Movies, McClintock & more painting

Most of you that know us, know that Jordan is a huge movie buff. He likes most all genres, and can beat most anyone in the "6 degrees of Kevin Bacon" game. Because of this, I was really hoping early on that he would make a guest blogger appearance every once and a while to critique some of the movies we watch. However, I was told that blogging was like him making me go and watch him practice on the driving range. Not gonna happen. So, in order to share some of the moves we watch, I've had for a while now a list on the far right (below the blogs I follow) of the latest movies we have been watching. Its not the most novel idea, but if you are looking for a good movie to watch, we usually see the pretty good ones that many people havnt heard of. Also, jordan has strict criteria for the movies he sees, Roger Ebert had to give it positive nods to be eligible. The exception on there now is Nine. Dont waste almost ten bucks to see this movie. The choreography is very cool, but the story is seriously lacking. I played the part of loser last night and went stag to see it because i was so bored and jordan was with some buddies. Lets just say i enjoyed my popcorn and sprite more than the movie.

I also got my new years eve dress today, and at Jessica McClintock of all places. I went in almost as a joke because i havent shopped their since prom in high school, but their sale rack was awesome. (remember, never pay full price for anything!) My dress was originally $180, and I got it for $50. New years is the greatest night of the year to get glitzed, and this year I wanted vintage glitz, and ive def got that with this find.

In other news, I'm painting my kitchen over the next few days. Its not very exciting, its just a darker shade of tan, but it needs it. Of course pics will follow.

Homemaker in Training

I took this week off from work to rejuvinate before another busy year. I have to say, i'm really playing the role of Susie Homemaker quite well. Yesterday, I sat in my robe, drank my hot tea, and watched The View as Jordan left for his work day. Then I did laundry, met my friend Donora for lunch, and then went with Nora on  to CVS and Publix for a Couponing 101 session. She is awesome at finding deals, and so I wanted to learn from the best. I def got some great tips. As you can see on the right, I follow a new blog called Southern Savers. This is great for letting me know whats on sale when at the stores where i shop. Another blog she gave me is Hip 2 Save. I havent navigated it really yet, but it looks great from what i can tell so far.  I wasnt even really prepared yesterday, and I saved around $55 between both stores. Thanks Nora!

When Jordan got home, we went and worked out together (how cute are we?...,gag). Jordan has finally gotten aboard my "get in shape" train, so hopefully by Spring, we will both be looking hot and tone...hopefully. Then we came home, made dinner and watched a movie. I dig the homemaker life! HAha, who am i kidding? I didnt mention I went into the office for two hours yesterday, and spent another two hours today on the computer doing work. Let's be honest, I would be lost without my job. Sorry Susie (whoever you are), you can have your laundry and The View, I'll take my long hours and heels :)

Merry Christmas!

We are over at the Gaston's enjoying a christmas day brunch. Last night we had a mexican fiesta christmas eve at my parents. After tons of cheese dip, enchiladas and fajitas we finished the night with jordan teaching my family one of his card games called-31. It was a huge hit (and I beat jordan in the end, which was a first). Tomorrow me, my sisters, and my mom are heading to Ross Bridge for a day of the spa, thanks to dad. Then we are doing another christmas dinner at my parents with my whole family there. Hopefully in the next two days i'll have some christmas pictures of all the festivities.

FLIP

Last night (and today for lunch) I checked out Birmingham's new burger joint - FLIP. This is apparently the brainchild of one of the Top Chef contestants out of Georgia. I dont watch that show, but I like the food that results. My unofficial critique:

FLIP is trendy and modern, yet not too posh for Birmingham. Despite the atmosphere, the clientel varies in age. However, this will probably change in time, as the price range (if you arnt consuming cocktails), allows it to be appropriate for a high school hangout. Despite this, and the lack of comfortable seating for parties over 4, FLIP is a must visit. They have taken the modern hamburger and "flipped" it into so many different ethnic dishes, that you actually might have to go several times just to try the assortment of delcious sounding burgers. I went classic with the bacon and cheese last night, and although it was probably the most boring item on the menu, it was fantastic. Coupled with vodka battered onion rings in a beer money mustard sauce, i was in heaven.

