[chirp] LOW BATTERY

Gather 'Round and Let Me Tell You A Story:

I was awoken at 5 AM by my Mr. yelling from the bathroom.

"What is that?" He asked.

Then the dog jumped up and half-woofed.

"What?"

"You didn't hear that?"

"Hear what?"

"Well you clearly didn't hear it."

"So why do you keep asking me?" Was I talking in my sleep? "Is everything ok?"

[chirp] LOW BATTERY

"Oh that? No, I didn't hear it before now."

"I think it's the smoke alarm in the hallway of our unit."

[chirp] LOW BATTERY

The Mr. comes back to bed and settles in next to the dog.

"Um, you aren't going to take care of it? We can't sleep through the low battery alarm!" I said.

The Mr. steps into the hall and tries to reach the alarm from standing on the ground. He gets the step stool. He pulls it down and somehow activates the smoke alarm function. Then the carbon monoxide function.

[chirp] LOW BATTERY
[scree-eam] SMOKE DETECTED
[whiiiirrrll] CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTED

Now we are in a literal 3 alarm situation at 5:15 AM. He pulls the machine apart. No battery to be seen. He starts pulling on wires and circuit boards. The alarms persist. He runs to the kitchen and yells:

"Bring me a hammer!"

I deliriously wander the hallway in an effort to not only find a hammer under stress, but look like I know where he keeps tools. Because this girl scout is both helpful AND supportive.

The Mr. realizes that my support is purely superficial and he finds his own hammer. Taking the whole screaming mess to the kitchen sink, he starts a'smashing.

"Are you sure that... ok... don't hurt yourself," I said.

After a couple good whacks the battery pops out of the front of the panel, as I'm sure all batteries on modern alarms do. I go to clean up the pieces but the Mr. told me to leave it. I've seen enough Law and Order to know that the sociopath isn't won over at 5:20 after a violent binge, so I leave the crime scene and we head back to bed to try and fall back asleep for 20 minutes before the usual alarms go off.

At least we know how to deactivate those.

A Wedded Thought Sandwich

I asked the Mr. last night on our Roo-walk what the favorite part of his day is.

"This. Walking with you and Roo every night. And nice weather."

The power of suggestion is strong with this one. I could say that I thought I had a stomach ache from dinner and within hours he'd have one too. Both of us having different meals. Maybe he's joining me in solidarity*!

He asked me the same question and I said, "This too. And watching the news with you. I like watching the news and having something to talk about during and afterwards. It keeps us from rehashing the same topics or complaining about work all the time."

The Mr. went on to say that he thinks having Roo has strengthened our relationship. I think so too, now that he said so.

The power of suggestion is strong with me too.

Roo has given us mandatory time outside. And we often do it together because we both want to spend time with her. And the nice weather. We team up for walks, some awkward games of fetch-slash-keep away in the front yard**, co-tackle teeth brushing and argue about the best way to train her not to chase the bunnies***.

She's something we can join together to be both for (in times of cuteness) and against (in times of chew-ness). We argue about her sometimes and she pisses us off, but she's taught us patience and defined "fambly"****.

Post inspired by this quote and article:

What's the secret to a happy marriage? 

National Public Radio! My husband and I spend a lot of time during the week driving in separate cars. We both listen to NPR. At the end of the day, when we are done talking about work, one of us will say, "Did you hear the piece about…?" It's nice to have so much to discuss.

*Is "solidarity" a popular word now? I see it everywhere and feel the need to use it frequently. Is it like literary twerking?

**Roo does NOT bring the ball back, so we tease her.

***Bottom line: impossible.

****The Mr. knows what I mean.

I wonder if drunk people ever try to "santa" down a chimney...?

This past weekend my Father in Law (FIL) asked my Mr., in front of me, if he ever got sick of my positive attitude. I piped up saying, "You and I are more alike than you know!"*

See, he doesn't read this blog. He doesn't know how much I complain on here. Just like you guys might not know how much I am really positive in real life.

So I decided to tell you what I DO like for once.

Twitter jokes. Brevity + Humor = Speaka-muh-language.
Flat shoes. Marrying a short man and living in a walkable city means that ditching the heals is a welcome necessity.
My job. This is the first job I've ever really liked.

My life overall right now.

The Mr. and I are keeping an eye on one of our neighbor's places while they're away getting married and said couple has roof access. They have a cool built-out deck area and gave us the OK to jump up there while they were gone.

