When it Rains

The original storm was a week and a half ago, when these pictures were taken, but there is still water hanging around everywhere. Storm after storm rolled in for over 24 hours. We got more than six inches of rain in those 24 hours. I walked around that next afternoon and took these pictures within a few block radius of our home. 

This is about 2 whole blocks submerged. At the end of the block, those are indeed two cars submerged up to their handles. This was a lot of water, people. A lot of water. In fact there is (and was) so much water that there is still a flood warning posted on the weather sites for Illinois. Check out the Daily Herald article that talks about all kinds of damage.

To be honest, it was kind of scary. flooding has never been something I've had to worry about natural disaster-wise. Earthquakes, yes. Fires, yes. Tornados, yes. Flooding, not so much.

Our basement was fine until the power went out for 2 1/2 hours and the sump pump quit working. We got a little more than a 1/2 inch of water in the basement. Fortunately the floor is just painted concrete, and all we lost was a few boxes. But it was eye-opening. I think I learned a bit about preparation, and even a bit about how I might feel if I lost some possessions. We definitely have a long way to go as far as personal preparations go. Perhaps I'll write about that some other time though.

A Christmas Present to Myself

When we were looking to move into our current rental, one of the first things we asked the realtor was "will we be able to paint here?"And this is why:

 

This is from the kitchen looking into the dining room/living room

From the living room looking into the dining room/kitchen doorway. 

I was too horrified to take more pictures of this. I wish we had the pictures from the listing actually. The place is in good shape other than the original paint choices. These colors were repeated in the bedrooms upstairs: the master being the same intense blue of the kitchen, Little Miss's room the same green, and the office was the same camel color. Now to give our landlords credit, they agreed that they didn't pick the best colors, and told us that we were welcome to paint (I suspect they were a little relieved actually) as long as we picked more neutral colors. 

So before we moved in, we picked some colors and got to painting. This was accomplished over a looong weekend (thurs-sunday), mostly by my Mother-in-Law who graciously flew in to help us, and a few other dedicated friends. I did as much as I could, but 3 month old babies take quite a bit of time. I became rater adept at cutting in though, if I do say so myself. 

We picked Behr Chocolate Froth in satin for downstairs, and the shade darker, Wheat Bread in eggshell for the bedrooms. 

Look! Luna even got into painting! What a good helper...

I love the Wheat Bread color. It is a warm gray, that looks a bit like putty, or clay in a nice cozy way. I would have put that downstairs too... but I can't remember why I didn't. There was a reason though. 

The original plan was to get a quart of a different color for an accent wall in the kitchen and one in the master bedroom. Not wanting to spend the extra $30 it would have cost, I decided to get creative. With the help of a friend- and by help I mean I stole her idea and borrowed her stencil for an extended amount of time- I decided to pull the trigger on the accent walls. I decided on a 12 inch stripe for the kitchen wall, and a semi-organic-modern type stencil pattern for the master bedroom. I decided to just use the extra paint that we had and go for a more subtle tone-on-tone look, rather than an in your face new color. 

The stripes on the kitchen wall took maybe 3 hours total. They were pretty quick, and I love the result. 

Unfortunately, this is the only picture I have at the moment, complete with my cookie-cutter Christmas decorations. I will post more later. 

The stencil took SIGNIFICANTLY longer. I think I spent a total of 15 hours on this, stretched over several weeks. I could have saved about 3 hours, but it took me time to refine my technique. I could have also saved some time had I been willing to shell out for a bigger stencil like the one here, but I wanted to keep this on the cheap. So I used that little stencil to make 210 tiles on the wall, along with about 30 half-tiles on the bottom and side borders to fill things in. I was dragging my feet for so long that I made a promise to myself that I would finish it before we left for Christmas break. So it was my present to myself. 

The part that took the longest was making the registration marks, but that was also the most important. It allowed me to do tiles at random and not wait for things to dry, like you see above. Had I been smart, I would have started at the top middle of the wall and used a level. I would have done the registration marks for the top row first, then filled down. What I actually did was start in the top left corner and work down and out from there. In the picture below, you can see how the wall bows a bit, which made things wonky, and I somehow angled upward, so that by the time I reached the opposite wall, I was off by about half of one of the tiles. In the picture below you can see the blue painters tape dots on the very  top stop about 6 in... thats how quickly I stopped being able to get to the top of the wall...

Fortunately though, there are no strong horizontal lines in this pattern, and when you look at the whole wall you can barely tell. Especially when I don't show you a picture of the top or bottom of the wall... :)

I LOVE the result, and it is motivating me to finish up some other changes I will be making. I already have fabric to make a couple shams, and Alex and I are talking about re-painting the (free) headboard and the drawers on the side tables. He even tossed out the idea of letting me paint them a dark gray-ey-purple-ey color. This is big people. This is big. 

