Organization - Best Idea Ever

What do you do with all your gift wrap, tissue paper, gift bags?

I saw this pin on pinterest - and I have to say its GENIUS!  So I started doing it.  Now I store most of my wrapping supplies in a convenient bin. :) I still haven't figured out what I want to do with my wrapping paper, but this is great for bags, tissue and bows!

I have to say, the only problem?  Right now my bin is too small to store all the bags I have. :-/  Oh well, one of these days I'll get a bigger one.  Until then, I have the large, gigantic bags stored next to the bin.  At least its better than having to go search for the bags.

Building Corner Bench Seating

So - my brother decided he likes woodworking.  He also decided to take some time off from work before he starts medical school.  The last thing he decided is he doesn't like to do nothing, so I was able to give him several projects.  Including building me corner bench seating in the kitchen. :)

I'm so excited.  I can't wait for it to be done.  We will get more storage and it will complete the kitchen.  Right now the kitchen looks strange, IMO.  I don't have any photos of the strange area (probably because the kitchen is always a huge mess) but just trust me.  There are 2 windows in the corner and we could not continue the cabinets because the bottom of the window was 2 inches too low.

So, my solution is a window seat.  These are photos of the inspiration for my window seat -

 



The problem was... none of these came with simple plans.  So I modified this one with very detailed, amazing  PLANS

So that the door was on the top.

I can't wait to post the finished product!

Running - Its hard

So, I've been running for about 3 weeks.  It seems like I ran the first block very easily, and now I've got a mental block that I can't run any further.  As soon as I got the 1 block down, I upped my running goal by 0.1 mile.  And for some reason I spent the past 2 weeks not able to finish 0.5 mile.  Today I did it though.  Today I ran 0.5 mile without stopping.  However, once again, it was slow.  I wonder if its better to push yourself to the max, and burn out fast, or run slowely and do distance.

If I stay on this track that means it'll take me 10 more weeks before I can run 1 mile without stopping.  That seems like forever away.

This also means, that I've continued on my goal of running.  And a long time ago - see post here I made a deal with myself that if I worked out 3 times a week I would allow myself to spend hundreds of dollars on my hair for a keritin treatment.  Since its officially been 3 weeks of running a minimum of 3 times a week, I think I will allow myself to schedule an appointment.  Although, I also think that between now and the hair appointment, if I don't continue to run 3 times a week I need to only get a trim, not a treatment.  Gotta find motivation somehow.

I'm hoping the Keritin treatment will be so amazing that I'll have to continue running so I can continue the treatment. :)

Hm... I think this means I need to go buy new shampoo.

Date Night List!

Most of you know my husband has been in Ohio for 3.5 months for work. BOO!  He FINALLY came home last Friday for good. :)

So I'm making a list of possible date nights. :) Suggestions are welcome!

