Originally submitted at REI

The Merrell Tetra Strap waterproof boots offer a sleek, tall leather design that boasts great looks and a supportive, comfortable fit for everyday wear. Tall, full-grain waterproof leather uppers feature medial zippers and lateral gores for easy entry and a snug fit; winding strap adds high style. …

Merrell Tetra Strap Waterproof Boots – Women’s

Just what I was looking for!

Sizing: Feels true to size

Pros: Stylish, Great Color, Durable, Comfortable, Cushions Impact, Great traction, Versatile, Good Arch Support

Best Uses: School, Wet Weather, Going Out, Wear them anywhere, Travel, Casual Wear, Work

Describe Yourself: Stylish

I have been on the lookout for tall black riding boots for a few years now, and never wanted to plunk down the cash for a good pair. After Christmas though, I found these babies in an REI while on vacation in Colorado and fell in love. They’re super-comfy and wearable with just about anything– I got the black pair and think I may just replace my other tall brown boots with another pair! I have relatively slim calves and swim in other styles, but these are nice and snug while also leaving just enough room to tuck my jeans in. I’m wearing them right now at work with a sweaterdress and fun tights– these boots are so versatile. The best part is that they don’t slouch in the ankle like a lot of boots do. There’s plenty of structure while still being REALLY comfy right out of the box.

(legalese)

Any my music today reflects that. I’ve gotten a little into Spotify, a music site that allows you to build your own playlists with a HUGE library, almost like you have every song ever released in your own iTunes. There are a lot of ads, which drive me pretty mental, but I’ll take them, since it’s free. I’ve created a playlist you can listen to over there… it’s called Happy Heart, like this post, and it’s all songs that make me smile and think of Dan. Especially good for days when he’s on at the station and I won’t get to see him. Have a listen!

One of the songs is Ray LaMontagne’s “You Are The Best Thing,” which our friends played to open their dance floor this weekend.

Baby, it’s been a long day, baby
Things ain’t going my way
You know I need you here
Here by my side
All of the time

And baby, the way you move me it’s crazy
It’s like you see right through me
And you make it easier
You please me and you don’t even have to try

Oh because, you are the best thing
You are the best thing
You are the best thing
Ever happened to me

Baby, we’ve come a long way, baby
You know, I hope and I pray that you believe me
When I say this love will never fade away

Oh because, you are the best thing
You are the best thing
You are the best thing
Ever happened to me

Now both of us have known love before
To come on up promising, like the spring, just walk on out the door
Our hearts are strong and are hearts are kind
Well, let me tell you what exactly is on my mind

You are the best thing
You are the best thing
You are the best thing
Ever happened to me

You are the best thing
You are the best thing
You are the best thing
Ever happened to me

If it doesn’t put a smile on your face, there may be something wrong. What’s your Happy Heart song(s)?

We’re still living at the House  (yes, it deserves capitalization because it’s named and is on the National Register of Historic Places) and it’s still a lot of fun and I still haven’t posted pictures for you, but I promisepromisepromise I’ll do it soon. I put a lamp on the corner of my desk in the office so it’s not so dark in there. So I’ll show you soon, but that’s not why I’m here today.

I think I’m a runner. For you, that might not be major news, but it totally is for me. I’d always prided myself on my stance of “I only run if someone’s chasing me,” but that’s changed in a major way. Now that we live right on a perfect 5k loop of a lake– literally, the sidewalk is pretty much a parade of runners and walkers and otherwise every single day– I’d officially run out of excuses to not run. Combined with the fact that for years I’d always said “this summer, I’m going to run the Lake,” it was time to make good on a goal.

So I started small. Couch to 5k (look for the Robert Ullrey podcasts in iTunes… they’re free and really great). Using the MapMyRun app on my iPhone and checking in on the computer to track my progress. I ran with friends for a change– Dan mostly, but also a friend from high school who’s recently become addicted to running. They’ve both done marathons and could probably have run circles around me, but they stuck with me and chatted so I could take my mind off the effort I was expending.

A few weeks ago, I did it! I ran the whole thing! And I didn’t feel like dying afterwards! Once I hit that goal, I felt fantastic. I’ve never been much of an athlete and dreaded the Mile Run in middle school, so for me to complete 3.1 miles in one go was a huge feat.

Now I’m signed up for a 5k with Dan on 9/11 (he’s running in his bunker pants and full air tank setup, whereas I’ll don my standard shorts and t-shirt) and I just signed up for a 10k on 10/16, which Kristin’s running with me. Add to that the fact that I got Dan (and me) the Insanity workout series for his birthday on Monday, and I might actually be on track to become physically fit. Like I said, who am I and what have I done with me?

My motivation for doing all this isn’t 100% clear, even to me. I guess the biggest part is that I’ve heard that the better shape you’re in when you’re pregnant and just before, the easier labor can be and the faster you can bounce back. This is obviously a few years off for us, but still a consideration. We want our family to be active and outdoorsy, and the more we work that into our daily lives, the better. I also feel that running (and hiking, but I’m still working on that) is something Dan loves to do, and I’d like to share that with him. Plus, I feel better about myself, think I look better, and think my overall health is improving as a direct result.

Have you taken a fitness 180*? Have you done something you never imagined you’d do? I’d love to know!

This is my desk in our office. What you can’t see is that there is currently a single bulb illuminating the entire room, which is woefully inadequate (love that phrase). You might also notice that the top of my desk has become a repository of things we haven’t hung yet. I also have no bleeding idea where the wire is for my camera because the box is buried somewhere.

