Pardon My Dust...

All right. I finally have some pictures to share of my big renovation project! Hooray! It's actually not finished yet, but I think the transformation is pretty dramatic already. Let's take a look, shall we?

A while back I wrote about how I decided to strip the wallpaper in my office/craft room/potential 2nd guest room. Here's a shot of the "accent wall" in the room:


Nice, right? I took a close-up so you could appreciate the detail! The other walls were covered with something a little less obnoxious, but unfortunately, I was so darn anxious to rip it off the wall, I didn't take any pics! Anyway, as I started ripping the paper off, I discovered some sweet wood paneling. I had no idea it was under there. I would've just painted that and left it alone, but there were some tricky spots and problems... and let's not forget there was all this wood trim covering some of the seams that didn't fit together so well. Nice.

Under the paneling... plaster. Probably the original plaster from 1918 or whenever. Cracked. Falling down in parts. Not good. We started ripping out the paneling... here's a shot...




This next shot is probably the trickiest part of the whole room, the dormer ceiling. And, it was in pretty rough shape, though you might not be able to tell. I'm pretty sure there was a closet there or something.

I also must say that the previous owner of my house LOVED paint. LOVED it. So almost every single door in the house is painted, usually the same as the room inside, and the same as the hallway on the other side. Which means a lot of work sanding, priming, and painting the darn things to get them the way I want them... I won't bore you with those pictures now. But here, is what the room looked like today! (sorry if it's a tiny bit blurry)

Much better, yes?! I should've taken this picture a little more to the left so you can see the closet again, but I couldn't remember exactly which spots I stood in before...Oh well. I'm sure you get the idea! Dramatic, I think.

Obviously, it's not finished. My mom and dad will probably come back again next weekend, so we can finish sanding and then start priming (at least). I hope to have all the trim and doors painted and ready to go. This feels like it's taken forever and my mom and dad and brother have worked so hard to help me! They're such troopers! Thanks guys!

Until next time...

Ah, Friday

Thank God for Fridays... and wine.

Have a good looooooong weekend!

Love & Relaxation

Last night I was determined to have a relaxing, yet productive, evening. Can those 2 things really coexist, you ask. Well, yes. Yes, I believe they can! I was hoping I had a new issue of Vanity Fair waiting for me at home... but instead, something better was there... the new, 2010 Ikea catalog!!! More on that later...

I was trying to figure out what I was going to make for dinner with few ingredients, little hassle, and minimal preparation/cook time. I also wanted something filling and comforting. Hmm. Got it! My new favorite, go-to recipe! It is quick, easy, and so tasty and filling I feel like licking the bowl when I'm finished.

Black bean soup. So simple. So lovely. And healthy to boot. Here's the original recipe:

Puree 1 19-oz can of black beans (no need to drain the beans) in a blender or food processor. Gently heat 1 Tbsp of olive oil in a medium saucepan and toss in a small minced onion and clove of garlic and cook until onions are soft. Add the pureed beans and 1/2 cup chicken broth to the saucepan, bring to a boil, stirring occasionally allowing it to thicken. Add a dollop of sour cream (optional) and enjoy!

Six ingredients!! That's all you need! However... I can never just leave a recipe alone. I have to tweak things. I can't help it. I'll tell you what I've done and let you make up your mind...but I should say that the 2 times I've made this, it was a bit different each time, depending on what I had available in my cupboard and fridge.

The first time I made it, I had a mildly hot pepper from my neighbor, G. I chopped that and threw it in with the onions and garlic and it added a lovely mild flavor. If I had a pepper last night, I also would've added it. I almost always increase garlic whenever I make things... I love me some garlic. I also usually add some cayenne pepper to the mix at some point, for a little spice, also a little salt and black pepper to taste. Depending on your beans, you may want to add part of the chicken broth to the blender to help it puree nicely. Last night I used 2 smaller cans of beans and one was very watery...I think the majority of the weight of the can was liquid, not beans, jerks (not buying that brand anymore!). Anyway, eyeball it and use your best judgment. I think that this needed some acidity the first time I made it and so I added lemon juice (lime would work too) and it was awesome and definitely a permanent change! You can add that to your own taste preferences... I didn't measure the citrus... or the cayenne pepper. Last night I didn't add sour cream and the soup was amazing all by itself! Oh! I almost forgot! I also added cilantro! Yum. Let me know if you make this and what you think.

I ate my lovely, comforting bowl of black bean soup on my deck while I flipped through a new psych publication and watched the dogs play. Ah, relaxing. I told myself I could not look through the Ikea catalog until I did some licensing reading (that's the productive part)...urgh, torture. But I got some reading done just before a good friend called to chat...it's been too long, so I talked for quite a while, then crawled in bed with the catalog.

I admit I didn't get through the whole thing and had to turn out the lights by 8:55. I was asleep by 9:00.

I actually slept pretty late this morning, spilled coffee just before I was supposed to leave (thankfully NOT on my white linen skirt), cleaned that up, barely got a parking spot in the nearest lot, and was taunted by K-Dog for being late (who is late nearly 95% of the time).

But it's Thursday! And I get paid tomorrow! Woohoo!

WTF, Part 2: I Am Also a Bad Friend

I just realized I forgot my friend Nacole's birthday!

Nacole: I am clearly an idiot. I wholeheartedly apologize. You deserve better. I should be slapped or shunned or something.

I wish you a very Happy (albeit belated) Birthday! I hope your wishes (of better, more attentive friends) come true. I lift my stemless wine glass to you in a toast for a fabulous year! Love you!

WTF?!?

OK seriously... work has heated up real quick-like. I was expecting it and it still feels like my head is spinning. Wowza.

There were a couple of times today that I felt really unsure of myself and at a loss... like I once again lost the ever-elusive "Mo Jo". Maybe it's just on the fritz, I'm not sure, but I hate the feeling. Even worse, though, is when Doubt lurks just around the corner. I really don't want to have Doubt hanging around- he's too clingy, overstays his welcome, and makes me nervous. Bleh.

Do you ever have moments/days/weeks like that?

In my line of work it's really important for me to take good care of myself and recharge my batteries often. And for about a week or so I've been thinking that I need to recharge, but I'm having a hard time doing that right now. I have so many things going on. And with studying for my licensing exam, I am literally dealing with work-related stuff more often than not. Even my obsession with cooking has quieted down...which means my eating and snacking isn't going as well as it was. And gosh darn it, I've been failing miserably at my repeated resolution to walk the dogs more often. Plus, I'm not sure exactly what I need in order to recharge this time. What do you do to recharge?

Oh, the Suspense!

Ah, Monday. What fun. Today is the first day of classes here and all the students are back. On one hand I'm excited, there's more energy in the air, I'm looking forward to seeing more students on a regular basis...on the other hand, I'm nervous, there are people everywhere (goodbye quiet, peaceful campus), and I'll be very busy soon...very busy. In and of itself, that's not a problem, but after the slow summer, it's gonna be a change.

Anywho, the weekend went by super-fast with all the home improvement work going on! I took lots and lots of pictures, and can't wait to show you. But... you're going to have to wait! I need to get the pics off the camera AND we have finishing work to do on the room next weekend. Plus, it will be more dramatic to see the actual "After" pictures.

Happy Monday!

Stay Tuned...

It's been a crazy week, I've had a headache for days, and all I want to do is sleep.

Instead, my mom, dad, and brother are coming for the weekend to work on my office/craft room! I'm looking forward to finishing it. I just hope we can get things accomplished and my headache goes away and stays away! Grr.

Stay tuned for pictures...

I'm About to Get Serious

I feel like I'm about to begin training for a marathon. In a sense, I suppose it is a marathon... I'm talking about my licensing exam preparation. I "attended" a webinar-type workshop this evening on starting your preparation for the exam and while I knew a lot of the tips and strategies covered, I did walk away with some good ideas for outlining my individualized "Two-Phase Study Plan". Yes, they recommend planning a concrete schedule, with spelled out objectives, planned days off, etc. The workshop gave me a shot of motivation (i.e., a swift kick to the arse), so I pulled out my trusted Sharpies, a lame calendar from my insurance agent, and I marked off my study schedule for "Phase 1" of the plan. ("Phase 2" will come later, based on areas for improvement identified during "Phase 1".)

So, for the next 4 months I am in training, people! Operation EPPP is about to commence! I think I need one of these guys to help: A part of my preparation, which is included on the CDs and in the materials, is learning to manage anxiety and combat negative thoughts and poor attitudes. I'm not kidding when I say there is a visualization exercise and progressive muscle relaxation specific to taking this test!! Yikes! (By the way, not a good idea to listen to a relaxation exercise like that while driving...oops.) Anyway, the part on attitude and negative thoughts makes me think of this guy:

Ah, Stuart Smalley. You always turn my frown upside down. Stuart, you make me realize that "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me." And doggone it, I will pass the EPPP! No "stinkin' thinkin'" for me!