Last night after getting home from a fast weekend away (thanks for coming out, Berta!), we got the neighbor's mail and decided to check out the roof while delivering it. A storm seemed to be approaching from all directions but the winds were low and the air still warm. We stayed outside until the drops were fat enough to make you blink, taking in a complete 360 view as the tallest building nearby with roof-access. A beautiful local church steeple, smoke stacks on renovated warehouses turned lofts, and The Sears Tower all seemed our peers. We felt a little Fiddler. A little Mary Poppins. Or maybe I was the only one who felt I could break out into song. But being up on the roof, being unparalleled reminded me of how wonderfully, simultaneously alone and together I can be in a city of millions.


---
*He's a glass-half-full kinda guy... but there's acid in his glass and he's being water boarded with it.

Tipsy Tuesday: You Gotta Be Cotton Me?!

Buh-dum-kish!

Our second wedding anniversary is just weeks away and the traditional gift is... Cotton!

I love the theme (although I didn't follow it last year and gave him a bowl made of glass from our wedding site), so I've compiled some cotton gifts.

Lace shoes

Funky quilt for spare room

Oil on canvas

Natural pillow

Funny tea towel

The non-traditional gift for second anniversaries is china. What do you think? Would you give something completely different?

Another, I just don't want to type it.

Click the image to view larger.

How to Kick The Flu in Two

I got the flu and only needed 2 days off of work. Here's how I did it.

1) Sleep until you cannot sleep any more, then take a melatonin and go to bed at 8 PM.
2) Drink water, juice, any fluids you can stomach (not alcohol or caffeine as they interrupt your sleep)
3) Take a multivitamin with your chicken noodle soup (so as not to upset your stomach).

I'm baffled by how many adults continue to carry out their normal lives when their sick. They take some tylenol and then carry on like nothing's wrong. Meanwhile, they infect others and take 2x longer to get well.

I know taking time off of work is not possible for everyone. And I know that taking time out from life is not always possible either. Single moms with pets and full-time jobs? Hats off to you!

I'm thankful for my husband and family and flexible job that allowed me to stay in bed and eat soup and sleep 12 hours a day in order to get well. I had incredible help and options and that's really what got me well :)

For pictures, you can see my annoying instagram on the right ----->>>>

Flip It Friday: Little White Lies

I'm a liar. My Pinterest bio says so.

I lie to myself all the time to get through things and keep thinking positively.

My calves don't hurt. Keep running.
If I complete this project on time, I'll be thanked. I'll get me noticed.
Act like you need to be there at 8 instead of 8:30 and you'll be on time.

Last night the Mr. was dealing with a cable bill issue, some stupid work issues that spilled over into the evening and cat issues (cats have issues in general, no surprise - amaright, folks!) and spun off onto a complaining tirade.

I do it too, I'm not picking on him. He just had the most recent example.

I suggested we play the "silver-lining game". Every time he wanted to complain about something, he has to follow it up with a positive about the same situation.

At least we can afford cable.
At least he has a job and the issue at hand doesn't threaten that.
At least the cats aren't dead (although that could be another negative, depending on who in our house you ask!).

Abe Lincoln gets it:

Source: woofimaunicorn.tumblr.com via Tamara on Pinterest

Tell me, do you ever lie to yourself? Do you ever have to force yourself to be positive? How do you handle downward spirals into negativity?

Flip-It Friday: How Do You Make Up?

"We fight we break up we kiss me make up..."

You tell 'em Katy Perry.

So how do you make up?

Do you apologize first? Do you always require an apology (not a bad thing, I think)? Do you act like nothing was ever wrong and just move past it? Do you have a drag-out-drawn-out discussion over the matter until everything's out on the table? Do you have a song-fight like Katy in the video?

I'm more of a bullet-points-on-the-issue-only-please and lets-get-this-over-with-and-go-eat-dinner kinda person.

You?

(I can't believe I've blogged about Katy Perry more than once... her name is a tag option!)

Flip-It Friday: How Do You Fill Your Life

The early part of my marriage was rocky.

Shoot, I've only been married a few days over a year, so I mean to say that the early, EARLY part was a bit rocky. We had some adjustment issues. I'm sure that's normal and if it's not, I hope it's comforting to the few of you out there who do have adjustment periods that need validation and fleshing out. You are not alone!

So while the beginning was rocky, I thought of the worst case scenario. You might think this is masochistic, but it's a really calming anxiety-relief technique. You ask yourself, "So what if the most horrible thing happens, so what?" And it helps you get some perspective.

