Spring To Do List

Spring sprung more than a month ago and I just began to check items off my “Spring to Do List”.  In recent years I have become such a procrastinator that it’s almost embarrassing.  Maybe you don’t realize it, but I have noticed that most days I am uninspired to accomplish the tasks gathered on my ever changing list.  This has got to change.  Below are 5 things I hope to accomplish by June 20th.

#1- New Job (Search)

Not only is work sucking the life out of me at an alarming rate it I am sure it is also the reason my urgency to complete my Spring list has diminished.  A majority of my work is completed before lunch, which leaves me the afternoon to sit and stare at the most awful, dirty beige wallpaper I have ever seen.  I know what you’re thinking.  I should just ask for more work to do.  I have in the past.  But honestly, I am completely uninterested in anything pertaining to my current job.  I am never content.  My plan, my hope, my wish is to have a new job that I LOVE by Spring's end.  Cross your fingers.

#2 – Take More Pictures

When I was young my Mother would take pictures of my sister and me like it was going out of style; in the woods, on the deck, in front of the wheat field next to our house.  She took so many pictures in fact that we called her Delmar after a photography studio in Southern Illinois (which doesn't seem to exist anymore; for the life of me I cannot find a website for them).  I sadly have the Delmar gene.  My first digital camera was a Cannon.  It looks ancient when I look at it now.  Two years ago Matt gave me a Sony digital camera just in time for the birth of my niece Aubrey.  It was (still is) a good camera and takes great photos.  But it didn't take photos like the ones I saw on Etsy; the photos that made me green with envy.  After months of hinting, I am envious no more!  For Christmas I received a Nikon D3100.  Since then I have taken hundreds of pictures (most of my niece Aubrey; love the double chin in this one!); only a handful of which are good enough for me to admit I took them.  So maybe goal #2 should really be to learn how to better use my camera.  I’ve got the quantity down pat; its quality I am in search of now.

#3 – Organize Photos

After my Mom passed away and my dad moved out of my childhood home I more than gladly inherited our family photos; more than 25 years worth of completely unorganized, but extremely sentimental shoes boxes upon shoe boxes of memories.  Eight years later when my Grandma passed away I took over her photo collection as well.  Hers was more orderly; most in albums and some even labeled.  And I of course, have my own heaping pile of pictures I accumulated since 2nd grade (when I got my first camera).  Several times I have had the greatest intention of sorting, organizing, and finally putting these (I'm sure thousands of) pictures in albums for me and whoever else to enjoy.  Other than time my only excuse is that I am very emotional when it comes to the past.  It is terribly difficult for me to look though old photos without crying.  Family I have lost and friends that have grown apart weigh heavy on my heart.  But, I am determined to dry my eyes and after all this time give those pictures and my fondest memories a place to call home.

#4 - Crafts

As always my to do lists include crafting.  1)  Make a dry erase board from one of the old windows from the house.  2)  Summer wreath.  It's too late to start on a Spring one; they are very time consuming.  3)  Cork board for the office.  My plan is to buy a generic one somewhere, paint it (green?), and frame it.  4)  Make a corner shelf out of an old door.  This was somewhat started awhile ago.  So far, the door has been spilt in two.  5) Make a button tree; something like the pic on the left, but more colorful. Canvas - check.  Buttons, paint, and everything else needed for this project - fail.  Who makes a list within a list?  This girl!

#5 - Home Improvements

When you buy an 86 year old house it is inevitable that there will need to be improvements.  It is never ending.  Again...another list within a list. 

1)  Power wash and paint the (as Matt calls it) the smoke house.  I call it the shed.  And it is despicable.  It did not look like this 3 years ago when we bought the house.  It was clean and white. Disgusting.  How did that happen?  Honestly, I would just like it gone completely.

