It is well past midnight as I sit in our new apartment browsing the web for ideas on how to organize this small space and keep our home and life from being CHAOS! I realized that, while I don't love this apartment or very much about it, there are a few things I am enjoying. I thought I would share those with you tonight.
I love the fact that this particular apartment is on the backside of the complex facing a wooded area that separates it from the neighboring townhomes (which are breathtakingly beautiful!!). This means that we have no neighbors peeking in and can leave the windows open wide to let in the fresh, crisp, fall air!! I can sit and listen to the sounds of nature all day and night and only very rarely hear anything else. The occasional siren or car horn is about all I ever hear.
I do love that the bathroom vanity has drawers! Drawers are so useful in the bathroom and I wish more house builders would incorporate them!! It makes so much more sense than endless wasted space below the sink that is found in so many bathrooms!! The bathroom also is home to a decent size linen closet, which is another feature I think every home should have. The bigger the home, the bigger the linen closet! The tub is a garden tub with a tile wall surrounding it on three sides. Again, a nice feature. I have a dislike for small, claustrophobic tubs!
I LOVE the "desk" nook that you see as you enter the apartment. It has three shelves and room for a desk chair. It would be better if it were tiled which would accommodate the desk chair more easily but it'll do!
The closet space in the master bedroom and the coat closet when you enter the apartment are wonderful! Until my last apartment I had very little closet space and had never had a coat closet ever! Talk about spoiled now!! The master bedroom itself is a pretty spacious room, too, with three windows to let in gorgeous weather!
What else about this little place do I like?? The porch is big and spacious. Not screened in so that cats can't go outside but it has plenty of room on it for my rockers, the deep freezer, and some plants, too.
Ah, yes, that leads me to say that there is no outlet on the porch. There should be, I think! I haven't plugged in my deep freezer yet because it is on the porch and we haven't figured out the best way to run an extension cord to it. I'm afraid if we ran it through a window, we would either damage the cord because the window would have to stay shut, or we'd risk the cats getting out because the window was partially open. Furthermore, I hate to think of doing any kind of "damage" to the window/screen/wall since that would probably incur extra fees from the apartment.
In the bathroom, the two sink (another plus!) drains and tub drain, do not, well, drain. We stand in ankle deep water to shower and my sink is nearly half full by the time the water is hot enough to wash my face. I plan to run Drain-O down it this week and see if that helps!
The kitchen, while open, does not have hardly enough pantry or cupboard space for us at all. We are making do by only pulling out the most necessary items and keeping the rest in boxes and/or in storage. Talk about living on a minimum amount of stuff!!
One other odd thing about this apartment is that the bedroom door opens outward into the living room. I've never seen such a thing! That and the light switches are in weird places too!! Not a real complaint, just an observation.
Well, I think this post came from learning to be happy and make the best of what I have until I can afford something better. I could sit and complain all day about how tiny this place is or how its not as upgraded as I want, etc., but instead I try to look at the positive side and be thankful that it came open at the right time, the deal didn't fall through, we can afford it and didn't have to sign a whole new lease (just took over one), it is in a great area of town and is close to just about everything.
Hope this encourages you to look at the positive side, the glass half full, the brighter side of life!
JR~
Serenity
Monday, October 17, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Moving...What A Chore!
Moving. If you haven't done it, and don't have to...don't!
Since Friday morning, we have spent a total of 4 days moving stuff, 2 days loading the truck, countless trips up and down stairs, and 2 additional trips back home for a total of 3 extra car loads of, well, junk!! Additionally, there were countless hands that helped out from the very beginning when we decided to move to the unloading of the moving truck!
Overall, we were on our own this move. Very few peoples were available to help us load or unload the truck. That made for a very long two days of loading the truck. We are so happy to have the majority of it over with. Still a few things to pick up at my parents house, but that's for another trip!
When you start packing to move, you realize just how much stuff you really have and you find yourself asking questions like, where did this come from? Why do I have this?? Why do I have multiples of the same thing? I think the majority of people start off trying to be super organized at the beginning of a moving process, but quickly that leads to everything being thrown into a box marked "miscellaneous". Um, yeah, that leads to not being able to find a single thing when you start unpacking!!
