finally got the budget worked out so I knew I could afford the apt.
turned in application and $25 check to prospective new landlord 4 days ago.
called her to check in and arrange to go see apartment again.
negotiated new terms that will allow me to move in on may 1st.
told new landlord that I had to put in my 2 months notice to old apartment management.
she said great and then said i could move in on may 1st and then said, "just let me check out the application and i should get back to you in a couple days".
couldn't believe she hadn't gone ahead and checked it out.
she said she didn't want to cash check until i was sure.
why did she think i turned it in to her?
i expected her to check me out before i put in my notice with old place.
okay...only a few more days.
should know by thursday.
ARRRGGGHHHHH!!!!!
want a cigarette real bad...
(take a couple deep breaths, kel kel)
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Hail to the Cheap!
I went online two days ago and filled out some information on a website for people who buy junk cars. I waited for an offer. I knew I wouldn't get much for the ol' Tracker, even though it still runs. I could've gotten more if I had gone to the trouble of trying to sell it myself. But I was not interested in that, placing an ad, talking to prospective buyers on the phone, determining whether the check they would give me was worth the paper it was printed on....
This online junk car dealer is called JunkMyCar.com. Good name, says what it does, short and to the point! They called me back with an offer of free towing (really?! all places offer free towing - not impressed) and a check for $75.00. Seventy-Five Dollars!?! Is that all my darling little purple car is worth? I told her I would think about it. Then I got a little insulted and then more insulted and then decided to give it to the Salvation Army instead. Better to give it to charity than to someone who thinks it is only worth $75. The drunks and drug addicts would have more appreciation for my vehicle than these junk dealers would. I was really outraged.
Today, Lisa, my JunkMyCar.com consultant, called me back and left a message. She had recalculated the salvage value of my Tracker and was pleased to let me know that they could offer me $125 for my car, but that this would be their final offer. I called her back and accepted. Soon a tow truck will come to take my car away and I won't have to worry about it anymore.
Sure their final offer was only $50 more than their first offer, but I was amazingly okay with it. I guess it just seems better to be in the 3 digit price range. It didn't take much to win me over. Guess I am both easy AND cheap.
This online junk car dealer is called JunkMyCar.com. Good name, says what it does, short and to the point! They called me back with an offer of free towing (really?! all places offer free towing - not impressed) and a check for $75.00. Seventy-Five Dollars!?! Is that all my darling little purple car is worth? I told her I would think about it. Then I got a little insulted and then more insulted and then decided to give it to the Salvation Army instead. Better to give it to charity than to someone who thinks it is only worth $75. The drunks and drug addicts would have more appreciation for my vehicle than these junk dealers would. I was really outraged.
Today, Lisa, my JunkMyCar.com consultant, called me back and left a message. She had recalculated the salvage value of my Tracker and was pleased to let me know that they could offer me $125 for my car, but that this would be their final offer. I called her back and accepted. Soon a tow truck will come to take my car away and I won't have to worry about it anymore.
Sure their final offer was only $50 more than their first offer, but I was amazingly okay with it. I guess it just seems better to be in the 3 digit price range. It didn't take much to win me over. Guess I am both easy AND cheap.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
out with the old
Spring is upon us and I am getting ready for a move. 
Therefore, I am trying to straighten, organize, and clean my possessions.
I am also trying to purge unnecessary items from my household. Anyone who knows me knows how hard this is. Everything I have not already previously thrown away holds some sentimental or functional value to me. This is not to say that anyone else would find these items functional, necessary or even pretty to look at. It is difficult for me to be ruthless, but these are only material things and I will be happier without them in the short AND long run.
I am taking a bunch of videotapes to work to give away. I no longer have a working VCR and probably will not get one. This does not mean that I am giving away all my videotapes. Some of these are priceless (pricelessness has not been verified by authorized appraiser). So I kept a few titles for...what other....sentimental reasons. Who knows I might find a perfectly good VCR in the garbage one day?
How can I throw out my Supervixens tape? So many memories and I practically have the dialogue memorized. And yes, this movie contains dialogue. Very bad dialogue.
Some of these tapes are probably not even available on DVD. I have one movie called The Zero Effect with Bill Pullman and Ben Stiller. I love this movie. I got it for $5 at Blockbuster. I am not giving it away either.
This Beverly Hillbillies set was a gift from Greg -
I can't get rid of it.
So far I have done pretty well making piles for garbage, piles to keep, and piles for Goodwill. I went through my file box last night and threw out things that were not relevant anymore. I actually had a whole file of printouts of email jokes that were sent to me between 1997 and 1999. I read them all again. Tee Hee, there's a reason I kept them, they're funny, but I promptly threw them out.
I found a binder I had made with maps, phone numbers and hotel information. I had put this binder together when I was getting ready for the move from Chicago to Florida. It had the names and numbers of hotels along our driving route and reviews of some good places to eat. What a dork! I smiled as I paged through that binder but I did throw it out. I kept the maps of course; you never know when you will need a map of Kentucky.
