Two truths and a lie

1. I'm going to be the only blogger in the world not planning a Michael Jackson tribute post.
2. Spending my weekend cleaning out our basement... Whoohoo! FUN!
3. I'm pregnant.

So... Care to venture which 2 are the truth and which one is a lie?

Shall we start with some hints?

The basement cleaning is going well, but not photo-worthy at this point. We for realsies need to have a garage sale this summer, but the next couple of weekends are all booked up, so hopefully by the end of July/early August I'll be able to pull one off.

Next up...


First off, I wasn't planning on writing one, but after a lengthy discussion with Wendy Darling, I realized that it was a topic that could not be ignored... So as cliche as it may be at this point, stay tuned.

So guess what that leaves as my 2nd truth?

Yeppers, you guessed it. The Norwegian Pirate and I are expecting our first baby in January. I announced it on Facebook on Friday, so it's probably not a shock to most of you, but I figured I should still give fair warning that this blog is probably going to veer baby/pregnancy related soon.

Or maybe not. Maybe I'll just stick to my neverending love for Pottery Barn and New Kids on the Block.

xoxo

Walking on nails (literally)

So apparently I broke the plastic cap came off of my high heel today, so I’m literally walking around balanced precariously on the head of a nail.

One that makes a funny crunching noise when I walk on a hard surface.
One that is particularly slippery whilst making crunching noises on hard surfaces.
One that sticks in carpet.

And guess what? I just went to examine the bottom of my other heel and that was completely torn apart as well and falling off.

Even a jaunt to the restroom has become a precarious situation… Oy vey!

Kirk's (SURPRISE!) Office Makeover!

So we've been meaning to get to Kirk's office for awhile--it had become a sort of dumping ground and home for hand-me-down furniture, so it had gotten a little... shall we say? Cluttered and neglected?

Kirk's been trying to get to working on it for at least a month now--he had packed up all of his stuff and he's had the paint color selected for about two years, but just hadn't had the time nor effort to paint.

So this weekend, Kirk went to play with his friends to watch The Belmont race and generally have a "boy's weekend," so I called up my sister Liz and we went to town on his office--shopping and purchasing paint and accoutrements, a ceiling fan/light fixture, new shelving and a lovely area rug. 12 hours of running around and painting yesterday, plus a good 7 hours of assembling furniture today and we're exhausted, but the room looks incredible, if I do say so myself. The only thing that still needs to be installed is the ceiling fan because frankly? We didn't want to die.

Here's the only before picture I can find (yes, you may note that the room is painted the fabled "urine yellow."


And here it is after...






Do you think he was surprised? ;-)



So here's the part on "While you were out" when they would tell the person receiving the surprise makeover why we wanted to do it for them. Well, Kirky--you're the most amazing husband ever and I love you so much. I wanted you to finally have your creative space where you are free to do all of the things that you love, surrounded by your favorite things. I hope that you enjoy it and use it well!

xoxo,
Maynan

Wanna see what I've been up to?

It's been awhile since I've written (again!), but I promise that it's because I've been busy with things. Fun things. Like finding the blue dupioni silk that I coveted two years ago (but couldn't afford at $30/yard) for $4.50/yard. How, you ask? It's simple: Because I'm awesome.

But really, it's because I just happened to stop into a JoAnn Fabrics out in BFE while we were away last weekend in Vermilion and it was on sale for $9.95/yard and then all home fabrics were 1/2 off. WOOTNESS!

Anyway, I'll save you the suspense. Here is my dining room last year all set for spring with my crappy lace curtains that the former occupants left us:

And here it is now with my fabulous new curtains--and check out that hot new vintage linen courtesy of my mother-in-law and supreme linen expert, Karen:

So if you think that's lovely, wait until you see this next project! Holy cannoli!

We have this back hallway that leads to our basement, which was a total hot mess. Old 70's linoleum, the whole room was painted that awful urine yellow I abhor (even the ceiling!), old wood paneling with gaping holes in it... awful!

So one Saturday I get the bright idea that we should peel off the linoleum and lay new stick-on tile. Quick project, right?

Wrong! Under the awful 70s tile was 60's tile underneath that--but the good news is that under the rest of this mess was HARDWOOD!

Who in their right mind tiles over beautiful hardwood in good condition? Idiots! And when they did it, they put a cement product over half of the floor (not sure why not on all of it!) so we (and by "we," I mean Kirk!) had to sand, stain, and seal the whole thing. It drove me crazy because half of the landing was absolutely beautiful, but alas...

We saved a little money by reusing leftover paint from our living room, purchased some new wall shelving and hooks, and about two months later (an hour here, an hour there...) we have a lovely back hallway!

I reused baskets that I scored at Old Time Pottery for less than $5 each to house our winter woolies.

Didn't Kirk do such a good job on the floor?

The steps weren't the same kind of wood, so I gave them a painted finish.
The only thing I don't have photos of is the updated photo of the very first staircase that I showed you (with the bad paneling) because that isn't quite finished yet. We hung white wainscotting there, but we haven't rehung the handrail. And I was too lazy to walk all of the way downstairs for a photo when I realized that I forgot to take one.

Sue me.

xoxo

Why is it?

Why is it that the arrival of spring and the first days of being able to roll my car window down and drive home with my arm out of the window immediately transforms me back to being 15?

The irony of this, of course, is that I didn't have my driver's license. But for some reason, it makes me think of that carefree time when I could just taste summer and freedom.

You know how there are certain rituals people go through year after year to welcome in certain seasons and holidays? You know, like listening to Christmas music and putting up the tree or dancing naked in the moonlight for the summer solstice? ;-)

Well, my ritual to welcome spring is to listen to the entire "Become What You Are" album by The Julianna Hatfield Three. Sadly, I can't find my copy so I think I'm going to have to buy a new one. But for now--YouTube will have to suffice:



It makes me want to dance in the grass barefoot, wearing a broomstick skirt and a tank top, dizzying myself as I spin around.

