This weekend in the apartment has been wonderful. I haven't spent much time with my roommate yet, because I work the past 5 nights in a row, and closed 4 of them! I think she's settling in nicely, I've noticed she has cooked a little bit, and she put some picture of her family in our living room, which I really like. I have two pictures of the puppies out there, so it's elements of both of us. :D She went home for the weekend, so unfortunately she wasn't part of mine, but I really hope she has enjoyed her time at home.
Last week I visited Mom and the doggies, and mom gave me a nice gift for our dining area - a floral arrangement with a base to set it in the corner. I really like the way it livens up the area - before I just had a floor lamp (with a bulb that didn't work!) But the oranges in it really work well, it kind of reminds me of fall which is my favorite season, and it works with the neutral black of all the furniture.
Saturday was college football GameDay!! This was really neat, and gave Scott and I a new way to enjoy the space. We both woke up early, and he came over with his TV in tow so that we could make omelets (that were delish, if I do say so myself) and watch all the pregame(s) coverage. We settled into a day of football, and hardly moved from the couch. Both of our teams pulled it off (one a little more smoothly than the other), and it was a great day! (We won't talk about the hellish day I had at work that evening.)
Sunday wasn't really in the apartment so much, but it was great none-the-less. Gary gave a wonderful sermon at church, and I decided I want to climb a mountain. Scott and I had lunch with parents, and then we went back to their house, sat on the new couch with Rudy and Reese, and had a family fantasy football league draft that was a lot of fun!! Can't wait to see who wins in the "7 Nuts and a Gator" league. Wish Maggie could have joined the conference call, but I'm glad she's at least part of the league. Go Bulls! :D
Finally, today Scott and I decided to go get a free chicken sandwich at Chik-Fil-A by wearing our team t-shirts (Buckeyes for me, Gators for him.) It was a nice surprise that Mom and Dad joined us, and got to see the apartment. Not many changes since they last time either of them had been here, but it was still really tidy. They really liked it, but mom decided to take us out to Target afterward lunch. :D I got a nice lamp for my end table, a light bulb for my floor lamp, pillows for the couch and other decorative touches. The lamps make such a big difference and make the whole area feel very homey! Thanks M&D!!! I'm excited to spend more time in my living area, and I'll always feel more at home knowing that they helped me put the place together.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Week 2
So it's been a little over a week in the apartment now, and I'm feeling really good. I pulled off my first ever dinner party with the girls, and it was awesome. I used all of my plates and stuff, I made baked spaghetti, bruschetta, and a black and white angel food cake that was so awesome!! I had to steal some stuff from Mom and Dad, but it all worked out really well. I also had Natalandra over one night for a little girly sleep over. That was a lot of fun!
I've pretty much gotten everything where I want it, I think. I have a hook for my key now right by my door, I put a throw blanket out on the couch with some pillows, and I've done a good job of keeping the place clean. I kept having to make sure that I didn't spread out across the apartment, because I really didn't want anyone who moved in here to feel like I had taken up too much room, and I didn't want to get used to having all of that space! I limited myself to 1.5 overhead cabinets, and on lower cabinet. I may have taken up too many drawers, but I tried to reel it in some, and I'll be able to share 1 or 2.
And then today, I finally got a roommate! Her name is Briana, but I haven't spent a whole lot of time with her yet. We sat down and had dinner with her (Scotty and I), and I learned a bit about her, and she seems pretty nice! I can't wait to see how things go. I'm still nervous, and not sure what to say about it. Here's to praying for a great roommate-relationship!
I've pretty much gotten everything where I want it, I think. I have a hook for my key now right by my door, I put a throw blanket out on the couch with some pillows, and I've done a good job of keeping the place clean. I kept having to make sure that I didn't spread out across the apartment, because I really didn't want anyone who moved in here to feel like I had taken up too much room, and I didn't want to get used to having all of that space! I limited myself to 1.5 overhead cabinets, and on lower cabinet. I may have taken up too many drawers, but I tried to reel it in some, and I'll be able to share 1 or 2.
And then today, I finally got a roommate! Her name is Briana, but I haven't spent a whole lot of time with her yet. We sat down and had dinner with her (Scotty and I), and I learned a bit about her, and she seems pretty nice! I can't wait to see how things go. I'm still nervous, and not sure what to say about it. Here's to praying for a great roommate-relationship!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Management
Today was move-in day! This is clearly a big deal, and I was very excited all week, but before I get to the move, I should write about something that happened earlier this week that made today so much different than anything I could have expected or hope for.
Now, I hope I don't get him in trouble for writing all of this, but really, he should be given a raise for what he did for me this week. Scott, my wonderful boyfriend of nearly 9 months, works at the apartment complex I moved into today. This gives him certain access to... well, everything, really. Including the room that is now my home for the term of a year long lease. As a spontaneous gesture, he decided to show me the room a couple days early, just so I could start imagining. He's good at spoiling me I guess. But when we turned the light on, I was shocked, and very deeply hurt by what I saw. The place that I was to call home was not what I envisioned, mostly just because no one had taken the time to clean it! Scott is familiar with the workings of this place by now, so he knew that at the point they were at, it was considered "finished" by the management's standards, but the carpets were filthy (as in not even vacuumed), my furniture was in pretty shabby shape, although nothing a slip cover wouldn't fix, but basically nothing had even been wiped down with a rag. And I was supposed to live here?
