Dark vs Light

 

THE DARK SIDE

• Moving is never fun!  I have too much stuff, still even after all of the DI trips and things I threw away, gave away or downsized. 
• Can I complain that my house sold too quickly?  Okay, really I'm glad, because I don't have to worry about it, but on the other side, this was not the time period that I would have picked while moving, because...
• This is a very busy time at school.  We have had 6 performances in the last 2 weeks.  I enjoy the performances but they are time consuming.
• Grades need to be finished and turned in.  I never liked teachers who didn't get all the assignments in until the last week, but that's me this time.
• Fines need to be turned in.  5 classes with "fees" each one different and over a hundred students.  Then there are almost 2000 pieces of music to account for.  
• Then there was moving.  We got most of the stuff out last weekend.  However, there was still way too much left.  Ansje and Jared cleared out the basement.  Scott and I were able to whittle what was left down to some stuff in the family room and some in the garage.  I decided on Wednesday that there just wasn't time to finish, so I hired a moving company that I seen and heard advertisements for.  They agreed they could rescue me.  So they were supposed to come Thursday morning.  But lo and behold, they didn't come.  Finally when I got a hold of them they said, oh no, they said they would come on Friday.  Well, I've made that kind of mistake before, but I was pretty sure they'd said "tomorrow" on Wednesday night.  So instead they were coming on Friday, at 8:30 am.  But they didn't come, I called, they were running late, maybe they could come between 11:00 and Noon.  Then it was between Noon and 1:00.  Then not until 2:40.  I was supposed to be totally out of the house by 4:00.  So after the last call I fired them.  I wasn't sure when they'd get there, but at the current rate it would have been 10 pm. So I hired a U-Haul Van and a storage unit that is on 13400 South so Scott and I could just get the stuff out.  We did and it all worked out, but it was very stressful.
• Now I have 2 storage units.  Thank goodness school is finished next week.  I plan to be out of the one on 13400 So.  before I have to pay for a second month and the time limit for the other is 6 months.  I got a great deal on that one - 6 months for half price.  There is some stuff in that one that Scott and I don't want to put together until we move into the condo; like the bookshelves. 
• I HEREBY PROMISE THAT I WILL NOT HAVE ANY STORAGE UNITS 6 MONTHS FROM NOW.  
• Yes, there are problems at work, but nothing that is unsolvable.  Yes, I would love to get a different job, but when I pray about it, I think I have to stay a little longer.  And no, I am not running away from problems.  

The Light Side

 

•  All the research I did before I moved has paid off.  I have viewed the condos at city creek.  The ones in my price range were very small and not super nice.  They are new, but the colors are picked out already and to you get different colors you have to go up a floor with is an extra $5 - 10,000.  They are fine, carpet, tile in the kitchen, no balconies on the less expensive condos, and the windows aren't as large as I'd hoped. The outside of the buildings, however, are gorgeous. And there is a swimming pool.
• The Parc at Gateway also has a beautiful outside but the dog walking area is less desirable since you have to go out on 500 West which is a little close to the homeless shelter for me.  The insides are even a little smaller, but very similar to City Creek.  You do get 2 patios though. 
• This condo is a little farther from "city center" or "city creek" but only by 3 to 4 blocks.   The original apartments are kind of the same decor as the others, but older.  However, after the remodel they are amazing.  The outside is ugly concrete and no swimming pool.
• Other amenities are similar between all 3.  Covered, secure parking; secure entry into the buildings; exercise rooms; nice front entry areas, a living room kitchen area; and secure entry into the building.
• I am going to have hardwood floors throughout, granite counter tops in the kitchen, composite counters in the 2 full bathrooms, with tile floors and tile on the shower surround.  Bath/ showers in both bathrooms, but the tub is one of those cool deep ones.  A large balcony with a beautiful city view and large windows in every room.  
• The shopping area across the street is done in a kind of boutique look with awnings over the shop windows.  There is an amazing bakery around the corner and lots of cafes in the area.  There is even a bicycle shop just a block away.  We are only 2 blocks from City Creek. And the surrounding office buildings are mostly government and lawyers.
• The apartment is quite open and the condo will be even more so.  I will explain the layout even more in a later blog.
• In terms of dog walking we have Washington Square just a block away as well as the City Library and the Leonardo.  

So, all in all, I would have to say the Light side wins!  Particularly since the dark side parts are over!!!

Awkward and Awesome Saturday

Awkward

• School the day before Thanksgiving.  No one wants to be there and the students become progressively less focused as the day goes on.
• When my internet has to be reset.  Oh yes, this is a first world problem, but it always seems to happen when I am very tired and it involves going up and down both sets of stairs 2 or 3 times.  Because it never works the first time I try to reset things.
• Zoe and Nate were at my house while Tanya finished getting ready for Thanksgiving dinner.  NO this isn't the awkward part yet, but I have to explain.  So we were doing just fine, I was doing the mashed potatoes and cookies for desert.  I had everything ready to go and I need to load the car with kids and stuff for dinner.  I got Zoe to put her shoes and coat on and she hurried out the back door and ran to Ansje's.  In the mean time I was loading Nate in the car as well as several other items and Zoe is gone.  I knew that Ansje knew I was leaving soon so I hoped that either a) she had locked her back door and Zoe would come back or b) she would send Zoe back.  Sure enough, the garage door opens and here comes Ansje with Zoe in her arms and we buckled her in her seat belt.  Great save Ansje!  It would have been incredibly tricky to shuffle all the things I was doing and go fetch Zoe back.  Zoe LOVES to go to Ansje's.  What a great friend to be so patient with her.
• How quickly the world moves from Halloween to Christmas.  

Awesome

 

• Thanksgiving!  What a great holiday!  Amid all of the Christmas sales, spending, and celebrating we stop for a day and remember all of our blessings. Some of mine include:
• The Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The knowledge that God lives, that Jesus is my Savior, and that they are merciful and loving.  I'm grateful for the way this knowledge shapes every aspect of my life.
• Family!  I'm so grateful for my children and their wonderful spouses, my grandchildren, my brothers and sisters, their spouses (who are also my brothers and sisters), my nieces and nephews and their spouses and children.  My wonderful parents who taught me, loved me, provided for me and forgave me.
• Friends!  My flamingo friends, my work friends, my neighbor friends, my church friends, my students and alumni.  So many wonderful people who help make the world a better place.
• My job.  I'm grateful that I have a job and that I am blessed to have a job I love.
• The beauty of this world!
• Physical comforts, like a warm house, a comfortable bed, toilets,a warm puppy, a car, etc.
• Music, that winds through life making it richer!
• AND SO MUCH MORE!  I am blessed beyond measure.  I have so much!  It is great to sit and contemplate what bounty I have been given.
• Thank you to all the wonderful people who are part of my life.

What an Awesome World!