My Dream has COME TRUE!

I have always been a career motivated person.  Always.  The last job I loved waking up every morning to go to was The Real World Chicago which was back in 2004 I think.  That's a long, long time to wake up in the morning to something that isn't your passion or your dream.  I am grateful that I have had a job for 5 years, which started on the first day of Hurricane Katrina, and have had it until now.

I worked last semester in the Portfolio Center as an Industry Expert.  It was my calling.  From only 4 hours a month, I wanted to do it 8 hours a day.  A job was posted for the Creative Industry Liaison in the Portfolio Center, and I jumped on it.  I got the job.  Not just a job, but my DREAM JOB.  How many people get to say they have their dream job? It's all I have wanted in life, to be happy with my career, to make a difference, to love what I'm doing.  I am so, so, so  happy. I don't think I've been this happy since my wedding day.  It's that important to me.  I will be helping radio, journalism, arts & media management and interactive media students put together their portfolios for the outside world, booking and planning events, etc.  It's an awesome place to be and I can't wait to start.

I am grateful for my current job and boss, I was terrified to tell her, and of course I cried, too.  It's hard working with one person for so long, but I know she knows its best for me.

So ready world?  Phase 3 of my life officially begins!  I can't wait!!!

The Year of Big Decisions, Let's start with Dog #2.

When we adopted Lenny (fostered 6/7/10, adopted 6/22/10) they were hesitant to give him to us because they said he needed to be in a 2 dog environment.  His separation anxiety was too intense, and even training classes proved to be somewhat useless.  We used Chainsaw, the dog that used to live downstairs, on our side to show he wouldn't be alone.
Chainsaw + his folks (Jeremy + Shirley) moved out a couple months ago, and it has been tough on Lenny.
Bill and I decided to look at local shelters.
When I first saw Lenny's face, I feel in love with him, hard, and so did Bill.  He just looked like an Alevizos.  But I knew finding dog #2 would prove to be way more difficult.  We went back to CCR to see which dogs were available that we liked online, and we saw Olive.  Now, I really wanted a SMART dog, like a collie or something, because Lenny doesn't really know how to listen and could use improvements in various areas.  But there was Olive.  Terrier/Corgi/god knows what weirdly cute female dog with a Fu Manchu.

So here we go.  Yesterday was Day #1, and I'm not going to lie, I was pretty much emotionally unstable all day. Let's start with the fact she is IN LOVE with Lenny. I have never seen a female dog attempt to hump so much.  Really.  And she wouldn't just chill and leave him alone.

I cried on and off all day.  Bill was at work, so my apologizes to the following people for freaking out and losing my mind that had to listen to me sob on the phone: Mom, Mackie, Rachel, Mary-Frances, Kristin, Lex + of course Bill.  I started to doubt, do we want a second dog?  Are we getting a dog for Lenny and not for us (which is partially  true.  If Lenny was fine when we left the house I'm sure we would have held off until we bought a place for dog 2, but Bill has always wanted dog 2 so you never know).  
Is Lenny happy?  Is she happy?  Is she the right dog? Did we make the right decision?  Did we rush into this?  Is she going to be chill and get along with all dogs as Lenny does?  Is she going to bark at night?  Is she going to bark when we leave?  Is Lenny annoyed?  Will she pee in the house?  Will she calm him down when we leave?  Will she like all people?  And so on.  This is literally how I spent Sunday, January 9th, while Olive was in our home a brief 5 hours total, and I lost my mind.

I felt so much better when Bill got home from work (alone time with the dogs, 7 hrs) and Lenny was happy that Bill was there.  And the dogs played and played.

We gave Olive a bath, and she was happier, and hey, I was happier, and I think she is adjusting very well.  Now, this is a foster, so if in two weeks we feel this isn't working out, then she will go back to the shelter, but honestly so far so good......stay posted.

Chloe "Toast"

So I was interviewed on a Podcast last night called Cinema Jaw.  It should air next week sometime.

