An evening with my clothes

Tonight I organized my husband's closet, put away our winter clothes, did a load of laundry, and ironed the night away (12 button-down shirts, 12 pairs of pants, 11 long-sleeved shirts, 1 vest, 1 dress, 2 t-shirts, 3 tank tops, and 3 pairs of shorts). I cannot put away clean laundry without making it wrinkle-free first. It's a time-consuming habit I inherited from my mother.
Four hours of my life spent on organizing and maintaining things we wear...

I think I might get mercury poisoning

I had fish for lunch and dinner yesterday...and today. Not entirely by choice.

You see, my best friend wanted us to meet for lunch at an Indian restaurant. Unfortunately, the road to the place was under construction, so I kept getting lost on the detour route. After finally getting to the place, I found S waiting in the parking lot for me. The restaurant was closed.

Since I had to get back to work, and the closest thing around was Burger King, that's where we went. I had a fish sandwich because that's the only thing I could get on the menu. There is S, feeling regretful about the meal. I swear, it had a billion calories. I am glad I worked out really hard beforehand.
While at work, I received a call from my doc about a 25 (OH) Vitamin D test they did on me. My levels are now optimal, 43 ng/mL, which is way up from the 20s range I had tested before. Yay!

After work, I met my husband and S to renew my cell phone contract and get a new phone. It's pretty nice - no extra frills or anything. I gave my old phone to S since hers broke.
After that, I met my friend BL at a local Japanese steak house for some sushi. (More fish... she picked the place, and I couldn't refuse since she was treating me to dinner). They had fish swimming around inside the restaurant. All that fish...
We ordered some good stuff. Miso soup and ginger salad were delicious. Sushi was great, except for this weird concoction. Don't remember what it was called, but it had the weirdest texture and the fishiest taste.
There is my friend BL. She got me a gift certificate to the East Village Spa. Awesome gift - can't wait to use it. I really do need a massage or a manicure or something. I look pretty rough. Nothing like my friend here, who is impeccably groomed.
We also had the most delicious cake at a nearby coffee shop. It was yummy. Mmm... I will have to go back for this. Some lady makes these at home and sells them through the coffee shop. I think I am going to find her and make her my personal cake chef. Yum!

What a busy weekend

Okay, so much happened since my last post, so I am going to be as concise as I can be.

Friday:
Took a day off to help parents with the garage sale. It was a gorgeous day and we made some money.
Afterwards, I felt inspired to organize and get rid of junk in our own home. Husband and I spent the evening organizing and cleaning out the storage in our basement. Most of the earned money went into buying plastic tubs.
Saturday:
Continued working at the garage sale. Here is a shot I made while driving to my parents house on Saturday morning. Pretty!In the evening, we went to visit our good friends A and G, and their baby B. They are expecting their second daughter in a couple of weeks. Baby B is so adorable!
Here is my husband holding her. It so suits him. :)
Here he is, grilling with G and Baby B.
Baby B is so independent, yet affectionate. She was a blast.
And here she is with her mommy. Baby #2 is on the way any day now.
Sunday:
My cousin and my sister came over. I made lunch. My cousin showed me photos of his latest international trip. I was jealous. We chilled out and watched the U.S. Open. It was a lazy Sunday afternoon. We were all pretty tired.
I also received a really cool bag and a sweet card from my cousins in Canada for my birthday.
In the late afternoon, we went to grandparents-in-law's house. We played with the nephew and the niece.
I also received some sweet gifts from hubby's grandparents, uncle, and sister.
A decorative jar from my sister-in-law, $40 and a card from grandparents, and a Handi-Vac set and the Monty Python's Flying Circus calendar from uncle P.
Neat stuff! That was totally nice and unexpected.

P.S. I also wanted to once again wish my dad the happiest Father's Day. You are the best!

More birthday shananigans

On Saturday night, I met up with some friends for dinner and drinks downtown.
Had dinner with S and Y at the Legends, where I also had a nice Mango Margo. S paid for the expensive dinner (thank you, S - you are crazy!), and Y got me a gift card to Godiva chocolate place. Yum. Above is a picture of me, glowing. Below is my bestie S.
N joined us later, and we went to Royal Mile. Here is a pic of N and Y.
And then we went to Sinners and Saints, followed by the Lift, where D and my hubby joined us for the night.
S, D, and N posing.
Thanks gals for celebrating with me! I had a blast.

It's my 26th birthday!

I turned 26! First thing this morning I had a health screening that revealed that I have a borderline high cholesterol. And this is despite me being vegetarian, exercising nearly every day, and taking fish oil supplements daily. Apparently, it's genetic.

