suck-my-big.org

2/10/12
Had I known that the DMV was going to take a new driver's license picture, I would have put on makeup this morning. And did my hair. Ah well, I'll live. I got that out of the way, and changed my address with the bank, too. I went down to the Town Hall to get signed up for trash and recycling, only to discover that they're closed on Fridays. I'll go again next week.

I also drove up to Surprise (a town that still need a ! at the end of it) to my new favorite shopping center - there's a Barnes and Noble, a Bed Bath and Beyond, and a Target all in a row. Did a little shopping at each, and now I'm back home.

The week has caught up to me and I'm tired. I was going to meet up with Michelle and Sean tonight, but we're rescheduling for when I'm not worn out from moving furniture! My plan for tonight is to try and get the curtains hung. We'll see.

2/9/12
Unpacking unpacking unpacking. I also made a trip to the apartment to pick up the rest of the things that didn't fit in the truck, and to go get my nails done.

I've tested out all the appliances (have figured out that "energy efficient" means "takes fifteen minutes to boil water") - the stove, oven, microwave, washer, dryer and dishwasher. They all work.

I met some of my neighbors, who seem like a friendly lot. All of the garages open up onto the alleyway between the two rows of houses, and it's a dead-end alley. Very lovely - my one neighbor Don says he's going to invite the street over for a get-to-know-you evening.

And now I'm going to pass out in front of the fireplace and try to get to used to how high the TV is mounted (over said fireplace). The cats are equally fascinated and terrified by the fireplace.

2/8/12
Non-stressful move complete! The movers were great, they had the truck loaded in just over two hours, it was like a giant jigsaw puzzle to get everything in. There are a few more things at the apartment to pick up tomorrow, no biggie. Last night I was able to get my furniture basically where I want it, and got the bed put together (with less drama than the last time I put the frame together).

The cats weren't thrilled about the drive over, but they're adjusting. They're finding new hidey holes and have figured out where the litterboxes are.

Today the internet guy came and set that up, and then the DirecTV guy came and set up both of my TV's, no drama whatsoever. My coworkers Carol and Jacci came over to be my first houseguests, I told them they'll have to come back when the boxes are all unpacked.

I'm allowed to toss boxes (flattened out) into the dumpster, so I've been doing that. I need to get downtown with a copy of my house papers so I can get trash and recycling containers and have that set up, and I also need to get to the DMV to change my address. But not tonight.

later on 2/6/12
I have keys! I am a homeowner! Went to the house, brought some of the oddly-shaped boxes over, put together my new dining room table, and re-stocked the fridge. I'm tired now.

Monday is now my must-see TV night, with House and Smash both on. Good thing my DVR is coming with me tomorrow. I just watched both, and now I can unhook the DirecTV box and pack it.

2/6/12
So I got to watch parts of the Super Bowl between home and work - and I did get to see the most important part, where the Giants beat the pants off the Patriots. Again.

The movers are all confirmed! The only stress I foresee for tomorrow is me physically driving a 17 foot UHaul about eight blocks. But whatever, I drove the 14 footer (while towing my Ford) 3200 miles, so I think I can handle it. They're meeting me at 9am, and I have three guys for five hours. Can't wait to get the truck loaded!

2/5/12
Happy birthday, Peter!

2/3/12
So now I just wait for the bank to fund the loan (Monday morning!) and then I can get the keys.

This morning, I met my realtor and the building project manager for the final house walkthrough. It looks stunning, and cleaner than it will ever be again. There wasn't much that needed fixing from Tuesday's walkthrough, so it didn't take too long over there. After that, I drove over to Scottsdale, had lunch at a really good Mexican place I found over there, and wasted some time at Fashion Square before the closing. I treated myself to a sweater at J. Jill, and a bath bombe from LUSH (so I can glitter-coat my apartment's tub before leaving).

The closing (in a non-descript office building) was fairly uneventful. I should have brought champagne or something, it was just a lot of paper signing. But it's done, and I'm all set!

After the closing, I went to IKEA (since I was relatively in the neighborhood) and bought a kitchen rug and some curtains for the bedroom and the great room. No meatballs this time. And I went to the "Western Wear" store to buy a sassy pair of cowgirl boots - love them! Dinner was two chocolate-covered strawberries and a piece of chocolate-covered bacon (yum) in Glendale.

2/2/12
Closing tomorrow!

I can now go back to my regularly scheduled Thursday, which involves lounging on the couch in my pajamas.

2/1/12
My loan is all approved (gulp) and all that's left to do is confirm the movers for next Tuesday. Which I will do after I wake up.

The concensus among my coworkers is that if the groundhog sees his shadow tomorrow, we get six more weeks of just-below-80 temps. We do talk about the weather a lot here, mostly with a big grin.

(addendum: the bank guy is like, "We're all set to close next TUESDAY," to which I said, "I was expecting to sign everything on Friday and actually MOVE on Tuesday," so I have to wait and find out how quickly they can push their papers. May have to push back the move a day, and hopefully I'll know that today, so I can reschedule everything. But I am not stressing, nosirree.)

(second addendum: spoke to "The Closer" (who I picture looking like Kyra Sedgwick), who is trying to get everything sorted out so we can close on Friday. I'm afraid to go to sleep for fear I'll miss a phone call. I have not yet met The Closer, and I probably never will, but if she can make it happen, I'll love her forever.)

-catherine