By the way, if you're not familiar with this classic Saturday Night Live character, you're missing out. I have a well-loved and tattered copy of his book, which cracks me up every time!

Call Me When It's Friday

Obsessions

1. Sharpies - I love pulling out my trusty, multi-colored Sharpies for so many things- writing reminders, labeling, making flashcards, making lists... In my ongoing efforts to save money, I had to stop myself last night from buying another big pack of Sharpies ( bold colors vs. the pastels that I have). Sigh.

2. www.fmylife.com - I just discovered this website, thanks to K-Dog. It's freakin' hilarious. People submit these stories that basically make them say, "F*&^ my life!" I was in a bit of a funk this morning and after reading a few of those, my funk lifted. Parental discretion is advised.

3. Pandora Radio - I know I'm a bit behind, but I just discovered it this summer and I love it! It takes your preferences and finds other artists that you might like... how great is that? I've spent many hours listening to music while working on projects, presentations, and paperwork and it's kept me quite content.

4. Home decor/home improvement blogs - I've been obsessed with being thrifty and finding ways to "nest" or decorate on a tight budget. Plus, the whole DIY thing is more appealing to me now that I have my own home.

5. Money- being broke sucks.

6. Vanilla yogurt and fresh fruit- Mmmm.

7. Studying for licensure- a necessary obsession.

Those are some of my recent obsessions. What are yours?

2009 Busy Bookworm Challenge

So, Themis0307 at Girl v. The World decided to throw down the gauntlet and challenge us to watch less TV, embrace our inner nerds, and read those books that have been sitting on our "To Read" lists. Since I don't have cable (or functional TV channels), I'm definitely nerdy, and I'm already working on a "To Read" list, I thought I would join the challenge! Besides, who doesn't love a good challenge? Here's how she's set things up... be sure to check out her original post here:

"Enter the 2009 Busy Bookworm Challenge! It goes like this: make a list of all the books you want to read before the end of the year. Go ahead. Make the list. I'll wait...

You back? Okay, so there is your goal. You are to read those books by the end of the year. Once you've finished one of the books on your list, write a blog post about it telling everyone that you've (a) read it, (b) how you liked it (or didn't as the case may be), and (c) if you'd recommend it. As you read others' blog posts/discussions about the books they've read and you want to read their book just add it to your ongoing list of books that you will use for the 2010 Busy Bookworm Challenge. After the new year, we'll start the new challenge."

Easy enough, right? Come on, visit her blog and join up!!

My Bookworm Challenge list will include a handful of books from my Influential Books list that I'm already working on, but will also include a couple of others that I've been wanting to read. Without further ado, I present my 2009 Busy Bookworm Challenge reading list (in no particular order):

The Bonfire of the Vanities- Tom Wolfe
Beloved- Toni Morrison
The Satanic Verses- Salman Rushdie
Alone in the Kitchen with an Eggplant: Confessions of Cooking for One and Dining Alone- Jenni Ferrari-Adler (Ed.)
The Art of Racing in the Rain- Garth Stein
The Kite Runner- Khaled Hosseini

That's it. Gosh, when I look at it, that list doesn't seem very long, but I know that the first 3 are hefty tomes. Game on!

Happy Reading!

XOXO,
heidi

Up Close & Personal

My sister, her husband, and my nieces and nephew came to visit today and we took a trip to the zoo! I haven't been to a zoo in a long time, so it was kind of fun...though it was very sunny, hot, and humid and I felt like I was melting...and I got some random bug bite on the top of my foot and it itched and itched and then got all red and kind of swollen when I scratched it.

Anyhoo, the zoo isn't a huge zoo or anything, but there are some cool attractions, like Lucky the albino alligator, and the playful otters, and the giraffes. The beautiful, leggy, awkward-and-graceful-all-at-once giraffes. For just $1 you can buy a couple of crackers and feed the giraffes... so the kids and I did! Their tongues are super-long and they just kind of grab those crackers before you know it! Eventually, the taller giraffe came over and he'll allow you to pet him (the other giraffe has a bit of attitude and won't let you pet him), so we also got to pet a giraffe. He wasn't as soft as I thought he would be, and he was kinda dirty, but it was still awesome.

All in all it was a fun day and good to see my family. At the moment I don't appear to be sunburned, but we'll see if I'm a bit red tomorrow!

Today, I Feel...

...slightly productive. I've gotten some odds and ends taken care of at work, though I still have some other things to knock off my list.

...excited to shop! I'm going to check out Pier 1 and Joann Fabrics after work today. Hopefully I find a deal or two.

...happy about the AWESOME deal I got on licensing exam study materials! Thank you very much, ebay.

...a little nervous about students returning to campus. Is the summer really gone already?? Where did that time go?

...a little sleepy. I'd better take a break and maybe I should change my online radio station from relaxing spa-like music to something more upbeat or I can forget about being more productive!!

How do you feel today?

(By the way, I based today's format off of a post I read on a cool blog, Girl v. The World. Check it out!)

Truly Inspiring

So y'all know I'm trying to plow through that List of Influential Books and that my first try, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, was a giant disappointment and my second book, Freakonomics, while interesting, wasn't really earth-shattering. I felt like the next book I picked needed to be really good, or it was going to be more difficult to motivate myself to keep plugging away at the list. Last week I went to the library and checked out 3 books: The Bonfire of the Vanities, Beloved, and What is the What. Eventually, I chose to start with What is the What after reading this:

"What is the What is the epic novel based on the life of Valentino Achak Deng who, along with thousands of other children- the so-called Lost Boys- was forced to leave his village in Sudan at the age of seven and trek hundreds of miles by foot, pursued by militias, government bombers, and wild animals,crossing the deserts of three countries to find freedom."

I was intrigued, even though I knew very little nothing about Sudan's struggles or the Lost Boys, though honestly I wasn't sure what to expect.

The story is Valentino's, but the author of the story is Dave Eggers. In the book's preface, Valentino, who goes by many names throughout the book, but most often Achak, states that the book is considered a novel because the story began when he was so young and not every word, person, or place could be recalled exactly (thank goodness, who wants another James Frey incident?); however, the major events "are true and the book is historically accurate."

The book is a hefty 535 pages and I was hooked from page 1. I read it in less than a week! It was touching, horrifying, funny, and unbelievable all at once. How did this little boy have the strength to keep going through such completely awful things?

"I dropped my bag, everything I owned, and jumped in. I paddled with my hands cupped like paws, only my head above water... As I moved through the water, I could feel the current carrying me downstream. I watched the crocodiles, keeping my eyes fixed upon them. There was no movement from them. I kept paddling. There was a great blast behind me. I turned around and could see the soldiers, kneeling in the grass of the riverbank, shooting at us as we crossed...I paddled and kicked. I looked again for the spot on the riverbank where I had last seen the crocodiles. They were gone... A scream came from very close. I turned to see a boy in the jaws of a crocodile. The river bloomed red and the boy's face disappeared. 'Keep going. Now he's too busy to eat you.'"

Reading this book made me cringe, made me feel sick. I felt angry. I felt ignorant. I felt tired. Seriously, sometimes I would be reading for a while, so engrossed in what was happening, so tense, that I had to finally put the book down and walk away. Over the weekend I took a few naps while reading the book- it is emotionally draining, to say the very least. And yet I also felt hopeful. I felt hopeful that there is a man out there that has been knocked around (literally and proverbially) so many times and has continued to get up and has continued to try to do good for the world, for his village in Sudan, and for himself. There are days, very recently even, that I have felt as though I have bad luck, that weird things happen to me, blah blah, but I really have nothing to complain about. Nothing. I am ashamed. And humbled. And once again, truly amazed at the tenacity of human beings.

I can see why this book was put on Mental Floss's list of most influential books. This one belongs on the list. It touched me, it opened my eyes to something new, it made me want to learn more. (Oddly enough, one of the documentaries I put on my Netflix queue months ago is about the Lost Boys. What a coincidence!) This is the first book I've read that has made me want to write and say, "Thank you for sharing your story. I can't believe what you've been through." Hmm... maybe I will do just that.

I leave you with one more quote from the book:

"I speak to these people, and I speak to you because I cannot help it. It gives me strength, almost unbelievable strength, to know that you are there. I covet your eyes, your ears, the collapsible space between us. How blessed are we to have each other? I am alive and you are alive so we must fill the air with our words."