I have rid myself of quite a few things so far, or perhaps it just feels like it. I have thrown out a tiny purple cup and saucer that says Cancer on it along with a picture of a crab. I have throw out the glass candle holder, a piece of glass in the shape of a piece of candy, a candle holder with a palm tree on it that was a prize in some contest at work and still had the Big Lots tag on it indicating a price of 99 cents. I threw that broken VCR out too by the way. In cleaning out one of my entertainment centers, I found the tin that contains Tibbs' ashes. I wondered where those had gone to.....Now I wonder what to do with them....
Therefore, I am trying to straighten, organize, and clean my possessions.
I am also trying to purge unnecessary items from my household. Anyone who knows me knows how hard this is. Everything I have not already previously thrown away holds some sentimental or functional value to me. This is not to say that anyone else would find these items functional, necessary or even pretty to look at. It is difficult for me to be ruthless, but these are only material things and I will be happier without them in the short AND long run.
I am taking a bunch of videotapes to work to give away. I no longer have a working VCR and probably will not get one. This does not mean that I am giving away all my videotapes. Some of these are priceless (pricelessness has not been verified by authorized appraiser). So I kept a few titles for...what other....sentimental reasons. Who knows I might find a perfectly good VCR in the garbage one day?
How can I throw out my Supervixens tape? So many memories and I practically have the dialogue memorized. And yes, this movie contains dialogue. Very bad dialogue.
Some of these tapes are probably not even available on DVD. I have one movie called The Zero Effect with Bill Pullman and Ben Stiller. I love this movie. I got it for $5 at Blockbuster. I am not giving it away either.
This Beverly Hillbillies set was a gift from Greg - I can't get rid of it.
So far I have done pretty well making piles for garbage, piles to keep, and piles for Goodwill. I went through my file box last night and threw out things that were not relevant anymore. I actually had a whole file of printouts of email jokes that were sent to me between 1997 and 1999. I read them all again. Tee Hee, there's a reason I kept them, they're funny, but I promptly threw them out.
I found a binder I had made with maps, phone numbers and hotel information. I had put this binder together when I was getting ready for the move from Chicago to Florida. It had the names and numbers of hotels along our driving route and reviews of some good places to eat. What a dork! I smiled as I paged through that binder but I did throw it out. I kept the maps of course; you never know when you will need a map of Kentucky.
I have rid myself of quite a few things so far, or perhaps it just feels like it. I have thrown out a tiny purple cup and saucer that says Cancer on it along with a picture of a crab. I have throw out the glass candle holder, a piece of glass in the shape of a piece of candy, a candle holder with a palm tree on it that was a prize in some contest at work and still had the Big Lots tag on it indicating a price of 99 cents. I threw that broken VCR out too by the way. In cleaning out one of my entertainment centers, I found the tin that contains Tibbs' ashes. I wondered where those had gone to.....Now I wonder what to do with them....
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Grow a Pair Already
Today's quote of the day (see to the right) is exactly the quote I need today. 'Heaven never helps the men who will not act' - Go Sophocles! I need a good kick in the pants like that. What I really need is to grow a pair.
This weekend I am confronting, well, talking to in a polite manner, my apartment complex management regarding breaking my lease early. I am a wimp. No two ways about it. But that beach apartment is haunting my dreams at night and my thoughts during the day. I want to make this happen. It will however require some work on my part. Not a lot of physical labor, just resolve and determination and ballsiness, none of which I ever have a large supply of at any given time. My coworker is also interested in this apartment if it doesn't work out for me. Indian Rocks is MY beach and I will not give it up to someone else. That apartment must be mine.
I WILL make my apartment manager see that it would be unnecessarily cruel of them to charge me a penalty for breaking my lease early. I have lived here with no problems for almost 9 1/2 years and I am already 7 months into my current lease. I would be leaving only a few months early. They will see this and agree to not charge me. They will be subconsciously intimidated by my steely determination. Yes!
I WILL turn in my application with a check for the application fee today to my (hopefully) new landlord. She will see by my quickness of response, my longevity at my job, and my steady rental history that I am the only person she wants to move into her building. She will find herself reluctantly willing to wait a few months for me to move in. She will be so enthralled by my references that she will forgo that last month's rent thing she is currently insisting I pay up front. Thank You!
I WILL realize that Pidgin is old and very incontinent and cannot make a move to a new apartment. I will convince myself that I am doing her a favor by putting her down. I will turn off all sentiment and take care of this situation without falling apart. Sure...
I WILL begin the arduous task of going through all this junk I own and figuring out what must go and begin packing what must stay. I will start small and work my way steadily through the whole apartment in the next two months. I will be organized and ruthless. Sentimental value will no longer rule the day. I will be a tyrant over my possessions. They are but things and I can't take them with me when I go (either in the grave or just to the new apt). Out with the junk!
I CAN DO THIS!!!!!!
right after a quick nap...
