the best of intentions

Although Thanksgiving itself was quick, unphotographed, and a little chaotic, the long weekend was glorious.

We rested, a lot. 

I baked MY VERY FIRST PIE! (Which is probably much bigger news than you realize. I have always found pie to be intimidating.) And although the apples didn’t break down quite as well as I’d hoped, it was pretty damn tasty. Probably going to try some golden delicious(es?)* and add a little more cinnamon next time . 

I deep cleaned our living and dining rooms and put out all the holiday decorations. This is the only time of year when I love having red walls and green furniture. It makes everything seem just a little more festive. 

The ceramic nativity set that my Papa painted and put aside just for me so many years ago is by far my favorite of all our decorations. My grandmother shipped to me from Florida two years ago and it has since moved to the top of my Material Things I Would Go Back Into a Burning Building After list. 

We enjoyed the full extent of HBO’s free preview weekend. DVRd a couple movies, caught an episode of True Blood, and TWO episodes of How To Make It In America. We had HBO in Columbus, but can’t justify adding it to our outrageous stack of bills here in Cleveland. 

And Sunday evening, we completed the three day process that was assembling, lighting, and ornamenting our giant new tree (also known as my parents’ ten year old tree).

Then we hit the grocery store for 10 days worth of delicious meals. Monday I met up with some of my high school best friends (including my lives-in-Delaware, introduced-Bill-and-I, was-my-matron-of-honor, forever-and-always BEST friend Kristy) for a lunch date. Finally, I hit up Target and one Cyber Monday sale to get started on my Christmas slash Bill’s birthday shopping. 

And all of this went down while I was fighting the beginning stages of my annual cold. So basically… we’re gonna own the shit out of the holidays this year, whether Bill wants to or not. 

Tomorrow we’re taking the photos for our Christmas cards and hopefully getting the outside lights up on the house over the coming weekend. This is our first year for that, so our Christmas domination may short-circuit on this one. (Lights. Short-circuit. See what I did there?)

I have a couple more crafty projects up my sleeve, dozens of cookies to bake, and lots of gifts still to purchase and wrap, but we’re starting the season off strong. I might just give THIS nut job a run for her money in 2011. 

It’s been a rough year again. Can’t remember the last one that felt easy. However, it is in the times of great need that the people who are my world step up and make all the difference. For helping me survive another hell of a year, I am thankful for:

• the husband that never quits
• furbabies that are always within an arm’s length
• parents that have eternal faith in me
• a nana who always knows the right thing to say
• brothers and a sister-in-law who make me laugh no matter the circumstances
• in-laws who want nothing but the best for me
• a brother-in-law who keeps my car running and my life manageable
• nephews who can make everything right in the world if only for a moment
• two large and crazy extended families that would change the world for me
• friends tucked in far away corners who always see the best in me
• a little girl who thinks I can do no wrong
• that little girl’s parents who understand just how much I need her and them
• an online community of amazing women who have taught me to haul up my own star

You are the beauty and the joy in my life. Always know how very much I adore, need, and appreciate all that you do. 

Christmas is coming kids. And not that I want to be accused of disrespecting Thanksgiving, but I’m already working on my wish list. One thing I’m hoping for is a new tote that I could use for transporting all my work files and my laptop when necessary. My current bag has a small rip that I can no longer ignore and was never really my style. 

Here are the results of my quick little Internet search. 

If I was purchasing this for myself, and had the money to be indulgent, this first bag would definitely be my choice. It’s real leather in a gorgeous color and a great size (12.5” x 14.75” x 5.5”). Although $200 is outside my immediate budget, it’s definitely a fair price for such an investment bag. 

This second bag is just over the top. Giant (16” x 17.5” x 8” ) and gorgeous, it looks like something I would take a nap on. But there is no salary that would justify dropping $450 on a work bag for me. 

This next bag looks tiny, but it’s actually comparable in size to the J. Crew bag (13” x 15” x 5”). I do love it’s school boy blazer aesthetic, but I don’t know if I’d carry it in the warmer months. Tweed just seems fussy and itchy in 85 degree weather. 

And finally, at half off it’s original price, this bright and beautiful bag may be my best option. It’s sized appropriately (19” x 13” x 5”) and has a great, classic shape. But compared to the perfection that is that J. Crew bag, it just seems like settling. 

Looks like I might be removing the work tote from my wish list and saving my own coins. Afterall, at 25, it’s about time I start investing in quality pieces that will last at least until my next birthday. 

