized that the documentary was really about.  I thought it was a great movie.  I was confident and Christian would win for best Support Actor....It was well deserved!

The Black Swan: Holy CRAP!  That was a mind twister.  That mother...OMG...I would have not been surprised if she was the person attacked at the end.  Natalie Portman was fantastic as always, Mila Kunas was great....I "almost" forgot her as the dim-witted Jackie from "That 70's Show".  Natalie's portrayal of a ballet dancer who just got the role of a lifetime in Swan Lake.  She is learning how to play the "black swan" the darker, more sinister twin sister of the white swan.  The role gets to her.  Seeing the world through Natalie's eyes, she starts to see people as her enemies, as her roadblocks and as watches her fame slip away.

I guess the "first" Oscar movie I saw was "Inception".  I think it was unfortunate for inception to come out when it did (last summer).  It was sooo long ago, I remember it being really well done.  I remember thinking "what the heck" when I walked out of there, I remember all the hype, talking about it at work, and recommending it to friends.  I remember saying I wanted to see it again so I could "figure it out"...but to be honest...I have forgotten a lot of the movie.  I know its about dreams, but I think it lost a lot of it's hype in the 8 months it's been out.

The Kids are Alright: I rented this on Monday.  I didn't have a whole lot of knowledge about what this movie was.  I knew it was about a lesbian couple and their kids, and their kids finding their sperm donor dad.  I did not know that I would see a lot of people naked.  I thought Juliana Moore had a stronger role than Anette Bening, I just thought she really made a great impression.  I thought it was a good movie...I don't know if I thought it was Oscar worthy, but good...(just don't watch it with your parents:))

The Kings Speech:  Now, I am a bit jaded.  I HEART HEART HEART Colin Firth.  I love him, I think he is the cutest.  I feel like he is the most wonderful man.  He is a little bit like my prince charming.  So, Colin had my vote for the moment he began stuttering.  At the end of the movie, it was clear that he would have my vote even if he was another silly Brittish actor.  The Kings Speech was wonderful.  It was heartfelt.  It was historic, timeless.  I know it's getting a lot of slack.  Many people think it shouldn't have gotten the Oscar.  (Now, I am with the folks that I don't think it should have gotten best original screen play...in my opinion, a biography, or something based on historical events, isn't ORIGINAL....INCEPTION- now THAT's original.)  I thought Helena Carter was amazing.  It was so weird to see someone who generally plays a "whacadoo" play royalty.  Amazing, Gripping movie...LOVE IT.

Toy Story 3- Andy's grown up.  He no longer needs his toys, toys accidentely get donated.  Woody Saves the Day!  It's your typical Disney/Pixar Movie.  It was cute, it was clever.  It was well done.  I cried at the end...but it had some big time competitors.  I'm glad it was there.

The Social Network (AKA- the facebook movie).  Mark Z is a jerk face.  I spent the majority of the movie thinking this.  I spend 60% of the movie thinking I was going to disable my facebook account.  I spend several moments of the movie thinking, this guy stole this idea, passed it off as his own and has allienated anyone and everyone who cared for him.  I kind of despised Mark Z.  Until the last 3 seconds of the movie.  The last 3 seconds of the movie they showed a little "after line"....afterlines are my favorite parts of movies....when they tell you what happens after the movie ends....generally only happens in bio-pics or some sort of historical movie....(I also think afterlines are my term...don't google it, you wont find it).  The line said "Mark Zuckerburg is the youngest billionaire" and I thought, what a lonely life.  How lonely is it to know you have lost and ruined all of your friendships, you created something to get into a club and a life of inclusivity, and what you really did was alienate yourself even further.  To never know if someone likes you as a person, and not because you "invented" facebook.  For a quick second, I felt sorry for him....and then I remember how he did it all to himself.  I still have my facebook account....for now.

So all in all, I did a good job seeing these movies this year.  I will try to make it all 10 next year!

New Blog

Hello-
I invite you to join my as a begin a new year with a new blog
http://4mo4wo20lbs.blogspot.com/

This blog will highlight my journey to lose 20 lbs in 4 months, using 4 different workout methods.