***By the way, if you want to learn more, check out cool video clips and pictures, or get involved, visit The Valentino Achak Deng Foundation. *** Also, check out President Obama's reaction to the book here.

The Itch

I've been itching to do something crafty/artsy/creative lately (besides cooking)... probably inspired by some fun blogs I've been checking out (www.inthefunlane.com also the blogs that are listed there). I think it would be so fun! And I'm still not feeling very settled in my home, nor do I really feel like it's mine. So maybe a project would help a little.

Yet, I hesitate because: a) the in-progress house projects aren't nearly finished, b) I really need to make sure I'm studying for licensure (which I've resumed full force), c) I need to be very careful about my budget, d) I have no idea where to start... or what to start with!

Any ideas?

List Update

I just finished the final book of The Chronicles of Narnia! Which means I get to cross something else off my list! Hooray! After reading all the books, I must say that my favorite is still The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe since it's so original and can stand alone.

I didn't know all of the Christian symbolism that goes along with the books, so I did do a little online searching to learn more. It was interesting, though not everything was meant to be a symbol when Lewis wrote the books. In some of the stories, the parallels to scripture were obvious (almost painfully so), while in other parts of the stories I think that it was more of a stretch. But that's just my opinion. I do think that the end (of the final book) was a little weird, which is why I really didn't enjoy it very much.

I did enjoy learning more about the debate surrounding the order of the books. Lewis wrote them in a different order than organized and sold by the publisher today. I agree with some people debating about it- The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe should really be listed as the first book, just because it does set things up and has a line at the end of the story that the adventures in Narnia were just beginning. Anyway, I'm glad I read the books and may continue to read more about the Christian symbolism. I will also probably read more of Lewis' books- I've wanted to for a while and just haven't gotten to them!

Also, I did watch my July documentary, but didn't have a chance to write about it until now. I watched one of the discs in the Planet Earth series. If you haven't seen the series, or even part of it, do check it out. The lengths these camera-people and crew went to for the video are amazing. The images are awesome. I sometimes can't believe all the diversity out there and how these plants and animals survive in some truly harsh climates!

New Kid on the Block

I didn't know that when I bought my house I was buying my piece of the neighborhood. Not just any neighborhood, but a real, old-fashioned, piece of Americana. The neighbors here have been welcoming and friendly - G and K gave me a homemade loaf of bread, the guy across the street has told me many times that he will lend a hand whenever needed, and, true to his word, helped my move the dirty carpet out to the curb for garbage day.

But the frosting on the cake was when F stopped by and told me they were planning an "Out with the Old, In with the New Party" to say goodbye to the previous owner, and hello to me! She wanted to be sure I could be there and ran the date by me first, then told me about a flyer that would be distributed. Wow, I didn't expect all this.

The party was last night and I was not really looking forward to it, to be honest. I had mixed feelings about meeting the previous owner, especially because of my gross carpet and weird paneling and, most recently, an overdue water bill! Anyway, I made my dish to pass, bought a 6-pack of beer (it was BYO) and walked across the street with my head high (after a few hours of nerves and thoughts about making up a story to get out of it). F, who seems to be the neighborhood matriarch, chided me a little for bringing a dish since I was "one of the guests of honor after all." Meeting the previous owner was a little odd, but it was OK after the first few minutes. We chatted about what she used to clean the hardwood floors, talked about flowers in the yard, and she told me that her next project was the carpet (it was still sitting on the curb because of needing to call a "bulk items truck"). By the end of the night (and a number of drinks) A, the previous owner, was telling me that she was so happy I was living in her house and she had really wanted it to go to the "right person". She told me we would have to get together to talk about the flowers and any other questions I had. She also told me she loved me and hugged me and kissed my cheek, but I'm pretty sure that was just the alcohol talking. :-)

So, I spent a lovely...long... evening with my neighbors who are quickly becoming an extended family of sorts. I was told more than once that people look out for each other and this particular group of people (near the end of our block) are particularly tight-knit. Apparently, Christmas in the 'hood is also a very big deal involving a Round Robin party, lots of food, lots of alcohol, and lots of fun. Something to look forward to, for sure.

I Feel Old

There have been a few times (recently) that I have been: a) mistaken for a college student at the college where I work, b) told I'm "too young!" to have a doctorate, own a house, etc. etc., and c) told that I am "the exact same age" as my coworkers' children! In spite of having JUST had a birthday.

I know, some day I will be quite happy to hear such things.

But last night, I had a different experience. I felt OLD. K-Dog and I were doing our last presentation for incoming first-year students and K-Dog, liking to change things up sometimes, decided to play a youtube video of the song "Things That Make You Go Hmmm" by C & C Music Factory. How many of you remember that song?? Anyone? Anyone? Apparently NO ONE in our audience knew the song. They stared at the screen, half-dumbfounded and half snickering.

I was beside myself. No one knew the song. No one. Just K-Dog and me. I felt old. I felt a mixture of shock, disgust, disbelief... and a slight amount of giddiness. Yes, giddiness. At being old. Then I start to think I'm odd for being happy about it. I'm not sure I can explain it exactly, but it's like I had proof in the form of a young, dumbfounded audience, that I am older than they are. I don't know if that makes sense or not, but it's the best I can do.

Today K-Dog and I realized that most of those students in the room were just babies (or not born yet) when the song came out. Now there's a reality check.

OK. Giddiness gone. I just feel old again.

Weekend Warriors

This weekend was a do-it-yourself fest. My mom and brother came out to help me rip up the carpet since it still smelled bad and was still pretty dirty. I was slightly terrified to rip up the carpet because earlier in the week I had started taking down the wallpaper in one of the bedrooms (aka the office) and found...paneling. Wood paneling with all this wood trim in the corners, base, and top. Under the wood paneling? Funny you should ask! Looks like it is the original plaster, in rough shape. All the trim seemed to be covering the gaps where the paneling didn't exactly meet. I stopped working and waited until this weekend when I had reinforcements to help me assess the situation. It seems this house has surprised me a few times already, so it was with some trepidation that I faced the carpet situation.

However, we all thought there were wood floors throughout. Did I mention my home is 91 years young? So it wouldn't be unheard of. We peeked under the carpet in the corners, but it was tough to see and in one spot it looked like ... linoleum. Huh? On the other side, it looked like hardwood. So my brother started in front of the front door and cut a 3-foot strip of carpet. Here's what we found...


Nice, right? It looks like at one point there was a half-wall or built-in something there because the hardwood goes up to it... all that black tar-like stuff appears to be glue. For the kick-ass, 1960s, speckled linoleum. I nearly cried. And because we cut the strip right down the middle, there was really no turning back (plus the carpet and pad were disgusting, so it had to be taken out and everything cleaned.)

My living room is this giant 14'x24' room and the linoleum covers over half of it. After we uncovered more, it appeared that at some point one of the previous owners tried to remove some linoleum and realized how tough it would be and gave up. It kills me that the beautiful floors are covered like that!



We worked really hard for hours to get everything cut, rolled up, and bundled for the trash. Then we pulled out the staples, which is really tough work. We washed the floors with a lovely citrus-scented cleaner, which actually did help get rid of the smell of dog pee. I contemplated getting carpet just for the half of the room with the linoleum, but in the end, just couldn't do it (namely, I'm not rich and can't have the wood half refinished AND have carpet installed). So in a few weeks, the lovely wood will be covered up again... as well as the ugly linoleum.

But perhaps we finally exorcised the ghost of Puppy Pees A Lot. And for that, I am eternally grateful.

Oh, stay tuned for updates on the office wallpaper/paneling/plaster issue... that's another upcoming weekend project (that scares the bejeezus out of me).

Makeover!

I decided to try something new... what do you think of the new look?

Yum!

I had the most amazing chicken last night! It was quick, easy, and delicious and definitely something I will make again. It was a pretty simple marinade, but it packed quite a punch! AND it made the chicken very tender and moist. Yum!

Here's the recipe, in all it's simplistic glory:

1 Tablespoon of Balsamic Vinegar,
3 Tablespoons of EV Olive Oil,
the Juice of half a Lemon,
and a pinch of Black Pepper

I got the recipe for Balsamic Chicken from my new fave food blog, though as usual, I tweaked it a little. Originally the chicken was served with a salad, but as I didn't have any more salad greens on hand, I ate it with a baked potato instead. Since I didn't have a whole lemon for fresh lemon juice, I used the lemon juice I had in the fridge (I didn't measure exactly how much, but you want approximately that of half a lemon). I did use a bit less olive oil and increased the vinegar, but I really love balsamic vinegar. I also added a little salt after I threw the chicken in. I tend to like my chicken cut in strips (it's faster to cook) and last night was no exception- I trimmed any fat off the chicken breasts (I used 2), cut it in strips, and tossed it into the marinade, closed the container, shook it up and let it rest in the fridge while I did a few things around the house. I only let the chicken marinate for a short time (probably no more than an hour) and shook it a few times before throwing it into a really hot pan. There was a lot of liquid still, but it reduced quickly, so be careful not to burn!

