Ah, the joys of moving. Yesterday I was standing with my dad outside our building, talking with the 12 year old neighbor boy, who was wrestling his dog (Champ) into standing still. As we stood there chatting, I thought, “Wow, I’m going to miss this.”
That made me think about other things I’ll miss:
1.) the comfort of sameness. I love it when things don’t change too much.
2.) Champ the pitbull. Yes, pitbulls are scary, but we’ve known him since he was a baby, and he is just the sweetest thing ever.
3.) The way Woofie knows his routine here; get the harness on, go outside, do business- one and two, walk to the dumpster, punk the Jack Russell who always barks at him (he does this hilarious fake out run, he’ll run at the Jack Russell with a bark and a yip, then quick dodge and run the other way, it’s SO FUNNY), and then, in a good mood from the punking, will literally SMILE as he romps up the steps to the apartment. Who knows what the routine will be at the new place. I won’t be able to leave the front door unlocked, that’s for sure.
4.) Leaving the front door unlocked. Well, before a month ago I did that. We used to leave the front door unlocked when we’d just head around the corner to the store. Then, we heard from a neighbor that ANOTHER neighbor’s uncle (who was currently living with the neighbor) had told her that you can use a credit card to unlock the doors- as long as the deadbolt isn’t on. Then, the dimwit told her he once let himself into the wrong apartment “by accident”, and we’re guessing he let himself into her apartment. So, we’ve started double locking our doors after that.
5.) The nice people we’ve met in this building. We’ve lived here for 4.5 years now, and you really build up a life that way!
6.) The accessibility of the spot we live in, there are tons of stores night on the corner here.
7.) The straight shot to Dad’s house, as it’s literally just down the street.
8.) Woofie’s friends (other dogs) in the hood.
9.) A big mailbox
10.) The memories we made in this apartment.
11.) The gas stove
Now, the things I WON’T miss:
1.) The super close proximity to the freeway.
2.) The construction that has been going on to add on to this freeway.
3.) Living on the busiest boulevards in Los Angeles.
4.) Our upstairs neighbor having sex
5.) The crappy apartment
6.) The crappy carpet
7.) The lack of air conditioning
10.) the gas bill
11.) drunk neighbors who “accidentally” let themselves into your apartment
12.) the pollution from the busiest street in So. Cal.
13.) how much traffic/noise we have because of this street
14.) the lack of a parking space.
15.) All the stairs we have to carry Woofie down (he has a bum knee and can only do a few stairs at a time)
16.) The dickhead bastard down the cul de sac who messes with your car (like, BAD things to it) if you park IN THE PUBLIC SPACES near his house. We call him El Guapo (Three Amigos Reference)
17.) The stink of Burger King right across the street
18.) The fact that we had not one, but TWO mice make their filthy rodent-stinking way into our apartment.
19.) The horrible bitch who pulls our laundry out of the machine RIGHT when it’s done, sets it atop the dryer or on the table. Because she thinks that it’s okay to touch someone else’s UNDERPANTS?
20.) The smell of pot wafting through our window from either one of the pot smoking neighbors.
Ah, sweet relief. We’re still in the process of moving out, and hope to be done by Saturday!
That saying I mentioned a few posts back, about closing doors and opening windows? Well, the view from my open window sure is glorious. Especially now that our window is in our NEW TWO BEDROOM APARTMENT!
It’s lovely. It’s a two bedroom, two bathroom lower unit with a private patio. There are travertine floors throughout- NO CARPET! An asthma sufferer’s dream! The kitchen and bathroom counters are a light colored granite, the cupboards in the kitchen are white. The appliances are all brand new, including dishwasher, A/C unit, Stove, oven and central heat (we have the option for taking their fridge or getting our own, we’ll be getting our own). There is a TON of closet space, both in the living room and the hallways, and both bedrooms have walk in mirrored closets with hanging bars and shelf space inside them. The living room closet is also walk in! A ton of storage space in the kitchen as well as a little dining nook area.
We’re on the side of the building with a parking space dedicated at the back of the building. The best part (kind of) is it’s 105.00 less a month than the first apartment we lost, and much easier to access. The neighborhood is quiet and tree lined, with almost all single family houses surrounding the apartment. Plenty of street parking, and the schools we’re assigned are fantastic charter schools for this area.
I’m SO excited, but also kind of sad about leaving this current place. We moved in here together, both of our first times living with a significant other- one milestone. Woofie was raised in this apartment. We got engaged in this apartment (well, technically, we got the RING in this apartment and lived here while engaged), got married while living in this apartment, then spent our first year as husband and wife in this apartment.
