IKEA Goodies

Yesterday Josh and I got to take a much-awaited trip to IKEA to purchase some things for the house with the Christmas money my inlaws gave us. These are the highlights:



New area rug for the living room, which our dog Gracie loves:





These I am going to use as window treatments on our sliders in the dining area and living room window. I also have new curtains to put up. I might want to spray these dark brown when the weather gets warmer, but I'm going to go with the natural color for now.





For the downstairs bathroom which we plan to repaint very soon (a sort of teal color):




These are to go with this curtain from Urban Outfitters that will hang in the shower:

We also got an awesome deal on little clamp lights for our smaller Expedit bookshelf that is now acting as a room divider, but I could not find a photo of them on IKEA's website. They were clearing out the red colored ones so they were marked down from $30 to $7 for a pair. They fit perfectly and provide some reading light for when I am sitting in my new rocking chair. I will have to post pictures once the window treatments are installed.

Christmas Photos

Some pictures from our Christmas celebration:


Kids on Christmas Eve.

Abby & I in our matching Christmas nightgowns.

Evan, Abby and their baby cousin.

Grandma and the girls.

Candy cane cast.

My Christmas gift from Josh. I really wanted a rocking chair to rock my niece in and also as a place to sit and read. I love it!

Cookies with Santa

Saturday morning Josh & I took Abby to Cookies with Santa. We met up with my sister, brother-in-law and baby niece there as well. It was a lot nicer than going to see Santa at the mall. The park district provided cookies, hot chocolate, crafts and a free photo with Santa. All they asked for was a donation to Toys for Tots.

The girls

The girls with Santa.

I didn't go all out with Christmas decorations this year, but here is our tree.




HIghlights

Snow

It's snowing. Big fluffy snowflakes. It's supposed to keep snowing and switch over to ice. Hopefully the ice does not come because I still have some Christmas shopping left to do.


Snow in my hair.

My Review of Crop three button jacket

Originally submitted at Roamans

The crop jacket.Three button empire waist coat; abt. 27". Fully lined. Wool/viscose/polyester. Dry clean. Imported.

 

Sizes: 14W-34W

Crop three button jacket

Great coat

By M from IL on 12/22/2009

 

4out of 5

Sizing: Feels true to size

Length: Feels true to length

Sleeve Length: Feels true to length

Pros: Comfortable, High Quality, Flattering, Warm, Stylish

Best Uses: Night Out, Wear To Work, Casual Wear

Describe Yourself: Casual Dresser

I love this jacket for winter. I live in Northern IL and it can get really cold here, but this jacket is warm enough for those really cold days. This is not a bulky jacket which I really like. I wish the bottom was just a little wider which is why I did not give this five stars. For someone with wider hips like me, the bottom can be a little snug in certain positions, but I think if I'd gone up a size the rest of the jacket would be too big.

(legalese)

Thank you Pretties!

My fabulous friends at AMPF (a chat forum group) have been so supportive and kind to me through not only my cancer battle, but when my Dad recently lost his cancer battle. They sent me a check for $60 to do whatever with. I decided that I'd like to honor my Dad by donating that money to charity. My passion is Africa. My post-graduate plans include doing fieldwork in Africa. I would give anything for my Dad to be around to see my realize my goals. Since he can't be there, I want to honor those goals and him by donating to 2 causes I feel are important: girl's education and clean drinking water in Africa.

I am going to donate to Charity Water which has many projects to bring clean drinking water to developing countries, many of them in Africa. The other charity I am going to donate to is Save the Children. I have selected to donate to their Keep an adolescent girl in school in Ethiopia program. I really think the key to peace is for girls and women to be educated so that they can make better choices for them and their families.

Life update

It's been 17 days since my Dad passed away. I don't feel any better or any less sad. I actually feel worse, more empty and more sad. But I take it hour by hour and try to go on with life.


I finished up the semester on Thursday with a presentation in my African politics class. It was hard for me to write the paper I had to present and harder to present it. The paper was basically my opportunity to put into writing what my career goals are. Ideally I will get to do post-grad education, followed by fieldwork in sub-Saharan Africa. My interest is in Sierra Leone. Ever since I first read about their civil war and the use of children as soldiers in 2002, I have felt drawn to studying that country. It was hard to present that paper, state my career goals, and never be more unsure if I would make them reality someday. This semester is not evidence of my capabilities as a student. I went from an A in French to a C which I'm sure was graciously given to me by my professor. I got a C in anthropology class which is distressing to me since that is my major. Luckily that class, I am able to take an incomplete in and bring that grade up. I did get an A in another anthropology class and an A on my big project of the semester. That I am proud of. One more class is still out there and I don't know what my grade is...that would be my African politics class. I anxiously check for a grade about every 1/2 hour.


