Farewell, 2013

There isn't an adjective to adequately describe this year.  We bought our first house, moved in, and learned how to be a family of three again.  I've counted my blessings many times over.  I can only hope the new year will be as prosperous!

Art by Bruce and Ariana

Tonight we chose to stay home instead of celebrating in the city.  Mainly to save money, but also just because we wanted to be here all together.  We have a few friends over and had a potluck dinner.  Outside there's another winter storm, but inside it's nice and comfy.

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, I wish you a safe and happy New Year!

Sesame Street Party!

Whew! The past week has been nonstop.  It started the weekend before with Emmie's 2nd birthday, then Christmas festivities, and then I worked at the store on the second busiest shopping day of the year and this past weekend.  I'm beat.

It was all worth it, though, because Emmie's birthday was a big success!  Bruce and I did most of the preparations in advance.  There were a couple LATE nights there, which we anticipated.  He got the downstairs trim painted, and I got the house cleaned up.  My vision for the house is becoming a reality!  On the day of the party, we had plenty of help from friends.  It was great to have so many people who love Emmie in our house, celebrating.

The party was Sesame Street-themed, and much of my inspiration came from Pinterest.  I'm telling you, that website's rocked my world.  Long before I joined the site, I had read this blog post by Mom-101 about Pinterest parties vs. lazyish parties.  "That looks like a lot of work," I remember thinking.  But actually, it was fun to be creative!

Some of the decorations we got from Party City, like this life-sized Sesame Street wall art and banner.  Emmie was at eye-level with most of the characters.  We showed it to her as soon as she woke up, and she proclaimed with child awe, "This is happy!"  Our hearts melted.

For the goody bags, we bought crayons and coloring books at the dollar store.  We included a bag of Goldfish crackers and a note we made on the computer.  I searched "Elmo templates" online for the picture.  The note reads, "Elmo loves his goldfish, his crayons, too.  Now so can you!" Which is a play on the little song Elmo sings at the end of his show.  We also bought party hats for the kids.

One of my favorite features was the Oscar the Grouch garbage can.  Again, I searched "Oscar the Grouch templates" and printed one off.  Then I put our friend 8-Track in charge of wrapping the garbage can in aluminum foil.  He was chuckling the whole time he worked.

Bruce drew a Sesame Street sign on the chalkboard wall, and I wrote "This party brought to you by the letter E and the number 2."

From Pinterest, we also got the idea to arrange the fruit and veggies to look like the show characters.  We had a cherry tomato, carrot, and black grape Elmo.  Oscar was made out of broccoli and carrots for eyebrows.  They were cute, but as soon as people started eating, the faces were all distorted.  We also got an Elmo's World birthday cake from Target.  Emmie is obsessed the little toy Elmo, Mr. Noodle, and Dorothy that came on top.  The cake tasted good, too!

The most special piece of the whole Sesame Street birthday party was Bruce's gift to Emmie.  She needs art in her bathroom, which is decorated with rubber duckies.  He made her this canvas art with colored pencils and Sharpie markers.  When Emmie opened it (okay, when I opened it for Emmie), everyone clapped.  He did good.  Emmie loves it.

We didn't have to spend a lot of money to have a unique, special 2nd birthday party for Emmie.  The little touches just added to the joyfulness.  As parents, it was really amazing to see our daughter get excited about her birthday, and to know that we contributed to that.  Emmie had the best day, one she won't soon forget.  Even this morning, she was singing as she played with her Elmo toy, "Happy birthday to Emmie."

Happy birthday, baby.  Two years ago, when you were born, we received the best present ever.  And it keeps getting better!

Happy Christmas

to all, and to all a good night!

A Long December

T.S Eliot mused in his renowned 1922 poem, "The Waste Land," that "April is the cruellest month." That's kind of how I've been feeling about December, though with the lows also comes the highest highs.

It dawned on me the other day that this month will always be my most stressful.  While most people have the usual pressures of the holidays, as a college instructor I have the extra weight of finals. In my case, that means grading papers nonstop. And that, my dear readers, is why I haven't posted to this blog in over a week.

On top of grading, my daughter's 2nd birthday falls right before Christmas. We're having her party here at the house, and trying to get ready for it in the precious free time we have has left little to spare.  So far, we've ordered the cake and some food.  Some of the food I'll be making, too, who knows when.  We've got decorations, plates, napkins, cutlery, and pop.  We still need to get water, juice, fruit, veggies, and chips.  