As I sat in that room, I experienced a sense of... disappointment that I didn't know existed. Mostly, I felt as though this place that was to be mine was so uncared for by the property owners, that they didn't care who lived in the apartment, as long as the rent checks show up. How is that a respectable way to run a business? Also, I felt as though my own pride was affected by the choice they made in neglecting my home - how am I to have pride in my space if my space consists of other peoples dirt? So, I decided to give it the day and a half that still belonged to the owners to make the room acceptable. Otherwise, they would either lose a lease, or bend over backward to make it right when I moved in on Friday.
Well, Scott understood where I was at with the feeling of disappointment - he, too, moved into an apartment that was less than sparkling, and made him feel as though he had been duped. So here comes the part where I move-in...
Yesterday I was packing and the feelings I was having were so up and down. I told myself the apartment would be ok and in the worst-case I would clean the carpets with my mom's steam vac, because I want to have a home that feels like my own. But sleep last night came in short, fitful bursts, and when I woke up this morning I was excited enough that the nerves passed. Also, I mentally prepared my mom, although she knew I would no longer be disappointed. Off to the apartment we go.
After checking in and obtaining all of the trinkets of welcome, I head up to my room. At this point, I know something is different about it, because Scott had been up until 4 am yesterday working on a "none-ya" (as in None-ya-business - a family saying from when I was very small and still believed in Santa Clause) project, and mom and he had exchanged phone calls etc. But I was not expecting nearly what I received when I opened that door! My carpets had been steam cleaned, my couches had been replaced, the tile was cleaned up, my mirror and sink were all clean. The place had been gone from maddening to pristine and perfect, literally over night! Not only did the adorable boy go to all of that trouble, but I also had a welcome gift of a wonderful Vera Bradley backpack, ELLE Magazine (can't wait to read the article about cover-girl Jen Aniston), and a watch that I had picked out and merely hinted at the other day. It made move in incredibly special and the whole event changed from something I was dreading to something I'll always treasure in an instant.
I'll also add this last thing about Scott doing up this room right for me - he enlisted some help, I know that much, and he and those who worked with him did it off the clocked, and saved a lease. They actually left bedroom B uncleaned, but as I learned after getting everything packed away, it really just needed vacuumed in order to make it look at least presentable, although the carpet stains aren't ideal. Mom actually made the comment that if the entire apartment had looked the way bedroom B looked when we moved in, there would have been a fit to end all fits thrown in the front office and we would have gone and signed a lease elsewhere. So thank you Scott, for me, my mom, and mostly your office manager, because you all saved us from what could have been the worst move-in day imaginable for all three parties.
The unpacking went well.We took dad's truck and my car, and it wasn't even a tight fit for all of my stuff. Dad helped unload, which was very nice of him considering how exhausted he was! I was really glad he could make it at all, and I can't wait until he gets here tomorrow to help with some handiwork. Mom stayed, we shopped, cleaned, and put everything in it's place. It was nice to put my place together with her. It made it feel more home-y, since now I have made a sandwich and eaten it at my dining room table with family. I have nearly everything where I want it, other than some pictures and my large white board. More shopping tomorrow, for some shelves, a nightstand, and hooks. I feel good so far, and other than being completely alone tonight...
Oh yeah, don't know what happened with the original roommate. I guess she upgraded for some reason to a 1x1, but I'm not sure when or if another one will be placed with me. Let's hope she doesn't mind that I've already moved in, but I'm embracing this, so I guess she'll have to deal.
Now, I hope I don't get him in trouble for writing all of this, but really, he should be given a raise for what he did for me this week. Scott, my wonderful boyfriend of nearly 9 months, works at the apartment complex I moved into today. This gives him certain access to... well, everything, really. Including the room that is now my home for the term of a year long lease. As a spontaneous gesture, he decided to show me the room a couple days early, just so I could start imagining. He's good at spoiling me I guess. But when we turned the light on, I was shocked, and very deeply hurt by what I saw. The place that I was to call home was not what I envisioned, mostly just because no one had taken the time to clean it! Scott is familiar with the workings of this place by now, so he knew that at the point they were at, it was considered "finished" by the management's standards, but the carpets were filthy (as in not even vacuumed), my furniture was in pretty shabby shape, although nothing a slip cover wouldn't fix, but basically nothing had even been wiped down with a rag. And I was supposed to live here?
As I sat in that room, I experienced a sense of... disappointment that I didn't know existed. Mostly, I felt as though this place that was to be mine was so uncared for by the property owners, that they didn't care who lived in the apartment, as long as the rent checks show up. How is that a respectable way to run a business? Also, I felt as though my own pride was affected by the choice they made in neglecting my home - how am I to have pride in my space if my space consists of other peoples dirt? So, I decided to give it the day and a half that still belonged to the owners to make the room acceptable. Otherwise, they would either lose a lease, or bend over backward to make it right when I moved in on Friday.
