holidailies 2013: episode 2

I mentioned yesterday that I was going to look at a possible new home in the afternoon.

The house was nice. The room she described (more on that in a minute) was huge, with an attached bath. She was also going to throw in a second fairly large room that I could use as an office without increasing the price we discussed prior. Because of work, community involvement, and social activities, she's almost never home. And she has a young Siberian cat who is adorable.

The problem is that her current tenant wouldn't let her into the bedroom to show me the space, so I wasn't able to see it. She said she wouldn't go in there until the tenant was moving out, which I can respect, because I'd want her to treat me and my space the same way if I lived there. Since yesterday was December 1st and since my current roommate requires me to give a month's notice at the beginning of a month, I asked if a move-in date of February 1st would work. She said she didn't know if she could go that long without the extra income. While I absolutely understand that, she likewise understands where I'm coming from: that, while I totally believe her when she tells me how nice the bedroom and bathroom are, I'm not comfortable giving notice on my current place and signing a lease for something sight unseen. So we left it at this: her current tenant is supposed to be moving out next week. If she doesn't find a new renter by around December 20th, I asked her to let me know, and I'd give my notice on January 1st and move in by the beginning of February.

I hope it works out, because I feel like this would be a dream situation for me (right location, attached bathroom, the bonus office space, quiet, mostly alone in the house, pool!, KITTY!). The reality of the situation is that she might not even have time to get someone in there by January 1st: she wants to paint the room beforehand, because a previous renter asked to paint but only got so far as putting primer up, and she said her current tenant is a messy, disgusting nightmare, so who knows what condition the room is in. Since she has such a busy schedule, she might not have a chance to make everything happen that needs to before she brings in a new tenant. So maybe? She seemed to like me and want me to move in, so I'm remaining realistic but still slightly hopeful.

holidailies 2013: episode 1

Thought I'd try this yet again. Let's see...

Currently I am trying to move out of my terrible housemate's home. It's too far north, and my housemate is a unfriendly, hostile tyrant. Fortunately, I have a lead on a place that I am going to look at this afternoon!

I know this is a pretty short post, but I'm just about to walk out the door to see this place. More tomorrow!

in which our heroine continues the meme -- day three: eight things.

eight ways to win my heart:

1. be honest. it's simple and it's cliché, but it's true.

2. be creative. my sweetheart got me to notice him in an interesting, unique, wonderfully geeky way.

3. be well-spoken. don't say something or someone is "gay" or "retarded". you don't have to be politically correct, but don't say things that make you out to be a moron.

4. have a great sense of humor. another cliché, I know, but laughing until you cry with someone is such a great feeling.

5. really get me. if that one has to be explained, then you (the general "you") don't.

6. be considerate. treat people and animals kindly.

7. be as into me as I am into you.

8. and finally, when all else fails...offer chocolate.

in which our heroine continues the meme -- day two: nine things.

nine things about myself:

1. I was a music education major in college. I had a partial scholarship. I quickly decided I didn't want to teach, and I went on and off for two years before dropping out completely.

2. I am a world-class procrastinator. I am terrible about getting anything done unless/until it absolutely has to be done.

3. I am not terribly girly. I wear hardly any makeup and mostly pull my hair back into a ponytail. I have never had a manicure or pedicure or any kind of spa treatment. I hate clothes shopping.

4. I've always rejected the generic Life Plan: I don't really have a career, I don't own a house, I'm an atheist, I'm not married (though I am engaged), and I vehemently do not want children.

5. I'm a good cook and an excellent baker. I just don't tend to do either one that often.

6. I have lived in five states: Iowa, Georgia, California, Texas, and South Carolina.

7. I love driving. I'd take road trips every weekend if I could.

8. I spend way too much time online.

9. no matter what I do, I feel like a good, happy, secure, stable life is entirely out of my reach.

in which our heroine begins working through a meme.

here is what I will do:

Day One: Ten things you want to say to ten different people right now.
Day Two: Nine things about yourself.
Day Three: Eight ways to win your heart.
Day Four: Seven things that cross your mind a lot.
Day Five: Six things you wish you’d never done.
Day Six: Five people who mean a lot
Day Seven: Four turn offs.
Day Eight: Three turn ons.
Day Nine: Two smileys that describe your life right now.
Day Ten: One confession.

so. ten things I want to say to ten different people right now.