My first instinct with taking an incomplete is that I wouldn't be able to relax over the break, but I'm slowly realizing that is still possible. Friday and today I took care of myself. I made doctor's appointments that I'd put off too long. I made an appointment with a therapist because I realize that I can't get through all the stress and grief on my own. I got my eyebrows waxed today...call me a masochist but I like having that done. I had lunch with a good friend and did some Christmas shopping too. It felt good to do something for me and relax a little.


Over the weekend, we painted the biggest wall we had left on main floor. It's sort of a caramel color. Please excuse the quality of the photos and the clutter.
The parts of the wall that are white, we plan on painting gold.

Abby also got her long leg cast off last week. Her doctor is super cool and she made Abby this candy cane themed cast. She should have this one for at least 3 more weeks.

Sad little broken leg.



Cheerful cast makes it a little better


My niece is getting prettier and chunkier as time passes. I am so lucky to live close to my sister so that I can see them often.

Oh my gosh, will it ever stop snowing? I don't know how many inches we have but there's tons of snow, white-out conditions and ice everywhere. I got to see my "traction control" light on the Soul lit up for the first time. I have to say that little car does alright in the snow and ice.

And it begins...

While I'm trying to finish up the semester (finals week started yesterday), Mother Nature has decided to start the snow. It's pretty but I detest driving in it. I did find out that my Kia Soul handles pretty well in the snow.

Yesterday's snow:




Today's snow...yucky mess to drive in. And it's still falling.

An update

I've been trying to concentrate on Josh and the kids along with finishing up the semester. I have 1/2 of a paper written...the rest is due on Thursday. I have 2 finals tomorrow which I spent the weekend studying for. Wednesday I have to make a french test and take that final as well. I am almost done with this semester from hell.

I am doing okay most of the time. But I think I'm still in shock too. I can get through most of the day thinking life is normal and then something reminds me and I just miss my Dad. I miss him so much. I miss his advice. I miss talking to him about mundane things like which weather person we trust on ABC or where gas is the cheapest. I miss his stories about things that went on in his life. I miss his crazy beard. I miss the randomness of his affection. He always loved us, but he was more the type of person to do something to show you his love rather than saying "I love you".

I have a wonderful group of friends from the internets. Wow, I am just blown away by the kindness. Vikki drove down for Dad's funeral. Teiva sent me some thoughtful goodies that cheered me up. All the kind comments and well wishes you have given me mean so much.

I have been posting with a group of mostly ladies for almost 10 years now. We started out all selling on eBay and it's moved on from that. I've met a few of them in real life as well. They were so supportive during my cancer diagnosis and also have really been there for me through Dad's illness and his passing. They sent me beautiful flowers and restaurant gift cards so I didn't have to cook. They donated to the scholarship fund at my parents' church in Dad's honor. They also sent me a check to do whatever with. I am going to donate that money in honor of my Dad to help women & children in Africa because that's my passion. I am looking into some charities to see what is out there. I am so thankful for my internet friends. It's amazing how people who have never shaken your hand can touch your heart so deeply.

Life Goes On?

Abby is having a really hard time with losing her Papa. Last night she woke up crying and told me that she was afraid that when she grew to be an adult she would die really quick. I told her that she'll grow into a very old woman with lots of grandbabies to love and kiss.

After I dropped Abby off at school, it began to snow. It's not accumulating. Just big pretty flakes...the 1st of the season. Another painful reminder of what my Dad is not here to see. But also in a way, I'm sure he's relieved to be missing out another Chicago winter. Chicago winters suck. The shoveling, the slippery pavement, the driving in it.

On my to-do list for today and tomorrow:
*Take 2 archaeology quizzes online.
*Begin writing my paper on Sierra Leone. I love the topic, but also wears me out emotionally. I'm not sure I have the emotional energy for it now.
*Find a psychologist that is in our insurance plan. I need someone to talk to.
*Get the house clean. It's been neglected for so long.