Fax Notice

Well, I sent out little moving announcements and on that I wrote my home/fax #. Earlier I answered the phone to discover that it was a fax trying to come through. The fax machine then told me it was connecting, but nothing ever showed. So! To note: I don't know how to set up the phone in such a way that you can call and have the option to either leave a message or fax. Therefore, in order to test out this advanced technology of mine - you have to call and let me know that a fax will be coming through. That way I can adjust the rings for the fax machine to pick up instead of answering it myself. Or send me an e-mail and let me know what day. That works too :) Otherwise, for all I know - it was some advertisement - although the number is supposed to be unlisted.

Arrival of the COUCH

Couch arrived this morning via two very out of breath UPS men. It's in boxes - ready to be assembled with only the aide of a screw driver (so the website claims). Heavy boxes. Which will most likely stay in my front room until Shelly arrives. Along with the big box of firewood that I am unable to move from the front door - that needs to be stored in the balcony storage. How nice it will be to have my couch though!

Time for a kitty blog as they were hilariously active last night.

A bad cheat

I saw Pizza Hut on TV and I ordered myself a pizza. Yes, I am that easily swayed. I've been doing really good on my diet for a few days now and as a result lost some water weight. Well, tonight I sit here feeling disgusting and thirsty. The pizza wasn't even good. Well, it was cooked 'daddy style' (it was waaay undercooked). I was basically eating dough smothered in sauce. Interesting since I had said to go light on the sauce. So I've been cured. The English muffin pizzas that I usually eat are way tastier (and lower in sodium).

Unfortunately I'm still really craving nachos.

Waiting for UPS now. They dropped by yesterday but I was out. They were supposed to come back between 2pm & 5pm today, but I have yet to see them and it's 6:45pm now. Not like I really look forward to adding to my box collection.

Bought a scratch post for the cats. Hopefully this will replace the end of the bed. There are two toys that are upposed to dangle. I can't get the top off to get the toys to dangle though. Cats don't seem to mind. All these mice on the floor and they're playing with the two new balls like crazy.

I turn 26 in approx. two weeks. Surprised? Yeah, it gets over looked a lot during all the holiday festivities.

An awesome neighbor

Wow. Today I went to get plates for my car. I put in my purse: current registration, current insurance, and the title to my car. On my way out, I grabbed one of many boxes that I needed to put into the dumster. The title to my car was sticking out of my purse a little, so I made sure to stuff it in good (or so I thought) and continued on my merry way. Arriving at the DMV, I discovered that my title was missing. Great. Parking lot at my place is the only thing I could think of. I went in anyway hoping that I wouldn't need it and that I would be out again in time to find my title. Fortunately for me, I didn't need it. I now have official green & white license plates for my car. No more feeling like an outsider! You know how it is when you're driving behind an out of state vehicle - they can be driving a perfect 10 and still you'd think 'that moron should get off the road!' Whether or not I'll be able to get the plates on the car myself is an entirely different matter. I may have to wait for Shelly & Patrick.

Upon arriving back at my place, I noticed right off that I didn't see the title floating around the parking lot. I hopped out of the car and began to glance under neighbor cars. Almost right away, I heard a man's voice 'Excuse me!' I knew then, that I'd been found out. He said he had discovered it an hour earlier when he arrived home from work and that I was one lucky person because someone easily could've forged my signature on the back, taken the car, and I'd be 'out of shit. Especially with all the Mexicans around.' That last phrase kinda surprised me seeing as well, he is one. He had obviously been awaiting my return - watching out the window probably - and was very proud of his good deed of the day. I, in return, am extremely grateful.

So to review: I've gotten my first speeding ticket, locked myself out of the car, left my bank card at the bank, and lost the title to my car. Anyone care to take a guess as to my next adventure?

P.S. UPS also dropped by while I was away. With 3 boxes of things ordered from Target, but I need to sign for them. I'm hoping (for the sake of the UPS driver) that they didn't bring the boxes up and THEN discover that I was away.