Harvest Time- How I have missed thee

When I lived in my old neighborhood (Lincoln Square- a whopping mile and a half from where I live now), there was this great little mexican grocery store that I loved called "Harvest Time".  Harvest time had great food, great produce aisle and even greater prices. 
Today I had the day off, and I needed to go to the grocery store to get us taken care of for the week. 
Here are the things I purchased:
1lb green grapes
1 pinapple (whole)
4 granny smith apples
bunch of green onions
3 jalapano peppers
3 sorriano peppers
2 onions
Jiffy Creamy peanut butter
3.4 lbs chicken breast
1/2 lb boars head black forest ham
1/2 lb munster cheese
salsa
chicken stock
2 cans chick peas
2 cans cannellini beans
2 cans pizza sauce
1 can tomato paste
1 can black olives
bunch of cilantro
lime juice (the kind in the lime)
chicken bouline cubes
beef bouline cubes

Grand Total...

wait for it...

$41.30

steals of the day
1/2 boars head deli meet- $2.62
1/2 lb munster cheese (from the DELI)- $1.36
3.68 lb boneless chicken breast= $4.77

And that, ladies and genetleman is why I love Harvest Time.

If you live in chicago, I highly recommend checking it out.  They have the most amazing guacamole in the city.  Its fabulous! 

Harvest Time Grocery Story
Lawrence and Rockwell
Chicago, IL

Bend it like Bikram

Bikram Yoga is a set standard 26 poses of yoga done in a room heated at 105 degrees.  In other words...Hot Yoga.
Last week I stumbled upon a groupon for 20 sessions for $40 (it's quite a steal...one session at the yoga place I go to is $18)...of course they get you in for cheap and then you fall in love and it's hard to leave:(

Anyways, since it is such a unique experience, I thought I would share my reactions and thoughts and I go through these 20 sessions.

Session 1: Saturday November 20th 9:45 am- 11:15am

I arrived at the yoga studio (Bikram Yoga Andersonville http://www.bikramyogaandersonville.com/ )approx. 20 minutes before class.  In gearing up for the class they tell you not to eat or drink anything 2 hours before class - you want to make sure your food is completely digested.  I did a GREAT job Friday night of drinking water.  i had soooo much water--- but then I followed that with a ginormous bowl of popcorn...perhaps not the greatest idea.
Anyways, I got a good night sleep Friday and woke up excited (and a bit nervous) Saturday morning.  Scott dropped me off as he had to do some work. 
As I entered the studio, the two ladies at the entry way were extreamly welcoming.  I filled out some basic forms and they told me the goal of the first class is to stay in the room.  they reminded me it is about 105 degrees in there.  If I felt natious, I was to sit on my mat and take a sip of water.  No need to fear...i would get there.
I went to the locker room to take off my outer layer (they recommend wearing shorts and a sports bra) and grabbed my yoga mat and my towel and headed in to the warm oven of the studio. 
WWHHHHAAAAMMMMMM---- it hit me like a ton of bricks.  Not the heat but the SMELL.  A friend of mine compared it to a bunch of hippies...I dont know how to describe it...but it was strong.

After a few minutes in there of some deep breathing exercizes, the smell waifed away and I was able to concentrate on my practice of yoga.

There are 26 poses of yoga, each done twice (once right after the other).  Two of the poses are breathing exercizes.  Helping to clean the body of toxins. 

Day one I did have to sit down for the second set of several of the standing stretches...but was able to complete the ones on the ground....or at least attempt them.  I consider that a success.

I have never been so releaved to walk out the door and get into cold air in my life...only to realize it wasnt that cold :(

now, I know its not polite to stare....but some of these people in this class are freaking amazing.  I am not sure my body will ever bend that way...I doubt I will ever be able to even lock my standing leg on many of the one legged poses (Im not very good at balance).  But even yesterday (my second day) I was able to complete more poses, push myself further and actual complete the camel pose....


I plan on going on Wednesday (as the office closes at 3) prior to the Thanksgiving extravaganza....