Trust me, I don’t want to STAY in this hellhole, the carpet is murder for my asthma, the kitchen is horrible, and well… we’ve outgrown it. The new place is close by, and has all the amenities we wanted. I think I just get overly nostalgic about things, and find it hard to change.
If I had known it was going to be our last Christmas in this apartment, I would have taken more pictures! Hopefully we’ll have many more milestones at the new place: a second bedroom, our first baby in the apartment, and then all the milestones that come from having a child. Hopefully. We plan to stay here a long time, at least until we have a second child!
“Cashier’s check for $2,095.00 please.” Why aren’t you asking why I need it? I just got accepted to an apartment!
“OH MY GOD, I HAVE A PATIO!”
“Hm, buy a fridge or keep theirs. Dilemma”
“Yay! Mike and Lisa’s boys are being born today! Can’t wait to meet you, my adorable twin babies!” Well, not MY adorable twin babies- THEIR adorable twin… you get it.
“Yeah, I’m pretty much about to die from joy.”
“Jacob is WAY better than Edward.”
“Ooo eee ooo ah ah – SON OF A BITCH”
“Apple -Chai Tea Infusion, please”
“Holy crap, this Apple-Chai thing is horrible. It’s literally burning my lips, and not from heat.”
“Yeah, my friend did the cabbage soup diet, and we couldn’t bear to be around her, she STUNK.” In reference to Caroline’s divulging of the plagues her body cleanse diet have subjected her to.
“You’re such a butt.” My response to Laura’s response of hatred concerning the name ‘Laurel’.
“Um yeah, I have an apartment. A nice one. I’m going to DISNEYLAND! Actually, I can’t really afford it now. Har har.”
“You know, I bet people here are thinking I’m unloved.”
“I hope people notice I’m married, and not some weird fat spinster who can’t afford to have a car.”
“If only the other riders here could know I am actually very smart- I’m sure they’re not getting that impression from the filthy vampire romance novel I’m reading.” (Not Twilight)
“I wonder if they’d nod their heads and go ‘Ah HA’ if I ate this pack of cookies in my purse?”
“Yes Sir, PLEASE stand right upwind of me whilst smoking that cigarette. You’re so right, there really are no other places to stand, I mean, this huge sidewalk here is obviously for decoration only. Hm, if I cough heartily, will that give him a hint? *Cough cough* Inhaler hit. Apparently not. Okay then.”
“No, I’m not sitting here reading a book or talking to my dad because I have no friends. I ENJOY reading. Okay okay, yes, while I DON’T have friends, it’s merely because I’m choosy. “
“What are YOU looking at, Gothic Mary? Really, don’t you know Goth is SO last season. Crap, she just locked eyes with me. I bet she’ll cut me when I get off the bus. Quick, look down.”
“I’m taking the bus because I CHOOSE to. The rest of you losers are taking it because you HAVE to.” Hey, I never said I wasn’t judgmental.
“Crap, the bus driver just told me the fare has gone up. I’m pretty sure he’s joking, because he’s smiling. Say something sassy to let him know you haven’t fallen for it, even though you are about to pay extra. Okay, sassy remark given, bus driver laughed. Take the transfer and sit down- he really was kidding.”
“One of these days I’m going to be driving and I’ll never have to smell the stink of wet dog and feet again.”
“Why is there always that one person who is bringing home KFC or something spicy smelling? You don’t see me bringing a vat of veggie chili on the bus now, do you?”
“Maybe I can convince people I’m not fat, just pregnant, and get a seat. It appears no one has fallen for it. Damn.”
“How useless are these straps? How is it going to keep me from falling if I’m holding a greasy strap that’s sliding around on the pole? Shouldn’t the point of the strap be it’s UNABLE to move, therefore keeping you from spilling your crap on the ground?”
“I’d be more than willing to give my seat up if it gets this dude’s armpit out of my face. HORF.”
“Oh yeah, trendy hipster guy with his ipod and argyle sweater worn ironically? This is an ipod TOO, you just can’t tell because the stupid Apple earbuds hurt my inside ear and I have to get smaller ones to fit. Basically what I’m saying here, hipster, is that I’m just as cool as you. Not that I care or anything.”
“Heeeey, lookit me- Dad’s picking me up at my second bus stop. HA HA- I’m loved more than you are! Damnit, I wasted money on a frigging transfer for nothing. Maybe I can sell it for a quarter. Amber, are you SERIOUS? Shut up and get some ice cream while you’re waiting for Dad.”
