Condo Update

Like I mentioned in an earlier post, we recently bought our next home, a two bedroom, two bath condominium (coach home) in Arlington Heights. We've learned a lot about remodeling, and can't wait till we can move in!

It's been stressful, tense and somewhat chaotic, but our remodeling project is almost coming to a close. Yes. I've sworn a lot. And, yes, I've cursed the previous owner. Not my best moments.

What happened is that as we dug deeper into various surface issues, we realized some things ran deeper and required much more elbow grease and investment.

We've remodeled the entire kitchen due to sanitary and safety reasons. We have a new oven and dishwasher. Our cabinets are finally installed, but not our countertop and sink. There may be an irritating delay, but it'll eventually get worked out. We're going to actively pursue this to get it done as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, we can focus and appreciate those things that went well:

• the entire house was painted in a peachy/yellow color - very Mediterranean, bright and airy
• all our trim and doors were painted white, and this made the biggest difference in making the space look brighter and larger than it is
• we have a really cool new clothes washing machine
• we have a cool new bed (a Sleep Number bed!)

I really like the condo, and the neighborhood. And we got to meet the lovely elderly couple across the hallway from us.

I am excited and see a bright future there. I can't wait to move in.

We Bought a Condo

And there's a lot of work to do. But it's a happy project. I'm sure we'll be happy after it's all over and we can move in and be comfortable. Right now it's a bit of a nervous-anxious planning and buying phase.

Wish us luck :) and come visit when we're all done. We'll be in Arlington Heights.

Home sweet home

A photo posted by Jessica DAmico (@jeda21) on Mar 31, 2015 at 10:46am PDT

Scenes from my Summer

Various pics I've captured this summer during various adventures

The Sookie Stackhouse Mysteries

Back in 2008 or thereabouts I downloaded the torrent of an unfinished True Blood pilot episode, with no editing and no FX. I didn't like it at all. And there was a ton of naked people, which I'm not a big fan of without a plot or storyline.

Much later I finally threw caution to the wind of that initial impression and began watching True Blood in earnest. The first season was incomparable. I love the homeyness of a small town, white country kitchens, and the transition between simplicity and complexity as a girl comes of age. And, of course, I loved the vampire mythology as it was directed in this realm.

I did give up on the series when I saw Billith. That whole season was pretty useless to me in general. And I begrudged the writers that they were adding storylines instead of pursuing the simplicity of Bon Temps life with the complexity of vampires and wares mixed in for that extra spice.

The actual books that were the origin for the True Blood series are so much better than the series. So much better. Even though I'm listening to them over Audible rather than reading the books myself, it's oh so much better.

There's a lot more of the things that I like: exploring the lives and many strange layers of life within Bon Temps; the intraversion of Sookie as she copes with situations, work, love, trust, loyalty, and friends; and the complexity of her coming of age with seductive experienced vampires who cause all sorts of mischiefs.

Characters are much more interesting, and we keep exploring them as scenes (and the book series) evolve.

I'm on book 6 right now, having devoured the first five during my one week vacation. I'm really enjoying it and hope that the remaining books are just as fun. I'm not so sure I'll ever return to the TV series, though I'm enjoying immensely following the cast and crew on social media to see all sorts of wrap up posts and updates from behind the scenes.

Florida

I am on a well deserved vacation in Tampa, Florida.
I had no idea how much I needed a vacation until I was here.
I've missed sleeping late. I also missed the lush tropical landscape and salt air from the Sea.

Ch-Ch-Changes

Lots of new things happening all at once in my life. Quit my 13-year-old job and started a brand new one. We'll be moving soon too. It's all very exciting, and I'm a little nervous. Looking forward to it all. Good times.

 

TV Watching Update

I've been hitting Netflix quite a bit lately for some TV Show entertainment.

Warehouse 13 Agents

I completed 3/5 seasons of Warehouse 13 (love Myka!) and switched right away to Eureka (love

Eurekans at Cafe Diem

Henry!) where I'm now at season 3/5.

