Wednesday, September 26, 2007

sigh...

So today I've been working on this huge project for my exec. Contract Books they're called. Two massive five inch binders filled to the absolute brim with pages and tabs. Each tab has to be labeled. I have to type them all out and then label each one according to the index. So I got down to the last few tabs today and realized that I'm missing two. TWO! So now I have to take this index and manually check each one. EACH ONE! That's like a ton time a million. Sigh...

Lucky for me though that it's 3:30 and only an hour left to my work day.

Last yesterday after I blogged about all my love for Fossil, I got onto Craigslist.com and did some looking around in the furniture section. I ended up scoring a super sweet deal that I'm still pretty proud of myself for. I got two living room chairs (matching) that will go with our sofa for $50. Now one would think that paying only $50 for two chairs they would be ugly or gross. Not so my friends. They are pretty plain. Just cream background with some green stripes. Match our sofa nicely. We had to drive out to the middle of nowhere to get them and I was all nervous because really how safe is it to just show up at someones house to buy something these days. Of course we got there and it was totally fine and the lady was really nice. So big deal and two new chairs to show for it. Pictures soon. I've got to get them out of my car first.

Also, last night (guess I was feeling motivated) I got a wild hair and removed the old 70's fabric from this folding screen thing I've had forever. I've been meaning to redo it a least for the past 500 years and just haven't gotten around to it. So I took the old gross stuff out, cut and started replacing the panels with forest green mini corduroy material I had just lying around. Talk about resourceful. I only got one panel done before I lost my steam but tonight the hot hot heat returns!

In other news, I love this:


It's from Coach and pretty affordable. I am all about navy this season for some strange reason. Still love grey more than chocolate though. That's a lot by the way.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

So today it's raining and just gross here. In the 60's though, so that is nice. I'm glad my fall weather is back. I want chili.

Today has been a nice day at work. I love getting to come to work and feel like a grown up. All important and on the phone. Making calls. Important calls. My exec is out of town today and not really needing anything BUT I've plenty of things to do for her none the less. The other three seem to not need a lot from me so far. I do think I'm getting another person though. Should be interesting.

So I've spent what time I wasn't working thinking fall clothes, styling my house to sell it and chili. With cheese please. I've found a new love. Not cheese. Cheese has always been a love of mine, as you all well know. Alas, I'm in love with a new brand of stuff. Not new to the market but newish to me. Who knew Fossil made clothes. And really really cute ones at that. Just take a look at some of this cute stuff. AND they make some really amazing organic-y jewelry. Wow! Who knew.














Monday, September 24, 2007

The Weekend

So it's Monday once again. Time for me to recap our weekend for you.
Friday night we went to a great play at the American Heartland Theater down town. It was called Moonlight & Magnolias. Really funny and such a good time. We had dinner at Smoke House and it was awesome BBQ as always.
Saturday morning we met our realtor Katy at "the house". Turned out to be a mess. They want to much money for it and apparently haven't even cleaned it in the entire three years they've lived there. Scary. Katy did send me some listings today that look really good. I hate to get my hopes up but seriously, I'm super excited about a new house. I know I may have to wait for a few months because honestly we need to sell our house before we try and find anything but looking is always fun.

Saturday evening was so nice. We drove out to the middle of nowhere to Kate & Joseph's wedding. I'm so ticked that I didn't have my camera with me because the place was just gorgeous and I was in love. Lovely outside ceremony with lots of great food and nice people to talk to. Oh and live music which was my favorite part. There's really nothing like sitting outside on a lovely fallish night with a million candles/Christmas lights around, tons of trees and flower, listening to some live music. Complete bliss.

Sunday we headed out to church. Gran joined us. It was a nice service. Tim our normal pastor was gone but it was still nice. Went to brunch at Granite City. OMG. It's truly one of my very very favorite places to eat. The brunch (If you ever get the chance to have it) is so so so awesome. Sunday afternoon we decided to be really ambitious and take on landscaping the front yard. Took us about 3.5 hours. We dug, pulled and cut down weeds, laid the landscaping fabric and dig holes to plant these cute bushes. We then staked and spread mulch over everything. By the time we got to water in the plants we both wanted to pass out in the yard. Can't believe how much better it makes the house look though. Wow!


