Requesting Assistance

Is it only Wednesday? I woke up this morning—in the dark, mind you—and wanted to bitch-slap my alarm clock because surely it got it all wrong, going off on a Saturday morning (barely morning! still dark!) but, no, it's Wednesday and how that's possible I'm still not entirely sure. I think my confusion has something to do with a combination of daylight savings, nights filled with unpacking, commuting, moving Mike's heavy fish tank from old house to new house on Sunday night and cramming in as many Law & Order: SVU episodes as our DVR can hold. This week has been heavy on the activities and lite on the cabana boys fanning me and feeding me grapes.

(Also, if we're being honest, One Tree Hill was just plain exhausting last night. I needed to lie down immediately after Haley called up Lucas to tell him not to marry Lindsay. Haley, I'm a big fan, I have been since the beginning—even with that unfortunate shawl you'd always sport in season one—but if you single-handedly send Lucas back into Peyton's arms, I'm going to bitch-slap you too. BROOKE WAS YOUR MAID-OF-HONOR and she let the entire school think she was pregnant because you weren't ready to tell your own husband you were the knocked-up one. And, really, that's quite the friend. Although, I must say, much-improved clothes this season; I loved that mustard cardigan you had on last night.)

So, Mike is going to be out of town this weekend. He takes off on Friday, riding his motorcycle to Big Bend and back. When he first told me about this trip, I may have gotten slightly mopey and not because I don't think Mike deserves a little time away from his ridiculously irritating wife but because Mike and I have a tradition—Saturday morning breakfasts—and they're easily my favorite part of the week. We get up, take quick showers and Google breakfast joints in our area, and then we pick one we haven't been to and one that also sounds delightful. (My favorite so far: The Snooty Pig.) I look forward to our Saturday breakfasts all week, and when we have out-of-town plans or when one of us has something going on, I mope my way through that Saturday morning because it's just not the same; it's just not what I want to be doing the most. But after I moped I thought of the free reign I'd have over the TV AND the computer and I may have offered to help Mike pack. This may sound terribly unromantic and you may whole-heartedly disagree, but I think even the strongest relationships need breaks. I think partners need their alone time, and I'm actually excited for a weekend to myself—unpacking, possibly a manicure, maybe even a massage, definitely some prosecco and cupcakes—and Molly really does step up her Mama-adoring when Mike is out of the picture.

Something else I've worked onto the agenda for this weekend is to pick up a few things for the house, and I'd really love your help with this. Would you mind? Are you terribly busy this Wednesday (gosh, is it still Wednesday)? Maybe you'll have some time to kill before American Idol tonight? Or! I've got it! You could record the show and help me while TiVo is working its magic and then come back to fast-forward to the last two minutes because, really, the elimination shows are the biggest waste of those first 28 minutes, aren't they? (Although I hear Katherine McPhee is going to be on tonight and, yes, she kind of ooges me out with her middle-aged husband, but I still get goosebumps when I think of her barefooted "Over the Rainbow" performance.) Now I'll get to the favor: I need a few household items and I'm having a heck of a time finding what I want. So, break our your Google skillz, you'll need them for this.

First, I'd like two laundry baskets for our laundry room—both with embroidery but one that says "Lights" and one that says "Colors." And—not that I have a problem with this style, of course—I'd sort of prefer nothing with the word shabby followed immediately by the word chic in its description. Or, obviously, nothing with the word shabby followed immediately by a period.

Next, I'd love a chalkboard for the kitchen. I can only seem to find plain chalkboards or chalkboards with roosters or cartoon chefs adorning them. There has to be stylish, cool, awesome chalkboards that are neither dull nor butt ugly, right?

Oh, and I need a laptop. If left up to me, I'd buy the first shiny one I saw, and Mike would just love you forever if you could help out his ridiculously clueless wife. I don't require much, although I'd like it to be not too bulky and it needs to be somewhat reasonably priced—$1000 or under? Is that reasonable for a laptop? I haven't bought one since college and the one I bought then HAD A HEART ATTACK and DIED, so I imagine I didn't set the bar high the first time out of the laptop gate.

Finally, I'm hoping Mike and I can take a tiny trip for our anniversary. On the maybe list: Chicago, British Columbia or Boston. Or, maybe, some place I haven't thought of yet. We probably need to keep the trip smallish, a long weekend of some sort, to an off-the-beaten-path location. Some place like Stars Hollow, perhaps? Except real.

Comments

[jodi]

DC, come to DC!

[Dianna]

Okay, the chalkboard is going to be a pain to find! I just did a search and sheesh, they're all so schoolboard looking. Maybe you could get one of the hipper ones and draw in colored chalk, namely purple of course, a boarder or some flowers to spuce it up a bit. Even the ones meant for a kitchen were cheesy.