Since the photos for the befores are on said camera, I can’t post them until I find the wire. I’d like to find it this weekend, but you know how I am with empty promises.

Let that image sink in for a sec… there.

We have an AC unit in our bedroom window, which makes sleeping all fine and dandy, but I just hate the thought of unnecessarily cooling most of the house if we put one in the living room. Mum suggested thermal curtains in the doorways that don’t have doors, but we just haven’t gotten around to it, what with eleventy-million other things to do. Used it again.

Dan (I give up, I’m using first names now. He’s the hubby, by the way) made up a song that at least makes the situation a little funnier. The lyrics are simple for the chorus: We all live in a house with no AC, a house with no AC, a house with no AC. To the tune of “Yellow Submarine.”

Let that get all stuck in your head… there.

Boy, I’m mean in this heat.

Anywho, the way the house is set up means I am presently sitting at my computer (dang, no laptop) in the office, which is as far away from the AC as I can get while staying on this floor. There is only one bare bulb for lighting in here (not quite done moving in and locating outlets), and it’s hot as a number of unsavory metaphors. You know ‘em all.

Yep, that’s a good one.

Which means I’m not posting the “before” pictures of the transformation of the house, because it’s too damn hot and I need to shower and put myself to bed. In the AC. But when it’s not as hot as your gross metaphor, I promise I’ll share. ‘Cause I also have Early-During and Late-During photos. Oh, honey… we are nowhere near After photos yet. There’s still crap to move! Crap means it will all likely end up in the yard sale pile. Then you will get your Afters.

I promise!

Thanks go to this post from re-nest, a new blog addiction. From that list of modern homesteading books, I’m thinking of buying The Homesteading Handbook: A Back to Basics Guide to Growing Your Own Food, Canning, Keeping Chickens, Generating Your Own Energy, Crafting, Herbal Medicine, and More for my nook.

Considering the lovely people who built my new-old house back in 1681 were homesteaders (though I generally associate the word with Westward Expansion in the 1800s), it only seems appropriate we channel their industrious spirits.

Or I’m completely bonkers and have no idea what I’m getting myself into. Likely the second.

Moving on.

Can I have a drum roll, please? Thank you. I have a big announcement to make in the personal finance arena:

As of July 15, one of my credit cards is fully paid off!

It’s been a long road involving two separate trips to Colorado and an unemployment, but I am very, very glad to be at this point.

I’ve been Internet-window-shopping for a new laptop for a month or so, and checked my savings account last week to see what I had for wiggle room. You see, I have $150 from each paycheck taken right out and plunked in an ING account (let me know if you want a code!) so I don’t even miss it. When I realized I had $700 in there, I was pretty psyched. When I realized I had $767 left on that particular card, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. The laptop will have to wait a little while, but knowing I’m on the road to being credit-debt-free is totally worth it.

If you haven’t read any personal finance blogs, especially The Simple Dollar, you owe it to yourself to check it out. I’ve read a whole ton, and they all have great advice, including the “invisible saving” trick.

That is my living room. That wonderful door you see is my closet. With my work clothes and shoes. It’s tricky to see, but the boxes allow juuuuuust enough room for the door to open after I’ve climbed Box Everest to get there.

Probably should have come up with another strategy for that, eh? Whoops. Nothing like a little walking up a mountain before work.

And we’ve been anxiously awaiting the day when we finally got to be featured on their blog. TODAY’S THE DAY!!

Here’s the link. Feel free to cry a little… I did. I am so in love with these pictures.

See if you can figure out which one was “That’s What She Said.”

We’re signing the 3-year lease and getting our keys on Tuesday. Our official “move-in” date is July 1. BM E (you remember her, right?) is getting married next weekend (OMG YAY!), which means we’ll be doing all our moving after we get out of work Wednesday, Thursday, and Monday-Friday. I have a feeling we’ll be moving last-minute stuff after the official date, which won’t be a problem, just kind of annoying.

The moving itself shouldn’t be the hard part, knock on wood. The fun/challenging part is that we’re allowed to paint. And the wallpaper in the kitchen has *got* to go. So it will, and the cabinets, walls, living room, and bedroom will all be painted lovely shades of whatever we want. Actually, I think we’re going paint picking tonight– is it weird how excited I am for this?

Because the house was built in 1681, it’s fair to say it’s old. And it has a lot of “charm,” like uneven floors with gaps between the planks. But I love it, and find myself becoming craftily inspired by it. Remember how I’m crafty? Not. I crocheted scarves for people a couple of Christmases ago, but ran out of yarn for the hubby’s and thus *still* haven’t finished it. Whoops. I considered doing my own floral arranging for the wedding. Then paid Whole Foods to do it. I learned that I will never ever trust my printer again, nor will I attempt printing invitations or menus or table numbers of any kind ever again.

But because this house is speaking to me of the ways of old and good old New England Puritan work ethic and resourcefulness, I’m coming up with lots of crafty, old-timey hobbies to pick up:

• Brewing beer/cider (still… I already do this and love it!)
• Making a braided rag rug (area rugs are EXPENSIVE!)
• Canning and jam-making (there’s a farmers’ market right around the corner ever Saturday morning… beyond excited)
• Soap (well… why not?)

Have you indulged in any of these? How did they turn out? Am I asking for trouble? Probably