Before:


After:


Pretty proud of us. Today John has the day off and is working on putting in the laundry room floor. Pictures of that to come.

Work today has been great. My exec came in and decided to change her flight stuff. Check. Wanted me to look for her prescription sunglasses she lost at some point in the beginning of the month. Check. Needed me to print out some really big docs all formatted up fancy. Check check. The life of an admin is pretty sweet so far. Hopefully every Monday is this nice.

Friday, September 21, 2007

The Name Game

So I found this fun little game to play today. Here are my answers. Fun.

The Name Game
1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) Heather Element
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie),Cherry Garcia Snickerdoodle
3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name),N-Mar
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal),Green Owl
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born),Lynn Kansas City
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first),Marna
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink),The Grey Mojito
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers),Richard Donald
9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy),Nina Cinnamon Bear
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ),Lynn Earl
11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter),Wright Washington
12. SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower).Fall Orchid
13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)Green Apple Jeanie
14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree),Yogurt Willow
15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”),The Reading Wind Tour

End of A Great Week...

So it's Friday already. I think I've never had a week fly by quite like this one did. Today is the last of my training sessions. They've been really informative and everyone has been so nice and helpful. I took twenty minutes yesterday to just write out thank you cards to everyone for their kindness. My title hasn't officially changed in the address book here yet but I'm already doing work for a few of my execs. So far, so good.

Today is Red Friday. Something to do with the Chiefs. I'm just excited because I get to wear jeans and get free lunch. Go Chiefs! Yeah, whatever.

This weekend is a great event I'm super excited about. But first let me mention one more time that we are going to go look at a new house tomorrow morning. I'm so excited. Later in the day we are going to the event of the year. Kate & Joseph's Wedding!!!! I'm so excited for this to finally happen. They're such cool people but such a cool couple too. Hopefully pictures to come (IF I can't find my camera charging cord!!!).

Today John has the day off. (I am aware I'm not going in order. It's bugging me a little to but not enough to fix it) He's got "errands" to run all over town. He's getting some flooring for the laundry room at some point. I'm excited to get that done and see the finished result of the laundry room. Even if we are just gonna sell it, it's rewarding to see what you can accomplish with your own two hands. I'm in a very crafty mood today. I've been looking at all of my daily blogs and getting inspiration left and right. Funny how that works. Inspiration. I love how images help you figure out who you are at heart and the things you love the most. Most of all, it feels GOOOOOD. I love to pour over a new glossy house magazine or some eco fashion mag. Some of it is slop but parts of it make my heart happy. I can't wait for a new house with my own craft room. Someplace I can create whatever I want. My little corner of the world.

Here are a few images that inspire me today:


New thing for me. I love love love white owls. Owls really but white ones for sure. May have come from reading all those HP books and loving how JK would write about Hedwig. I dunno. I love this little guy. I need one.


Love this space. Looks like a LOVELY sunny reading nook. I love the moss and the shells. Love the white pottery and the light blue. I want to be right there, right now.
Love this little place too. I love the wall color. Love the contrast of the wood tones against the wall color. Oh and all the black and white pics. AND of course the lantern. I've always been weak in the knees for lanterns.


Last but not least. The perfect fall pump. These look eco funky. I love the richness of the leather and love love love the wooden heel. Plus the mini peep toe makes them hippie glam. I would love these with a tweed skirt, a button front shirt, argyle sweater vest for work but would be really cute with wide leg jeans and my grey cowl neck dress. Oh the possibilities.

Ok. I'm done boring you today with details of my mind. I hope everyone has a great weekend. Hopefully I will have much to report on Monday.

Peace and Love, Yo!

(Whomever I heard say that it made me giggle because it so doesn't go together but it's appropriate for the day I think.)

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Well Gosh Darn It...

