It's been awhile since I've posted, and a lot has happened. During all of my busy-ness, I have really missed writing and posting fun and interesting things, but to be perfectly honest, getting unpacked and settled into a new apartment isn't the most fun and interesting thing to be doing. I spent one entire morning last week simply sorting through all the writing utensils and eating utensils in the house and finding a permanent place for them. And while it is extremely exciting to me to have this little feat accomplished, and to know that these everyday-use items are finally organized in their respective places, I don't think it's something that would exciting you, the readers. So I'll try to recap what we've done these last few weeks as quickly as I can, so we can move on to more interesting things than sorting pencils and spoons.
The move-in
The moving company arrived with all of our stuff on Thursday, October 9th. They arrived with not one but TWO moving trucks, and a team of about 10 men. They planned on taking two days to unpack, but luckily they were able to finish in one day! I didn't realize this, but part of their services included actually unpacking each of the boxes and putting the items away. However, I almost had a heart attack when I saw them unpacking so many boxes knowing that I didn't yet have places to put all the stuff! (We hadn't bought any storage furniture yet.) So after they set up all the beds, I thanked them, tipped them, and sent them on their merry way. They said they would happily come back to pick up all the boxes and packing supplies when I was done unpacking. I happily agreed. Yay! Our stuff is here!
Eric and I have already made two trips to IKEA and have plans for more. We have a love/hate relationship with IKEA, and both times we’ve gone, one of us has come out feeling sick. Too many people, to many decisions, too many language barriers. We have purchased some of the storage furniture that we need, but still are lacking some key pieces - like a master bedroom closet, bookshelves, entrance way wardrobe and organization (since winter clothing is a real thing here - and totally takes up a lot of space), and bathroom storage. We will also need window coverings and light fixtures - but, to be perfectly honest, I’ve gotten quite used to bare lightbulbs hanging from the ceiling and bed sheets hanging in the windows… I think I’ll start a new trend.
The neighbors
Even without being completely unpacked and organized, this place is really starting to feel like home. We like it here a lot. Unfortunately, the people below us do not like us very much. Our apartment building houses several businesses as well as residences, and directly below us is a business of some sort. They came up and knocked on our door two days in a row to politely tell us that our children running up and down the hallway was much too loud for them downstairs. After the second day, I started to worry that this may be a reoccurring thing - because, well frankly, my kids reocurring-ly run and play… and tiptoeing isn’t really an option with a 2 and 4 year old.
Eric decided to take matters into his own hands and went downstairs and knocked on their door. He introduced himself and asked them if any of them have kids. No, none of them do, of course. He briefly explained that kids run and play, and typically without any regard to how loud their feet are. And as politely as he could, he told them to discontinue coming upstairs to ask us to be quiet. Poor guys, they have been used to complete silence for the last year while this apartment has remained vacant. Now they have a loud family of six living above them, stomping around like giant trolls, and making such a ruckus. I feel for them, I do - but not enough to make my kids sit on the couch all day and enforce silence. Sorry, Charlie. Maybe I’ll make the poor guys cookies instead…