“I told the Witch Doctor I was in love with you, and then the Witch Doctor – huh, why is that song always in my head? Ooo eeee ooo ah ah ting tang walla walla bing bang. DAMNIT.”
“Uh oh, looks like I’m going to miss my bus, it’s coming up, and I’m not quite near the bus stop yet. Should I run? Hell no, I have my pride! Hm, what means more: waiting another 20 minutes for the bus or running to catch this one? Well, doesn’t matter, the driver completely passed me by. I didn’t want to ride on that bus ANYWAY. So there.”
“Is that a man or a woman? It has long hair, which really means nothing. Hm, longish nails. Only the thumbs are painted- black no less. Stupid Los Angeles androgynous people. I’m pretty sure it’s a man. Woman. Should I ask? Noooo, don’t ask, that is like, the rudest thing ever.”
“I wonder if the bus’ll take this dollar coin… ” *Two Minutes later* “Of course not, the only place that takes them are the bank. Asshats. Who the hell thought a dollar coin was a good idea here? I blame the post office for giving it to me. Speaking of, I should really mail that rent check. “
“Oooo eee ooo ah ah ting tang… CRAP!”
“Look how cute that baby is, Aw, I want a baby. I bet I’d be a good mom. Paul would definitely be a good dad. Oh god, it’s crying. Lady, make your baby stop crying! She dropped her bottle. Lady, your kid dropped her bottle. LADY, YOUR KID DROPPED HER BOTTLE- OH GOD, don’t just HAND IT BACK TO HER! OH SWEET JESUS, THIS FLOOR IS WORSE THAN A MOVIE THEATER’S BATHROOM AND YOU’RE JUST GOING TO GIVE IT BACK TO HER!? I can’t watch. Lady, your daughter dropped her binky. LADY, your daughter dropped her- LADY! DAMN YOU, WHO LET YOU BREED? Hm, am I having a stroke?”
“I wonder if I’d be able to call 911 if I got hit by a bus. Would it kill me? Probably. I wonder who would come to my funeral. I should make out a will. Ha, what would I put in it? ‘Dad gets my ipod, mom gets my shoes.’ Wow, that’s depressing. I’m 29 and have amassed nothing. I should buy some rare coins or something. I wonder if they’ll accept a will that’s been written on Hello Kitty paper that smells like grapes. I wish I had some Big League Chew. Boy I love gum.”
“When God closes a door, he opens a window.” Yes, people are fond of that saying. I can understand why, I mean- it’s giving a person hope, that no matter how screwed you’re feeling, at least at some point, something a little less messed up will happen.
So, I’m kind of waiting for that window to open. Annnny day now. Please. This past week, Paul celebrated his 30th birthday (yay, honey!) by looking at apartments with me. Because we’re saving all our money for a deposit (1st mo, plus security, plus pet fee), I couldn’t throw him a party. So, his fellow teachers did. When asked if he had any plans, he said no. I quite honestly feel like a failure. I couldn’t even give my husband a 30th birthday party. We had kind of thought that we’d have it in the new place, kind of a belated 30th slash house warming. Well, as of last Friday, we would not be getting the kickass apartment we applied for.
No, the apartment that was perfect was not to be for us. Someone swooped in and dropped off a deposit along with the application. Hell, if I knew that could be done, I would have dropped off my first born as well! As has been told to me by everyone (which I DO appreciate): something better will come along. I’m hoping so, and I hope it’s soon, because I am so tired of looking at apartments. Last weekend we must have looked at ten or so, all with things that just weren’t right. At this point in our lives, we need to be in something we LOVE, and after losing that last place to a sniper bidder, it’s never been more evident that I really want something we can grow in…
Which means: no vinyl, no crappy closets, preferably no carpet in the living room, two bathrooms, at least two flat walls uninterrupted by shelves and windows in the living room, and a gated entry. I’m starting to feel like Goldilocks- this one is too small, that one is too cold, that bathroom smells like feet, I think a murder was comitted in that refrigerator, Woofie likes his carpet dark brown (okay, that one is a joke), the screen door to the balcony isn’t able to be opened (WTH?), you get the drift. It’s like nothing is as perfect as the Place We Lost.
So, I’m going back to the drawing board. Looking at places I don’t know if I’d like otherwise, and basically just hoping we’ll find The One. When do we stop looking for various “Ones”? The husband, the apartment/house, cars, strollers, carseats, cribs, puppies… it’s neverending!
Hopefully I’ll have some good news to report soon. Just as soon as I can drag my carcass into yet another cookie cutter apartment building.