Today, i went in an opposite direction and tried the Faux-afal - a fried chick pea patty with arugula, red onion, cucumbers, and a feta spread. Sounds great, but it was NOT. I should have tried what either of my coworkers had which was the Ossobuco burger or the Butchers cut (with red wine reduction sauce and some kind of yummy relish). I did make a strong decision on my side of sweet potato fries with chocolate salt dipped in a truffle ranch. Although the variety of burgers will keep you coming back for more, the drinks (both alcoholic and non) will make you want to stay the night.

Try the ginger margharita or the peach sweet tea if you want a cocktail. They also added a root beer float martini today that looks promising.  Or, you can go for the smore, krispy kreme, fois grois, or  pistachio and truffle milkshakes. Where else are you going to come across any of those combos in Birmingham?

The only other grief I have is that the service is weak. At first I chalked this up to it being a newly opened restaurant, which will always have some kinks in the system. However, after returning today, I'm pretty certain that they hired the most impersonal servers in the South.  They were not only lazy, but seeminly apathetic to the hectic turnover of a lunch and dinner crowd. Jordan's dad said it best when he compared our first server to someone who joins his buddies afterwords for live action role playing...

So, there you have my unofficial thoughts on the place. I'm glad to see a new food place in Birmingham, especially one that pushes the envelope with food. It reminds me a bit of MOTO in Chicago. Not anywhere near as creative, but one that mixes science and food. (mostly because of the use of liquid nitrogen in some of the drinks and milkshakes). I can only watch Iron Chef American or throwdown with Bobby Flay so many times before I want to try something of that caliber myself. Not that FLIP is near that level, but it does make burgers fun.

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation: The Party

Last Friday night we were invited to a hilliarious party at our friends, Erin and Artie's house. The theme: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. You remember this movie: Chevy Chase engulfs his house in christmas lights, the squirrel runs up the christmas tree, and cousin eddie comes for christmas. They had all the details perfect, down to the moose head glasses that we drank egg nog from. We went as the annoyed next door neighbors, Margo and Todd. Unfortunately, I dont have a picture of us, but basically we wore all black.

Our hosts. Artie as Clark in the scene where he gets stuck in the attic, dresses up in old clothes and watches old movies. Erin as Mary, the lady at the lingerie counter when Clark goes to buy christmas gifts. *Note the movie playing in the background during the party

There were several cousin Eddie's at the party.

Ashley and Kevin as the Griswalds on christmas eve. Love that Dicky Kevin

Prob the best costume of the night. This is cousin eddie during the scene when chevy chase is day dreaming about his pool and sees eddie on the diving board in this get up.

By the end of the night, their pups Bentley and Beau were sleeping admists the guests.

Group shot

Batty Buddies

Last week, on my way home from work, I got a very frantic call from Jordan telling me that we had a bit of a problem. He let our cat, Ellie, into the garage to play and the next thing he tells me is that a bat flew down and was circling the basement. Jordan ran out the door, leaving our poor cat to fend her herself. Luckily, she is the hunter of our two and was fine. So, when I got home, we got in my car and drove down to the basement to examine the bat situation from a safe location. This is what we saw:

In the top of this picture are  not one, but TWO bats handing from our ceiling. Once we saw this site, we FREAKED out. Neither of us wanted to get out of the car to open the other garage door or get a rake to swat them out. We couldnt decide what to do, so we went into investigation mode. I of course called Jensi (my wildlife expert friend) and explained the situation. She thought it odd that they wern't hunting at night, but otherwise told us to just leave the garage door open. Jordan called a local wildlife service to see what we needed to do. They of course wanted to come out and charge us to get them. Our moms were also called to find out what other options we had to get these suckers out without getting ourselves rabies. After we had left the garage doors open for a about an hour, and the house was getting way too cold, we went back down to investigate. This time Jordan was in the car, and I came into the garage from the inside (with a large coat over my head) to get a better look. This is what I saw:

That my friends, is duck tape.