Confessions of a Foodie (Wannabe)

I'm obsessed with food these days. I'm not sure if that makes me a foodie... but here's what Wikipedia says.

Out of all the blogs I actually read and check regularly, most are food blogs (check out my new favorite The Good Mood Food Blog). I love the amazing pictures as much as dreaming about making such awesome food. (secretly I want a good camera so I can take my own food pics and blog about my own food creations once in a while).

I love the Food Network and am pretty sad I'm back to having no cable/no TV.

I have a stack of cookbooks that I was so excited to unpack and have actually gone through a number of them quite recently.

I love trying new foods (remember that episode with baby octopus?).

I'm also excited to have my own kitchen again! Some day I will fill it with gadgets and cooking gizmos.

Cooking is relaxing. Last weekend I experimented with baked veggie egg rolls (they're OK baked... way better fried). Chopping carrots and bamboo shoots and onions became this zen-like thing for me.

One of my favorite books is Food & Mood: The Complete Guide to Eating Well and Feeling Your Best. It explains a lot about health and nutrition and offers some tasty recipes too!

So why the obsession? Well, it's not exactly a NEW obsession. I'm trying to get back to eating like I used to eat before the job from hell, chronic tonsillitis, dissertation drama, and the job from hell. Snacking at regular intervals, making sure I'm getting lots of fruits and veggies and fiber and protein, and eating things I enjoy making AND eating. I take mass quantities of food with me to work every day, all lovingly planned out, then lovingly eaten. Yesterday one of my snacks was a bowlful of cherries and a handful of almonds. Yum.

I'll admit, I feel a little weird going to work with all my food and declaring out loud that "it's snack time!", but I have noticed that I'm more alert during the day (without huge amounts of caffeine). The last few days have been much more productive for me. I'm not starving by the time I get home in the evening, even when I have to run errands right after work. And I'm not really craving anything, I feel pretty satisfied!

Furniture? Check!!

I bought some beautiful new furniture!! I wasn't intending to buy a new couch and chair right away, but I found out about a warehouse sale last weekend, then another sale, and so my brother and I had to go check things out. Lo and behold, I found something I liked at one place and then found it for a better price at another! Since the second place didn't have it in stock (ugh, who wants to wait 6 weeks?!) and their customer service was not stellar, my brother and I planned our strategy for working a good deal at the first place. And we got it! (Don't you LOVE getting a GREAT deal?!)

Cross one more item off my list!

8. Buy one new piece of furniture for myself.

So now I am the proud owner of a gianormous leather couch and a funky fabric chair & ottoman. I took a nap on the couch yesterday afternoon after it was delivered and it was such a good nap, I forgot where I was!

Speaking of my list... I know I haven't filled in the remaining items. I just can't think of other things that I want to do that are "list worthy." When I think about it, I've done so many things that if I would've made this list as an 18-year-old, they'd be on there. Like "live alone"- done that, obviously; "get a dog"- got 2; "go to graduate school"- check; "travel abroad"- YES; "ask a guy out"-scary, but I did it. So there aren't too many things I'm just dying to do before I'm 30 that aren't already on the list. Hmm... maybe get involved in my community (now that I have one) and learn to fix and/or replace a leaky faucet could be added...

gratitude [grat-i-tood, -tyood]

My family has been awesome always, but especially lately with all this house stuff. Last weekend my older sister and her family and my parents came to help move me in and clean some things up, which was great! My sister even wrote about it on her blog here. I'm grateful that they spent their 4th of July to help me and to share in such a big event! Thanks Mom, Dad, Tim, Kim, Ben, and Tessa. My little brown-eyed girl, Abby, even spent the night and helped me unpack and organize things. That 10-year-old girl amazes me with her selflessness ... she just kept saying, "Whatever you want me to do to help you get settled, Heidi." Thanks, Abby.

This weekend, my brother came from St. Paul, MN to help me too. I rented a Rug Doctor so we could shampoo all the carpeting in the house because there was definitely a lingering pet odor in the house and some spots in the living room. Boy did we work hard! Technically, he did the bulk of the shampooing while I did the pre-shampoo vacuuming, moved a few things around, and shampooed the stairs. I cannot believe how dirty the carpet was. We're talking disgusting, black water, kind of dirty!! Even after going over the carpet a couple of times, the water was still coming out very dirty. Blech. And I'm not kidding when I say the carpeting on the steps was nearly as bad as the entire living room! The smell has gotten better, but is probably not completely gone. It's most likely in the carpet pad, which will be nearly impossible to get out, I'm guessing. The previous owners did a great job of masking the smell when we were here for the showings and inspection... or they let it get worse after the offer was accepted. That would be my advice to a home buyer: if the carpet is staying and isn't new, write a professional carpet cleaning into your offer.

Anyway, my brother and I also ran all over the city looking for some new house numbers (you just can't see mine very well), a new mailbox, and other odds and ends. We didn't find everything, but that's OK. It was fun having him around, as always. I think that we're pretty entertaining for salespeople and whatnot, once we get going. So thanks for all your help this weekend, Brother!!

The Joys of Homeownership

My fingers hurt as I type this. It's a weird feeling. Actually, the soreness doesn't stop there... it continues up my forearm, upper arm, shoulders and back, down my legs all the way to my feet. I've been moving, unpacking, cleaning, and doing yard work since Friday and I'm sore. But it's a good sore that comes with hard work. I'm OK with that.

It's been fun unpacking my things, though it will be a while before I'm actually "settled in." People have asked me if everything fits in my house...um, yes. The furniture that fit perfectly in an apartment and a small house seems like toy furniture in my new house! The carpet needs cleaning, big time, so that will be another project, probably this weekend. I also need to fix a couple of drippy faucets sometime in the near future.

The puppies are back home with me, which is great. They love the new house and yard. This morning I watched Lilly chase Montey in a large figure-8 pattern over and over, stop and pant for 30 seconds, then Montey took a turn being the chaser. They did that about 4 times ... but who knows how long they were chasing each other before I caught them. Silly dogs.

Speaking of the yard... I have a LOT of plants and flowers that I know nothing about. I'm hoping I don't kill them. Maybe I'll find a good book or website that will help me out. I've had to deal with some wasps already, but I'm sure that's not the last I'll see of them. What are wasps' natural predators?

Home Sweet Home

Well, it's all over. I bought a house today! I think I might be in a bit of shock... I mean, I own a house. I have a flipping mortgage for crying out loud!

I'm not sure when this picture was taken (I stole it from the real estate listing). The bushes still need trimming though. But in spite of that, isn't she pretty?

And... I have a front porch swing!! I have always wanted a front porch swing and now I have one! I imagine many evenings sipping lemonade (OK, maybe sometimes something stronger) and being lazy on the porch.

The puppies will soon be home and can play in their awesome backyard and I will be able to sleep in my own bed! For the first time in 4 months!! Well, tomorrow I can sleep in my own bed... I have no furniture right now. AND I can finally start getting settled in this new life of mine. And I get to cross one more thing off my list! Hooray!

Approved!

I got final approval this afternoon! I'm set to close on the house on Friday morning! Whew! I was worried this wasn't going to happen with all that hoop-jumping and whatnot! I know I'm relieved... Tomorrow is the final walk-through and it will be interesting to see the house completely empty...

Does Anyone, I Mean ANYone, Know What's Going On?

So I guess I'm closing on my house on Friday... I haven't heard otherwise, but I also haven't had a confirmation on that date either. This whole process has been ridiculous. I've been asked to provide so many financial documents and verification of those documents (helloooo! you're holding the documents in hand. Isn't that proof enough?) that I actually feel a little naked and somewhat violated. I also have asked a couple of times about a couple of things, and haven't been able to get answers....which is irritating. I mean, I get that people are busy and I'm not the only person buying a house right now, but come on! How hard is it to return a phone call? Especially when I'm asking you to confirm that you got something you asked me to send you??!! Grrr!

A Spot of Sunshine

One graduate school credit..... $395

Dissertation paper and printing..... $40

Microfilming fee..... $65

Finally getting your diploma... Priceless

Yes, I finally got it! If I wasn't essentially broke and out of the office this week, it would already be framed and hung with care on the wall. Oh well. It's here. It's tangible proof that I am indeed finished with graduate school and that I really do have credentials!