This weekend I am confronting, well, talking to in a polite manner, my apartment complex management regarding breaking my lease early. I am a wimp. No two ways about it. But that beach apartment is haunting my dreams at night and my thoughts during the day. I want to make this happen. It will however require some work on my part. Not a lot of physical labor, just resolve and determination and ballsiness, none of which I ever have a large supply of at any given time. My coworker is also interested in this apartment if it doesn't work out for me. Indian Rocks is MY beach and I will not give it up to someone else. That apartment must be mine.
I WILL make my apartment manager see that it would be unnecessarily cruel of them to charge me a penalty for breaking my lease early. I have lived here with no problems for almost 9 1/2 years and I am already 7 months into my current lease. I would be leaving only a few months early. They will see this and agree to not charge me. They will be subconsciously intimidated by my steely determination. Yes!
I WILL turn in my application with a check for the application fee today to my (hopefully) new landlord. She will see by my quickness of response, my longevity at my job, and my steady rental history that I am the only person she wants to move into her building. She will find herself reluctantly willing to wait a few months for me to move in. She will be so enthralled by my references that she will forgo that last month's rent thing she is currently insisting I pay up front. Thank You!
I WILL realize that Pidgin is old and very incontinent and cannot make a move to a new apartment. I will convince myself that I am doing her a favor by putting her down. I will turn off all sentiment and take care of this situation without falling apart. Sure...
I WILL begin the arduous task of going through all this junk I own and figuring out what must go and begin packing what must stay. I will start small and work my way steadily through the whole apartment in the next two months. I will be organized and ruthless. Sentimental value will no longer rule the day. I will be a tyrant over my possessions. They are but things and I can't take them with me when I go (either in the grave or just to the new apt). Out with the junk!
I CAN DO THIS!!!!!!
right after a quick nap...
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Dreamin'
I went to look at an apartment that is about a block from Indian Rocks Beach today. I stumbled onto this property by accident after calling about a different property. It is going for a good price considering its location and it is 2 bedrooms. I made an appointment to go see it. Everyone at work was really excited about it. One coworker insisted that I should do anything to get this apartment. I love the beach, it is true, and this apartment did not have a dishwasher. A dishwasher, as you may have read in previous blogs, is a deal breaker. BUT NOT WHEN THE APT IS ONE, COUNT 'EM, ONE BLOCK FROM THE BEACH!!!!!! All bets are off then.
I expected this place to be kind of dump for the price. Either that or it was the scene of some horrific murder or is partially submerged or the previous tenant ran a meth lab. Hassana, one of my coworkers, agreed to go with me to make sure I asked the right questions. We found the place easily and it is indeed about ONE BLOCK FROM THE BEACH!!!!!
It is a cute little building with four units. The building is painted this peach/pink color and the doors to all the apts face into a common area with picnic tables. The apartment is nothing special, other than being ONE BLOCK FROM THE BEACH!!!!! Hassana and I met the owner, Jan, and we went right in. The walls are white and the floor is white ceramic tile, except for the bedrooms which have carpeting. The kitchen is simple but has lots of cabinets. There is room for a dining room table. All the rooms in this apartment are smaller than the apartments I looked at last weekend, but they are plenty big for me. The bathroom is actually in better shape than the one with the minister next door neighbor. A nice breeze ran through the apartment and it smelled like the beach...I was already imagining myself getting home from work, putting on my flip flops and heading over to the beach for an early evening swim before watching the sun set.
Jan went out to pick up an application form and Hassana and I quickly and quietly discussed the apartment out of her ear shot. Hassana said, 'You have to take this apt! It is perfect for you.' She was supposed to be the voice of reason! But this place did feel right. I felt happy there.
The price monthly is only 80 dollars more than what I pay now for one less bedroom and not being ONE BLOCK FROM THE BEACH!!!!! I want this apartment so bad that I almost started crying. I was jonesing for a cigarette because the prospect of my not living there was so depressing. I just don't know if I can swing the inital costs and deposits to move in. I am going to do what I can to get this apartment but it may not work out despite my best efforts. In that case I guess I will have to start dreamin' about some other perfect little home, with pink outside and white inside and ocean breezes and being ONE BLOCK FROM THE BEACH!!!!!
I expected this place to be kind of dump for the price. Either that or it was the scene of some horrific murder or is partially submerged or the previous tenant ran a meth lab. Hassana, one of my coworkers, agreed to go with me to make sure I asked the right questions. We found the place easily and it is indeed about ONE BLOCK FROM THE BEACH!!!!!
It is a cute little building with four units. The building is painted this peach/pink color and the doors to all the apts face into a common area with picnic tables. The apartment is nothing special, other than being ONE BLOCK FROM THE BEACH!!!!! Hassana and I met the owner, Jan, and we went right in. The walls are white and the floor is white ceramic tile, except for the bedrooms which have carpeting. The kitchen is simple but has lots of cabinets. There is room for a dining room table. All the rooms in this apartment are smaller than the apartments I looked at last weekend, but they are plenty big for me. The bathroom is actually in better shape than the one with the minister next door neighbor. A nice breeze ran through the apartment and it smelled like the beach...I was already imagining myself getting home from work, putting on my flip flops and heading over to the beach for an early evening swim before watching the sun set.