2)  Downstairs bathroom remodel.  See pic below.  Yes, that is a 1950's-ish baby blue bathtub you can kinda see on the left.  The floor sucks.  It's cold and, and..well, I don't have the right word for it.  Just know this...I hate that floor more than I have never hated anything before.  I will forfeit an anniversary trip this summer just to have this bathroom gutted.  I'm thinking nautical theme.  Or maybe gray and yellow.  I am really into the color peach lately.  See my Pinboard aptly named Downstairs Bathroom Remodel for my ideas.  Need I say more.

3)  Finish the backyard landscaping.  When we purchased the house this is what the yard looked like; overgrown weeds, in-ground pool full of dirt, trees where there shouldn't be trees.  Since then (with lots of help from Matt's parents) we have worked our butts off clearing the brush, planting grass, taking out the old fence, and unfortunately burying the pool completely.  Now that the trailer in the lot next to us (you can kind of see it on the left of the pic) is gone and our neighbor is extending his fence (so glad that we don't have to spend money on that) it's time that we make this a backyard that we can actually enjoy.  I am ready for a fire-pit and beating Matt to a game of Cornhole every weekend this summer!  


There are only 2 months left until summer.  That’s only 8 weeks for me to find my dream job while continuing to make better the house Matt and I call home.  Only 56 days for me to become a professional photographer (in my eyes), sort and catalog more than a decades worth of family photos, and craft until I am so burned out that I will swear of creating for good.  I’d better get started. 

One Hundred Sixty Eight Days

It's been 168 days since I last blogged. I've been a busy girl.

This is what I have been doing since October 26th.

 1) Went home to Christopher/Mulkeytown to spend time with my family and attend the Christopher Halloween Parade.




2) Went to St. Joseph, Missouri for a weekend to see my Matt's family (grandmas, aunts, uncles, cousins) since we were not going to be there for Christmas.

3) Had a physical done in my home (how cool is that) for life insurance.

4) Had Thanksgiving at our house this year. Both our family's attended. And I made the most amazing appetizer. Click here for the recipe.

6) Got hives more times than I would like to remember.

5) Celebrated the 4 year anniversary of our 1st date on December 1st.

6) Spent the night in Indianapolis and went Christmas shopping.

7) Got eye glasses for the first time. I look very studious in them if I do say so myself.

8) Attended my 1st winter wedding at Castle Finn Winery in Marshall, Illinois.

9) Got an awsome early Christmas gift from Matthew. See pic below.
10) Celebrated my niece Aubrey's 2nd birthday and Christmas (with my family) this year. We took an extra day off after Christmas just so I could be with my family a little longer.



11) Celebrated Christmas and exchanged gifts with Matt's parents, sister, and brother in law on New Year's Eve.

12) Rang in my 5th New Year with my best friend, Matthew. We were actually lost in sweet dreams at midnight this year though.

13) Visited the Terre Haute Children's Museum with Aubrey, Niki, Trevor, and Matt. Aubrey loves dinosaurs.



14) Had allergy testing done and found out that I am allergic to everything. Fortunately we found the right combination of medication to prevent my hives/itching.

15) Went on our 3rd cruise vacation/my birthday trip to Grand Cayman and Cozumel. This time we went on Carnival which turned out to be highly disappointing.

16) Had a follow up Diabetes appointment and to my embarassement my sugar tested at 190! There could be many reasons for that, but regardless...190! So, I started a new medication (Janumet) and it is working wonders.

17) Since spring came early (and seems to have gone today) we got our bi-annual mulching done in March. Two days and sixty bags of mulch later this is the result. Beautiful, if I do say so myself.


18) Had a garage sale with my mother-in-law and sold $130.00 worth of junk. And by junk I mean several of Matt's t-shirts and jeans/shorts that he never ever wore, but refused to get rid of!

19) Celebrated Easter with some of the people I love the most in this world.

20) Joined Facebook again. I have been out of the loop too long.


I'm glad to be blogging again.

Baseball

Not since the Michael Jordan era of Chicago Bulls basketball have I been so captivated by the world of professional sports. I remember watching the NBA finals 20 years ago with my family; biting my nails (my nervous habit) in the anticipation that my favorite basketball team just might win it all. And they did. Six times to be exact. Eventually, Michael Jordan retired, Scotty Pippen was traded and my love for basketball faded.