Not So Required Reading

I finished (finally) The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle (Murakami), which was the first book I selected from Mental Floss's 25 Influential Books list.

So I'll start off by saying this is a Japanese book, translated into English (obviously). From what I understand, the translation is supposed to be very good. It's about a guy, Toru, who has a number of things go wrong- cat runs away, quits his job, marital issues, etc. He meets a bunch of... shall we say quirky?...characters who do and say some really strange things.

At first, I liked the style of writing and the storyline- simple, a little eccentric and unexpected. Toru is kind of an everyday guy, doing everyday things...I mean, he's cooking spaghetti and shopping for groceries and looking for the runaway cat. Pretty straightforward, right? No. Not really. The story quickly got weirder and weirder, but I liked a few of the characters and wanted to see where the story was going, so I hung in there. The female characters were more dynamic than the male characters, but they could also be quite weak and often sexually-motivated... I'm not sure that's exactly the way I want to describe them, but it'll have to do for now. The men were basically devoid of emotion, except for one guy, Cinnamon, and he was mute!

By the end of the book... all 604 pages of it... I was thinking, "What the %$*&!!! Who picked this book?! Why is it 'influential'?!" The best way I can describe it is like a surrealist painting, but in book format. At first glance, or in this case read, you think you know what's going on... then upon closer inspection, you realize you really don't.

I kept thinking that the book was loaded with dream sequences, because the plot made about as much sense as one of those crazy dreams, the kind where you're walking along talking to someone one minute and it's someone else the next minute and instead of carrying a loaf of bread you're carrying a cat. But as far as I can tell, these aren't dream sequences.

Seriously. Who picked this book and why is it "influential"?

And does anyone really know what's going on? I've read a number of reviews and comments and "analyses" of this book online... everyone seems to have more questions than answers. I also know that Murakami has some die-hard fans out there that say this work is brilliant, that all of his stuff is brilliant and that if you don't "get it", you're basically an idiot. I beg to differ! I don't think I'm an idiot!

Ahem. After more thought, I've further revised MY version of this list (i.e., I nixed more books). I'd like to read books that make me think, or impact me in some way, but "had an innovative and unique marketing strategy," in my humble opinion, isn't really a good enough reason for me to consider them worthy of a "most influential books of the past 25 years" list. But then again, maybe I'm just an idiot.

Freaky Friday

This is going to be very quick... it seems as though today is going to be one of those "interesting" days.

I finally finished one of the books I've been reading forever, Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, which was on my list. I will write more about that in an upcoming post, as well as unveil my further revised "Influential Books" list.

I've had a bit of housing drama this week. I'm hoping everything works out, but it looks like my closing date will most likely be pushed back a few days. It's not the end of the world, I know, but I really didn't want to push anything back. I mean, come on already! I want to live in my own house!! The most frustrating part is that this is out of my control and there isn't anything I can do to speed up the process. I just have to wait for the pieces to fall into place...and in the meantime, obsessively monitor those pieces so I at least know what's going on! Ugh!

Keep Learning, Part 2

The other documentary I watched recently was Arctic Tale. It's along the same lines as March of the Penguins, which I loved, but details the lives of a walrus and polar bear. Now, I love March of the Penguins, so I found myself (probably unfairly) comparing the two films. First of all, Queen Latifah, who narrates, has nothing on Morgan Freeman, but she was still easy to listen to and tried to insert humor in various places. Second, the music in some parts was a little too... folksy? I don't know if that's exactly the right word to describe it. Needless to say, it was a little irritating and distracting for me... though in some parts, the music was great! In one spot, you're meeting the whole herd of walruses and "We Are Family" is playing, which was funny and totally appropriate.

I will say one thing, this film definitely has a high cuteness factor going for it. I mean, come on, what's cuter than two baby polar bears romping around in the snow? Even the baby walrus was cute. What amazed me, and what I didn't know, was how familial walruses are. A baby walrus is looked after by a mother and another family member (Queen Latifah kept saying "auntie") for 3 years! The mother actually holds her baby in her flippery arms, which was very cute and very human-like and completely unexpected. There was this adorable scene where they baby and mother engage in some walrus-y kissing-type behavior... but really they're using their whiskers to memorize each other's faces. Interesting!

I'll admit, though, I couldn't help but think of Adam Sandler in 50 First Dates. In the movie, his character is interested in learning more about walruses because we don't know very much about them, which is true. So this footage was actually pretty amazing and took a long time to get.

Now, there were sad parts in the film, but I'm not going to spoil everything, don't worry. One of the saddest parts was when the polar bear and walrus herd couldn't find food because of the unusually warm temperatures, which meant that the ice didn't freeze. Obviously, the film, put out by National Geographic, is trying to educate people, especially children, about the environmental crisis we're facing, but the film really doesn't ever get preachy or anything.

I'd say, if you liked March of the Penguins, you'll like this film. If you haven't seen it yet, check it out!

Keep Learning

All right, I admit I didn't watch a documentary in May... not unless I can count all the hours of HGTV I watched! Technically those shows are documenting stories of people looking for houses and whatnot. I think it should count... besides, I did a LOT of house-hunting in May.

Anyway, in the last couple of days I've watched 2 pretty awesome documentaries. I really didn't plan it that way, but when I got my new Netflix, it turned out to be a documentary. So, maybe I didn't watch one in May, but I suppose this makes up for it.

First, Paper Clips. This film is about a group of kids and teachers at a Whitwell Middle School in rural Tennessee. The teachers wanted students to learn about about diversity and tolerance, so they decided to do a unit on the Holocaust. The students had an idea to collect paper clips so that they could envision what 6 million actually looked like. What started out as one unit turned into a 4+ year project that was known around the world.

This story was inspiring and truly touched my heart. These kids and teachers took learning to another level. People from around the world sent letters filled with stories and paper clips in remembrance of people that had perished during the Holocaust, survivors came to the school to tell their stories and to see what the children had done. Their stories made me cry. Many people in this little rural town challenged themselves to examine their own beliefs and biases about people who were "different" and they spoke about how this project had changed them for the better.

What really struck me, as it always does when I hear survivors' stories, is that soon these people will no longer be around. People who were alive when all of this happened will not be here on this earth to tell their stories. That scares me. What scares me even more, and angers me, is that there are still people out there that deny the Holocaust ever happened.

Yet, I'm heartened by the fact that these children have collected, catalogued, and preserved numerous stories, that they have listened to and been touched by survivors' stories. Many of the children in the documentary said that they were changed by their experiences and want to pass on the stories they heard so that others will learn about and never forget what happened. To me that is absurd! How can someone deny that this has happened? Look at the photos, listen to the interviews, read a book! It happened! Hatred like that is still happening!

There are organizations out there dedicated to preserving these stories, preserving history for future generations. For more information, check out Holocaust Survivors. Also check out the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. They have a great page entitled, Life After the Holocaust.

Inspection Day, Part 2

Well, overall things look pretty good with the house! There are some minor things that will need fixing (a leaky faucet) or maintenance (clean out the window wells), but there were only a few things that we're asking the seller to attend to by closing. The priciest is probably the blown seal in the patio door window, so I hope they agree to fix that.

The inspector was this tall, buff guy with the whitest teeth I've seen! The basement has a really low ceiling, so he had to crouch down quite a bit. He was really friendly and explained things to me. He was pretty impressed with the condition of the house, especially since it's so old. It was pretty interesting and I learned a lot. For instance, here's a fun fact for you.... 2 of my 3 toilets are from 1965 and they're in nearly perfect condition (the 3rd toilet is 1995, I think). When you think about it, that's a lot of usage!

I was sitting in the kitchen while the inspector was crawling around in the attic and I looked around and thought, "This is such a cute home." It's still hard to believe it will actually be mine soon...

Now I just need to get through the appraisal!

Inspection Day!

Today is my home inspection. I've been looking forward to it because it feels like movement of some sort, another step in the right direction. And I'm curious- I get to learn more about this beautiful, old home. But as usual, I'm nervous about it.

I know, I know, inspections always turn up something. And yes, I know that if it's something really big I can negotiate with the seller or walk away. But still. I'm nervous.

Blame It On the Rain

Remember that Milli Vanilli song? Yikes, what a scandal that was.

Anyway, the weather here has been cold, rainy, and overcast for days. It's June! What's up with that?! My hands are freezing right now! It's a dreary kind of day and it seems to be going very slowly at the moment.

I don't really have anything too exciting to report. Work has been a bit slow, but I've got enough to keep me occupied most days. And soon I will have summer orientation presentations and I'll be out of town for some training. I've been studying for my licensing exam (or trying to) a little each day, which has been slow and a little frustrating. I haven't been doing well on the practice exam questions, which I know is normal when you first start studying but still. It doesn't feel good after spending all that time and money in school!