6 Months

This may have been my favorite set of monthly photos to take, and s you look through, I'm sure it will be clear why. You will also notice a showcase of Little Miss's new talent. 

(My personal favorite)

 Here you see she notices Luna of to her right, who then deposits a gift. Luna I'm sure left the gift because I was making all kinds of funny noises to get these expressions out of Little Miss. 

 Little Miss takes it upon herself to examine the gift. Mom removed the gift. 

 Luna decides to make her own examination of baby. 

And we'll end with another favorite. :)

So the big update:

Little Miss is now accomplished at sitting up. She can balance for several minutes while she is calm, but if she gets distracted or excited- over she goes. She has also finally remembered how to roll over, and can do so at any time, albeit in only one direction and only from front to back. She rocks from side to side pretty well on her back though. She is also starting to grow a bit more fluffy hair. It's hard to tell what color it is- in some light it has a bit of a reddish tint (as do her eyelashes) but one thing is for sure, it's pretty light! We'll see if it ends up straight like mine, (please oh please!) or wavy like her Daddy's.

We've also started on solid foods. attempting to feed her solid food. That deserves a post in its own right.... Let's just say we've taken a few steps back, and she's doing ok. It helps if I just give her the spoon and let her chew on it. Otherwise it all goes in and right back out.

Things that make her laugh: peek-a-boo, being sniffed/licked by dogs, 'munching' on her belly (but not blowing raspberries), being tossed around, dancing, singing, and her reflection.

She is still as happy as ever. Can't wait to see what her 6 months stats are this week!

I forgot to mention her talking! She repeats buh and puh over and over again. She is blowing raspberries with her lips and her tongue, and generally exploring her voice. She talks most when she has a few minutes to herself either in her chair or on the floor. She is more fascinated by my face when I try to talk to her and she stops talking herself. 

It's About Time!

The moment we made up our minds about moving to Chicago, people started tossing out dire warnings about winter. They would say scary words and phrases like: sub-zero temperatures.... blizzard.... 6 foot snow drifts... and lets not forget about the new buzz word, the dreaded SNOWPOCALYPSE!!!

I'll be honest, I let these warnings get to me. I was shaking in my boots! Although for the latter half of November it was legitimately very cold, and I was not prepared with the proper coat.

BUT. The windy city has not lived up to the hype so far. Drizzly September? Check. It was glorious. Reminded me of Home Sweet Seattle. Balmy October with extended fall colors? Check. I think it was about 60 degrees and sunny on Halloween. Not remotely frightening. November got a bit chilly, but SmartWool socks make everything better.

And now January is nearly half-way done and Chicago has had a measly total accumulation of 1.9 inches of snow. In three different events. Ho-hum.

Maybe tonight we'll be able to sing "Let is Snow".

Laundry Day

Now that we're in an apartment, we get to trek to the floor below up for the good old coin-op laundry. I actually don't mind that. I can haul my laundry down, throw them into a few machines, haul it back up and fold it in just an hour or so. Done and Done. No more all day laundry sessions. Plus, the machines are HE, and my clothes get even more clean. Love. It.

But it is still laundry day. There are always drawbacks. Like:

1. You're down to the bottom of the pile, and the last pair of skivvies bunch. 

2. Your last pair of running shorts are the ones that habitually ride up. That half moon during the day? Not mine, but (butt) pretty close. 

3. All of my favorites are dirty, so I have to get creative with my outfits. 

Alas, I'm sure I'm not the only one with Laundry Day blues. The only solution: wash your stinky clothes. 

On a separate and unrelated note, I still can't find my hot pads, windex, or leather wipes. Shoot.

(On a sperate and unrelated note, if anyone finds a small, brass key...)
[10 points if you can name the show. 20 if you can name the show AND season.]

On Being Happy: 12 Lessons from a Labrador

1. Go to be when you're tired. Few things are worth staying up. Good friends make the cut sometimes, facebook, TV, Movies or even a good book do not. 
2. Nap whenever possible, or reasonable. Few problems can't be fixed when you're feeling rested. Or at least your attitude will have improved. 
3. Take every opportunity to go outside. Even if you don't NEED to go...
4. Be observant. You never know what joy and beauty you can find if you look for it. 
5. Be quick to respond to criticism and encouragement. Even if they are awkwardly delivered, and especially if given by a loved one. 
6. Make friends easily. If you looks for friends or enemies, you will surely find them. Look for a friend in everyone. 
7. Be excited to see old friends. What's better than an old friend to play with?
8. Play. Its good exercise, and it relieves stress. 
9. Defend those you love. There are all kinds of meanies out there. Don't let people boss you around. 
10. Let people know how you feel. Sometimes people just don't know!
11. Find joy in simple things. Bugs, sticks, birds, wind... The list goes on. 
12. Run for the sheer joy of it. Its good to know you're alive. 