So all that to say, here are a few tips that might help you on your next move!
*Don't buy boxes! Ask friends & family to hold boxes for you from home, work, and school! Paper boxes are amazing!
*Packing material: newspaper works if that's what you have on hand, but if you can get plain butcher paper that would be better. It won't smear onto your dishes & other fragile items!
*Use small boxes for books. Yes, it makes for more boxes, but they will be easier to handle!
*Depending on how much time you have to pack for a move, go through magazines, catalogs, etc. and tear out out the pages with articles, pictures, products, etc. that you want to save. File them into an accordion file (or bigger if you need it) by catagory (i.e. Gardening, Cleaning, Vacations, Recipes) and donate/trash/pass on the magazines. Saves room!
*You can never have too much packing material around or in fragile items. It is worth buying the bubble wrap to use! Make sure the box isn't too heavy and nothing jingles/moves around when GENTLY shook!!
*Use towels to line your fragile boxes with...makes for a cushion on the bottom and protection on the top.
*Before a move, make a pile/designate a shelf for anything that is open--cleaners, food, soon-to-expire products. Use as much as up as you can before you move. Bless your neighbor with the rest of it or trash it appropiately.
*Make a donate pile and get a receipt to write it off your taxes, espeically if it is a big ticket item! It adds up!
*Take used books to a book store that allows you to trade them in for store credit! Also, google websites that do the same. Any books you cannot get rid of, donate to your local library's "Friends of the Library" program or a donation program for soldiers/veterans.
*Another tip that I was given AFTER I had most of the house packed is to pack the boxes by room. Start in a room that is less used than others (a guest room perhaps) and move into the rooms that are most used (the kitchen, maybe).
*Label boxes on the top and on one side, and stack them all facing the same way (works awesome if all your boxes are like-sized). Reinforce the bottoms of boxes with extra packing tape, especially for heavy items.
*Clothes can be packed into suitcases and tubs. Especially seasonal clothing that could potentially be stored in the tubs in the off-season!
Above all, try to make the best of it and leave yourself enough time to pack efficiently !!! Moving is stressful! If there are other people in your household, make a promise not to take your stress out on each other! Take frequent breaks and get out of the house (even just to the front yard, sweet tea on the porch, walk down the street). Give each person a particular room or group of items to pack/be responsible for (the kids could pack all the toys and the husband could pack the garage!).
I am not looking forward to moving again in 5 months to our permanent address, but I hope to be more organized with less stuff by then!!
Since Friday morning, we have spent a total of 4 days moving stuff, 2 days loading the truck, countless trips up and down stairs, and 2 additional trips back home for a total of 3 extra car loads of, well, junk!! Additionally, there were countless hands that helped out from the very beginning when we decided to move to the unloading of the moving truck!
Overall, we were on our own this move. Very few peoples were available to help us load or unload the truck. That made for a very long two days of loading the truck. We are so happy to have the majority of it over with. Still a few things to pick up at my parents house, but that's for another trip!
When you start packing to move, you realize just how much stuff you really have and you find yourself asking questions like, where did this come from? Why do I have this?? Why do I have multiples of the same thing? I think the majority of people start off trying to be super organized at the beginning of a moving process, but quickly that leads to everything being thrown into a box marked "miscellaneous". Um, yeah, that leads to not being able to find a single thing when you start unpacking!!
So all that to say, here are a few tips that might help you on your next move!
*Don't buy boxes! Ask friends & family to hold boxes for you from home, work, and school! Paper boxes are amazing!
*Packing material: newspaper works if that's what you have on hand, but if you can get plain butcher paper that would be better. It won't smear onto your dishes & other fragile items!
*Use small boxes for books. Yes, it makes for more boxes, but they will be easier to handle!