Jan went out to pick up an application form and Hassana and I quickly and quietly discussed the apartment out of her ear shot. Hassana said, 'You have to take this apt! It is perfect for you.' She was supposed to be the voice of reason! But this place did feel right. I felt happy there.
The price monthly is only 80 dollars more than what I pay now for one less bedroom and not being ONE BLOCK FROM THE BEACH!!!!! I want this apartment so bad that I almost started crying. I was jonesing for a cigarette because the prospect of my not living there was so depressing. I just don't know if I can swing the inital costs and deposits to move in. I am going to do what I can to get this apartment but it may not work out despite my best efforts. In that case I guess I will have to start dreamin' about some other perfect little home, with pink outside and white inside and ocean breezes and being ONE BLOCK FROM THE BEACH!!!!!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Just a few minor things.....
A few things that I have thought about this week:
1. It doesn't really matter what he thinks of me. I love him and he needs me to love him and so I should take action. This is the thought that occured to me while listening to a Rufus Wainwright song in the car on the way to work. It is funny how you can think of a situation and you think you have really examined it from all angles, and over a long time period of time, but then ALL OF A SUDDEN, out of nowhere, seemingly unprovoked by anything, you see the situation in just a slightly different but completely revelatory way and there's the answer! How did you not see it before? It is so simple and so right. This is what happened to me this morning in the car. It was like a someone focused the camera. It's not a big revelation, no major epiphany, but it felt great. Why can't I do that everyday with every situation? Was this divine intervention? Don't know but it is leaving me with something to think about.
2. Little epiphanies are great, but now I need to put this new view into practice. This is the harder part.
3. My brother and I are trying to quit smoking. I have quit before, sometimes for as long as 6 months. Then December rolls around and I always slip back into it. Is it Christmas? Is it that I see my brother at that time and we use cigarettes as part of our bonding? I quit in September 2008 and started back up again in December 2008. In 2007, I quit in early July and started back up again in late December. So I am trying again. I am calling my brother everyday to check in. We would both like to have this habit a little licked by early June, when we take our family vacation. But then again, Kev and I really enjoy when we get together to drink a little and smoke a little. It's a dilemma. Wish us luck.
1. It doesn't really matter what he thinks of me. I love him and he needs me to love him and so I should take action. This is the thought that occured to me while listening to a Rufus Wainwright song in the car on the way to work. It is funny how you can think of a situation and you think you have really examined it from all angles, and over a long time period of time, but then ALL OF A SUDDEN, out of nowhere, seemingly unprovoked by anything, you see the situation in just a slightly different but completely revelatory way and there's the answer! How did you not see it before? It is so simple and so right. This is what happened to me this morning in the car. It was like a someone focused the camera. It's not a big revelation, no major epiphany, but it felt great. Why can't I do that everyday with every situation? Was this divine intervention? Don't know but it is leaving me with something to think about.
2. Little epiphanies are great, but now I need to put this new view into practice. This is the harder part.
3. My brother and I are trying to quit smoking. I have quit before, sometimes for as long as 6 months. Then December rolls around and I always slip back into it. Is it Christmas? Is it that I see my brother at that time and we use cigarettes as part of our bonding? I quit in September 2008 and started back up again in December 2008. In 2007, I quit in early July and started back up again in late December. So I am trying again. I am calling my brother everyday to check in. We would both like to have this habit a little licked by early June, when we take our family vacation. But then again, Kev and I really enjoy when we get together to drink a little and smoke a little. It's a dilemma. Wish us luck.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
New Castle?
Cara, Madison and I went to look at new places for me to live yesterday. We went with Cara's mother-in-law, Marianne, who is managing some properties for an older fairly wealthy woman.
Well I looked at two duplexes today. Not like the duplex as I know it. These are not 2 story. Basically a one story house that has been dvided into two apts. The second one we looked at was in a nice neighborhood over by the belleview biltmore. It was in the early stages of rehab and I do mean early.... the layout was weird and it was hard to imagine how nice it might look when they were done. No flooring, some broken windows, filthy paint on the walls, but it did have yellow tile in the bathroom. I love yellow. The tub was a greenish turquoise color and it was really shallow, about15 inches high. I felt so tall standing next to it. I am not a bath person, so the depth didn't bother me, it was just strange. Madison was gagging the whole time because of the very musty, very old-smoke-soaked-into-the-walls smell. This place had a garage which is a plus, but I could not picture myself there.
The first one I looked at was also a one story house-like structure that had two separate apts. It has a carport, so I would have covered parking yea! Off the carport is a room for a washer dryer hookup. There is a front door and another door that leads from the carport directly into the apt. This one was basically done, new carpeting, new paint. It is a very old house and I am sure you would have enjoyed commenting on some the window construction. Every window, bedroom and living room, has these weird tiles on the window sill. Layout was better than the second. You go in the front door and there is a living room, not much larger or smaller than the one I have now. It is hard to tell because there was no furniture in this room. You walk straight ahead through the living room to the kitchen. A nice large fridge and room for a small dining table. There is a flat top stove on one end of the kitchen (not new) and an oven built into the wall, or should I say the cabinets that looks like it was new in about 1966.