Ill keep you updated on my love/hate relationship with Bikram.

Weight a minute....

I've been very lucky this far in my life.  I haven't really ever had to worry about my weight.  I was able to eat what I wanted, work out when I wanted and not really worry about gaining anything. Evidently, my body has changed.  Now that I look back on it, I guess I really started gaining the weight about the time I moved to Chicago.  Slowly but surely, the LBS have become OMG's.

They are sneaky little suckers, those extra pounds. First they just come one at a time...and then they start to double.  First it's just 5 and you'r like ahhhh--- its 5 extra pounds, no big deal..then it's 10 and your buying new pants...but when it becomes 20 there is something you need to start doing about it.  You don't realize how it got this "out of control". 


with an impending wedding (yeah)- I have to put a plan of action in place to jumpstart this process (great timing right ...the week before thanksgiving)

(keep in mind 3,500 calories=1 lb)

1.  Reduce alcohol consumption- those glassses of wine a day---that's 300 calories of emptyness- no longer acceptable  (7 days a week*300= 2,100 calories a week)
2.  Simmer down the "stress eating"- now that things have settled down at work- it is the best time to start reducing this bad habit I have somehow picked up along the way.
3.  Bikram Yoga- Bikram Yoga is 90 minutes of yoga done in a room heated to 105 degrees.  According to some very brief "research" done today, a session of yoga can burn up to 1000 calories for a person of my weight.  I bought a groupon for Bikram Yoga- 20 sessions for $40.  I have use my 20 sessions in the next three months.  I will reserve a special blog for Birkram Yoga- I had my first experience yesterday---and what an experience it was).  I need to hit the yoga studio at least 2 times a week...
4.  Gym- I want to make sure to start up my cardio and weight training again.  I have rejoined yet another gym (XSport) and it appears this may be more up my alley.  There are three of them on my way home. I haven't quite figured out what I think about it yet, but so far things are going ok.  If I can do a cardio class, and some weight training, I should be able to kick some pounds off there.

SMART Goals-
I have been in the professional world for too long.  I can't create goals for myself that aren't SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely).

1.  I would like to lose 20 pounds by April 14th (my 30th BIRTHDAY).  To hit this goal, I need to lose
5 lbs a month.  Not too shabby!  (I certainly put on pounds that quickly)
2.  I would then like to lose another 10 for the wedding (9/4/2011)...so at that point it is continuing on my current path.

So...Im off to the races!  Look for frequent updates on my challenges and successes!  I am excited to share this journey with you!

So much to do...So little time

Ok- so me, being the project manager I am, had a bit of a freak out moment today.  (warning- this post is going to make me sound like a bridezilla...be warned.)

On Monday, Scott took me out for movie and dinner (ps- Inception----awesome!), after all, we are now at the 1 year mark to our wedding....I remember a time not so long ago, where we had a million months before our wedding...not so anymore.  I told him, I needed to get a calendar so I could start to outline my plan to get everything done.

In true project management fashion, I started at the end and headed to the beginning.  This was a BAD idea.  There is sooo much stuff that has to get done like the month before the wedding.  Seating chart finalized, final headcount to caterer, programs designed and printed, favors (if applicable) purchased and ready, placecards designed and completed (since we are having a sit down and offering choices, we have to let the wait staff know who is ordering what).  Not to mention, we will both be working full time and trying not to sweat to death in our apartment.  August freaked me out so much that I didnt get very far with the rest of the stuff.  Who knew there was so much incorporated with a wedding (yes- I suppose everyone else who has already been married)...but geesh! 

I am excited.  This is when it all starts to get fun.  and I truly believe by having a plan in place, we can always work ahead if we are in a place to do so.  For example, I have us preparing all of our invites in May, even though we wont send them out until June.  This way if we get behind, we will not be a risk for missing the mailing deadline.  (wow- I am such a dork).

And for the most part, I am only scheduling stuff for us on the Weekends.  This just means that I have to stop planning all of our weekends 3 weeks in advance (that is Scott's suggestion).

