Finally...An Open Window!

Back on June 14, 2009

I began this blog and gave it a name based on

the inspiration that comes from having

'open windows'.

If you are interested, click HERE to see how

it all began.

Now, over 260 posts later (not counting my

second blog, The Play Date Cafe) and

nearly 400 followers,  I am very happy to say

that today, for the first time since November,

I was able to open the window once again!

I know, I know...probably doesn't seem to be a big deal,

maybe not even worth blogging about, but I would be remiss

not sharing this day as it's the total theme for this internet life

I've created.  It's currently 71 lovely degrees here in

Northern Illinois and I feel inspired!

Many of you know that this is no longer my view.

Just a little over 2 months after I started this blog,

the view changed and I was not happy!

I'm still extremely disappointed.

If you don't know the story and want to see

what THAT was all about, click HERE

I have yet to take a photo of the outcome because it's still

pretty messed up out there.

(what an oxymoron that is...pretty messed up?)

This was the view just a couple week's after the

land massacre began.

I've since talked to the City planning manager and he has

told me to be prepared that this is only the beginning.

That lovely field leading up to the farm in the first photo

will soon be an office development, and that will be 

located just on the other side of the new road.

By the way...in case it escaped your mind as you read

my saga....this road is literally 13 paces from my patio.

Am I still inspired by the view....mmmm, not so much.

But an open window is always the first sign of lovely

things to come....

and THAT'S what I choose to see.

Look What I Won....and Thanks For Asking!

So here it is! This lovely journal was created by Sandi (Celticwoman) from The PaperTrail blog. I was the very lucky winner of her blog candy giveaway in celebration of a few milestones. If you have yet to visit, please make sure you get over there and take a look around. This lady loves life and it shows.
It will definitely inspire you to creativity.

Let me just tell you, the photos do not do this journal justice. It's an altered paper bag journal, using a composition book. The texture on this is phenominal. I am a huge fan of ribbon, as you well know, so to have it as a binding cover
just plain 'made me smile'!

Then to open it up and see a good old-fashioned bookplate with my name was the icing on the cake. I am so looking forward to using this journal for my inspirational journal. Anything that inspires my creativity will go inside until I can no longer fill it.
Thank you so kindly, Sandi...I really do love it!

I have had many, many of you ask how the construction is going...and more importantly, how am I coping with it. Well...these photos really do tell the story. This first one was taken about 15 minutes ago from my patio door. I don't know how road construction works (although I am convinced that I will have the basics down by the time they are finished), but after a week of leveling the dirt, adding fill dirt, laying a gravel foundation (delivered by a literal 2 day parade of dump trucks who's doors have no noise discretion as they SLAM shut...slam, slam, slamslamslam), they have begun digging things up again adding some pretty heavy-duty concrete pipes.
I can only guess they have to do with drainage.

This photo was taken while sitting on my patio,
again just a little bit ago.
So...that's where it's up to. As for the coping, I am doing better. I am definitely resigned, but I did have a major wake up call over the weekend. Because the 'road' was level enough, curiosity seekers began driving down the road. Saturday evening, Paul and I were enjoying a movie from the comfort of our bed, when a slow-moving car drove down the path. You see, this is the same view from our bedroom. I guess the blinds will be drawn much earlier
at Julie's Open Window from now on!
Thanks so much for caring enough to ask
and even more for letting me vent!

Back later with Tag Swap Sneak Peak #2 and more news
from The Open Window including A Design Team Call!