I really liked the first place. Cara and I went back to her house and we were talking about it. We already were aware it did not have a garbage disposal. While we were talking, it occured to me that it did not have a dishwasher! A garbage disposal is something I like but I can get past that. But a dishwasher? Now that's a deal breaker! Tom came home and we were talking about it again. He said that we should just tell them that I need a dishwasher and disposal or I am not interested anymore. Cara had mentioned certain things to Maryanne, her mother in law, who took us to these places. It was a good thing that Cara was there,as I was so dazzled at the idea of a yard, carport and second bedroom that I couldn't see the forest for the trees. Cara was concerned about security. I could break into this place and I ain't no expert. I was mesmerized by the jalousie window front doors. When I went to twist the knob to open the window panes, one immediately slipped from its frame and shattered all over the front stoop. Oops, you probably need to get that replaced.....Cara also wanted new locks on the doors, she was not satisfied. When she mentioned the lack of garbage disposal, the response was something like "well Kelly could get a disposal for like 18 dollars and install it herself...". Laughable... Tom said we should make a list of requests and repairs and then let them decide if they want me as a tenant or not.
And there is the question of my breaking my current lease. I didn't know the specific provisions as they had not sent me a copy of my lease in over 6 years. Marianne has seemed amenable to the idea that I would have to give 60 days notice to my current landlord. We talked a little more then Cara had to leave to go up to Marianne's house and pick up some patio furniture that Marianne was giving to them. Cara called me later today and said that Marianne would agree to put in a dishwasher and a disposal. They will have to take some cabinetry out. All I have now in my kitchen is one drawer. This other kitchen was full of drawers and cabinets, so I am okay sacrificing some for a dishwasher. Now I need to find out if I can afford to break my lease, if they will cut me any slack. I got a copy of the lease and I would have to give them 60 days of my early termination, pay all rent due up to early termination and pay an extra month of rent, as a penalty I guess. I don't know if I can swing that,but if I get my tax refund and take a couple of those tests at work (where they pay you 200 dollars for each test passed) I probably could.
Final tally:
PROS of moving to new place
1. covered parking
2 bedrooms
3. separate kitchen with sliders out to backyard
4. bathroom off of hallway and not off of a bedroom
5. jalousie windows on front door, door to carport (I like the look, Cara says they are a security risk. probably right bit I dont care)
6. washer/dryer hook up in separate room off carport with more storage in that same room
7. front yard with big tree
8. my duplex neighbor is a minister
9. close enough to Publix to walk on a nice day
10. about same distance to work as now
11. still close to Cara, which means something more than just what it means to Cara - that she wouldn't have to drive far to feed my cats when I am out of town...
12. did I mention the covered parking and extra bedroom
13. bathroom is decorated in delightful pink and white 60s style (Greg may need to correct me on that style if he sees it)
14. already have a yard man who takes care of outside
CONS of moving to new place
1. unless I can work a sympathy deal,it will cost me an extra 620 dollars at some point to break my lease
2. dont know what this management company is like regading repairs and pest treatments
3. pidgin must go away in order to make this move; by go away, I mean go to heaven!
4. all the hassles and hardwork of moving itself
5. living on a first floor as a single gorgeous woman alone
6. jalousie windows make for easier break ins
7. really old oven - does it even work? the electricity is not turned on in the apt so I couldn't check it
8. my duplex neighbor is a minister so no more naked keggers!
9. no washer or dryer already there and have no idea how far closest laundromat is. will probably have to invest in appliances. Calling Rent - a - Center?
10. bathroom sink and vanity are old but okay with me, but definitely needs a new mirror/medicine cabinet....
Greg's response to this information:
I think it overall sounds great, BUT security is first concern (safe area or not), In the long run I think you can swing the $$$ (look how you struggled in the past and lived to tell), 2 bedrooms would be swell (as long as 2nd one does not become Sanford & Sons dream pad), Pink and white is a 50's theme (please, bitch). In the end I think you could use a move for many reasons and just think how much Troy would enjoy your neighbor. Now hum or sing the Jeffersons theme.
"well I might be movin' on up....."
Well I looked at two duplexes today. Not like the duplex as I know it. These are not 2 story. Basically a one story house that has been dvided into two apts. The second one we looked at was in a nice neighborhood over by the belleview biltmore. It was in the early stages of rehab and I do mean early.... the layout was weird and it was hard to imagine how nice it might look when they were done. No flooring, some broken windows, filthy paint on the walls, but it did have yellow tile in the bathroom. I love yellow. The tub was a greenish turquoise color and it was really shallow, about15 inches high. I felt so tall standing next to it. I am not a bath person, so the depth didn't bother me, it was just strange. Madison was gagging the whole time because of the very musty, very old-smoke-soaked-into-the-walls smell. This place had a garage which is a plus, but I could not picture myself there.
