New floors! New stairs! New paint!

We're getting new floors installed in the house!

We moved in to this little townhouse in October 2009. The house was in great condition, and we got it for a song. But one of the most awful things about it was the flooring. The carpet and linoleum flooring were 17 years old. The carpet had a nice gray walk pattern and bewildering red stains that looked like deep, dark rust. They changed and grew every time we washed it. The kitchen had the linoleum that was chipping. The design on the linoleum had indented stripes that held onto dirt and grime, and after 17 years there was just NO removing it.

So, FINALLY we found the flooring we wanted, and someone who could install it. And this weekend was what I've called "Demolition Weekend" We spent all day yesterday, with the help of my mom and sister, emptying the room of all our possessions, moving ALL our furniture to the garage and tearing up the carpet.

On top of that, I've always wondered what our stairs looked like under the carpet. So, once we were almost done, we started pulling edges of the carpet up just to peek, and what we found was AMAZING. Well constructed stairs, with rounded edges and a proper nose (or lip, or whatever).

Unfortunately, I didn't take any full BEFORE pictures, but I DID take some "in-progress" pictures.
Today, we finish clean up, make sure every last thing has been emptied from the 1st floor, and keep pulling out staples on the stairs. If I have my way, I'm going to start sanding ASAP.

On top of that, we have a painter coming today to give us a quote to have our living room/stairway painted. We have gigantor ceilings and there's no way Mike and I could have done it without dying.

The floors are being installed Monday-Thursday and I CANNOT WAIT until I can see the finished product. And to have the 30 boxes of Pergo gone.

Civil Unions?!

For the first time in a long time Illinois is doing something good - voting YES on Civil Unions.
I know it's not 100%, but it's a step.

"If the measure passes the Senate and is signed into law by Quinn, who has pledged to do so, Illinois would become the sixth state offering gay couples the right to enter into civil unions or domestic partnerships." Chicago Sun Times

"Civil unions for same-sex couples would be allowed in Illinois under historic legislation the state Senate swiftly sent today to Gov. Pat Quinn, who is expected to sign the measure...The Senate voted 32-24 after the House, viewed as the toughest hurdle, passed the measure on Tuesday." Tribune

"Less than 24 hours after it was passed by the Illinois House of Representatives, the state Senate voted to approve a measure that would allow gay couples to enter into civil unions." Huffington Post

Pat Quinn just needs to sign it!
And he would be STUPID AS SHIT not to, because he has publicly stated that he would.

"After a heated, hour-long debate, the legislation will now head to Governor Pat Quinn’s desk. He has said he’ll sign the bill. He got a standing ovation when he entered the Illinois Senate Wednesday during debate and on Tuesday in the Illinois House." Fox Chicago

Yay!

Image via

Content vs Complacent

I like to dream about the day that my life will be totally...in order. I want to say predictable, but that sounds terrible. However - I LIKE the thought of knowing precisely what's happening and when.

I've felt a little out of control, and things have felt a little too loosey-goosey for my tastes. But, luckily, I'm over it, and resolving to tighten things up around here.

Though, one thing that is really surprising me, and not in a good way, is the lack of inspiration I feel (WOW! That sounds totally gross and cheesy) - but when I look on etsy or favorite blogs, or Pottery Barn magazines, rather than being "OMG! That's awesome! I want my life to be beautiful/simple/serene like that!" like I used to, I'm all "meh."

I really disappointed in this development, and I'm not sure HOW to go about fixing it? I mean, is it really a problem? Am I content or complacent? Am I lazy or satisfied? (Well, duh, I'm lazy - but I needed another comparison set.)

Lately my days have involved WAAAAAAAAAAY too much TV, not enough cleaning/cooking/laundry, and an extreme surplus of...laying around. It's actually to the point where I'm embarrassed. But yes, these negatives are rallying me to get up and change it.