I welcome any suggestions of any other great wedding planning tips (esp. for folks doing alot of the "stationary stuff" (programs, invites, etc) ourselves.

Please and Thank You!

And "sew" it begins

As I told you in my previous blog "Project Runway Here I come", I have re-decided to take up sewing. 
I began with a "simple" wrap dress.  Using some very cute stretchy fabric I thought it would be easy and forgiving of mistakes....lessons learned #1 Stretchy fabric is not easy to cut.
However, I did get everything cut out and I began to make some progress.  I got the top pleated correctly, got my sleeves sewed together and sewed the two halves of the back of the dress together...
Then I went to sew the sleeves onto my back....For some reason, they weren't tying out correctly.  I couldn't get the seams to line up correctly.  I sat and pondered for a while.  And then looked at the directions (crazy, I know).  turns out I sewed the wrong sides of the back together (I sewed the sides together as opposed to the center seam...
Lesson #2- Buy a seam ripper prior to begining a sewing project...oh and reading the directions might not hurt either.

Here is the thing.  I AM reading the directions...they are just kind of written in a foreign language and I do NOT find the pictures understandable.  So much for these "simplicity" patterns .

So, while I am waiting to go purchase my seam ripper...I decided to start on my yellow/gold skirt.
 This one seems much easier.  Cutting the fabric was a breeze! 

I got some pleats sewed in, got the back sewed together (correctly this time) and got the back sewed to the front.  all I have to do is buy something called "interfacing", and get my beltedish waist completed.  I hope to finish this skirt during this long weekend!!!!

I did skip a step on the back that would make the skirt have a cute little flip because I do not understand what "Press Seam open above clip.  Press Vent extension toward LEFT back.  Baste upper end of vent extension in pace along stitching" means...I figured it was just for decoration.

Hopefully I will have a finished product up here by the end of the weekend...if you are lucky, maybe two!

The makings of a skirt

Close up of Skirt...don't mind the tape in the mirror

See the expert pleating!

Failure #1- the incorrectly sewed back...this should NOT be a V-neck back....duh!

Completed sleeves..waiting for the back to be "seam-ripped" to complete the look!

"Aint it funny how a melody...can bring back a memory"

There have been a LOT of songs written about how a song can "take you back" and make you re-live moments of your life that have been "pushed back" to other areas of your brain.  As someone who always thought of herself as "musically inclined" I feel there are many "tunes" that describe an era of my life.  There are also many songs that remind me of specific people who have enhanced my life.
Here is a list of songs that remind me of specific people and why.

Salt N Pepper "Shoop"...somewhere around 7th grade...this girl I knew (Virginia) and I decided that we should sing Shoop at our Uber conservative Church's talent show.  luckily VA's cousin Paula was older, more mature and realized that a song about "doing it" would not be an appropriate song for two tweens to lip sync in any sort of venue...let alone our church. Our endless Thanks goes to Paula for saving our souls...though we continued to LOVE the song!!!

Bonnie Tyler "Total Eclipse of the Heart"...so...I grew up in "middle Illinois" (some may call it southern...its not, where I spent many of my highschool nights either planning for or participating in our Snowball event (which was a weekend lockin that provided highschool kids an outlet away from alcohol and drugs).  There was a very moving skit to "Total Eclipse of the Heart", where there were different people on the stage representing different substances...from "gateway drugs" to the "hard core stuff" and you would watch this family deal with the "pain".  My first huge "CRUSH" turned "BOYFRIEND" was in this play and I feel head over heels....as a silly freshman or sophomore in highschool.  We had our fling, realized we werent right for each other and have moved on.  This song always has and always will remind me of him.  I wish him and his family the VERY BEST! 

