Tuesday, April 30, 2013

April 30th, 2013 - JJ

1. For Trader Joe's, which has way too many delicious things (especially chocolate!). I don't know why we don't shop there more often. 

2. For sunshine and warm weather. It's about time, Chicago!!

3. For Heather and Kathy, who we love so much! I'm so thankful that they live close enough for us to be able to see them once a month (give or take a few days/weeks here and there). 

4. That I've finally started the process of officially changing everything over to my married name. What a pain in the butt!!  My wallet is currently half Jablonski and half Hamilton. Hopefully this time next week everything will be changed over. :) 

5. For my new iPad case and keyboard. It's going to take me a while to get used to the keyboard (such tiny buttons for my fat fingers!), but I'm pretty excited to be able to get work done at other locations with it. 

6. For the dragons that Kathy crocheted into an emerald green wrap for me! Guys, it's SO cool!! I love it!

7. For handmade gifts, in general. Heather also made me a crocheted (knit?! i don't know my crafts very well...) bag that is amazing. I'm looking forward to packing it up and heading to the beach this summer!

8. For Anna and our long overdue lunch date yesterday. It had been waaaay too long!! Love you, lady!! :) 

9. For 3 ring binders and dividers. I wouldn't be half so organized without them!

10. For HBO Go which allows me to keep up with Game of Thrones, and for being able to chat with Amy about the series and the books while I watch, which is the next best thing since I can't watch with her.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

April 25th, 2013 - JJ

1. For french press coffee.  Yes, I'm back on coffee. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before I get the urge to kick it again. But for now, I'm very thankful for my french press, which makes just the right amount of delicious, caffeinated goodness!

2. For Mrs. Megan Kircher, who made my day infinitely better yesterday just by listening to me and making me laugh.  I <3 you!

3. For travel plans and hobbies to distract me from my baby fever. 

4. For Craigslist, which makes finding a new place to live easier.

5. That Ripley is learning to obey the command "goodbye" which is supposed to tell her to leave us alone and stop begging for attention. It's nice that she can entertain herself these days.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

April 23rd, 2013 - JJ

1. That I have a flexible job, which has made it not terribly difficult for Derick and I to manage our schedules with only one car this week. 

2. That Ripley is learning to come when she's called even when she's distracted by something she REALLY likes, like cat food, other dogs, Allagash, and her favorite toys.

3. For a clean, organized kitchen. 

4. My pasta roller/cutter attachment for the Kitchen-aid mixer.  Homemade pasta is the best and that attachment makes it so easy.  It's also less expensive than boxed pasta. Win-win!

5. For girls' night last week. Definitely needed it and can't wait until the next one!

Friday, April 19, 2013

April 19th, 2013 - JJ


1. That our ceiling has stopped leaking. Nice to have a dry floor at the foot of the bed instead of a puddle.

2. Girls' night tonight! Can't wait!!

3. Green smoothies. So many nutrients!

4. Lotion. My hands would be a mess without it!

5. Sticky notes in fun colors and shapes. 

April 18th, 2013 - JJ

1. That Derick loves theatre. We went to see The Book of Mormon last night, which was hilarious! I love that he gets so excited about seeing shows.

2. That Ripley has been mostly well behaved in the rain. She hasn't rolled in any puddles or mud (yet. knock on wood!). 

3. That my brother came to visit.  It was a really relaxed trip since he's already done all the touristy Chicago stuff. We spent most of our time just hanging out at home or going out to eat. 

4. Having our house back to ourselves. It was great to see Geoff, and we always love having visitors, but it's nice to get back to a regular routine. 

5. Mint.com. I've just recently discovered it and I think it's going to be a great budgeting tool for me. I'm pretty excited about it. :)

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

April 17th, 2013 - JJ

1. Nature's Miracle Urine Destroyer. I have too many pets and this stuff has been saving my life.

2. For the amazing veggie burgers and sweet potato fries Derick made for dinner last night. It's a definite repeat recipe! Very thankful for Pinterest, without which I wouldn't have found the recipe.  Here's the link to the recipe in case anyone else wants to try it: http://www.veganricha.com/2013/03/red-lentil-cauliflower-burger-with.html  We used mesquite seasoning instead of garam masala and for toppings only had sliced tomato, romaine lettuce, and an avocado spread that Derick came up with. YUM!

