home archives
Apr
12
2008
minor improvements
Our bedroom has a door that goes out to the balcony. It's nice to have, largely because it lets some more light into the room. However, its location at the foot of our bed has posed a bit of a...
Our bedroom has a door that goes out to the balcony. It's nice to have, largely because it lets some more light into the room. However, its location at the foot of our bed has posed a bit of a...
Sep
3
2007
updating the bedroom
Some time ago, I mentioned that Rob and I were redoing the bedroom a bit. Well, the painting has been done for some time, but we only just completed the final details this weekend. In addition to painting the...
Some time ago, I mentioned that Rob and I were redoing the bedroom a bit. Well, the painting has been done for some time, but we only just completed the final details this weekend. In addition to painting the...
Jul
30
2007
camping in the living room
For the second night in a row, Rob and I are camped out in the living room, sleeping on an air mattress. It's kind of fun, actually -- a bit of an adventure (and one that doesn't involve some kind...
For the second night in a row, Rob and I are camped out in the living room, sleeping on an air mattress. It's kind of fun, actually -- a bit of an adventure (and one that doesn't involve some kind...
Apr
11
2007
elemental
A little over a year ago, when Rob and I put together our wedding registry, one of the big-ticket items was dishes. (Oh, to have dishes that match!) The pattern we chose -- Elements -- was simple, classy and affordable....
A little over a year ago, when Rob and I put together our wedding registry, one of the big-ticket items was dishes. (Oh, to have dishes that match!) The pattern we chose -- Elements -- was simple, classy and affordable....
Dec
31
2006
home improvement, part 2
It's funny how owning our own place has made mundane things like thermostats seem exciting. And Home Depot is like our second home: We've visited the home superstore four times in the past five days. Between the two extra days...
It's funny how owning our own place has made mundane things like thermostats seem exciting. And Home Depot is like our second home: We've visited the home superstore four times in the past five days. Between the two extra days...
Nov
1
2006
home improvement
Homeownership has been an exciting exercise in the mundane so far. Ordinary tasks like replacing light switches or adding weatherstripping have taken on all-new excitement for us former apartment-dwellers. We've never done stuff like this before, so there's a powerful...
Homeownership has been an exciting exercise in the mundane so far. Ordinary tasks like replacing light switches or adding weatherstripping have taken on all-new excitement for us former apartment-dwellers. We've never done stuff like this before, so there's a powerful...
Oct
16
2006
making do
There's a certain amount of comedy involved with moving. With our belongings in boxes and scattered between two residences, we're trying to make do with what we have. Our first morning here in the new place, our mugs were nowhere...
There's a certain amount of comedy involved with moving. With our belongings in boxes and scattered between two residences, we're trying to make do with what we have. Our first morning here in the new place, our mugs were nowhere...
Oct
15
2006
settling in
Well, we're all (mostly) moved into our new place. Dari, John, Amie and Shawn put in a long day yesterday helping us move all our furniture and heavy boxes from apartment to condo. There's still a good bit of smaller...
Well, we're all (mostly) moved into our new place. Dari, John, Amie and Shawn put in a long day yesterday helping us move all our furniture and heavy boxes from apartment to condo. There's still a good bit of smaller...
Oct
13
2006
spinning spinning getting dizzy
Well, Rob and I are now the proud owners of a one bedroom condo in Ballston. Closing this morning was a surprisingly easy process; everyone involved was completely on top of things. (The now-former owner was amazingly organized, handing us...
Well, Rob and I are now the proud owners of a one bedroom condo in Ballston. Closing this morning was a surprisingly easy process; everyone involved was completely on top of things. (The now-former owner was amazingly organized, handing us...
Sep
28
2006
on display
One of the oddest parts of condo-shopping was walking through still-occupied units. On a strictly practical level, it's difficult to get a good idea of the size and flexibility of a space if someone else's stuff is already there. But...
