When I look out my window, I can see these beauties:
28 May 2008
Our New House
Here's the next Casa Cortez Johnson...
When I look out my window, I can see these beauties:
When I look out my window, I can see these beauties:
So Kiss Me And Smile For Me
Mr. J was given a great job offer at his work. He has been commuting between Minnetonka, MN and home since February. As much as he's enjoying the new position, I miss hanging out with my husband on Monday through Thursdays. So... we closed on a house in Edina, MN last week, and I'll be a resident of the coldest place on earth (as far as I'm concerned) after 27 June 2008.
Our move will bring many new adventures and changes. I'm sure there'll be much more to blog about. But until moving day comes, I plan to wrap up projects at work, and do as much as I can to say goodbye to Chicago. I love this city very much. Not only did I grow up here, but this is where I met & married my dear husband.
Don't worry, we'll be back for frequent visits. I mean, my family and a few friends still live here after all. :)
Our move will bring many new adventures and changes. I'm sure there'll be much more to blog about. But until moving day comes, I plan to wrap up projects at work, and do as much as I can to say goodbye to Chicago. I love this city very much. Not only did I grow up here, but this is where I met & married my dear husband.
Don't worry, we'll be back for frequent visits. I mean, my family and a few friends still live here after all. :)
12 May 2008
Decluttering Efforts Week of 5 May 2008
I am trying to make an effort to get rid of all that clutters up our life. It's much harder work than I thought, but I'm slowly getting there. Here are a few things that I did in the past 7 days to further my cause:
1. Quickly went over Mr. J's wardrobe and asked him to point out which things no longer fit, and which things he's ready to part with, etc. Keep in mind in order for this to work, the decision to keep or toss an item was solely Mr. J's decision.
I donated his unwanted work clothing to Jobs For Youth Chicago, in order to help young people dress to impress for interviews. I donated the rest of Mr. J's unwanted clothing to the Salvation Army. We received tax receipts from both organizations.
Time to go through Mr. J's wardrobe: 5 minutes.
Time needed to re-organize drawers and Mr. J's closet: 20 minutes (only because I'm fussy about folding)
Time spent making donations: 5 mins for Salvation Army, and 20 minutes at Jobs for Youth Chicago (only because I took a leisurely walk there during lunch).
Benefit: at least $150 in tax deductions.
2. Donated a pair of my work shoes to the Bottomless Closet--another non-profit that helps women dress to impress for interviews in the Chicago area. I realize I hadn't worn those shoes in years, but they are still very nice. I'm hoping they'll be of use to someone else.
Time: 3 minutes dropping them off to Bottomless Closet (located a few blocks from my hair dresser, so it was a quick trip).
Benefit: $30 tax deduction.
3. Requested to be taken off the catalog mailing lists for Macy's (because I hate that department store) and Tiffany's (because we don't have that sort of lifestyle).
Time required: 4 minutes; comprised of preparing a snail mail request and sending an e-mail.
Benefit: not wasting paper and avoiding the urge to keep up with the Joneses.
4. Transferred magazine subscriptions to publications (like W or Self) that I don't really read to friends who actually think the content is interesting.
Time required: 5 minutes on the phone with Conde Nast subscription services
Benefit: I no longer have to be reminded how lazy or unfashionable society thinks I am. :)
5. Finally went through all of our mail, shredded documents we don't need, threw out useless stuff, filed the important papers, etc.
Time required: a couple of hours.
Benefits: our living room, office, and desks look so much better. Plus, we can find the documents we need quickly.
1. Quickly went over Mr. J's wardrobe and asked him to point out which things no longer fit, and which things he's ready to part with, etc. Keep in mind in order for this to work, the decision to keep or toss an item was solely Mr. J's decision.
I donated his unwanted work clothing to Jobs For Youth Chicago, in order to help young people dress to impress for interviews. I donated the rest of Mr. J's unwanted clothing to the Salvation Army. We received tax receipts from both organizations.
Time to go through Mr. J's wardrobe: 5 minutes.
Time needed to re-organize drawers and Mr. J's closet: 20 minutes (only because I'm fussy about folding)
Time spent making donations: 5 mins for Salvation Army, and 20 minutes at Jobs for Youth Chicago (only because I took a leisurely walk there during lunch).
Benefit: at least $150 in tax deductions.
