Pet Peeve (1)

It's "I COULDN'T care less". Not "I COULD care less"... how does that make any sense. You detest/despise something or someone so much that you "could care less"? WRONG.

I have many pet peeves... this is one of them.

Outside Inside.... UPDATED!

UPDATE AT THE BOTTOM!

So, one of the best things about spring time and warm(ish) weather is sleeping with the windows wide open. You are able to air out the house (mainly the bedroom which reeks of sweat, farts, and sleep - yes, sleep has a smell... it's quite unpleasent) and turn off the "Sounds of Nature" cd that sooths you to sleep thru the winter (read: windows closed) months in exchage for the real thing.

So you can imagine my excitement when, not only the warm weather shows it's pretty face, but when we discovered the amazing breeze that we get in our new apartment. Comfortable sleep was on the horizon and I know that Aa. was just as excited as I was.

The first 2 weeks were sleepless for several reasons... new/unfamiliar place, weird setup, whacked out schedule, Cooper's unease (please refer to a specific blog from last week regarding this very topic). I walked around looking like poo... sleep deprived poo. I knew it could only get better from here.

Week 3 was starting to get good. Sleep was coming with ease and we were actually looking forward to getting ito bed in our new home. Cooper was calming down and it was starting to feel less like a really long visit at someone else's house and more like my own home. I still looked like poo, but just a little more like well-rested poo.

We're now in week 4... HELL! In recent years I've stopped sleeping thru the night. I always get up at least once to pee or take Cooper out. No big deal because I can always fall right back to sleep. Monday night I woke up (as per usual) and as I settled back in to continue my REM where I left off I hear this awful crying noise coupled with the sound cats killing each other. It was bizzare to say the least but only lasted about 10 minutes... off to sleep I went.

Then last night (Tuesday) as Aa. and I were getting into bed we hear this familiar noise again, but this time it sounds like a newborn baby screaming. I didn't think anything of it and casually mentioned that there were cats going at it the night before and it sounded like that.... off to bed we go. 4am... the sound is deafening... even Cooper wakes up from it (Aa? fast asleep he was... lucky bastid). I get up to look out the window to of course see nothing. But the noise! OMG! It sounded like crying babies, cats being tourtured and killed, and cats running into each other at full speed. This went on for 40 mins. Every time it would stop, I would smile and think "sleeeeep"... but nope, it would just start up again. What pisses me off about this whole situation is that I get up at 5am and at this time of night/morning every little minute counts and these damn cats are cutting into my precious sleep time. At one point I here someone open up a door/window and say "shhh, go away"... like that is really going to help... although at this point I don't know that I would have had a better plan of action.

I think I'll wait until tonight to see if these noises happen again and then I'll have to take action (read: call animal control).

I swear, the winter months of a closed up, smelly room are really looking good about now.

UPDATE:
Turns out, after doing some asking around and a little research on my own, the sounds I'm hearing are that of cats bumping uglies... doing the grown-up... MATING!! I think I'll definitely call animal control now because I know how risky it is for animals not to be spayed and neutered. And I'm a lazy animal lover... definitely not the type to spend my time doing some TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release).

Green...

Nope, not the environmental kind... the envious kind.

Working in the city during spring time lends itself to serious outfit envy. It's a condition that involves tons of obvious staring and head-to-toe body once-overs and in some cases a little bit of drool.

I assume that everyone who looks impeccably dressed and accessorized must live in the city.. what Long Islander has time to get up each and every morning to style their hair, try out new makeup, wear heels out the door and make it look good even after being slumped over and asleep for the hour and a half train ride in? I swear, 5 days out of the month (yes, I said month, not week) I put forth the effort but it's the train ride that kills it all.

This condition only occurs in the warm weather seasons due to the fact that no one is wearing a jacket so every open sidewalk is a runway... walking down 34th street at 7:30am is one big fashion show and I'm just a schlumpy bystander.

It is fun though to sit on the sides and watch all of the beautiful people walk by... just be prepared with a good pair of sunglasses to avoid any noticable staring. I've suffered from this condition for a few years now, so I may be schlumpy but I'm seasoned and always prepared.

Lunch Call

Am I the only one who, Monday thru Friday, stresses about what they're going to have for lunch the second they are done with breakfast??? I don't eat for sustenance or nutrition or to, ya know, stay alive... I eat for pure satisfaction so I don't want to have an unsatisfying, last-minute-decision kind of lunch. I think I have a problem.

I think I have 2 problems... 1) I stress about meals... 2) I actually just blogged about stressing about meals.

I think I need a snack..........

Weekend? What weekend?

Busy busy busy!

