LIFE

I took this from my niece Maggie's blog because I love it so much. Holstee Manifesto. I am now going to work on my own manifesto.

Organize Project

I could not remember how long I have lived at my current home but I think its 7 or 8 years.  All I know is that lately I have been needing to make changes.  I think when you get used to a place or a routine its a good to do something to break out of that.  So I took on reorganizing my storage space, bedroom closet, hall closet and kitchen cabinet/drawers.  First I went out and bought some supplies. I organize people for a living so I knew a few things would help transform my spaces.  As a result I have a great new closet, tossed out a lot, donated some and found some old photos from the past.

Before

 After

Some of the best places to get organizing supplies are Target and The Container Store.

One of my photo discoveries from a trip to visit my sister Lori.  We climbed the Sydney Harbor Bridge. I think this was the mid 90's looking at my hair style. Some of the other photos my hair from the 80's was just too scary to post!

Blizzardalooza 2011

As most of you know Chicago had a Blizzard this past week.  I think the total was 22 inches.   There was 60 mile an hour wind gusts and thundersnow and lighting.  It was pretty cool and scary at the same time.  Got a great workout helping my neighbors shovel out the alley so our cars can get out.  Now I am wondering how long it will take to melt, and how do I ship some off to my family in Australia and when is spring going to get here.

Australia Vacation 2011

Every year I make the long journey for my vacation to visit my sister Lori and her family in Australia.  Its summer there which is the perfect time to go and escape the winters here in Chicago.

I love going there because there is so much to do and see beside getting to spend so much time with the family.  As I recover from jet leg and being back in the cold frigid winter I look back on what I did while I was there. Unfortunately I got sick right before I left Chicago.  My sister took me straight to the clinic not far from their house.  I paid a reasonable amount for the doctor to conclude I had an infection.  I was given a prescription and sent on my way.  I was pretty impressed with the health care system there.

1. Saw really cool show at the world famous Sydney Opera House called Soap.   Was amazing show and my first at the Opera House.

2. Went to see an exhibit by Annie Leibovitz at the MCA.  
3.  Watched movie from New Zealand called Boy outside at the Olympic Park.  Was a very sweet film and I miss seeing movies outside.
4. Trip to the Snowy Mountains.  Hiked up Mount Kosciusko which is the highest peak in Australia, explored Yarrangobilly caves and took a dip in a natural spring pool.What a beautiful area of Australia!

5. On the way back from the Snowy Mountains we stopped in the capital of Australia which is Canberra.  We went to the National Gallery and saw exhibit called Ballet Russes.
6. We then went up to the Central coast and enjoyed a few days at the beach! Can't get enough of the beach and we even saw a school of dolphins.

7.  On the way home we stopped at one of Sydney's famous pastery chefs Adriano Zumbo's cafe.  Wow! Famous for his macaroons.
Also made a stop at the chocolate place called Belle Fleur.  My sweet tooth is satisfied!

I am so grateful to my sister Lori and Russell, Emma, Grace, Kate (extra thanks for letting me sleep in her room), and Adam for letting me stay with them and taking me to see and experience so many fun and exciting things and just being able to relax. I miss them already!!

And I have adopted Lori's annual pick a work for the year and mine is LOVE. Love you guys!

Happy New Year! 2011 Here I Come!

                                                                  
I don't really make resolutions but I do like to like to think about the year ahead and what I want to accomplish.

1.  Smile more.
2.  Have a budget and stick to it.
3.  Have more adventures.
4.  Have more peace.
5.  Paint my bedroom a different color and reinvent my living space.
6.  Go on a long car trip somewhere I've always wanted to go.
7.  Take some martial arts classes.
8.  Take some long walks.
9.  Eat slower.
10. Live in the moment more.

Hope everyone has a healthy and happy new year.

Top 10 Music Releases 2010.

This year was a great year for music.  So much great new music came out.  I got to see a lot of bands in concert and have some great memories.

1. Innerspeaker by Tame Impala
2. Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter
3. This is Happening by LCD Soundsystem
4. Teen Dream by Beach House
5. Total Life Forever by Foals
6. The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
7. Beast Rest Forth Mouth by Bear in Heaven
8. Fields by Junip
9  Broken Bells by Broken Bells 
10. High Violet by The National

First Snowfall.

I love the first snowfall.  And this year is the first year I have been trying to run outside all year long.  So far has been really great going down to the lake front for my twice a week if I can runs.  The area I run has some of the best views of the city and being close to nature and no traffic really keeps me motivated.  So the day after it snowed I went out not knowing what to expect.  It was about 28 degrees outside the coldest out so far too.  I was amazed at how truly beautiful it was. The sky was cloudy with the sun peaking through and the few runners I did see all seemed to be enjoying it.  I warmed up about 5 minutes into the run.  My fingers were pretty cold though but at the end of the run I was feeling good.

I normally run up this hill at the end of my run but today all the kids were sledding down it so I watched wishing I had a sled! Looks like I may need to invest in one because it looks like so much fun.