ronni

Settling In

20 March 2008 / chicago-bound 2008, ronni

So, I’m now a Chicagoan. And to be honest, I have many mixed feelings. I know it’s because this is a huge life change and it’s new and overwhelming. I’d lived in Ohio all my life, and in Columbus since 1995. This is huge! So, here are my thought processes often:

– Oh my God, what did I do?
– I miss Aidan.
– Where the hell am I going to put this? Who built an apartment with no storage? I mean, who thought it was a good idea NOT to include a medicine cabinet?
– Wow, look at that skyline. I can’t believe I live here now.
– OH MY GOD I LIVE HERE NOW.
– I want to go [insert place here], but I want to figure out how to get there by train rather than by car or bus.
– Oh God, does that mean I have to DRIVE?
– I need to drive and get used to it so I can stop being freaked out about it.

As the place comes together, I feel more at ease, though. And so does Lucy. At first, she hid in the closet, then under the bed. As more of my stuff gets put out, the more she ventures out.

The cats are a soap opera like whoa. When they first met, Crookshanks sniffed Lucy through her carrier and started purring. Later, Lucy started hissing at him and growling. Crookshanks is very sad at her rejection of him. He comes up to her and makes a couple friendly meows. She hisses and growls and maybe even yowls, and he makes a sad little meow and walks away. Today, he decided to force her to play with him. He was even doing the rolling on his belly and being submissive to her, but she was throwing a seriousl hissy hit! It was really funny. He’s determined to make friends with her. I just think she needs time to explore and whatnot. She’s out and about now; he’s asleep on the bed beside me.

Since I’ve been here, I’ve had Avanti pizza (which crimsonghost_oh totally loved), and Hot Doug’s! 🙂 And McDonalds, because I’m on a kick again and need to get off of it ASAP. Adam and I went downtown last night and I took some really pretty pictures on Michigan Avenue. I also just took pix of the apartment. I’ll post them once I find my card reader or USB cord to get them off the camera and onto the computer. At B&N, I used my gift card and got an AWESOME pretty blue lap desk. It’s already gotten a lot of use! 🙂 And… and… Adam let me watch hours of America’s Next Top Model that he recorded for me last weekend. 🙂

Living with Adam is weird now, only because it’s surreal. Even though the closet is filled with my clothes and my books are all over the place, it still feels like a visit and that I’ll be heading back to Columbus in a few days. But, as newwaytowrite commented to me, it’s going to take 21 days to get my bearings, so I’m giving myself time to do just that.

Off to unpack the rest of the kitchen stuff. ‘Til next time! 🙂

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I’m Here.

19 March 2008 / chicago-bound 2008, living in chicago, ronni

I’m here, in Chicago. Unpacking like crazy. Weirded out by the driving and try to avoid it when possible. I’ll feel so much better once I’m all settled in.

(Originally published at Anywhere Is…)

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A Meme??

14 March 2008 / adam, ronni, survey

1. How long have you been together? Time flies when you’re having fun. ♥
2. How old is he? 27
3. How old are you? 33. I’m a cougar.
4. Who eats more? He definitely does.
5. Who said “I love you” first? He did.
6. Who is taller? He is.
7. Who sings better? He can actually hit notes sometimes. Me? Not so much.
8. Who is smarter? Well, he’s full of the weirdest facts, but I have my own talents. I’m sure of it. :O
9. Who does the laundry? That remains to be seen. I know he likes to do his own, but I actually enjoy the washing and drying part. It’s the folding and putting away that I’m not so great at.
10. Who does the dishes? I’m ~~thinking~~ hoping that’ll be his job. *innocent look*
11. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? You know, it’ll probably be me. That side’ll be closer to the bathroom.
12. Who pays the bills? We’ll pay our own personal bills but he’ll probably handle the household stuff.
13. Who mows the lawn? No lawn.
14. Who cooks dinner? He says he’s going to do most of the cooking, which is probably a good thing. He’d be eating lots of spaghetti if it was up to me.
15. Who is more stubborn? Eh, I think I am.
16. Who kissed whom first? I kissed him first but he took over for the next ten or twenty.
17. Who asked whom out? Hmm, there really wasn’t that. It was more “I like you. I like you, too. OK, then.”
18. Who proposed? He did.
19. Who is more sensitive? I am.
20. Who has more friends? About the same, probably.
21. Who has more siblings? He does.

EEEEK! I move in just a few days! WOW!!!!

—————-
Now playing: Sara Groves – When the Saints
via FoxyTunes

(Originally published at Anywhere Is…)

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CRAZY DAY! (Pictures)

14 March 2008 / adam, friends, pictures, ronni, work

Wednesday was my last day at ZB. It was weird because I still had a lot of work to do, but it was hard to concentrate for obvious reasons. Once I finished the vocabulary, I started making the rounds, saying goodbyes, and getting lots of hugs! 🙂 I cried when I hugged Heather. I’m really going to miss some of those people. It’s always bittersweet, no matter what.

