A yuppiemanor.com user brought Walk Score to my attention. Between that fabulous site, Google’s Street View (here’s my street!) and sites like apartmentratings.com, renters have a lot of resources to preview potential pads. In particular, those moving cross-country have a lot more peace of mind, as they can scope out neighborhoods from afar. It’s pretty great.
How do you look for new apartments?
We’ve turned out a few rooms this week. The husband has advanced from lawn mowing to basic plumbing, circuit testing, and the most recent remark: “So I had to saw off some drywall to install the outlet.”
Where has my cuddly software geek gone?
Here are more photos, as I know that’s why you’re really here. Some areas are still in-progress, so don’t mind our mess. 
Also, I don’t know why there’s such a big space before the dining room. If I can tear the software husband away from his toolbox, I’ll get that corrected.
Our Bedroom (and sneaky cat Annie):
Our bathroom (and don’t worry, we’re going mount a flat-screen TV by the jacuzzi):
The upstairs hallway:
The guest room (I’ve got three sets of houseguests coming this week! Register for your spot now!
The guest bathroom:
The staging room (or, the Den, eventually…)
The livingroom:
The dining room:
Our brave explorer:
Getting the house a week early was a blessing and a curse. On the bright side, we knocked out a lot of painting. Here are some before and after pics of our bedroom, which went from bright lilac to Behr’s athenian green.
I’d give you a long shot of our bedroom with the furniture in place, but our box spring doesn’t fit up the stairs. That was just one of many glitches on moving day.
The movers came right at 8am. Our basement contractors, scheduled to fix the cracks, never showed up. So, I wasted a good part of my day waiting around for invisible workers. Back at the apartment, things weren’t looking good. We quickly ran out of packing supplies, and had to “make it work”.
We were so caught up with prepping the house, that we didn’t leave ourselves enough time to pack up and clean the apartment. Also, to save money, we decided to use the furniture movers for the big stuff, leaving us to move the small stuff. In retrospect, I would have gladly given the furniture movers another $200 to save 20 trips back and forth with a ticking lease at hand. And did I mention our former apartment was on the fourth floor? Definitely the most stressful weekend of 2008. So, when we finally (thought) we got everything out, we did what any exhausted movers would do: we tumbled into the jacuzzi with root beer floats. It was very classy.
Adam said it would be easier once the move was complete, since we’d only have one place to focus on. In a roundabout way, this is true. However, we weren’t prepared for the unpleasant surprises lurking at 6410 Piping Rock Road. I mentioned the box spring didn’t fit up the stairs, which has resulted in a random $300 purchase for a split box spring. The next morning, our former landlord called: we missed a cupboard of pots and pans. Lovely. During the pots and pan run, the Culligan man showed up, because our old water softener decided it would be cool to explode all over the basement. Fantastic. We also discovered a lift in the hardwood floor of the den. How we missed that before, I’m not sure, but it now requires an engineer’s analysis to see what has caused the problem and if it can be fixed. Beautiful. Upon removing the painter’s tape of our finished bedroom, we discovered the painter’s tape wasn’t very painter friendly, leaving a ton of touch-up work with a razor blade and a little can of white craft paint. An amazing way to spend two days. And finally, switching out our yellow light switch covers for white light switch covers resulted in unpredictable appliance outages. Really, I don’t wish this drama on anyone.
My perfectionist neurosis has been kicking in full throttle, too. My eyes are improvement laser beams, scanning the room for imperfections great and small (and very tiny) that I can possibly change. I’m pretty sure it’s driving the husband el nutso, as he has to go along with my scheming. But then I read a helpful little article called Life vs. repairs. It’s truthful, it’s witty, it’s worth a read. I know that I’ll have to settle down eventually and enjoy what I’ve purchased instead of always trying to improve it. It’ll be tough, but I’ll work on it. But first, more pastel walls need to be painted over. This is not something I can settle down about (and neither can the husband, thankfully - who wants pink and purple walls?).
But the good news is, since this summer is shot, we’re planning a trip to the Caribbean over the winter. You know, just laying on the sand, drinking fruity drinks, hoping the neighbors are shoveling our sidewalk in our absence… :)
We’ve cleaned all the carpeting, scrubbed baseboards and windows, mowed the grass twice, gardened, cleaned appliances, taped the walls for painting, removed electrical covers, swept, vacuumed, and dusted. I also locked us into the backyard, and got my first splinter from the deck. It’s been a pretty big week.
