Karebear Central

I know living in Illinois can really be expensive to buy a house.  As I grow up, I realize that renting aparments is not very cost effective.  That is why many people buy condos, such as the Spring Hill Condos.  The condos are very close to O’hare and very close to the train.  This is a must in Chicago area if you work in Chicago. 

Condos are an interesting and exciting way to live.  You can purchase a one room, one bath, a studio, two bedroom, two bath or even a super two bedroom two bath.  I am very curious to know what that is!!   There are over 260 condos available at Spring Hill, but that doesn’t mean that they are not all occuppied.  Condos have unique amenties such as a pool which in this weather would be a must.  Another great plus to these condos are the washer/dryer in the condo.  It is much easier to do laundry when its in the same place.  There is also a storage unit for the tenants to use.  I know that living in an apartment I did not have enough room for all of my junk.  A storage unit would have been really helpful.   

 The cool thing about these condos is that there is financing available to help the prospective tenants when they use the lenders that the condos prefer.  Searching for a condo is made ever so easy by the easy search feature on the home page for Roselle condos. Next time I hear someone looking for a condo in the Illinois area, I will have to send them here.

Last night was one of Andy’s friends 29th birthday so we went out to eat with her. She decided she wanted to go to Prime Quarter.  The idea of this resturaunt is you cook your own steak.  Its an interesting idea, but if I’m going out to eat, why would I still make my own food and spend 30 bucks?  It was a good ribeye steak and I think Andy and I did it right, we did the Share-a-Steak so we had the right size portions.  But I would rather buy a steak and cook it at home than cook the steak in the resturaunt.  It didn’t even have all the spices Andy likes to add to our steaks at home.  Oh well, we don’t have to go back!

Its strange how many times the a show can change its name.  Trademark Properties was orignally on AMC on a show called Flip this House.  Then they came over to TLC as The Real Deal, now they are The Real Estate Pros.  I wonder if the DVR would still tape the show if the name changed like that.  I love the show no matter what it is named, so I really don’t care, but hopefully the DVR will still catch it. 

I know I am going to Europe in less than 3 months, but after the stressful workday I just had, I need a vacation right now.  I would love to look at some Rocky Point house rentals to get away from the everyday mumbo jumbo.  These house rentals have everything I need–satellite TV and a kitchen.  What else could a girl need on vacation?  Oh and how could I forget, a great view of the Sea of Cortez and the beach.  I think that is what we all need, just a nice relaxing vacation to get away from it all in a vacation home, condo or rental. 

Last night, we finished watching Monster with Christina Ricci and Charlize Theron.  That was an interesting movie.  I actually felt kind of bad for Aileen Wuortos.  I was actually pretty upset with the Selby character.  It seemed to me that she was an accesory to it all.  She knew about it, she encouraged it, so did she get anything?  Very odd movie.  Glad I saw it once, but I do not think I will ever see it again.  One thing I do have to say is, wow, what people will do to themselves for movie roles.  The acting was great in the movie.  I guess its just a movie you have to see once since it is a true story.  My other problem with it is that it doesn’t say how she was caught at all.  I would like to know how they figured out it was her. 

Okay, we have not bought our tickets for Germany yet, but we will in the next few days.  Is it to soon to start packing?  I mean, you know buying stuff for our trip and starting a bin for it.  When we go on trips, I like to have the philosphy my mother has, buy new stuff.  So I think since school is starting soon, there is a sale on undergarments and socks, so I will pick that up.  I am so excited.  I have never been overseas and I think it will be an experience.  

Right now I love our Dirt Devil.  It has a removable tray so I can determine how much cat I can vaccuum up from each room.  I do know that it does not clean as well as I would like.  If we could afford it, I know Andy would love to buy one of the Dyson vacuums.  He loves to say their slogan ” I just believe things should work properly.”  I know my friend bought one when they were on sale at Kohl’s and she absolutely loves it!  We have had our Dirt Devil for over 2 years now and I am thinking we need something with more suction and better filter system.  We have a cat, so we need something that sucks up the hair better.  I think with Andy’s asthma, we could also use a air purifer. 

This is pretty easy meme. All you have to do is take a picture of your tattoo and post it on your blog. You can tell us where it’s at if you like. Then tag some other tattooed bloggers.

Those are the rules. Here’s mine:

I got this about 12 hours after I turned 18. I was always a good kid growing up, it was my way to rebel. I went into the tattoo place not knowing what I was going to get, but knowing I was walking out with a tattoo. My favorite color is blue and I love roses, so when I saw this I decided to get it. I wanted it somewhere where it was accessible but not obvious. So I put it on my hip. I do know when I have a baby it may stretch and never look the same, but I wasn’t thinking that way at 18.

Here are other who I have tagged:

 Lisa Reviews

As I have mentioned before, one of my friends is thinking of opening up her own business.  One expense I know my friend always forgets about when drawing up her business plan is the office supplies.  She seems to forget that you need to think of buying the pens, paper, inkjet cartridge, and cash registar ribbons.  These small items can reallyh add up.  You need to think of every little expense in order to write out a business plan in order to get enough money from the bank to start your business.   It is nice when you can go to one website and have them help all your needs for supplies! 

Tonight Andy decided to go all healthy and make me Eggplant Zuchcini Parmesan (we had a zuchcini in the garden that needed to be eaten).  I am hoping it will taste good.  I told Andy I would attempt to like it!

Here is the recipe: 

1/4 cup milk

2 large eggs

1 cup bread crumbs

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 medium, eggplant (we used 1 eggplant an 1 zucchini) unpeeled

1/3 cup vegetable oil (we used extra virgin olive oil)

1 jar (26 ounces) marinara sauce

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Serves 6

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Beat milk and eggs in a bowl until well blended.  Combine bread crumbs, Parmesan and salt in a shallow bowl or pie plate.  Cut eggplant in to 1/2 -inch-thick slices.  Dip each eggplant slice into egg mixture, the press firmly into crumb mixture, coating both sides.

2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot.  Working in batches, add coated eggplant slices to pan; cook until golden on both sides, 5-7 minutes.

3.  Place eggplant, slightly overlapping, in a 2 quart oval casserole dish. Top with marinara sauce and mozzarella. 

4.  Bake eggplant until sauce is bubbly and cheese is melted and lightly golden, 30-35 minutes.