Other than that, I just feel like I've been waiting and wondering about my new house. It seems like the month is going by very slowly. Maybe once the inspection is done this week, it will feel like things are moving along? I hope so.

The First of Many Firsts

I just dropped off my earnest money at my Realtor's office. Writing that check made things feel a little more real to me today. It was the first of many, many checks I'll be writing to pay for this house. But it felt pretty good.

Everyone has been so excited for me. Thank you for all the wonderful comments, emails, and phone calls! My coworkers have been so supportive through this whole process and have been offering congratulations left and right. Honestly, I think a part of that is a sense of relief that I'm here to stay and won't be going elsewhere anytime soon. :-) My Director literally said something to the effect yesterday. Another coworker pointed out that I will be able to really celebrate Independence Day this year, in my very own home. How appropriate! And K-Dog bought me lunch today, to celebrate my not being homeless anymore. My family, as usual, has been endlessly supportive and is also very excited. I'm pretty sure my mom cried when I told her my offer was accepted. She also is happy I won't be going anywhere anytime soon.

Now I know that technically the house isn't mine until I have all the papers signed and keys in hand, but I definitely think of it as MY house already. I've been thinking about furniture and new bedding and paint colors. And my puppies! Soon my puppies will be home with me, in their new backyard. And, I'll be able to knock a couple of things off my list!!

Accepted!

I have an accepted offer! Hooray! They counter-offered this morning and I accepted!

Now I need to get through inspection and make sure financing goes through.

I feel nauseous. Happy, but nauseous.

3rd Time's the Charm?

I put a bid on house #3 yesterday. I'm supposed to hear something today...I really hope that whatever I hear is GOOD news. The house I'm bidding on has been on the market for quite some time. Initially, it was listed at a higher price and wasn't getting much activity. About 6 months ago, the price was reduced and the house has apparently had 3 accepted offers, which subsequently fell apart. I'm hoping all of this works in my favor!

I'll keep you posted...

Dear Diary,

Do you ever just stop and wonder about your life?

Sometimes I just stop and almost laugh because I'm not sure this is what I envisioned my life to be. In some ways, that's a good great thing, yet in other ways, I wonder how things ended up the way they are.

I was so excited to finish my dissertation and get this job and get my "real life" started. But I'm still in limbo. I'm waiting to get settled. Waiting, waiting, waiting.

I might've found a house... again... and all of a sudden I got really nervous about it. All these thoughts started running through my head:

"Holy crap, this is a lot of money."
"Do you really want all this responsibility?"
"What the heck are you going to fill this house with?"
"Is this the right neighborhood for me?"

I'm trying to figure out if I'm nervous because I just haven't had much luck with this house thing and I just don't want to get my hopes up. But I'm also trying to make a realistic, informed decision. I just feel like there's this nebulous blob of anxiety hovering over me.

"All at once
The world can overwhelm me
There's almost nothing that you could tell me
That could ease my mind.
Which way will you run?
When it's always all around you
And the feeling lost and found you again
A feeling that we have no control."
-All At Once, Jack Johnson

XOXO,
Heidi

Confession

I've been a little addicted to reality TV lately. Besides the HGTV shows, I mean.

For the very first time, I watched American Idol this season. Even though I only watched the last 4 or 5 episodes, I was totally into it. If there are any hard-core Idol fans reading this, I know, it's nothing for me to watch the end of one season (I've already been told as much). But the talent sucked me in! I even voted! My favorite was Danny and not just because he was a Wisconsin boy, but because he really could sing. After him, my favorite was Kris (the eventual winner) and yes, I voted for him too... twice in one night. I just couldn't bear Adam winning!

I'd like to say that was my first time voting on a reality TV show, but as I was thinking about it, I realized I voted for Food Network's The Next Food Network Star one season. I can't wait for the new season to start! I love that show. Food and competition?? Perfect! There's always one person that gets under my skin and drives me nuts.

But my most shameful secret... is my addiction to the show Tori & Dean. You know, Tori Spelling of Beverly Hills 90210 fame. There was a mini-marathon on this weekend and I watched it for hours. I did manage to do laundry and clean my purse and whatnot, but I get sucked into that show so quickly! Back in the day, I got sucked into the first season when they had a mini-marathon!

What is it about these darn shows?!

All right, so now it's your turn. I want to hear about your reality show addictions. I know you have them. I know I'm not the only one out here. Spill it.

More Adventures in House-Hunting

Ah yes, it's time for another installment of those wacky adventures and crazy mishaps I find myself in as I search for my new home.

Today I went out during my lunch hour with my Realtor to look at 3 houses that were recently listed. I should point out that these homes did not have any interior pictures (always a big concern for me!), one stated that it needed "TLC", one indicated that the owner was retired and ready to move into a condo, and I don't even remember what the other said. I forced myself to take a chance on these homes, since they were all nicely priced and in AWESOME neighborhoods.

As we drove to home #1, I noticed the cute neighborhood, mature trees, and great curb appeal. Hmm, maybe this house will be great after all! And then... we opened the door to a time capsule. A smelly time capsule. I'm not kidding. There was wallpaper everywhere, doilies, slightly creepy framed art prints of children holding kittens, flowery knick-knacks all over, and I think there may have been a plastic carpet runner or two. Did I mention the doilies? I have a sneaking suspicion about why there were no photos of the inside. The home wasn't so bad, but would need a lot of work (wallpaper removal and painting) and some big updates (kitchen). The yard had lots of landscaping,which was pretty, but made the yard seem very small. The coolest thing I saw, seriously, was the newspaper hung on a bulletin board in the basement dated December 7, 1941.

It was here that my Realtor had a slight mishap involving a laundry chute and a bra. It could've been much worse, don't get me wrong, he did manage to get the door closed before the little old lady's underwear came flying out. I was still laughing 20 minutes later.

House #2 was being sold to settle an estate... this was the "TLC" home. Boy, did it need it. I could easily sink $20,000 into the home for updates and probably still not be finished. The layout was odd too. Have I told you I'm developing a fear of basements? I've been in a LOT of creepy basements lately and I have started to hate going down to check them out. The doors always seem to stick, the light switches rarely work, and I usually manage to walk into cobwebs and spiderwebs. This one wasn't too bad, but it was dark, musty, and full of cobwebs, so I spent as little time there as I could. Blech, I still feel like I'm covered in cobwebs.

We literally spent 3-4 minutes in House #3. The people were still there (urgh) and scurried to the garage to hang out while we walked through. I feel bad that we only spent a few minutes because I bet it took a lot of effort for that little old woman to get out to the garage in the first place!

I guess I'll keep looking...

Rejected

I didn't get the house. I found out this morning at about 8:30. At least I didn't lose sleep over it last night- I was out cold by 9:30!

I'm supposed to go look again at one of the other houses from last weekend. It's a nice home, been on the market for a while, good neighborhood... but honestly... I'm kind of tired of all this.

Competition

Another offer is on the table. They meet this evening to discuss and decide what they're going to do, so I won't know anything until then.

Still Waiting...

I got an email this morning from my Realtor saying they were going to counter-offer, but he hadn't yet received the counter. So, I'm still waiting.

At least they didn't pull the house off the market. I choose to see this as progress.

No News...

It's 20 after 10 and I haven't heard anything yet. I'm tired and think I'm ready for bed. Tomorrow is a new day and hopefully brings a counter-offer.

Thanks for all the good luck wishes, support, and interest!!

The Waiting Game

Well, I wrote an offer this morning on House #2 (see previous post). They need to accept or reject it today, though they can counteroffer tomorrow or after... obviously I'm hoping they just accept it.

I'd like to say that I have a very busy day to keep my mind occupied, but I don't. So I'll be anxiously awaiting word.

Adventures in House-Hunting

I went out on Saturday to see 5 houses. I was hopeful and even a little excited because I thought I had some very promising options.

I met up with my Realtor bright and early and we went to House #1- very cute in the pictures and a very nice price. I imagined myself hanging a swing on the front porch and some flowers. However, not so cute in real life... and not really worth the already-low price. Moving on...