Awesome.

I got carded

So last night Z and I headed to Chipotle after our first zumba class together (Counter productive? Yes! Delicious and deserved? Absolutely!) and I decided to order myself a beer since we were going to get to sit outside and eat.

The girl behind the counter promptly asked for my ID and as she read the date she said something to the effect of, "Holy crap, no way!" As she did a doubletake from my face to the ID, I asked her whether it was a good thing or a bad thing.

She said, "It's a good thing. You certainly don't look..." as she trails off to try to do the math.

"I'm turning 30 this year," I replied, saving her from carrying the 1 or whatever this equation required.

"Yeah. Wow. I would have never guessed."

HINT: If anyone wants to get carded, go to Chipotle in Highland Square as a sweaty mess with your hair in a ponytail and wearing an old college sweatshirt. Normally being seen like that in public causes panic attacks, but in this case it was the source of a wonderful confidence booster.

It made the beer taste even better.

I'm alive, I swear.

Internets: Mombi! You haven't been blogging at all. You must be super busy.

Me: Oh yeah, sure. I've been super busy with... things.

Internets: Things? What types of things? Fun things? Furry things? Lucrative things?

Me: Um. Well, yeah, there's been some fun playing with friends, some work, some quiet nights at home with Kirky, and a small house project, but really nothing huge.

Internets: Oh. So that's why you haven't written?

Me: Yeah. I guess I haven't had much to say.

Internets: Don't you love me anymore?

Me: Of course I still love you! I've loved the Internets since the very first day I got to log on from my mom's computer (circa 1989?) and read dumb blond jokes from an .alt usegroup. But I guess I just haven't had anything to report lately. Or maybe I've just been trying to stay less logged on and more plugged into my life lately. Does that make sense?

Internets: Sure. *tear* Just don't forget about me.

Me: Never.

Anyway... A few updates for you all:

- Kirk's blog now rocks far harder than mine ever could. He's been getting really sweet traffic numbers, as well as readership all over the world. When I look at his art collectively like that, I can totally seem him being an illustrator. But just how does one get a job as an illustrator, pray tell? If you have the answer to that question, please raise your hand and you will be called upon immediately.

- I promise that you will see a continuation of my Paris trip chronicles. I had lost my notes for awhile and recently relocated them. I still want to get the rest of that trip catalogued. I didn't forget about it!

- We threw the most rad birthday party ever for my sister Liz earlier this month. In honor of her 25th birthday, we threw her a "1984 Prom" themed party. Now I know you've all seen 80's themed parties before, but seriously--my sister's house was transformed into a Pretty in Pink vision of glory.

We moved all of the furniture out of the first floor and installed ceiling and wall treatments, complete with tulle and white christmas lights, a DJ booth with light up "84" and disco ball (courtesy of DJ Dan!), a prom photo booth, hanging stars... it was amazing.

We danced all night to 80's music, drank from a glorious keg, and snacked on divine treats. I'll share a few quick photos, but if you're on Facebook you've probably seen many, many more posted from this blessed event.

The whole crew out on the dance floor:

Our prom photo backdrop:

Me and my sisters:


I must go for now, but I promise to be back soon.
xoxo,
Mombi

Respect 3.24.84

March 24, 1984.
Shermer High School
Shermer Illinois
60062

Dear Mr. Vernon,
We accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it is that we did wrong. But we think you're crazy to make us write an essay telling you who we think we are. You see us as you want to see us: in the simplest terms and in the most convenient definitions.... But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain. And an athlete. And a basket case. A princess. And a criminal. Does that answer your question?
Sincerely yours,
The Breakfast Club


VIVA LA TBC!!

An exercise in stupidity

So I've caught a wee bit of a cold, which in Mombi terms means that I'm fairly convinced that its time to perform last rites. Kirk refers to it as me getting The Black Lung, as I wither and whine about the house, coughing like it's my last breath.

So pretty much, I am awesome.

Anyway, so I got this cold Monday and I was mighty impressed that I dragged myself out of bed and went to work. Usually I'm all about not infecting coworkers and taking that time to recharge on the couch, but I had some important meetings (side note: that ended up getting rescheduled) to attend.

On my way home, I talked to Kirk and relayed that I just wanted some mac and cheese or alfredo noodles and a movie on the couch. He was kind enough to pick up mac n cheese for me, so I was all touched.

Well, apparently touched by his gesture also meant touched in the head... Because as I went to finish making my Kraft creation, I thought to myself that I should use up the rest of our Amish roll butter instead of my soy butter, so I sliced off some, noting that it seemed really ridiculously hard, even for being in the fridge. It started to melt a little, but it seemed to be taking forever, so I just ended up fishing out the clump, throwing it in the trash, and then splashing in a little extra milk.

As I went to take a bite, I was equal parts disgust and confusion until I dug out the rest of the roll of "butter" out of the fridge and realized IT WAS NOT BUTTER, it was FONDANT (i.e. sugar and corn syrup) that I had made at some point and left in the wax paper, hence why it was disguised as Amish roll butter.

Le sigh...

Thursday musical interlude...

Just a little something to cheer you up on this fine, fine Thursday...

Who doesn't love The Jets?
Side note: This was the first cassette tape that I owned. I think I really took their fashion sense to heart, donning brightly colored duds for most of my life. Ick.

I can vividly recall singing this one to myself, in the dark, pining over some grade school crush.


Oh and now that I Googled them, I found out they're Mormons--and that explains a lot. Holy ethnic Osmonds!