House: 1  Jeris and Jordan: 0

Potty Problems

I have a problem with public toilets. Specifically the one in my office building. I dont mind them, I just dont think the other people in my building know how to properly use them. This, in turn, makes potty visits frusterating. Here are some different situations I encounter almost daily.

First, there are those out there that use the sanitary seat covers. You are ok with me, as long as you dispose of them after. Id rather not touch that after you, thanks though.

Then, there are the squaters amoung us (this might be you). Did your mom tell you to squat and hover?  Well, if so THIS IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE TOILET BEHAVIOR! You are the reason behind my frusteration. Because, lets be honest, that technique is never clean, and only a small percentage of squaters are cleaners. The one caveat to this rule is if you are visiting an Asian country, if so, click here. If not, and you are amoung the squad of squatters out there, then this message is for you! Our moms might have told us to squat because it's more sanitary (which is false), but they also taught us to "please be neat and wipe the seat." However, from my experience, most squaters are not also cleaners.

There is also what is called the "sanitary toilet" that you find in most airports. This one already has the automatic seat covers, yet inevitably, you will still find pee on the cover. The squater didnt even trust the sanitary cover that they didnt have to touch! Push the button and sit people, they have done the work for you.

With my increased water intake from running and trying to be healthy, i have to visit to the ladies room probably 8-10 times a day. (The really frusterating part is that the bathroom is not in my office, but that's another post.) Of those 8-10 visits, I can honestly say that 6-8 of them are spent first cleaning up after the squater before me. Because, i'm a sitter as all others should be.

My final message tonight is this. If you are a squater, I understand, I use to be one too. But, you pee on yourself one to many times, and you have to convert to sitting. Try it, you might like it. If you are scared, watch this instructional video. I'm serious, i'm sick of cleaning up after you.

This is a public service announcement from your local chapter of sitting and shitting.

Ladiga Playlist

I'm waiting on my Chili to cook for dinner, and so boredom has led me to the blog. I dont really have anything insightful to post: however, we did attend a hilliarious "Christmas Vacation" Christmas party last night, so pics to follow soon on that one. I was listening to my ipod today and selected  my "on-the-go 9" mix, which is what I tuned into during the half marathon, and thought it might be funny to post. Jordan critisizes my musical tastes constantly (we agree on almost everything, execpt music), so my playlist for this race would be torture for him to endure, but for me, it was just what the Dr. ordered:

Yael Naim: New Soul
Hason: Mmbop & Madeline
Wilco: Hummingbird
Joe Nichols: Tequila makes her clothes come off
Les Miserables: Do you hear the people sing & At the end of the day
New Kids on the Block: Cover Girl
Daughtry: Life after you (this is the only one i'm worried about being judged for)
Dropkick Murphy's: The Green Fields of France & The Spicy McHaggis Jig
Bon Jovi: Blaze of Glory (maybe i'm worried about this one too)
Gavin Degraw: Chariot & In love with a girl
Brittney: Toxic, Pieces of me, Baby One more time, You Drive me crazy
Beyonce: Single Ladies
Mariah Carey: All I want for Christmas, Christmas Baby please come home
Michael Franti: Say Hey
Carrie Underwood: Cowboy Cassanova
Lily Allen: 22
James Morrison: Precious Love, The only night, You make it real
Lady GaGa: Bad Romance, Papparazi (Bad Romance alone got me through mile 8)
Naturi  Naughton: Fame (from the movie)
Sugarbabes: Push the Button
Ramiele Malubay: Do I ever cross your mind (American Idol two seasons ago Dolly Parton Week)
Kanye: Stronger

Chief Ladiga Half Marathon

After only about 6 weeks of semi-serious training, i managed to check another first off my list, which was to run a half marathon. I am not an amazing athlete, I just mentally pushed my body further than it wanted to physically go. I can actually say i was more nervous about Bama playing Flordia that I was about tackling 13.1 miles. I know it sounds insane, but I had a fun time. I dont think that the Mercedes run will be as fun because this one was a straight shot run, whereas Bham is quite hilly. That said, I still couldnt walk right until yesterday, and I have taken this week off from running entirely. I'll get back in the game this sunday morning at 6:30am at the Lakeshore Trail if anyone is interested.....

