Move In

Okay. Lots to catch up on...

Friday the 4th, mom and I drove from our hotel in Glendale to the apartment. I signed the lease, did the move-in inventory and we did a few small errands. We bought only the essentials: cleaning supplies and bottled water. Filled out a maintenance request, grabbed some dinner and decided to just relax at the hotel.

Saturday, Bogey and his huge friggin' truck showed up. Getting the tractor trailer through my security gate, around the corner, past the parking spot overhangs, and backed up to my door was an incredible feat in itself, but Bogey turned out to be one wicked good driver. Me, Coop & my mom busted our tails and got that sucker unloaded in less than an hour! For me, a skinny kid and a mom with bad knees, I was impressed. This left me with a mountain 'o boxes in my living room. Mom and I spent the rest of the afternoon diving into unpacking. We burned out quick and headed back to the hotel early evening.

Sunday, we took Dante to his new home so he could start to adjust. We did some more miscellaneous unpacking and decided to head to IKEA to buy the furniture I needed in order to continue unpacking. IKEA is in Tempe about 25 miles away. With list in hand, we parked at the 20+ acre store and walked into a Swedish pandemonium. Granted, having everything I needed in one spot was a godsend, the IKEA experience quickly sapped my energy. After much browsing, debate and wandering around, we decided on three Billy bookcases (2 tall; 1 short) and three Aneboda dressers (1 tall; 1 short; 1 bedside table). On the way back from IKEA, we decided to go look for a pullout couch. Having to go back to the hotel every night prevented us from spending full days at the apartment and my mom (and future houseguests) would need something to sleep on anyway. Didn't find anything I liked that wasn't suede and was in our price range.

Monday, we took a gamble that we'd find a pullout bed and checked out of our hotel. Turned out to be a great idea. Got all three bookshelves put together. Organized and alphabetized all my books and movies - would you expect anything less from me?! Stayed up pretty late. Tuesday, we unpacked all day, finished emptying all of the remaining boxes, went to Target for the fourth time in a week. Basically, we wanted to get as much as possible finished so Wednesday could be dedicated to picture hanging, knickknack distributing and wedding preparations. As far as Monday and Tuesday were concerned, just imagine lots of fast food (my mom's addicted to Baja Fresh now), tons of trash to take out and an apartment that got WAY worse before it got any better.

Wednesday, we spent six hours hanging art - I have shitload of paintings, prints, photographs, diplomas, shadowboxes, and artwork. We also made a side trip to Lowe's, where we picked up some chairs for the patio and a few plants that can survive this kind of weather. Took a short dip in the pool - by the way, pools in Arizona are like swimming in a cup of tea. Not at all refreshing, but wet nonetheless. Showered up just in time for Coop to stop by after work. We cracked open the first official bottle of wine in my apartment (Smoking Loon Syrah) and then headed out for a real meal. Had some very tasty steaks and more wine. My mom got all weepy in the parking lot saying goodbye to Coop. We went back to Target, AGAIN, for three things we had forgotten. Back to the apartment to pot my new plants, paint our toenails and pack for the wedding.

Phew! What a week that was. I could NEVER have done it without my mom! I would have stared at all the boxed, hoping that just looking at them long enough would make them go away, and then I would have had a panic attack. Instead, I now have a very cozy apartment, filled with new, beautiful and comfortable things. And, since I have a kick-ass pullout couch, you're welcome here anytime you need a place to stay - or you just want to come visit. I feel like I've spent a large part of my life visiting other people in the places where they live. Now it's your turn to visit me!

I am now an official resident of Avondale, AZ. YAY! :)

P.S. I'll post photos my apartment on the blog as soon as I'm done cleaning and fiddling with everything.

P.P.S. For anyone I've sorely neglected, be it via phone or email, I'm sorry. Since they day I left Sandy Pond, the chaos hasn't stopped. I'm hoping to be totally settled in and working at a job by the end of the week...

P.P.P.S. Got an email from the ASU Foundation people. Said they are "gathering key members of their team" and they'll "call with dates and times." Sounds like Steve was right - I'll have to go meet the development folks and will probably have to take some writing tests. I'll keep 'ya posted...