Our Little Visitor

A few weeks ago this sweet little bird started building a nest right over our mail box next to the front door. I was really surprised that it decided to set up shop in such a high traffic area.

I hadn't really thought too much about it. I've just been admiring the progress of the nest when I go out to check the mail. It has taken the bird several weeks to build the nest. There are all sorts of sticks and twigs even mud to glue the whole thing together.

A few days ago I went out to check the mail and I was ATTACKED! I'm not kidding. Two birds came flying at my head and I fell over backwards. It was kind of embarrassing, especially because we live on a busy road. I'm guessing the bird must have some eggs in there and now she and the daddy bird are extremely protective of the nest.

I forgot to tell Greg about the attack and today the birds attacked him too! I don't know what we are going to do! I am scared to check the mail. These birds are clearly not afraid of me. I will be glad when the eggs hatch and the birds can move on. Until then, I'm not sure what to do about my mail!

Props to Greg

Last weekend Greg ordered and installed fencing along our side yard to create a dog run. He did this completely on his own and I am VERY impressed! The fence looks like a professional came out and installed it for us. He even got the exact same fencing that is in our backyard so that it would all match perfectly! This was not a small project. Thanks Love for all your hard work! The picture above is the finished product complete with patio and pooches!

Now please enjoy some pictures of SPRING right in our own backyard!

The most beautiful weeds I have ever seen! Lovin the sun!

The paper that would never end

I'm not sure if you remember my posting several weeks ago entitled "Worst Day of My Life"??? Today I had to re-defend my master's report to the same committee of PhD nurses and I have never been so nervous.

Let me jump back 48 hours and tell you about an email that I received from the chair person of my committee. I submitted my paper for review 2 weeks ago. On Saturday night at 9pm (36 hours before my defense I received an email. I have to say it was the most horrifying email I have ever read. I am not going to quote the email because, honestly, it would be too painful to relive.

Basically, to summarize the disastrous email, I was informed that my paper did not meet the scholarly standard necessary for the graduation of a master's degree. Why don't you just rip out my heart and run it over with a truck? Needless to say I was furious.

I immediately called my chair person demanding to know SPECIFICALLY what was so terrible about my paper?!?!?! I came up with a list of revisions and spent the next 24 hours making changes to my paper and creating a new PowerPoint (#3) to present to my committee.

At 12pm this afternoon, I gave my presentation. I spoke for 45 minutes straight with a knot in my stomach, certain that I would vomit when this was all over. When I finished, they had a few questions that I answered to the best of my ability. My chair person informed me that she was going to hang up the phone and call me back in 5 minutes with their decision...pass....or fail.

I hang up the phone.....one minute...two minutes...three minutes...I force myself to stop watching the clock. After waiting for what seemed like an hour, my phone rang.

Chair Person: Amelia, we have decided to PASS you with MAJOR REVISIONS.

Okay...but what does that really mean??? Basically, the committee liked my PowerPoint. They thought it was better than my paper. I have been asked to update my paper so that it reflects everything in the PowerPoint.

Honestly, the PowerPoint and paper are pretty darn similar!!! For goodness sake, I created the PowerPoint based on my paper!!! I am convinced that my committee never fully read the revised version of my paper. During my presentation, they were forced to listen to my PowerPoint, and apparently it was good, good enough to pass! What ever the truth may be...I'm going to graduate...and I guess that's all that matters.

Please Click to Save Lives!

During the month of April The Breast Cancer Site is giving free mammograms if you follow the link below and click on the pink "Click here to give" icon. You can do this once everyday and potentially save a life. Please take 3 seconds to help a woman in need. Thanks :)

http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2

My "to do" list just keeps getting longer

Even as I cross off all the many tasks needed to prepare for the wedding and my graduation (just 4 short weeks away), I can't help but notice my "to do" list is still a mile long. I've decided this is a part of home ownership that is largely unavoidable. I'm pretty sure my weekends for the next 20 years (maybe a little exaggerated) will all involve some type of home improvement project.

I can't tell you how much Greg and I love the new house. It is so wonderful to be "home" that I really hate to leave for work, grocery shopping, or any reason at all! Our house is older, built in 1971, so there are a lot of small projects that we would like to do to update the house. In fact, there are so many projects that Greg has instructed me to create a list so we can prioritize what needs to be done first. Together, we have tackled a few minor jobs but it seems the list may never end. Did I mention we have no furniture? I completed my internship for school last week and my new job is to decorate and furnish our house. I can't wait!!!


Accomplished:

1. Dog run (essential for preserving our sanity)
   
2. Doggy doors (2)


3. New pavers for side door entrance


4. Installation of baby gates (no, we are not pregnant, these are for the dogs to protect our WHITE carpet)


5. Change hardware on kitchen cabinets (the brass handles had to go)


6. Couches for living room (pictures below)


7. Seed the grass (I did this yesterday, so hopefully our lawn will be nice and green!)
   

Still needs to be done:

1. Kitchen table (a must, we currently eat standing up at around the kitchen island or on our laps in the living room)


2. Guest Bed (for our many visitors that have already made reservations at casa de polheber)


3. Re tile fireplace (the psychedelic 70's tile is slowly blinding me)


4. New light fixtures for kitchen


5. New blinds for the kitchen windows (we have no privacy)


6. Refinish the deck


7. Re caulk tile in master bath


8. Reseal kitchen cabinets


9. Replace yellow bath tub (yes, we have a yellow bath tub)


10. New interior doors (all the 1970 style doors must go)


11. Tile the mud room (this is what the people in the Midwest call the laundry/utility room)


12. Kitchen counter tops (in time)


13. Update kitchen appliances (in time)


14. Someday...wood floors for the main level
15. There is a lot more furniture that we still need to purchase: coffee table, end tables, dining room table, formal living room furniture, a bedroom set...etc. But I'm assuming this will come with time.
    

Optional:

1. Paint (our walls are all a very neutral beige, painting them seems like too much effort right now...this can wait)

These are the new couches. The first pieces of furniture we own that do not fold, collapse, or easily disassemble. To me, these couches are a HUGE symbol. The represent the permanent status of our life here in Chicago. Finally, we are home and it is WONDERFUL!

Where am I???

Last weekend I woke up, looked out the window, and found this.....

What is going on???? I thought it was April! This can't be my backyard!

It's been a while

I know it's been a couple weeks since I've been on here, but let me explain. We've been a little busy...buying a house!

Here is a run down:

4 bedrooms
2.5 bathrooms
fenced yard with deck
2 car garage

1/2 mile to the River Walk in dowtown Naperville (my favorite feature!)

And just a few pictures!

We're just a little excited...COME VISIT!