I love having stuff to do over the weekend, but this was OVERKILL! Saturday consisted of TONS of running around mixed in with really poor timing. For some unknown reason (coughcoughCOOPERcoughcough) I was up at the ungodly hour of 6am on Saturday. Instead of going back to bed, I figured I would take advantage of the quiet to snuggle up and finally watch and be completely consumed by the 2 hour season finale of Grey's Anatomy that I had DVR'd on Thursday. After Grey's was over, I was now not only tired from being up so early after having gone to bed pretty late the night before, but I was exhausted from crying for almost 2 hours straight... I FRIGGIN LOVE THAT SHOW!!!! So off to bed I went until about 10-ish. I got up again, puttered around, found the shower, and was ready to get out the door to begin all of my errands.... Aa was still sound asleep.

I was so excited for the majority of these errands because they involved picking up stuff for the apt. I got most of what was on my list, making a mental note as I was leaving Wal-Mart to head over to Target to finish up. But on my way, the things I needed at Target fell out of my head and I forgot why I even needed to go to Target so I headed home instead... FAIL. Once I got home from that trip, we unpacked all the crap I bought, ate a little something, Aa ran out for some of his errands, I vaccumed and dusted, Aa came back and I figured since I have about 2 hours before our friends came over it would be a good time to head out for a major grocery shop. WRONG. When I got back I had barely stuff the last of the groceries in their appropriate places before the bell rang.... FRIENDS!

It was a good night... about 2 bottles of wine killed (it was a slow night), tons of gossip spewed, our wireless internet hooked up (Ant's a genius), wedding stories shared, and a little bit of old school Mario Brothers played. Everyone was gone by about 12:30 and that's when I relized I haven't even ironed clothes for us to wear to my sister's graudation the following day. There I am, ironing at 1am while the dog is going crazy due to some crazy thunderstorms and hubs is passed out on the couch (lucky!).

The next day, we were up and out by 8:15 to be at my parents house to caravan over to her graduation. We were exhausted but were excited to see and spend time with family and to see my sister graduate. During the graduation my cousin began writing notes to my sister (the graduate). They went a little something like this...

Dear Kerry,
Your graduation is long and boring. Yelling and screaming was imbaressing and fun. It was boring because my DS went red and didn't work long. Congratulations.

Dear Kerry,
I want to go to college because I don't want to go to school everyday. You might not understand.

I took pictures of said notes, but because I'm lazy, I have yet to upload them... maybe tonight. After the graduation we headed to brunch where we all stuffed our faces true to our family tradition... what can I say, we're eaters. After brunch it was back to my parents house to eat some more... ahhh, eating! While at my parents house, the kids put on High School Musical 3. I'm not ashamed to admit that I LOVE this movie... today, all of the songs are stuck in my head... I'm not mad.

We headed home around dinner time to get settled, feed the hound, and get ready for a new week (boo!). I proceeded to fall asleep around 8:00 missing the whole episode of the Simpsons (boo!). I woke up, had a Bagelful (yum!) got ready for bed and promptly fell asleep missing the whole episode of Family Guy (boo!). But, thank God Aa DVRs these... because in case I wake up next Saturday at 6am at least I'll have something to do!

Amateur

I've always loved to take pictures. Right before the wedding, I bought myself an awesome camera... the Nikon D60 **droooool**.

Once I got the camera, I was taking pictures of EVERYTHING. I'm not great, but I'm learning. My friend's sister, who also is getting into picture-taking sent me a link to a great (FREE) online photography class >>> http://www.michaelthementor.com/

It's really basic, but he gives good tips on how to take a great picture.

Wanna see some of my work????

One of the worst feelings in the world...

Just when I start to think I'm well-rested (is there even such a thing) and recovered from Wed. night.... there I go starting to feel my eyelids becoming heavy and my mind begin to wander. I HATE THAT! It brings me back to high school and college classes when you HAD to stay awake - there was no cube to hide your brief power nap from other students and a teacher's watchful gaze. It's an almost painful feeling.... no, I stand corrected. It's not *almost* painful... it IS painful. I'm counting down the hours until I can settle into my seat on the train, cleverly taking up the seat next to me with my bag so that another commuter can't sit down rest their weary eyes, and let the motion of the train lull me to sleep like an infant.

Switching gears... I have the worst self-restraint. And right now, I'm doing all that I can to keep myself from reading blogs and spoilers about last night's Grey's Anatomy. IT'S KILLING ME (that and the agonizing effort it is taking to keep my eyes open). Thank God for DVR!

More later.....

The cheap Pottery Barn.

