Monday Mourning -- Immune System Death.

Today I woke up feeling like absolute crap. Ended up taking the day off of work. Woke up around 1:30pm. I guess the rest was much needed but was also one of those cases where you wake up feeling like you've been hit by a train after you slept too long.

When one thinks about moving into a house, you think about all the space and happiness but there are lots of other things that you start to notice and/or learn that you just did not think about before being placed in the house. Some are good to know, others rather funny and a few are even ridiculous, but I'm going to start sharing a couple a day. For fellow home owners I hope I'm not alone in my ridiculousness. For those who will become homeowners I hope these are things that may help in your future search! 

I'll need a name for this section -- Lessons Learned? Life Changes? Suggestions welcomed. For now we'll go with: 

Life's Little Things

Little thing 1: If you're looking for houses, a small yet significant detail is window treatment -- blinds. Make sure the home has them! Blinds are such an important part of a household and yet so easily get buried in the background of wall art and pretty furniture. This is not something I paid much attention to and something that did not come with our home. We're now looking at various blind situations for ~15 windows. That definitely adds up and not only the cost of the actual blinds, but also consumes time with installation. That'll be fun. Although I'm sure I'll just sit back and watch sketchy do all the work. =) The one benefit of this is that we will get have the color and material of our choice in the house. Suggestions on cheap/sturdy wood/shutter blinds are welcomed. 

Little Thing 2: Number two stems from number 1. With no blinds, I am c o n v i n c e d that someone is always looking into our home. Maybe this is just me, but owning a home (especially if you've lived in an apartment for the past few years) suddenly turns you into a member of the Witness Protection Program. I am downright paranoid. In an apartment building, it would take a lot of work for someone to enter your building, take the elevator to your specific floor and then choose your apartment to break into. In a house, however, anyone can get into your house in any of your many windows or glass doors. You're on a first floor and a gate is nothing to get through or over. I'm jumpy with any sound of trees swaying in the wind, a bug flying into a window or a car door slamming. I realize that we're in a very good neighborhood with next to no crime ::knock on wood:: and I realize that this is completely irrational but it is what it is lol. Lucy is still getting used to the house herself and is also completely jumpy and on guard with any little sound, which of course only heightens my paranoia. Nothing like a dog becoming super alert in a matter of two seconds to also get you all wound up! 

Naturally, this paranoia situation reminded me of Antoine Dodson. I'm sure many of you have seen this before, but if not you definitely need to check it out. Enjoy.

Not So Lazy Sunday

Last night we went out to U street. Kerry discovered the magic that is Ben's Chili Bowl and I discovered in a sober state that there is more on the menu than cheese fries and meat chili! There are turkey burgers and turkey dogs as well as a veggie chili! After Ben's we made a stop at Julia's Empanadas since Kerry had really liked it the last time he was in town. After eating our way back to Springfield I fell into the deepest most wonderful sleep ever. 

We got to sleep in which was nice. Lucy's first night in the house seemed to be successful. She stayed in her own bed and passed out right away. Today was the first day that she didn't whine and cry bloody murder when we left her! Progress. 

Today was pretty eventful. 

We took Kerry out to Ebbitt and then walked around the white house followed by a tour of the old post office. I always love the view from up there. The weather was perfect for walking around DC. It's been so very long since I've just walked around and really enjoyed DC.

 

After our touristy afternoon, Kerry headed out to the airport and we went over to AJ's to watch the Skins game. Sadtown. We will not discuss. We hadn't seen our friends since before we left for Florida so it was nice catching up! 

Then we hit a grocery store on the way home since all we had in the fridge was a brita filter and a bottle of gatorade. I haven't cooked since before we went to Florida. Needed to fix this. 

I first saw this which was interesting:

I decided to try it out and make some sort of quick mexican chipotle chicken dinner. Discovered an awesome section with super super cheap marinated chicken breast ready to cook at Giant. Looked like it might be a section for meat that must sell that day. Great find if you're picking up meat to cook that night. This was definitely a point for Giant. 

Sidenote: I'll be experimenting with various grocery stores since we're located right in the middle of everything -- Harris Teeter, Shoppers, Giant, Safeway and Trader Joe's. I'll probably shop at each place for a week and then compare prices, quality and variety! 

Some corn, black beans, red onion and tomatoes mixed in with the meat and this happened:

Verdict: The kraft breading was pretty good but I think I'm still a fan of my traditional Panko breading. These packages offer convenience for people who may not cook often and don't want to have cheese and breadcrumbs sitting in their fridge and pantry but for those with a functional kitchen and who cook often, these packages make no sense. I even ended up pouring the breadcrumbs out into a bowl because the package was too tiny to really bread the meat. Marketed as a time-saver and convenient it's really not that innovative or convenient. On a lighter note, I naturally love Kraft cheese as it is the cheesiest! =)

Be Our Guest -- Happy Moving Day!

MOVING DAY!! 

Our movers were really friendly and efficient. They were helpful in most cases and went out of their way to make sure items were secured and handled properly. We used Victory Van Lines. We checked out about 4 other companies and they were the cheapest and had pretty good reviews.  They only charged for 3 hours even though the move took slightly longer. 

