Who Italia-Come On Down, You''re the Next Contestant!

[Italiahaircolor]

Date: 7/30/2009 7:28:04 PM
Author: joflier

Date: 7/30/2009 7:07:05 PM
Author: Italiahaircolor

Date: 7/29/2009 12:38:56 PM
Author: joflier
Just wanted to pop over and say hey - glad to see you have your own thread! Your posts are always very thoughtful and encouraging!

So, do you plan to make Chicago your lifetime home?

Chicago is home. Someday we may move, but I''ll always be from here. I''m very lucky to have these roots and I can''t imagine loving anywhere more--although a beach would be nice.

Well, Lake MI isn''t far away!

So how exactly does the internet dating thing work? Do they match you based on your personality? Likes/dislikes, hobbies? I''m just curious, because I could see that perhaps being an option for me in the future.

Lake Michigan is not a beach. It''s an outside bar. haha.

Online dating depends on what site you use. Each one is different. I tried eHarmony first...but alas they had no matches for me. I tried Match.com next, and wala...I met Mark.

Online dating can be scary when you''re getting your feet wet. I mean, it is still pretty non-tradtional. But, when you''re busy or shy or even specific...you can make really great connects from the comfort of your own home. I tried the bar thing, it was a bust. I would spend so much money going out between clothing, drinks, parking that it was exhusting and expensive! Not to mention the quality of men was substandard. I''m not saying you can''t meet someone at a bar and go on to lead a happy life together, but my experience was very different. Most of the guys were drunk verging on sloppy drunk, looking to "hook up" or simply not what I was after. So, I took it to the internet, I paid a nominal fee and suddenly there was this unlimited supply of men who were sober and looking for the same thing. It was nice and a welcome change.

I would suggest, that if you''re going to seriously get into the online thing, try it out. Some sites offer a free trial period, and you can''t get discouraged if it doesn''t happen right away. It''s still dating...it''s not a magic love potion, there will be some trial and error. Also, never "go alone"...sounds so basic, but if you''re going to meet someone--do it in public and don''t give out to much personal information about yourself ahead of time. I have a friend who does the online dating thing, and actually added a 2nd phone line to her cell plan--for $10.00 a month, she has the flexibility to change her number if anything gets uncomfortable and it doesn''t effect her "real" phone. And lastly, check your "expectations" at the door. Go into it with one or two things that really matter to you--but remain open to meeting and getting to know other people because life can surprise you!

 

[joflier]

Date: 7/30/2009 8:16:57 PM
Author: Italiahaircolor

Date: 7/30/2009 7:28:04 PM
Author: joflier

Date: 7/30/2009 7:07:05 PM
Author: Italiahaircolor

Date: 7/29/2009 12:38:56 PM
Author: joflier
Just wanted to pop over and say hey - glad to see you have your own thread! Your posts are always very thoughtful and encouraging!

So, do you plan to make Chicago your lifetime home?

Chicago is home. Someday we may move, but I''ll always be from here. I''m very lucky to have these roots and I can''t imagine loving anywhere more--although a beach would be nice.

Well, Lake MI isn''t far away!

So how exactly does the internet dating thing work? Do they match you based on your personality? Likes/dislikes, hobbies? I''m just curious, because I could see that perhaps being an option for me in the future.

Lake Michigan is not a beach. It''s an outside bar. haha.

Online dating depends on what site you use. Each one is different. I tried eHarmony first...but alas they had no matches for me. I tried Match.com next, and wala...I met Mark.

Online dating can be scary when you''re getting your feet wet. I mean, it is still pretty non-tradtional. But, when you''re busy or shy or even specific...you can make really great connects from the comfort of your own home. I tried the bar thing, it was a bust. I would spend so much money going out between clothing, drinks, parking that it was exhusting and expensive! Not to mention the quality of men was substandard. I''m not saying you can''t meet someone at a bar and go on to lead a happy life together, but my experience was very different. Most of the guys were drunk verging on sloppy drunk, looking to ''hook up'' or simply not what I was after. So, I took it to the internet, I paid a nominal fee and suddenly there was this unlimited supply of men who were sober and looking for the same thing. It was nice and a welcome change.