Well, Scott understood where I was at with the feeling of disappointment - he, too, moved into an apartment that was less than sparkling, and made him feel as though he had been duped. So here comes the part where I move-in...
Yesterday I was packing and the feelings I was having were so up and down. I told myself the apartment would be ok and in the worst-case I would clean the carpets with my mom's steam vac, because I want to have a home that feels like my own. But sleep last night came in short, fitful bursts, and when I woke up this morning I was excited enough that the nerves passed. Also, I mentally prepared my mom, although she knew I would no longer be disappointed. Off to the apartment we go.
After checking in and obtaining all of the trinkets of welcome, I head up to my room. At this point, I know something is different about it, because Scott had been up until 4 am yesterday working on a "none-ya" (as in None-ya-business - a family saying from when I was very small and still believed in Santa Clause) project, and mom and he had exchanged phone calls etc. But I was not expecting nearly what I received when I opened that door! My carpets had been steam cleaned, my couches had been replaced, the tile was cleaned up, my mirror and sink were all clean. The place had been gone from maddening to pristine and perfect, literally over night! Not only did the adorable boy go to all of that trouble, but I also had a welcome gift of a wonderful Vera Bradley backpack, ELLE Magazine (can't wait to read the article about cover-girl Jen Aniston), and a watch that I had picked out and merely hinted at the other day. It made move in incredibly special and the whole event changed from something I was dreading to something I'll always treasure in an instant.
I'll also add this last thing about Scott doing up this room right for me - he enlisted some help, I know that much, and he and those who worked with him did it off the clocked, and saved a lease. They actually left bedroom B uncleaned, but as I learned after getting everything packed away, it really just needed vacuumed in order to make it look at least presentable, although the carpet stains aren't ideal. Mom actually made the comment that if the entire apartment had looked the way bedroom B looked when we moved in, there would have been a fit to end all fits thrown in the front office and we would have gone and signed a lease elsewhere. So thank you Scott, for me, my mom, and mostly your office manager, because you all saved us from what could have been the worst move-in day imaginable for all three parties.
The unpacking went well.We took dad's truck and my car, and it wasn't even a tight fit for all of my stuff. Dad helped unload, which was very nice of him considering how exhausted he was! I was really glad he could make it at all, and I can't wait until he gets here tomorrow to help with some handiwork. Mom stayed, we shopped, cleaned, and put everything in it's place. It was nice to put my place together with her. It made it feel more home-y, since now I have made a sandwich and eaten it at my dining room table with family. I have nearly everything where I want it, other than some pictures and my large white board. More shopping tomorrow, for some shelves, a nightstand, and hooks. I feel good so far, and other than being completely alone tonight...
Oh yeah, don't know what happened with the original roommate. I guess she upgraded for some reason to a 1x1, but I'm not sure when or if another one will be placed with me. Let's hope she doesn't mind that I've already moved in, but I'm embracing this, so I guess she'll have to deal.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Definition
This fall will be full of new for me and I'm very excited, but of course nervous at the same time. It won't be the first time I've moved away from home, but this time I'm not in the comfort of campus, I'm not with 4 other girls who are feeling the same way as I am (I don't even know who I'll be with this semester!), and I don't even have the comfort of knowing I'll be back at the end of the semester - a yearly lease means I'm gone for good. Also, I've grown even closer to my family this summer than I've ever been. We seem to understand one another a lot better than before, and I really appreciate the love they've given me, but the space they've respected as well.
So like I said, I'll be moving away from home in a week (I didn't even realize it was that soon until this moment... ugh), and I'm so very nervous. I hope that my roommate and I will get along well, and that the apartment is in great condition. Scott assures me it will be, but I after seeing the first one he moved into, I'm skeptical. I know right now that I have the basics of making the place livable - bedding, kitchen ware, cleaning stuff - but how do I make it home? I think I'll just pack all the pictures I have and start there, but what is it about where I am now that makes me comfortable? All of the expertly placed foliage (Mom could make a killing at interior design), the trinkets my parents have collected? I know the love, and my puppies, could never be duplicated, but I need to get close enough. This will be an adventure in finding out where I'm most comfortable, and how to make my place my home.
So like I said, I'll be moving away from home in a week (I didn't even realize it was that soon until this moment... ugh), and I'm so very nervous. I hope that my roommate and I will get along well, and that the apartment is in great condition. Scott assures me it will be, but I after seeing the first one he moved into, I'm skeptical. I know right now that I have the basics of making the place livable - bedding, kitchen ware, cleaning stuff - but how do I make it home? I think I'll just pack all the pictures I have and start there, but what is it about where I am now that makes me comfortable? All of the expertly placed foliage (Mom could make a killing at interior design), the trinkets my parents have collected? I know the love, and my puppies, could never be duplicated, but I need to get close enough. This will be an adventure in finding out where I'm most comfortable, and how to make my place my home.
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