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Long Walk

Taking advantage of my spring beak (hallelujah), Luna and I headed out this morning. It was sprinkling when we left, but it was a perfect cloudy morning for a walk. Nice and cool and humid, and glorious.

Well, we ended up walking for almost two hours because I was enjoying it so much! We headed away from campus and crowds and walked all through these lovely neighborhoods up on the hills.

My favorite part of walks and runs and exploring on foot is that I get to goggle at new homes and yards. And what a treat! I think I discovered my new favorite house. It has EXACTLY what I want in my future home- down to the large-ish garden patch (it even had a few rows or raspberries!!!) and fruit trees. It was nestled in between other houses at a comfortable distance with trees and hedges, and hyacinth and daffodils and a gazebo....... I may just die happy now. And I can't wait to get hubby in the car so I can drive by it and show him the house. It may just be on my brand new running route. It would give me motivation to run, because its not exactly just across the street. Perfect!

But what I really want to know is- would it be too creepy of me to go back and take some pictures of this piece of perfection? I want to keep it as a reminder of what I want. A beacon if you will. So I don't get distracted by... other landscape styles ...? I seriously do want to find a house just like it someday. Just not that one. Because that one is in Utah. And I do not want to be in Utah.

Too creepy?

10 on Tuesday

Because I suck at posting regularly.

1. I had a birthday. My friends and family must love me alot, because they were very generous. I mean, my brother- well really his wife gave me twin nephews.

2. Grades were due for midterms on Monday. I watched 3 Disney movies and the entire second season of The Office to finish.

3. Hubby and I are in full gear planning our summer. Still no decisions on where we will be going FOR SURE for med school, but we do have options. We will probably move in July sometime.

4. We have some awesome travel plans for this summer. Lets just say we will be out of cell phone range.

5. My parents are coming next week- Its baby brother's spring break, and they are coming to visit their new grandkids. Their dog will be staying with us. I'm excited to see my parents, less excited to see their dog.

6. I've been sewing. Alot. I've made a dress and a skirt- on top of the pants and jeans/skirt that I re-fashioned- and I have a dress and another project in the works. I should really get some pictures going.

7. I've been been babysitting my nephew JM, because his brother JG is still in the hospital and mommy can't bring baby with her. JG was born 4lbs 11oz. He was so tiny! He eats pretty well, just not enough. So he has a feeding tube to help him finish. He has also had a hard time keeping his Oxygen stats up, so when he comes home he'll probably have an oxygen tank.

8. In babysitting little JM, I've begun to figure out why so many friends have babies/are pregnant. He's cute! He did pee all over himself and me yesterday while I was changing him...

9. Prepping for General Conference this week. It may be a marathon of talks, but I always find them so uplifting.  I will have to keep my hands busy in order to stay awake though. Here come some crafties...

10. Baby JG is home with his family now, which is fantastic. I'm so excited to see them again!

Awesome

(the above title is in fact a reference to one of my current favorite shows, available on Hulu, called Chuck)

I've found that its really easy for me to read blogs, and articles online that make me wish I were doing something different. When I have a stack of papers to grade, its especially easy. So earlier today this week I was looking at blogs thinking to myself things like: I wish I had a sewing machine and I could make awesome things like that, I wish I had a home so I could paint my house like that, I wish it was summer so I could try to plant that in my garden. But then I realized today, that I have done alot of awesome things recently. And I have more awesome things coming my way. So here is a list of awesome things that I have done/made/seen recently. With pictures to come on some of them.

1. Yesterday I got up at set my alarm for 05:00 hours (thats military time for 5 am) and got up at 5:20 to go for a run. And I liked it. I was on time to work. I was not stressed in the morning. I had time to stretch. Same thing planned for tomorrow. Running every day when you were a bum like me could only hurt your knees you know.

2. I made a skirt. From a pair of jeans that didn't fit. The jeans were from Banana Republic and had the most delicious denim. They were also free because they didn't fit my sister-in-law. I may live and die happily in this skirt.

3. I made a pair of skinny jeans. I told myself a couple years ago when I saw the first skater-kid wearing skinny jeans that I would never buy a pair. Soooooooo, I won't. But that doesn't mean I can't make them from my $12 Old Navy jeans that are fading because I wore them so much. Besides, they fit into my cute Christmas present boots when my other jeans don't. Pictures to come.