Finishing the last mile (I am second on the left), if i am smiling here, i was faking happy

Sporting some rad metals, and chowing down on peanut butter sandwiches and fig newtons after the race. By the way, if anyone has picked up the new B-metro magazine in Bham, my new running friend Mindy (tourquise jacket) is on the cover!

Freezing, about to head home

I finished 4th (out of 6th) in my age group and 77 out of 103 overall with a time of 2:16. Bring it on Red Nose Run.

Honest Scrap

*I still dont have the pictures from the Chief Ladiga Race yet, so hopefully those will get sent to me soon!

In the meantime, although i'm not one for chain mail thingys, I like this one, so I am going to take part. My most courageous friend Samantha sent me this, so thanks Sam, and hopefully I can make you laugh with this one too:

Rules for the award:
1. Must thank the person who gave you the award and list their blog and link it.
2. Share "10 Honest things" about yourself.
3. Present this award to 7 others whose blogs you find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged you.
4. Tell those 7 people they've been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving the award.

10 Honest Things:

1) With an endless metabolism I would eat pizza hut for breakfast, Nikki's for lunch and Rotel for dinner...every day.

2) I want a tattoo of a Gaelic phrase on my foot

3) I am currently obsessed with Lady Gaga, and I want to be one of her dancers- (if i could dance)

4) I dont understand the phenomenon of U2. I think their music is awful. Sorry Irish friends

5) If asked, I would pose for playboy (dont worry mom, hef  isnt calling)

6) I want to go to the University of Alabama and get my MBA. (once law school loans are paid back of course) I have a continuous desire to learn, and I would love to get some student tickets for a few semesters...

7) I sleep in sweatpants, socks, and at least two shirts year round. I always have, I think i have the  ectothermal circulatory system of a snake.

8) At my friend Emily's 6 year old birthday party, while all the girls were playing house, I filled their baby's bottles with water and squirted them all with it...My issues with traditional female stereotypes are not a recent development people....

9) I am a control freak, and although my friends prob dont often see that side of me, my coworkers and my husband do. Delagating is a word I am learning to embrace.

10) I am honestly in love with my new house. It is my pride and joy, i might have to have children to feel more of a sense of accomplishment.

Now, here are the seven people to whom I pass this lovely activity:

1) Kara- for when you get bored during your free period, and bc i need a fun loving post from you.
2) Jessica- Beacuse her "Honey why yu not have? " find is still what I tune to when i'm in dire need of a laugh. brilliant
3) Cristin- My oldest and most honest friend. I cant wait to hear more about your new journey.
4) Donora- I love your most recent list of things you want to accomplish, so I know you enjoy lists. Have fun!
5) Andrew- the world is dying to know more about the Irish guy in Dubai!
6) Jana- my fab cuz living it up in Hot-lanta
7) Lindsay W.- My new cousin, I dont know if you read this b/c you have been absent from the blogosphere for a while, but you know I love hearing your theories and ideas about everything, come back!

Bama Nation Rejoices

We won.

Florida lost.

And all is right again in the world.

No no, football isnt everything. But Alabama football means alot in this household, so it did make for one hell of a Saturday night. We also finally had friends over to the new house to watch The Game. It was a great time seeing so many good friends, and watch the Tide completely stomp the gators. Last year we had the great opportunity to attend this game, and the results weren't quite as fun. Looks like out attendance isnt the best of luck for our team.

I did also happen to run a little race that morning. I'm waiting on some cool pics from that event, so i'll post about the half later. Plus Jordan wants to watch the office on Hulu, so not much posting time for now. peace.