Please, please stop having incredibly loud sex at 5am, when I had a crappy night’s sleep. On that vein, PLEASE get a futon. Or remove the box springs. ANYTHING to not have to hear that ungodly squeaking at an ungodly hour (like this morning’s 5am wakeup call an hour before I actually have to wake up).
I mean really, you say you don’t work because you have a worker’s comp claim that says you hurt your back, and if you do any work you’ll get sued for fraud. Whatever. So Hubba has to help bring up the bags of cat litter for your 4 cats in a one bedroom apartment. Whatever. Doesn’t matter to me. Now, when you tell me not two days ago that your back pain is so horrible you’re going to need an emergency epidural, and you can barely walk, I feel bad for you. Until now. Your back must feel better with all that “medical” marijuana you’ve been using, although according to you, it’s okay- you have a license (hm, note to self: is that why she’s got that young unemployed boyfriend squatting with her?).
I just don’t understand though- how is it possible that two people who don’t work, don’t leave the apartment unless they need to walk to get coffee, manage to have sex repeatedly during the ONLY time of day most humans are sleeping? Honestly?!
I feel bad, but when we move out (BLISS!), I’m turning you in, Neighbor. To the landlord for having a roommate- since you’ve been locked into a rent controlled lease, and breaking it, which is unfair. We have two people living in our apartment, we have to pay 300 dollars more. You’ve got someone in there illegally, I can only imagine how badly the landlord is trying to get you out to get the 500+ dollars he’s losing a month. And really, you can’t work because you hurt your back, but those gymnastics you perform every morning aren’t smarting? I smell fraud, here.
Signed,
Sleepless and sexless (thanks to you! nothing turns off a person more than the sounds of someone else doing it above them)
I’ve always been intrigued with monogamy. Before Hubba, I was a textbook monagamizer (Awesome made up word), going from relationship to relationship. I did the things people said wouldn’t lead to a lasting relationship and ended up in relationships consecutively for 4 years, two years, and now it’s 5 with Hubba. And no, I’m not a slut, I just love a lot. Hehe.
Over the course of my relationships, I’ve always been the dumpee. I never got tired of being with that person, never needed space or alone time. Perhaps it’s because the first two were long distance relationships! Technically, the four year was based here and in San Diego where he went to college, the 2 year was here and Santa Rosa (north of S. F.), where the first 8 months were here only. In that situation I got nice and attached just in time for him to move. Anyway, when I’m “with” a person, I’m WITH them. Nothing else turns my head. Well, people turn my head, but it’s appreciative glances, not appraising. Get it? I’m not looking around, but if I see something, it’s like, oh, he’s cute! Or, which one of my single friends can I hook him up with?
This is why I don’t understand things like Polygamy and cheating on your spouse. If you’re with someone, yet still find yourself looking for something else to come along, get OUT of that relationship! On TLC this weekend there was a show about Polygamy. One of the Sister Wives (swear she called herself that) said that it’s better than marry/divorce/remarry/redivorce going on in the world today. They (polygamists) don’t have troubles staying monagamist, No, they are TOO monogamist. As in, wanting to marry multiple people because they can’t bear to be without one of their other wives.
If that’s so true, why not have multiple husbands? Why are the men the only “monogamists”? The very first Sister Wife was hesitant to be on camera, for reasons unexplained, but when she finally accepted, she told what seemed more like the truth. Unlike what the other two wives had said (Sister Wife 2 and Sister Wife 3, each one younger than her predecessor), it wasn’t a warm family life from the beginning. No, First Wife said it was actually very hard for her, and she harbored anger and bitterness for about 13 years, until she got very sick and nearly died, at which point it seems she was grateful to have others to tend to her family. That’s when her bitterness and anger left, and she became a bit more of a unit.
Now, I must say, I would never be able to share Hubba with anyone. If he “found a connection” (the Polygamist Husband’s reason why he added new wives) with someone other than me, then go on ahead and leave me because A.) If you don’t want to be with me, I’m not hanging around B.) There is NO loving me and someone else at the same time, it’s just not possible in my heart, and C.) I refuse to share. This isn’t based on religion or what other people do in their personal lives, no, I am so unbelievably unable to share anything, that should someone want to share my most prized possession (Hubba), I’d probably keel over.
Luckily, when asked what he’d do should he find a “connection” with someone other than his lovely wife, Hubba said, “I’m not looking for any connection, it won’t happen”.
It’s on the same topic, I suppose, as cheating. Like I mentioned before, there is no one else who looks even the slightest bit appetizing to me. I don’t want to see what else is out there, I can’t imagine being with anyone else. He fits with me. Despite my vehemence, if all of a sudden, something changed, I’d see a therapist and then, should I not be “fixed” get out before I’d ever consider cheating- why should I harm my husband, the one who did no wrong by destroying his self esteem and his notion of marriage?