One of the oddest parts of condo-shopping was walking through still-occupied units. On a strictly practical level, it's difficult to get a good idea of the size and flexibility of a space if someone else's stuff is already there. But...
Sep
17
2006
next steps
Looks like we're moving to Ballston! Toward the end of last week, Rob came across a listing on Craigslist for a condo in Ballston that was surprisingly affordable given the location (half a block from the Metro station). We made...
Looks like we're moving to Ballston! Toward the end of last week, Rob came across a listing on Craigslist for a condo in Ballston that was surprisingly affordable given the location (half a block from the Metro station). We made...
Sep
3
2006
moving on
We didn't end up getting the condo. It's a shame: We really liked the place, and were especially fond of its cathedral ceilings and big bay window. But the negotiation went sour, and we decided it was best for us...
We didn't end up getting the condo. It's a shame: We really liked the place, and were especially fond of its cathedral ceilings and big bay window. But the negotiation went sour, and we decided it was best for us...
Sep
2
2006
offer to buy
Well, we've put in an offer on a condo. Two, in fact, as the first was swiftly rejected. The whole process is so nervewracking, but we're doing our best to stay calm and rational as we figure out our next...
Well, we've put in an offer on a condo. Two, in fact, as the first was swiftly rejected. The whole process is so nervewracking, but we're doing our best to stay calm and rational as we figure out our next...
Aug
30
2006
refining the filter
Rob and I have narrowed down our list of condo prospects and have begun looking at financing options. It's sort of exciting and nauseating all at the same time. It also means that I have to be extra-careful when going...
Rob and I have narrowed down our list of condo prospects and have begun looking at financing options. It's sort of exciting and nauseating all at the same time. It also means that I have to be extra-careful when going...
Aug
21
2006
on the market
Rob and I have started the tentative, slightly terrifying process of looking for our own little piece of the American Dream: a one- or two-bedroom condo somewhere in our neighborhood in Arlington. Certainly, the prospect of owning our own place...
Rob and I have started the tentative, slightly terrifying process of looking for our own little piece of the American Dream: a one- or two-bedroom condo somewhere in our neighborhood in Arlington. Certainly, the prospect of owning our own place...
Jun
25
2006
weekend in review
A brief recap of this past weekend: Friday night, Rob and I saw Wordplay, a documentary about crossword puzzles and people who are really good at solving them. It's fun and charming; I'd definitely recommend it. At the risk of...
A brief recap of this past weekend: Friday night, Rob and I saw Wordplay, a documentary about crossword puzzles and people who are really good at solving them. It's fun and charming; I'd definitely recommend it. At the risk of...
Feb
19
2006
organize your life
Rob's out of town this weekend, so I was left to my own devices when I made an afternoon jaunt to The Container Store -- always a dangerous thing. I love The Container Store. I can spend an inordinate amount...
Rob's out of town this weekend, so I was left to my own devices when I made an afternoon jaunt to The Container Store -- always a dangerous thing. I love The Container Store. I can spend an inordinate amount...
Feb
16
2006
under renovation
The apartment directly above me is getting some work done. The noises started a couple weeks ago -- a little bit of pounding, some scraping. I'd assumed at the time that the people who lived above me had moved out...
The apartment directly above me is getting some work done. The noises started a couple weeks ago -- a little bit of pounding, some scraping. I'd assumed at the time that the people who lived above me had moved out...
Sep
12
2005
settling in
It sounds a bit weird, perhaps, but it's amazing how big a difference a clean kitchen makes. The apartment is still in a somewhat disastrous state as we try to figure out where to put everything, but it's slowly getting...
It sounds a bit weird, perhaps, but it's amazing how big a difference a clean kitchen makes. The apartment is still in a somewhat disastrous state as we try to figure out where to put everything, but it's slowly getting...
Sep
2
2005
taking stock
So we finally got (almost) everything moved last night, with some early help from Doug and an eleventh-hour rescue from Dari. Now, sitting in a living room piled high with boxes that were such a pain to move, I'm thinking...