But I wasn't bummed for long since I found a nice card from my coworkers, as well as a Starbucks gift card from M (thank you, M!), so B and I went and got us some yummy oatmeal and iced coffee for breakfast.

Then B treated me to lunch (thank you, B!). M drove us to a nearby restaurant and we had some delicious food. Here are my awesome coworkers and friends, M and B:
Thank you, girls! That was so sweet.

Like every year, my cool mother-in-law left a happy-birthday-singing voice mail and sent cookies which I shared with my coworkers.
And here is the funny card from my coworkers. Unfortunately, you can't read the funny part because of the glare, but it says: "Man, these people stink!" followed by "why dogs stick their heads out of the car." Cute! And I was always wondering.And then my mom got me pretty, pretty flowers. One year she also got me a plant that I still have in my cubicle. (thank you , mom!) After work, I got to spend some time with my goofy hubby. He insists on making faces.
And I got lots of love from my affectionate puppy. Normally, he is not allowed on the couch, but he was so excited to see me, he took the risk and jumped up to give me a sloppy kiss despite of what the consequences may be. Then he snuggled up to me (note his paw on the laptop). This was his way of wishing me a happy birthday, and it was so sweet. (And no, he didn't get punished for jumping on the furniture.)Then hubby and I went out to dinner with my sisters. We hit the mall beforehand. The restaurant was French and expensive, and it took forever to get our food. My husband covered the atrociously high bill. (thank you, babe!) I also got presents from my sweet sisters. They know me so well. I got a Sephora gift card which they presented me with when we were at the mall. I got myself my favorite Ojon hair product (I am hooked). Then they got me my favorite loose leaf tea from Teavana, Queen of Babylon. Yummy! And of course, Godiva chocolates. I frikkin love chocolate. The card had a banana on it, which is perfect since I am a big fan of bananas (they used to call me monkey). What a nice birthday! If only I wasn't getting older.

Walks and candy and crafts

My sisters came over and brought tons of yummy Bosnian candy that we grew up on. Since it was nice-ish outside, we decided to take a walk around the lake.
There they are, hovering in the air...
...in front of the "forest"...
And smelling pretty tree blossoms.We also laughed at the adolescent geese. They looked cute and awkward.

Then we walked back home and knitted while watching Scrubs. It was a very pleasant evening.

Meeting an author: David Ebershoff

I am the leader this month for one of my book clubs (I belong to several), so I chose for us to read "The 19th Wife" by David Ebershoff (a very smart and talented writer). It just so coincided that he was speaking at the Central library this week, so some of the girls and I decided to meet for dinner at Centro and then go see him speak.David was amazing! He talked about his book and was incredibly engaging. Afterwards, I decided I'd have him sign two of his books I own. Since I am horribly socially awkward, I was a bit afraid of going up to him. But he was so nice and gracious to everybody in the line, I courageously waited for my turn.
The first question he asked me is whether I was a writer (apparently, I look like one). I told him I wasn't. Then he commented on my name and asked where it was from. I told him it was Bosnian, so he recommended a couple of immigrant authors that I might enjoy. He also told me I should become a writer. (It's decided... I am dropping everything and becoming one).
We talked some more about stuff - he seriously spent 5-10 minutes with me. But I was so intimidated and star-struck, I really don't remember much of our exchange.
What really impressed me was not only his writing, but how frikkin nice this guy was. I've never met anyone who had me at "hello" like this. I would have bought poison from this guy. It really says much about genuine kindness.
D, who was taking pictures, told him that I choose his book for our book club, so he turns to me and thanks me in a way you'd think I saved his puppy from drowning.
He even posed with me for a photo. And I know I look TERRIBLE (the worst ever) in that picture, but I always look terrible so I don't care. I looked down but looked up quickly for a second when D made the shot. Hence I look like a disturbed, demented freak.
So yeah, I'd definitely recommend reading his book "The 19th Wife". It's just brilliant. I also can't wait to get started on "The Danish Girl". A movie based on that book is in production right now, featuring some major A-listers.
Here is what the books look like.
Here is one of his notes to me. I'll give you money if you can decipher that first part of his inscription. I believe it says "With tons of good wishes for your writing. One day I will read your name". I really don't know why he pegged me as a writer. I barely speak English.
And here is the second book's signing. "With many good wishes on a fine night in Des Moines". He even dated it.

Some girls go crazy for actors and musicians, I go nuts for historical fiction writers. :)