Dispatches from the UHS - Cathedral Square Farmer's Market

I do love the farmer's market. West Allis has been my lifelong farmer's market, but the downtown one is officially more my style. Fewer vendors yes, but they are high quality with good variety. A great apple guy, a game meats vendor, and many, many independent farmers with unique and high quality produce. I am only too happy to give these people my money.

For the first time today, I tried Gazpacho. I bought a container for $5, and this was some really, really good stuff. Was....

Lots of flowers, bread vendors, independent artists, and even yoga. Surprised?

People who shop this market are local...and there is enough room to walk around without getting bashed, bumped, your toes rolled over, or difficulty parking your car. I have a good friend who lives a few blocks from me and we have walked down there first thing in the morning for the past couple of weekends. A good pair of sneakers, 20 bucks and a backpack can definitely make your Saturday ;)

Stepping into the WE Energies Confessional

So many people I know had a terrible time with We Energies over the winter and spring, and are still paying off high balances from this past winter. I'm one of them. As I've blogged before, my energy bill was extremely high - hovering around 250 each month. Too much for a single woman who spent more time at work than at her home.

And if we had some type of Twitterlike or reality-tv type of confessional for people to talk about how much they've ended up owing WE at a time.... I seriously wonder what we would see and hear.

Well, as for me, my bill did get over $1,000 this past winter, and that's WITH making payments. With some diligence and some sacrifices I've gotten it down to $150. Imagine that, making sacrifices not to get yourself ahead in life, but to pay WE.

I talked with them the other day about my new place, and I can expect to pay anywhere from $31-$45 monthly, (for two people) even throughout the winter. The thought of not having that looming over my head anymore is really a massive relief. Almost $200 extra bones in my pocket each month...a manageable energy bill.

On the walking to work front, I filled my tank on July 1st. This weekend I'll fill it again. I did have to put four gallons in yesterday but on the whole, getting gas once a month is a pretty neat deal. Did a lot of running around on this tank of gas to get the new place together and get rid of old stuff, so maybe August will be better.

That my friends, is strategery!

Downtown Life.... better and better

So I had to walk home in the wind and rain. This was perfectly fine when I realized I wasn't going to melt and that my shoulder bag would keep everything dry.

A lady was accused of taking a wallet at the Metro Market. Four cop cars arrived....

My wonderful neighbor Ted helped me put up my curtain rods and now I have curtains. Ted has a great view of the city, so I has friends in low AND high places!

I can literally run to the store.

There are three ATMs and five bars in walking distance. And one totally 40's cafe :)

What's also great?

I won't tell you how many stories my building is, but running the stairs to the top and taking the elevator down about 12 times.....well there are days that I am overwhelmed at the fact that I can do that based on how many stories I'm looking at.

And in honor of all of the above, ladies and gentlemens, I present to you: some drunk chick doing the Joyologist imitation. Enjoy.

Pre-Bastille Dispatches from the Urban Hang Suite

Au début....

Tonight is the start of Bastille Days, obviously my favorite fest. Although if you want actual French cultural performances, you have to go during the day. This year I hope to attend the French mass which is on Saturday - Dad29 can chime in on whether that counts as the weekly obligation. Touche!

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l'Orage

From the rooftop deck, I watched the storm roll in. Now that, my friends, is really cool. Cloud to ground lightning, heavy rainfalls in the distance...there is nothing that compares to getting a full head on view of an incoming storm. I helped my apartment manager secure the furniture so it didn't go anywheres.

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Storm the Bastille

The Bastille run will go right past my place, I think...so later I shall be outside with a glass of fine chardonnay in hand. Australian, not French, malheureusement. Although I really could crack open a bottle from France. I has them, tu sais.

I used to run the Bastille and have the time honored, slept-in shirts to prove it. But those days are past me for now. I have traded them in for deadlifts and squats.

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Backing up....

On Sunday I woke up at 4:30 a.m. So what's an insominac to do? Go up to the deck and watch the sun rise over the city. The lake was placid, the light was glowing off the downtown buildings like heat from a low campfire. I love living downtown.

Finally Going Green

Haaahhhaaaa..... gotcha. Just kidding.

But I will be moving over the next few days, you know, so I can walk to work, put the car on blocks, whatever. Will post when I can. And I promise to respond to the MILF thread, there are a few things I want to chime in on.

Phel Jones' Urban Hang Suite

That's the name for the new place downtown. And it will be a bit more urban. Less retro. Classic yes, clean lines yes, but nothing that says "does not have life together". Steel signs will be replaced with abstract art. Things will be symmetrical. With a touch of danish modern and asian flair.

And allll city girl :)

The pinups, they stay though.

Hooray! Big Girl Furniture!

Ah yes, the days of skating by are done. Well at least for today :) I have bought myself a couch, a matching chair, and a storage ottoman. This is a big step for yours truly. The magic of financing helps - I took advantage of Steinhafel's sale this weekend. No payments for a year, pay it off within two years.

It's just the right size and style for my new place. It will look GREAT! First thing I noticed about it was that it was proportioned for a little person. Also did a test-nap position and yes, I can confirm that there will be some long afternoons of taking a nap like a dog in a sunny spot.

It sure is nice to have life coming together. A few months ago I would not have even been able to think about furniture. Now I just need some updated floor lamps and curtains and I should be pretty well put together for a while.

Click on 'em for detail