Moving On: Nice to Have or Need to Have?

It's hard to believe that one year ago this week, I embarked on an exciting journey and moved into new digs in downtown Los Angeles. As I was waiting in the rental office to sign the lease to renew my stay for another year, I had a chance to reflect on what I've learned in the past year by seeing life from a different vantage point.

The biggest challenge the move presented was space -- at barely 600 square feet, this is the smallest place I've ever occupied on my own, with the exception of a college dorm room. When I was home at Christmas, we had a family dinner and my sister and brother-in-law were talking about their visit with me in July. Liz and Dave were commenting how much they would love to move to California if they could afford it. I explained that’s why I live in a 600 square foot studio. I looked at my cousin just as her mouth dropped open and she sat in shock for a minute, then commented that her closet was bigger than my entire apartment.

In fairness, she probably needs the space. She loves antiques, collects Elvis memorabilia, and decorates every surface of her home every Christmas. These things make her happy. The thing I've discovered living in less space is that I don't need all that to be happy. As long as my closet has enough space for my hockey jerseys, I'm cool.

It's similar to a content editing strategy I use when developing training. I always ask myself, is this piece of information "nice to know" or "need to know?" Applied to physical possessions, the concept becomes "nice to have" or "need to have." Based on what I've learned in the past year, the list of truly "need to have" items in my life is pretty small, and 600 square feet of space is more than enough to accommodate them. Although I do manage to have a little space for a few of my favorite "nice to have" things...


My hockey corner

Things aside, what I've ultimately discovered is that I get the greatest satisfaction in my life from my relationships and the experiences they bring me. I crave time more than space, and having less space actually gives me more time. Because while my friends with homes are cleaning, maintaining and caring for their spaces and stuff, I'm free to go explore outside the box I live in every day, including nurturing those relationships that bring me happiness.

After all, the only place any of us really need space is in our hearts. That's where all the best "need to have" things should be stored...forever.

Adventures in Moving: Part 6 (The Finale)

Well, it's been a long 10 days, but I think I'm finally done. Found some great furniture this weekend, just perfect for the size of the room. It was delivered Monday, and now the apartment is fully functional. I have a place to eat, blog, talk, watch TV, listen to music, relax, cook, entertain, and sleep. And it's a good thing, because I'm also out of decorating money!

The sofa-chair, by the way was meant to be. Not only is it comfy, it folds out into a single bed, in case someone might need to visit and stay a while! And the best part...the model is named Meghan! Nadine picked up on that little fact, and once she did, we stood there in the store, looked at each other, and knew it was a done deal.

So without further ado, the new space...finally complete!













My last stop today was Bed, Bath and Beyond, the best source for all the little stuff like throw pillows, kitchen gadgets...and a trash can. I wanted a nice stainless steel one, not one of those cheap plastic deals.

I always wondered why people included trash cans on their wedding gift registries, and now I know. These suckers are EXPENSIVE! I didn't even get the biggest, nicest one, and it still costs $129! Thank goodness for my 20% coupon, which brought the cost down to roughly a C-note. For that much money, this thing ought to make my coffee and wake me in the morning, and take out the trash all by itself! But it sure is pretty, and it's "fingerprint proof."



At least they soften the blow a little by including a package of special can liners with your purchase!



So now that my life is fully functional, this will be my last "Adventures in Moving" post. On to the more interesting business of living life...

Adventures in Moving: Part 5

So all the boxes are finally unpacked, and everything is put away. Not completely organized (at least not to my standards), but not sitting in piles on the floor. But I'm still only about half done, and here's why.

When you enter my place and turn right, it looks like someone lives here....



But go left, and you see the problem....





Incidentally, the side table to the right is where I've been sitting and working at the computer. The box under the laptop is empty, but I needed something to get the computer to the right height. If that isn't some major MacGyver style rigging, I don't know what is.

So today I will shopping for furniture - specifically a small but elegant dining room set, affordably priced but better-than-Ikea quality. And potentially a chair for the "living room" area which will exist between the dining set and bed. But I kind of want to see how the dining stuff fits first. I'm really trying to avoid cramming too much stuff in here and making the room look smaller than it already is. Nadine, the goddess of shopping, will assist me today. I need all the help I can get!

