I'm getting an apartment Monday. Mind you, since I have NONE (coughhintcough) of my stuff, it's gonna be weird but well, I have stuff from the old apartment so it's okay. I got a bed free (queen size, almost brand new with a gorgeous bookcase headboard!) from a lady who was moving out of her apartment and Stef is getting a bed from the Goodwill shop for 45 bucks. I have a set of dishes from the old apartment and a dining set. I called today and set up phone and (praise the lord) DSL service (25 bucks a month, can't beat it). We also get to take Sparkles when we move so I'll get a dog since there is no weight limit at the apartment. James lives at the apartment place along w. a few other of Stef's friends so it's pretty decent. We went to the Goodwill shop today and I was walking past the frame department and I saw a picture that looked familiar. Lo and behold, it was the exact same picture that I have in a postcard from New Orleans - but much bigger and framed. How much, you ask? Three fucking fifty. It's a GORGEOUS picture and Stef also found a Monet replica for a buck that's in a pretty oak frame and I also found a map of the French Quarter(like a white one that I was looking at when I was there except this one is like grey and kinda made to look old fashioned) for 1.00 in a big, long silver frame. They also had a set of dishes from the 60's with big huge poppies on them that I want to get but I'll have to go back later. Even better, I got a second job. I'm back at the answering service and they tell me I can get as many hours as I'd like. Office *** can blow me. Plus our rent is eerily cheap for a Chicago two bedroom apartment and it's not even a bad apartment complex! It has a fitness center, security, two pools, a lake, five minutes from the mall and I-355 and 290. I swear I'm not quoting the brochure. It's just a decent place. Plus we got the fourth floor. That's gonna suck moving in but after that, very good cause it's safer. Anyway, a few other things are going well but that's the most of it. Ooh, a few of my friends really rock. Some people just really surprise me. (Banana Bread and Barenaked Ladies... long story but eh, if you two get the nicknames I've made up for ya, you both have been really great in making me look at stuff in a better light and generally making me feel a helluva lot better about myself). I just wish one didn't live so damn far cause I'd invite him to the super big dinner party that I'm having in December once I blow a paycheck @ Ikea (and Goodwill - blow me) and set the apartment all pretty-like. I'm just nice like that, eh? Yeah. Um. I have to go (I'm at Mom's house updating because I can't do ANYTHING at Stef's house without her parent's watching) up to work now (Office, not the answering) service and talk to Stef about bills and whatnot. I have work tomorrow at 8am... ugh. I have to look up the effect of too much coffee on a fetus later. Everyone probably thinks I'm kidding. I'm gonna need a few gallons to get through this next week. Ah well, such is life. I'm happy... Dear God, please don't let this just be a mood swing.

before & after