I really do love to throw parties, but all the preparations are tedious!  I want the party to be neat for Emmie and her little friends.  I pinned a zillion "Sesame Street" party ideas to Pinterest and a few I'm going to try to implement.  This might mean an all-nighter coming up in the next few days.

Since I posted grades on Tuesday I've been trying to clean up: scrubbing bathrooms and countertops, washing sheets and clothes, dusting and polishing.  After Emmie goes to bed at night, Bruce slaves away painting the downstairs trim.  We want the house to look its best since many people will be here for the first time.  We're still really proud of our modest duplex and want it to looks its best.

What is the one thing I've been wanting forever?  A new couch cover!  Bruce's mom got us one for Christmas and gave it to us early for the party. Yay!  No more old blue couch!  We got some new pillows the other day, too.  The front room looks so much better.  The new beige couch cover with the white trim really makes everything seem more modern.

Old Blue, ugh.

Like a new couch.  And see the white trim peeking through?

All of this has been going on with Christmas shopping thrown into the mix.  We've been going out every night to stores - and so has the rest of America.  It's like it never ends!

My side of the family is easy.  We're really low-key about presents.  A gift card, some pictures of Emmie in a frame, everybody's happy.  We really focus more on getting together and eating than anything.  So there's no worries there.

It's Bruce's family that always causes us contention.  As I've mentioned before, his mom and sister are the most generous people.  They love to shop, and that love is matched equally by their love for giving presents.  I'm actually a little afraid of what it'll be like after Emmie's birthday and Christmas.  Will we be able to see our floor?  Will there be toys in every nook and cranny of the house?  Every time Bruce's parents come over they bring a box, and the same for when we visit them.  The presents have to be brought over in phases, because there's no way they'll all fit in the car in one trip.  Both Bruce's mom and sister keep muttering, "I feel like I haven't got enough for Emmie..."  To which Bruce and I look at each other in horror, and assure them they absolutely have.

This is wonderful of them, really.  I mean, since Bruce's mom loves to give we are the beneficiaries of the couch cover we wanted.  I am completely thankful.  BUT the shower of gifts from Bruce's family sometimes feels like a tsunami.  And we're powerless to it.  I mean, our home isn't that big.  I worry about clutter.  On top of really useful gifts, we get random ones that are unnecessary.  Where do I put all these things?  And if I don't use them, I feel bad.  For instance, the other day Bruce's mom brought over a double-tiered Christmas platter.  "You can use it for the party," she suggested.  So now I have this platter I don't really have room for in the cabinets.  It went in the basement.  And I certainly will have to use it, or I will surely be asked about it.

The other hardship for us is that be being the recipients of such material goodwill, we feel compelled to return the benevolence.  So we spend a lot of money on Bruce's family.  Way more than we spend on my family and each other.  Of course, it's not a competition, but in some regards, it feels like it.

"She's so generous to us," Bruce will say, as we look at one more thing for his sister.

"I really don't think your sister wants us to go broke for her sake," I respond gently.  But in the shopping cart the thing still goes.  It really sucks to open a bunch of presents and watch the person who gave you so much just open one or two.  We really want to be generous, too.

We're not going to go broke, but times are tight in December.  Since I am on break from school, I don't get a paycheck at the end of the month.  Depending on my classes, sometimes I don't get paid until the beginning of February.

Then add Emmie's birthday.  And Christmas.

That's part of the reason why I work holiday retail.  Problem is, this year sales are down at the mall, and I've got just one shift coming up on Saturday night, right when I should be cooking for the party.  Figures.

But let's look at the bright side.  Bruce really loves the band The Head and the Heart.  They were coming to town for a holiday concert.  There was no way we could afford tickets to it, not in December.  So I entered a contest I saw on Twitter.

We won!

We frickin' won.  Bruce and I got to go downtown and attend a VIP pre-party at the gorgeous Chicago Theatre.  I'm a nerd for Chicago history and architecture, and I've always wanted to go there.  We went in a side door, got passes on lanyards that declared "VIP" in big letters, and got our photo taken on a red carpet.  Well, there wasn't any carpet, but there was a backdrop and a photographer.  We ate free jumbo shrimp cocktail, steak on skewers, crab cakes, and more, and drank free beer and wine.  We had floor seats for the concert.  It was unreal.