The Cold Continues

It is 20 degrees right now and dropping. It hasn't snowed again since that one night, but there is still quite a bit of snow on the ground still. It was a good 3 inches of snow at least. I, of course, and showing my true California colors. No gloves and cheapy tennis shoes means I freeze every time I go out. The first time I drove, I had the great idea to start the car and let it run while I dumped the trash. So I opened the drivers door, leaned in, started the car, looked at the windshield, and decided to run the wipers. That's fine and all... if you close the door first. The wipers promptly deposited all the snow into the drivers seat where I then had to scoop it out with my hands. I now have gloves & boots arriving by mail some time soon. I saw a few snowflakes falling earlier, so there is the possibility of more snow this weekend.

Oh, and HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all who read this. I, for one, enjoyed being alone for the holidays - despite the fact that my phone rang off the hook with calls from well-wishers/people checking up on me.

I have had moving announcements addressed for some time now. Was waiting on stamps, which I finally got today. So expect an announcement soon. I should've just written a Merry Christmas greeting in there too, but oh well.

Winter Wonderland

Last night I got up to do some investigation. Loud noises coming from the living room turned out to be Miss Kitty in a box playing with the packaging. An activity she wasn't very willing to give up. On my way back to the bedroom, I glanced out the back door and noticed that the balcony looked 'funny.' A closer look proved that it was covered in snow - which was continuing to fall. My first thought was 'grab Winslow! See what kind of paw prints he'll make with those big feet of his!' (For those who don't know, Winsey is a polydactel cat - he has thumbs). Reason soon took over. My next realization was 'Aww crap, I don't want to drive in this!' Today I have to run to the pharmacy to get my extensive list of medications, and also to Safeway to get some last minute ingredients for my Turkey Day meal. I had also planned on taking the car in for an emissions test since it needs to be done in order to register the vehicle (and I only have so many days left), but now I'm thinking it'll have to wait until after this holiday.

Meanwhile, at 20 degrees, it looks as though the snow has been cleared on the roads and it is just lightly coming down. So I should probably hurry before I really get trapped here. Things sure are bright in this white land of snow. I'm buying night shades...

my first appointment

I went to the University of Colorado today for my first medical appointment. The drive takes 20 min without traffic and the hospital reminds me a lot of Stanford. The doctor who came in to see me hadn't reviewed my case at all and kept asking stupid questions. What I was telling him just wasn't sticking. 'Why do you bloat up?' and who knows how many times he asked me why my kidneys aren't working. Finally he stepped out to review everything with his 'staff.' 20 minutes later he was back with someone who obviously was his senior. This guy at least knew what he was doing. He seemed fascinated by my case. He also told me that my kidneys are only working at 1/3 the level they should be. He basically took over the appointment while still trying to make it seem as if Dr. Dopey was still in charge. In order to keep a 'close' watch on me, they want to see me in 3-4 weeks. Uh-huh...

They didn't know what a pas-port is, so telling them that I need to get mine flushed next week was interesting. I also need to find a primary care doctor because unlike my last doctor, they don't want full responsibility for me. I'm also being sent to see an auto-immune specialist, but first I have to find a primary who can refer me to one because no one will see anyone with out a referral.

The cats, meanwhile, are settling in. Waldo was sneezing continuously yesterday and I was afraid he'd caught a cold on his trip, but today he's been fine. He and Winsey are actually getting along. I caught them sleeping together the other day. Miss Kitty is preoccupied with her toy mice. I bought a bag of them and pulled out 3 of the toys for play. Last night I heard the crinkle of a bag and upon investigation, found that Miss Kitty had pulled the bag of mice off the shelf and now lay with her paws around it. So I dumped the rest of the mice on the floor for her.

It's cold today. Yesterday it was 89 when I checked the temp. Today it was in the 30s... most likely down in the 20s now. I even drove through a patch of snow on the way home (although it wasn't heavy enough to actually hit the ground). As a result, I came home and found Winslow buried in my covers.