I was pretty nervous, but Matt K. is an old film buddy of mine, and his podcast really is great. I talked about Women In Film (although not as much as I wanted to), discussed new films, DVD releases and out top 5 favorite living actresses. I had to put Chloe Sevigny in my list. I have always loved her edginess, coolness, and of course I love her as Nicolette Grant on Big Love. But what I also love is this parody of her by Drew Droege. He is hilarious as Chloe, and I can't get enough.
FYI - my actresses in order were:
5. Michelle Williams
4. Zooey Deschanel
3. Chloe Sevigny
2. Tina Fey
1. Kathleen Turner
Now though, I would change that I'm sure.

2011 MASTER LIST

Ok, per a heavy duty FB conversation today, here is the beginnings to my 2011 accomplishment list. Items left over from 2010 will be marked with a *.
1. Hot Dougs - 3324 N. California*
2. Modern Wing @ the Art Institute*
3. Pho Pho Pho*
4. A bike ride*
5. The Green Market*
6. Use my Chicago Public Radio Membership card for restaurant discounts*
7. Ramen Ramen Ramen  **WENT TO ARAMI 2/18/11.  THE ARAMI RAMEN WAS AMAZING!!!**
8. Korean BBQ (I'm on an Asian Food Kick)
9. Visit Rachel and James  **TRIP IS BOOKED FOR SPRING BREAK, MARCH 2011******
10. Visit the Pacific Northwest
11. Have a romantic weekend with Bill
12. Avoid the same old 2010 haunts (Oak Oak Tap, Clutch, Cleos, all those same old places)
13. Master brand new Soups
14. Make a recipe out of EVERYTHING in my CSA, not just the stuff I'm familiar with
15. New gig, please **I START 2/28/11 - DREAM JOB!!!****** FYI - amazing. Awesome. So great.
16. Get Bill to actually donate some articles of clothing, shoes, etc.   He Donated TWO shirts. Its a step.
17. Margie's Candies
18. Girl and the Goat ***reservations 5/14!***
19. Start a business plan for a doggie daycare "Victors Garden"
20. Get a piano
21. MOST IMPORTANT!  A DINING ROOM TABLE!  I'm hosting Thanksgiving this year, and at this rate we will be eating on the floor!

Things to accomplish in 2011, lets see how 2010 worked out.

Things to accomplish in 2010

My repost of my January 2010 of things I wanted to accomplish....here's what I did.

Three of the things are crossed off my list.  Really?  I did 4 of the 12 things I wanted to do?  That is just pathetic.  Really?  I mean, really Julie?  Really????

You know how it will be nearing the end of the year, and there are tons of things you wanted to do that you never did?
Just so I can remember everything I want to do, I'm starting a list now.  This will be updated as I accomplish things and remember more things I want to do in 2010.   Places and things I want to go to, try, check out, do, etc.  All that good stuff.
1. Richwell Market - 1835 S. Canal Street
2. Hot Dougs - 3324 N. California
3. Modern Wing @ the Art Institute
4. The BEACH.  Haven't been in at least 3 years.
5. Pho Pho Pho
6. A bike ride
7. The Green Market
8. Use my Chicago Public Radio Membership card for restaurant discounts.
9. Go to the Steppenwolf Theater
10. Get my money's work from my A.I. membership. EXPIRED. WENT TWICE.
11. Visit the Mighty Carmona Family!
12. MAXWELL STREET MARKET!!!!

Attempts at a Family Xmas Card Photo

Christmastime and Crafting!

Ah, I am a Christmas fan. It's my favorite holiday.  I love Christmas, the ability to decorate your house totally differently for a month and to have it smell like fresh greens.  I love sending cards, reaching out to people and being excited for my own mailbox to see the cards that will come.  I love crafting, making dog cookies as gifts and shopping, shopping, shopping.  I love Christmas! It means being grateful for who you are and who you have in life,  celebrating life and love, and everything that makes us friends and family.  Parties are fun, too!

Attempt #2 at a family photo, this time with Christmas sweaters.

Lenny's first snow - he loves it!

Crafting at Erica's, we made wrapping paper with potato stamps!

Erica being crafty making a cute magnet.

Christine felting wool!

Kristin about to paint her stamps!

Lenny and Bill, not helping me with the Christmas lights!

And tree!  Finished to its glory!