This weekend? I'm going to finish that sewing table I started...like, LAST winter. AND!! I have plan to get rid of the sponge paint in one of our bathrooms. It's a tiny bathroom - a ONE day project. Let's get serious, I've lived in this house for just over a year, and the only real changes that have taken place occurred within 1 month of us moving in. You guys, I'm still missing outlet covers in our bedroom...that we painted over a year ago. I'm RIDICULOUS!

Additionally, BabyTalk in our house has increased SLIGHTLY (don't get too excited Rachelle) and it was kind of a hardcore realization for me that we need to learn to be proactive and get things done for OURSELVES before we can think about having a tiny life living in our house.
(Seriously, it was like ONE or TWO conversations...about the FUTURE)

In other news: two of my favorite people got married on 10.9.10


And they had ONE BADASS party to celebrate.
I even got to recreate a ridiculous robot dance with the groom

My wedding: 5/30/09

His wedding: 10/9/10

It was awesome. And I love those two pictures side-by-side.

No storms!

Tomorrow Mike and I are going to get our marriage license, and then...go to 6 Flags!! Because nothing screams "upcoming nuptials" quite like Raging Bull.

Unfortunately, we are supposed to have hardcore storms after 3pm, with thunder and lightning galore. The weather has been unpredictable lately, and the weather-people have been consistently off...so I'm hoping for another mistaken forecast. Do me a favor and cross your fingers too. I need a lot of luck

Additionally, my dress is done, and my mom is picking it up today. The bridesmaids and groomsmen gifts are thisclose to being done. Shoes are in the closet, perfume is in the box. Practice hair and makeup appointments have been made, so have their wedding day counterparts. Falling in to place.

Though I am very tired of being asked "HOW MANY MORE DAYS!?!" I mean it's cool and all, but blah.

I really have nothing to report, except wedding stuff (because 2.5ish weeks is a short period of time in which to cram a lot of overdue preparation). I'm better under pressure, but this will consume me until it is all over.

We paid off all our bills this month (with savings money...) so that we don't have to worry about them until after the honeymoon. We'll be able to repay the savings money soon, I hope. It is a HUGE weight off my shoulders to not have to think about whether we will be short on bill money because we're paying the florist.

I have a REALLY good feeling that after the wedding, things are going to improve SO much. Mike and I can work on getting our life back on track, finding a place to live, searching for dream careers. I can cultivate hobbies, and bring an end to my endless commute.

I'm optimistic, friends!

Working on my fitness

Oh. Em. Gee.
Jillian Michaels is horrible. I can't stand her. Anything about her. However, she knows what she's talking about.

Mike and I did the Jillian Michaels: 30 Day Shred last night and we were dying. About to puke on the floor while crying for mercy type of dying. Today, we are sore, but not completely destroyed. We're doing it again tonight. Whoo. Working on our fitness.

I'm feeling healthy these days. I've got 1 day of working out under my belt (it's a new month!), and about 30 food blogs on my Google Reader. I'm IN LOVE with food blogs. Especially the ones with the beautiful pictures and unexpected recipes. It makes me more excited to move into a house where I have a kitchen. I'm all sorts of jazzed about making dinner and treats and going to the grocery store and having a well stocked pantry!

I just wish there were more accessible farmer's markets in the area. That would be a dream come true! Flea markets too. Fun.

I'm trying to be more optimistic about life (and I think my 1 day of exercise is helping). I'm almost entirely sure I'm not going to school next year. Bummer. But I need to be financially secure before I can do that. I have to weather this economic storm the best I can (even if that means staying here and entering data), and when everything levels out, I can go from there.

I applied for a position at McDonald's (corporate). A Media Production Specialist. Which sounds like (from the description) a glorified Administrative Assistant. However corrupt McDonald's is, they have excellent benefits, and they do a lot of charity work. Don't judge me! Ahhh!

I'm going out to lunch to fill the empty void that our weekly meetings leaves in my heart.