House Bunny

I know im a feminist and all, but this movie is kinda funny as shit. Please watch......after a few drinks, and if you're having a bad day, it helps.

Thanksgiving Holiday

It was a very eventful Thanksgiving that was both relaxing and exhausting all in a four day period. It started with our first house guests, the Reeds. Olivia, JD and baby David stayed with us on Thanksgiving eve, and it was so fun seeing friends that we just dont get to see often enough.

The Reeds

No ideas mom!

Then we headed over to each of our parent's house to each our weight in food. It was also my birthday, so we ate cake too!

Saturday and sunday were spent tackling our front yard. I think one of the reasons our house didnt sell earlier was that the previous owners realy let the yard get to a "jungle-like" state. So, we set out to make our house visable again from the road.

Before the hack-fest (while leaves were still on the trees)

(Jordan blowing the yard o' leaves)

After! Once it was all said and done, we had filled about 15 bags of leaves and branches, Dad bought a new chainsaw and cut down about 5 trees, and we hauled another driveway full of limbs to the woods behind the house. Can we say advil? It looks almost bare now, but come spring we should have some controlled blooming. Thanks to mom and dad for giving up their saturday and sunday morning to help us. Now onto the back....

I also have another transformation to post, and that is finished basement we have dubbed Jordan's "Man Cave". Let me tell you ladies, dont let the name fool you, these are just as beneficial of a room to you as it is the them. It is a place to him to go and play his games, watch his games, and really get out of my way.  I love it.

We didnt think that couch would make it in, but after some elbow grease and one messed up wall, it made it!

All in all, I think it was a very productive weekend. We even got the Christmas decorations up! I'll post those later, enough pictures for one day!

13.1 & 27

T-minus 12 days until the Chief Ladiga half marathon. The culmination of the past 6 months of getting back into shape. I went from barly being able to job 1 mile to now being on the verge of 13.1. You would think I would be super fit and slim by this point, but the horrid eating habits of football season havent helped. I have however shed the 2.5 lbs I initially gained when I picked up the miliage a few months ago. I'd like to lose 10 more to get back to wedding weight. Hopefully I can do that during the winter months, even though it requires much more treadmill time than I like. Running outside is way more interesting. So with my goal approaching, the next hurdle will be the Mercedes half in Feb. I have NO aspirations to go for a whole at this point. I do this because I enjoy running: however, I think the half will push my line of enjoyment enough, we dont need to add to it.

In other news, I turn 27 this week. On Thanksgiving. Im pretty thrilled that my b'day lands on thanksgiving this year. Its' tradition in my family that the birthday gal gets to choose the meal we eat on their special day. My fav meal is my grandmother's cooking, and since we get that on Thanksgiving anyways, I'm set. However, I am not enthused about turning 27. I know I'm weird, but I have a disdain for odd numbered years. 25 was alright because it's a milestone; a quarter of a century. My 23rd bday was just plain fun because I was in Dublin. So, the oddness of it got lost in pints of Guiness. 21-no need to expain why that one didnt bother me. Yet, 27 does. Maybe the fact that its divisable my 9 and 3.  Two odd numbers make it double odd. Or, the fact that when you add 2 + 7, you get 9, again odd. I dont know why this gets me bothered, but I do realize I am really the odd one here. So, i'm glad my bday is on Thanksiving, so I can eat myself into forgetting about this odd year that I will soon be entering into.

Ode to Feminism

Last saturday, Janury Jones (aka, Betty from the show Mad Men) hosted SNL. Overall the show wasnt that great, but this skit really stood out. It also validated why I would not have fit in anytime pre 1975.
But really, it just made me laugh. Enjoy now, clips dont stay on Hulu long.

How to host a dinner party

Dear Auburn:

Apparently the former owners of our house were Auburn alumns, because we received a letter in the mail asking for a donation. Below is the response Jordan's mailed back the Plains:

I'm not kidding.

The Kitchen!

After weeks of work, the kitchen is done!

Before.

Before.

Cleaning phase. Doors off and being cleaned twice, sanded then primed before their first paint job.