I would suggest, that if you''re going to seriously get into the online thing, try it out. Some sites offer a free trial period, and you can''t get discouraged if it doesn''t happen right away. It''s still dating...it''s not a magic love potion, there will be some trial and error. Also, never ''go alone''...sounds so basic, but if you''re going to meet someone--do it in public and don''t give out to much personal information about yourself ahead of time. I have a friend who does the online dating thing, and actually added a 2nd phone line to her cell plan--for $10.00 a month, she has the flexibility to change her number if anything gets uncomfortable and it doesn''t effect her ''real'' phone. And lastly, check your ''expectations'' at the door. Go into it with one or two things that really matter to you--but remain open to meeting and getting to know other people because life can surprise you!

You need to come up further into WI to experience decently nice beaches.....Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Two Rivers......I''m taking a day off work next week to go.

Thanks for the advice on the online dating. I''m not ready to give it a go just yet, but definitely have it in the back of my head. Just because I am particular, and have no interest in hooking up with someone in a bar, for basically the same reasons you listed. I just have high expectations of what I want in a man, and some of those things are harder to come by, especially because I''m so focused on work, and outside of the my work-world I don''t get out too much.

Hearing your story about meeting Mark was really neat to read. Hearing stories like that gives me hope for being able to find someone perfect for me and getting a brighter future!

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Date: 7/30/2009 8:55:25 PM
Author: joflier

Date: 7/30/2009 8:16:57 PM
Author: Italiahaircolor

Date: 7/30/2009 7:28:04 PM
Author: joflier

Date: 7/30/2009 7:07:05 PM
Author: Italiahaircolor

Date: 7/29/2009 12:38:56 PM
Author: joflier
Just wanted to pop over and say hey - glad to see you have your own thread! Your posts are always very thoughtful and encouraging!

So, do you plan to make Chicago your lifetime home?

Chicago is home. Someday we may move, but I''ll always be from here. I''m very lucky to have these roots and I can''t imagine loving anywhere more--although a beach would be nice.

Well, Lake MI isn''t far away!

So how exactly does the internet dating thing work? Do they match you based on your personality? Likes/dislikes, hobbies? I''m just curious, because I could see that perhaps being an option for me in the future.

Lake Michigan is not a beach. It''s an outside bar. haha.

Online dating depends on what site you use. Each one is different. I tried eHarmony first...but alas they had no matches for me. I tried Match.com next, and wala...I met Mark.

Online dating can be scary when you''re getting your feet wet. I mean, it is still pretty non-tradtional. But, when you''re busy or shy or even specific...you can make really great connects from the comfort of your own home. I tried the bar thing, it was a bust. I would spend so much money going out between clothing, drinks, parking that it was exhusting and expensive! Not to mention the quality of men was substandard. I''m not saying you can''t meet someone at a bar and go on to lead a happy life together, but my experience was very different. Most of the guys were drunk verging on sloppy drunk, looking to ''hook up'' or simply not what I was after. So, I took it to the internet, I paid a nominal fee and suddenly there was this unlimited supply of men who were sober and looking for the same thing. It was nice and a welcome change.

I would suggest, that if you''re going to seriously get into the online thing, try it out. Some sites offer a free trial period, and you can''t get discouraged if it doesn''t happen right away. It''s still dating...it''s not a magic love potion, there will be some trial and error. Also, never ''go alone''...sounds so basic, but if you''re going to meet someone--do it in public and don''t give out to much personal information about yourself ahead of time. I have a friend who does the online dating thing, and actually added a 2nd phone line to her cell plan--for $10.00 a month, she has the flexibility to change her number if anything gets uncomfortable and it doesn''t effect her ''real'' phone. And lastly, check your ''expectations'' at the door. Go into it with one or two things that really matter to you--but remain open to meeting and getting to know other people because life can surprise you!

