Home Improvement

I had a strange burst of energy after work last night.  After a little snack and some home-made hot chocolate I decided that my studio need some revamping.  I honestly don't know what got into me.  Maybe it is because I have been feeling better after a bout of the flu, but I was happy for the burst of creative energy.  I decided to free up room in the main room by moving my dresser into the closet.  I honestly thought it would take no more than 30 minutes to an hour.  Oh how wrong I was.  As with any home improvement project there are often unexpected kinks that throw a wrench in the works. I could not easily get the closet doors off so I decided to try to get the dresser in there anyhow.  I removed all my clothes and purses, the drawers from the dresser and pushed and pulled the dresser into place.  The only problem is that I would not be able to open the drawers with the closet drawers there.  They HAD to come off.  After about 30 minutes of maneuvering, pulling every which way, looking at how they were attached with my trusty flashlight I got one door off.  Then I ran into a snag and realized the inside door was stuck on a track that is screwed to the floor.  However, I am sans screwdriver and only own a hammer.  I sat on the floor next to the closet door and had no idea how to solve the problem.  Ask a neighbor to borrow one?  Give up? Tiredness set in....my apartment was a disaster with clothes everywhere, the contents of my closet in piles, dresser drawers stacked up, and one closet door leaned up against my bed.  I was sweaty and stinky and really ready to just rip that track right out of the floor...because i have super human strength, but realized it would ruin the floor.
I began to mentally go through things that could be used to unscrew the track and free the one last closet door in my way to success.  Wine key!!!! Energy level back! I grab the wine key and began to mess with the screw. Success! Now I wiggled the second door free!  By the way I seriously think there was 50 years worth of dust on the tops of those disgustingly heavy doors.  Eww. I had visions of tripping over piles of clothes and being pinned under the door. Seriously they are heavy.  The worst thing that happened was that I ran my ankle into part of my bed frame and wanted to pass out it hurt so bad.  
So after an hour and a half I successfully created a larger seating/living area and stuffed all my belongings and shoes into the closet and storage closet.  Closet doors successfully hidden under bed with all the hardware for putting them back up should I move. SUCCESS!!! Now I just need a really cool beaded or cloth curtain to cover up the door and make it look very chic.  And the best part is that I did it all by myself with just my raw strength and a wine key.  :D

Recent Happenings

Now that I am becoming a seasoned apartment tenant there are a few things that I would like for my next apartment.  The list is below.
Windows-other than my bathroom window and sliding glass door I do believe it is absolutely necessary to have another window(that opens...none of those decorative windows) because there has to be airflow....my apartment gets ridiculously hot and I'd prefer not to be so hot.  It just isn't comfortable. Well, maybe I can look at it like I am on an important assignment in a foreign country and that's just how hot it is all the time. :0)
Gas Stove-Electric stoves heat up very quick and I haven't quite figured out how NOT to destroy everything I cook on the stove.  I was successful with making rice the other day, but my sauteed zucchini was almost a goner.
Counter Space-I have enough counter space to set my drying dishes...and that's about it.  This has led me to be quite creative.  Items in mid-prep stage can go on desk chairs, tops of microwaves, dresser...being that it's only a few feet from my kitchen.
Lower Rent-I know, I know...my rent is already very decent for the area I live, but hey a girl can dream can't she?
A Roomate-(possibly) This would solve the lower rent problem and the extreme quiet that I am still not quite used to.  There are still many perks to living by myself that I quite enjoy, but there are moments where I miss being around the activity that my family brought.  Of course then I visit my mom a lot and almost look forward going back to my little quiet box. Of course no one beats her cooking and I haven't even tried because I'm afraid my place would catch on fire with all that cooking going on.
Outgoing Tenants-My neighbors are very quiet and I assume this is because most of the places are studios and therefore full of single people, but I have only spoken with 2 of my neighbors and they are very nice.  I ran into the guy that parks next to me and tried to have some small talk and he was almost scared to chat.  I am scary though...well, I must've looked it that day because he clearly was not wanting to carry on a conversation.  I thought smiling and saying hello to someone was a good thing. Oh well. Guess I was wrong. 
I still haven't braved the pool although I really wanted to the other day.  It's in the middle of everything and I feel like I'd be swimming in a fish bowl.  I think I'll just take a trip to my grandma's and swim around people that know me.
Overall, things are evening out and I'm getting used to my little place.  In a few months I'm going to start decorating more. And hopefully I will have my wine tasting party like I have been wanting to! I am SO looking forward to that! Good things are coming! I can feel it!

 

Ode to Ramen Noodles

When I am craving something good to eat,
and have very little change left to my name.
I open the cupboard,
What do I see?
Top Ramen noodles waiting patiently!
I heat up the water on my miniature stove,
Anticipating dinner in under 5 minutes.
The bubbles appear with vim and vigor.
I crunch on some noodles before
soaking them in their hot water bath.
Soften and boil, plump and cook.
Separating from their noodle nest.
Time for seasonings,
turn water to soup.
Carefully pouring into a bowl,
noodles sloshing as I carefully sit to indulge.
Ramen noodles I love for they are cheap to eat
and fill my grumbling belly until the next day!

*I really do enjoy ramen noodles.  I've learned to enjoy the simple things in life!