So I was asking myself, "So what if marriage is ugly and lonely and *gasp* not a fairy tale." I didn't think I was living an illusion, but I suppose I was.

I answered myself with, "I supposed I'll need a hobby to pour myself into if this marriage thing is not fulfilling."

Some of you are shocked or appalled. I get it. It's not what you hear all the time. But again, I would love to be able to relate to just one person and help them out, so alas, I am honest.

So I told myself that if marriage was never going to "click" and we weren't going to have a fairy tale, I'd better get something in my life that gives me purpose and fulfillment. We aren't planning on having kids (at least not anytime soon), I am growing in my job but it's not a 24/7 distraction, and I have some hobbies (bloggin!) but they also don't take up my entire life.

I started brainstorming how I could fill my life. Reading, clubs, book clubs (all sound like the same thing, but arent!), new friends, adventurous cooking, starting that novel only to put it in a drawer and have someone make a fortune off of it after I die... etc.

So I want to ask you to be frank with me (Hi, Frank. Nice to meet you... haha... oh me!). Do you have "ways you spend your life" or a plan of how to "fill your life" if your job/spouse/kids/etc do not? What if you're not married but want to be? What if you are in a job that is furthest from your dream? What dangling carrot do you have in your sights? Are you employing a fill-my-life mechanism right now?

(Sidenote: My marriage is much more fulfilling now. We grew tremendously in the beginning and earn every one of our stretch marks through growing pains! It was an uncomfortable time, but we are glad and better for it. Mr. S is so understanding to let me air our past and present on this blog. He's so patient! I thank him for that.)

J.Mill's Diamond Potpourri

Nothing to do with potpourri today, unless you think this is potpourri:

Here lies the contents of our small couch vacuum. Proof that 4 vacuums can barely compete with 2 cats.

The diamond part of the this post is for the Queen. The Today show is on in the background and they are all about the Queen's J-b'lee. It all seems so ridiculous. I mean, they even said the Queen doesn't like to do it, that she's private and shy in reality. So.... why, then?

And why are Americans interested in this? Let us not forget that we seceded from this monarchy. I could understand an hour special in honor of the Queen and her Diamond Jubilee, but hours of morning news TV?

The Mr. and I had our own public appearance this past weekend. There was a celebration, nee "jubilee", of a few "diamonds" we exchanged a year ago this past Sunday.

Happy Very First Anniversary, Mr. S.

Haha. And the Queen just woke up out of a trance after the national anthem. It appears she fell asleep with her eyes open and drifted off to something more exciting in her imagination. Let tradition go already. The Queen is bored out of her bejeweled gourd!

Here's what I speculate her inner monologue to be while 60 cannons, a few songs and some driving rain shock and entertain the crowd. Please read with a British accent.

Oh dear. As if the cannons going off sporadically for miles during my carriage ride weren't enough. I'm 86 and have been partying for days. The drizzle has turned to an outright rain and only I seem to notice. I wonder if I scowl the whole time if they'll  let me go back in off this balcony early. Ah! Someone spelled jubilee wrong on their parade poster. Good show, young drunk, good show. I should hire you as a court jester. We could use a more laid back presence. Even Philip faked a bladder infection not to be here. He promised me next year that I could skip. He better not croak on me before I can make good on that deal. Blah blah blah, God save the queeeeen from this dreadful sceeeene! 

Argument Advice

If the next thing you're going to say makes you feel better then it's probably the wrong thing to say.

-- Amor Towles, Rules of Civility

Flip It Friday: Equally Yolked Finances

I am really on the finance train lately. So much so that I couldn't fit all of my noisy opinions on couples finance into this one post. I even cut out paragraphs of opinionated babble.

Yolked, get it? I know it's "yoked"... or do I?

But don't worry, I saved that babble for this post! Lucky ducks, all of ya!

So I've had this debate with single and married friends alike. How do you handle finances with income disparities within a household?

Let me tell you that income disparities are normal, but somehow still not easy to maneuver. I make half (or less than 1/2, depending on raises) of the salary of my spouse. It's hard to wrap your head around your worth sometimes when that's the truth. It's equally hard (maybe, I dunno, I've never been there) to be making dramatically more than your spouse and to feel like you're both pulling your weight.

It may not be a lie to split every cost as a couple (especially a married couple) down the middle, but it can be damaging. I don't care who you are, if you are splitting the cable bill, your groceries, vacations with your spouse 50/50 and going so far as to lay our receipts and writing each other checks, you be crazy. Even if you're splitting it 70/30 you're ridiculous. 