This time it is baseball and the St. Louis Cardinals. Sure, the Cardinals have always been my most loved baseball team. But now, out of the blue, I am obsessed. It is because for the first time in years I spent two wonderful weekends in St Louis watching the Cards play? It is because after I witnessed (in person) two regretful losses, the Cardinal’s astonishingly captured the NL wild card, beat the Phillies to become the NLDS champs and then win the National League Champion Series? Any way you see it, I can’t get enough.

I have faithfully watched the 107^th World Series and Card’s win (Game 1) and win big (Game 3) against the Texas Rangers, but then face two disappointing losses. Forget about date night, last Saturday night I had a date with the St. Louis Cardinal’s. I have willingly missed my favorite fall TV shows in hopes that I would see (and did) Lance Berkman and Matt Holliday score and Albert Pujols hit a homerun (or 2 or 3). I have forgotten about housework just to watch Yadier Molina catch with the perfection of a prima ballerina. Chris Carpenter, Jamie Garcia, and Jason Motte have my full attention from beginning to end. Of course I haven’t mentioned the entire roster, but each of them has played their part in bringing out a side of me that I forgot existed. And I (even if Matt doesn’t) appreciate that more than anything right now.

So, tonight (if the game is not rained out) I will nervously and nauseously settle down in my living room and cheer on my St. Louis Cardinal’s to a much needed win; not only for them, but me too.

Pinterest

As of lately I have a new obsession (besides Word Feud); Pinterest. For those of you that have not heard of Pinterest - it is an online pinboard where dorks like me can be immersed in it’s magnificence for hours upon hours. Remember when you were a teenager and cut pictures out of magazines of N’Sync, a great pair of jeans or the actor you currently had a crush on and hung them on the walls of your bedroom? That is exactly what Pinterest allows you to do. Except now your parent’s won’t yell at you for mucking up their house even though it is your bedroom. Or was that just me? Pinterest is a dream come true for list makers and collectors alike. You can post comments and follow other pinboards to your hearts content. It’s being called the new “social network.”

My curiosity (or maybe nosiness) brought me to Pinterest a few months ago. It was a friend’s Facebook post about the website that sparked my attention. And I haven’t looked back. Right away I was pinning the things I love to the default pinboards such as Books Worth Reading and For the Home. Since then I have renamed and added more than a dozen boards; Perfectly Pear (all things pears), For Maggie (my puppy), and Yum! (food/recipes that I would like to try) just to name a few. My favorite boards are Crafts (for my creative side) and Dream (on) Homes (for my dreamer side). There’s also Dress Up (fantastic clothes), I Love Purses! (another infatuation of mine), and Autumn (my preferred season). Shut the Front Door! is my newest board. It is filled with the most amazing doors.

Follow me on Pinterest (look to the right for the link). Request and invite so you too can create and share the things that make you happy. I assure you that you will become as smitten as I am!

Autumn

It’s here. The first sign that autumn is approaching overwhelmed me this morning. The smell of the cool air brought me to tears. Yes, I teared up at just the thought of cooler weather. It’s been a L O N G hot summer.

Maybe I shed a tear because I am a highly emotional basket case lately. But more than likely it was because of the memories that flooded my mind as I took in a trace of what is to come. Every year that fragrant glimpse of the coming cooler months take me back to some of the best times of my life; growing up in Christopher, going back to school and football season.

Although it’s been more than 10 years since I spent an entire season in Southern Illinois, I remember more than anything the perfect weather that fall brings. Days are warm enough to enjoy without the coat that was purchased as part of your back to school wardrobe. Evenings are just cool enough to need your favorite sweatshirt or worn in flannel shirt (yes, I wore flannel in high school…it was the 90’s, people) to break the chill. Back to school meant football. And football ruled my small town. My fondest memories of the Bearcats include walking the track my best friend in elementary school, marching band (even though I hated it) in high school and finally rooting on the boys as a cheerleader my senior year. Those times I wouldn’t trade for anything.