Ode to Peanut Butter & Jelly

Oh peanut butter how you make my heart soar!
You're protein packed punch on some toast makes my morning tolerable.
Then when it's lunch and time to munch, I bring out the jelly.
I put them together on some organic wheat bread.
In a perfect ratio I smush them together.
My tummy rumbles and I devour my staple.
Why is this an ode? You may ponder.
This is an ode because when I have no food,
There they sit in my fridge the most useful jars.
Peanut butter and jelly to bail me out of my hunger.
They are versatile condiments and go with many things.
Celery, carrots, tortillas, bread, use them in cookies or cake if you wish.
I'll take mine to lunch to save 10 bucks on dining out.
I never get bored because at least I'm not starving.
I enjoy when I do get to go out so much more,
and then it's back to PB&J galore!

*This ode was inspired by current situation of often eating PB&J to save a buck! I much appreciate you trusty condiments!
**Stay tuned for an ode to ramen noodles!

Noisy!

Many people living in a studio apartment complex with other apartment buildings surrounding the area equals quite a bit of noise throughout the day.  I have my neighbors that fight in a foreign language.  The first time I heard the raucous I had just stepped out of my car and the fighting seemed to be coming from the alley.  I was not about to be a victim of the alley. Not that there are any, but that's what scary movies to do people. I ran so fast into my building and couldn't get my key out fast enough.  Then I realized it was coming from the next complex over.  The screaming was a bit much. I was so scared I got out my pepper spray.  Then I've still got motorcycle guy that leaves and returns at random hours of the day.  And of course the walls are not very thick so I know when my neighbor is showering.  That's par for the course.  People fight, people listen to movies and music very loudly. Or like one of my neighbors have phone conversations very loudly.  It's a good thing I don't speak her language otherwise I'd know all her business. I have to say overall there isn't a whole lot going on for the most part.  I kind of wish there was. More food for my blog.

Like a Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

I felt like a cat on a hot tin roof last night.  I was not literally jumping around as if my feet were burning, but mentally I was.  I was tossing and turning all night.  When you move inland to a place with very few windows during a heat wave...it's kind of like baking for a bake sale in the middle of summer.  Except I am the cookie and my apartment is the oven.  I had my measly little fan going full blast and couldn't stop picturing it exploding and setting the place on fire.  I ended up giving in and leaving my slider cracked all night.  Don't worry.  There is a hefty steel bar that only leaves it open about 3 inches and goes no further.  I needed some kind of cross breeze.  Well, there still wasn't a breeze, but it did help.  I wanted to sleep in the freezer, but I won't fit and that's not safe. Then I thought about the refrigerator, but surely there is not enough oxygen. Then I had a brilliant idea and decided to leave the fridge and freezer open and it coated everything with a thin layer of deliciously cool, white, powdery snow.  Then I could sleep.  Oh that was a dream.  Darn it all!  I love my apartment, I do, yes...I do.  That is why I have been spending all weekend in the beach area with my family.  My brothers questioned why I moved out and all my speeches about being independent and getting too old to live with my mom went out the window.  My brain had been fried like an egg...okay not that bad, but I didn't even protest.  Because at that moment when the question was asked, I really didn't know.  I was living in the beach area, spending 200 bucks less and not broke off my rear end when living at home, and I didn't have to borrow a vacuum.  I guess I love my apartment because I can do whatever I want, whenever I want.  Well, almost...okay not really but still! It's mine! 
**Side note** My mother had 300 cone shaped filters that she could not put to use because her coffee maker doesn't use cone shaped.  So they have been sitting there in the storage closet all wrapped up and waiting for guess who?  ME!  When she mentioned this I almost cried...no really tears welled up in my eyes.  300 pots of coffee until I would need to buy filters.  I can't describe my elation.  Yes, sad but true.  Living on my own and paying for everything (well, except for the gas money that my grandma and mom have let me borrow! Thanks gals!) has made me appreciate the small things, even paper filters.  

Coffee....I will do what it takes to get some.

I get paid next week which is great because I can finish paying my deposit off for my apartment.  Unfortunately that is what I call my bill paying paycheck.  No joke.  All my bills are paid with that check.  So...I haven't gone to the store.  I have food. I have a roof over my head. I have face wash, soap, towels...you get the picture.  Necessities.  And I have coffee.  I got home last night around 9:20pm and realized that I had used my last coffee filter.  I could've run out to the dollar store, but it would be closed most likely and I had just put on grungy clothes and washed my face and began the process of washing up my sink full of dishes.  I was NOT going to the store.  Plus, the dollars that I did have were being saved for gas.  There was no way I could wait until I got to work to drink my morning cup o' joe.  No way! That's insane!!! Plus, my timer goes off everyday at 6am so I know even if I sleep through the alarm that when that coffee aroma fills my apartment it is time to get up.  So you see it is a necessity that I have coffee EVERY DAY! I said all of that to say this.  I am NOT lazy to the point of not going to the store.  I AM however broke at the moment because this venturing out alone for the first time has been expensive, especially since I don't have a lot.  I did expect this and I also have to say that my family has been very supportive.  I am in no way discounting that and everything will work out once I get these last few things paid off.  It's just tight...VERY tight....I digress. The reason I digress is because I am ashamed to admit what I am about to say next.  Last night I washed out the last filter that was sitting in my coffee pot and...and...and I reused it! *I throw my hands over my face in embarrassment* I realize it's not the depression, but hey it was a perfectly good filter! I NEEDED my coffee. Don't judge me! Yeah you. Don't look at me like that. At least I didn't pull it out of the trash! Okay, I'll go buy some coffee filters. And silverware.  Cutting a bagel with a plastic knife is an adventure in itself.