The former owners came over today to pick up their ratty couch from the garage. Now we can finally sweep that dirt pile out. Adam overheard them say, “Wow, look at the yard!” Yeah, look at the yard you could have had:
We’re still proud. And we’re thankful for the four Congratulations cards we received this week!
So, we start painting tomorrow with athenian green, spring green, and pecan sandie (my new goal is to name a paint color). Our bowling partners are coming over with their expertise, supplies, and empathy to get the job done. What would we do without our bowling partners? Everyone should have a set of really quality bowling partners for life’s ups and downs.
Early Sunday afternoon. The hubby and I are sitting in our shorts, eating scrambled eggs on toast. “Silence of the Lambs” is on. It’s a pretty standard weekend until the phone rings. It’s the previous owners of the house. “Hello! We’ve moved out early. You can come get the keys.”
We throw some already packed boxes in the car and speed through the ‘burbs to Piping Rock. We’re are wildly excited to have the house a full week early - insanely, indescribably excited - until we see that the former owners left us a big old pile of filth and overgrowth disguised as a house. There is dirt and dust and fur everywhere, soiled carpeting, gross appliances, and a light odor of neglect. I could have cried, but decided to report to the backyard first. There was three feet of snow on the ground when we bought the house, so we didn’t fully realize what we purchased. What was saw, was so much in need of a few mowings, that Jurassic Park could be filmed there. Here, I’ll provide you a visual, compliments of our friend Dan:
So, a ton of work lay before us. We brought over cleaning supplies and tools, bought a hot electric mower from Sears, and made our first trip to the hardware store for a hose and extension cords. We are officially homeowners. Behold the hubby sweeping!
And mowing!
And then a small miracle happened. I started trimming away at the extreme overgrowth around the front of the house. After a few snips with my sharp Fiskars, I noticed several different plant varieties. Then I noticed some decorative rocks. Then I noticed a defined border. And then I realized that at one time, the front was professionally landscaped! And so, I reclaimed the sucker. It took several hours and I ended up twisting my knee (I’m writing with ice bags over my legs), but darn it, I’m proud.
So tonight, I’m left with questions. First, why wouldn’t the previous owners maintan their nice digs? Second, how many Tylenol can I safely take in one day? And lastly, can you believe we have our own big beautiful house?! Wow…
The big move is just around the corner now. We went to Chicago last weekend for one last hurrah before the sore backs, bruises, stacks of bills, mile-high boxes, and exhaustion came to play. Busted around the city partaking in the cultural and neighborhood wonders of Chicago, eating at fabulous dining spots, strolling through pretty parks, and even seeing “Wicked” (highly recommended). Here is Kenta, Adam, and Bill bustling off to brunch top speed:
And now, the realities of packing. In my first post, I promised to document the joys and frustrations of being a first-time homeowner so those who are considering buying property can get a taste. Well, we’ve all moved before. My greatest concern moving into an apartment has always been, “What time can I move in?” Here are my new greatest concerns with a house:
Regarding number nine, we did buy a dining room table (but no chairs, as they cost more than the table - riddle me that, American Furniture & Appliances), and two matching desks (his and hers, if you will!). Still, man, there are at least two fully empty rooms at this juncture. That spooks me.
But, we are making remarkable progress on proper and thorough packing. Thus far, we’ve only filled half a small box with trash. When all is said and done, we’ll have recycled, reused, or donated about 300 pounds. This requires effort - this requires going to different donation locations, and the far east-side electronic recycling center. But let me tell you, we’re proud. And if you face a similar fate and are up to being a Captain America figure, use earth911.org as your personal helper.
And so, I must carry on with the packing now. It’s a tough job when this happens every time I turn around:
So I married a yooper. People often comment on our yuppie/yooper relationship. “How cute,” some say. “Wow, does that really work?” others wonder. Despite this damning evidence to the contrary, my husband quietly admits that he’s really a “yupper”:
Aren’t they charming? My in-laws are so very nice. And despite the difficult access to coffee shops, specialty stores, chain restaurants, concerts and sporting events, high-end salons, and other assorted necessities of my life, I do enjoy my time in the UP. It’s a pretty place. Here are a few beauties from Memorial Day weekend.
