Coffee, Water, Computer, Remote Table

I'm sure I can assume why coffee tables are called coffee tables but, to be honest, they are so much more to me than that.

I haven't had one for a few months. Well, I actually just moved the one I was using (a borrowed white-clothed ottoman from Devon) into my bedroom. But it's been such a big decision to buy one.

What did I want it to look like? Wood? Glass?

What shape did I want it to be? Round? Square? Oval?

After many stores, online views and discussions with friends, I bought one yesterday at West Elm.

So I'm thrilled to have my coffee table, which will not only hold my coffee on Saturday mornings, my wine on Monday nights with Jess, my computer on many a night when I'm catching up on work, my remote controls, my magazines and last, but not least, my feet.

Welcome to the family:

And, just to keep you up to date, Haley and Matt's shower was a huge success at my house! Thanks to mother nature making one of the most beautiful days and nights in Austin, we were able to really make the most of my backyard. I'll post pictures soon but suffice it to say it was so much fun to host at my home and I look forward to another party sometime soon. I mean, really, anytime someone wants to come by, I've got plenty of beer and wine for awhile.....

And, last but certainly not least.....this past weekend I participated in my first Girls on the Run event. My first board meeting is next Monday but they asked all of the new board members (there are 3 of us) to participate in this event to see what it was all about. Kelsey agreed to go with me and despite only 4 hours of sleep, we hit the road bright and early at 6am to drive to Leander (40 minutes away).

It was a beautiful morning and a great event. Kelsey and I were both 'running buddies', which means that we were assigned to run with one of the 8-10 year old girls who had just completed the Girls on the Run training program at their school. I ran with Marie, who was both sweet and sassy. At one point she grabbed her friend, who was walking and said 'this isn't Girls on the Walk'. I was cracking up.

Meanwhile, we ran, walked, meandered, looked at trees, picked up rocks and 50 minutes later finished our 3 mile run. But, about half way through, Marie grabbed my hand and didn't say a word. She didn't need to. It was all worth it at that moment.

Backyard Bench

This weekend I went to Ikea (again) and bought some outdoor furniture. I decided to go with something that reminded me of my childhood - a picnic bench - instead of the more common wrought iron furniture. Plus, the two pieces I bought are part of a set that I can continue to add to so as I go back to Ikea I can add more and more.

What appealed to me about this table was that it can expand to hold a lot of people and eventually has the capability of an umbrella going in the middle of it.

I wasn't in love with any of their seat cushions so I'll keep looking for those. In the meantime, I have one long table, one smallish bench and two chairs (not pictured) that are on my deck.

This was surprisingly easy to build. I mean I certainly couldn't have done it without Kelsey but I also thought it would take hours. I'm quickly learning the things that I didn't expect to take long (cabinet pulls and knobs) take much longer and the things that I anticipate taking hours of my time are done in less than an hour. Is that some sort of Murphy's Law of home ownership?

While this won't seat the 30+ people that will be here next weekend for Haley and Matt's shower, it's a start. At least it makes the backyard start to feel more manageable. The gravel project has been delayed b/c of the busyness this time of year but I think the table and bench will look even better with gravel underneath. One day.....

Quick Post

Just a quick check in to let you all know I'm alive. I know it hasn't been that long since I posted but it feels like forever. It's been one heck of a week at work - mostly good. In fact, mostly great. I was promoted this week, unexpectedly. I'll mostly be doing the same job I've been doing for the past year and a half (and loving) but taking on some additional responsibilities and managing more staff.

Coincidentally, this week has also had me working some long days - sometimes up to 15 hours. But it will pass and I'll be back to my 'normal' 10 hour work days, again, soon.

I'm heading back to Ikea this weekend to, hopefully, purchase some outdoor furniture and will provide pictures soon. Next weekend I'm hosting Haley's bridal shower (couple's shower with burgers and beer) at my house. Fingers crossed that it's sunny b/c I'm hoping most people will be outside, where there's more room.

Until then, I've got nothing new to report. I've mostly been at home to sleep. Buster has even been neglected this week (by me; not by Kelsey, who has been like his mom). So, as the clock is about to turn to 9 and tomorrow I'm once again waking up at 5:45, I don't think I can stay awake a minute longer. So, yes, while I'm alive. I'm exhausted.

Quarterly Check-In

I can't believe how quickly this year is flying by and that it's mid-April. I thought it was about time to check in on the 2010 resolutions and see what my progress is:

So what about 2010? Here's what I came up with:
1. Complete 1 housing project/month - I've done a great job with this one. Between gutters and curtains and new furniture and art work and planting a tree, this one seems easy to get motivated for.
2. Get pet insurance for Buster (once I have it I probably won't need it but better safe then sorry) - I've done some initial research and talked to the vet techs I volunteer with at the Animal Trustees of Austin and some friends who have it for their dogs but I'm still torn. I hear mixed messages and mixed reviews. So I'm going to keep researching and will decide by the end of the year.
3. Actively pursue long-term, healthy relationships with men (I clarify the gender b/c I'm pretty successful in my female friendships) - Again, I'm researching and trying. It's been a few months since I went on a date but I have been trying to create more opportunities. I even went to a professional lacrosse game this weekend in hopes of meeting someone and I have practiced flirting with men. All in all this continues to be a work in progress.

