How to Acheive World Peace

I have a theory on how to finally achieve world peace. Don't steal my idea. I deserve full credit for this! I'll be looking up my intellectual property rights as soon as I finish typing this up.

Okay, so world peace will be achieved if everyone had a taco and cocktail. Think about it. Everyone would be so happy that they wouldn't care about differences in religion, race, or whatever else stirs people up.

Let's dissect this idea. First: tacos. Mmm... you really can't go wrong with a taco. Any kind. Whether is the more authentic version, a fancy fish taco, or a 79 cent taco from Taco Bell, there is a taco for every taste and every mood. I firmly believe that we haven't fully tapped the full capabilities of the taco just yet. Think of all the things we haven't tried yet! After we've all had a taco we can begin work on creating delicious new tacos.

Cocktails. I realize this could be controversial as some people do not drink and for those people, I suppose a mocktail will have to do. I remember once going out to eat with some friends in junior high and we ordered virgin daiquiris. The thrill of a fruity drink with an umbrella was exhilarating. It is still is. They come in all kinds of pretty colors, tastes, fun glasses. How can a cocktail not bring a smile to your face and an ease in your pace?!

You can thank me for this radical world changing idea by bringing me a delicious taco and a fruity cocktail.

And you're welcome.

Tis the Season

Tonight begins our busy holiday and birthday season. I've spent a while this afternoon decorating the fireplaces in our house. When I finally looked at my clock and realized I needed to leave asap, I started scrambling. I quickly finished my project, cleaned up, realized I had forgotten to wrap a present, wrapped the present, changed clothes, and rushed out the door. Once off the street I realized I was off an hour.

Let's try to enjoy this season for what it is: a time to remember why we are here, who loves us, and to enjoy one another. Our purpose in life is not to get things done.

Merry Christmas!

My House

I had a nightmare last night. It involved us selling our wonderful 1920's Midtown bungalow and buying a new brick house in a suburban new development in Florida. There were so many things wrong with this. Let's list them:

1) I love my house and never ever want to leave it. (Unless it means we're moving some where cool like Europe or Boston.)
2)New house
3) Suburbs
4) Florida... I love the beach, but I'm not sure if its for me. I could be wrong on this point though.

I don't mean to step on anyone's toes or insult anyone or their house. But new housing (unless I get to work with the architect and help draw up the plans and design) is not for me. I hate neighborhoods where all the houses are nearly the same.

Here is where I should pause and admit that yes, most of the other houses on my block are also bungalows, and yes, they all have a similar (but not the same!) floor plan. BUT, over 90 years each house has taken on a life and personality of its own. No house in our neighborhood is the same. And I love that. I'm willing to be that my 90 year old house has more charm and character than all of the new homes in one development. Trims, old knobs, scary basements, exposed brick, small fireplaces, all of these and more make our house a cool place to live.

Suburbs are great. I grew up in one. I understand why people like them, but its not for me. I love living in the city, walking to my favorite places, and being close to my neighbors. If I want to go anywhere outside of Midtown, it only takes me five minutes... unless its one of the outer-lying suburbs... which I hardly ever go to.

I love my house. From the moment I first walked into it at an open house, I knew it had to be mine. The high ceilings and big rooms had me at hello.

All of the above being said: we're experiencing some major plumbing problems. Like, we can't use any water until the plumbers get here tomorrow. No showers, no flushing toilets, can't finish the load of laundry, no washing dishes... Hmmm... it actually sounds like a vacation.

Anyways, despite our current situation, I still wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

But ask me again when I receive our plumbing bill.

How about them Knobs...

One of the things on my household updates to-do list has been to add hardware to the kitchen cabinets. When we bought the house only the four upper cabinets had knobs. Some of the drawers and cabinets were difficult to open, but I survived.

Something came over me the past month or two and I got around to purchasing knobs. We put them on all the drawer and cabinets.



Its so easy to open things now! I can't believe we went so long without them. Its really sad.

The Guest Bedroom, redo

We spent much of last weekend painting. Which wasn't too bad as our paint spot was on the front porch and the weather last weekend was phenomenal.

Our guestbedroom was looking a little sad. Here's a before:



Lets recap: random broken chair on far left, mismatched linens (especially the pillows), broken side table. Also this room has become a collect-all for items that don't really have a home and/or need to go up in the attic.

Solution: new bedding and two new tables.

I purchased two side tables from antique stores and we proceeded to paint them an off white.



And... Here's the after:



Ignore the glass on the bed, that is being put away. Also, for the sake of testing things out, making final decisions I did not put the down comforter in the duvet yet. I wanted to see how it would look without going through that hassle yet. Plus, I want to keep Bosco off the new things as long as possible.



This is my favorite table. Its the perfect height and is much more interesting than the previous table. Plus it adds a place to put a glass on that side of the bed. We are planning to put the dog crate away before guests come to stay. Isn't the new lamp perfect in here? It makes the room so much more home-y.



Here's the other table. I like that it offers some hidden storage. It relives the closet of some of the overflow.



I still have a little more styling, putting away, and finishing touches to make. But at least you are able to get an idea of our progress. What do you think?

Ebay Lessons

I consider myself an internet savvy person. Yet somehow I made my very first Ebay purchase last week. It was a vintage mailbox. It was perfect! Norman Rockwell-ish for Bry and asethically pleasing for me. However, I failed to take note of the dimensions.

Turns out its a penny bank. Yes, a PENNY bank. Oopsy. Oh well, it will look really cute added to our kitchen hanging collage.

NOTE TO SELF: Please take note of dimensions and other features before any online purchase.

Dreams

Ever feel like you have a 100 different dreams for you life? I do. A few things I've been thinking about doing lately:

- become a tambourine player and join a band
- Open my senior project business: Get Organized
- Open a classy, fun women's underwear store in the neighborhood, name it something like Skivvies
- Open a build your own burrito/taco place in the neighborhood.
- Open Bryan's idea for a restaurant. Home.
- Quit my job and stay at home.
- Move to Europe
- Move to the beach
- Own a boat
- Operate a "burger barge"
- Cook more

Those are just a few. I don't consider this a bucket list, just my changing whims. But I'd like to really do at least a few of these.

Does anyone have any money they would like to invest?