You need to come up further into WI to experience decently nice beaches.....Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Two Rivers......I''m taking a day off work next week to go.

Thanks for the advice on the online dating. I''m not ready to give it a go just yet, but definitely have it in the back of my head. Just because I am particular, and have no interest in hooking up with someone in a bar, for basically the same reasons you listed. I just have high expectations of what I want in a man, and some of those things are harder to come by, especially because I''m so focused on work, and outside of the my work-world I don''t get out too much.

Hearing your story about meeting Mark was really neat to read. Hearing stories like that gives me hope for being able to find someone perfect for me and getting a brighter future!

There is hope...there is always hope!

Whenever I''ve lost a relationship, I''ve always looked at it as an opportunity. Even when I was sad or heartsick, it was still a chance. It was a chance to find someone better, to fall in love again, a fresh start. I know you''ve been through a tough time, I cannot even imagine, but I hope you''re feeling lighter. You''re a wonderful person, and there is absolutely someone out there waiting for you, biding his time until you''re ready to take the leap.

((hugs)) remember...it doesn''t matter how many times you''re wrong, just that once you''re right.

 

[LilyKat]

Thank you for your reply Italia! I am going to use your plan and start getting up earlier to try to see if I can get my body used to it too

4am might be a bit ambitious for me though...

I love the story of you and Mark. I am really glad I tried the online thing too, for just the reasons you mentioned - I am very picky (I call it "selective") and I just didn''t have time to meet people outside my workplace. Joflier, it''s definitely worth a try when you''re ready.

 

[Haven]

Italia! It hasn''t been published anywhere yet, but a friend of mine organizes the community events for a local library and she just booked Wally Lamb to come on his book tour!

It will probably be in the same place as the Jennifer Weiner event, so I know that''s about an hour from you, but I remember reading that you love his books so I had to share.

I''ll let you know as soon as they publish the date.

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Date: 7/31/2009 12:43:53 PM
Author: Haven
Italia! It hasn''t been published anywhere yet, but a friend of mine organizes the community events for a local library and she just booked Wally Lamb to come on his book tour!

It will probably be in the same place as the Jennifer Weiner event, so I know that''s about an hour from you, but I remember reading that you love his books so I had to share.

I''ll let you know as soon as they publish the date.

Oh Haven, you''re wonderful! I don''t care if he''s 10 hours away, if I can go--I''ll go! I adore him, his writing is amazing. Ahhh! I am so excited!!

 

[joflier]

Date: 7/30/2009 9:25:23 PM
Author: Italiahaircolor

There is hope...there is always hope!

Whenever I''ve lost a relationship, I''ve always looked at it as an opportunity. Even when I was sad or heartsick, it was still a chance. It was a chance to find someone better, to fall in love again, a fresh start. I know you''ve been through a tough time, I cannot even imagine, but I hope you''re feeling lighter. You''re a wonderful person, and there is absolutely someone out there waiting for you, biding his time until you''re ready to take the leap.

((hugs)) remember...it doesn''t matter how many times you''re wrong, just that once you''re right.

Thanks hon! That''s some very sage advice. It is a new beginning, and full of opportunities. I just need to remember that on the bad days.

So, do you enjoy doing domestic things, around the house? Cooking, cleaning, yardwork? Do you watch any TV? If so, what are your favs? (forgive me if I missed any of this earlier in the thread)

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Date: 7/31/2009 7:28:15 PM
Author: joflier

Date: 7/30/2009 9:25:23 PM
Author: Italiahaircolor

There is hope...there is always hope!

Whenever I''ve lost a relationship, I''ve always looked at it as an opportunity. Even when I was sad or heartsick, it was still a chance. It was a chance to find someone better, to fall in love again, a fresh start. I know you''ve been through a tough time, I cannot even imagine, but I hope you''re feeling lighter. You''re a wonderful person, and there is absolutely someone out there waiting for you, biding his time until you''re ready to take the leap.

((hugs)) remember...it doesn''t matter how many times you''re wrong, just that once you''re right.