And life continues to be good for 2010. I was just asked to serve on a board of non-profit, work is very busy but great, I've got some upcoming personal travel planned and I'm still out of credit card debt. I hope Q2 continues to be as good as Q1 was.

Day 'Off'

I took today off work but I still found myself very busy. I woke up bright and early to a call from Best Buy at 7:45 telling me they'd be by to look at my washing machine between 8:30 and 10:30. Luckily, they were here at 8:45 so I didn't have to sit around too long. Turns out that a air/water alternate valve has been missing from my washer this entire time I've had it. So they added that and showed me how to clean my filter.

First of all, I'm so grateful it was under warranty. Second of all, who knew a washing machine had a filer? And that you had to clean it? Every 3 months!!! How do people learn these things? So, after he left, I followed his instructions and cleaned mine. After dealing with the murky water, I found that it wasn't very dirty but I feel empowered to take better care of my washer now. Between learning how to re-power my tankless hot water heater and this, I feel pretty proud of myself.

Speaking of pride. My curtains are hung. Today, I took a few trips to The Home Depot and Bed, Bath and Beyond. Mostly b/c I wanted to find just the right curtain clips. I was both overwhelmed and shocked with the variety and choices. First I couldn't remember if I had a brushed or regular nickel curtain rod and then I had no idea what the width size of the curtain rod was. So I took a few choices home and one worked. So, back to the stores I went to return and exchange. Once the curtains were hung, I had to make some slight alterations in length. But thank goodness I could take length off. Adding length would have been hard and my curtains would have looked like capri pants. The light is shinging behind the curtains so they were hard to capture on film, especially without Devon to help me adjust for the light but you'll get the idea.

So I realize they still need to be ironed but I'm really happy with them. And they were hung just in time. Summer is quickly approaching Austin and my french doors are the recipients of tons of afternoon sun. So my curtains will provide both privacy and sun protection.

In addition to the above, I also went to Target, the bank, ordered some things online I needed and went to pilates and spent time with both Jen and Jess today. All in all, a great day 'off'.

The second best thing about having a three day weekend is having a four day week.

Sew Happy!

Finally! I've sewn my curtains. The funny thing is that I took tomorrow off work b/c I felt like I never had time during the weekends to get this project done. But clearly I was just procrastinating. I guess all I had to do was plan a day off and the night before (today) I'd get motivated. The logic in that is lost on me so I'm certain it won't make sense to any of you.

But I think I worked myself up so much that this project would be so hard and I'd screw it up that I was afraid to start it. While the curtains are by no means perfectly straight, they look good and I'm really happy with the pattern. The ones for the french doors are just hanging over the rod right now b/c I need to buy curtain clips tomorrow but I've hung the one in the kitchen window for a sneak peak. In case you can't tell, it's little birdies in green and white, on green leaves and black branches - to match my black cabinets and green knobs.

And, the best part of all is that I had fun doing this. It took about 3 hours of measuring, pinning, ironing, sewing, re-measuring, unpinning, trouble shooting a sewing machine error, re-threading the bobbin and needle but I loved it all. I was reminded today why I love sewing. It has such a soothing effect when you're doing it and you can be lulled by the sewing machine noise. And you walk away with a tangible product.

So what will I do tomorrow now? Besides waiting for Best Buy to come check out my leaking washing machine. I told myself I wouldn't (couldn't) run errands but since places were closed today I think my timing got flip-flopped. Today ended up being sewing day and tomorrow is errand and rest day.

As an end note, please enjoy Buster watching the horse in my next door neighbors yard. He came for a visit and all the grandchildren took turns riding him in circles.

Anniversaries

While I'd like to see myself as a free spirit, that's not really true as often as I'd wish it was. I love knowing what to expect and planning and traditions and anniversaries. They bring me comfort. On my way home tonight I remembered that it was one year ago today that I took Buster home for a trial run from the rescue group where I'd found him. He was already being placed for adoption but that didn't work out and one Friday afternoon I got a call asking if I wanted to come the next day to pick him up and 'see how it goes'. So I did.

I remember being both nervous and excited. I was already planning to meet Devon for a run at town lake so I called her, with a slight alteration in our plan and Buster (then Bruno) and I joined her. He and I have had a whirlwind year together for sure. But I think we're in a good place now and I truly can't imagine my life without him. I think Max would be proud of me and grateful that another dog gets the luxuries his life had.

In the theme of anniversaries, I also realized that it was 6 months ago this week when I first started talking to my mom about buying a house. As my first blog post recapped, it was a mere 6 weeks later that I closed on this house and I still feel like this has been one of the best decisions I've ever made. But oh how times have changed. The things that I think about and know (and spend money on) now vs. 6 months ago are quite different. To name a few:

1. Staring at people's houses when walking Buster, deciding what I want to do next on my house.
2. Watching House Hunters
3. Knowing the average costs for blinds, appliances and tankless hot water heaters
4. Tuning in when real estate topics are discussed on the news
5. Quoting interest rates and APRs
6. Convincing my renting friends that buying a home is a 'great investment'
7. Watering my yard and getting annoyed when I see some dog poop in my front yard that is certainly not Buster's
8. Wondering what my next blog post will be about (the fact that I blog still feels surreal)

And I'm sure there are many other things my friends and family would say that I do and say that I never did before. But that's ok. I like Homeowner Mellie. Next she'll deal with my leaking washing machine.