So my friends, what would you do if you felt a sudden “connection” to someone other than your husband/wife?
Winnie the Pooh. The time tested nursery favorite. I’ve seriously never wanted to be pregnant more than right now. Why? I want a Hundred Acre Wood themed nursery. I WANT IT!
Perhaps it’s the little OCD wedding-planner coming back, planning a whole set of things based on one thing (wedding was based on trees), but Hubba and I currently sleep below a vintage (ha, if 30 years is vintage) Winnie the Pooh light cover. A gift from my aunt when I was born, it has four sides, one with Pooh and Tigger, one with Pooh and Rabbit, one with Pooh and Eeyore (Hubba’s fave) and the last has Pooh and Piglet. Each scene has a little extra, a honey pot, some leaves, a balloon… the point is, it’s Winnie the Pooh and Friends. I’ve always imagined putting that light cover in our child’s room, like it was in my room growing up.
There is one small problem: I hate the over-commercialism of Winnie the Pooh for babies. I love babies, I love Pooh (ha) and I love them together, but do they really need to market it together so much? Thus my choosing for a “Hundred Acre Wood” theme, with references to Winnie the Pooh. *Also, I don’t want to knock ANYONE’S choice of a Winnie the Pooh theme, I LOVE LOVE LOVE it, but just not all Pooh, All the Time, KWIM?
The furniture of the room would be whatever, I’m just blogging about what I’d want to fill out the theme.
First, the color would probably be white, as we’ll be renting an apartment, and I don’t know if they’re too fond of painting. So, to get around this “no color on the wall” rule, I’d use a wall decal.
I’d possibly add on one of LeenTheGraphicsQueen‘s owls on a tree branch decals, in honor of the character from Winnie the Pooh, Owl.
Once the decals are up, I could see hanging a sign in the room, a quote from one of the many Poohisms out there. A few of my favorites:
“If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day, so I never have to live without you.” (perhaps better said to a spouse?)
“If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together.. there is something you must always remember. you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. but the most important thing is, even if we’re apart.. i’ll always be with you.”
“Promise me you’ll never forget me because if I thought you would I’d never leave.”
“If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever”
“Sometimes The Smallest Things Take Up The Most Room In Your Heart”
Then, when the walls are all taken care of, I’d move to the bedding.
I like this bedding- ONLY the bedding because our light cover has the newer Pooh version, not the softer, more realistic Classic Pooh. Also, the room looks a little cluttered to me!!
So, this is what I’ve been thinking about all day. Hopefully there will be a reason to buy all this stuff sooner or later. Either that or I’m going to have to plan a Winnie the Pooh themed 2nd wedding! Can you help me think of other things I could add without overdoing the whole “Winnie the Pooh” thing?
So much of my life was spent loving music, wanting to sing, wanting to play instruments (both of which I am not very good at) that I can pretty much date parts of my life with songs.
“Music is a Dancer”? I heard that on my first walkman while baby-sitting a kid who was maybe a year younger than I was. That was interesting.
“Love You Down”, Inoj. A song I loved at Jamba Juice, only available on one CD at the time, Hubba hunted it down and found it for me.
The whole 50 First Date soundtrack reminds me of our first Valentine’s day together (this go around).
“How Far We’ve Come” by Matchbox Twenty. This song played almost literally non-stop during our short honeymoon in Las Vegas, and now whenever I hear it I am reminded of that heady, “our life is just beginning” feeling of being free to sleep in, to take baths together in the suite’s huge tub, and to basically be an attention whore while wearing my “Just Married” tank top.
and now…
“I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz. I’ve long be a fan of his, he has a version of “Melt With You” on the aforementioned 50 First Dates soundtrack, and his CD “Waiting for My Rocket to Come” is the first CD Hubba and I bought together as a couple (well, along with Jack Johnson and John Mayer). Back to “I’m Yours”, this song couples Jason Mraz’s mouth-watering vocal abilities (I swear, I drool listening to it) with lyrics that make you smile, this song is all about living for the now and doing what feels right. When Hubba and I were on our REAL honeymoon (although delayed by six months) in Kauai, Hawaii, this song played non-stop on the three channels we were able to find in Hawaii. It wasn’t until we got back home that I googled the video, and saw that it had been filmed in the exact same places in Kauai we had been!
He was on Saturday Night Live last weekend, and I nearly died. Something about his songs make me want to love someone. Is that weird?