Who doesn't love Pottery Barn? Even when you have a fully decorated house, it's fun to browse and daydream while on the Pottery Barn website or when leafing thru their catalog. Well, as someone who is decorating a new space, I'm addicting to Pottery Barn. What I'm NOT addicted to are their prices. They've got to be kidding me with the balls they have to price some of the stuff the way they do... don't they know I'm broke?!!?

Anyway, a friend of mine clued me in on a little secret. JC Penny furniture and knick-knacks are like a cheaper version of Pottery Barn!!! What prompted this little tid-bit was my search for lamps ("I LOVE LAMP"). We are in desparate need of some artificial lighting in the apartment. And as luck has it, all of the lamps we have are mismatching... not a pair to be found.

When I asked said friend what she thought of a certain style lamp, she gave her opinion and pointed me in the direction of JC Penny. And wouldn't you know... there was the lamp I was looking for!!!!

Let me state my case.....


This is the Glass Candlestick Lamp from PB for $129. http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p11876/index.cfm?pkey=ctable%2Dbedside%2Dlamps


This is the Briana Glass Table Lamp for $139. http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p12924/index.cfm?pkey=ctable%2Dbedside%2Dlamps



These are the Bancroft Crystal Lamps that go for $179.00 - $229.00.
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p12153/index.cfm?pkey=ctable%2Dbedside%2Dlamps


I found this lamp... Crystal Ball Table Lamp by Studio for $79 at JCP!!!
http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?DeptID=57088&CatID=58220&GrpTyp=PRD&ItemID=1580cde&attrtype=&attrvalue=&CMID=57088%7c57325&Fltr=&Srt=&QL=F&IND=14&cmVirtualCat=&CmCatId=570885732558220



After comparing and contrasting the two websites and what they sell, JCP definitely has, for lack of a better term, tons of PB knock-offs for much better prices and the customer reviews are really positive.

Now I just have to convice Aa. that these lamps would look great in our living room!!!

Don't let this face fool you!

Don't be fooled by this innocent looking face. He may look sweet and cuddley and adorable but he WILL keep you up all hours of the night like a screaming newborn.

Welcome to my night last night. Cooper... I love you bubby, but I swear, mommy was about ready to toss you out the window.

Before I get into last night, lets cut to Tuesday night... return of the "bumpies". Cooper has a plethora of health issues (old news to anyone who knows about us and Cooper, so I'll leave it at that). The latest has been crazy looking hives ("bumpies") that cover his handsome face... it has caused multiple trips to the ER Vet ($$$$$). After the last visit, where he looked like this...

...We were told by the very nice (and flaboinantly gay) Dr. told us to give him a half tab of Benadryl every 6 hours for 3 days. It works! Crisis averted until next time. Next time being this past Tuesday, I get a frantic phone call from Aa. that the bumpies are back and that we've begun the Benadryl. (*Sidenote, what's great about Benadryl and a hyper dog... he passes out! I used this trick the night before my wedding to ensure a peaceful night's sleep for both me and the hound). Again, success!

Wednesday night.. same thing... BUMPIES! Well, we give him the Benadryl and he settles down for a cozy night in bed with mom and ANTM and L&O SVU... until he hears Aa. refilling his tupperwear container with food... he's up..... FOR THE REST OF THE NIGHT!!! We had to give him another does of Benadryl at 11:30 so we set the alarm in case we fell asleep (which we did). Alarm goes off, I'm up and giving Cooper his Nutri-Cal laced with Benadryl (Nutri-Cal is a gross gel supplement for dogs... he loves it and it makes giving him pills that much easier). I get back into bed anticpating him passing out within 20 mins but it never happens. He's up, he's walking around, he's barking, he's scratching at the door... finally at 2:30am I've reached my limit. I let him out of the bedroom, take him out, bring him back in where he proceeds to run around like a crazy man and starts barking at the sliding glass door... me? I start to cry. I'm EXHAUSTED! And I have to wake up in 2 and a half hours. I can't for the life of me figure out why the Benadryl isn't making him sleepy. I finally come to terms with the fact that my husband is dead to the world and no help to me, my dog is an ass, and I'm a crying lunatic who needs sleep. I usher Cooper back to the bedroom where he licks, plays, runs, jumps and finally falls alseep somewhere in the bedroom.

When I wake up at the ass-crack of dawn to get ready for the day I look down to see that stupid little pink pill on the carpet. Cooper was onto us... he didn't care that he had bumpies all over his gorgeous face - he refused to be drugged so he somehow bypassed the pill that was mixed with the Nutri-Cal and enjoyed a drug free midnight snack.

So... now here I am, puffy-eyed, pounding head, walking zombie while my precious little puppy is sleeping off the night's activites on his comfy cozy bed in the kitchen. Cooper -1... Kim - 0.