[Katy]

I saw your challenge through Ashley Forrette's Blog. I thought it was so cute and decided to do it myself!! Your blog is adorable!!

[Heather]

what if you got one of these

http://www.billyboardsmfg.com/FramelessChalkboards.html

and added your own frame or something to jazz it up..or maybe something like this http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50089231 and you could paint the frame if you wanted.

[Elizabeth]

They have a bunch of different types of laundry baskets at the container store, here's one.
http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?CATID=77004&PRODID=10015039

these are cool, and cheapish, or there's another more expensive one at PB...
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p5337/index.cfm?pkey=xsrd0m1%7C20%7C%7C%7C1%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7Cchalkboard&cm%5Fsrc=SCH

Hey, this one's on sale...
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p3170/index.cfm?pkey=xsrd0m1%7C20%7C%7C%7C1%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7Cchalkboard&cm%5Fsrc=SCH

I love my dell laptop except for the fact that it's not really set up to do a docking station. But if you already have a main computer, that's not a big deal. It was a gift so I have no idea how much it was, but I am guessing around $800 before the extra hoo has like a web cam and memory.

[Angela]

If you're up for switching to a Mac, the basic Macbook is pretty fantastic. I've had mine for almost 6 months now and there's been a bit of a learning curve, but I really love it. I think it will probably run you about $1600, which is a bit over your price range, but budgets are made to be broken, no? Oh... no. Okay.

And now I am going to watch and see what people recommend for the laundry baskets, because our blue mesh collapsible basket has GOT TO GO!

[moo]

It's going to sound silly, but try looking at Pottry Barn Kids for the chalkboard. They'll prbobably be more expensive, but they are pretty cute.

They are MY style, at least, even if I die a little inside each time I glance at the pricetags of that store.

[jonniker]

HA HAAAA. I live in Stars Hollow. The more you talk about it to me and the more I look around, I realize: I live in Stars Hollow. The local diner (we have one!), the coffee shop, the tiny downtown, THE COVERED BRIDGES.

Dude. Vermont might be the perfect place for you to visit. Remind me of when your anniversary is again? Boston is also perfect.

[bunny]

Don't laugh, but I think this would be adorable hanging in a kitchen!

http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/9854746/index.cfm?clg=31&bnrid=3580801&cm_ven=FRU&cm_cat=Shopping&cm_pla=Datafeed&cm_ite=All%20Products&flash=on&cm_ref=http%3A//www.google.com/search%3Fhl%3Den%26q%3Dpottery+barn+chalkboard%26btnG%3DSearch

If you're not interesting in something meant for kids, this one is simple and larger:

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p5796/index.cfm?clg=69&bnrid=3380801&cm_ven=FRU&cm_cat=Shopping&cm_pla=Datafeed&cm_ite=All%20Products&flash=on&cm_ref=http%3A//www.google.com/search%3Fhl%3Den%26q%3Dpottery+barn+chalkboard%26btnG%3DSearch

I think the first one, with the ribbon, is amazing!

[Miss Cee]

I recently bought a laptop that I'm very happy with for around $800 from the Dell Outlet store in Australia. Dell in the US have an Outlet store too - they sell returned & unused computers for cheaper prices than brand new. So if your budget is important that might be something to check out :-)

[Miss Cee]

Oh, it won't let me do html - here's the link to the Outlet store - http://www.dell.com/content/default.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dfh&cs=22&dgc=IR&cid=11346&lid=645836

[Loralee]

I have so many things to say, but it is all swamped by the fact that Detective Stabler is my boyfriend. (Don't you love the wounded, little boy inside the damaged cop exterior??! AND THE EYES! GAH! Love him).

I heart SVU.

[slynnro]

Aaron and I have been wanting to do the California Coast road trip. I think you could do it in three days in a manner that would not be prohibitively expensive.

[EmilyPie]

I have no comments on the following:

a.) laundry baskets - because I don't do laundry... and because even though I do take off my dirty clothes, they usually just end up in a pile on my bathroom floor ... or scattered about the house.... depending on how they have come of (wink WINK!)

b.) chalk boards - mostly out of anger... I've asked for one and hubby refuses. "we don't need no stinking chalk board" he says....

c.) laptop... mac. I'd vote mac because my FLIPPING HP LAPTOP is in cardiac arrest right now AS WE SPEAK... or as I type. Hubby has just spent all of this time playing with it and just said,
"your computer is f***ed!" (feel free to not post because of the intended profanity)

d.) anniversary trip .. because we are about to have our 2nd... and still will not be going anywhere.

So ... enjoy your time alone and your manicure, but don't drink too much wine, unlike myself this evening, because in the end ... it may really make your stomach burn.