These reasons after all, is why autumn is my favorite time of the year. I could skip winter. I wouldn’t miss it. I shiver at just the thought of snow drifts taller than me. I could forget spring. Rain and the sunless sky depress me. As for summer, I could take it or leave it. Sweat and I don’t mix well. But please give me fall each and every year. I long for days where I am able to open the windows in my house and feel the cool breeze. I count the days until I can free my fall décor from its stuffy storage boxes and trim our home in the most beautiful color scheme. Is it too early now? I’m dying for a bowl of chili and a peanut butter and syrup sandwich. To eat it now would just be sinful.

Alas, today I am reminded that it is still August and stifling hot. Another week of 90 degree weather may kill me. However, the early morning, just before the sun starts to rise gives me hope that fall is right around the corner. They are the first sign that autumn is approaching. And that pleases me like nothing else.

Job Requirements

When I think of job requirements for any type of office work outstanding social, organizational, and communication skills rank high on the imaginary scale in my head. That was until today Today I feel as though the #1 job requirement...for any type of office work...should be how to properly use a Word program. The #2 requirement...how to properly (and professionally) make a form that not only employees, but patients will see on a daily basis.

There is a new "form" at work that is driving me insane! It has abbreviations that are incorrect. There are some that I don't even understand. Example: Retd. When I see this I think of the funniest line in the first Hangover movie...a very offensive term to some people. What it is supposed to mean is...Returned. I am an intelligent woman, but I had to ask what it meant!

Also, the alignment is off and they used an ugly font. The form is small and was cut into uneven squares with scissors. That alone irks me! (Side note: since when do I use the word "irks"?)

Being the good little employee that I am I will not say anything. Day, after day, after day I will cringe every time I see that little white, disproportionate piece of paper with the hellacious font. At least I will until it grows so old that everyone forgets about it and stops using it. Until then me and my OCD will just suffer in silence.

I wish they would have asked to make it. It would have been P-E-R-F-E-C-T!

I am a Fish

Not literally. I am a Pisces and that's close enough, right? I don't have fins or gills and underwater breathing is not my forte, but my love for water is undeniable.

If it were up to me (maybe it will be someday) I would live near the ocean. The smell of the water and the crashing of the waves soothes my soul.

Or maybe in the future we will have a lake view home. Dock included so I could swim and sunbathe until the sun goes down.

I'll even settle for a pond in my backyard where I can fish and sit on the bank and read a book.

From what I have been told our house, at one time, had the most beautiful pool in Marshall. Years later, after being severely neglected it had to filled with dirt. Needless to say I am quite upset about that. I can just see myself swimming laps just for the fun of it and Maggie tagging along. I would be a permanent prune.

For now, Mill Creek (it's really a small lake) will do. Sunday afternoons in the boat are fantastic, but evening cruises with my love are my favorite!

Maggie enjoys them too!

Haunted

Have you ever had a dream that from the minute you wake up, you know will haunt you for the rest of the day? I did last night. And it’s all I can think about today.

I won’t go into great detail about the dream itself as it is somewhat personal. I share a lot of things, but there is also a part of me that keeps things just that…personal. I will admit that it was about my mom who passed away more than 9 years ago after a fleeting battle with breast cancer and 2 cards she gave me 4 years (on my 18^th birthday) and less than 2 years (when I left for my junior year of college) before her death.

I read these cards daily. Regret and disappointment, sadness and heartache, anger and uncontrollable grief consume me as I carefully study the sweet words. I have memorized the declaration of her love of me and the pride she felt in being my mother. I read these words over and over, but still cannot make myself believe that I was this girl. I remember things differently.

For this reason I live with regret that I wasn’t the perfect daughter. I survive with disappointment in myself for not being there when I should have. I am sad and at times my heart aches so badly I can hardly breathe. I am angry that my mother is gone and that we did not have the chance to become the best friends I wanted us to be. My grief overpowers me.

I am sad today. I miss my Momma. Please pray for sweet dreams for me tonight.