My tv arrived this morning. My internet was hooked up yesterday (as well as the new phone line). Couch will most likely be here within the next two weeks.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

moving things along

My babies are coming!!! I am sooo very excited because the weather is just getting COLD and I thought for sure it would be delayed! However, I just received an e-mail stating that the cats have been booked for an afternoon flight on Friday. If all goes well, I’ll get them that evening!! Oh crap, I just remembered - that means I really need to get to the pet store tomorrow. I also need to find their big litter box (self cleaning) which is currently packed… on the bottom… in my car.
Yesterday I went to the DMV where in a total of about 2 hours and 4 lines, I was able to get my Colorado license. Well, paper for now. The actual license will be mailed in 2-3 weeks and I dread it. Krys was complaining that her eyes are closed in her picture. Well, I am the exact opposite. I haven’t seen it yet, but think ‘deer in the headlights’ and you’ll have me. Very wide eyed and nervous looking. Unfortunately I take very bad ID photos (anyone remember my Great America one? And that was AFTER he let me retake it too).
Now I am in the process of figuring out how to register my vehicle. I need the title (which is currently in a box in my car), proof of insurance (currently being transferred to Colorado), VIN # (that’s what’s on the dashboard by the windshield right? The website keeps talking about getting one - can they be reassigned?), and an emissions check (little confused here. Need to talk to someone because there’s been statements that yes I need it and no I don’t because the vehicle is under 4 years old). Of course the crappy internet is limiting my research.
Speaking of internet - for a lovely sum, I will be getting my own service starting on the 19th. I will also be getting a local phone line (although I will keep my cell - long distance). The local line will be a combo for fax (those rare occasions).
My bed came today. No more sleeping on the floor! It’s a tempur-pedic. A little more firm than I’m use to. I have a ton of other items arriving right before Thanksgiving (tv, fax/scanner/printer, etc.). I also ordered a couch. I was debating if I should order one and have it delivered or wait for Shelly & Patrick to come visit, but then I realized today (when I saw a couch that I really liked at the thrift store) that I can’t fit it into my car anyway. So I went ahead and ordered online and let’s just say that with my next move - I won’t be getting rid of all the furniture like I did this time.
Update on the washer machine: Of course as soon as I e-mailed the realtor I got it to work. It gets stuck going through the wash cycle, but it doesn’t seem soapy or anything. Just soggy. So if I push the knob forward (a lot) to the spin cycle… it’ll start spinning eventually. Although I don’t think it can handle big loads. So I told the realtor I didn’t mind babysitting it and he said to let him know when I get tired of ‘helping it along.’ As long as I don’t get blamed for breaking it when I move out, I’m fine with that.

camping out with no clean clothes in sight

I tried to do some laundry today and discovered that I have a weak washer when it comes to to spinning the water out. So I e-mailed the realtor (bugging him, already?). Here's what I sent:

Hi Merlyn,

When the washing machine was tested, did it run the full cycle? I tried to do some laundry tonight and discovered that apparently I'm not the only weak thing around here. It seems to have trouble spinning the water out of the clothes... I've tried all 3 cycles, but it'll just sit there humming for however long until I give up. I've also taken items out to lighten the load, but anything less and I could probably accomplish more just flushing my clothes around in the toilet (not that I would).

Sorry to be such a pain already (I try not to!). Otherwise I'm really enjoying the campout until I get some things in here.

-Marika

-----------------------------
Otherwise, my bed comes Wednesday. My cats might be delayed due to cold weather, but hopefully I'll definitely have them in time for Thanksgiving. I'm working on getting my own internet service & a phone line (local calls/fax/incoming calls). I've discovered that the pool area does actually have jacuzzi - even if it's closed for the winter. I lit my fireplace for the first time today. Going to the DMV to get a Colorado license tomorrow. Need to call the car insurance person back with my new license # and I dread the quote. Decided to go ahead and get renters insurance since I'm 'really' on my own now. Hey - does that cover cat urine? Thought I'd ask anyway. My tv comes the day before Thanksgiving and I will be horribly deprived by then.