These shows focus on imaginative plots, good supporting actors, and fun writing. A little sci-fi doesn't hurt either ;o)

I really, really love Canadian-produced TV shows like these.

TV Watching

It's not really a TV watching update, since we stopped our cable service back in October 2013. But I've nonetheless been watching TV series on Netflix.

I completed Alphas, which was a really great show until the ending. When it kind of crapped out.

I also started and completed Hemlock Grove, which is a mixture between True Blood, Vampire Diaries, and old B horror movies. Maybe even a little bit of Rosemary's Baby towards the end.

Hemlock Grove features Famke Janssen and one of the Skargards, Bill (brother to Alexander who plays Eric Northman on True Blood, and son of Stellan who's known as Dr. Erik Selvig on the Marvel Thor series of movies). Bill S. reminds me of a very young James Spader and his character in Grove reminds me a little bit of American Psycho.

It's been nice breaking up my usual YouTube gamer LP video watching marathon, and instead getting involved with new characters and storylines.

Even the significant other unit became enthralled with Alphas, and his favorite character was Gary because he reminded him a little of my disconnected conversations hahaha Gary is a likeable character, and the most consistent throughout the series. All the other characters go through many changes and challenges.

I'm not sure what I think of Hemlock Grove. It feels a lot like an old story, or a combination of a lot of old stories, that's being revisited for younger generations. A little soap opera-ish and a little horror movie ish, without too much visible gore, which is both a plus and a little unusual for today's genre modus operandi.

I like getting swept up in TV series, though it doesn't happen very often. I many times end up watching series to their conclusion only out of a sense of obligation since I used to like them before they turned crappy or really stopped make sense...kind of like The Walking Dead.

I am very much looking forward to the next series that captures my attention :)

Unconcerned about Health Concerns

I read somewhere once that the best way to stop being a hypochondriac was to actually get diagnosed with a serious ailment. It's true, I've felt since. Be thankful for the things that go well, and don't over analyze the little things.

Lately, my philosophy in life has been to be more laid back when life hands me lemons. I don't need to make lemonade right away, rather, in my own time.

So recently I received an uncertain diagnosis on a health issue. So now I am scheduled for a biopsy. I'm not sure what's more nerve wracking:

• the idea of needles and a biopsy, and pain?
• the bill that will come later?
• getting a positive result and having to come up with a treatment plan? or opt out knowing how that will end in more pain
• having the biopsy results be perfectly normal so all this worry was for nothing?

I think I'll take it a step at a time. I'll just remember my biopsy appointment and be there on time. Then I'll take what comes next when it comes. As the old saying says, I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

Blog Round Up

I haven't been the most active on my blogs this summer, I guess my energy level or inspiration level has been a little low.

I've enjoyed covering some ideas that cross my mind on occasion however, so here's a rundown of recent blog posts on my other blogs:

Foodie Blog

• Favorite Nuts Mix
• CSA Update
• Fish and Cabbage Tacos
• Homemade Country Chicken Dinner
• Late Lunch of Quinoa

Interwebs Blog

• Reading: Document Design for Technical Writers
• Fix Your Posture
• Floppy Drive Music
• Learning: Find and Subscribe to a Reddit Discussion Group
• Researching: Tablets
• A Note on Earbuds

Beauty and Health Blog

• Eyeliner Review
• Tweaking the Blog
• Detoxing Chemically Treated Hair
• Beauty Box Subscription Programs
• Adventures in Sunless Tanning
• Discovering NYX Eyeshadow Palettes

Automotive [haven't been posting regularly anymore]

• The New Status Car Might Be Tesla

Memorial Day Weekend Trip

We took a mini trip over the long weekend of Memorial Day. I had heard at church about a resort right next to an Illinois State Park, so we decided to spend a couple of nights there and bring Benny with us. It turned out to be quite relaxing!

