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A few things have changed since my last post.  Tony and I are back together.  For good.  Man, I feel great about it, but it seems like a really personal, silly thing to gush about here.  And we're buying a house on the West Side.  We close this week.  And move in the same day.

I really feel like this new beginning warrants a fresh place to document this part of my life, so I'm trying it out here:

http://neecholay.tumblr.com/

Check it out if you miss me.  I hope to post more regularly than I have been for a while.

I Hope You're Ready, Life!

'Cause we're about to start livin'!

Do-Over

If you find yourself in a place you never thought you'd be. A place you don't want to be. One you're not proud of...And if life is a series of choices that lead you to where you are. Then how far back would you need to go to get it right? Can you start over again so far back that maybe you craft yourself into an entirely different person? A better one?

Overheard At My Desk (re: Weekend Plans)

Meghs: I actually cried a little bit last night, I was so excited.

Vanessa: Yeah, she was a little drunk.

No Ikea

I didn't make it to Ikea as planned. Instead, I went on a mini shopping spree last weekend and had to content myself with my local Target. I bought a new down comforter (and managed to finally sew up the tear in my old one a day later, who knew my feather problem could have been solved so easily with 10 minutes of patience?). I love my new comforter though. I paid extra for the nicer one, and I don't regret it. It is warm, and it's still pristine. I've covered it with one of those micro-fiber throws that I had under my old comforter to keep my dog off of it.
I also got a really simple, inexpensive curtain set, which I put up myself. It's not fancy, but it's lightweight enough to let the natural light flow through (which is one of my favorite things about my apartment), but enough substance to shield my naked body from the view of my smoking neighbors.
I found a few cheap frames: two plastic in olive green and teal, two gold wood (but not aggressively gold), and one cream colored, thick wooden frame. I'm pretty satisfied in the variety I'm building. Right now, all of the photos are just lined up in their frames on the floor underneath my living room window, and I have to say, I almost kind of like them there.
My bff is bringing me a lamp from Ikea when she comes down, for a little lighting by my big, comfy chair. I still need to find a side table to put the lamp on though.
Other than that, I want a new rug for the entryway. The one I have now came with the place, and frankly it's dirty and grosses me out to think what unknown things have crossed it.
And a new duvet cover, but that's moved down the list for now.
I'll post some pictures once I figure out which angle to take them from.
This little shopping spree has not helped my debt management plan, but it has been fun. Especially the part where I bought drill bits for my power drill (thanks Grandma & Grandpa) and used them correctly! Yea!

Ikea

I'm going to Atlanta this weekend in order to do an Ikea shopping trip. I've decided it's time to get something up on my wood paneling, and there are some other things I've been wanting to put the finishing touches on my apartment. I have all of the major stuff now, so now it's just that little stuff that gives it character, which honestly, I've never been great at. But I visited my bff's new apartment when I went to Michigan last month, and all of her cute stuff came from Ikea, and it inspired me to make an effort with my place. So I decided to plan a trip to the closest Ikea. I have a list, but I'm sure I'll end up with lots more. I'm so excited about it that I've been having dreams about it! Here's what I'm looking for:

1. Down comforter

2. Duvet cover

3. Curtains (for the window by my bed)

4. Rug for entryway

5. End table(s) - 1 for living room at least

6. Bedside table(s) ?

7. Lamp - for living room

8. Frames (a lot, I plan on doing a wall collage)

9. Art (2 spaces to fill)

10. Mirror (for over the dresser)

11. Bonsai tree - I've decimated my plant population since moving in here, and I need to start replenishing it

12. Bookcase (small)

I've been looking at the website each night, so I have ideas of what I want and what to look for, but I don't have anything specific picked out.

I'll let you know what I end up with. If I'm feeling really adventurous, I'll take before and after pics and post them.

Stormy

Dang. I should have worn a sweater today. My thin cotton long-sleeve tee / scarf combo is not cutting it today. On the other hand, my nail polish looks great!