After work, Chris came over with Aidan, and Aidan and I got some quality time together! He was being so cute. I was showing him all the cool stuff he’s going to see in Chicago when he comes out to stay with me for the summer. He cracked up at the picture of the giant bean. He’s really healing nicely.

Then Chris came back and Matt was with him, and he took us out to eat at one of my favorite Columbus places: Morone’s Italian Villa. Mmmmmmmmmmm. After that, they dropped off a great deal of the stuff I was going to donate into a Planet Aid drop box. That was a huge help! Then, we all came back to my place where Chris and Matt took out all my trash! Another big help. Aidan’s toys are sorted, I sent some stuff home with Chris, and that’s one less thing I need to worry about. After they left, I found myself finishing up Aidan’s room, and I managed to generate four new bags of trash! Eeek! I went to bed late, but feeling OK that I didn’t have to get up at the buttcrack of dawn for work.

I rolled out of bed about 10:15 a.m.

My first day of not working ended up being insanely busy!

First, I got up, showered, and did some administrative stuff. Arranged for disconnect of electric and gas and stuff like that. THEN I went to the post office, the UPS store, and to have lunch with tamirabeth at b-dubs. Yum and great, wonderful company. *kisses to Tami*

Then I hit Half-Price Books where I sold a laundry basket full of CDs, cassette tapes, and books and got $44 for it! I was expecting like… $15 or $20, and hoping for $30. YAY.

Today, I finally broke down and went to the salon. I went to the Aveda Institute. There, students work on your hair and the cost of services is greatly reduced. It also takes a lot longer because the students are learning and the instructors come and consult with you and quiz then and kind of grade them. But my sister used to be in cosmetology school and I used to let her practice on me all the time, so I had no problem having a newbie (to relaxing) work on me. And again, there’s the cost factor. For example, what I spent today for service, a mini-facial (included), and two products is what a single service would have cost in any other salon. In addition, you can get your shampoo lying down OR sitting in a traditional chair. It was amazing. I wish I’d found this place sooner than four days before I leave the city! However, I do have her name and number, and there are institutes in Chicago.

Wheww Hewww. My hair looks and feels nice again!

After that, Tamera came over to give me boxes and to take some of the free furniture I’m giving away, and then I headed over to the Grafner’s for dinner and to do laundry. It was nice to be there and unwind and relax, eat good food, watch TV on a huge awesome flatscreen, and talk and talk and talk with Sarah until late (for her, anyway!).

Tomorrow, I need to:
– visit rental office
– take stuff to Goodwill
– finish packing part 1
– set up disconnect with at&t
– send out new contact info emails

Whew. Crazy, huh? And today was so pretty too. Sunny with temps near the 70s. I LOVED it. Not too hot, not too cold, and I only got annoyed at traffic from the salon to home. So it was a good day. Busy, but good. Now it’s time to eat some cake, read a bit, and take it easy. I’m sore and I know it won’t end for at least a week!

Til next time! 🙂

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Counting Down & Stuff…. (Pictures)

11 March 2008 / chicago-bound 2008, pictures, ronni, work

People like to feed you for special occasions or life changes, etc. I guess it makes sense. Breaking bread together is such a time of fellowship and togetherness. And fulfillment in more ways than one.

Yesterday, Dawn and Wanita took me to Bob Evans for lunch. I ate like a little piggy, but it was awesome. Today, I had a farewell party at La Chatelaine. It was awesome! Some of my favorite people came, and . For lunch, Karen and Sarah took me to China Dynasty, which was also yummy. I ate way too much today, but it was worth it. That’s me, trying to hit all my Columbus haunts before I head out to Chicago.

Various pictures of me and my co-workers from Zaner-Bloser.

Me, Michelle, and Rebecca

Me and Janet

Me and Heather

Jay, me (looking 12), and John

Me and Tony (who is really broken up about my leaving, incidentally *giggle*)

Sarah and me

Laura and me

——————-

This picture of from China Dynasty this afternoon:

Karen (my Columbus mommy), me, Sarah ♥

So, how many days now? Tuesday is almost over, so five? Holy crap. Everytime a neighbor does something obnoxious (and believe me, it happens all the time), I just keep remembering how it’ll be over soon.

I’m eager to be there. To have all my stuff unloaded and in the apartment. But there are things I need to do here still, so it’s good I have those five days. I can’t believe it. It’s here!

Tomorrow’s my last day at ZB. Work has been insanely busy. Correlations, deadlines, adoptions. The days have been going quickly, but it’s been stressful. I did what I could, though, so I can leave feeling okay about that.

Been listening to my old House Blend CD. It’s good old Chicago house music. Totally getting me in the mood. That, some Bad Boy Bill, I should be good to GO.

Now I should GO TO BED. I’m sleepy.

XOXO

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