Dunes at Illinois State Beach Park

Saturday I slept in until 11 am and I ended up exceeding my walking goal by quite a few percentage points when we took a long walk through one of the outlet malls in Gurnee/Kenosha. I also walked away with a new dress, skirt, top, and clutch bag out of the deal. Not bad at all! hehe

But what I really liked most of all was being able to be next to a natural preserve of flora and fauna, and some pretty amazing sandy dunes and views of Lake Michigan. It looked so lovely I couldn't help think of Florida's own lovely beaches.

Benny was a total prince and did not mess up the room at all. Though he was incredibly anxious whenever we left him there and so happy to see us whenever we came back to walk him.

a low horizon moon rise

The first night, when we sat down to a casual dinner in the hotel restaurant, I couldn't help but notice the lovely moon rise. The moon was huge and clear yellow. And watching it rise above Lake Michigan and illuminating a trail of yellow water as it went up on its way was just lovely.

We also took a tour of the Jelly Belly distribution center. I've loved Jelly Belly candy for quite some time (at least since 1999!), and was thrilled to take a faux tour with a trolly and getting the full story behind the product and the company. It reminded me so much of those "behind the scenes" shows I used to watch religiously on the Food Network! Such as Unwrapped.

I was also very happy when I got a free baggie of Jelly Belly beans after the tour. We perused the shop and I got a Harry Potter chocolate frog, Bertie Bott's Gross Beans (I skipped the gross ones), and a box of 14 flavors of Jelly Belly beans.

The Jelly Belly Factory Tour

It was a great weekend and we even got to go to downtown Chicago on Sunday night to one of our new favorite restaurants, Howells and Hood in the Tribune Tower. They have amazing food, a spectacular list of booze for those who indulge, and great sports up on the screens. Highly recommended if you haven't been there.

That's what we did on Memorial Day weekend. It was good to get away a little bit, with our furry buddy Benny :)

A Note on Motivation

Recently I've lost my motivation for a variety of activities and interests. I consider this to be a pause in time, where I vegetate a little by mostly just taking walks and watching YouTube Minecraft LPs. It's a time to restore and rest.

I'm actually a little sad, but not concerned, that so much of my motivation has dissipated in what appears to be thin air. For starters, I haven't gone to a yoga class in forever, but I have a good excuse, they've started having more advanced, livelier classes which I don't like. I like the quieter, restorative stuff.

Another thing I lost interest in is blogging. It just may be that there's no new stories or interesting tidbits to share. As I gain more interesting stories to share and read more interesting articles, I'll replenish my creative spark. It's a little bit of a writer's block issue, maybe.

I also stopped paying as much attention to food. I've always been a foodie, but lately, I'm not into cooking or reading cooking blogs and finding recipes as much as I used to. I do love me some wilted kale and pineapple salad though! Yum!

Yeah. I'm going through a bit of a low energy spell. Hopefully it will wear out as the weather warms up and summer activities spring up. Farmers markets are kicking into high gear, and the landscape is green and lush. Lots to be thankful and grateful for.

Trying hard to find the silver linings, but staying home, curled up on the sofa watching YouTube and building on Minecraft are pretty sweet for now.

Tracking Habits

I recently heard about a device that helps track lifestyle practices and offers metrics to compare one's progress in adopting positive habits. The product is called the Jawbone UP.

I've been reading recently about a trend of people my age (30s-40s) who are interested in obtaining metrics about their lifestyles so they can apply a more logical approach to improve areas that need help. Many folks like to focus on diet, others on exercise, others on sleep. Some others on a variety of these three and more habits as well.

The responsibility of tracking one's activities can be a burden for people who have little time. The trick with the UP wristband is that it's with you 24/7 and tracks your sleep and activity. You then use the complementary smartphone application to add detail in regards to your diet and other information.

Some folks use a journal to keep track of their physical activity and diet. This is fine for intensely detailed people who enjoy/make time time to journal on a regular basis each and every day. We all know I can't do something that anal retentive every single day...