Semisonic "Closing Time" Throughout Highschool I worked at "DRAGONLAND"...AKA- the best place on earth if you were a high school student and wanted a job where all of your other friends would work and you could walk around and pick up life jackets and get a tan...not to mention, pretend you were the "head guard" and start the rotation"....Anyways...I worked there for 3 years and had a GREAT time...During this time, Closing Time was one of the most OVERPLAYED songs on the radio..and was on 98% of the day.  It soon became an anthem to those of us who were working as they played it close to that 6:00pm whistle...AKA- "get out of the pool...we all have places to go"

Billy Joel "Only the Good Die Young"...as two individuals who were not raised Catholic at a Catholic University, Tisha and I (not only Billy Joel Lovers) stuck together singing this song in Gallagher Hall Freshman Year of College  Singing "You Catholic Girls Start Much Too Late" was a little rebel yell for us...though we were the farthest things from Rebels you ever will see.

Songs that remind me of Jessica Rickert
"Night to remember" Shedaisy
Anything with Rob Thomas or Brittany Spears- before she went nuts

Songs that remind me of Emily O'Malley (Olsen)
Anything EARLY John Mayer- early acoustics of Why Georgia and prior
"Center of Attention" Guster
Beatles

Songs that remind me of the DR
"Sittin on the Dock of the Bay"Otis Redding
"How can you solve a problem like Maria" from Sound of Music
any Shakira song AND if I ever heard a Mamajuana song...one of those
"Yo tengo nueva amore"- though I never hear that song except in my dreams.

Any Country Song- reminds me of my time in Kentucky (steriotypical or not)...esp. Dierks Bently or Kenny Chesney.  They are not bad...they are actually quite nice.  They remind me of good friends, friends that helped me get through my "post college stage" and on to my "early adulthood stage". Friends that will never be forgotten...My LWC baseball boys:)

So yes, I truly believe that songs can take you back to somewhere you have hidden deep in your mind.

What song takes you back?

Watch Out Season 16 of Project Runway- here I come

Yes...they are only on season 8...I know...that means I have 7 more seasons to get my sew on.

Once upon a time, I had my first trial at sewing. I made my old college roommate Jessica and myself Halloween costumes. We went as Velma Kelly and Roxy Hart from "Chicago". I was Velma, she was Roxy. The dresses...ummm...were snug. We had to add lots of fringe to the bottom of Jess's dress so she didn’t have a Brittany Spears moment. But they stayed together for the most part and we had a good time wearing them.

I am also about 40% through making my t-shirt quilt from college. It’s going to be awesome..all the shirts are cut and have been cut since right before I left to go on the road...that right, since 2004. So, now that it’s 2010, its time to get back on track.

Now, I would not call myself anywhere close to "fashionable" as a matter of fact, most days i secretly hope to be walking down the street and hope the "what not to wear" folks will find me and give me a lesson on fashion. I know what looks good on other people, I just can’t seem to find something that looks good on me. I’m very square in body type and more recently have become a little more "round" than I would like to be (that’s a different story for a different blog), needless to say...I will not make it in the fashion design world. But, I like to sew...I like the rules that surround it. You have to follow order, guidelines, patterns. At least I do now, until I get the real hang of it.

So about a month ago, Scott brought me a "sewing table", I bought myself a "sewing chair". I have my mom's sewing machine, now it’s just a matter of sewing.

On Wednesday I went to Joann fabrics, much to my dismay. I live in Chicago for peter rabbits sake. There are tons of AMAZING fabric stores, but they all seem to close at 6pm and i just can’t make it back to the city by then....they also don’t seem to have any patterns. I’m not quite a "make my own pattern and then sew from it" expertise yet. I'd be the person on project runway that would make all the other contestants go..."she can’t even thread a needle, what is she doing here". So, I ventured to Joann's. This is probably a pretty good choice for a first timer like me. lots of patterns, they were very helpful and frankly, they had a pretty good fabric selection.

I chose two pattern packets.

One has a wrap dress and I found really pretty fall fabric to make my dress (and its stretchy...I figured stretchy would be good for a first trial so that if it’s a bit snug it will stretch.) and then I will make two skirts.