1. Jazzin at the Shed
2. Alder after dark
3. Museum of Science and Industry
4. Bowling
5. Have a bonfire
6. Grill Out
7. Game Night
8. Paint Ball - Need a group for this
9. Bike Ride - Don't own a bike yet.
10. Drive in Movie
11. Watch a Scary Movie
12. Geocashing
13. Ravinia
14. Have a water gun fight
15. Stargazing
16. Learn stick shift - unfortunately neither of us know so we'd need a 3rd person... and the car
17. Fly a kite and have a picnic with the dog(s)
18. Take the dog to the dog beach/park
19. Have a netflix marathon
20. Visit each restaurant featured on the food network / cooking channel in Chicago - http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2013/09/chicago-on-the-road-the-great-food-truck-race/
21. Watch the sunset at the beach
22. Watch the sunrise at the beach
23. Go for a hike w/ the dog.
24. Rent a bicycle built for two
25. Do a progressive dinner
26. Go to the Signature Lounge on the 96th floor on the Hancock. 
27. Get a photo taken of us in the Great Hall at Union Station
28. Photo at Buckingham fountain
29. Free concert at Millennium Park
30. Watch the Chicago River get dyed green (St Pattys Day)
31. Wendella Boat Cruise
32. Ride the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier
33. Go to that cider bar our MOH told us about (need to look up the name again)
34. Go to the Lyric Opera House of Chicago
35. Go to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
36. See the fireworks at Navy Pier on Wed or Sat during summer
37. Get a horse and carriage ride
38. Drive around the neighborhood to look at the Christmas Lights
39. Sketch out out a blueprint of your dream house
40. Make a list of must-haves in your dream home (laundry chute, three car garage, spiral staircase, etc.)
41. Plan our 5 year anniversary vacation
42. Make a map of places you have been and want to go. Make a list or places and sites to see.
43. Paint your own coffee cup at a pottery place
44. Cook an exotic meal or cook something we have always wanted to try.
45. Play video games all night 
46. Go for a long drive to nowhere.
47. Watch each other’s favorite movies from childhood. 
48. Take a cooking class 
49. Go Gokarting
50. Play Bingo
51. Break out some old board games - think Guess Who, Life, Candy Land, Connect Four, Mancala, Jenga, or Battleship
52. Who said date night had to be at night?! Get up and cook a big breakfast together, then climb back into bed to eat it!
53. Hire a photographer to take photos of the two of you! 
54. Base and decorate a cake together.
55. Find a list of dream homes for sale and attend open houses for them.
56. Play a board game in bed.
57. Make a fancy dinner and sit on the floor and eat it.
58. Audit a class together
59. Lie on a blanket and watch a meteor shower.
60. Star gazing.
61. Head to the Farmer's Market and pick out your dinner. Enjoy with a glass of wine!
62. Wisconsin Wine Tours - http://www.wisconsinwineandbeertours.com/public-tour-schedule/
63. Make Hot Chocolate, snuggle up and read together.
64. Minor League Baseball game
65. Stay at a B&B
66. Head to a car dealer and test drive cars you’ve been dying to check out 
67. The Jackson Park’s Osaka Japanese Garden, 5800 S. Lake Shore Drive, hydepark.org/parks/osaka2.htm.
68. Lincoln Park Conservatory, 2391 N. Stockton, explorechicago.org. The grand Victorian glass house has stood for more than 100 years, housing all species of earth plants and flowers.
69. Checking off Superdawg from the list of 1,000 things to see before you die. Grab a Superdawg with a classic shake while you’re at it. 6363 N. Milwaukee, superdawg.com.
70. Stepping out onto the glass-boxed Sky Decks — 1,353 feet up — at the Willis Tower, 233 S. Wacker, theskydeck.com.
71. Chicago’s own Top Chef, Rick Bayless, tests his acting chops when he makes his stage debut in “Rick Bayless in Cascabel,” March 21-April 22 at the Tony Award-winning Lookingglass Theatre, 821 N. Michigan, lookingglasstheatre.org.

Tough Decisions

Some of you know that I've fostered dogs a few times.  The first dog was a disaster.  He was returned to the rescue after his owners had him a year due to "allergies."  They owned the dog his entire puppy-hood and I'm pretty sure they just got tired of all the destruction.  The dog had no manners and didn't know how to act around my dog. I could have dealt with the no manners, but in combination with him not getting along with my other dog, it was just too much.  So unfortunately I had to return him and try to foster a different dog.

I ended up fostering the sweetest dog ever, Lilly. (Photo Right)

She had/has a skin condition which I was helping her with. I would take her to the vet and try to figure out what it was. But because of the skin condition she was un-adoptable for several months and I ended up having Lilly for almost 3 months.  Needless to say, even though I tried my hardest to not get attached, I got attached.  I knew going into it, that I would be giving Lilly away to her forever home, but its real difficult for me not to fall in love with animals.  I just couldn't help it, I guess.

So now comes the hard part.  I am ready to foster again, and I texted the rescue I work with.  They have a 4 month old beagle that also has some medical issues.  They asked if I could take him/her.  But I know it will be the same thing as it was with Lilly.  I'll have this puppy for several months and I'll start getting attached again.  Lilly went to an amazing home, honestly I couldn't hope for a better home for her.  But what if the next dog lives with me for several months and goes to a less than ideal home?
But how can I saw no to this puppy who really needs some human companionship right now?

Unfortunately, I think I have to tell the rescue that I am not ready for that puppy, but I feel terrible saying that and I can't bring myself to text them.  I know there are tons of adult dogs at the shelter that would just love some human companionship.  Its a much easier transition if the dog has been in a home, around people, and gets to learn how to be a house pet.  They are much easier to adopt also because the potential adopters can ask you questions and you can say with confidence "Lilly did not have a single accident inside while I had her."

I know what I have to do, but its not going to be a fun text. :(