Today I put it out into the universe that we are moving. Do you hear that universe? The Sullivans are moving! Where to is still unknown but I know it will be the perfect apartment walking distance to Central Park with an acceptable kitchen and tolerable commute. Or it will be walking distance to our friends soon to be born squishy baby girl. But that's Brooklyn. I digress.
The problem is every time I make the statement that "we are most certainly moving," my apartment starts to look at me in all kinds of funny ways. Yes I still notice the poorly installed sockets, the odd colored marble floor that prevents you from finding anything that is dropped, and the irritating song played over and over by the one we affectionately call downstairs neighbor (usually accompanied by a loud sigh). But suddenly I'm also seeing how much space there is between the foot of the bed and the wall, and how there is a real entryway! Imagine the luxury. And this is without even looking at any apartments for real. We're just at the Internet browsing slowly getting up the courage to make a phone call stage of things.
By this time next week I'll be marveling at the idea of a full size oven all together.
(I had the opportunity to use my new umbrella in a nasty rainstorm last night. Magical.)
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Monday, February 18, 2013
When I finally get a new umbrella
Both Sean and I have today off from work and school. Miracle of miracles. And it is my day to recover from a busy weekend that involved all kinds of good stuff including: Shake shack, a (too too cute) baby, one shopping trip where Sean finds pants at the Gap and I give up on ever shopping there again, a very playful dog, one dinner party, one taxi ride home, sleeping in, two bagels, a trip to a modern art museum where we all remember why we don't really love modern art, favorite lentil tacos, playing just dance, and searching YouTube for the best songs of 2004.
Really though, the point of this post is about the state of my umbrella. I love umbrellas. Because I hate being caught without one in the rain. Or you could say that I enjoy being prepared. Either way, I usually have one in my purse if there is slightest chance of rain and I always, always carry one in my suitcase while traveling.
I have been using a bright orange umbrella for over two years. This umbrella was a product of the great umbrella buying of 2010, two days before our wedding when the forecast said rain. It was a part of a family of colorful umbrellas that made for one of the best wedding photos we have. Most of these umbrellas went off with friends after the wedding, but a couple came to New York with us and have since met their umbrella deaths (as all umbrellas surely do on windy and rainy days in New York City). The orange umbrella was really no different than all the other umbrellas, but it has proven itself to be much sturdier and capable of withstanding hurricanes and blizzards. It has often been the source of glares on the street, since all the other city umbrellas tend to be black, not neon orange. And I have often hated it. Sean has listened to me go into great detail about how I needed a "nice" umbrella.
Well, this weekend I finally found one. Reasonably priced but not so cheap that you just know it will fall apart after three rain storms. With a fun pattern. And I bought it. And now I'm just not sure I can say goodbye to my trusty/dirty orange umbrella with the destroyed velcro strap.
The end.
Yes this was a blog post about mainly nothing.
Really though, the point of this post is about the state of my umbrella. I love umbrellas. Because I hate being caught without one in the rain. Or you could say that I enjoy being prepared. Either way, I usually have one in my purse if there is slightest chance of rain and I always, always carry one in my suitcase while traveling.
I have been using a bright orange umbrella for over two years. This umbrella was a product of the great umbrella buying of 2010, two days before our wedding when the forecast said rain. It was a part of a family of colorful umbrellas that made for one of the best wedding photos we have. Most of these umbrellas went off with friends after the wedding, but a couple came to New York with us and have since met their umbrella deaths (as all umbrellas surely do on windy and rainy days in New York City). The orange umbrella was really no different than all the other umbrellas, but it has proven itself to be much sturdier and capable of withstanding hurricanes and blizzards. It has often been the source of glares on the street, since all the other city umbrellas tend to be black, not neon orange. And I have often hated it. Sean has listened to me go into great detail about how I needed a "nice" umbrella.
Well, this weekend I finally found one. Reasonably priced but not so cheap that you just know it will fall apart after three rain storms. With a fun pattern. And I bought it. And now I'm just not sure I can say goodbye to my trusty/dirty orange umbrella with the destroyed velcro strap.
The end.
Yes this was a blog post about mainly nothing.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Blizzard Supplies
Yesterday the weather channel was full of doom and gloom about this blizzard warning. Gotta say I did not take it very seriously. There was a New York freak out, running for the grocery stores to stock up in case it was really a snowpocalypse. Sean braved the Columbus Circle Whole Foods because he is my hero, and got all the supplies I requested.
Here is what the Sullivans buy when a blizzard is coming.
Dino Kale
Big package of baby spinach
Almond milk
Tonic water
Tanqueray
Baileys
We know our priorities.
The storm wasn't terribly exciting after all, but there is a good foot of snow outside our window. Days like this really make me want to live close to Central Park so I can go see it in all its winter glory.
Also now is when I give a shout out to my father who two years ago heard my desperate plee for a warm coat and provided me with my white monster Eddie Bauer coat with the big furry hood that keeps me dry and warm during blizzards. And to my sister-in-law who knew that I could not reasonably survive New York City rain and slush season without Hunter rain boots. Both these items were very useful yesterday!