I Am a Movie Freak: 2010

2010 - Part 4 of 4

It was early on in 2010 that I realized my obsession with movies. That summer I was begging Matt to take me to a movie pretty much every weekend. That didn’t happen too often, though. After admission for 2 and snacks we almost spend a days pay just to satisfy my desire to sit in a cold dark theatre and be in awe of the magic of movies. There are still several movies that were released last year that I have yet to see. All Good Things, Blue Valentine, and Creation come to mind. I know there is at least a dozen more. Movies that didn’t make my 2010 list include Shrek Forever After and Twilight: New Moon. Not because I didn’t love them. They are great movies, but because I had an odd number (37) of favorites from this year I had to narrow it down to an even (well, really odd) 35. You know what I mean, right? No one makes a list of their 37 favorite anything. Come to think of it they probably don’t make a list of 35 either. It’s usually 25…or 50…but anyway. I chose to remove these 2 because their predecessors were on previous lists listed as “series”…implying that love each and every one of them. So, I hope you enjoyed (or will enjoy) these 35 as much as I did.

127 Hours – Matt refused to see this movie...he has a weak stomach. So I watched it with my sister and brother-in-law one weekend. It was amazing…and gross…but only for a few minutes. I would have definitely died if I were in that situation.

Alice in Wonderland – Matt and I saw this in the theatre in 3D. It was like nothing I have ever experienced before. I was unquestionably transported to Wonderland that night. It was mesmerizing.

Avatar – Matt and I waiting a long time after this was out on video to watch it. I wasn’t sure if it was something that either of us would enjoy. I was wrong. It was rather enjoyable to watch. James Cameron rarely disappoints me.

Black Swan – Oh my! Natalie Portman absolutely deserved the Oscar for this performance. It was unnerving and eerie. It was phenomenal.

Brooklyn's Finest – This movie drew me in from the first minute. It is kind of your typical action/thriller cop movie that most people get bored with. But, this one is different; highly entertaining.

Charlie St. Cloud – Although I could find many rave reviews about this movie, I still love it. It is very touching and honest. Zac Efron is superb.

Cyrus – I personally know of a mother/son relationship just like this. Any guesses? Some of you who read this may know.

Date Night – 10 out of 10. This movie is so funny.

Dinner for Schmucks – This is unquestionably a laugh out loud movie. Matt and I both laughed until we cried; absolutely hilarious.

Due Date – This is funny from beginning to end. I think that most people watched it hoping Zach Galifianakis would reprise his role as Alan and were disappointed when he didn’t. He played Ethan Chase (and Ethan Tremblay) perfectly. Robert Downey Jr. wasn’t too bad himself.

Easy A – Emma Stone has grown to be one of my favorite actresses. She is hilarious in this movie and I can’t wait to see her in The Help later this summer. I read a review of this film that mentioned it is reminiscent to a John Hughes film. That couldn’t be truer.

Going the Distance – So funny and so crude, this movie had me laughing until I cried. Drew Barrymore and Justin Long are terrific.

Hereafter – Matt could not get into this movie. But I loved it. I am fascinated with near death experiences and the after life. This movie is not the normal flashy paranormal film we are used to seeing. It is mysterious and peaceful. Now I can’t help but wonder if there really is life after death.

Hot Tub Time Machine – Nick: “Excuse me Miss. What color is Michael Jackson? Girl at Bar: “Black.” Nick: “AAHHH!” So funny I didn’t forget to laugh.

Inception – Matt and I saw this movie in the theatre also; mainly because of the sound effects. As if I really have to say…seeing in the theatre made the movie even better. It’s such a complicated storyline that it is sometimes hard to follow, but it is still awesome. I do recommend that you watch it twice. Unfortunately, I have yet to do this. I think I will love it even more after the second viewing.

It's Kind of a Funny Story – Zach Galifianakis plays a somewhat subdued role in this film as compared to Alan in The Hangover. Honestly, we rented this movie just because he was in it and were not at all upset that all of Alan’s characteristics did not come out. He is funny, but not overly crazy. This one is a definite must see.