The reason I bough my UP, is because I'm trying to improve a variety of lifestyle dimensions. Obviously, there's a certain wow factor related to having a brand new device that just hit the market. However, I'm more interested in tracking progress of personal health, especially in view of having a few issues over the past six or seven months that are of concern.

I'd love to use my UP to improve the variety in my diet, while reducing portion size, as well as increase my physical activity. Lately, I've been remiss in following my intended yoga regimen at my favorite studio. I've also not taken as long a walk with my dog as I'd like or as I used to.

The reason I'm sharing this here, is that I like to keep a record of some of my initiatives on this blog, so I can later look things up and have a reference point. With the weather (hopefully) warming up and my usual tendency to be outdoors more this time of year will hopefully combine to add some more physical activity in my day-to-day routine. It will be interesting to track a full year and see when some mood/activity changes take place.

Wish me luck and stay healthy out there! ;o)

Shop My Vintage Treasures

I'm very excited to announce that starting on May 1 I'll be selling my vintage treasures at Out of the Attic Antiques just outside Westfield Fox Valley, in Aurora, IL. I'm seller #909.

I was looking for a local vintage/antique shop who would let me lease some space and sell my collectibles. It looks like the one closest to where I live turned out to be my charm!

Check out the Facebook page for my Elisa's Treasures vintage shop. Give us a like! :o)

New Project: Vintage Shop

I started an online vintage wares shop (Elisa's Treasures), and may begin selling as well in a couple of local vintage shops if everything turns out ok. Isn't this exciting?!

Live within your means has been a strong, resonant phrase for me over the last few years. So I may very well finally be joining them since I can't beat them. I've begun downsizing my home and possessions, and I'm liking the feeling so far.

So I began with some simple preparations. I scanned a couple of rooms mentally and then visually. I picked some items that--although I love dearly and that's why they're in my home--I can/need to liquidate to 1) tidy up clutter, 2) simplify my lifestyle, 3) get a little bit of revenue liquidity.

Having less things means there's less things to tidy up, clean up, or maintain. Which is a HUGE bonus in my book.

So, yesterday, while I was high on an espresso drink I had at LavAzza in Naperville I began pulling items off shelves, out of cabinets, and out of other corners, nooks, and crannies and placed them on our dining room table. I gave them a once over, added more items, and began cleaning everything up so it was shiny and new.

An inventory was immediately taken. Then photographs of each individual item were set up over a white drapey fabric in a very well illuminated corner of my living room. A handful of hours later, I ended up with an Excel spreadsheet inventory and a photo gallery totaling close to 100 pieces that are ready to sell.

I set up a blog store front at http://elisastreasures.blogspot.com. I figure I might as well be well-organized in this initiative if it's to go anywhere. The blog is more like an online shop where I introduce the tone and character of my collection, provide a gallery of images for some of the items, and provide ways for folks to get in touch with me.

Wish me luck guys.

Blog Anniversary and Birthday

April 4, 2005 was the date I started this blog. It emerged from a sense that I needed an outlet. A sense of frustration with how things were. A need to reach out outside of my shrinking box, without ruffling too many watchful eyes' feathers.

It's been a fun ride. Even though a majority of my blog posts are not tied together by the crisp, clean thin thread of planned objectives, monetization, or hot pursuit of fame and fortune.

birthday sacher torte - I wish!

It's a dear diary that I conveniently forget is read by others outside my little tiny box and corner of the world. It's creepy to think that, yes indeedy, people far away can and will read and judge my little diatribes. But judging is what people do best--yet so very few are best at judging.

What I hope also happens is some nugget gets stored in people's subconscious and a creative spark emerges from the embers at some later point. Maybe as an act of kindness, to themselves or others around them. Maybe sharing one of my foolishnesses, either of action or thought, prevents another person from falling there as well.

Cheers to things we stick to. Cheers to new discoveries and adventures. Cheers to dear, constant readers (sorry for the plagiarism, there, Steve O').