Canyon Falls
Prickett Lake
My bus ride to the Capitol Hill area on Saturday was pleasant and unexpected. First, the bellhops offered to give me the $1.35 fare, which I have never experienced before. But, it was a pretty nice hotel. Then, when I got on the actual bus, the driver informed me that there was “no fare today”. I find this all very amusing, as I was so stressed out about getting on the right bus and off at the right location that I quite nearly didn’t get on the magic bus at all.
And so, we rode to Capitol Hill. People boarded and unboarded. Dogs trotted on and barked. Funny about the whole dog flexibility policy in the Pacific Northwest. I have memories of tripping over bulldogs in a Portland coffeeshop. It seems they’re more than welcome; they’re expected. But this is fine. I love animals. Let them ride free, I say!
The Capitol Hill area is stunning, full of beautiful homes, tidy tree lined streets, and a pleasant quietness that makes you happy. I’ve decided I’d like to live in this home someday, if possible:
I walked through Volunteer Park. Here’s the the piece of art that inspired the song “Black Hole Sun” by Seattle grunge band Soundgarden:
(That’s the space needle in the background. A perfectly Seattle type of gloomy day, no?)
I strolled through a thoughtful greenhouse. The volunteer there gave me advice about my azalea bush. My azalea has no chance to begin with, since my cat is obsessed with biting the leaves, but I did like confirmation that I should keep the soil very moist.
And finally, I enjoyed coffee in the art museum while I waited around for this guy:
The last picture I took with Vincent was nearly four years ago in the summer of 2004. This seems absurd. That was before grad school and marriage and houses and all sorts of milestones. And I’m not sure when, but he seems to have turned into quite the hipster. But, I’m down with that.
And so, I spent the rest of my day walking the streets with Vincent and his brother, who make a powerful comedy team. It’s nice to be with familiar friends in somewhat unfamiliar places.
The husband finally finished his duties on Saturday night. Here he is, still looking good after a 12-hour shift in the ER:
We celebrated his only free day in Seattle with a Sunday brunch on Bainbridge Island. I love ferries. I. Love. Ferries. And when we docked in the island’s quaint harbor with the most iconic Main Street ever, I was in love with the island, too. After five minutes of strolling past lovely shops and homes, Adam declared that we should retire there. I’d be alright with that.
And this concludes my Seattle blogging. Our next trip? The Upper Penninsula over Memorial Day weekend.
Wow, it’s really taken me some time to finish the rest of my Seattle adventure for you. But I still feel leg pain from climbing those blasted hills all day, so I suppose I haven’t left you alone too long.
I promised you photos of the public library. Let’s get started!
Here’s the groovy asymmetrical exterior, made from glass and steel. It was the largest building from our hotel room window, a mere block away. I occasionally placed my hand on the window to let the library know I was thinking of her. Remember Hitchcock’s “Rear Window”? My relationship with the library was sort of like that, except less criminal, and maybe less creepy, too.
Here’s the main commons area, with a store, cafe, reading area, garden, and stage. This area immediately engages patrons, and gives them familiarities (and a gorgeous setting to be in). The glass walls from floors two and beyond go all the way up, allowing one to peek down at users below from anywhere in the library.
Need a computer? This workstation area has over one hundred for you. Similar stations are sprinkled throughout the library’s eleven floors.
Have a reference question? Come to the exciting desk on this floor, with recommended reads and program times scrolling above you! Or, wait for a roving librarian to find you out in the library jungle.
Each area of the library is well defined. Here, a patron examines a map.
Blended seating allows for more user interaction and comfort. Choose from a desk, chair, or couch in this reading room.
The library is more than storage for books; it is the people’s university! Here are public music practice rooms, complete with pianos inside. Other floors offer extensive meeting rooms, including a row devoted exclusively to ESL learners who want to meet for tutoring (reading, writing, job hunting, tax help, etc).
How does a library with a $40 million+ operating budget stay in business? Sponsorship. Microsoft’s name is plastered throughout the place. But, when the books are free, what else can you do?
Starbucks lends a hand, too. No surprise there, eh?