The first one I looked at was also a one story house-like structure that had two separate apts. It has a carport, so I would have covered parking yea! Off the carport is a room for a washer dryer hookup. There is a front door and another door that leads from the carport directly into the apt. This one was basically done, new carpeting, new paint. It is a very old house and I am sure you would have enjoyed commenting on some the window construction. Every window, bedroom and living room, has these weird tiles on the window sill. Layout was better than the second. You go in the front door and there is a living room, not much larger or smaller than the one I have now. It is hard to tell because there was no furniture in this room. You walk straight ahead through the living room to the kitchen. A nice large fridge and room for a small dining table. There is a flat top stove on one end of the kitchen (not new) and an oven built into the wall, or should I say the cabinets that looks like it was new in about 1966.
I really liked the first place. Cara and I went back to her house and we were talking about it. We already were aware it did not have a garbage disposal. While we were talking, it occured to me that it did not have a dishwasher! A garbage disposal is something I like but I can get past that. But a dishwasher? Now that's a deal breaker! Tom came home and we were talking about it again. He said that we should just tell them that I need a dishwasher and disposal or I am not interested anymore. Cara had mentioned certain things to Maryanne, her mother in law, who took us to these places. It was a good thing that Cara was there,as I was so dazzled at the idea of a yard, carport and second bedroom that I couldn't see the forest for the trees. Cara was concerned about security. I could break into this place and I ain't no expert. I was mesmerized by the jalousie window front doors. When I went to twist the knob to open the window panes, one immediately slipped from its frame and shattered all over the front stoop. Oops, you probably need to get that replaced.....Cara also wanted new locks on the doors, she was not satisfied. When she mentioned the lack of garbage disposal, the response was something like "well Kelly could get a disposal for like 18 dollars and install it herself...". Laughable... Tom said we should make a list of requests and repairs and then let them decide if they want me as a tenant or not.
And there is the question of my breaking my current lease. I didn't know the specific provisions as they had not sent me a copy of my lease in over 6 years. Marianne has seemed amenable to the idea that I would have to give 60 days notice to my current landlord. We talked a little more then Cara had to leave to go up to Marianne's house and pick up some patio furniture that Marianne was giving to them. Cara called me later today and said that Marianne would agree to put in a dishwasher and a disposal. They will have to take some cabinetry out. All I have now in my kitchen is one drawer. This other kitchen was full of drawers and cabinets, so I am okay sacrificing some for a dishwasher. Now I need to find out if I can afford to break my lease, if they will cut me any slack. I got a copy of the lease and I would have to give them 60 days of my early termination, pay all rent due up to early termination and pay an extra month of rent, as a penalty I guess. I don't know if I can swing that,but if I get my tax refund and take a couple of those tests at work (where they pay you 200 dollars for each test passed) I probably could.
Final tally:
PROS of moving to new place
1. covered parking
2 bedrooms
3. separate kitchen with sliders out to backyard
4. bathroom off of hallway and not off of a bedroom
5. jalousie windows on front door, door to carport (I like the look, Cara says they are a security risk. probably right bit I dont care)
6. washer/dryer hook up in separate room off carport with more storage in that same room
7. front yard with big tree
8. my duplex neighbor is a minister
9. close enough to Publix to walk on a nice day
10. about same distance to work as now
11. still close to Cara, which means something more than just what it means to Cara - that she wouldn't have to drive far to feed my cats when I am out of town...
12. did I mention the covered parking and extra bedroom
13. bathroom is decorated in delightful pink and white 60s style (Greg may need to correct me on that style if he sees it)
14. already have a yard man who takes care of outside
CONS of moving to new place
1. unless I can work a sympathy deal,it will cost me an extra 620 dollars at some point to break my lease
2. dont know what this management company is like regading repairs and pest treatments
3. pidgin must go away in order to make this move; by go away, I mean go to heaven!
4. all the hassles and hardwork of moving itself
5. living on a first floor as a single gorgeous woman alone
6. jalousie windows make for easier break ins
7. really old oven - does it even work? the electricity is not turned on in the apt so I couldn't check it
8. my duplex neighbor is a minister so no more naked keggers!
9. no washer or dryer already there and have no idea how far closest laundromat is. will probably have to invest in appliances. Calling Rent - a - Center?
10. bathroom sink and vanity are old but okay with me, but definitely needs a new mirror/medicine cabinet....
Greg's response to this information:
I think it overall sounds great, BUT security is first concern (safe area or not), In the long run I think you can swing the $$$ (look how you struggled in the past and lived to tell), 2 bedrooms would be swell (as long as 2nd one does not become Sanford & Sons dream pad), Pink and white is a 50's theme (please, bitch). In the end I think you could use a move for many reasons and just think how much Troy would enjoy your neighbor. Now hum or sing the Jeffersons theme.
"well I might be movin' on up....."
Friday, March 20, 2009
Shoe Trouble
Cara is forever nagging me to blog more.
Okay. Here are some shoe stories.
I just got a new car (it's new to me, handed down from Mom). My mom took really good care of the car, kept it garaged and out of the elements. The interior is practically new despite it being 5 years old. When I took possession of the car, it still had the temporary floor mats from Honda West car dealership in Indy, where Mom bought the car. These mats are not paper or anything like that. They are foam mats. Mom kept them in the car, which seems silly, but I have to say that they have protected the carpeting. The real floor mats for the car are pristine and the carpeting in the car is in very good shape.
