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.