First coat of black and the additional of the stainless steel frig. Old microwave gone (thanks Carolyn). You can still see the layer of primer on the bottom left.

New microwave in (thanks Mazers, Jordan and Bob). Second coat on the cabinets and moving our stuff in. This whole time Kimberly was painstakinly painting two coats of black paint on the front and back, sanding in between each coat. And then before you know it....

It's done!

Also, the desk area

Honestly, this project was the most time and labor intensive thing I have ever done. Staining my bedroom furniture was nothing compared to this. BIG props to my sister Kimberly for her insistance that together we could get this done, and her hours of work. She was right, but it was a challenge. Also thanks to my mom for all of her help and painting tips, Taylor for your cabinet cleaning expertise, and Susie & Bob for their cleaning and microwave installation help. I am just glad to now be settled into my kitchen after nearly a month a owning the house! TOTALLY worth it.

As much as I would like to sit back and cook, we still have one more task. The kitchen must now we painted. Maybe next weekend...

The Progression

I have this new hobby. Its called running so far my joints and muscles hurt. Why I enjoy doing this? I'm starting to understand. What i do know is that in a span of less than a year ive gone from mixed martial arts to marathons. It all started beacuse I like to eat, and getting in shape was a must. However,  although the joy of punching people was bliss, getting punched back by grown men with increased amounts of adrenaline and testosterone in their system, not so much fun. So, changing directions, i went back to what always works, running. However, I was not in shape and getting in shape sucks. But, I put myself in the homewood metro fun run back in July and made it happen. Since, I have done two other 5ks and last weekend my first 10k (6.2 miles). The Vulcan run WAS NOT fun at all. I started out way too fast and had to walk some around highlands, but still managed to finish with a solid 1hr 27 seconds time. Averaging around 10 mins an mile. My business partners, David and Daniel are getting into the running scene too. I found them at the finish line.

Burns, Jones & LeCompte (from right to left)

Me and Erin (my friend/training buddy) we glad to be done at this point. Our smiles are deceiving here because we were exhausted.

So, all of this has been for me to just get back in shape, but it has slowly morphed into a bigger meaning. To have a goal and reach it. Simple enough. Now, my goal is the Chief Ladiga Half Marathon (13.1 miles) on Dec. 5th. In order to train for this, I had to go on my longest run ever this weekend. So, yesterday at 6:30am, I met John, Mindy and David (more people I have met during this journey) at Brownell travel on lakeshore and we spent the next 2.5 hrs running. Luckily, John is super prepared and had stations already set out every 4 miles with water, powerade and protein bars. (you have to take in calories every 40 minutes during a long run, who knew?) SO, yesterday I did my personal longest run at 10.6 miles. The rest of the group is in true marathon mode and continued on to run 20...i'm not there yet.

Suprisingly my body is reacting very well, but weird things happen when you push your body like this. My circulatory system is a bit shocked and keeps sending blood flow to my head, so i felt like i had a fever all day yesterday. I have these spurts of adrenalin everyonce in a while where I get tons of energy, and then crash soon after. Hopefully as my body adjusts to this madness, it will chill out. I have to watch how much advil i take as long distance runners are prone to kidney and liver issues from poppin the pain meds. I can see why, my knees and hips feel like a 70 year old man.

So, why am I doing this? Honestly, its a thrill to even try. Also, it is such a sense of commrodery. As we were running yesterday, EVERYONE who was running past us said, "goodmorning!" or made comments like "how far are yall in?" When we responded they would return with "keep it up!" So the Bham community (which is way more into running that I first realized) has turned an individual contest into a team sport. Very cool. If i were new to this city, and enjoyed running, this is certainly a great way to meet some really nice people. For me, its a way to keep pushing myself and continue to have a sense of personal achievement.

With that said, off for a jog!

(by the way, the kitchen will be done today! Expect posts very soon!)