2. Donated a pair of my work shoes to the Bottomless Closet--another non-profit that helps women dress to impress for interviews in the Chicago area. I realize I hadn't worn those shoes in years, but they are still very nice. I'm hoping they'll be of use to someone else.
Time: 3 minutes dropping them off to Bottomless Closet (located a few blocks from my hair dresser, so it was a quick trip).
Benefit: $30 tax deduction.
3. Requested to be taken off the catalog mailing lists for Macy's (because I hate that department store) and Tiffany's (because we don't have that sort of lifestyle).
Time required: 4 minutes; comprised of preparing a snail mail request and sending an e-mail.
Benefit: not wasting paper and avoiding the urge to keep up with the Joneses.
4. Transferred magazine subscriptions to publications (like W or Self) that I don't really read to friends who actually think the content is interesting.
Time required: 5 minutes on the phone with Conde Nast subscription services
Benefit: I no longer have to be reminded how lazy or unfashionable society thinks I am. :)
5. Finally went through all of our mail, shredded documents we don't need, threw out useless stuff, filed the important papers, etc.
Time required: a couple of hours.
Benefits: our living room, office, and desks look so much better. Plus, we can find the documents we need quickly.
07 May 2008
100 Things Worth Every Penny 2008
Hi! I've been incommunicado. Lots going on.
In order to start up again, I thought I'd revisit and oldie, but goodie: my annual list of 100 Things Worth Every Penny. Some are taken from a very old Forbes article, and others are purely my own opinion. These are not in any specific order.