And in other news, here's to another year of life, I'm officially on the other side of the fence of mid-thirties on April 9. It might sink in in five years ;oP

New Blog Feature

Just for grins and giggles I added a new page tab to this blog called Professional Inquiries.

I developed a little slideshow--that I'm sure I'll tweak with time and as I get ideas--about my professional background that I've uploaded there, it ends with a link to my LinkedIn profile.

I made a little how-to blog post on my Interwebs blog to explain how I posted the Google Drive Presentation file into Blogger. Since I had no idea I could do that when I first started developing the little presentation. Good times.

Blog Post Roundup

Here's a brief rundown of what I've been posting on my other blogs lately:

Foodie Blog

• Easter Lamb Dinner
• White Fish Tacos
• Quick Winter Breakfast Options
• Spicy Green Smoothie
• Red Scallops and Rice

Beauty and Health Blog

• March Favorites
• Favorite Damaged Hair Care Products
• On a Rose Scented Kick
• Good Buy: Crepe Blouse
• Spring's New Arrivals
• Spring Wardrobe  Cleanup and Rant

Interwebs and Computing

• Managing PDFs in Preview
• Minecrafting

Automotive

• Most Popular Cars in the UK
• Celebrating a Car Anniversary
• 2013 Chicago Auto Show

Indulging in Lazy Weekends

I love lazy weekends, even if I spend most of the time alone!

I had a good weekend because Saturday was completely lazy and dedicated to catching up on YouTube  videos about Minecraft (check out EthosLab, he's a great engineer and narrates well) while doing a juice cleanse. Benny, my favorite leg warmer, was always nearby snoozing away and coming up for a cuddle on occasion.

Then Sunday morning got me moving for a LGBTQI ally workshop at church and then a congregational meeting. Since I had a headache and was starving I didn't get to stick around for service, but I did eavesdrop on the earlier service when the entire choir piped up Queen's famous Bohemian Rhapsody. Absolutely magnificent rendition with musical instruments and everything. I love my church and all those who make it as great as it is.

The rest of the day was spent grocery shopping, clothes shopping, and then a lovely late lunch at one of my favorite Mexican restaurants, Friacos. I enjoyed some chicken mole enchiladas with charro beans. Spicy and perfect to loosen up my sinuses.

I've been fighting the cold that everyone's been afflicted with lately, and hope to keep it at bay a little longer. I haven't been feeling all that great, so we'll see.

I've got a BIG week ahead of me, and I have a post about this that will come out on Wednesday. So, for today and tomorrow, I need to focus on work: clean up my folders, to-do lists, and project summaries so that things run smoothly in my short absence later this week, and so I'm not completely vacation-brain clueless when I return.

Here's to a good start to our week!

Habemus Papam

It's been quite the whirlwind first quarter for one of the staunchest, least-changing religions in our world: we lost a Pope when he quit after 8-9 years, and got the first ever Pope from the American continent to replace him in a span of weeks. We're breaking lots of ground and tradition here.

I couldn't help but think of the old joke "do as I say, not as I do" since that's quite a bit of change--yet forget bringing up women priests or gay marriage. God forbid...

I've read a lot of articles over the past 24 hours about the transition and about Pope Francis. He's starting to grow on me.

What I like about him is a sense of kindness and honesty. Someone who chooses an outcast as St. Francis of Assisi as his namesake is definitely making a statement. When he went to his hotel room to collect his belongings he made a point to pay to make a good example.

On the BBC website I read that, in 2012 in Argentina, he made a point of chastising those who rejected baptisms of children of unwed mothers. I've looked at various photos and realized he's chosen a sterling silver crucifix rather than the usual gold one. That's quite a lot of statements there through action rather than words.

We'll see if he gets to clean up the corrupt Vatican system--which elected him--during his tenure. Many secular news sources are pondering the idea, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

I do look forward to hearing more of what he has to say, and seeing more of his good deeds. His people really need a kind and loving father figure/figure head to lead them into a much more peaceful co-existence with one another.

Let's watch together and see what happens. Benvenuto Papa Francesco. A presto.