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Tuesday, February 17, 2009

My New Apartment

Over the next couple of weeks, my sons and I will be moving into an apartment. It may not be my dream home, and it is much smaller, but it is affordable. The boys and I get a good feeling about the place. I feel blessed to have found someplace where we will be comfortable and happy.

Our new home is a duplex, not a condo as I mistakenly reported in a previous post. The only common walls are in the garage. It's a very nice neighborhood, and quiet.

When you enter, the kitchen is on the left.

Thankfully, the landlord got the ugly table and chairs out. The funny thing is that I saw them at a used furniture store yesterday!

I do not like this hanging light. I am not allowed to paint it, so will have to think of something else to make it pretty.

And I really do not care for the wallpaper AT ALL! I can live with it if I absolutely have to since I do have a lot of blue things for the kitchen. I wish I could paint it a taupe and paint the cabinets white, but that's not going to happen either.

I really like my new big living room! It's bigger than the one I have now! Our things will fit very nicely into this new home.

I'm not thrilled with the blinds, but I like that I have a window with southern light.


My boys will have a room that they will be sharing. My youngest has not once slept in his room the entire time that I have lived in this house! Why? I don't know. He has a great room in my house, but prefers to sleep on the couch. We don't really need a third bedroom. Later, the landlords are going to clear out their office that takes up half the garage, so if my oldest wants a separate room or a music room, he can use that.

I'm taking the bigger room because I have a lot of stuff! This room is even bigger than my current room! I think I will like this a lot, but I'll have less closet space.


I will also miss having a half bath. There is only one bath here, and this is it! There is a stackable washer and dryer behind the door. This bathroom is functional, but there are a couple things I really hate about it.

I do like the counter though as it is not that ugly white, speckled mess that I currently have, and it is bigger. However, there is no medicine cabinet! What am I going to do without a medicine cabinet? Guess I will have to get creative!

This is the only lighting in the bathroom. Oh dear. And the wallpaper is too ugly for words!

Here is a close up of the wallpaper. What kind of 70's designer on acid created this? I am BEGGING the landlord to let me paint it, but he only wants a professional to paint it. The realtor who is handling things for the landlords said he might come paint it himeself. I will NOT quit bugging him about it until it is changed!

They even left me an charming little 70ish ugly rug! How nice! lol


I am really happy that I have a patio outside. The tree at the extreme left doesn't look real healthy. I hope it blooms! I'm glad that I'm going to have a place for my firepit and chairs, and the rest of my outside furniture.


I think we can be happy here. The boys' church is just right up the street, and so is a good friend of mine from work.

So how did I enjoy my first official day of unemployment? I got up, chatted online for a while, dropped off a job application at a daycare near my house, packed up a few things to take to the new place, did some window shopping and scored some free boxes for packing from the antique shop which just moved to a new location (she was thrilled that I wanted boxes!), and then later we all went to the mall so my youngest could get a haircut. Then we all went to $5 night at the movies and got free popcorn too. We saw "Slumdog Millionaire" and I HIGHLY recommend this movie! You will see why it is Oscar material.

Today I stayed on the phone for 45 minutes trying to find out a PIN number for unemployment. I am also going to get my oil changed, have my last doctor visit with my surgeon, and do more window shopping. Then I can come home and start going through stuff and packing. I'm also going to get back to the Y and sign up for their aerobics and/or water aerobics classes. They are free with a family membership. My son told me he thought we should cancel the Y membership, but we signed a contract and can't. I figure that I can exercise every day again now that I am feeling better!

I am determined to keep busy and stay happy! So far I am enjoying the time off.


16 comments:

Justine said...

I'm so glad that you feel you and the boys can make your new place a home. Yes, it's VERY 70s, but I'm quite sure the landlord wouldn't mind if you changed out the light fixtures. And even if he did, you can just put the old ones in the garage for when you finally move out. Definitely make him remove all that ugly wallpaper!!!! He won't let you paint the cabinets? Oh well, you'll find ways to make this place look beautiful. Accidentally/on purpose flood the place so that he has to replace all the floors! LOL

I can't wait to see how you set things up when you get in there. When's your official moving day?

Justine :o )

Helen said...