I have just been way to busy to write anything lately. The last two days have been a whirlwind of learning new stuff and running all over the campus here. Yesterday was awesome. I trained over some of the things I was the most worried about knowing and I really believe I will get the hang as soon as I start doing them. Should be today. This morning is the first time I've really been able to just look at my normal blogs and relax enough to be excited about this new job. I get my new desk tomorrow and I can't wait. I have almost an entire wall of windows to my left. Yesterday it was really cool because we watched a storm roll in over our training time. I think I will really enjoy the desk. Don't get comfortable though because in as early as two weeks I may be moving to a new desk but on a higher floor. View from up there is just fabulous! The ladies here are really nice. Better than I thought. I thought perhaps they wouldn't like me because I was young, new or a little off but none of those things seem to be the case. The people on the floor seem nice but shy. I think people are starting to get the picture that I will be around for a while now. Lots of people talk to the old admin, so I bet I will have a entire new set of friends before long. Also in the building (and on the floor I will possibly be moving to) is a really great young gal. My age. Just got married and is just so fun and funny. I think we will be great friends. We knew each other previously from a planning committee we are both on but this will give us more interaction. Today will be more training but mostly in the afternoon. It's been strange not to have emails jamming up my inbox this week. I've pretty much had 20 or less. I think I have 3 right now. It's just crazy. I know things won't stay that way. From seeing some of the execs inboxes I shutter to think what mine will look like once I get rolling here. One guy had 5,000 something UNREAD emails in his inbox. Holy Cow are the only words to describe that.

Personal life if good too. Last night I was able to go home and just clean. It was raining out and the perfect night for it. I lite some candles, turned on a little music and just worked. I got done just the second John pulled in the drive. For those of you who may not have talked to me within the past week, John and I are looking to sell our home and get a new one. We drove around this last Sunday and found a beauty of a house that we are gonna take a look at on Saturday. It's in a lovely neighborhood and the price is right. Loads more space than we have now, which is what we need. We're trying to figure out the time line to get ours on the market. We're thinking within two weeks. We are making a list of what needs to get done and starting right away. Tonight I'm going to do trim paint touch up work. Hopefully it's do able. I think so because really the things we need to do are things we've just been putting off doing ourselves. Nothing major. Plus I think it's a cute house for a first time home buyer or someone who needs very little space. John and I however aren't apparently those people. We'll see though. We're going to talk on Saturday about financing for it. Fingers crossed.

Also, today (while reading one of my many daily blogs) I came across these really really cool shoes. They are a bit pricey but I do believe I must have a pair. They are eco friendly first off, which I love. Secondly, they are just flippin cool. They're from a site called Mohop. They're made in Chicago. Handmade mind you. There are three toe styles and three heel heights. I'm still trying to decide what heel I want. They are however so cool because you can change them all the time. They are essentially a wooden bottom and ribbons around your feet BUT the ribbons are removable, so you can have like a million diff pairs of shoes in one. So love that. Here are some shots from the gallery. Shows how you can make them classy to fun. Casual to work ready. I really must have some of these...






Friday, September 14, 2007

Best of Luck and Good Wishes...

I've been hearing a lot of this today. Today is my last official day in my role. I start training Monday of this coming week and then have to fly the entire ship on my own the following Monday. I'm stressed. I wouldn't lie to you and say I'm not. There is a ton to learn and not enough hours in the day to learn it. I'm sad to leave my current spot because I will miss the people and knowing what I'm doing. The new role will be challenging and possibly frustrating at times but it will be a growing experience that I've been scared of for a long time. This is a real adult job this time. No safety nets here. Just me treading water for a while till I figure out what I'm doing. The team here has been great. Balloons, going away signs, presents. We're even all going out for lunch today one last time. I almost feel like I'm leaving the company all together. With there being 10 buildings on our campus now it's almost like I am. I hope against hope that some of the people I care about the most will continue to care about me. Something only time will tell. I'm leaving a great group but hoping to get a new great group in return. My life feels a bit like a soap opera lately but everything happens for a reason.

Taking a deep breath...

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Such a Busy Day...

So the weekend was great. Fished, rode on the new Gator toy M & G have AND stayed in a super cool little travel camper thing. Our visit was relaxing and the weather was nice. A little muggy but considering today is only 52 right now, it felt nice. Slept in, ate yummy food and laughed lots and lots. I did take pictures but of course left my camera at home. Dang.