*Depending on how much time you have to pack for a move, go through magazines, catalogs, etc. and tear out out the pages with articles, pictures, products, etc. that you want to save. File them into an accordion file (or bigger if you need it) by catagory (i.e. Gardening, Cleaning, Vacations, Recipes) and donate/trash/pass on the magazines. Saves room!
*You can never have too much packing material around or in fragile items. It is worth buying the bubble wrap to use! Make sure the box isn't too heavy and nothing jingles/moves around when GENTLY shook!!
*Use towels to line your fragile boxes with...makes for a cushion on the bottom and protection on the top.
*Before a move, make a pile/designate a shelf for anything that is open--cleaners, food, soon-to-expire products. Use as much as up as you can before you move. Bless your neighbor with the rest of it or trash it appropiately.
*Make a donate pile and get a receipt to write it off your taxes, espeically if it is a big ticket item! It adds up!
*Take used books to a book store that allows you to trade them in for store credit! Also, google websites that do the same. Any books you cannot get rid of, donate to your local library's "Friends of the Library" program or a donation program for soldiers/veterans.
*Another tip that I was given AFTER I had most of the house packed is to pack the boxes by room. Start in a room that is less used than others (a guest room perhaps) and move into the rooms that are most used (the kitchen, maybe).
*Label boxes on the top and on one side, and stack them all facing the same way (works awesome if all your boxes are like-sized). Reinforce the bottoms of boxes with extra packing tape, especially for heavy items.
*Clothes can be packed into suitcases and tubs. Especially seasonal clothing that could potentially be stored in the tubs in the off-season!
Above all, try to make the best of it and leave yourself enough time to pack efficiently !!! Moving is stressful! If there are other people in your household, make a promise not to take your stress out on each other! Take frequent breaks and get out of the house (even just to the front yard, sweet tea on the porch, walk down the street). Give each person a particular room or group of items to pack/be responsible for (the kids could pack all the toys and the husband could pack the garage!).
I am not looking forward to moving again in 5 months to our permanent address, but I hope to be more organized with less stuff by then!!
Monday, September 19, 2011
Fall Into The World of Writing
Writing.
Words. Paper. Pen. Scattered thoughts and ideas. People, places, and things. Notebook and laptop. Burning the midnight oil. Writer's block. Imagination. Reality. Poetry. Short stories. Fiction. Non-fiction. Submission. Rejection. Accpetance.
I want to write. Poetry, children's books, columns, and blogs. I want to become a well-known author; to be published. Even if it were just locally to start. How does one do this? How does one find their niche and increase their knowledge and expertise? Where does one start on their journey to be an aspiring writer?
This is the start of my journey...my journey to a world where I will unleash the inner writer in me. A world where my imagination can run rampant; where the stories that have lived in the back of my file cabinet labeled "brain" can be brought out into the light. Write, write, write, Rewrite over and over. Add and take away. Submit and find rejection. Submit and find acceptance.
Join me on this journey to find my niche in the writing world. Join me as I research and rewrite. Ask me questions, offer suggestions. Share your knowledge and I'll share mine. Learn together with me if you dream the same.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Welcome to the Life of Me
**Our introduction assignment for Creative Writing class I am taking was to write a poem (of sorts) instead of just writing an "about me" paragraph. I don't typically write unless it rhymes, and this doesn't flow in every line, but I thought it was pretty accurate.**
Welcome to the Life of Me
Twenty-six years of life this past August
Twelve years spent in school, thought I was done
Here again, year number three, working hard towards my degree.
A daughter, a sister, a niece, a granddaughter, too
Married before but not for too long, found out he wasn’t the one
Reconnected with a high school friend,
Weak-kneed I fell, falling in love,
Now truly happy and engaged to the man of my dreams
Excited for the promises the future brings.
A beauty consultant I am, teaching ladies to care for their skin
Books are my passion, family & friends are my life,
Four-legged critters I call my kids,
And a soon to be a step-mom to two beautiful girls.
A published author am I, with one piece of work
A writer met with years of writers block
Taking this course to open that box
Passionate for poetry and short fiction,
I hope that I find my writing addiction!
Forty-six days left til a big move
Packing my life into boxes and bags
To start a new life in a town miles away.