I totally agree about keeping your Y membership .. you are really going to appreciate it as the months pass. I have also lived in many different types of homes: apartments, condos, townhomes, single homes and many of them rentals I couldn't touch.
#1 - I think you can improve the look of the light without painting by swapping out the glass bulb covers for cute little fabric shades.
#2 - I would ask if you can put a wide rod over the verticals and cover with pretty - and inexpensive - sheers. Hopefully he will say yes as the wall can easily be fixed when the rod comes down.
I love the patio and know you will make it pretty ... I can 'see' a few potted plants out there come Spring.
My heart goes out to you Kady .. keep up your great attitude .. your sons will be inspired by what you do and how you do it - I know I am!!!!

Bridget said...

Kady, if you go to your local home improvement store (Lowes is one of the best if you have that) they should have some simple glass hurricanes you could swap out on the light fixture and it wold look gobs better.
As for the kitchen wall, I would try to find some large, inexpensive 'art' to cover some of the wallpaper. You might be able to find large paintings at the thrift store you could just paint all of the frames the same color and put fabric over the art if it is not to your liking.
I'd look for some kind of shelf or cabinet you could hang in the bathroom for a medicine cabinet.
I know you are going to make the place look so much better once you have a chance to get yourself organized!
Good Luck, Bridget

Anonymous said...

Kady, I'm so proud of you for keeping a positive and happy attitude. The boys need to see that and keeping the Y is a good idea also, you can get into shape while working off stress that may try to get you down at times. I just know you will make this place into a home in no time. Good luck.

Hugs,
Chris

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

I can't wait to see what you do with this duplex. I think you have definitely found a diamond in the rough, and with your talent, it will soon be a diamond! Good luck with the move. laurie

Anonymous said...

Hi Dear Kady! I'm sorry I've been a negligent blogger. I've been trying to catch up with you! Oh, I am so very sorry about your job! But you have such a strong spirit about you! I do like your new home! You have such lovely things and are a great decorator, I know you'll make it beautiful!
Kady, I'll be praying for you and your sons. Praying you'll find the right job and that you will feel God's presence all over you making you strong!
Blessings, Dear One,
Shelia :)

SmilingSally said...

You've got a good attitude, and I think that you'll do fine. I'm surprised at that landlord not allowing you and your boys to do the work (FREE) of stripping that wallpaper. Perhaps he had some bad experiences. Call a HGTV show and beg them to come in!

Deb said...

Hi Kady! I love your new place, the fact that some rooms are larger than the ones you had is a plus. Home is where the heart is and you have your family and we know that's you who really love and not a struture. I will continue to pray that things and times will be happier here than you all have ever had them, and that you find a job that you really enjoy. And if the Landlord doesn't want the wallpaper removed just come up with some great and funky retro vibe and make it work. God bless you Kady. Love ya girl! Deb

Nikki via The Scarlett Rose Garden said...

Hiya Kady! I really like the new place. I know it's dated, but VERY livable.

Perhaps just take the glass shades off of the kitchen light and add some fabric chandelier shades? The kitchen is AWESOME. I love the layout, and I actually like the cabs. Yes, they'd be better white but oh well.

I had to laugh at all the lamps in the bedrooms, they look like stripper poles!!

So glad you'll have a patio are too, and can still enjoy your outdoor furniture and such.

Those bitter Valentine cookies were halarious!

Keep your chin up sweetie, you'll have a job in no time.

artis1111 said...

Thrift shops! Look at them for light fixtures and other things. I love to see what I can find.There are 8 I go to.FUN!!! Kathy

Rue said...

Hi Kady :)

Can the man come in a check out the place whenever he wants?? How would he know if you stored away the old stuff and hung yours short term? Maybe he'll change his mind once you add your touches to the place ;)

Good luck with the job hunt :)

rue

Tootsie said...

glad you are happy/content with the move. Have had you in my thoughts! can't wait to see how you settle in!

Raxx - A day in the life said...

Congrats on your move Kady, I know you'll make this work, and I'm happy that some rooms are even bigger, that's always a plus!

Looking foward to how you make it yours!

Unknown said...

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Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

GM Kady...girl I just love your spirit and this place really is a diamond in the rough..we all your beautiful things will will be great..and just rmember Hnads build a hiuse ...but hearts build a home..good luck with finding a job..thanks for much for coming by and I do so remember you from RMS..have a safe and blessed day dear one...hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

nikkicrumpet said...

It sounds like you are staying VERY busy...and I'm so glad you found a place where you can all be happy! I'm sure you'll get it all fixed up and be able to hide the things you don't like so much.