1. I have always been the black sheep, but that has never been more apparent than now. you only call me in the car on your way home, so I talk to you for ten minutes at a time, and only on the rarest of occasions. it was terribly unfortunate timing that the baby was born on my birthday. now I feel like I've been replaced, like I don't even have a place with you anymore. you left me a voicemail about me getting a niece for my birthday. for the first time in over a decade, you didn't even send a card. do you know how much it hurts to not belong with the people you're supposed to belong with?

2. I'm sorry that I don't ask questions or entertain conversations about your life now that you're with someone else. I hide you on Facebook sometimes too. even though I'm in love, I can't bear the idea of you with someone else. I know that's incredibly selfish, but there it is. I don't even feel like we're very good friends anymore, and I know that's my fault. so, for that, I'm sorry.

3. I wish I never met you. if I could have one wish, I would wish to erase the time I spent with you, because it was horrible and emotionally scarring.

4. I wish I never met you either. I moved across the country to escape the mental and emotional havoc you wreaked on me. I don't believe anything that comes out of your mouth, and I resent the fact that I was always good enough to fuck, but never good enough to love.

5. email me back, dammit! your place is still my first choice of places to live, even though I haven't seen it yet. the other one doesn't have an oven! come on, dude!

6. after spending so much time waiting for you to stop fucking around, getting over you was the healthiest thing I've done for myself in a long time.

7. fuck you, SSgt. Douchebag. the C stands for Cheston. Cheston. only because you desperately don't want anyone to know. Cheston.

8. I wish we hung out more! you're a fun person and we had a good time at the concert last year! I need more female friends.

9. speaking of... you're my best friend and I wish we lived closer to each other!

10. and finally, the good one: you are the love of my life, my sweet man. I don't need any of the people who let me down and hurt me; you're all the family I need. loving you is the easiest and best thing I've ever done, and I want to love you for the rest of my life.

in which our heroine starts Holidailies 2010

in just under the wire! I have nothing of actual substance to say now, so...more tomorrow.

in which our heroine wakes you up before she go-goes.

(it sounded funny at the time.)

yesterday was a milestone in my life. it was the first year that I have been at the same job for an entire calendar year. it's sort of strange that I've been working since I was eighteen and this is only now happening, but so be it. it makes things much quicker at tax time, that's for sure. it is also the longest I've ever been at one company, and in four more months, I will have been at my job for two full years. I think that's pretty great. I still love it every day and I love that I can leave work at work and keep home life for myself. I think that's also pretty great.

when I was getting ready to leave work yesterday afternoon, at around 1:30 p.m., I had been bumming hard for reasons unknown. just...life stresses, I suppose. on my way out I went through the warehouse, saying goodbye and happy new year to two of the three owners (one is on vacation), a couple of the shipping guys, and one of the proofreaders. our office dog came up to say goodbye too, and I got in the last few doggy snuggles of the year.

the shouts of "goodbye" and "good work today" and "happy new year!" lifted the fog of moodiness and brought a smile to my face as I pushed through the warehouse door to the outside world. the bright winter sun hit my eyes and, while I shaded them, my smile turned into a grin. I walked through the crisp air and I thought, you know what? my life might suck sometimes, but it's still my life, and I'm living it as well as I can, and that's something to be thankful for. and so I'm trying to be.

last night I lit a candle for all of us, in the hopes that it shines light on some goodness and hope in this coming year. I wish you all health and happiness, luck and love. kiss your significant others, hug your friends and family, give snuggles right back to the animals who love you unconditionally, and believe.

happy new year, everyone.

(this post was chosen by the Holidailies panel as a "Best of Holidailies" selection -- my second one for the season. thanks again!)