Here is what the Sullivans buy when a blizzard is coming.
Dino Kale
Big package of baby spinach
Almond milk
Tonic water
Tanqueray
Baileys
We know our priorities.
The storm wasn't terribly exciting after all, but there is a good foot of snow outside our window. Days like this really make me want to live close to Central Park so I can go see it in all its winter glory.
Also now is when I give a shout out to my father who two years ago heard my desperate plee for a warm coat and provided me with my white monster Eddie Bauer coat with the big furry hood that keeps me dry and warm during blizzards. And to my sister-in-law who knew that I could not reasonably survive New York City rain and slush season without Hunter rain boots. Both these items were very useful yesterday!
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Weekend Things
I spent the better part of the weekend looking at apartments. Why? Because I want to move. I do love Astoria but I think it's time for us to get to know a new neighborhood. Here are my requirements:
1. Reasonable walking distance to a nice park (Central or Prospect obviously)
2. Reasonable commute for both of us (Sean says this means no Brooklyn. I'm willing to debate this theory.)
3. Reasonable walking distance to favorite stores (cough Whole foods and Lululemon)
4. Acceptable sized kitchen with more than a sliver of counter space.
5. Bathroom must not have pink tiles.
6. Dishwasher and laundry in building a plus.
7. Washer/dryer in unit would be amazing. I can dream.
And the big one...
8. Rent must be under $2,000 per month.
If we're going to accomplish all of the above we probably have to move by March. But we probably won't. It'll become July and we won't have moved and rents will have skyrocketed and we'll find ourselves here for another busy fall and back where we started come next January.
What else did we do this weekend?
We did our taxes (ok, Sean did them. I sat next to him on the couch and looked at Pinterest. He's the best.) That was underwhelming. Nothing like owing the State of New York and the Federal Government some money. At least it was less than last year's whopper. I convinced Sean there was no need to file that until at LEAST March.
We ate all kinds of bad for you Astoria food including greasy pad thai, everything bagels, and milkshakes. I tried the tofu cream cheese at our bagel place, and it was tolerable and didn't make me feel like death as the real thing does. We watched the last episode of 30 Rock and mourned that show, which has faithfully made us laugh for years.
Sunday plans involve making carrot soup. Sean has to study. I have to paint my toenails. The excitement.
1. Reasonable walking distance to a nice park (Central or Prospect obviously)
2. Reasonable commute for both of us (Sean says this means no Brooklyn. I'm willing to debate this theory.)
3. Reasonable walking distance to favorite stores (cough Whole foods and Lululemon)
4. Acceptable sized kitchen with more than a sliver of counter space.
5. Bathroom must not have pink tiles.
6. Dishwasher and laundry in building a plus.
7. Washer/dryer in unit would be amazing. I can dream.
And the big one...
8. Rent must be under $2,000 per month.
If we're going to accomplish all of the above we probably have to move by March. But we probably won't. It'll become July and we won't have moved and rents will have skyrocketed and we'll find ourselves here for another busy fall and back where we started come next January.
What else did we do this weekend?
We did our taxes (ok, Sean did them. I sat next to him on the couch and looked at Pinterest. He's the best.) That was underwhelming. Nothing like owing the State of New York and the Federal Government some money. At least it was less than last year's whopper. I convinced Sean there was no need to file that until at LEAST March.
We ate all kinds of bad for you Astoria food including greasy pad thai, everything bagels, and milkshakes. I tried the tofu cream cheese at our bagel place, and it was tolerable and didn't make me feel like death as the real thing does. We watched the last episode of 30 Rock and mourned that show, which has faithfully made us laugh for years.
Sunday plans involve making carrot soup. Sean has to study. I have to paint my toenails. The excitement.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Recently
It has been COLD. And since a majority of people I know still live in Michigan, I get to hear all about that crazy Michigan weather. Well I would like to say that it's not just Michigan, people. New York has it's 60 degrees one day, 30 the next too. Feels just like home.
Thanks to this cold weather, I have a renewed excuse to cook delicious soups and stews. I've recently found myself obsessed with white beans. They are a great combo with one of my favorite foods, wait for it...kale! Fry up some potatoes, add a can of white beans, chopped kale, and a little parm. Tada, delicious dinner, or breakfast for that matter. (Ok, you might want to also add some garlic, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes.)
And lastly, signs you might not be completely an adult yet: I am going to the dentist this morning and I feel like that should give me a free pass on the rest of the day. I went to the dentist. It's enough. I'm done.
If only.
Thanks to this cold weather, I have a renewed excuse to cook delicious soups and stews. I've recently found myself obsessed with white beans. They are a great combo with one of my favorite foods, wait for it...kale! Fry up some potatoes, add a can of white beans, chopped kale, and a little parm. Tada, delicious dinner, or breakfast for that matter. (Ok, you might want to also add some garlic, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes.)
And lastly, signs you might not be completely an adult yet: I am going to the dentist this morning and I feel like that should give me a free pass on the rest of the day. I went to the dentist. It's enough. I'm done.
If only.
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