New design ideas....

I am all moved into #2035! My parents came down Saturday morning and the 3 of us went back and forth between the old and new for about 10 hours, mostly in the pouring rain. It was awful! One of my guy friends was supposed to come and help (muscle with a truck) but he ended up having to work, so Brent and I switched cars for the weekend. It would've been nice to have the extra help but it ended up working out having his Explorer with the rain...But, mark my words: Next time I move, I am hiring people. I still have some miscellaneous things in his car but don't have the motivation to lift a finger. I moved Saturday, Sunday, Monday and even Tuesday. How does one person (and a dog) accumulate so much stuff?! And particularly someone who routinely cleans, sorts and purges?! It's a mystery.
It's coming together...This weekend, I will finish unpacking boxes and getting the spare closet & storage closet organized. I am getting my hair cut on Saturday...I'm trying to decide if I want to cut it-cut it (lose 3-5 inches) or just go for a trim. I am getting my color redone in a few weeks, so that's something to consider too, I suppose. Plus, there is the wedding to consider..so I won't be pulling a 2nd grade/pre-college doo, that's for sure! ;)

With a new floor plan and more space, there are some things to think about...Where/what to paint, picture arrangements, etc.......A new start!

P.S. Bella seems to love her new house too....now that she can go back to sleeping with me at night helps I'm sure! :)

End of March Update, Part II

So, aside from picking up many great pieces for the new season on Saturday, I also got slapped with a nasty cold. It started with a sore throat last week and worked its way through my system from there. I missed work Monday and Tuesday..Monday I could barely keep my eyes open for longer than 1/2 an hour or so. Yesterday, I felt less lethargic and was able to get to the doctor and score some meds. Over the weekend, my ear swelled again (yes, my beloved left ear that I just had the cyst removed from less than a month ago). I was able to get a referral for a different doctor within the same ENT office and went yesterday afternoon. He numbed me up, spliced me to help it drain and even took some for a culture. Weird (no dr. has done that before). He didn't know whether there was still a root inside or if it was just an infection, but the draining will help him be able to figure that out.
Last night was the first night since Saturday night that I'd slept on my own bed (I'd been sleeping on the futon) and it felt SO good.
So, today I am back at work (shh!)...Feeling a lot better, 'cept for this dry mouth sensation I'm experiencing. Hopefully, it will be gone by Friday night when I'm priming and packing for this weekend's move!!

Hope no one else is sick like I was....And had a better weekend/start to the week than I did. Yay for a 3 day work week..Boo for lots of work and it feeling like a Monday not a Wednesday! Yay for being on vacation next Monday and Tuesday (because of the move)!

End of March Update, Part I

I just realized that March is almost over, making 2009 25% complete! Time really does fly when you're having fun! :)

This past weekend was supposed to be my weekend to prime. My over-ambitious list told me I was going to take everything off the walls and fill my nail holes on Friday night; Saturday I was going to prime (and that's 2-3 coats for a final prime mind you) my closet, bedroom, bathroom and hallway & potentially the laundry room. Sunday, I was going to paint the remainder: kitchen, dining room, living room, entry. And, yes, it was only going to be me. I'm sure some of you are laughing because as I look at that, I am too. Now, maybe if I'd already purchased the primer and was feeling 110% it may have been possible that I would've at least gotten primary coats on all the walls, but I wasn't.
Here's what really happened. Brent came into town Thursday night after having been on a recruiting trip to Raleigh (he didn't take the route I laid out for him and wound up with a ticket). Friday, Brent took B to the vet for her check-up and TA DA! NO MANGE HERE! :) She received the clean bill of health, despite having lost almost 4lbs. He got to experience a Pet Smart visit with her and spend the afternoon with her (I was QUITE envious!). Friday night, we went to see the Providence/South Meck game. Ahh, baseball. :)

So Saturday, instead of doing any prep work or running my errands early or going to the grocery store...I can't even tell you how I spent the majority of the day. Hmm...But, at least I got myself motivated and out the door. I went to Lowe's and had a grand time (found a rug that is to DIE for and not bad for a 5x8') buying painting supplies and picking out paint chips for the new apartment. Then, I went across the street to Northlake Mall for some retail therapy. I went to Ann Taylor Loft because I had a coupon that was set to expire Sunday (and I prefer not to shop on Sundays..grocery shopping excluded). I'll just say, that I had a great time and did indeed, use my coupon. :) Then, just for fun, I went upstairs to Arden B. A majority of the clothes I cannot and wouldn't buy/wear but from time to time you can find some cute (& not trashy) items.

Just think, in 2 weeks, I'll be wedding dress browsing/shopping with my sister(!!) so I should make it all about me until then, eh?! (Kidding, kinda.)

It's Official: I'm Moving.

I've been craving more space pretty much since I brought Bella home & every time I have guests, wishing we didn't have to share one bathroom.

When I moved to Charlotte and settled on my complex, I inquired about a 2 bedroom/2 bath apartment but quickly realized it would not be in my budget. However, a silver lining to how crappy the economy has been...I can now afford a 2/2 3rd floor unit in my complex! My current unit is a 1/1, 3rd floor, pool-view unit with storage off the balcony, fireplace, crown-molding, upgraded counters, kitchen faucet and dining room chandelier. While I lose the pool-view, upgraded counters, faucet, chandelier, I get so much more space! The 2nd room is nearly as large as mine, with a very proportionately large walk-in closet; the kitchen is L-shaped with more cabinet space than my current galley kitchen (thank goodness!). I am mainly super excited about the 2/2 part of the deal...A room to put Bella's crate, my keyboard, my desk and eventually, my twin bed for guests..and be able to close the door. The location is great...I lose the pool but I gain a more private, wooded view. Woo hoo.

The best part?! The price. Market rate for this size unit is 890$. I currently pay 700$ (because of my mad negotiator-skills). I got the new unit for 725$/month. But, this unit also comes with 250$ bonus bucks that I can use towards rent...So, I'm going to say, "Take 25$ off each month for 10 months (so my rent rate wouldn't change right away), and then for the last 2 months I'll pay the 725$ rate."

I pick up my keys 3/28 and essentially will be moving by myself. Brent is going to help with the heavy items (washer/dryer, dining table, futon, bed, dressers) the following day. It's within my same complex..if I could go in a straight line, it's essentially across the parking lot from where I am now...so it's close, but that will be a pain!

I also have to prime my heart out for the current unit to avoid paying the hefty painter's fee...but still plan on painting in the new unit. :) For now, here's a picture of my new kitchen!