The little (material) things.

I've been a real grouch lately. It's a result of constantly working on the house combined with our still not-so-summery weather. I'm ready for the warmth of late spring that the midwest is already experiencing. That being said, I'll be quite content with our weather when July and August are here.

This weekend should be a good break, though. We're taking off to Vancouver while Jessica is visiting from Chi-town. Going to try to do some hiking, kayaking, shopping, all sorts of good things... as long as the weather cooperates. Traveling makes me happy. In the meantime, these little things are making me happy, too:

• New shoes.
  Just like wearing a party on my feet.
  
  
• Happy Hour.
  We've been hitting one too many of these lately. Our new neighborhood is filled with great pubs, so it's hard not to take advantage!
  
• iGoogle.
  It feeds me news all day, tells me that I only have 106 days left til England (!), lets me compare the weather here and at home, and keeps me highly organized. It's just too darn intelligent.
  
• Modest Mouse's We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
  It's a grower, but I love it.
  
  
• Really good mail.
  Came home to a sweet little package from Jill's thoughtful kitties in Chicago last night. Lucy was pleased as punch to get this cool (environmentally conscious) catnip mousie and literally hugged it. Blue gave it a few loving head butts, as well.
  
  
• A finished room.
  The bathroom is finished and we are feeling good about it. Mom helped paint during her visit, photos are on the wall, and it has a beachy theme going. And our (overpriced) new Toto toilet hasn't failed us yet. No more overflowing toilet=definite happiness.
  
  
• Martha Stewart's new crafts products.
  Truly something to marvel at. I stood in Michael's drooling on myself over these new goodies a couple of weeks ago. What startled me most, however, was the little 3-D cake sticker based on the cake that inspired the entire look of our wedding (shown below on the right)!!!