Now I am not so gentle with cars. My old car had mold in the carpeting. I also transported a bale of hay in my car once for Halloween and I never could get all the little straws and grasses detangled out of the carpet, even with vaccuuming. I vowed to take good car of this new car's interior. I left the temporary mats in the car to help achieve this.
I was at work last week. We have a huge parking lot and I get to work later than most people so I am forced to park in the farthest row. I was heading out to Wendy's for lunch. I walked across the parking lot. As I got closer to the car, I noticed some friends from work sitting at a picnic table in a little grassy area under a tree. This is a spot for people to smoke. I stopped to say hi and talked to them for a little bit. Then I headed to my car. All together, I probably walked about 10 feet on grass, the rest of the time on concrete. I got into the car, started it and pulled out of the parking spot. After about 1 minute, I noticed a really bad smell in the car. It smelled like a dead animal. I said outloud, 'What the hell is that? Did some animal crawl into my car and die?'
Now with my old car (see previous blog about squirrel), this would be very possible. But this car is locked and the windows are up and there are no holes where an animal could crawl in. My mind was working on an explanation for this smell, as the whole interior of the car filled up and I was quickly getting nauseous. Did the car smell bad this morning when I drove to work? No. Did I shower today? Yes. Did I put on deodorant? Yes. Am I wearing clean clothes? Yes. Even if I had forgotten those things, would I ever smell this bad? I hope not....No!
Then I realized this smell was not dead animal, it was shit. Shit! I was in the drive thru at Wendy's and looked down at my shoes. How could I have missed this? The sole of my right shoe was covered with poop. So much poop that it had oozed up and coated the side of the shoe. Thank goodness for that temporary car mat.
When I returned to work, I walked across the parking lot until I reached the front door. Then I took the right shoe off, asked the front desk guy to watch my lunch while I went to the bathroom, carrying the filthy shoe with me. How in the hell would I clean this? I went into a stall and tried to wipe off as much as I could with toilet paper and then deposit it in the toilet. Then someone else came into the bathroom. The whole stall smelled like fresh nasty dog poop. This person would probably think that smell was coming from me. Oh great.....
I know it is not very sanitary but I went to the sink and started wiping off poop with paper towels and throwing the dirty towels in the garbage. The smell in the bathroom was getting worse. I was getting poop on my hands. Then I tried rinsing off the poop under running water. The sink was now flecked with bits of poop and this other person was coming out of their stall now to wash their hands. Finally I just gave up. Poop was embedded in the tread and the smell was bad. I rinsed the sink as best as I could, wrapped the shoe in paper towels and then washed my hands. Luckily I keep an extra pair of shoes in my car, so I was able to finish the day at work. I did get the shoe clean at home and I threw away the soiled temporary car mat. The carpeting underneath was not harmed in any way.
I also have a pair of platform sandals that I bought at Target. I love platforms, because I feel so tall (and therefore skinnier) when I wear them.
I was walking across the same work parking lot the other day, carrying a cup of coffee with me. I was listening to my iPod and walking with the swing in my hips that good music and platform shoes brings out in me. I slipped on something in the parking lot and went down like a sack of bricks. I hit my left knee into the asphalt and scraped my right ankle to the point of bleeding. That initial pain was pretty good, mostly in my knee. I sat in my splayed out position on the ground waiting for this hurt to subside a little before attempting to get up. I looked down at my arm and my white shirt sleeve was splattered with coffee. When I fell, I landed practically under the rear bumper of a car. I thought I better get up before someone ran over me. My shoes and the knee of my jeans were scraped with black asphalt. I hobbled inside to put some Purell on my scrape. I vowed to be more careful with these shoes in the future.
Even after almost two weeks, my knee was still a little tender to the touch yesterday. Did that stop me from wearing those shoes again? Heck no. I love those shoes. I made it through the work day with no problems. I stopped at the grocery store on the way home. I was walking with my cart back in the meat section and I slipped again. Again I went down fast and hard. This time onto both knees, while I hung onto the handle of the cart with both hands. I hit the left knee in the exact same spot as I did before. The pain this time was even better. I don't know if I said anything out loud but in my head, a torrent of curse words poured forth. I just stayed there, hands on the shopping cart handle, on both knees. Perhaps people thought I had just stopped quickly to pray, but no one said anything at first. Then a man standing about 15 feet away asked me if I was okay. He did not venture any nearer to me. My eyes were squeezed shut, but I replied softly, 'yea'. He believed me, I guess, because he made no attempt or offer to help me in any way. Finally I hauled myself off the floor and continued on, this time limping and wincing.
Will I stop wearing those shoes? No. I love those shoes. Falling down appears to be the price I am willing to pay to look so good.
Okay. Here are some shoe stories.