People might think I'm wrong on this; I want you to leave your contradictory comments!

I know a couple who are married and split everything 50/50. He transfers money to her for the bills and she pays 'em out of her account. (I can only assume that they have no joint checking or at least don't both contribute to it regularly.) I think she does this because she works full time and he's a struggling artist. I think she feels like he's not pulling his weight.

Marriage (or your equivalent union) is a partnership. You both own equal shares of your marriage and should be doing life together.

What am I missing? Do you ever feel awkward about income disparity in your household? Discuss!

Financial Infidelity (I've written this post 3 times now).

ohmyword Ijustwroteawholepostandlostitbyclosingthewindow.

hrumpf.

Ok, well I was excited to share this post with you because it stemmed from a question from my friend B.Lill about when one crosses the line of financial infidelity and, alas, all of my good musings are awash and I am apissed.

Let me try to catch you up on the highlights:

Yes, financial infidelity is real and damaging. No, I don't believe I am financially unfaithful, especially according to this survey/article.

Mr. S and I both came into our marriage debt-free and money conscious. We save a ton of money (my entire salary!) to afford a nice down payment on a house in 2013, survive on one budget (no DINK problem here!) and bought our used car outright (heck no to car payments!).

Not us. Picture via.

Being financially stable is like a passion of ours. Here are some easy ways we avoid financial infidelity and stay on track with our goals:

Consider your expenses. It may benefit you to decide on a spending limit that you can be within and not have to share the deets of your purchase. Like, say, $200. Or say $50 (cause our bank, Chase, emails Mr. S if any purchase is over $50... oftentimes before I even sign the receipt...)

Mr. S and I are allotted the same amount each month to spend as we choose. An allowance, if you will. We can choose to spend less than our budget and roll that amount to the next month for bigger purchases or if we over-spend, we have to watch ourselves the following month as our debt to our group budget roles. I am lucky that we get equal amounts as I make half of what he makes. We think that although I bring in less money, my role in the relationship is just as important and therefore I shouldn't be restricted. Blah blah blah, I have it good.

We also keep all of our transactions public to one another by using the same checking account/credit card account and tracking it all with Mint.com [note to self: write another post about Mint.com and it's benefits/downfalls]. The only transactions we keep private would be ones on our personal cards. We each have a personal credit card that we use for buying each other gifts or for when we are buying things that are only for ourselves. We still report the cost of the credit card bill to Mint, but we keep the details of the purchases mum.

Now, some people cannot have a secret credit card. It may sound silly, but if the swipe of the credit card is too easy for you and you've been in the debt-doghouse before, consider limiting yourself to gift-buying with cash-only. If you are at a risk for financial infidelity by having a secret card, then don't get one. Cash is discrete but an ATM withdrawal is still immediately traceable. That way you only spend what you have and you wont ruin the joy of giving a gift by going into the poor house over it.

Some tricky situations arise when extra income comes through. Raises should be considered part of your joint income and should be applied to joint things - whether fun stuff like vacations or necessities like groceries or paying down debt. And yes, your debt is now a joint expense!


Bonuses and money made from side jobs (as long as the side job is not considered part of your necessary, monthly income) can be dealt with by the earner. Yes, you can keep all the money for yourself, but don't forget that while you were out fixing that old lady's computer for $40/hr, someone was at home doing your laundry, feeding your cats and making you brown bag lunches for the week! [Not that that's a real scenario...]

I have started to write this post 3 times now. If it's unclear on any point, please let me know. Also, if I missed something or you disagree, leave a comment below!

It's All Been Said Before, But Apparently Couples Aren't Listening

More relationship advice. Go ahead and click away now if you're sick of it. I can't remember if I've been writing a lot of relationship advice lately, but I know it's been done. Cliche, of course, but on the heels of yet another celebrity split (apparently a shocker), and after meeting another set of newlyweds this weekend that boasted "We've only been married a few months... but at least we beat Kim Kardashian!" I feel I/we/you could use some friendly reminders.

Let's take the recent spotlight separation - Heidi Klum and Seal - for an example and dissect it into it's wrong turns.

 via

Their statement:
“While we have enjoyed seven very loving, loyal and happy (1) years of marriage, after much soul-searching (2) we have decided to separate.We have had the deepest respect for one another throughout our relationship and continue to love each other very much, but we have grown apart (3). This is an amicable process (4) and protecting the well-being of our children remains our top priority (5), especially during this time of transition.”


