Timing is Everything

In recent years, things seem to happen for me at just the right times. Even the bad things. Back in August, I had a conversation with a friend where I said I felt I was ready for a change, only I had no idea what that change would be. Lo and behold, I come home the first week of September to find an eviction letter in my door. In truth, it was just a "scare tactic" used by my apartment complex office to get tenants to turn in their lease renewal paperwork. But the dang thing gave me a heart attack, much needed motivation, and the legal out I needed to pick up and move. So I did.

Move to timing number two. The morning after receiving the letter, before I knew it wasn't for real, a co-worker suggested I try an apartment complex in which she'd lived several years ago. It's in a beautiful old neighborhood in Virginia Beach with super schools. Bonus – it cut my commute to work by half. I called and they had an apartment available almost immediately. From what I understand, there is usually a waiting list for this place. I loved it, loved the area and signed the lease the following week.

Another thing that happened back in August, I met a guy. Things seemed good if confusing and uncertain at first. But that's pretty typical. Turned out well since he and a few other people I recently met helped me move. Never could have done it without the manpower. So we got everything moved in and things looked good. Unfortunately, it came to an end today. And though I'm disappointed, I'll survive. Mostly because I always do.

Back to the timing thing. I've been sitting at my desk feeling sorry for myself today. But then I heard the new Nickelback song. It's called Gotta Be Somebody and here is just some of the lyrics…

Gotta Be Somebody - Nickelback

This time, I wonder what it feels like

To find the one in this life, the one we all dream of

But dreams just aren't enough

So I'll be waiting for the real thing, I'll know it by the feeling

The moment when we're meeting, will play out like a scene

Straight off the silver screen

So I'll be holding my own breath, right up 'til the end

Until that moment when, I find the one that I'll spend forever with

Cause nobody wants to be the last one there

Cause everyone wants to feel like someone cares

Someone to love with my life in their hands

There's gotta be somebody for me like that

Cause nobody wants to do it all on their own

And everyone wants to know they're not alone

There's somebody else that feels the same somewhere

There's gotta be somebody for me out there

Talk about perfect timing. Put a kink in my "I'll be alone forever!" pity party. LOL! I'm still going to be touch and go for a little while, but I have faith that everything happens for a reason. So I'll keep my eyes open, work on that positive thinking (which has been HARD today), and wait for the next specially timed event.

Have you noticed things happening at just the right time in your life? Do you believe in fate or that some things are meant to be? Do you have a special song that reminds you things aren't so bad? And if you hate Nickelback, don't tell me cause I love them! LOL!

Moving Update - What I'm Learning

I'm pretty sure I am now a professional packer. In less than a week, I've packed nearly everything I own. My living room is now a fall out shelter for empty book shelves and hundreds of boxes. And I'm pretty sure if the Guinness Book of World Records was looking for the house with the most dust, our house would win hands down. Can we say allergies?!

Since I like to think that every experience teaches us something, here's a list of what packing in one week or less has taught me.

1. I have entirely too much stuff.
2. Stuff multiplies faster than bunnies.
3. Stuff that seemed important the last time I moved has lost all importance.
4. It's not as hard to part with stuff as you'd think.
5. It's fun to find old stuff you didn't know you had.
6. It's odd to find things you don't know why you have.
7. Dust accumulates faster than stuff.
8. Purging is liberating.
9. Kids are NOT enthused packers.
And most importantly…
10. You can pack an entire apartment in less than a week!

Tune in next week when I whine about finding a home in the new place for all the stuff I decided to keep.

For the question of the day, we're talking pictures. I've found pictures that date back more than 20 years in all this cleaning and packing. Memories I'd long forgotten. I now realize I need to organize all of these things into some kind of system. Do you have boxes or books filled with pictures? How do you organize them? And where do you keep them?

Moving On Up!

So for some reason this weekend I decided I didn't have enough going on in my life. In some moment of enlightenment (or possibly insanity), I decided to move. By the end of the month. Actually, I'm moving in two weeks. That's right, on top of planning a company holiday party, an RWA chapter conference, finishing the current quarter of college courses, working full time and chasing around a 9 year old, I'm moving. Why, you ask? Because I can.

I've lived in my apartment for three years now. Every September I fill out the paperwork to renew my lease and stay put. Now, I like my apartment. It's a little small but the kiddo and I don't need much. It's clean and comes with a dishwasher and central heat & air – the two things required for any abode of mine. But on the downside, it's on the third floor, it's twenty miles from work and even further from some of my friends. So when I found a letter stuck in my door last Thursday night that I had to be out by September 30th, I was totally shocked….at first.

But then I got mad. First of all, how do you give a 26 day 30-day notice? Then when I finally reached someone in the office after 10am the next day, it was explained that they just use these letters to terrify tenants into turning in their paperwork. Yes, terrify is the word she used. WTF?! Why can't they just put a letter in the door that says we really need your paperwork in the next few days or we may have to terminate your lease? Wouldn't that be a much better approach?

So, I decided to call their bluff. And from all the signs, I'd say it was meant to be. A co-worker suggested I check out a complex where she used to live that is in the best school district in Virginia Beach. The place usually has a waiting list but as of Friday they had one apartment available before the end of this month. I went to see it that afternoon and turned in all my deposits today. I get the keys on the 19th and I'll move in on the 20th. That's right, I'm moving in TWO FREAKING WEEKS!

This means manic packing. Right now I'm working on clearing out everything that either goes in the dumpster or to the charity store. I'm bringing boxes home from work tomorrow and I'll start packing all the books and knick knacks (or what-nots depending on where you live). I'll clear out my closet and the clothes in my drawers by the weekend and from there I'll just have to pack the stuff in the kitchen.

But the best part about this is how excited my friends are that I'm moving closer to them. And how many of them keep telling me I'm not doing this alone. I guess I'm even more blessed than I knew.

How about you? Have you ever moved on a whim? Packed all your belongings in under 14 days? Ever have one of those friends that was always moving and always expected you to help? Anyone want to come to the beach in two weeks and help me move? LOL!