Oooooh the outfits!

Spring is here. You know what that means... BUSY WEEKENDS!!!! I always have tons of momentum in the beginning of spring and summer to go to every event we're invited too. Aside from grilled meats, Corona with lime (and other yummy alcoholic beverages), hanging out with friends outside until all hours of the night, one of the best things about these busy weekends are the OUTFITS!!!!

So here's a line-up of what I'll be wearing in the coming weeks...

This weekend is my sister's graduation. She's graduating with her masters and we're all super pumped (me?.. pumped for her and pumped that I get to showcase a cute new dress.).

From the Gap, I will be wearing this dress. Now the color I have is different... it's navy blue with white pencil-thin drawings of flowers.

I was thinking of pairing the dress with these DKNY gladiator style shoes... we'll see though, I'll have to give it a test run.

Next up we have our very good friend's daughter's Christening on Memorial Day weekend. Aa. is the godfather and we're so happy!

Got this dress at Macy's and I LOVE IT! I has a Jackson Pollack look to the print and it's very springy and flattering.

I'll probably pair it with patent leather Nine West peep-toe wedges that have this awesome buckle and ankel strap. I got them last summer so I doubt they're anywhere to be found online anymore... just use your imagination.

We also have a wedding coming up in the beginning of June. I love weddings and I love getting dressed up for them. I have TONS of dresses but I always feel the need to get a new one for every wedding we attend (and there have been lots... hence the TONS of dresses).

This is the one I got...

It's from Newport News, which is an AWESOME place to go if your looking for something quick, easy and cheap!

I'll pair it with some gold shoes and accessories and I'll be good to go. I will probably repeat this dress for a wedding we have the day after Thanksgiving because of the fall colors.

Now... onto the next events outfit... TBD!

PAINT!!!!!!!

So... we moved into our new place this past weekend (remember, PTSD?). A new beginning with my new husband and our furbaby (Cooper).

The new apartment comes newly carpeted, fresh white walls, and a brand spankin new kitchen. It's a totally blank canvas... where to begin???

PAINT! When we first decided we were moving I started to research paint colors. I knew that our living room and bedroom were south facing which means TONS of great sunlight so I knew I could go a little darker on the paint in those rooms. And so I did....

Smokey Blue (Behr) for the bedroom. In person it's actually much bluer than this.

Stone Brown (Behr) for the living room. I describe it as coffee... light and sweet.

So far those are the only two rooms I've painted (OK... I'm totally taking credit for work that we actually hired someone to do... shame on me). I'll eventually get to the kitchen at some point.

Now, unlike my mother, I went onto the Behr website (http://www.behr.com/Behr/home#) and looked at colors that caught my eye - colors picked in less than a day. My mother on the other hand will hem and haw over colors for up to two weeks (or more if necessary). She will buy samples, paint swatches, invite strangers over to get their opinions on what color to paint a room. When I told her my process, she nearly fainted.

Furniture next!

New marriage... New apartment (aka... new project!)

So, Aa. (the hubs) and I have moved. We left the place where we became parents (to a dog)... the place where we got engaged... the place where we fought about having a harpist at our wedding cermony... <> the memories..........

We had lived at 1514 1st St. for 4 years. And as you can see from above, a lot has happened while we lived there. Friends got married, friends had babies, friends bought houses.... The decision to move was not an easy one despite the fact that we were busting at the seams in our tiny 1 bedroom. We had become incredibly close with our amazing landlord and we were super comfortable where we were... but it was time. It SUCKED to not be able to afford a house, but something had to be done.

We found a great 2 bedroom apartment in a complex that we loved. It was further out east from where we were (aka... longer commute!) but it was really close to my parents and almost all of our friends. The only problem was, the price was NOT right. So we walked away... Not even a week later the leasing agent we met with called up Aa. to let us know that the price had dropped on the apartment we were interested in. How could we pass up the opportunity?! We were MOVING!!!

That was 3 weeks ago. This past weekend we made the big move... I'm traumatized. From packing to unpacking and everything in between... I swear I have PTSD.

So now... we settle in and make this extra large apartment home. I will post more about all of my decorating ideas (and there are a TON) and schemeing ways of getting what I want vs. the hubs getting what he wants.

You're WHAT?!?

Blogging? Kim?

Yes, that's right, I've started blogging. I've been inspired by so many new blogs (new to me that is) that I thought I should go ahead and start documenting (coughcoughBLOGGINGcoughcough) my day-to-day. <>.... Also, I needed something to do at work since the wedding planning is O.V.E.R.

So enjoy... comment (please)... and keep coming back for updates.