I just got a new car (it's new to me, handed down from Mom). My mom took really good care of the car, kept it garaged and out of the elements. The interior is practically new despite it being 5 years old. When I took possession of the car, it still had the temporary floor mats from Honda West car dealership in Indy, where Mom bought the car. These mats are not paper or anything like that. They are foam mats. Mom kept them in the car, which seems silly, but I have to say that they have protected the carpeting. The real floor mats for the car are pristine and the carpeting in the car is in very good shape.
Now I am not so gentle with cars. My old car had mold in the carpeting. I also transported a bale of hay in my car once for Halloween and I never could get all the little straws and grasses detangled out of the carpet, even with vaccuuming. I vowed to take good car of this new car's interior. I left the temporary mats in the car to help achieve this.
I was at work last week. We have a huge parking lot and I get to work later than most people so I am forced to park in the farthest row. I was heading out to Wendy's for lunch. I walked across the parking lot. As I got closer to the car, I noticed some friends from work sitting at a picnic table in a little grassy area under a tree. This is a spot for people to smoke. I stopped to say hi and talked to them for a little bit. Then I headed to my car. All together, I probably walked about 10 feet on grass, the rest of the time on concrete. I got into the car, started it and pulled out of the parking spot. After about 1 minute, I noticed a really bad smell in the car. It smelled like a dead animal. I said outloud, 'What the hell is that? Did some animal crawl into my car and die?'
Now with my old car (see previous blog about squirrel), this would be very possible. But this car is locked and the windows are up and there are no holes where an animal could crawl in. My mind was working on an explanation for this smell, as the whole interior of the car filled up and I was quickly getting nauseous. Did the car smell bad this morning when I drove to work? No. Did I shower today? Yes. Did I put on deodorant? Yes. Am I wearing clean clothes? Yes. Even if I had forgotten those things, would I ever smell this bad? I hope not....No!
Then I realized this smell was not dead animal, it was shit. Shit! I was in the drive thru at Wendy's and looked down at my shoes. How could I have missed this? The sole of my right shoe was covered with poop. So much poop that it had oozed up and coated the side of the shoe. Thank goodness for that temporary car mat.
When I returned to work, I walked across the parking lot until I reached the front door. Then I took the right shoe off, asked the front desk guy to watch my lunch while I went to the bathroom, carrying the filthy shoe with me. How in the hell would I clean this? I went into a stall and tried to wipe off as much as I could with toilet paper and then deposit it in the toilet. Then someone else came into the bathroom. The whole stall smelled like fresh nasty dog poop. This person would probably think that smell was coming from me. Oh great.....
I know it is not very sanitary but I went to the sink and started wiping off poop with paper towels and throwing the dirty towels in the garbage. The smell in the bathroom was getting worse. I was getting poop on my hands. Then I tried rinsing off the poop under running water. The sink was now flecked with bits of poop and this other person was coming out of their stall now to wash their hands. Finally I just gave up. Poop was embedded in the tread and the smell was bad. I rinsed the sink as best as I could, wrapped the shoe in paper towels and then washed my hands. Luckily I keep an extra pair of shoes in my car, so I was able to finish the day at work. I did get the shoe clean at home and I threw away the soiled temporary car mat. The carpeting underneath was not harmed in any way.
I also have a pair of platform sandals that I bought at Target. I love platforms, because I feel so tall (and therefore skinnier) when I wear them.
I was walking across the same work parking lot the other day, carrying a cup of coffee with me. I was listening to my iPod and walking with the swing in my hips that good music and platform shoes brings out in me. I slipped on something in the parking lot and went down like a sack of bricks. I hit my left knee into the asphalt and scraped my right ankle to the point of bleeding. That initial pain was pretty good, mostly in my knee. I sat in my splayed out position on the ground waiting for this hurt to subside a little before attempting to get up. I looked down at my arm and my white shirt sleeve was splattered with coffee. When I fell, I landed practically under the rear bumper of a car. I thought I better get up before someone ran over me. My shoes and the knee of my jeans were scraped with black asphalt. I hobbled inside to put some Purell on my scrape. I vowed to be more careful with these shoes in the future.Even after almost two weeks, my knee was still a little tender to the touch yesterday. Did that stop me from wearing those shoes again? Heck no. I love those shoes. I made it through the work day with no problems. I stopped at the grocery store on the way home. I was walking with my cart back in the meat section and I slipped again. Again I went down fast and hard. This time onto both knees, while I hung onto the handle of the cart with both hands. I hit the left knee in the exact same spot as I did before. The pain this time was even better. I don't know if I said anything out loud but in my head, a torrent of curse words poured forth. I just stayed there, hands on the shopping cart handle, on both knees. Perhaps people thought I had just stopped quickly to pray, but no one said anything at first. Then a man standing about 15 feet away asked me if I was okay. He did not venture any nearer to me. My eyes were squeezed shut, but I replied softly, 'yea'. He believed me, I guess, because he made no attempt or offer to help me in any way. Finally I hauled myself off the floor and continued on, this time limping and wincing.
Will I stop wearing those shoes? No. I love those shoes. Falling down appears to be the price I am willing to pay to look so good.