Last night:: A Chronoligical Account

10:30pm: Both Jordan and I realize we are completely out of cat food.
10:32pm: We decide its too late and they will get fed in the morning when one of us will get to the store.
11:00pm: I go to bed
12:00pm: I wake to hungry Ellie trying to bother me and sleep on my stomach. She gets bored of that in 5 minutes. back to sleep...
12:15: Jordan comes to bed as Spencer cries because he is also hungry. Sleep.....

3:45pm: We awake to Spencer gagging, (light on)..... AND he's thrown up all over our comforter. GROSS. I yell, waking Jordan, and we pull the blanket to the guest bath and he stands at the door as I attempt to rinse off the grossness. Men are NO help in a crisis.

3:54: Comforter is as clean as it's gonna get. Back in bed, angry and cold from lack of blanket.
3:55: Jordan starts laughing.
3:55, 10 secs.: I aggravatingly ask what's so funny. Jordan responds that he might know what made this happen....And that he might have given the cats milk... around 11:30pm....
3:55, 45 secs: (Jeris) WHAT????? You gave domestic cats, who have never had milk before, ever...milk??? When did you realize this was the issue?
Jordan: When you were washing the throw-up off the comforter...
Jeris: ???? This is why we arn't getting a dog or having children anytime soon. Sorry mom.

From John, to Abigail

"May 12th, 1780", while in Paris on a diplomatic mission.

My dear Portia:

...I must study Politicks and War that my sons may have liberty to study Painting and Poetry Mathematicks and Philosophy. My sons ought to study Mathematicks and Philosophy, Geography, natural History, Naval Architecture, navigation, Commerce and Agriculture, in order to give their Children a right to study Painting, Poetry, Musick, Architecture, Statuary, Tapestry and Porcelaine.
Adieu.

Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness

Today I visited the Birmingham Museum of Art to view the Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness exhibit which is in Birmingham until January 10th on special leave from Yale University. There is a fantastic story of while it's able to leave Yale, but i'll let you visit the museum and hear a lecture from the curator to hear it. And I would suggest hearing a lecture before you view the exhibit if you decide to go. It makes the pieces much more interesting to someone who knows nothing about art history.

The museum is using this quote as the model by which they present the pieces in the exhibit. John Adam new that our country would slowly progress culturally, but that progress could happen with education and passion. The exhibit starts out artifacts depitcting war and cultural strife, continues with westward expansion and racial issues, and ends with progress in the arts of furniture, pottery and china. It made me again meditate on the fact that in today's world of instant communication, we no longer need to write hand writen leters to our loved ones, but instead send texts or emails. We, for the most part, arnt artisans learning crafts and trades, thus creative creations are done less with ours hands, but with computers. Sure, life is more convienant now, and we certainly have the opportunity to study music, poetry, porcelin, and statuary. Thanks John. But, i cant help but wish life were simplier, and Ive felt that way since returning to Ireland. Today also made me remember that part of me that is passionate about history. I sometimes wonder what would have gone a different route with my career and followed that passion instead of that of finance. I dont have regrets because I love what I do (on most days) but I do have ideas that someday I want to explore. So when, who knows....if only life were that simple.

Dining & Living Rooms

I never could find my computer cord, so I broke down and bought one today. So, now we have some before and after shots. Right now I only have before and after of the living room and dining room. Jordan is taking a nap down in the man cave, so once he wakes up I will take an after of that room. Then, once we get the house arranged and clean, i will provide furnished pictures of the rest, plus the grand revealing of the kitchen which is now 95% done. We have one more coat to go on the cabinet doors until we can reinstall. Those before and after pics are the most dramatic, so I cant wait to show those. Enjoy!

View of dining room from front hall, BEFORE

After painting

Furnished

View of right side of living room before. (notice the coors light making an appearance, much was consumed while painting, you can tell when you see the trim...)

Comparision shot during the painting. (more coors light buddies join us)

Furnished, but not quite set up all the way (coors have moved from cooler in this room to frig)

View from the front door looking onto the doors to the back porch. Current project: organizing the bookshelves

Another view from front door. Ellie & Spence make an appearance.

More to follow!