[Suzanne Broughton]

Just found your blog and jumping right in with the bossiness...go Mac. Your life will NEVER be the same. You will have a hundred of "Geniuses"at your disposal every time you go to the Apple Store (which is totally awesome by the way) and, and Macs have so many great features for bloggers.
Love your lists too.
Suzanne

[EmilyPie]

I felt the need to update and clear HP's reputation ... my effed up computer is actually a gateway. and it is less than a year old. GRRRR. Stupid thing.

Get a mac... get a mac... get a mac... and then keep an eye on it at blogher.. because I just may be in the market for a new laptop ;) ... KIDDING...that was the wine talking.

[Angella]

So many questions!

We have a chalk board from IKEA and I like it.

Come to BC. Duh.

I use a Dell laptop, but some people swear by Mac. Follow your heart ;)

[Biddy]

find a cute frame you love, take the glass out, cut a thin piece of plywood to the size of the glass(lowe's will probably have cheap scraps and they'll cut it to size for you), prime it, and paint it with chalkboard paint. voila! cute, custom chalkboard!

if you find laundry baskets that you like and they don't have the words on them, i could totally embroider them for you! oh and i'm totally getting a massage this weekend too. i'm dying...

did someone say prossecco and cupcakes? what time should my sewing machine and i show up??

[Biddy]

p.s. i love love love my gateway. it's almost 4 years old, and really, the only problem i've had is a burnt battery (totally my own fault though)

it's definitely time for me to get an external hard drive, but i still love my baby

[Sarah]

I totally agree, the best relationships need breaks because it makes you re-energized to see your significant other again. Have a fun weekend.

[banana]

I completely agree that couples need breaks sometimes, and it is NOT unromantic. I love my husband to the moon and back, but sometimes Banana time is exactly what I need slash want.

Go to B.C.! Victoria, B.C. is a charming little city with great food, shopping and scenery and it's also really affordable. Take a day trip to Seattle while you're there - I may be totally biased, but Seattle is fantastic. And don't tell anyone, but it doesn't always rain.

[Betsy]

My Mike and I went to Vancouver B.C. for our honeymoon and LOVED it. It is such a wonderful, beautiful city. I could have spent days in Stanley Park and the food was incredible.

[cc]

My hubby just got this one, http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/HP-Pavilion-DV6748US-15-4-Widescreen-Laptop-DV6748US/sem/rpsm/oid/199874/catOid/-12963/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

It has a huge hard drive and many other cool functions. My friend the computer guru says its a great computer.

here is a cool chalkboard, but the price is more than I would spend
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10045664

[Cheri DeLurker]

Dude, come to Chicago. WE CAN HAVE LUNCH! And drinks! And lunch WITH drinks! :) Seriously. Actually - what you want to do is stay in a city called Gurnee, IL. It is located almost exactly between Chicago and Milwaukee and it contains a certain outlet mall I'm sure you'd love (Gurnee Mills) which contains a Nine West outlet store (and about 3 bajillion others). It also contains Six Flags and there's a new indoor water park hotel.

Staying there, you'd be about an hour from Chicago or Milwaukee - which has a jazillion amazing museums, including the Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago (along with the Art Museum) and Milwaukee has a fantastic art museum as well. And Miller Lite plants. (Crap, you're a Bud Lite drinker though aren't you? Gah.)

There's so much to do in and around Chicago - you'd love it.

[Cheri]

A more off-the-beaten-path type place that you might like is in Spring Green, WI - home of The House on the Rock - possibly THE most fantastical museum you'll ever go to in the world. Seriously, check it: www.thehouseontherock.com.

And/or Wisconsin Dells (www.wisdells.com). (Can you tell yet that I'd love for you to come somewhere in my vacinity???)

[Colleen]

Boston! Come to Boston. It's beautiful in the spring. And you could stay in Lexington or Concord for an "off the beaten path" kind of location but still be within 30 min of Boston for a nice night out in the city. Boston is the best.

Also for the chalkboard -- I've seen on all thos wonderfully addictive HGTV shows that they have chalkboard paint ... you could you paint a pantry door with it ... http://studiopk.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/chalk3.jpg Just a thought.

[Raven]

Okay, my suggestion on the chalkboard is to paint one yourself. They sell chalkboard paint at homedepot and lowe's in black or green. You can even get pre-cut boards in a 2'x4'size. If that is too large, you can then have that board cut down into whatever size you actually need. Then you can embellish over it with stencils in whatever color paint you want. In my head I am seeing a design much like what is on my blog but in colors that would match your decor. Throw a frame around it and viola! Chalkboard of style!

It says lights and darks vs lights and colors:
http://www.organize.com/java-double-laundry-sorter.html

[anne]

I really though I saw those kind of baskets at Bed, Bath and Beyond.

What about some of those charming Southern towns - like Savannah or Charleston?