1) Marriage is based on a commitment (or, rather, should be) and commitment has nothing to do with the feeling of "love" or "happiness". Yes, you usually love your partner when you marry them, but if you based that marriage on your feelings you would love them when the sun shines and leave them when it rains. Why get married then? Why not just date, perpetually? Because you want to start a family with them, you want to have someone there to take care of you if you become a vegetable, or you want to be important enough to someone else that they trust you with their lives. Commitment based on feelings is childish and selfish. Which brings me to ...


2) Soul-searching is selfish. It implies that you are seeing what will "work" for you. Can you  make this marriage work? Can you stand to keep living life alongside this person? It's all about you, huh? Marriage used to mean that two people were now a unit, acting as one. Soul-searching is an inward discussion and cuts the other person out. Of course you split up after "soul-searching". Your animalistic fight or flight response turns on your marriage when you become an "I" instead of a "we". Which brings me to...


3) Growing apart is product of your decisions. Now, wait. Don't get me wrong. All couples need to be able to spend time with friends or have hobbies on their own. You cannot literally spend every waking second together. Or maybe you can but it could get really annoying. A bit of separate time makes you appreciate the time you have together, but growing apart is an extreme symptom of a decision to be separate. In high profile, high stress, high travel, dual-career, multiple-child marriages oftentimes couples have to schedule time together to nurture their relationship. Regular date night, even if you have to make them so regular that it's the same restaurant reservation on the same night once a month, do it! Marriage is about growing with someone. Making time to listen to them, ask questions, focus on them will remind you why you make a great team in the first place. Put your phone down, call a sitter and go on a date! If you're in trouble, don't go it alone and don't ignore it. Seek counseling, go on a marriage retreat, do something annually to nurture your marriage (whether you have problems or not) and consider it preventative medicine. 


4) Lies.

via

5) If your children were your top priority, you'd work on your marriage. Period. Divorce just does something to a family. To the kids specifically. I know my marriage is still wet behind the ears, but I am channeling the advice of our church's mentor couples and other successful marriages in my life by saying that you have to work on your marriage for your kids. Your spouse comes first, your kids come second. That might be a tough pill to swallow, but you have to have a stable spousal relationship to effectively, joyously raise a family. People think that they are doing their kids a favor by not fighting anymore when they divorce. But divorcing before going to counseling, taking a retreat with your spouse, and investing in your marriage by remembering your commitment is like putting a bandaid on a bandaid instead of re-dressing the wound - it only covers up the problem and lets it fester beyond salvation.

via

Here is a relationship series that my church did. I heard a few of these in person and found them really inspiring.


Marriage is hard. Divorce is harder. Don't take either lightly.  


Think I'm wrong? Am I missing something? Do you have marriage advice for me? Comment below!

How to Change Your Last Name After Getting Married - Chicago Style

I wrote this email to a good friend who became a Mrs. in October. Yes, I am just copy/pasting this from the email.

So You Think You're a Mrs. - Chicago Edition

Now let's prove it!

In the weeks it took me to change my name on all things important, I carried my ID, passport, SS card and marriage certificate around with me in a large, brown envelope. I would also recommend having $20-$40 cash on you at all times as that may save you some ATM fees. It will take a while to change your name, so patience is a virtue! Its all part of the chaos of being married. You know, I know b/c I've been ripened by 7 months of it! (7 months today: 1-3-12)

1) Get your marriage Certificate. You got your marriage license before you got married, now you have to get the cert to prove that you are married. You can do this at the Daley Center in the same place you got your marriage license. You should order 2+ copies of the certificate as some systems may require you to mail in an original copy. These copies will cost you money, so be prepared.

2) Get your new Social Security Card. Take your marriage cert, current social security card and driver's license/passport to the social security office on 77 W Jackson.

3) Get a new Driver's License. Bring your new SS Card (heck, I started carrying all ID with me at this point, just in case) and CASH with you to the Thompson Center (downstairs) or any DMV. The DMV in the Thompson Center doesn't take Visa, so I had to get cash out of an ATM to go there. I think it's $5 to change your name. Make sure they get your name right (they spelled mine wrong) and be prepared for them to take your picture. They wouldn't let me use the old photo. Here is a chart of what IDs you can bring with you to prove your new name. We qualify as "Duplicate/Corrected ID". You should be able to elect to have your voter's registration changed here too. If you want to change your address, you may need to bring a piece of mail with you (one that has your name and new address on it).

