memoryloot

I can’t believe Thanksgiving is upon us. I’ve been so wrapped up with this home thing that I lost sight of the holiday. I wish I could have enjoyed it more even though I took this week off. My sister and I agreed that this year, it doesn’t “feel” like Thanksgiving. I suppose in the previous year we focused more on the holiday. Not that owning a home is a bad thing but I need to sit back a bit and reflect upon what I’m thankful about. I’m thankful I have great family and friends in my life. I’m thankful I get along so well with my sister. We’ve been much closer in our adult years. I suppose it’s the fact that we have each other to lean on. We’re going through the same ordeal in buying our first house and have been bouncing ideas and recommendations off each other. I’m thankful that my friends are still my friends. Some of us don’t talk as much while others I see on a weekly basis. I’m so thankful I have friends regardless of how frequently I see them.

Anyhow, I think I’ve expressed myself enough and would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Hopefully next year I’ll have my own Thanksgiving feast at my place. But going to others would have to do this year. So let the gorging begin!

It took almost a week to finish painting my place. But finally that was completed this last Sunday. Big thanks to Billy & Jen, Marie & Sang, Aly & her nephews, and last but not least my wonderful girlfriend for dedicating their times to help pitch in in giving my walls a much needed face lift.

Marie and I went back yesterday to clean the carpets. It took almost the whole day but we left my place with a wet but clean carpet. I went back today and found that majority of the carpet is dry. This means move in day has officially started! I spent the day gathering all my belongings from my parent’s garage and have it ready for the move.

On a down note, my car has been making a weird grinding noise. I suspected that it was something to do with the transmission. My dad and I took it to the local mechanic and they confirmed that I need a whole new transmission. That means I’m out another $2400 and no car for a week.

This blows because I wanted to buy a washer and dryer, a new bedroom set with a bed, a couch, and finally a new television. It’s so tempting with all these great sales for Black Friday. I can’t even finance because of my projected negative cash flow. I guess my Christmas will start next year when I get my tax return.

So it’s been 10 days since I received my keys to my new home. I haven’t moved in yet. There is alot to do before I can even begin to think of packing. What I’ve done so far is

• Re-keyed all the doors.
• Added gas and electricity utilities in my name.
• With the help of others, primed all rooms and painted 2 rooms.

I still have to prime a wall in my office and the master bedroom’s closet tonight. Then I can begin painting the office and other rooms. Hopefully things will be done by Sunday. I can begin cleaning the place. I’ll be cleaning the bathrooms, kitchen, patio, garage, and the area at the front of my house. I will finally need to vacuum, spot clean, and wash the carpets.

I can then finally think about packing up my stuff and prepare for my move next week. At least I’ll have the entire week off. There is going to be some home improvement projects in the future. But first I’ll have to buy a washer and dryer, bedroom set, living room furniture, and a flat screen television before I can think about home improvement projects. It’s funny how Lowe’s and Home Depot become your favorite store overnight.

We first witness America’s first African-American President. And we as Americans made it happen. His acceptance speech was so moving. Finally after 8 years of blunders this is a refreshing change.