3. For Kathy Brown. Should've mentioned this yesterday on her actual birthday, but I am so thankful to have her in my life!! I don't think Derick and I would be happy living so far away from our families if it wasn't for Kathy (and Heather) living within a relatively short driving distance. I am so thankful to her for making her home our second home and providing us with a much needed escape from the city. She's a wonderful cook, a great jewelry shopping partner/mentor, and most importantly one of the best listeners/cheerleaders I know.  

4. That we got to spend some time with Casey Price and Katie on Sunday. It's always a good time when we are with those two! So many laughs!! :)  I'm very thankful that Noon met Justin who in turn introduced me to Casey when I moved to Chicago.  She's definitely a keeper! :)

5. Chocolate.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

April 16th, 2013 - JJ

1. That the girl I know who ran the Boston Marathon yesterday is safe and that all of her loved ones who were there running or supporting the runners are safe too. Also thankful for all the people who worked so hard to help strangers in the aftermath and that the media has been covering some of that. They are the light in the darkness. 

2. For the bar of chocolate from Trader Joe's that Elena gave me for my birthday. Dark Chocolate filled with Speculoos Cookie Spread. AMAZING, you guys. Go get one!

3. That Ripley is learning how to play catch and actually brings the ball back to me after she gets it now. So much better than having to chasing her around the yard to get it back!

4. That Derick drank the smoothie I made for us this morning even though it was kind of gross.  Turns out the juice of 5 celery stalks is seriously potent and nothing can hide that flavor.  5 stalks is too many! 

5. The Avgolemono soup that Derick made from scratch the other day, and thankful for Tammy who found the recipe and tried it out before sending it to us. Definitely delicious!!!

Thursday, April 4, 2013

April 4th, 2013 - JJ

1. Sunshine and "warm" weather. I'll take high 50's over high 30's any day.

2. All the staff I work with at the agency I'm at right now. They make me smile as soon as I walk in the door. So thankful that I get to work with people who are happy to see me and are interested in my input. 

3. That our taxes are done. Kind of. They're not filed and I still have to do the Illinois state return so that I don't have to pay TurboTax for it, but at least all the numbers are in and I know what we are looking at tax wise now that we're married. 

4. The (almost) vegan dinner Derick made for me last night: Mushroom tacos with jicama salsa and guacamole served with radishes two ways. Who knew radishes were delicious?! Surprise! The meal included so many nutritious plants it's crazy to think it was made by the same man who had a list of only 6 veggies he'd eat when we started dating. I'm so thankful he's branched out and is so willing to experiment with produce we've never had before. 

5. The way Ripley sleeps with her toys. She either uses the stuffed toys as pillows or falls asleep with them in her mouth while they're propped up on her two front legs which are crossed in front of her. Hard to explain so you get the picture, but so cute!!  I just love that puppy!

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

April 3rd, 2013 - JJ

1. Mornings where I feel like I'm super woman. Yesterday and today I got up early, made super healthy smoothies for breakfast for me and sent Derick off to work with one, took care of the dog, cleaned up the kitchen, emptied the dishwasher, and fed all the animals, all before 8am AND without the assistance of a caffeinated beverage. Doesn't seem like a lot, but it's nice to start the morning off feeling productive.

2. The chocolate torte I made for dessert on Easter. It's so good! Definitely a re-do recipe! I can't stop eating it.

3. That Ripley is back to being her normal bouncy, energetic self and that we've been able to go play with the neighborhood dogs again the last few days. I missed them as much as she did!

4. That Game of Thrones is on HBO again. I'd rather have the next book in my hands than watch the TV show, but since George R.R. Martin writes at a sloth's speed I guess I'll take what I can get!

5. That my review with my boss on Monday went really well. Also, that I had a review relatively soon after starting this job. It's nice to know that I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing and that my work and style are appreciated.