So… yesterday. Yesterday, I cried in my cubicle… for no concrete reason. Then I went to Target and impulse purchased a new pair of black leggings. On the way home I hit Arby’s for a jamocha shake. After Chipotle for dinner, a beer, and some serious tv/husband/furbabies time, I went to bed feeling a much less whelmed. 

Recovering from an unsolicited freakout is always considered a victory. But it should not require retail therapy, a perfect concoction of chocolate, coffee, and ice cream, our vice dinner, alcohol, and so much veggout time to do so. 

One day I will learn that there are methods other than countering one day that was bad to me with four things that are bad for me. 

Luckily, today I’m on my way home to Ashtabula for some shop time with Momma and quality time with the extended family from Indiana. Although I’m sure there will be plenty of not so great for me food, nothing heals the broken like home and family. 

Here’s to that.. 

It is the responsibility of every adult in this country to relentlessly protect our children from the kind of atrocities that allegedly took place at Penn State University. Anyone who fails to do so should be reprimanded to the fullest extent. 

You cannot separate Joe Paterno’s lack of action from the alleged actions of Jerry Sandusky. Although many of the facts surrounding this case are still unknown, there is no debating that Paterno had some knowledge of the complaints against Sandusky. From the moment he first became aware of the problems, every breath in that man’s body should have been dedicated to the safety of those children. 

Yes, the world of college football should have stopped for those boys.  

I fully believe that dozens of other people were also aware of the problems. And I can only hope that they are met by the same fate as Paterno.

I do not believe that he is more responsible than anyone else. 

But I also do not believe that being Joe Paterno should excuse him from his responsibilities. His contributions to college football do not earn him a pass on turning a blind eye to accusations of sexual assault on minors. 

And regarding his being fired over the phone…

What difference does it make?

Were his feelings hurt? 

Fuck his feelings! 

He will live. An 84-year-old man’s feelings being hurt is the smallest imaginable issue in this whole mess. He may live ten more years with hurt feelings.

Those boys will live the rest of their lives with the scars from what the people at Penn State allowed to happen. 

And absolutely fucking not should he be allowed to coach one more game or for the rest of the season. 

If he coaches on Saturday, the last home game and senior night, it will turn into a tribute to him and his greatness. He forfeited his right to be celebrated. He forfeited his right to be carried of the field. 

Who you are and what you do (or in this case what you do not do) when no one is watching is the truest measurement of the quality of your character. 

End of story. 

We need a reno on our main bathroom something fierce. Like, a we’re showering in the basement (and have been for five months) kind of need. But as you’ve heard in the past, I’m a tiny bit afraid of my own home and of making any changes to her. So we called in professionals for an estimate, but their price was a hefty $5300. 

So… it looks like we’ll be smurfing it. 

I finally bit the bullet over the weekend and started pricing our reno. Right now, it’s coming in around $1350 before plumbing supplies, new sheet rock, paint, cement, and grout. (Because I don’t know how to estimate that shit.) 

But here’s what I do know/want/need/love:

This is your standard tub—no jets, no crazy light show, nothing special. Translation: the kind of tub that is within our price range. But considering I haven’t had a fully operational tub in over a year, I’ll take it. And really, the only tub indulgence that really pulls at my heart strings is a good set of claw feet. And well, that just ain’t happening.

No bathroom is complete (literally) without a shower and tub faucet. I’m not particular enough to get my designing rocks off on a faucet, so this is another practical choice. Brushed nickel (read: the timeless quality of chrome without the fingerprints and watermarks) was pretty much my only requirement. 

Alexa Collection 3-Light Vanity Fixture by Progress Lighting, photo via ($86)

This vanity light, although a total steal at $86, seemed slightly indulgent with it’s linen finish glass and crisp, clear edging. And although it’s more modern than the faucet, it’s brushed nickel finish is just enough coordination for me. 

Another practical choice that will bring light to my tub and shower and prevent mildew. Win-win! 

When it came to tile, I knew I wanted something neutral that erred on the side of blue gray, and this tile was my jumping off point. It seamlessly blends that blue gray tone (which I have obsessed with in every medium for months!) with other neutrals in a way that is subtle yet dynamic. It will serve as a 3/4 height accent tile within the tub and shower surround. 