So now we're all moved in save some random items for goodwill and some food in the fridge in the apartment. There are boxes in every single room right now which are going to bother the hell out of me until they're all unpacked but for now they'll have to remain as they are. 

Tonight my cousin, Kerry, is staying over. He's was in town for work and had an extra night in the DC area. Our first guest! We got the guest room and guest bath semi-set-up. 

No pictures for now. I plan on posting pictures of each room's before and after as they come to life.  This will probably take some time given how particular and critical I am about what I want on the walls and how things look. I think I'll be making most of the art and wall decor for our currently bare naked walls. 

First house warming gift compliments of Kerry: 

I've actually never had the reserve. It's a pretty bottle though. Will be pretty behind the bar in the mancave when that's all put together!

Long Saturday afternoon but it's only the beginning of the night! 

Off to the city for the night. =)

Packing Extravaganza

Sorry these posts are delayed. We have a cable/internet installation mishap to thank for that. Hopefully we'll have cable and internet by Wednesday afternoon!

Happy Friday once again! This week has been the l o n g e s t week ever. I'm sure it's felt like that for many of you who've had the privilege of being away from the office for a nice long time.

Tonight was a packing extravaganza! We've packed all night and still have to wake up early to go get more boxes and finish up some packing before the movers arrive in the morning! All of our furniture and boxed items will be completely moved by 4pm tomorrow.

Packing disaster pictures:

It feels like we were just moving into this apartment a month ago. It's crazy how quickly a year flies by.

Anyways, while packing, I learned that I have no concept of what I own and evidently think i need to constantly buy certain things. Or maybe I just think it's necessary to own: 

5 sets of utensils 

3 cheese graters

I also realized i had enough spices to make a spice shop jealous. Legitimately needed their own box. 

So ready to be done packing.

Annnddd They're In...

LSAT scores were released today. I did better than my last score and much better than I expected so I guess I can't complain. Still not really the score I need for the schools I'd like a fair shot at but such is life. Me and the LSAT will never have a good relationship.

The last couple of days have been full of packing and cleaning. I hate packing, but hopefully this is the last time I'll be packing for a lonnnggg timmmeee =). Movers are scheduled for Saturday which means we have one more day to get our shit together! I'm so so excited for Saturday night to have everything moved into the new place. Not so excited for the unpacking but i'm sure it'll all be over soon enough! 

In packing, I'm coming across all kinds of old things "I've been looking for." Yet again, I'm amazed at the amount of junk that can accrue in a tiny one bedroom apartment! 

First small purchase for the new house (I love anything wine-bottle related):

Things to look forward to: Friday. Tomorrow. Yes, please.

Work, Friends and Packages

Today felt like the longest day ever at work. Two week vacations are both amazing and destructive! Yes, it's great to be off that long, but that first day back is torturous! 

On a lighter note, out of office voicemail is probably the greatest invention ever. Seriously came back to four blank voicemails where people clearly listened to the message, took down number to call someone else and went on their merry way! E-mails are another story. My computer also decided to blue-screen out on me so no work computer for now, fail. 

After work we hit up happy hour at District Chophouse with Jason and Yen. Meet Jason and Yen: 

Jason went to college with Sketchy. After they got married (wow, over a year ago) they moved out to California! Since they're all the way out on the west coast they're not in town often. Jason is also a groomsman in our bridal party. I chose the above picture because I feel like it captures what they're like to be around. They're pretty lighthearted/fun folks. =) It was nice seeing them and catching up, even if only for an hour! I really want to get out to LA to visit them at some point! They have the best Hollywood/CA-esque Christmas card which I'll definitely be posting soon. 

Finally got back to the apartment yesterday for the first time in a couple weeks. We were greeted by a package from Kate! She's so awesome with gifts. Last year she got me a Jags toothbrush, which as simple as that was, I loved! This year she got us these badass items:

They're gonna look awesome in our bar area! Also, I like that she could actually put my initials on the Jaguar beer mug because it's not like they're changing! =)

At least it's a short week?

A New Year

First and foremost, Happy New Year! 

NYE was quiet for us. We hung out at Sketchy's parents and watched the ball drop with Sapna. 

Last year we were driving back from Florida on NYE, hit a deer on 95 going 80mph, totaled the rental car and ended up stranded in a Bojangles parking lot somewhere in South Carolina. Talk about an eventful NYE. We managed to stop in Richmond at some random hotel to watch the ball drop. 

Might not look too bad, but was enough to total the damn car. 

I guess quiet this year sure beats the hell out of last year's fiasco. Next year I'm definitely looking forward to a more upbeat and festive NYE. NYE has always been my favorite holiday, but the last few have been kind of ridiculous. Need to get out of my NYE slump. Anyone do something really fun in the DC area, or anywhere really, for NYE? I'd really like to rent out a room in Times Square with some friends and party in the warmth while watching the ball drop. Maybe next year? 

I've made no new years resolutions this year. I have made bets though. Weight loss bets. Hopefully that and a wedding dress situation are enough motivation to actually get myself in gear. 

There are so many pictures and stories to share from the past two weeks in Florida. I'll have to do them slowly so as not to overwhelm in one post! 

So very not excited about returning to work tomorrow. =(