Let’s start with the bad news…
Housing
Today (it’s almost 1am, so technically this is yesterday) I went to look at the duplex that was available and I was so disappointed in what I saw. Yes, the layout was exactly the same as the one I had lived in years ago, but it was absolutely disgusting inside. Apparently the previous tenants had been evicted, and it showed. The carpet and floors were filthy, and the property manager said they “might need to be replaced.” Uh, if you want to rent it to me, they NEED to be replaced. Oh, and while you’re at it, why not update those ugly cabinets that look as if they haven’t been painted in years? The entire place just looked so run down and awful, and the yard was completely overgrown with weeds. So not worth the monthly rental fee.
The property manager was so unprofessional, and not only did she show up 10 minutes late for our appointment, but she just seemed like a total airhead. When I looked the company up on Yelp, they had some really poor reviews from current tenants. Not a good sign. Which means that all 10 of the duplexes that are on that street are off the table, because the same man owns all of them, and the same property managers run them. If she couldn’t even show up on time to show me the place, I can only imagine how unresponsive they are when things need to be repaired.
So it’s back to the drawing board. I’m not giving up, but I may not move out as soon as I thought (or had hoped). My quick searches on Craigslist hasn’t shown anything I’m interested in so far. I definitely want to get a duplex or a little house. Once you “graduate” from apartment living, you definitely don’t want to go back. I have decided to sign a month-to-month lease at my current location so that I have the freedom to leave whenever I want to. This buys me the time to find some place that I feel comfortable with. Because as crazy as the neighbors on both sides of me are (and for as poor as the neighborhood is), my place itself is nice and I only want to move up. I definitely don’t want to settle.
And now the good…
Lulu
I’m happy to report that Lulu is completely potty trained already! It’s only been a month, so I think that shows exactly how smart she is. She’s still a great puppy who adds so much to my life, but she has started moving into that “adolescent” stage of puppyhood. She’s started barking quite a bit, and while I know that’s normal, I don’t like it when she barks at ME. Most of the time she barks becasue she wants to play, which is fine, but the last two days she’s started barking whenever I’m not paying her enough attention – when I’m eating a meal (new weight loss tool?? ;), when I’m cleaning up, or when I’m watching t.v or on the computer. I’m trying different techniques to curb her barking at me, including giving her timeouts in her crate. I’m going to inquire at the puppy training to see if they have any other suggestions.
Speaking of the training, she’s doing really well with “sit” and “lay down.” I’m looking forward to going this evening (Wednesday evening) and seeing what new tricks we learn. The main thing I’m looking forward to learning with her is recall/name recognition and loose leash walking.
Which leads me to the fact that I think I need to start taking Lulu on longer walks to tire her out a bit more. Right now we go around the block 5-6 times a day and usually 1 good (1/2 mile) walk, but I think now that she’s gotten older and seems to be able to control her bladder better, I can cut down the walks to 2-3 longer ones a day. My neighborhood isn’t the best to walk in, so I think I’m going to start driving her to the better streets that are a 5-minute car ride away. I know that seems silly, but I’d much rather do that than walk on the streets around here where who knows what she’ll find. There’s a ton of garbage on the sidewalks near my house (I saw a Hennessey bottle strewn on the sidewalk just this morning), so I’m forced to be ridiculously vigilant in making sure she’s not getting into things. Since the nicely maintained streets aren’t very far away, it makes sense to just drive her to them. Of course I’ll still take her outside for the quick potty breaks a few times a day, but I think doing these new routes will be good for both of us. (It might also help with barking).
New Stuff
I just bought Just Dance for the Wii, and I can’t wait to try it this morning (look for a review once I have). I’ve heard great things about it from you guys and from the reviews on Amazon, so I think it will be a fun thing to add to my exercise routine. I pre-ordered the Just Dance 2, as well, and I have a feeling I’ll like that one, too. It has all new songs to groove to, so it will help keep things interesting.
Despite the reported reception/antenna problems with the iPhone 4, I’m going to order one today. I have a iPhone 3G, which is 2 models behind, and I’m ready to upgrade. I can’t wait for the double viewer camera, because it will make taking self-portraits so much easier. I can’t tell you the number of times my sister (or friends) and I have wanted to snap a picture of ourselves, only to take a photo of our chins, or our foreheads, etc. The other really cool feature is the video chatting Facetime that you can do with other iPhone 4 users. There are lots of other cool things about the new iPhone. Plus, I told my sister that I’d give her my old phone, and since she’s been going through some difficult and stressful personal (relationship) issues, I want to do whatever I can to make her life better. She never gets anything for herself because money is tight and whatever extra she has goes to my nieces, so I’m more than happy to give her the old iPhone so that she can have a nicer phone.
Goals For the Week
I wanted to set a few exercise/activity goals for myself this week (Wed-Fri), and I’ll check in on Saturday to see how well I did:
- Do the Just Dance each morning
- Take Lulu on 2 long walks a day
- Wear my Body Bugg each day and log my calories burned online
- Go swimming 1 day
- Go to the gym 1 day
- Take a bike ride 1 day
- Make an appointment to meet with a new personal trainer
Bella on the Beach 
That’s too bad about the other Duplex you were looking at, good thing you found out about the “bad” before signing a new lease though! I’m sure you will find something 🙂 At least here in DC Craigslist is a huge resource for finding something, it just takes some searching. Who knows maybe the crazies will wind up moving out once their lease is up (it’s soon right?)
I cant wait to hear about Just Dance! I’ve been thinking about getting it, so I’ll let you be the guinea pig 😀
As my mom said, “everything happens for a reason.” The neighbors’ lease is up at the same time mine is, so I’m going to try to be sure that they’re out before I sign mine. I’m still leaning towards doing a month-to-month to give myself more options. I’ve been checking on Craigslist, but so far nothing that I’d want to move to. There’s lots of time and no rush, though, so I’m not too stressed about it. The right thing will come to me. Or, maybe this will end up being the right thing.
I’m about to start Just Dance now, so my post will be forthcoming. 🙂
bummer about the other place but it sounds like you’re smart to go month to month where you are now for the added flexibility. My lease is actually up in September and I was THRILLED to find out that I can just go month to month afterwards since there’s a chance I might be moving in the somewhat near future.
Also – you are such an awesome doggy mama! LuLu is so lucky, it’s sounds like she’s just a doll 🙂
Let us know what you think of Just Dance – I saw it the other day and I was intrigued.
Look at you Miss Technology! lol! The wii game sounds like a lot of fun! Sigh…I still can’t justify buying a wii although secretly I’d love one. How are you enjoying your flip camera? I just borrowed one from a friend and recorded a silly little video about what it’s like to get a colonoscopy. (minus anything gross) ha ha. That was this morning and thank you again for the well wishes.
As far as the move, I think you will know it when you see it. I honestly believe that when you find “the place” it just speaks to you and you know it’s right. take care!
Tonya, I’m so glad to hear that things went well for you.
You’re so right about “just knowing.” I always find that that happens. Whenever I’ve had that type of decision to make, I always just feel it.
Here goes:
1. Too bad about the duplex, but I’m with your mom – everything happens for a reason.
2. Yay Lulu for being potty-trained!
3. Great set of goals – I can’t wait to hear about hwo it goes and what you think about Just Dance!
4. I have the iPhone 4 and haven’t had any problems with the antenna issue.
cheers!