House #2 was the house that gave me hope last week. Priced at the higher end of my range, but great neighborhood, very nice home, and lots of character. In reality... everything I was hoping for and more! I fell in love with the home. I can honestly say this home is better than the first home I put a bid on! And then... another freakish stroke of bad luck! We went to lock up to head to the next home and my Realtor couldn't find the house keys! He'd been holding them with the lockbox thingy and apparently they slipped out somewhere! Neither of us heard anything fall on the hardwood or tile, so they were either in a carpeted room or outside in the giant yard! We split up and started looking, to no avail. He was ready to leave and call the listing agent, but I was determined to find the darn things- this wasn't getting in my way of buying this house! We swapped areas and then both looked in the yard, twice. Finally, a saw a tiny glimpse of something yellow in the grass, then a glint of metal- the key!! Then nearby, the other key! Hooray! My Realtor tells me that these odd things don't typically happen to him, but for some reason, they tend to happen when I'm around!

House #3 was OK... nice yard and a good deal of living space, but compared to my beautiful dream house (see above), this house seemed pretty lackluster. House #4 was odd, poorly staged, and nothing I was interested in. House #5 was very nice, lots of space, great neighborhood, but again, seemed a little lackluster compared to House #2.

I think the winner is House #2. I'll keep you posted...

A Renewed Sense of Hope

I'm not sure exactly what happened, but this morning I had a renewed sense of hope that I will find a house soon! As you know, I've been pretty frustrated with this process and disappointed and not sure I was going to find something. This morning (bright and early) my Realtor sent me a few updated listings and one of them caught my eye. As I studied the other listings, I found a few more that have potential!

I picked up coffee and a breakfast sandwich at a new-to-me coffee place (it was delicious) and while I was waiting I checked out some cards they had for sale... the first pack I picked up were moving/new address cards! They were very cute and I made a mental note for later. Then I randomly picked up a second pack and those were also moving cards! Wow! Maybe the universe is sending me a new message!

Since I'm headed out of town for a conference for a couple of days, I won't be able to look at the houses until Saturday and I'm hoping I find my new home... would you keep your fingers crossed for me?

Whose Bright Idea Was This Anyway?

Who convinced me to buy a house? I have a bone to pick with you.

Ah, Spring!

I know, I haven't written in a while, but I was walking on a very sleepy, quiet campus this morning, noticing all of the new life, breathing the heavy humid air (still readjusting to the humidity here!), enjoying the view of the calm river, and I realized, Spring has sprung!

The grass is very lush and green from all that rain, the flowers are popping up everywhere on campus, and the little baby leaves are showing themselves on the trees and bushes! It's beautiful. It's exciting. It's a new beginning and I'm especially glad for that.

I heart Spring!

Things That Make You Go Hmmm....

Since I'm feeling kind of blah, here's some food for though.

At the end of every Vanity Fair magazine is the Proust Questionnaire, which is completed by someone famous each month. It usually makes me think, so I thought I'd include it ... with my answers, of course! They do change some of the questions sometimes, but here are the ones from a recent issue.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
I think that's an evolving definition... right now, sleeping in with the dogs, in my bed, on a sunny Sunday morning. Then having an awesome breakfast.

What is your greatest fear?
Dying alone.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Indecision.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Blatant arrogance and entitlement.

What is your greatest extravagance?
Extravagance?? Huh? Probably my smartphone and wireless internet.

What is your current state of mind?
Tired and frustrated.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Prudence in all things. Who needs that?

On what occasion do you lie?
Only when absolutely necessary, but not often.

Which living person do you most despise?
Michael Vick. I cannot believe what he did and allowed to be done to those dogs he had fighting on his property! I get rageful just thinking about it! Check out that episode of DogTown ... you'll get mad too.

What is the quality you most like in a man?
Honesty, sense of humor, and a caring nature.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Independence, honesty, and sense of humor.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
"Um" "Does that make sense?" "Like"

What or who is the greatest love of your life?
Family and friends. And my dogs!

When and where were you happiest?
Honestly, the most recent time was after my dissertation defense at my celebration. It was amazing to look around the table and see my friends supporting me and celebrating with me. Plus, the hard part was over!

Which talent would you most like to have?
I would like to knit. Then I could make cool throw blankets and scarves and whatnot. But I have not been graced with that talent, try as I might.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
The relationships that I've built with people- family, friends, colleagues. Also, my education.

If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
Hmmm.... I really don't know. A fly on the wall of the Oval Office?

What is your most treasured possession?
My baby ring.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Recovering from a tonsillectomy (bad) then experiencing excruciating pain during a bout of explosive, projectile vomiting (really, really bad). It brings tears to my eyes to think about it.

What is your most marked characteristic?
Sense of humor.

What do you most value in your friends?
Honesty.

What is it that you most dislike?
Cruelty to animals and child abuse.

How would you like to die?
Old, happy, and peacefully and surrounded by loved ones.

What is your motto?
Learn something from everything.

Blogging Blahs

I've got the blahs. I don't know what to blog about lately.

I feel like all I ever talk about these days is house-hunting, which is getting old. I may be looking for an apartment soon and taking a little break from house-hunting (obviously getting an apartment means a lot of up-front and on-going costs, which takes away from my ability to save money for my down payment and whatnot).

I'm still recovering from my various illnesses, so I'm tired out. Work has been steadily busy and I'm looking toward the end of the semester when we can have a little down time.

That's about it. I'm just blah. My life is pretty blah.

I Think the Universe Might Be Trying to Tell Me Something....

Saturday morning started with lovely thunderstorms... I seriously love thunderstorms, especially in the morning. What I don't love is when those storms wake a baby and scare her causing her to cry and wake everyone else up. Oh well, I got over it pretty quickly. I was looking forward to a giant Starbucks coffee, spending time with my brother, and finding the house of my dreams.

The day didn't go exactly like that though...

It was pouring rain, which isn't the best weather for house-hunting, but I brought my big umbrella and told myself to deal with the rain. My realtor was a bit late because the power went out at his house sometime overnight, which in and of itself isn't that big of a deal. When we got to the first house, there was a big U-Haul in the driveway and the garage was wide open. The people were still there! How uncomfortable! So we walked through the house anyway and it was trashed- bags of garbage all over, not cleaned up, yuck. And weird to bump into the people too! After checking out the basement, first floor, and garage, we went upstairs and checked out the bathroom... where we saw mold. Deal breaker for me. We left.

Or tried to leave... We got into my realtor's car and it wouldn't start. He'd apparently been having trouble with his starter, but now it was just dead. He was very apologetic and got out of the car to ask the guy across the street to help him jump the battery or something. Instead, the Good Samaritan offered to drive us all back to the office where we could pick up either my car or my brother's car. So we did that. Nice guy, eh? At one point on the drive though, I noticed Good Samaritan's gas gauge warning light on... I was worried that HIS car would die too!

When we finally got to the next house on the agenda, the occupant of that house was also there! She appeared to be a high school student living there alone... literally a high schooler, she told us her prom dress was laid out in one of the bedrooms, but that we could still go in to look around. She told us her listing agent didn't give her a specific time we'd be there. That's bullcrap.

Anyway, only 1 of the 4 houses I saw on Saturday was even remotely appealing... and it seemed small to me. I felt a little claustrophobic inside.

After that I hung out for a while with my brother and his friend, but I wasn't feeling all that well. Ever since I had that big Starbucks.... I stopped at Target and got some Pepto before going home, fully intending to sleep. Instead, I had a violent episode of projectile vomiting. I felt awful all night, puked a few more times, and only got short snippets of sleep. Yesterday I didn't go to the open house I was supposed to go to because I slept through it (and I felt crappy anyway).

Is this a sign? I mean, here's all the weird stuff that has happened since I stared house-hunting:
-the first house I loved sold before I could even see it,
-my realtor locked the keys in the house at one place,
-I sort of broke a cabinet while opening it during a showing,
-I put in an offer on a house and they took it off the market!!
-my realtor's car completely died while showing me homes,
-I have been sick almost the entire time I've been looking, including an awful flu-like virus/cough, AND projectile vomiting.

What gives?

T.G.I.F

I'm glad it's Friday. It seems like it's been quite a roller coaster of a week for me... and busy too. I've been pretty exhausted each night when I come home from work. Hopefully I can catch up on some rest this weekend...

Speaking of this weekend, I'm going house-hunting again. I was hoping to be done with all that, but I'm not. I'm still sad about losing my house, even though I know there are others out there and I'll find one and it'll be better, blah blah. Be that as it may, I'm still allowed to feel sad for a little while. I'm owning my feelings!

Other than that, I don't have much to say. Work is going well. We've been laughing a lot this week over some stupid little things, which has been fun and much-needed.

Well, I supposed that's really all I've got for today! Have a fantastic weekend!

Huh?

They took my house off the market. As in, it's no longer for sale. Something about potentially moving out of state and not wanting to buy another house here, but rather just waiting to sell when they're ready to move. Or something.

Awesome. Back to square 1.