So we finally got (almost) everything moved last night, with some early help from Doug and an eleventh-hour rescue from Dari. Now, sitting in a living room piled high with boxes that were such a pain to move, I'm thinking...
Sep
1
2005
relocating
Today is Day 1 (of 2) of The Great Move. It's been a busy busy afternoon/evening, made infinitely easier with Dari and John coming by after work to help us load and unload the moving truck. (I do have to...
Today is Day 1 (of 2) of The Great Move. It's been a busy busy afternoon/evening, made infinitely easier with Dari and John coming by after work to help us load and unload the moving truck. (I do have to...
Aug
26
2005
pile up
I'm packing up my apartment, getting ready to move in about a week, and my self-assigned task for the night is boxing up my books. I have a lot of books. I can't wholly blame that fact on grad school....
I'm packing up my apartment, getting ready to move in about a week, and my self-assigned task for the night is boxing up my books. I have a lot of books. I can't wholly blame that fact on grad school....
Feb
28
2005
name that noise
After about a month's delay, I finally scheduled an appointment to have the heating unit in my apartment checked out. For the most part, the unit works perfectly fine -- except for the springy, crackly "something's falling out of the...
After about a month's delay, I finally scheduled an appointment to have the heating unit in my apartment checked out. For the most part, the unit works perfectly fine -- except for the springy, crackly "something's falling out of the...
Feb
16
2005
laundry etiquette
Forgetful neighbors: Be advised that when you leave your laundry in the washer or dryer for more than half an hour after it's finished, I will set aside my distaste for handling other people's underthings and remove your clothes myself....
Forgetful neighbors: Be advised that when you leave your laundry in the washer or dryer for more than half an hour after it's finished, I will set aside my distaste for handling other people's underthings and remove your clothes myself....
Jul
25
2004
moving adventure
Rob, Diana and I headed over to Mike and Megan's apartment this afternoon to collect some of the larger pieces -- a desk and small rolling table for me, a cushy computer chair for Diana and some artwork for Rob...
Rob, Diana and I headed over to Mike and Megan's apartment this afternoon to collect some of the larger pieces -- a desk and small rolling table for me, a cushy computer chair for Diana and some artwork for Rob...
Mar
26
2004
daydream believer
The weather today has been so beautiful that it seems almost criminal not to be outside enjoying it. Work won out over sunshine during the day, but tonight I decided to go out for a walk and enjoy the warm...
The weather today has been so beautiful that it seems almost criminal not to be outside enjoying it. Work won out over sunshine during the day, but tonight I decided to go out for a walk and enjoy the warm...
Jan
25
2004
secluded
Between homework and freelance work, I haven't left my apartment all weekend, except to go downstairs on Saturday for the mail and Sunday for the newspaper. Cabin fever has finally started to set in ... except I just noticed that...
Between homework and freelance work, I haven't left my apartment all weekend, except to go downstairs on Saturday for the mail and Sunday for the newspaper. Cabin fever has finally started to set in ... except I just noticed that...
Nov
9
2003
winter comforts
Tonight's one of the first really chilly nights of the fall/winter season. Practicality has won out over frugality, and I've turned on the heat. The windows in my apartment are a bit drafty; I should probably buy drapes for the...
Tonight's one of the first really chilly nights of the fall/winter season. Practicality has won out over frugality, and I've turned on the heat. The windows in my apartment are a bit drafty; I should probably buy drapes for the...
Oct
24
2003
hello, world
It's taken a couple weeks, but I'm back online at home again. And life is goooood. :) I've signed up for digital cable and Internet service through Comcast at my new apartment. Hooking up the service ended up being a...
It's taken a couple weeks, but I'm back online at home again. And life is goooood. :) I've signed up for digital cable and Internet service through Comcast at my new apartment. Hooking up the service ended up being a...