4. I made a lunch bag. Out of leftover canvas from making pillow covers. Lets just say its my little attempt to be 'green'. Don't tell Dad. He'll launch into a speech about Al Gore etc. etc.

5. Acceptance letter to medical schools. Not for me silly, for Hubby! Now we have two. One from CO, one from CA. This may be a difficult decision. But given my love affair with the Pacific Ocean, it may not be. We'll see.

So that's five awesome things the past couple weeks. I'm feeling a little better now. Perhaps I'll make it through Friday without tearing my hair out, or flying south for the rest of the winter.

What awesome things have you been up to?

Calling in Sick

There has been a bug going around school the past couple weeks, and it looks like I didn't escape this time.

But, it has been nice to have some good quiet time at home with the loyal hound (when I'm not napping or in a feverish, shivery stupor), and actually see hubby in the morning. I've also missed scenes like this to enjoy with my breakfast.

The picture certainly doesn't do it justice, but the kitchen window above our table faces east, and we have a glorious view of sunrises, and the mountains from our "breakfast nook". It makes me wish I was a morning person all the time! Unfortunately, we also have a nice view of the back of a slightly dumpy apartment complex, and an incredibly dumpy parking lot behind the house. Enter cafe curtains.

I made these when we first moved in because I loved the light, the blue sky, and the mountains. I couldn't find decent cafe curtains for sale though. They were all very... 90's. They were long, sheer white panels on sale at Target that I chopped in half, folded, ironed, and glued in place to make pockets. With a nice tension rod they are perfect. They are even high enough that no one can see in!

I also wanted to show you these. I made these pillows this fall with the help of Nana, one of Hubby's Grandma's near us. I wanted some pillow covers, and I was feeling unusually crafty. So we made 5 pillow covers that day! Originally I wanted a green pattern, but instead I grabbed some canvas, and called it good.

Anyway, after months I finally put the button closure on the long pillow. I sewed on the buttons, and used satin ribbon for the loops. I've also been busy doing other little projects- I have nephews coming soon! (I'll show you later so its a surprise to the Mommy)

Cold and Flu Season & Thanksgiving

Hubby had the Flu, now I have the cold. Bummer.

And now to balance out the previous post; Here are several things that I am very grateful for.

1. Hubby. I love you. Thanks for making dinner so often. You're the best.

2. Luna. Thanks for bouncing when I walk in the door every day. It makes me smile.

3. Mom. Thanks for calling for no reason. Love you.

4. Annalise. Through a series of fortunate events, you are an amazing friend. Thanks for studying with Tiff at our apartment all those years ago. You're great.

5. 4-Wheel Drive. Haven't needed you yet- which is another thing I'm grateful for. I'm sure I will soon.

6. A Job I Like. I like the kids, I like the admin, I like my co-workers. What a blessing in my life. Of course there are good and bad days. But what a blessing.

7. Education. Another blessing. By circumstance, so many people are denied or do not have access to an education. This is a blessing I can take with me wherever I go.

8. Music. No better way to lift my spirits. Here is one of my most favorite songs.

9. Down Comforters. There's just nothing like snuggling with Hubby on a cold day under a down comforter. Best thing ever.

10. Spirituality. The more I study biology and living things, the more I realize what a beautiful and elegant system of natural laws exist on earth. And the more I believe that there was a loving Creator. What a blessing to know that there is a higher power than Man.

A few things that have really been irritating me.

In a humorous way of course. I'm not really griping.

1. I have to use painter's tape to tape my cell phone charger to my phone to get it to keep charging.

2. I have to slam, hip bump, or kick my front door to get it to close. Same with the bathroom door. We have faulty hinges or something.

3. I have a gang of 4 boys in my last period class that I'm divided about. Mind you, this is the last period of "B days", so I have taught every lesson 7 times already, and I'm a bit bored. They are... disruptive to say the least. The problem is that its hilarious. I'm torn between kicking them out of class and just laughing my head off. That balance hangs on a knife blade. Its a little annoying.

4. My students don't know how to write a thesis statement.

5. My carpet is stinky and the landlord won't wash it.

There. I feel better now. And now to help make dinner...

Getting Buggy

I found this beauty yesterday. It hangs in the bedroom (on my side of the bed of course) and its perfect. Well, you know me.

Lovely Living Room

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I've been into greens and blues lately. Scratch that. Always. When I was 16 I painted my bedroom in shades of blue and still love it when i visit (though it needs a few grown up updates). Someday I wanna decorate my house like this. Or maybe like a beach house...