Overall, the place is stunning. It is thoughtful, it is powerful, it makes me want to learn! There’s plenty of geekery amok in the library, too. Let’s start with this: when your book is dropped into the return bin, it hits a conveyor belt and is automatically checked-in by Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. Unbelievable. Let’s end with this: many librarians carry wireless communication devices so they can instantly text each other for help with patron questions. *drool*
I hope you’ve enjoyed your virtual visit. For my next entry, I’ll cover the people who helped make the Seattle trip so special.
Hello from Seattle!
Since my hard earned airline miles were in jeopardy of expiring, and a free hotel awaited me in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, I felt it best to accompany my husband on his work trip this week. Hey, I know you’d do the same.
As we landed, I tried to remember how many times I visited Seattle when I lived in Portland. I couldn’t come up with the exact figure, but I can count the excursions: 2 Mariners games (they lost both), 3 trips to Pike Place, and 1 weekend stint at the “other UW”. Using the rules of New Math, I’d say this is trip number four.
And so, I’m determined to be less of a tourist this time and more of a focused visitor. I really only have one continuous agenda: eat as much seafood as possible. Yesterday was pretty brilliant in this regard: delicious fish & chips, and a giant bowl of extra creamy clam chowder. This morning, after carefully preening, packing, and planning, I set out westward on foot toward the piers (where the very freshest seafood must surely be, right?). I had determined my outfit choice based on the apparel worn by the construction men hanging off the building next to our hotel. I had fantasized about a skirt today, but since they were in sweatshirts, I revised and busted outside in jeans just as the sun briefly burst through the clouds. Seattle, I’m here!
It was quite early for me, but there was much to do. I started at a quaint coffee shop. The barista said, “Good morning, pretty lady! What can I make for you?” (Well!) Since I was already on his good side, I explained my agenda to him. He said, “Alright. Let’s do a bagel and lox then. Do you want a small or large coffee?”
So let’s stop and reflect for a moment on this interesting exchange. First, the barista was completely supportive of my seafood agenda, and was even rather assertive about the matter. Second, he didn’t say, “What do you want to drink?” He said, “Do you want a small or large coffee?” My friends reading this will note that I’ve been cutting back on my coffee consumption: from 2-3 cups a day in 2007, to 2-3 cups a month in 2008. But, this is Seattle, where coffee replaces bottled water. And, I had already determined that I wouldn’t be able to keep my coffee reduction plan in tact while here. I adore coffee, and I am clearly in sacred coffee territory. I feel I have a responsibility to sample the local blends.
I enjoyed my breakfast en route to the piers. I hit up the shops hard, crawling along the sea ropes until I reached Pike Place. The last time I went to Pike Place, I was crushed, trampled, confused, and bewildered, all while trying to snatch a $5 bouquet of tulips. But, I had purposely left early this morning (a weekday morning, mind you) to avoid a similar situation. This time, I was rewarded for my timing. I was able to chat with painters, potters, jewelers, farmers, photographers, and musicians while strolling around the basically uncluttered aisles of Seattle’s beloved landmark. I delighted in samples of Washington apples, watched the men in orange overalls toss the fish, and easily enjoyed the precious tulips. It was a stunning morning. The only incident occurred when I turned around by a fruit stand and came beak to beak with a parrot on a man’s shoulder. The parrot cocked his head and gave me a look that said: “Your shiny nose piercing fascinates me. May I remove it please?” Thankfully, I ducked before he got his chance.
My agenda to continue the seafood assault was thwarted by a stomach ache. Could I already have consumed too much? But, when choosing between a safer smoothie or ice cream cone for lunch, I still chose the ice cream cone. I’m trying to live it up here, you see, since I start what I’m sure will be an intensive writing contract on Monday morning. Now is the time for good food, late nights, and general hoopla.
I spent the early afternoon roaming the Seattle Public Library. The SPL’s architecture, design, resources, and programs are so masterful, that we sat through two 3-hour lectures in Advanced Reference in library school that were specifically devoted to this model library. There is much to share, but any descriptions would be best enhanced with my photos. So, you’ll have to sit tight until next week.
I must bathe and nap now so I’m refreshed for our big evening. I hear the fried calamari with mango salsa is not to be missed!
