We Got An Offer!!!

YAY! As of yesterday, we have received and accepted an offer for someone to buy our house down on the south side. This is particularly exciting since we already agreed to purchase a house in Forest Park. We're moving on the middle of July. YAY!!!!!

More actual blogging later....

PS: Really, I'm serious, go see the movie called Once.. it is really good.. you'll like it, especially if you're into British singer/songwriter types. ;)

House Update and Dumpster Loot...

Well, our house buying endevour continues. We had our house inspection on Saturday. Things turned out pretty good. There were several items the inspector pointed out, but none of them are deal breakers. We're asking them to make a few repairs (locating and installing window screens in the windows that don't have screens already, triming the tree in the backyard that's leaning on the electric wire, and having an electrician look at a random non-grounded wire that's attached to the main circut breaker panel), so we'll see what their response is to that. We also got a quote for building a privacy fence in the backyard. We're waiting to get the actual numbers on that one. We're looking into using Trex, which is a lumber composite material made of wood shavings and recycled plastic bottles, but its expensive, so we'll see if we can afford it.

On another random note, thanks to the person who keeps throwing away perfectly good home furnishings in the dumpster at my building. So far, we've scored a really nice 3'x5' glass poster frame, two completely functional floor lamps, and as of yesterday, a slightly dehydrated and lonely looking palm tree house plant. If you're reading this blog, I'd like to request a sectonal sofa next. Just leave it in the alley at the regular time (Sunday afternoon) at the regular place. Thanks!

Go See This Movie

Cool Link

Subway Systems of the World at the Same Scale

London definitely kicks our (Chicago) ass...

Fun With Google Earth / New House Obsession

Sorry, but I am totally obsessed with the new house and am therefore compelled to share with you deatails which you probably don't care about. I'll get back to writing non-house related blogs shortly, I sware. LOL

First, a map showing where the new house and old house are in relationship to downtown (and each other).


Now, a close-up map of the neighborhood the new house is located in including some of the more important amenities.

House UPdate

As of 9:00PM tonight, we have officially entered into contract to buy that house we really like. SWEET!! Now, *all* we have to do is get through the inspection, lawyer, and financing successfully, and then the place is ours as of July 16. YAY. Just thought I'd let you know. :)

Loose Ends

Hey blog people. I just wanted to make a quick post to give you all an update on the ongoing things in my life. (wow, that sounds so self-centered. Doe!)

First of all, we made an offer on that house we REALLY liked in the (technically) burbs, but they turned us down. The offer that we made was contingent on selling our house first, and they said they couldn't accept any contingent offers. They don't have any other offers, and the place is still on the market. At this point, we're hoping that we'll get an offer on our place soon and that the other house will still be available at that point. But, who knows.

Oh yeah, and the vegan bakery turned me down, despite the heartfelt letter I sent them. Apparently, they're looking for someone with actual large scale food production experience, but they did tell me to "keep the faith."

As I mentioned in the house buying update above, we have not yet had an offer on our house. We've been on the market for 12 days now, which isn't a long time, especially now that things are moving so slowly in real estate. But, our realtor will be showing our house again this weekend to a new potential buyer, so maybe they will like it and put in an offer. We still have a leak in the roof. The roofer dude said he could get to us around July. ACK! We REALLY need to get it done before then. We're contemplating getting up there and doing it ourselves.

I guess that's it. Just wanted to give you an update.

;)

Thought Provoking

Check this video out. I keep trying to write something meaningful about it, but it keeps coming our wrong. So, just watch the video. :)

Products That Rock

Amy's Spinach and Reta Pockets Rock! I had these for a snack at work today. The only cooking tool I have here at the office is a microwave, so even though an oven would probably give a better result, I nuked mine. And I must say that it was remarkably yummy and not chewy or touch (as is much microwaved pastry products). They're like Hot Pockets, but better and better for you (and the planet yay).

End of unsolicited (and uncompensated) endorsement

Picture of the Day

Here's some cuteness for you. MoCat thinks he's a parrot, apparently.. (a parrot with white fur who finds it necessary to deposit said fur on black clothing)

If I Become a Suburb Person, Would You Still Love Me?

So, we looked at more houses yesterday. This time, we looked at stuff in the suburb of Forest Park. Its west of the city about ten miles. Ten miles doesn't seem like a lot after living 22 miles from the city down in the south house. We saw some nice houses, a couple wierd houses, and two completely hideous houses. Among the nicer ones. we found this one, which I am currently obsessed with. Its got a great kitchen and a great backyard and its within walking distance of a dog park and restaurants AND the blue line train. The only thing that's wrong with it is that its directly across the street from a Thorton's gas station. We're thinking of making an offer though. So, would you guys still love me if I moved out of the city in search of more space and became a suburb person?

Video of the Day

Holy crap. This stuff is CRAZY!!!!!!

Vegetarian For Social Justice Seeks Fullfilling Employment

My current dissatisfaction about my job caused me to write the following email in response to an ad for a baker position at an organic bakery in town. I feel kind of silly about it. I'd be surprised if they did anything other than laugh at me, but, in a way it felt good to hash up all my hippie activist tendencies.