I started the warp dress as soon as I got home on Wednesday. I've got the pattern cut out, its been pinned on my fabric and I have cut most the pieces out. Words of caution...stretchy fabric is NOT easy to cut....sometimes you stretch it when you cut and then you have some uneven sides. Also, does anyone know when it says on the pattern "leave 1/4" for seam" if that means you are supposed to add a 1/4" to the pattern, or they have already built that in for you. This "simplicity stuff" is not very simple if you don’t know the sewing terms. Hopefully this weekend i can get the pattern traced on the fabric....still not entirely sure how to do this and start the fun part...sewing!

I will keep you updated on my progress...but until then, here are a few pictures...consider it my "next time on project runway" segment.

My Sewing Nook

Hoping for finished product..looks easy enough, right?

Pattern cut out- check
Pinned on fabric- check
Cut out of fabric- half check

A closer look at the fabric for the wrap dress.  I love it and think it will be very cute for fall.

The two fabrics I bought for my two skirts...we will see how these work.  Im debating between getting lining for the gold one, or just wearing my slip...thoughts?

Bridezilla....I hope not!

So, I have a new horrible past time that I do when Scott isn't home (when he is home...he keeps my bad tv watching habits in line). I have been watching alot of "Bridezillas" on WE. I find these people RE-DICK-U-LOUS!. I keep asking Scott if he thinks I will be a Bridezilla...he says no. And I am begining to understand why.
1. These women are NOT organized....they drive me crazy by not having things done on time, not creating a plan, not remembering to SEND OUT INVITATIONS, etc.
2. They are inconsiderate. I'm sorry (I'm not really sorry), but be on time...for appointments, for your dress rehersal, and FOR GOD's SAKE...FOR YOUR WEDDING....Now, I was a wedding coordinator for 3 years in college, so I understand that there is usually a little lateness (generally because people---ie guests---are still coming in and getting seated when the wedding is supposed to start), but being an hour late. This is incredibly rude to your guests who have come to share your day with you, who have spent money on transportation, perhaps travel expenses, hotels, gifts, etc.
3. Self Centered. Wow....your bridesmaids are doing you a HUGE favor by standing up at your wedding. They crack me up when they have their bridesmaids do a run way show and then criticize their wardrobe....PS- you probably picked out the dress...its probably not going to flatter everyone...they had to buy a dress that they will probably not ever wear again...

If there is anything I have "learned" from this obsession is that I have been BLESSED for the "27 dresses" I have dawned for weddings. I have been priveledged to be standing up for some very CLASSY brides, Thankful brides, and organized brides!
I promise my bridesmaids that I will be respectful, organized and will love whatever you are wearing. I promise my future husband that I will not yell at him...but he already knows that he will be part of the planning process. Not because I am a bridezilla...but because I want him to be a big part of our day and I dont want it to just be my ideas.

My kind of Sunday Funday

We have had a CRAZY last few months. We have been to Yorkville (where Scott's parents live twice), Pekin once, I bought a car, went to a wedding, went to a graduation party, started a new job...needless to say, it has been exhausting! This weekend we FINALLY got a weekend at home. We had no plans. It was perfect.
Friday night we met some of Scott's friends at a new establishment that opened in our neighborhood, The Fountainhead. Great food, great people, great refreshments!
Saturday, Scott had to go do a little bit of work, but I had nothing to do. we laid around, took naps, caught up with each other and our crazy lives. We ordered delivery and just ate junk food and hung out.
Today was a PERFECT Sunday! Though I did have to do a few chores, they aren't as bad as it used to be. As I have spoken about before, I have a disdain of public laundromats. They get so crowded, and kids are running around and Im worried about knocking them over with my cart. But we found a better place, LOTS of washers and dryers, LOTS of spaces to fold clothes that each have their own TV so I can watch my Sunday Morning News shows. It is much better.
So I did laundry, then I went grocery shopping. I love cooking on Sunday's and making enough for us to have for most of the week. I'm usually our the door at 5:15am and don't get home until 6:30. Scott has class on Monday and Tuesday and works late on Wednesday, so we barely see each other from Sunday-Thursday, let alone have enough time to cook. Today I made a big thing of chicken salad (yum:)) and some turkey burgers with cranberries and brie. We had the turkey burgers for dinner tonight and we have leftovers. We should be able to get through those by Thursday and we have our menu ready for Thursday of stuffed peppers!
I went to the library and picked up another book I had on hold (I know have 4 books at home to read plus one on audio for my commute). I wish I would have gotten a little more cleaning done, but you know what...it will wait. I got to spend some great time with my guy and got caught up on normalcy!
I will be the first to admit that I love to be busy. I love to have things on my calendar (I guess it makes me feel popular), but it is also nice to be a homebody and relax, recharge.
I am ready for an exciting week!!! (and what an exciting week it will probably be)!