Yesterday was an odd and special day. I'm still a bit freaked by this (after all I wouldn't be acting like myself if I wasn't) but I was offered a new role at my job. It's something I had previously not been interested in doing but now seems like a decent time to try it. It's something new for me and of course that is scary. The exciting things about it are: I will have a wonderful manager, I should get a great pay raise on top of the raise I just got, I will be in a new building, The other admin on the floor is really cool. I will be supporting four pretty high level directors and vice presidents and I'm super nervous about it. I think however once I'm a little more prepared with some training and once I meet them I might be ok. Hopefully. It's scary to do something new.

Also, yesterday John's sister Leslie called to tell us she is pregnant with baby number two. Little signs of life popping up everywhere.

Oh and John is on the cusp of possibly getting a new car within the next two weeks. He contacted a dealership yesterday looking for the color and trim package he wants. He's had trouble even being able to test drive one because they fly off the lot. So the guy tells him the exact car John wants is the next one they have coming on the lot. Black, manual transmission, sport package. John was thrilled. Everything happens for a reason.

So with the change in weather comes change in our lives this year. Crazy to think how in one day your entire life can change. Scary but exciting.

Friday, September 07, 2007




Just a quick note at almost the end of my crazy busy day to tell you that yesterday, while sick in bed, at 3:25 pm I finished the seventh and final Harry Potter book. It was good. I think I'm still decompressing actually. Lots of twists, turns and upset. All the questions were answered and I love it when I get answers. It's worth the read.


Lots to do and miles still to go today. No time to be sick at the moment.


Have a good one!


Tuesday, September 04, 2007

So the three day weekend was nice. Pretty relaxing. Lovely weather. Friday night we planned to hang out with Gran at her house, help do somethings, and make pasta at the house. Instead John got home late and we went out for mexican food. We have such a lovely time just sitting and talking. Sat there for a long time. Just drinking, eating and laughing. Seems like I've had more of that in my life recently and I must stay I could get used to it.

Saturday was going to be busy and we knew it. We started the day with breakfast, manicures & pedicures. Even John got one of each. He was so funny. We headed out to DSW because I had a coupon and well you just don't waste coupons for shoes. So I ended up getting two pairs (one of which I ended up taking back because it didn't fit right) but I got a lovely pair of black peep toe wedges for $10. So we then headed out to Kansas where we planned to test drive the Acura MDX. Gran ends up buying the car and we sit pretty much all day and work through the details, the paperwork and the instructions on house to use the dang navigation system. By the time we drove away in this completely fabulous new car we all were so tired we could barely care. We did however stop off at the Rainforrest Cafe and had dinner and did a bit of shopping at the Oak Park Mall. I got a gift for my friends birthday this week. Sunday we slept in. I was lazy. John and I ran our weekly errands and a few side notes. We then packed up our lives and headed over to Gran's for our Sunday ritual. Laundry, Dinner and Design Star. One episode left. I hope Kim wins. I like Todd but he's to over the top for me. I can't imagine him having a show.

Work is just work today. Not a lot of people here or stuff going on. I've got over half my work for the day done already, so I'm pacing myself now.

So we haven't had a "What I'm Into Today" section in a while and I'm feeling like sharing. So since you are at the mercy of my ramblings...
1. Paolo Nutini- Great Scottish singer. 19 years old but an amazing voice and fun music. I recommend the songs New Shoes, Autumn, Jenny Don't Be Hasty. They are all good however.
2. These Grey Heels
3. Simple Sewing- This book is just so delicious. I tend to swoon over sewing books like this for ages before I ever really end up making anything from them but the entire idea is just so romantic. Not in the typical romantic sense. This particular on is done by a french gal who has great taste. Such lovely photos.
4. Gold Bangles- I'm currently searching for some that I can wear with everything. I just located some on Antropologie that are a maybe. Fingers crossed.
5. Martha Stewart Fall Cakes- This one is Citrus & Poppy Seed.
6. Risotto- Any kinda will do at this point. Just bring it to me NOW!!!
7. Halloween- It's coming and I'm excited for some reason this year. Who knows.