Forgot to mention that Charlie and Bailey now have their own blog. They were tired of sharing their spotlight with my random thoughts. Visit their online doghome at http://mlhbeaglebrigade.wordpress.com/ -- where they share all the ups and downs of being city beagles.
9.24.2008
9.20.2008
9.18.2008
9.16.2008
Apartment Living
I go back and forth between liking living in an apartment and hating it. And within that realm are various levels of liking and hating. There have been apartments in my life that I have definitely hated most things about, like the one I lived in a few years ago that is just around the corner from my current home and the "furnished" apartment I lived in during my second senior year in college that didn't have a dishwasher but had plenty of friends from the Roach family. Then there are the ones that I've liked most things about ... like my first adult apartment in Decatur two miles from work, open floor plan, reasonable rent, brand new, etc. and my apartment in Gainesville that was more than spacious and sat on Lake Lanier.
And then there is the apartment I live in now ... which side of the like/hate relationship with apartments does it fall on?
If you had asked me that question this time last year, I would have said pretty far down the hate side. My neighbor who lived above me last year had this crazy idea that everyone in the neighborhood needed to get up at 5:15 a.m. to go to work and that he would help get everyone out of bed by blasting his music. Then there's the reality of having only one closet in the whole apartment, which feels like it just keeps getting smaller. And the kitchen is not big enough for even one person. I don't think that the dishwasher actually washes anything and the bathroom floor really needs replacing.
But that was then and this is now. This apartment is quickly becoming one of my favorites. I've decided that (aside from the kitchen and closet) this layout is just right for the amount of stuff I have. Granted, when my parents do sell their house and I get all the furniture they've promised me, I'll probably have to move or rent a storage space. My new neighbors who live above me like to run A LOT in their apartment, which sounds like elephants, but it's tolerable. The balcony is probably becoming the best place in this apartment because the dogs and I love hanging out in the sun but there's also a tree that keeps it shaded and offers some privacy and a nice breeze. Although yesterday I had to have a discussion with the dogs again about the fact that not everyone they see coming up the stairs is actually coming to see them. Bailey saw some folks walking up the stairs, ran from the balcony to the front door, let out some welcoming bays, and planted himself nose to the door for a good 10 minutes. Eventually Charlie started barking at something else outside and Bailey ran back to the balcony.
Overall, I think I've learned during my time living in small places is to make it your own and enjoy what you have. Which, thankfully, I do ... most of the time! But ... and maybe this has to do with being in my 30s now ... I have started to look at my financial picture and think more and more about where I want to plant some sturdier roots ... which part of Atlanta, townhouse or condo, etc. My financial picture is pretty sparse so I've got plenty of time to figure these things out, of course.
9.13.2008
A Recovery Weekend
Over the last two weeks, my health has been my worst enemy. But as this weekend approached, I started to regain strength and was looking forward to fun, fun, fun. Unfortunately, one of the realities of having fibromyalgia is that when you are feeling good you have to remember to not over do it or else you'll suffer with far worse bad days to follow. This is a fact that I have read several places and heard from the lips of my doctor BUT a fact that has yet to penetrate my brain.
My plan for weekend fun was actually low-key. Hang out with Lesley at Barnes and Noble on Friday, which actually didn't last long because we were both tired. Then, I planned to head to the pet rescue after a quick stop at the vet with Charlie and Bailey on Saturday. Nothing major. My usual low-key Saturday. BUT when I woke up, I felt better than I've felt in weeks SO I walked the dogs, went to the vet, got gas, bought some bagels, went to my parents' house, ran around the backyard with the dogs, visited with Mom and Dad, went back to my apartment, walked the dogs again, went to Borders, headed to the pet rescue for three hours, went to IKEA, did my grocery shopping, got dinner, went home, walked the dogs ... and ... then ... Yup! You guessed it! I CRASHED! And it's still only Saturday night! Needless to say my agenda for tomorrow is: Rest, Church, Rest, Rest, NASCAR, Dinner, Rest.
(I also took pictures of the boys tonight while I lazily walked around the apartment. Apparently, they got the memo for a restful weekend ... of course, they had an eventful morning but they'd rather me not share what procedure they had done at the vet's office this morning ... they say it's too personal ;-)
This is actually a picture from last weekend. The boys kept me company while I was doped up on meds.
Don't you love how Bailey's bottom teeth show!
... every time!
seriously ... every time!
Charlie was crate-trained when he was a puppy but now can't stand it when he's forced to go into it ... however he will go in voluntarily ... as long as the door does not close!
Bailey is getting more and more used to crazy Mom with the camera ...
... even posing ... that stud!
"I crack myself up!"
9.12.2008
Charlie and Bailey's Christmas wish list begins ...
How cute is this???!!! (Not that I would spend $200 on this but I know my dogs would love it!)
http://www.wagwear.com/catalog/detail.asp?id=cat30&x=47
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