8 years ago...8....

I am feeling a bit nostalgic this weekend. 8 years ago yesterday, I flew back to the USA from my semester abroad in the Dominican Republic. I was in the DR from January-May in 2002. Creighton sent a group of 13 students, 1 teacher, a Program Director and a Dallas:), we lived together, learned together, and did service projects together. We built houses, taught english, taught safe-sex, but learned about true social inequality and injustice, about hospitality, about life, about love and most importantly, about ourselves.
I'll never forget many of the memories I have of that place. Dallas catching us "swimming in the ocean" much later than we needed to be..., smoking cigars sitting at Cabarete, whale watching, Jarabacoa....and the scariest, most mindblowing realistic, nightmare inducing moment of my (and Vals/Pablos) life. Not to mention the deep down emotions that come up whenever I hear "Yo, tango nueva amor", the sound of marangae, the thoughts of the Batey boys strumming on their guitar and singing to Sara and I for hours on end. The hours I cried during the Haitian earthquake earlier this year, hoping Papito/Nanaota and any of my other family members were not there. Knowing I probably would not know if they were.
I think of my friends, many of whom I have not talked to in YEARS, who I will always have a connection that no one can break. No matter the miles, no matter the occupations we have chosen, no matter the fall outs we have had, we will always have one thing in common that NO one else will. No one else will have the same memories of Jarabacoa that the 12 of us have. No one else will think of a hotel in the Dominican Republic when they hear the song "Hotel California". No one else will know that starfish STINK...and actually live outside of salt water...and can continue climbing on walls, beds, etc.
I think of those that are no longer with us: Johnny, Chucho, Patricia at Hogar Luby. How these lives were lost too early, some out of disability that could have been prevented, some out of hatred and racism and some out of decisions made to create a living.
I am extreamely greatful for the four months I spent abroad. I wouldn't it trade it for anything in the world...and if anyone wants a 10 year reunion...I would be in for 2012!

Goal Completed!!! I did it!!!

I got a new job! I start as a "Real" employee at McDonald's Corporation on June 1st, 2010!

I thought I would share that good news since the rest of my "goals" for this year are failing miserably.

Oh-
I also bought my wedding dress saturday...who buys a wedding dress 15 months BEFORE their wedding....SERIOUSLY!

Goals for my 29th year

As I stated in my last blog, every year on my birthday I create a list of goals. As the year passes, I take a look at my goals and see how I am doing. In my 28th yeat, I succeed in completing only about 30% of my goals:( Hopefully this year will be better. I have also decided to make my goals more "SMART"- Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely. I am also hoping to blog on my progress and am giving you, my loyal readers, the task of ensuring I am completing them.

So, without further adeu...
10. Workout at least three times a week. I am stating that my workout week is Sunday-Saturday. A workout constitues at least thirty minutes of sweaty activity (ie- walking does not count).
9. Continue working on my leadership skills- read at least 2 leadership books and identify where I can continue to improve upon. This is harder to make SMART.
8. Work on communication skills- see above.
7. Continue volunteering with ACS- perhaps expand to an additional organization?
6. Pay off credit cards by December- no more using credit cards.
5. Eat healtier- cook at least 4 meals per week. Limit fastfood intake to twice per month.
4. Try a new recipe every week.
3. Start a monthly brunch club- who is interested in joining?
2. Save 10% of takehome per week.
1. Secret goal- I will let you know when it's accomplished...but its getting close!

Thanks for all your support and friendship. 28 was a great year. 29 is shaping up to be the same!!!