This tile is a very pale, sandy beige in a classic subway shape. It will comprise most of the shower surround and be accented by a 3/4 height strip of the accent tile. I think that the off set subway pattern (what you see within the accent tile) will really make elongate the walls, making the space look as big as possible.

This final tile will be our flooring tile. It’s a great warm gray ceramic tile. Big plans include placing it in our front entry and a larger (18” x 18”) version in our kitchen. 

Below is a photo taken at our local Home Depot of the three tiles side by side. 

Also, here are the tiles pictured with a few of the paint colors we’ve been considering.

I personally favor the blue green shade on the left or the darker of the grays, on the left. Bill favors none of them. But Bill is difficult when it comes to paint, so I’ll probably just buy the blue green and go with it. 

The paint colors are all Behr brand.

• Atmospheric UL220-20
• Cathedral Gray UL260-7
• Pewter Ring UL260-4

We haven’t yet settled on a vanity because we’re unsure of how much space we’ll have for it to occupy. Everything is dependent on our being able to shift the plumbing for both the toilet and the sink. My fingers are crossed because our current vanity is not a vanity at all, but simply a sink. As you can see below, there is less than 2” of useable space surrounding the sink. 

Here is the floor plan we’ll be left with if I get my way.

A beautiful rendering, isn’t it?!?

Confession: A good room layout sketch is how most of this girl’s dreams begin. 

Almost three weeks ago, I told you all about my desperate need to replace my favorite hoodie. But by the time you heard about it, I’d already spent six weeks searching endlessly. Last weekend, my patience was rewarded. 

Hoodie acquired, with no cash wasted on shipping and handling. 

Sweet, cozy victory!  

If I had to give a letter grade to my October food challenge, I would give it a solid B, which I’m pretty happy with. Here’s why:

• Only one felonious drive thru offense:
  • This took place on Sunday, October 9th. My in-laws came into town to help Bill and I with our little home improvement project and although I planned to cook dinner at home, we didn’t have a lunch plan. So, I ended up swinging through a McDonald’s and picking up a little something for each of us. I had three chicken strips with ranch. 
• Three misdemeanor drive thru offenses:
  • At some point mid-month, I’d had a rough day for one reason or 15,000 others and Bill offered to take me for a little surprise pick me up. Translation: McDonald’s frappe.
  • Another McDonald’s coffee run while in Wheeling for Courtney’s wedding. 
  • And a Sonic milkshake while on our way home from Wheeling.
• Resisting the drive thru temptation on two separate  occasions
• No Arby’s or Dunkin Donuts at all, and those are my all time favorite drive thrus

Fair enough, right?

I also learned a few things about my food habits.

• We eat Chipotle way too much.
  • I’m talking probably six times a month, kids. I didn’t keep exact count partially because I’m afraid to know, but six is a fair guess.
• The proximity of McDonalds’ (yes I made that intentionally plural because they are god damn everywhere) makes it much more kryptonic than I anticipated. 
• My coffee needs are a little more high demand than I expected. 
  • In addition to my two drive thru coffee incidents, I had non-drive thru Starbucks twice. 
  • In my defense, my one daily cup of coffee is something I added to my diet for the sake of my digestive health. 
• My trip to Athens shed light on another reason why that town was so wonderful: no need for drive thrus. Anything you could ever want to eat is available within walking distance.

It should also be noted that we’re still going strong with the soda cut back. 

Plans for a November food challenge are currently underway.

A couple weeks ago, the lovely crew over at ten june, started a 30 day photo challenge that I was dying to be a part of. But I knew my October was going to be hectic and beautifully blog-worthy, so I decided to put it off. Additionally, my type A personality basically requires me to start something like this on the first day of a thirty day month. 

Guess what today is?

So convenient, right. 

The basics: 30 day photo challenge

• The List: via ten june, via kristijamesphotography.com

• 

• Posts: Every Tuesday
  • Challenge Issued: 11/01/2011
  • Photos/Days 1-7: 11/08/2011
  • Photos/Days 8-14: 11/15/2011
  • Photos/Days 15-21: 11/22/2011
  • Photos/Days: 22-28: 11/29/2011
  • Photos/Days: 29-30: 12/06/2011
    • Plus, total challenge recap and analysis
• Reasons: 
  • I need to step away from the camera phone and get back to the camera I know and love.
  • I don’t want to look back on this part of my life and not have hundreds of photos.

And just for kicks, here’s our perfect little front yard with our big old gorgeous tree in all its autumn glory.