Fiancée starts new work on Wednesday
While classes have started for me today.
Neighbors are noisy and parking insane!
Pool is green & here comes a hurricane!
Sleep schedule a mess & no job in near sight!
Two pounds gone but sweets call to me at night!
No check in the bank but many bills to pay!
Seems the never-ending list grows longer each day.
Laundry’s awaiting, oh, and dishes too!
Oh my, what a whirlwind, how about you?
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Change of Seasons....2011
As we move into the latter part of August here in the South, we become a bit more aware of hurricane and tropical storm activity in the Atlantic. Our sunny days quickly disperse into afternoon thunderstorms but if we pay close attention, there is a hint of fall not too far away. Nights are often a bit cooler, the humidity lessens a tiny bit, and the breeze carries a fresh scent on it. Yes, fall is coming, quietly creeping in behind the summer.
Just as the seasons change so does our life. Day by day the plans we have set into place change. Personally, I am a planner; a listmaker. Sudden or rapid changes do not sit well with me and there was a day where I would fly off the handle if that happened. Now, though, I'm learning to take it in stride instead of getting my feathers ruffled. The last eight months of my life have dramatically impacted my future.....but over the last month or so I have made plans and changed plans almost as often and as quick as the weather changes.
I am learning to enjoy the constant changes, to embrace the surprises that are around each corner. To remember what really is important instead of dwelling on those things that I have no control over. I'm learning to laugh instead of being angry, to smile instead of scorn, and to "stop and smell the roses" instead of fussing because something didn't happen the way I thought it should.
Life has a tendency to throw us for a loop. What we do in that loop is up to us. We can make the best of it or we can stress, fuss, and fume about how things didn't go our way!
"Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. Love like you've never been hurt before. Live like it’s heaven on earth."
Just as the seasons change so does our life. Day by day the plans we have set into place change. Personally, I am a planner; a listmaker. Sudden or rapid changes do not sit well with me and there was a day where I would fly off the handle if that happened. Now, though, I'm learning to take it in stride instead of getting my feathers ruffled. The last eight months of my life have dramatically impacted my future.....but over the last month or so I have made plans and changed plans almost as often and as quick as the weather changes.
I am learning to enjoy the constant changes, to embrace the surprises that are around each corner. To remember what really is important instead of dwelling on those things that I have no control over. I'm learning to laugh instead of being angry, to smile instead of scorn, and to "stop and smell the roses" instead of fussing because something didn't happen the way I thought it should.
Life has a tendency to throw us for a loop. What we do in that loop is up to us. We can make the best of it or we can stress, fuss, and fume about how things didn't go our way!
"Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. Love like you've never been hurt before. Live like it’s heaven on earth."
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Dance...Sing...
I don't want to waste my life being unhappy because someone else disappointed me. I can't please everyone and I'm not going to try! I want to do things that make me happy and make my life better, no matter who comes along for the ride. ! I know that I have loved and lost and bounced back. I know that I have been deep in despair and found a way out. Dance, Sing, Live, Laugh, Love! The true friends of your life will never bail and will never leave you. Dancing in the rain can make you feel free and happy in the small things in life. And men, well, when the right one comes along you just know it deep in your heart and you know that it is supposed to be. Not all men are created equal, you just have to keep digging for that diamond in the rough (um, wrong term of rough maybe)....Keep your chin up !! There is a full life ahead of you--reach out and grasp it!!!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Dear Papa
Dear Papa...I can't believe its been 2 years since you left us. I miss you more every day. Life has changed so much since you left & I wish I could share it all with you. Every day I think of you & even today the tears still fall. I'm glad you aren't in pain anymore but missing you doesn't get easier. I still expect to see you roll in from the other room or share your peach cobbler! We're taking care of Nana, so you don't have to worry about her. Your memory will always live on in my heart and you will never be forgotten! I love you so much!
Resting in Peace since July 6, 2009--James O E Moore....I love you Papa!
Resting in Peace since July 6, 2009--James O E Moore....I love you Papa!
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