We bought Bruce a concert T-shirt for a Christmas gift.  The whole time, I kept thinking about my favorite Christmas story, O. Henry's The Gift of the Magi.  If you don't remember it, it's the one where the poor, young married couple sacrifices what they have to give generously to the other.  She cuts her hair to buy him a pocketwatch fob.  He sells his pocketwatch to buy her tortoiseshell combs for her hair.  On Christmas day, the gifts are meaningless except for the profound love they represent.

The narrator ends the story by commenting that they are "two foolish children", but that "of all who give gifts these two were the wisest ... They are the magi."

Winning tickets to the show isn't the same as that story.  I sacrificed nothing.  We were just very, very lucky.  But it made me think about the wonderful gifts we receive in life.

My daughter was born this month.  She is the greatest gift I've ever received.

I get to spend Christmas with her and my terrific husband in our new house.  The days will be full of family and good cheer.

All the work, all the stress, all the money we end up spending, it doesn't mean anything.  All that matters is spending time with family and friends and showing them how much they mean to us.

Let It Snow

When we first viewed our now-home, spring was making a late start, and snow was on the ground.  Looking back, it was far from ideal to buy a house under those conditions.  Snow covered the roof, so the inspector couldn't tell what kind of shape it was in.  The snow also hid the neighbor's unsightly driveway that runs alongside our house.

But everything was pretty in the snow.  We fell in love with the house, all blanketed white, yet warm and cozy inside.
Now here we are, spending our first winter as its residents.  We are expected to have a very snowy season, and so far the predictions have been right.  Emmie is dazzled by the world outside the windows.  The branches of the big pine trees in the cul-de-sac are heavy with snow, and the passing breeze blows it into the air like glitter.

The backyard is calling for us to go play.  I can't wait to bundle Emmie up in snowpants and boots, mittens and her knit hat complete with pom on top.  We can build our very own Frosty - whom she's obsessed with right now.

This yard needs a snowman!

I haven't been able to take her out yet because the past couple weeks have been really busy.  It's the end of the semester, and like always, I have stacks of papers to grade.  Yesterday was my last night class, though, so I'm in the homestretch.  I can't wait to concentrate on getting the house ready for Emmie's birthday party and all the holiday festivities.

I'm also glad to be done with work since I found out that the roads are bad out here when it snows.  It's fairly rural where we live, and it takes a while for the roads to get plowed.  This past Sunday it was only supposed to flurry, but instead ending up sticking to the streets.  My compact car slipped the whole way to school and back.  A couple times I thought I was going to slide right into another car.  I've been driving in Illinois winters since I was 17, so I know to go slow, keep my distance, and let off the brake, but it was still nerve-wracking.

Last night the warning came: beware the winter storm during rush hour!  They literally reported that the roads would be "treacherous."  I worried for Bruce, who has to take these back roads and the tollway to go to work.  He left way early, but was still late this morning.  It didn't turn out to be as bad as they envisioned (it almost never is anymore), but it wasn't great, either.

There are some things we'll have to get used to, living out here.  The open fields resemble stark canvases, the trees glisten with icicles, and the Christmas lights reflect off the snow like stars, but we also have to travel long slushy roads, cloaked in black ice, to get to work or see family.  Luckily, we live in the heart of our little town, so necessities are close by and easy to get to.

In the next few months, the weather may get frightful, but the days when we have nowhere to go will be delightful.

This Vacation is Exhausting

I've technically been off work (meaning school) since Tuesday, but every day has been on the go.  I'm realizing that the older I get, especially since now I'm a parent, the days of lounging on the couch and binge watching TV shows on weekends or holidays are long gone.  There's always something going on.

Here's a run down of the past few days:

Tuesday

My first day off from school, I told the purse store I could come in for a few hours.  I took Emmie to Bruce's parents' house, which is nearby, and worked from 3 - 7 pm.  Then I drove back to their house and hungrily wolfed down some pot roast and rutabagas his mom made.  Bruce had gone straight there after he got off work.  We stayed and socialized for a bit, then drove two separate cars back home.  It was super windy and the car felt like it was getting pushed around by drunk giants.  I was glad to get home and put my feet up.

Wednesday

Bruce took a half day and was home by lunchtime.  We bundled up like Eskimos (it was 28°!) and drove out to the city.  It was the second day of Chicago's annual Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza and we were taking Emmie for the first time!