4) Passport. I did mine via mail, but I think you can do it in person somewhere. Mail in old passport, DS 82 Form, renewal fee of $110 (check), original marriage cert and a color photo. I had a passport photo taken at CVS. Read the DS 82 Form thoroughly as I couldn't tell if you staple your passport photo to it or not. It's a tricky form.

5) Take new ID and/or SS Card to your work and get your benefits changed to your new name. Your HR should be able to assist you.

6) Update banks and credit cards. Some banks will let you walk in with new ID and change it there. Some (like our online bank, Ally) will make you fax in proper ID and a copy of your marriage cert. to qualify for a name change.

7) If you have any separate loans (school or otherwise), utilities in your name, investments, doctor's office, and are registered to vote, get those changed as well.



Photo of Mr. and Mrs. S 7 months ago. That's me on the left.

I have yet to change my Ally bank account, my voter's registration card (I got a new one with my ID, but they spelled my name wrong the first time and it didn't get corrected on the voter card), and my American Airlines rewards account. Gotta get that changed before I head to Nicaragua in February!

What am I missing? What's different about how you changed your name? Did anyone else think that changing your last name should be easier since people get married all. the. time.??

Drink Pairing: something hot! 2012 is coming in in cold style. Woke up to freezing temps this morning and was glad I wore my merm to work today!

What to Resolve for NYE

Do you have a new years resolution?

I'm reading that some people are tossing them out of the window and just living 2012 like they did 2011. Fine, fine. But if you're going to change something, why not resolve to change it when you have the support of the world and their resolutions too?

Lost on what to resolve? Here are some strange/sincere/silly suggestions:

- Eat dessert. Whenever it's available.
- Do a walking tour of your hometown or some place familiar.
- Go to bed an hour earlier (or later... but do something awesome with that hour!).
- Pick a new tv series and follow it religiously.
- Immerse yourself in a new author's works and finish the lot of 'em.
- Cook "Around the World" by making a dish a week that represents another country.
- Become a "Yes man", but within reason. Not like Jim Carrey.
- Incorporate a new article of clothing into your regular attire (ponchos, scarves, argyle).
- Give up holding grudges.
- Live on less and save or donate the rest.
- Vow to do one thing that scares you a month (ski, see a movie alone, sing in public)
- If you haven't been in a while, go to the dentist!
- Give up caffeine (or don't, haha!).
- Instead of trying to lose weight, vow to mind portion sizes and keep a food journal.
-  Date wildly in 2012. Whether you have a permanent person to date or whether you are still open to suggestion. If you're shy, ask for phone numbers. If you're used to meeting people at bars, approach someone in an art museum. Walk up to the bassist after a metal show. If you're dating/married don't forget to date that person. Ask them out. Wear perfume. Turn up the charm! [Note: This is not a hint to S. I feel well dated... er, you date me well... er... you know what I mean.]

Maybe my favorite suggestion: Treat Yo Self

Drink pairing? Champagne of course!

Note: I am still not drinking until New Years. I got through the holidays only having 1 beer because I couldn't find an ibuprofen. I think it was a fair trade.

Cause 'Errybody Should Know How To Tie A Tie

via

Now go get ready for church.

Men Are Visual, So Use a Visual Aid

I'm reading a book on how men are different from women. S read the man's version of this book and found it helpful, so here's to trying to do well in my relationship. *clink

In the book they reiterate that men are visual.

So I took that to mean, among other things, that if I want ikat pillows in orange and blue for our living room, I should show S what it looks like for those pillows to live with us.

Ergo - my first moodboard in the replica of our living room. A bit choppy, but not too bad for my first one.



Take home advice: Show-and-tell works better than just "tell".

Common Sense on a Blogroll Wednesday: It's not a Wedding Proposal, It's a Marriage Proposal

A cute NY blog called Cup of Jo featured this article on a special marriage proposal. Problem? She called it a wedding proposal.

Pleeeze, people. Marriage and weddings do not necessarily go hand-in-hand. People can have a marriage without a wedding and, sadly, people can have a wedding without ever really participating in a marriage.

I Googled the difference between a marriage and a wedding. Top rated answer on Yahoo answers (funny that I Google and got Yahoo...) was: a wedding lasts a day and a marriage lasts a lifetime.

Well put.



I wish them a happy marriage.

Flip-It Friday: How long should someone be engaged?

You heard the question. Now, tell me, how long? Should it vary?

How long should you date before you get engaged? Is there a window of time that's optimal to "sh*t or get off the pot"?




Photo via thomasmarlow photography. The rings are mine and my husband's :)