The Joneses – This was not a highly advertised movie. In fact, I don’t remember seeing the trailer at all. But, the cover drew me in one night while I was searching for something to rent. This one turned out to be smart and witty. And one of my favorites.

The Karate Kid – Again, another movie that I wasn’t too sure about. I grew up in the 80’s so I was sure this one couldn’t even compare to the originals. And again, I was wrong. Jayden Smith is fantastic.

The Killer Inside Me – I should have taken a hint…the title. But I didn’t. And I am glad that I didn’t or I probably would not have rented it. This movie was shockingly (since I didn’t do my research like I usually do) brutal and cruel. The abnormal side of me loves to watch movies like this, but the guilt I feel afterward sometimes haunts me. This one will haunt you too.

Killers – Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl star in this action/comedy. They together are fun-loving and hilarious. You must see this one!

The Last Song – Ok, ok, ok..I know…a Miley Cyrus movie? Just watch it. It’s soooo good.

Leap Year – This movie has a permanent spot on my favorite movies of all time list. Amy Adams is wonderful.

Love and Other Drugs – I couldn’t wait to see this movie. I have the privilege of spying on drug reps from my office. I overhear them kissing ass and watch them bring gifts (mainly food) to doctors every day. So, I was dying to see behind the fake smile and overfriendliness front. And this movie did just that. Plus, it told a great love (sex) story as well. It did not disappoint.

Never Let Me Go – I just watched this one a couple of weeks ago. It is strangely fascinating and heartbreaking. Carrie Mulligan, Andrew Garfield, and Keira Knightly are incredible.

Red – I was hesitant on whether or not to rent this movie. But John Malkovich convinced me. Not John himself. He didn’t call me up and recommend that I see it. Just the thought of watching another one of his films was all the convincing I needed. It is action packed and oh so funny!

Remember Me – I admit I only rented this movie because Robert Pattinson was in it. I didn’t even know it existed until I caught a glimpse of Edward…oops…I mean Robert on the cover. I didn’t even turn it over to read what it was about. To my surprise, it turned out to be an amazingly touching film with an ending that...I don’t want to spoil it for those of you that haven’t seen it. Rent it this weekend. You will love it too.

Repo Men – Again…me and the futuristic thing...I love these movies. This one is at times pretty brutal, but I enjoyed every minute of it.

Secretariat – I usually don’t watch movies based around animals. The last time I did dogs died and I cried for weeks at just the thought of that movie. Lucky for me, the horse didn’t die in the movie so I didn’t regret watching…crying…watching…crying. This one is fantastic, people. You should rent it tonight!

Shutter Island – I tried to watch this at night, by myself and didn’t make it thru the first 5 minutes. Days later I finally got through it. And I have to tell you (this usually doesn’t happen) I had no idea it was going to end the way it did. I don’t want to spoil it or those of you that haven’t seen it, so I won’t say anymore. I definitely recommend this one. Leonardo DiCaprio is brilliant…as always.

The Social Network – This movie is magnificent. At first, I wasn’t sure it would live up to the excitement, the hype, if you will. I went in to the theatre expecting to be disappointed and came out thrilled and in awe. Jesse Eisenberg could not have been more perfect for the role as Mark Zuckerberg.

The Switch – I know that Jennifer Aniston doesn’t make the best movies (Bounty Hunter), but this movie stole my heart. So maybe it was Jason Bateman that was actually the thief. Either way, this movie is so sweet. I want to see it again.

The Town – Ben Affleck as a bank robber…so hot!

True Grit – This movie was witty and highly entertaining. Did you expect anything less from a Coen brother’s film?

Unstoppable – This movie was fast moving, suspenseful, and intense. It had me jumping in my seat. It is great!

When in Rome – A definite chick flick, so it didn’t get glowing reviews from critics. But I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am not a huge fan of Kristin Bell, but she was fantastic in this movie.

(Click here to read Part 1)

(Here to read Part 2)

(And here to read Part 3)

Next: Yes...there's going to be a part 5...2011 so far. I have seen a movie or two this year...