1. Not owing anyone any money
2. A good tire-pressure gauge
3. Purchasing replacement dishes for your family china instead of buying new
4. Baci chocolates
5. Duckhorn Goldeneye Pinot Noir
6. A good dentist
7. Repetto BB Flats
8. The Honeymoon
9. Lessons in comportment and etiquette
10. Jo Malone Vitamin E Nourishing Hand Treatment
11. Fiji bottled water
12. Grandstand seating at the Kentucky Derby
13. Earplugs--to block the snores of your significant other
14. A great haircut
15. Grilled pork chops with Vietnamese rice from Republic in NYC
16. An Alaskan cruise
17. Pelikan fountain pens
18. Multivitamins
19. A surprise party
20. Side-impact air bags
21. Potato pancakes with applesauce and sour cream from Walker Bros. Pancakes, Wilmette, IL
22. A good baby-sitter
23. Oxo kitchen shears with safety lock
24. Tickets to see Madonna live in concert
25. Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia Ice Cream
26. The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort
27. A farewell dinner
28. Chocolate dipped macadamia nuts from Jacques Torres
29. My daddy's spaghetti
30. A meal prepared by Graham Elliot Bowles
31. The Four Seasons Hotel, San Francisco
32. An iPhone
33. Duracell batteries
34. Any pre-1970 12-cylinder Ferrari
35. My mother-in-law's apple pies and mac & cheese
36. KitchenAid Professional stand mixer
37. Your best friends
38. Vegetables, fresh from your own garden
39. Ty Pluffies
40. A great hammock
41. Nalgene bottle
42. Master combination lock
43. In-N-Out Burger
44. Meat tenderizer
45. A cab ride home from the bar
46. A great dermatologist who understands your needs, no matter how vain
47. Quality time with loved ones
48. The Greek Isles--especially Santorini
49. Riedel wineglasses
50. A renowned recurrent pregnancy loss specialist
51. Condoms
52. Lifejackets
53. A genuine cast-iron skillet
54. Spreadable butter
55. Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom & Honey Cologne
56. Glytone facial wash
57. Cashmere sweaters
58. A skilled tailor
59. Unlined Italian leather gloves
60. Mason Pearson hairbrushes
61. Neostrata skin moisturizer
62. A shoe repair specialist
63. Classic hardcover children's books
64. Personalized Mrs. John L. Strong stationery
65. Your family
66. Douglas Cuddle Toys
67. Ballet lessons
68. Moleskine notebooks
69. Bliss Naked Body Butter
70. A featherbed
71. A good masseur
72. Transferring home movies to DVD (or Blue Ray?)
73. Parmesano Reggiano cheese
74. Purell hand sanitizer
75. Piano lessons
76. A powerful humidifier
77. A family reunion
78. Finishing school
79. Wooden clothes hangers
80. Mama Mio Stretch Mark Tummy Butter
81. Christian Louboutin shoes
82. Zippo lighter
83. Down comforter
84. A wind resistant umbrella, preferably not in Black so you (or it) can be found immediately
85. Tumi 22" rolling suitcase
86. Satellite TV
87. Digital Video Recorder
88. Molton Brown Heavenly Gingerlily bath gel
89. Slo-Melt Popsicles
90. A view
91. KOLO Photo Albums
92. Canon SLR digital camera
93. A shutter remote for your camera
94. A Paris pied-à-terre
95. Premium unleaded gasoline
96. Diamond earrings
97. 409 antibacterial cleaner
98. Veuve Clicquot La Grand Dame Champagne
99. A fluffy bathrobe
100. My father-in-law's key lime pie
In order to start up again, I thought I'd revisit and oldie, but goodie: my annual list of 100 Things Worth Every Penny. Some are taken from a very old Forbes article, and others are purely my own opinion. These are not in any specific order.
1. Not owing anyone any money
2. A good tire-pressure gauge
3. Purchasing replacement dishes for your family china instead of buying new
4. Baci chocolates
5. Duckhorn Goldeneye Pinot Noir
6. A good dentist
7. Repetto BB Flats
8. The Honeymoon
9. Lessons in comportment and etiquette
10. Jo Malone Vitamin E Nourishing Hand Treatment
11. Fiji bottled water
12. Grandstand seating at the Kentucky Derby
13. Earplugs--to block the snores of your significant other
14. A great haircut
15. Grilled pork chops with Vietnamese rice from Republic in NYC
16. An Alaskan cruise
17. Pelikan fountain pens
18. Multivitamins
19. A surprise party
20. Side-impact air bags
21. Potato pancakes with applesauce and sour cream from Walker Bros. Pancakes, Wilmette, IL
22. A good baby-sitter
23. Oxo kitchen shears with safety lock
24. Tickets to see Madonna live in concert
25. Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia Ice Cream
26. The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort
27. A farewell dinner
28. Chocolate dipped macadamia nuts from Jacques Torres
29. My daddy's spaghetti
30. A meal prepared by Graham Elliot Bowles
31. The Four Seasons Hotel, San Francisco
32. An iPhone
33. Duracell batteries
34. Any pre-1970 12-cylinder Ferrari
35. My mother-in-law's apple pies and mac & cheese
36. KitchenAid Professional stand mixer
37. Your best friends
38. Vegetables, fresh from your own garden
39. Ty Pluffies
40. A great hammock
41. Nalgene bottle
42. Master combination lock
43. In-N-Out Burger
44. Meat tenderizer
45. A cab ride home from the bar
46. A great dermatologist who understands your needs, no matter how vain
47. Quality time with loved ones
48. The Greek Isles--especially Santorini
49. Riedel wineglasses
50. A renowned recurrent pregnancy loss specialist
51. Condoms
52. Lifejackets
53. A genuine cast-iron skillet
54. Spreadable butter
55. Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom & Honey Cologne
56. Glytone facial wash
57. Cashmere sweaters
58. A skilled tailor
59. Unlined Italian leather gloves
60. Mason Pearson hairbrushes
61. Neostrata skin moisturizer
62. A shoe repair specialist
63. Classic hardcover children's books
64. Personalized Mrs. John L. Strong stationery
65. Your family
66. Douglas Cuddle Toys
67. Ballet lessons
68. Moleskine notebooks
69. Bliss Naked Body Butter
70. A featherbed
71. A good masseur
72. Transferring home movies to DVD (or Blue Ray?)
73. Parmesano Reggiano cheese
74. Purell hand sanitizer
75. Piano lessons
76. A powerful humidifier
77. A family reunion
78. Finishing school
79. Wooden clothes hangers
80. Mama Mio Stretch Mark Tummy Butter
81. Christian Louboutin shoes
82. Zippo lighter
83. Down comforter
84. A wind resistant umbrella, preferably not in Black so you (or it) can be found immediately
85. Tumi 22" rolling suitcase
86. Satellite TV
87. Digital Video Recorder
88. Molton Brown Heavenly Gingerlily bath gel
89. Slo-Melt Popsicles
90. A view
91. KOLO Photo Albums
92. Canon SLR digital camera
93. A shutter remote for your camera
94. A Paris pied-à-terre
95. Premium unleaded gasoline
96. Diamond earrings
97. 409 antibacterial cleaner
98. Veuve Clicquot La Grand Dame Champagne
99. A fluffy bathrobe
100. My father-in-law's key lime pie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