[Jess]

The elimination shows ARE a waste of those first 28 minutes, except that last night they were a waste of FIFTY-EIGHT minutes and that was just UNACCEPTABLE.

Also, what is WITH making the bottom three ALL sing their crappy songs again and not having a tearful I've-just-been-ousted rendition of just ONE crappy song by the loser?

That is all.

[Erin]

I adore that wee chalkboard from PB kids, but I second everyone's suggestion to paint plywood and frame it. Check out your locak thrift stores to find an el cheapo picture frame you like, knock out the picture and glass, paint, and tada - a lovely chalk board!

As for your laundry baskets, I have a white canvas bag for whites and a blue one for darks/colors. I believe the blue one is from hold your own and the white one is from linens and things. It's terribly convenient, but occasionally I'm tempted to make them HIS and HERS so I don't have to be responsible for B's socks/undershirts. He'll rewear an undershirt before he'll ask me to wash, which is kind of sweet in that he doesn't want to harrass me...but um...you know where the washer is.

As for the laptop, you can get some awesome deals on the dell outlet sight. B's computer was about $1200 and we saved a bundle with all we got. When my turn comes, though, I'm drawn to MAC as well. There must be a reason people are so gaga over them. You don't see us windows people drooling over our computers, do ya?

Lastly, love the new banner...but why the redesign?

[Steff]

Did you check the same place you got that fridge? Because this past weekend we got a new laptop, printer, and Norton after rebates it will be less than $450 for all three!

[Jen]

I think I can only really be helpful in the trip department...we took a long weekend trip to Boston this past summer and LOVED it. We stayed in the Financial District, and it was close to everything - the Aquarium, tons of restaurants, shopping, etc. We went on priceline.com and got a room at a $400/night hotel for only $100/night - I would definitely recommend checking priceline out if you haven't used it before.

[Natalie]

For the laundry baskets, have you tried pottery barn, crate & barrel, or Red Envelope? I remember seeing something like that recently. I just use 2 hampers, and Micah has to figure out every week which one will be the darks this week and which one will be the lights. :)
Did you know they sell Chalkboard paint at home depot? It looks so cool! Have you tried Wal-Mart? What size do you need?
Micah is harassing me to buy a laptop. He of course wants a Mac. Do you want a Mac or a windows machine? Macs are pretty expensive. I'm trying to get him to hold off until after wedding & honeymoon. The only benefit would be that I would get his new laptop!
What kinda of trip do you want to do? Beach or sightseeing? I think you should go to New Orleans! So, you can experience Vegas Mike. :)

[janssen]

I can attest that making your own chalkboard is totally easy. My mom found a great frame and had one in our kitchen for years (she never actually used it though because she hates her handwriting and it only ever said anything when she could convince my art major sister to write something on it). Find a frame you love and run with it.

And we did a long weekend in Boston last year and it was totally brilliant. Bart said it was the most fun trip he'd ever been on. We stayed in Lexington, which was nifty, and just had a really really good time.

[MissyE]

You put it perfectly about One Tree Hill. I am always so emotionally exhausted after that show, like my own life has really gone through the same ups and downs. In all reality though I just live vicariously through fake characters on a fake show and I wouldn't have it any other way!

[Heather B.]

Huge fan of Chicago. Not so much with the Boston. And you really don't want laptop advice from me.

*cough*MacBook*cough*

[ashley]

Are you so excited for this :)?
http://perezhilton.com/2008-03-13-pretty-in-purple

[me!]

2 words. Chalkboard paint! Then you can create whatever you want and however you want it to look. It's just like spray paint!

[Maryann]

This has NOTHING to do with your request for home accessories, but I saw this and thought you would get a kick out of it:

http://perezhilton.com/2008-03-13-pretty-in-purple

[She Likes Purple]

I have a sneaking suspicion Mike is behind the new purple bills--I couldn't possibly spend one!

Also, thank you for all the suggestions! I have quite a long list of things to buy now. And, although I just love the idea of chalkboard paint, I must be honest: I'm not crafty and I'm also lazy. Killer combination!

I'll keep everyone posted on my purchases though.

[Someone Being Me]

You know you are welcome to come down here and do breakfast at La Bodega with me. I love going out to breakfast on the weekends. You should just go pick up something and come home and veg by yourself. And what was up with One Tree Hill?

[Larissa]

I wholeheartedly agree that healthy marriages can endure breaks. Have a great weekend to yourself!

[Mary]

I don't know about the rest of the stuff, but for the chalkboard, I have always liked the idea of the chalkboard paint (assuming you're allowed to paint things in the new house). If so, it's great because you can tape off any size you like, anywhere you like that's paintable(wall or cabinets). And then you can spruce it up in any style you like (i.e. a cheap cute frame, decals, funky colored chalk). And when you don't want it anymore, paint back over it.