Oct
1
2003
inching along
The move is progressing slowly but surely. Recent developments have caused me to ramp up my timeline -- I'd originally planned to move out of my apartment on Sunday, but as my landlord has scheduled someone to tile the bedroom...
The move is progressing slowly but surely. Recent developments have caused me to ramp up my timeline -- I'd originally planned to move out of my apartment on Sunday, but as my landlord has scheduled someone to tile the bedroom...
Sep
27
2003
success!
I have a new place! And it's mine! Now! I visited two apartments today, one in Rosslyn and one in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria. The Rosslyn apartment was fairly nice -- certainly spacious, and a good deal, at...
I have a new place! And it's mine! Now! I visited two apartments today, one in Rosslyn and one in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria. The Rosslyn apartment was fairly nice -- certainly spacious, and a good deal, at...
Sep
25
2003
apartment-hunting adventures
I'm staying with friends while the Saga of My Apartment continues. (Update: I painted half the bedroom floor on Monday night, and Drew painted the other half sometime yesterday. But it doesn't look like it's totally done (still patches to...
I'm staying with friends while the Saga of My Apartment continues. (Update: I painted half the bedroom floor on Monday night, and Drew painted the other half sometime yesterday. But it doesn't look like it's totally done (still patches to...
Sep
19
2003
respite
Drew came downstairs around noon, new shopvac in tow, to start the process of cleaning up the apartment. By the time he arrived, the water in the living room had actually receded a good bit. Where it disappeared to, whether...
Drew came downstairs around noon, new shopvac in tow, to start the process of cleaning up the apartment. By the time he arrived, the water in the living room had actually receded a good bit. Where it disappeared to, whether...
weathered
I wake up suddenly at 5 a.m. when the lights come back on. Bleary from a few hours' fitful sleep, I open my eyes and cautiously look around the room. And the lights go out again. Disappointed, I wrap my...
I wake up suddenly at 5 a.m. when the lights come back on. Bleary from a few hours' fitful sleep, I open my eyes and cautiously look around the room. And the lights go out again. Disappointed, I wrap my...
Sep
18
2003
bunker down
I'm so ready for this hurricane. ("Ready" as in "prepared," not "ready" as in "wanting this to happen.") Last night, Rob came over and helped me get my apartment ready for the inevitable flood. The bottom shelves of my bookshelves...
I'm so ready for this hurricane. ("Ready" as in "prepared," not "ready" as in "wanting this to happen.") Last night, Rob came over and helped me get my apartment ready for the inevitable flood. The bottom shelves of my bookshelves...
Jun
21
2003
another day, another flood
Drew and Ann called me Thursday evening, while I was in class, to let me know that my apartment had flooded again. Drew hadn't gone into my apartment yet, but there was water in the adjoining laundry room and a...
Drew and Ann called me Thursday evening, while I was in class, to let me know that my apartment had flooded again. Drew hadn't gone into my apartment yet, but there was water in the adjoining laundry room and a...
Feb
22
2003
raindrops keep fallin' on my head
Another day, another flood. It's been an interesting week, weather-wise. It started with the Blizzard of '03, which effectively snowed me into my apartment. It's ending with a massive rainstorm, which is now flooding my apartment. The thing is, the...
Another day, another flood. It's been an interesting week, weather-wise. It started with the Blizzard of '03, which effectively snowed me into my apartment. It's ending with a massive rainstorm, which is now flooding my apartment. The thing is, the...
Dec
12
2002
flooded
Mix one part rain, one part rapidly melting snow, and one part leaf-clogged drain, and you get ... a very soggy basement apartment. My landlord, Drew, called me at work yesterday afternoon to let me know that the drain had...
Mix one part rain, one part rapidly melting snow, and one part leaf-clogged drain, and you get ... a very soggy basement apartment. My landlord, Drew, called me at work yesterday afternoon to let me know that the drain had...
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