"Hi there. I am writing in regards to the pastry cook position you posted on Craigslist. I have a couple of questions about the position that I was hoping you could answer: Is the position full time? What shifts / days are you needing to fill? How much formal baking experience are you looking for?

Let me tell you a bit about myself: I became interested in the social and environmental effects of our eating habits and food systems about six years ago when I was involved in environmental activism in college. I switched to a vegan lifestyle and began thinking deliberately about my food choices. There were not many vegan/vegetarian/organic products where I lived, so I was forced to quickly teach myself to cook almost everything I ate from scratch. A couple years ago, I decided to go from being vegan to vegetarian, but I still hold the same convictions: I believe that the current prevailing industrial food system in the country is unsustainable and environmentally and socially unjust; I believe that local and seasonal food is a large part of the solution; and I believe that the more businesses that commit to environmental and social justice by buying local ingredients and offering viable organic food options for consumers, the closer we come to changing the currently flawed food system.

I moved to Chicago three years ago to get my masters degree in Public Administration, which I completed last year. I've been working for a consulting firm that does research regarding public transit. I sit in an office at a computer all day and write reports and memos about transit. I wanted to get my masters degree and work in the public sector because I wanted to " make a difference." Unfortunately, I've been at my job for about ten months and its not giving me the kind of "I did my part to save the world today" fulfillment that I want. Also, I'm tired of sitting in front of a computer all day long and working in a vacuum. I'm looking for something where my work produces much more tangible results, something where I can interact with people and be part of a team, and something that makes me feel like I'm working to make the world a better, happier place.

I am somewhat familiar with The Bleeding Heart Bakery. I used two of your round cakes as my wedding cake last year. I found you guys after googleing for organic bakeries in Chicago. I wanted my cakes to reflect my and my husband's socially progressive tendencies. The cakes looked great and tasted great. The fact that we were able to feel good about how the cake was made and where it came from, really added something to the occasion.

I don't have any formal cooking or food service experience, but I do have a lot of experience cooking for myself, my friends , and family. I've made bagels, bread, cakes, cookies, pies, pizza dough, and biscuits from scratch in my home kitchen with good to excellent results. I am a quick learner, and I am definitely committed to the ideas of socially and environmentally responsible living. I want a job where the results of my labor are tangible and where I can feel like I'm making a difference and making people happy.

If you are still interviewing for the position and if you think I might be a good fit, I'd love to come in and talk to you in person.

I look forward to hearing from you. E-mail is probably the best way to reach me. Thanks so much!

(My Name)
Aspiring World Changer Through Food :) "

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Bono!

You're 47 today, which I think officially qualifies you as too old for me. That's okay, I still like you as a friend. :)

More House

Here's a picture of the exterior of the house we're selling. (as requested by some of you).



This picture was actually taken a couple of years ago, but other than some small changes to the landscaping in the front, its pretty much the same now. The house has been listed for four days now. No nibbles yet.

Nick and I found a house we like and could actually afford. Its a cool 1920's bungalow. Most of the "bones" of the house are good (new roof, new furnace, etc) but it will require some cosmetic updating. But, at this point it doesn't matter, because the seller accepted another offer yesterday (before we had time to submit our offer.) So, I'm hoping that deal will fall through. I guess we'll see how it goes.

House

Hi blog people. So, its official. Our house is listed ! Some of your have been asking me for pictures, so here are some pictures of the final product. Its not pimped out with high end appliances and finishes; its not going to be in any magazines soon, but it definitely looks a lot better than it did. My eyeball or brain or something was apparently crooked the day I took these pictures, that's why they're sort of at a slant. The house itself is level, I assure you! :)


First, here's a picture of the back patio


Here's a picture of the back yard. yay.


This is the ugly but functional basement half bath.



This is the basement. We used the sheets of fabric to create a division of space as well as a closet, since I kicked nick out of the (tiny) upstairs closet when we were actually living there.


The second bedroom (we have it set up as an office)



And "master" bedroom yay.


The bathroom, with the new vanity and new tile that we installed ourselves, largely successfully



The kitchen, we didn't do much other than paint in here...


The dining room. Ths is where it starts to get interesting cuz you can see our newly refinished hardwood floors.


And finally, the living room.. Yay hardwood floors!!




So there y'a go. I don't have a picture of the front exterior of the house. We didn't do anything out there other than plant flowers.

Now all we have to do is sit around and wait for someone to buy the damn thing.

:)

A Pretty Picture for a Happy Day

Ok. So I didn't take this picture. I stole it from the net. But, it does a good job of representing the beautiful tulips that have taken over the city. The city must plant tens of thousands of tulips all up and down the downtown street medians, sidewalks, and parks. Sure, the money would probably be better used in our public schools, but they sure are pretty aren't they? *touch of sarcasm*

And... why is today a happy day, you may ask? Well, I'm feel'n good because our house will FINALLY be on the market by this weekend and our first open house will take place on Sunday. We still havea lot of cleaning to do before then, but we'll get it done. Sweet!! Happy! YAY!