Journal overload

We've been in our new apartment for 10 days. It's been wonderful! You would not believe how quiet it is. I'm still holding my breath that it's not too good to be true. I don't think anyone is living underneath us right now, so things may change, but for now it's cozy, peaceful, quiet and serene.

Sorry if this entry puts you to sleep. We finally got internet today and I wanted to catch up!

Day 1 - 10/23/09

Friday

"I'm standing in my new home waiting for Rod to arrive with the last loads from Cle Elum. All I can hear is the pitter-patter of rain drops on the roof and the smooth tunes of Michael Buble...ah, this is heaven."

[That night for the first time in 7 months I could no longer hear my heart beat in my right ear. Doctor's couldn't figure out why...and then just magically it disappeared...I think this place is having a good effect on me.]

Day 2 - 10/24/09

Saturday

It's still so quiet. There are a lot of older people who live here. Secretly I've always wanted to live in a retirement community so it would be quiet. I think I've finally found one. And I love it.

[Funny thing happened today. I had my first sighting. A girl from my high school. I had to run the other way. In the process of sneaking away, as I turned my shopping cart, I smacked into the shelving. Twice. Nice get-away plan. Who knows if she saw me.]

Happy Birthday to my sweet nephew Sterling who turned 4-years-old today!

After the party, Rod and I went to Ikea for decorating ideas. I love Ikea. I could live in their store. Then we went to Wal-mart. Let me just say we're not in Utah Wal-marts anymore Toto. It's more like shopping in the hood. We won't be going there again.

Day 3 - 10/25/09

Sunday

Rod, my dad and I went to see Sterling in the Primary program. He was so cute. When they brought the microphone around for his part, he said his line and then as she was taking the microphone away he said, "I'm almost done". I don't know what other things he had on his mind to share, but she wasn't about to find out.

Rod left for Utah to load up our belongings into a semi truck.

We celebrated Philip's 5th birthday a couple days early. His favorite present was Star Wars sheets from my mom. He was so excited to use them, he stood and watched the washing machine. Too bad it doesn't make them wash any faster.

Day 4 - 10/26/09

Monday

Today was the first week day we were in our apartment. I did hear people and cars leaving at 6:15am (we live right above the stairwell) but it was still pretty quiet. I'm so glad we found this place.

Jennifer and I went to see Stepfather. SCARY! We were seriously freaked out. It was scarier than any Lifetime movie I've ever seen. We swore it would be the last scary movie either of us would see in a theater again. We went grocery shopping afterwards to get our minds off of it and then sat in the car and talked for an hour. It was totally fun to spend time with Jennifer but then scary to come home to an empty apartment. Needless to say, it was a long sleepless night.

Day 5 - 10/27/09

Tuesday

Today was Philip's real birthday. He wanted to go to McDonald's for dinner. I met everyone after work and then drove around with Nicole in preparation for her driver's ed test. She did great! I remember driver's ed very well with Mr. Avril. "Letch leave" (that's for you Melissa)

Day 6 - 10/28/09

Wednesday

Rod returned from Utah. Yeah! I missed him. It was so good to have him home.

Day 7 - 10/29/09

Thursday

Another rainy day in Seattle...and the day our belongings arrived in the semi. My mom and dad drove all the way out to Kent and helped us load our belongings onto their truck. My dad is the master at securing loads. We had things stuffed in our Jetta and piled higher than the cab on his truck. It looked like a farm truck with a stack of hay enclosed with a giant tarp over the top. My parents are saints. Seriously. And Natalie, Dave and Philip came out to help unload. We are so grateful for the help.

My thoughts that night, "Familiarity. Here I sit amongst boxes and bags filled with my belongings. My bed is finally in my bedroom. I've been reunited with my towels, Christmas decorations, dishes and keepsakes. It is comforting to have my things back with me and to look around the room and see familiar things that feel like me. My whole body aches, but I'm very happy."

Day 8 - 10/30/09
Friday

School Halloween Party

Party on witchy-poo! (I have to admit, it was fun to dress up. I haven't done that for years.)

Day 9 - 10/31/09

Saturday

Moved 2 desks and a dresser from my parents house.

Unpacked. So much left to unpack but slowly it's coming together.

Happy Halloween!

Day 10 - 11/1/09

Sunday

We finally got internet today. Funny thing about it (although not so funny) is that the people who lived here before us had basic cable. We had just plugged our t.v. in Friday and saw that we had channels.

After the internet guy came today we were excited to have internet but we lost all cable. Now we only get like 6 channels and 4 of them are in other languages. None of them are local chanels. It looks like we may have to get cable. We were hoping not to have that expense. I guess I could always learn Spanish and Chinese.

Parting thoughts...

We love our apartment!!! It's seriously made just for us. Don't laugh, but it seriously feels like an assisted living and I love it bad. Everything from the secured entry (you have to buzz people in), to the elevator, inside entrances and quiet. It's lovely. And if it stays this way, we won't be moving again any time soon.

It's SO much work to move, but I wouldn't trade living in Seattle for anything. I'm very happy!