The Nest

Let's revisit this nesting concept. I just finished hanging a series of wedding pictures along our amazingly long gallery wall. I'm particularly excited about this because it's such an unusual space (my cousin Katie who REALLY should be an interior designer told me she never hung anything on that wall when she lived in this building) and it's a series of 9 frames of various sizes. And I did it! And it looks beautiful. It just fits the wall perfectly and seriously I have never hung pictures so perfectly, all beautifully aligned with perfect spacing. It did take a fair amount of measuring and delicate placement, but I never had to redo a single one, it went that perfectly. I knew I learned something working at that stupid gallery on Oak Street (which will remain nameless, Russell mumble-mumble inspiration for Devil Wears Prada.)

So I was thinking yes, this need to hang photos, etc is probably nesting. But also as I hung these photos I realized that I never hung them up in our last apartment. Truthfully, I never hung anything up -- except a Cubs calendar that got posted up on a nail left by the previous owner. Maybe I'm so excited about hanging stuff up just because it's been so long since I have felt at home anyplace. Those wedding pictures bring me a lot closer I will tell you, because I just LOVE those photos. Best outcome of my wedding (oh, and my husband -- but let's face facts, he wasn't going anyplace.) Plus, I really have been frustrated by how slow the last few weeks have gone in terms of unpacking. Because I just can't do a lot of it. There have been too many boxes just kind of stowed places when I know where they should be or should be unpacked. I just can't lift them. But I can hang stuff up. I can't do any more today though because it's after 5 pm and I don't want my neighbors to hate me.

I will confess to this nesting though. I am not exactly what you would term a neat and clean person. I don't mind picking up -- in fact I generally like to do it. But I do let things accumulate and then enjoy sorting through, not picking things up right away after I use them. I do not clean well. In fact, I don't think I really KNOW how to clean. By this I mean, I see a few spots on the kitchen floor, I get out a swiffer and clean it -- and then I look at the floor and notice that it's still dirty. I think I'm cleaning well and then realize the object of my cleaning is just not clean. So it is rather surprising that I really have been looking at the floors in this apartment and thinking, "Oh, I'm going to sweep/mop/vacuum that." I just bought a new Swiffer yesterday, so let's see if I actually do it well. And this could just be the whole "I live in a new apartment and if I clean as I go it will always be fresh and clean and NEVER get dirty." If it is nesting, I would like to ask if anyone knows of a way to keep the nesting instinct. Anyone?

Mission(s) Accomplished

I accomplished so much today! For the past week, I've been pretty exhausted and just have given into the need to rest lots. BUt all of a sudden I started getting a little bit more energy today. In fact I pretty much got that energy last night at 4 am, when I suddenly really wanted to hang all my art and pictures up. I suppressed the urge, but this morning it did motivate me to do some cleaning. And I washed all the baby clothes, blankets, sheets and such. Plus I still have enough energy to do some grocery shopping tonight when Rob gets home. Though -- I have not actually hung any artwork on the walls because I need to buy nails. Still, I did stuff today! Hooray!

Mother Daughter Banquet

Today I went to the Mother-Daughter Banquet at my grandma's church. My grandmother has been part of the Rosary society for longer than I've been around and her church still functions like a church from the 1950's with lots of clubs and organizations that sponsor church events. When we were little, the Mother-Daughter banquet was a huge deal that used to be at a restaurant like the Apple Grove. I remember getting dressed up and wearing white patent leather shoes for some reason -- and I always loved going to the banquet. Over the years, the banquet was moved to the church basement and became the Mother-Daughter brunch. This year it was actually a lunch buffet and I guess they have now changed the name to the "Ladies Lunch." It's always cute because there is one man who works in the kitchen every year, and then the rest is catered.

I saw a few of my grandmother's friends who I haven't seen since the shower and their collective opinion is that I look like I'm getting close. And my aunt Luann is maintaining that I probably only have a couple of weeks left too. My new hope is that Madeleine is a gemini -- so if she can just make it until May 20th I will be happy. I am however debating packing my hospital bag -- is that just tempting fate? Overall, I'm feeling a little more calm, just because I'm within sight of being 37 weeks or full term, and because the crib is actually here, even if not built yet. Plus I'm extremely uncomfortable -- so pain really seems like a good out.

Are we there yet?

I have this odd feeling that this baby is going to be early.... She better be a Gemini that's all I gotta say. Ever since my niece was born early (tomorrow would have been her due date but instead today is her 1 month birthday!) I have just had in my mind that Maddie will be here before her time. I'm starting to feel a little more comfortable with the idea. I seem to be getting more stuff done that I wanted to finish, and I'll have a crib for her this week.

In other news, I found out I get to meet my new niece this month! She'll be taking her first road trip for Memorial day which as always is my favorite holiday season what with my mom's and my birthday in there someplace. Let's hope that Annie doesn't get to meet Maddie on THIS visit.