In happier news, the kitchen is done, and I've managed to start feeding myself on a more regular basis. In fact, I went to Whole Foods the other day and actually stood there in the store, stunned, for about 5 minutes before I could figure out what to buy. When I thought about it more, I realized I haven't cooked anything but deviled eggs, crock pot meatballs, or cookies for about 3 years, and I've forgotten how to shop for a week of meals. Amazing how take-out rots your culinary brain! I'm more than excited to start correcting that.







And most importantly, the bar is open. Need I say more?



Actually, I do have one more thing. I have to give special thanks to my good friend Tanya Offerdahl for my first flower delivery in the new place!



The girl is running around after an 18 month old toddler, 8 1/2 months pregnant with BGO (Baby Girl Offerdahl) number two, working, and being a single mom when her pilot husband is at his job, yet still has time to send me flowers. Now THAT is a true friend!

OK, that's really it. I'm off in search of greatness! Wish me luck....

Adventures in Moving: Part 4 (What Was I Thinking?)

I made excellent progress tonight unpacking the kitchen, so in honor of National Ice Cream Day I'm digging into pint of Haagen-Dazs Chocolate Chocolate Chip and doing a little celebration dance while I blog. I have only two boxes left to unpack, and they may stay packed until I find a dining room set because they're just the right height for my laptop, given the only seat in the house right now besides the bed is an end table. And so far, I haven't caught myself saying, "Now I wonder where that thingy is...." which means the remaining boxes likely don't contain anything I desperately need.

In case you're wondering about the title for this blog, don't worry. I am not regretting my decision to move or anything of the sort. But in the process of unpacking, I realized the pre-move "junk purge" missed some things. I thought it would be entertaining to look at a few items that probably should have hit the junk bin, but that came along for the ride anyway.



This is a board game I've never unwrapped. I think I had a bachelorette party or some gag gift occasion in mind and thought this would be the perfect thing and I'd never find it again. Apparently I rethought my choice, because I still have the darn thing, Single ladies? Any takers?



These were intended to be birthday gifts for my nephews following my trip to Ireland. I was there in December of 2006. Uh, hello...that was 3 years ago! I really pulled a Mom on this one, and stored these away in the top of my closet, where I promptly forgot about them (a trick my Mom always managed to pull off annually when we were kids). The moment to give these without a long-winded explanation has passed now, plus the jersey won't fit the intended nephew any more. Anyone?



The banana stands are testament to the hazards of keeping half your life in boxes for 5 years. I knew I had a banana stand...somewhere. When I went looking for it and couldn't find it, I thought I was deluded and only imagined I owned one, so I promptly bought another. Now, I like bananas, but I sure don't need 2 ways to hang 'em. The black wrought iron one stays. The other just hit the trash.



You're probably thinking to yourself, "That is the UGLIEST plate I have ever seen! Who in the world would want that?" I kept this a proof I am NOT an artist! Everyone who sees my scrapbooks seems to think I have this hidden artistic talent, but this specimen is proof to the contrary. The plate was my first attempt at painting pottery. We went to one of those "Color Me Mine" places for Molly's birthday a few years ago. It was fun as a group outing, but the final product wasn't exactly what I had in mind. So much for my career as a painter....



Yeah, I know what you're thinking. "Exactly how drunk was she when she bought this?" I can confirm alcohol, as well as peer pressure from my co-workers, was involved. I got this at the Saddle Ranch Restaurant at Universal Studios in Hollywood. Dinner out was our summer fun event back when I was a claims manager, and all my employees were pushing to get me on the mechanical bull. Buying and wearing this thing was the only way I could get out of the bull ride. Of course, the funniest part of the night was leaving, running into Keanu Reeves (yes, THAT Keanu Reeves) in the parking garage elevator (still wearing the hat, of course), and getting so flustered it took me 20 minutes to find my car.

With a story like that, the hat will be with me for a while.

Adventures in Moving: Part 3

Well, I'm making progress. The hardest part of the day was actually getting out of bed, which involved 15 minutes of stretching my still-aching calves and taking 2 Advil to get me going. With that little feat accomplished, I managed to get the rest of the bedroom and living area boxes unpacked. I still haven't tackled the kitchen, but isn't that why God created restaurant delivery?

