jenniferbrola.com

Wednesday, we officially started moving into the new apartment.  Moving is so painful, mentally and physically.  I'm glad it was only a few feet...I don't think I'm ready for much more.  I had finally gotten my stress response under control...it's a bit elevated again as of late.  At least I had a little over a month free from the complications of stress.  Hopefully, it'll diminish again once the new place gets under control. 

So far, the guest bedroom is done (the queen-sized ez-bed fit perfectly), and our bedroom is basically done (just a few more clothes to transfer).  The kitchen is about halfway there.  Still to go are the office, living room, and bathroom - which I'm saving for last because I think my hands need to heal from doing the kitchen.  Funny thing about scrubbing with Clorox...it weakens your nails and skin, so the friction from scrubbing scalded my fingertips.  Ouchie.  When I was re-loading the bookshelf, I also managed to get a papercut that sliced not only a bit 'o skin, but right into my nail.  Double ouchie. 

I gotta tell you, though, getting a new vacuum yesterday at lunch was the best decision.  That sucker picked up all KINDS of crap last night, even after the place was supposedly professionally cleaned.  Given that it's easier to get to the floors before furniture is in place, and given that my old vacuum was poop, I felt like it was a 'now or never' deal.  Bissell Clean-View Revolution Deluxe...if it only had a retractable cord, it would be perfect.

Memorial Day weekend was super fun.  The landlord gave us access to all the lawn equipment (as part of the rent reduction deal), and we jumped on the chance to get it under control.  Jake mowed the hip-high grass, and shaped the hedges.  I weeded the driveway, trimmed the bushes, cleaned up the back yard (picked up trash, chairs, etc.), and raked and bundled the organic waste.  We actually did the same thing the following weekend, too.  It's starting to really look nice...the grass just needs to get a bit greener.  Apparently if it grows too tall, it pretty much "flames out" - at that point, there is nothing left but leafless stem when you mow it.  I threw out new grass seed, though, and I swear I see little sprigs coming up already.

We also went to Maryland/DC-area Memorial weekend Sunday.  A friend of ours from grad school got married, and we wanted to go to "represent" those in our group who couldn't.  Our graduting class has scattered to the wind, though we do try to keep up as best we can.  We had already committed to cat-sitting that weekend, though, so we set it up as a day trip.  Needless to say, it was a looong day, but well worth it.  A very nice and breezy outside ceremony (with indoor reception) at a beautiful Mansion-style location.  I hope our plans hold up against such a standard...the last two weddings we've been to have set the bar high.

Speaking of high bars, we just bought a raised Frontgate ez-bed for the new spare bedroom.  It's a queen-sized bed, and apparently it's 59lbs!  It's pretty cool...it folds up into a suitcase and expands to fullsize with the turn of a dial.  We are trying to keep the furniture small, foldable, or collapsable.  Who knows how many more moves are ahead of us, but having large furniture isn't going to make them any easier.   I'm looking at folding side tables for the living room and bedrooms, too.  We need them now that we're moving to a place with less built-in lights (we'll be more lamp dependent).  It could be a good thing...the downlights probably suck up a lot of juice.  I'm really looking forward to the extra space.  We can finally have guests, an office, a full-sized dishwasher (in the full-sized kitchen)...and his/hers closets.  The new bathroom is a bit worn and dated, but at least it's conveniently placed right next to the back deck...for when we have barbeques!  Yay!