Kitchen project #1

This might not look exciting to the naked eye, but this laundry closet revamp is definitely at the top of the list for Great Things to Happen in 2009. (Let's face it - we're all trying to find the bright spots right now.) Our washer and dryer used to be side by side, and we had two very flimsy shelves above. I had them stacked high with random crap, but I was waiting for 1) an earthquake to cause everything to tumble, and / or 2) the shelves to break from too much weight. Now, I can switch to worrying that the dryer will spin off the washer. Good times.

And BTW, Diet Dr Pepper was one of the Top Revelations of 2008. Who knew it was caffeine free?

My dream outfit

I'm pretty much obsessed with this outfit. In fact, I never want to wear a pencil skirt again. No more sleek - I want twirly.



* I apologize that I don't remember where I found this picture. I'm still new to this whole blogging thing, so please cut me some slack just this once!

Foray into DIY

We were living a little ghetto with my new dresser sitting out on our front porch for awhile, but my singular accomplishment of Christmas Vacation 2008 was painting it. Hint for future DIY'ers: do NOT attempt to paint a dresser while it's standing vertically. Silly me. The paint will drip and leave marks. Yes, I realize taking the doors off would have been ideal, but they wouldn't come off. So, I sanded down the drips, and then laid the dresser on its back (hmmmm...that sounds crass!) and put on a few more coats with it lying flat. That seemed to do the trick, and I have to say, I'm pretty damn impressed. And I totally take back all the foot-stomping and cursing I did midway through the project.

Before:



After:

Olympic fever!

I'm a Phelps Phan. And I love this tshirt from Forever21.

Should I try this blogging thing again?

I suppose I shouldn't follow up a post about killing 3 koi fish with one about wanting a puppy. Especially since I haven't posted in 2 years. You might get the impression that I'm irresponsible - or bad with animals - and you wouldn't be wrong. But indulge me. Above is a picture of sweet, sweet Montana. She's the puppy I almost put down a deposit on this weekend but didn't, and then lost out on when someone else bought her. She had a sweet doppelganger, Jewel, who was adopted too, although their slightly-less-attractive sister Angel is still available.

Here's the thing: I want a puppy while my husband is less enthusiastic, but not totally opposed. (Wow. We just got married and it's possibly the first time I've referred to him that way. It feels obnoxious - even in writing. Can't I just keep calling him my boyfriend? Ten years from now, wouldn't that make things seem elicit and fun?)

Anyway, he doesn't want the responsibility, but says that if I really want to take it on myself, I should feel free to make that decision. I'm pretty sure he doesn't know how much he'd love a dog, but I'm nervous to make that bet. A few months ago when I called to tell him I picked up a stray puppy in the rain, he went directly to the store for dog food, a dog dish, leash, and collar, and then the two of them curled up for a nap.

You have to understand: we're really lazy people. We spend a lot of time in bed (actually, a really disturbing amount of time) and we kind of hate to leave the house. If I did bring home a dog, I have no doubt he'd not only fall in love, but would also do a lot of the things I might be less inclined to do (like, say, feed the dog on a regular schedule). But I feel like it's a big decision to make without both of us on board. Apparently this is the pet equivalent of wanting him to WANT to do the dishes.

Welcome to Koi Vey!

This is a happy and a sad post. Happy because I'm starting a blog, after much prodding from Tamara, and much hesitation from Andrew (he's afraid I'll "reveal too much.") He does like his privacy, that one. It's a sad post because three of our koi fish died over the night. I feel responsible. Like I did something wrong. Or, that it's further proof that you shouldn't buy pets from a pet store.