When I lived in Europe, I visited the Christkindlmarkts in Germany, and fell in love with the tradition.  When I moved back to America and subsequently to Chicago, I discovered the one here.  Each year the Christkindlmarkts come out with a unique mug out of which you can drink hot spiced wine, or glühwein.  I collect them and couldn't wait to get a new one.

My glühwein mug collection, and a Weihnachtspyramide from Bruce's childhood

Chicago's Christkindlmarket with Picasso's sculpture in the background

After driving around looking for affordable parking in the downtown, we ended up in a garage that charged outrageous prices.  Sigh.  We walked over to the plaza and immediately got a mug with glühwein and ate some Currywurst with Brötchen, potato pancakes with applesauce and sour cream, and Käsespätzle.  I was so happy.  Eating the foods from my past connect me with those times again.

Afterwards, we browsed the market stalls.  Emmie got to meet the Christkind, a young woman with long blond curls, golden crown and silvery robes, who represents the fairy spirit that brings the children of Germany their Christmas presents.  She roams the festival and greets the little ones.  Emmie stared at her in awe and later called her "Beauty lady."

Then we stood in line for Santa's house.  By then, it was getting dark and all the layers couldn't stop my toes and legs from stinging with cold.  I held Emmie in my arms, bouncing her up and down, trying to keep her face out of the wind.  Eventually, it was our turn, and she got to sit on Santa's lap!  She wasn't scared at all.  She whispered that she would like some toys, but he thought she said "cars."  We'll see what he brings her!

Thursday - Thanksgiving

The next day, we woke up leisurely.  After breakfast, I made two dozen deviled eggs, my specialty.  Holidays always means egg peeling for me.  We brought half to Bruce's aunt and uncles' house, where we also met Bruce's parents, sister, and cousins.  The eggs got gobbled up - pun intended.  We stayed for a couple hours and then drove down to my parents' house for dinner.  The rest of the eggs were quickly snatched up by my brother.  My mom made a great turkey and all the fixings, followed by homemade pumpkin and pecan pies.

We were pleasantly stuffed.  There was no counting calories that day, that's for sure!

"Black" Friday

I had to work 8-4:30 pm and Bruce generously drove me to the mall, so I didn't have to park at the offsite parking for employees.  It was busy at the store, but nothing like last year where you couldn't barely turn around without bumping into someone.  I think that a lot of people are fed up with the crowds and would rather do their shopping online.

Bruce's sister picked me up after work and took me home.  She had stayed at their parents' house the night before, but was staying at our place on Friday night.  I was completely worn out, but we adults stayed up after Emmie went to bed, talking and imbibing in some Christmas spirit.

Saturday

We all hung around lazily in the morning.  Originally, we were supposed to meet with my aunt for breakfast, but she got sick and cancelled at the last minute.  So Bruce's sister stayed and watched Emmie so Bruce and I could run some errands.  We picked up some food from a local hot dog place for lunch - supporting our town's small businesses on Small Business Saturday.  They're my favorite lunch place anyways.  I'd always rather give my money to the independent places than the mega-corporations.

"Before" wood trim

We also purchased the supplies we need to paint the trim.  I asked Bruce if we could at least get the downstairs done before Emmie's birthday party later this month, so he started yesterday!  I read blog posts by LiveLoveDIY and Young House Love on how they painted their trim, plus a few more how-to articles.  We got a 2" angled trim brush with short comfort grip handle and some painter's tape.

I pretty much kept Emmie occupied while Bruce worked for hours.  He's awesome.

"After" - white trim

We loved the way it's turning out!  The beige wall color looks really pretty now, instead of bland.  The house no longer shows its age; it seems bright and fresh.  The pictures on the wall really pop.

We choose to keep the handrail and post of the stairs the original wood color for now, for practical reasons.  I was inspired by Pinterest to do it that way.  We can always paint it later if we change our minds.

Bruce painted until almost midnight.  The trim needed three coats, and the stair spindles were time consuming.  He finished one half of our living room, but the rest shouldn't be too hard to do.  I offered to help, but we need another brush and a babysitter for that!

Today, Sunday

Bruce's parents are coming over to watch the Bears vs. Vikings game at noon.  I can't wait for them to see the trim!  

This is my last day off from school and the first Sunday game I can watch.  Bruce is going to make guacamole, but I'm in charge of running to the store for the ingredients, beer, and wine. Gotta go!

Maybe later tonight, Bruce and I will get a chance to really relax. Then, it's back to the grind.