Thanks hon! That''s some very sage advice. It is a new beginning, and full of opportunities. I just need to remember that on the bad days.

So, do you enjoy doing domestic things, around the house? Cooking, cleaning, yardwork? Do you watch any TV? If so, what are your favs? (forgive me if I missed any of this earlier in the thread)

I used to be big into house work, I would clean and garden and cook all the time...but I''m just to busy now. I have a small "team"...a cleaning lady who comes bi-weekly because I am fanatical about having a clean house and with 3 dogs we need it cleaned twice a week. Those little puppies tear it up big time, thank God they are house broken or I''d have her move in with us! I have our association lawncare people but I also have a small crew who comes out and weeds every couple of weeks, trims bushes when I want it done--which is much easier than having to wait for the association to get around to it. Cooking, well that''s still all me. We have a meal delivery service which we use occasionally, but I love to be in my kitchen!

I am a TV addict. We have one in every room. I totally love reality shows. Guilty pleasure, I guess. Right now I am watching that hot mess, Bridezillas.

 

[OUpearlgirl]

Italia... my computer has been broken so I''ve been away from PS.. I was totally hoping that when I got back on here you''d have posted pics of all of your pretty things!

Do you watch I Do or I Don''t? I think that''s the name? It''s soooo deliciously bad!!

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Date: 8/3/2009 8:59:42 PM
Author: OUpeargirl
Italia... my computer has been broken so I''ve been away from PS.. I was totally hoping that when I got back on here you''d have posted pics of all of your pretty things!

Do you watch I Do or I Don''t? I think that''s the name? It''s soooo deliciously bad!!

No, I''ve never watched that show! I will have to TiVo it!

Still no pictures. Although I''ve gathered some of my house and wedding..so it''s just posting those now...

 

[Kaleigh]

Show me the money, errr, the pics.... Ya know,we all have been waiting....

 

[joflier]

Date: 8/1/2009 12:13:51 AM
Author: Italiahaircolor

I used to be big into house work, I would clean and garden and cook all the time...but I''m just to busy now. I have a small ''team''...a cleaning lady who comes bi-weekly because I am fanatical about having a clean house and with 3 dogs we need it cleaned twice a week. Those little puppies tear it up big time, thank God they are house broken or I''d have her move in with us! I have our association lawncare people but I also have a small crew who comes out and weeds every couple of weeks, trims bushes when I want it done--which is much easier than having to wait for the association to get around to it. Cooking, well that''s still all me. We have a meal delivery service which we use occasionally, but I love to be in my kitchen!

I am a TV addict. We have one in every room. I totally love reality shows. Guilty pleasure, I guess. Right now I am watching that hot mess, Bridezillas.

Oh - a cleaning lady!!! That''s so nice! I had a cleaning man, actually, for a while, which was just wonderful. Now its just all me. But that''s such a big help when your busy.

I''ve never watched Bridezillas. I don''t do too much reality, but I have tuned in to Platinum weddings. That one is kinda good. Oh, and the Girls Next Door was kind of a guilty pleasure. Its just such a strange lifestyle, so I found that show a bit intriguing.
Have you and Mark gone on any vacations this summer?

 

[tigian]

Hi Italia,

Tell us about your doggies? As a fellow dog lover, I''d love to hear about how and when they became part of your family and their funny personalities. (all dogs have funny personalities to me)
Please, please post pics soon.

 

[tigian]

Hi Italia,
How is Las Vegas? I''m guessing you are there at this point. Which purse did you pick?

My DH and I were in Mexico last week for vacation and I was looking to bring some reading material for the beach. Like you, I''m a huge Wally Lamb fan, so I figured I would go ahead and buy Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn since you mentioned it as one of the books you enjoyed. I loved it! It was so creepy, but in a believable way. I''m going to get her other book. Can''t wait. Thanks for the recommendation! Come back soon to tell us about your trip!

 

[monarch64]

Hey Italia, I started a thread for you in Hangout so you can tell us all about your Vegas trip! Please, please, please tell me you are going to post pics?