So now I can share some A.D. (that's after decoration photos). Here we go...

Bathroom...or as like to call it, The Spa!





Bedroom/living area....





Here's a better shot of the rug. This is the one I got in Turkey on my Mediterranean cruise last year. I think I had this room in mind somehow when I bought it, and now it gets to be out in full view! In my old place, it was partially hidden under the bed.





I put my CD's in storage to free up some space in the entertainment center. Perfect spot for my signed puck collection! Ovie is on top of the pyramid, the second row is Drew (left) and Sully (right) and the bottom three are Jon Quick, Matthieu Garon, and Jamie Lundmark.



And even though I didn't want roommates, there will always be room in my life for Sid the Kid.



Maybe a little change of scenery for Sid is a good thing. Hopefully it means better luck tomorrow against the Red Wings!

I am off to bed. Tomorrow is my first day back to work post move, and I have a new morning routine to figure out...

Adventures in Moving: Part 2

The movers came this morning at 8:45 am, and exactly 3 hours later they had me moved in, furniture assembled, to the new place. Without a doubt, the best $233 I have ever spent.

My day, of course, started 4 hours earlier with two last minute loads of laundry, and final packing to empty dresser drawers, etc. And continued until 5 minutes ago....

I have been on my feet the entire day, except when I made a couple of phone calls, incidentally placed to give me an excuse to sit down for 5 minutes. My calves are screaming. My arms are so bruised I look like a heroin junkie. I tore two fingernails down to the quick, and my right thumb is throbbing. I ate twice today, if you count a Diet Coke and a vending machine bag of White Cheddar Cheez-Its a meal. I have barely touched the kitchen, and everything else is about half unpacked. My refrigerator has nothing in it but 2 sports bottles of water and a bottle of champagne. I cannot recall the last time I was so physically exhausted. I'm going to sleep like a dead person tonight.

And you know what else...I'm happy. I'm going to love it here.

Adventures in Moving: Part 1

Today was a great but exhausting day of what I've decided to call "Adventures in Moving." It's the only way I could come up with to make a basically painful process seem like more fun than it is. After picking up the keys to the new place, and completing my move-in condition inspection, I made 3 trips to get the closet and bathroom successfully moved. This way, no matter what happens tomorrow I'll have a way to shower and find clean clothes.

Since I'm beat and have a long day tomorrow, I'm keeping this short. But there is always time for a few photos! I call these the B.D. version of the apartment (that's "Before Decoration").

Entryway....



Hallway to the bathroom....



That's a closet with the mirrored door to the right. There's another one just like in on the left side. I love closets!

The Powder Room :)



My small but functional kitchen....



And the big payoff....the bed/living room with one entire wall of windows!! I gotta admit, this is what sold me on the place when I saw it.



And I know I'm officially here because I already have mail. How about that?



And a nice "welcome wagon" package from the building. Two spas to try out, delivery menus, maps of downtown, coupons for everything.



Now I just need to figure out where Starbucks is....

Time to Say Goodbye...

Today at 4 PM, I signed the lease on my new apartment and the next phase of my life in Los Angeles. Tomorrow morning, I get the keys and officially start moving in. And while I get exhausted thinking about it, I'm running out of room to walk around the house since the official box count is up to 50. That doesn't even include the miscellaneous unboxed stuff that will travel in my car.



One of the sadder things I did today was say goodbye to the regular weekday staff at my favorite Starbucks on Huntington Drive. They have seen me every morning for the past 5 years. In addition to knowing my drink and breakfast sandwich order without me even asking, they always give me my first smile of the day. They're all such wonderful people, we're almost like a little family. As much as I'm looking forward to the new place, I will miss them. And now I have to train a new bunch of baristas...

Back at home, I passed my status board downstairs on the fridge. Since I travel quite a bit for work, it seemed like thoughtful thing to do to let my roommates know when I'm gone. That way they would know when they had the opportunity to enjoy unlimited bathroom access and not have to tolerate my hockey watching. So I guess it's time for one last update...



And away I go....