Gonna Vomit

I put an offer in on a house today. Yikes. I'm nervous. I wasn't nervous until I actually started signing things and my Realtor kindly reminded me that this is a legally binding document. Then I was OK until I thought of a question and called him from the car. Then I got nervous all over again.

They have to respond tomorrow. Now I wait.

A Sense of Whimsy

I've been trying to decorate my office, but it's been slow namely because I'm trying to save my money and a lot of my office things are packed in boxes in storage!

But the other day, I found something amazing. I was in our printer/supply/mail room and as I glanced at my mail tray on the wall, I saw something behind the door. I moved the door slightly and began to see what appeared to be a piece of framed art, perhaps a tranquil landscape with lots of green trees, some water, and a hazy sky. Hmm, interesting.... I pulled the door back a little more to reveal art that surprised me and made me smile. I instantly fell in love and thought about taking it for my office. Since I was the only one around (and new) I wasn't going to just "steal" it, even though I thought, "It's behind a door, in a tiny room where no one actually sits, and clearly it won't be missed." But I left it. And forgot about it.

Then yesterday I found it all over again! I went into the room, glanced up at my mail tray, saw the edge of the frame and just had to look again. Yup, still made me smile. Yup, still loved it. Later, I pulled my coworker in and asked her if she knew it was there and if she thought it was weird that I loved it. Well, she didn't know it was there. And she loved it too! She told me if I didn't hang it in my office, she was going to hang it in her office! Of course I nabbed it. It turned out that K-Dog even liked it and would've put it in HIS office, had he known about it! Score!

So here it is... my newly found whimsical piece of art:
What do you think???

Image from of art.com by Michael Sowa

Confession

I think I've transferred one addiction to another... I'm no longer hoarding boxes... but I think I might be addicted to HGTV. Sigh.

I can't help myself. If I get the remote, it's usually pointed to HGTV these days. At work, we have a TV in the waiting area and if I'm the first one to work in the morning, I turn to HGTV. I used to turn on CNN so I could get some snippets of news, but now... HGTV. At my parents' house during the last 2 weekends I basically watched HGTV all day, especially when I was sick. Last night at Gina and Jason's I ended up with the remote while they were busy doing other things and I turned it right to the shows about selling homes, house hunting, and renovations.

I've had dreams that were kind of like the shows on HGTV remodeling and whatnot.

Yesterday I was on HGTV's website!

I don't remember how many times I said, "I saw a show about that recently" in reference to fixtures, paint, flooring, or some other thing, to my Realtor and others.

Is this addiction going to go away when I finally buy a house??

Keep Learning

My documentary for April is Thin. I've been wanting to watch this for some time and have never gotten around to it... it's an HBO film and I must say, they did a pretty nice job overall.

The film is about eating disorders, an area of interest for me, and takes the viewer into the Renfrew eating disorders treatment center. Renfrew is a really well-known treatment center and I've heard good things about it from former patients of the center and my colleagues. But I did get a different perspective watching this film. I didn't realize how thoroughly and how often the staff will search the belongings of the residents for "contraband." I learned more about the lengths some people will go to maintain their eating disorder... even though I know the lengths, it still surprised me. For instance, one young woman had an feeding tube in her stomach, obviously to help her gain weight and keep nutrients in her body, but she also used it to purge sometimes. Yes, purge. More than one girl or woman noted that their eating disorders started when they were as young as 7 and 8 years old.

What are we doing to these young women (and men*)? And more importantly, how the hell can we stop doing what we're doing?!

There's a scene in the movie, Little Miss Sunshine, that is quite telling and far too common. I often use it in talks or lectures to illustrate where little girls get messages about food, fat, and their bodies. In the scene, Olive wants to order her waffles a la mode so that she can have chocolate ice cream. Her dad basically starts telling her that ice cream will make her fat. Olive is like 10 years old... maybe younger. I get so angry seeing that scene! Every time!

And what about the comments we make (supposedly) to ourselves about "being fat" or "needing to lose a few more pounds"? I can almost bet that someone else hears those comments, whether that someone is a 10-year-old impressionable girl or boy, someone struggling with body image issues, or someone that is desperately trying to recover from an eating disorder.

I cannot tell you how many times I've heard the women and men that I've worked with over the years tell me stories about the comments they've heard, directly or indirectly, and about how those comments have stuck with them for years. It's heartbreaking. This film was heartbreaking to watch. I walked away from it wondering if I can actually help people recover from an eating disorder. Hey, if Renfrew's success rate (based only on the cases in the film) is so low how can I do anything better?

Yet I also walked away with that spark of passion to figure out something better. If this post feels different for you to read, that's because it is different. I feel different writing this. And maybe that's good. Maybe you'll think a little differently about something I wrote. Maybe you'll check out the film. Or maybe the next time you want to make a negative comment about your body or someone else's body, you'll stop and look around to see if there's someone else that might be listening.

*I include men here because men do in fact have eating disorders. They tend to hide them better because of their body structure, but they do have eating disorders.

gratitude [grat-i-tood, -tyood]

gratitude [grat-i-tood, -tyood] -noun the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful
Synonyms: thanks, thankfulness, appreciation, gratefulness.

I am grateful for coffee. I love coffee because of comfort. A hot cup of coffee held in my cold hands is lovely....especially if I'm also able to snuggle up with a blanket and good book.

I love the smell of coffee.

I am thankful for the caffeine in coffee... though sometimes a hot cup of decaf hits the spot in the evening...

I'm especially thankful for the caffeine in coffee on those early mornings when I can't seem to get moving (I feel that way today).

So thank you coffee bean growers of the world! Thank you coffee bean roasters! And thank you, local barista, for making customized coffee drinks with that slightly irritating cheerfulness so early in the morning.

Dear Diary

Dear Diary,

What a beautiful day for house shopping! Clear and sunny and lovely- just the right weather to match my excited, hopeful mood...nervous too. I'm feeling pressure to find a house for me and the pups so we can really get settled into our new life here in Wisconsin. I have been reminding myself not to let that pressure push me into making an offer on a house I don't really really love.

Anyway, my Realtor had 5 houses lined up - most of which I asked to see, though he decided to throw one in that was just listed yesterday. House #1 was tiny... maybe "quaint" would be the term used in an ad... It had features that I liked, but I was worried that after getting me and the dogs in there... there wouldn't be much more room! I started to feel a little discouraged and wondered if I should really take some time to save more money so I could afford a larger, higher priced house. Houses 2 and 3... um, no thank you. House #3 or 4 (I don't remember anymore) was a big disappointment. Grrr.

Then there were the last 2 houses. Not bad. They were vacant and move-in ready, but both needed some work. My brother and I talked it out the whole way home and planned out what could be done to update a few things. They would both need to have fences put in... one kitchen definitely needs updated appliances... It was fun to start dreaming about new appliances and doing a tile backsplash and painting!

But I'm nervous. I could put in an offer on the house I like better but I'm nervous. Everyone says that you'll know when you walk in the house. You'll be able to picture yourself there. And Diary... I'm not sure I can picture myself in either house right now. I have that feeling that if I offer too soon, I'll be missing out on something better. I'm nervous that the house I like is priced at the higher end of my range AND needs a fence and appliances ... I mean, I could live with the appliances for a while, but I'm not sure I want to be without a fence for too long, especially with summer coming.

I think I will sleep on it...


XOXOXO
Heidi

Sold!

My dream house got sold. Sold!

Now I need to find another dream house... but how?

I wanted THAT house. Grrr.

Sick. As. A. Dog.

I have been sick as a dog for almost a week now. I've even taken 2 days off work. I never take days off unless it's pretty bad! I'm sore from coughing, my head has been killing me, and I'm tired but sleeping has been tough. I'm hoping that the last few days of rest, juice, and meds will help me feel good enough to get through a full day at work tomorrow. It's difficult to listen to someone when my head is pounding and I'm coughing or sneezing every 5 minutes.

I'll tell you one thing: I'm never going to miss my flu shot again... especially working on a college campus!

House Shopping

Well, I took the first big step- I talked to a mortgage guy today. I was kind of nervous, since I do have some credit card balances and student loans, but my credit is "excellent" so I should be able to get something. He told me to start shopping! Hooray! So I have a call in with a Realtor and can hopefully start looking at some houses soon.

Here's where I need some pointers from those of you that have already purchased a home... What is one thing you wished you would've thought about or knew when you did it? What are those secret tips?

I also really need to think about what I want in a house... a yard is number 1 for me and the puppies. Oh, I also need to have a garage in this crazy Wisconsin weather. I would like a nice kitchen with some cupboard and counter space... and it would be really nice to have more than one bathroom. I know there's all those other stuff, but what about the things that you don't realize until you've lived in the house for a while??