 

[joflier]

Ya, ditto that! And I wanna see the LV bag!

 

[Haven]

WALLY LAMB IS COMING TO ILLINOIS!!!!

Wednesday, December 02, 2009
STEVENSON HIGH SCHOOL
1 Stevenson Drive Lincolnshire, IL 60069

I don''t see a sign up on the Vernon Area Public Library website yet, but I''ll post a link for you when I find it.

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Date: 8/23/2009 6:00:56 PM
Author: Haven
WALLY LAMB IS COMING TO ILLINOIS!!!!

Wednesday, December 02, 2009
STEVENSON HIGH SCHOOL
1 Stevenson Drive Lincolnshire, IL 60069

I don''t see a sign up on the Vernon Area Public Library website yet, but I''ll post a link for you when I find it.

According to my "day planner" I have a turn around to Boston on the 2nd...I am going to hope and prayer that I can move that around....I missed Jennifer, I don''t want to miss Wally!

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Please forgive the fact that these pictures are dated (last Holloween) right after our house was done...but I am tired of it being thrown in my face that I''m not posting pictures...so this is the best I can do...enjoy....

Master bath:

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Family room before window treatments

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Outside in winter

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Sitting room

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Kitchen before stainless steel

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Another kitchen....

 

[Haven]

Date: 8/23/2009 10:33:20 PM
Author: Italiahaircolor

Date: 8/23/2009 6:00:56 PM
Author: Haven
WALLY LAMB IS COMING TO ILLINOIS!!!!

Wednesday, December 02, 2009
STEVENSON HIGH SCHOOL
1 Stevenson Drive Lincolnshire, IL 60069

I don''t see a sign up on the Vernon Area Public Library website yet, but I''ll post a link for you when I find it.

According to my ''day planner'' I have a turn around to Boston on the 2nd...I am going to hope and prayer that I can move that around....I missed Jennifer, I don''t want to miss Wally!

Oh no! If you can''t make it I''ll get a book signed for you, promise!

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Date: 8/24/2009 12:12:42 AM
Author: Haven

Date: 8/23/2009 10:33:20 PM
Author: Italiahaircolor

Date: 8/23/2009 6:00:56 PM
Author: Haven
WALLY LAMB IS COMING TO ILLINOIS!!!!

Wednesday, December 02, 2009
STEVENSON HIGH SCHOOL
1 Stevenson Drive Lincolnshire, IL 60069

I don''t see a sign up on the Vernon Area Public Library website yet, but I''ll post a link for you when I find it.

According to my ''day planner'' I have a turn around to Boston on the 2nd...I am going to hope and prayer that I can move that around....I missed Jennifer, I don''t want to miss Wally!

Oh no! If you can''t make it I''ll get a book signed for you, promise!

Any idea what time it will be?

 

[FrekeChild]

What cool granite! I haven''t seen that type before. Do you happen to know the name of it?

Just curious, how much work do your darker hardwood floors take? We have light-medium wood, and here in NM they get dusty fast--sometimes if the doors are open, within a couple hours. So do they show dust quickly? I''m a dark or really light wood personally, but I''ve never had dark wood.

 

[musincy]

Wow, those are gorgeous floors!!

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Date: 8/24/2009 12:52:23 AM
Author: FrekeChild
What cool granite! I haven''t seen that type before. Do you happen to know the name of it?

Just curious, how much work do your darker hardwood floors take? We have light-medium wood, and here in NM they get dusty fast--sometimes if the doors are open, within a couple hours. So do they show dust quickly? I''m a dark or really light wood personally, but I''ve never had dark wood.

The granite is verde butterfly.

The floors are tough. They show everything, but they are really pretty when they are clean, so it''s a trade off. I''d say if we have them cleaned on Friday by Monday you''re noticing dust in the sunlight...and by Thursday just forget it--they are a dusty mess.

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Date: 8/24/2009 8:29:28 AM
Author: musincy
Wow, those are gorgeous floors!!

Thanks!