Still Camping

Well, the bank has put my latest batch of charges on hold. Guess they're suspicious with all this sudden activity in my account. So I am still sitting/sleeping on the floor with no furniture. Tomorrow I do plan to get some starter logs though to test out this fireplace!

The realtor came by today with the rest of my keys. I practically drooled as he handed me the pool key - even though it's winter. I only had a few minutes notice before he came by. He called my phone and said he 'happened to be in the area, can he drop by in 5 minutes?' A mad rush followed the conversation as I ran to move my campsite into the bedroom and out of sight. I barely tossed in the last of things when he knocked on the door. That was SO not 5 minutes! I opened the door to find him standing there with a half eaten lollipop in hand. I hid the smirk, but it was just so cute watching a grown man in his somewhat nicer work clothes holding a lollipop. He then asked if he could check the furnace for something. Here is where I once again show my brilliance as I stood there and went 'sure!' and then tried to figure out if the furnace was upstairs or on the balcony. He read my thoughts and with a laugh stated that it's on the balcony. 'Oh, so it must be the water heater that's upstairs' is my next thought. The realtor checked the filter in the furnace and then, being now use to my newby-ness, explained that I need to replace it once a month. I can just take it to home depot and let them cut me a new one. Good thing he told me!

After he left I headed to the Doller Tree where I picked up a grand total of around 30 items. Okay like 5 were food/drink items, but the rest were a nice cheap replacement for items that would've cost me more at Target. I even got my shower curtain, which while is obviously cheap - I'm thrilled to no longer need to mop up the bathroom floor after each shower.

My front porch light mysteriously works now. It hasn't worked the last two nights (at least not to my knowledge). There is a round switch by the front door that so far has done nothing. Tonight I went out to the car to get a load of stuff and discovered my porch brightly lit. The switch still doesn't do a thing, so for now I'm going to assume that the light is on some kind of timer. I guess I'll see in the morning if it goes off. Like half my neighbors have their lights off which leaves me to wonder who controls all this? I have a light over the balcony - with a functional switch...

Moving In

I have signed the lease! Now I sit in my new place... a little lonely. Can't wait for the cats to join me. Someone here has wireless because I'm able to get online. My computer says it's a bad connection, but it seems to be moving just fine for me. I called and had gas & electric switched to my name. The guy tried to get me to sign up for cable tv, phone & internet services. I told him I'm already getting internet and have a phone... he seemed shocked that I didn't want the tv. What? No tv?? Now I don't know what Colorado tv is like, but as long as I get some basic channels and can watch my Greys Anatomy & Samantha Who? Then I'm fine. I've never had the luxury of the other channels in the past. So once I purchase a tv I'll have to test it out. According to the listing, it says "Cable Available" So maybe if I figure out how to hook it up, I'll already get it. I see a cord coming out of the wall by the fireplace... so maybe that's it.

I asked the realtor if I need to get snow tires. He laughed. Nope, not unless I plan to ski. Now it's my turn to laugh. I get another copy of the apartment key, the mail key, and the pool key some time this week. There's also a guy coming to replace a couple of windows that the realtor claims are foggy. To me it just looks like there's a screen, but it bothers him apparently.

3rd floor up and I'm already feeling it. I dread unloading the car. I was trying to hide how out of breath I got when I came up with the realtor. I think I'll order as much as I can online and then they have to deliver to my door. As for now, I'm off to buy an air mattress so that I have some place to sleep tonight! Oh, and I'll probably pick up a starter log or two. Hopefully I don't burn the place down my first night trying to use a fireplace. He was nice enough to show me about the um... vent thingy in the chimney at least - which is good because I can very well picture me making that little boo-boo.

Another stroke of brilliance/Pictures

Well, first let's review. Day 2: pick up speeding ticket. Day ?: lock self out of car. Today: Go to the bank to get cashier's check for speeding ticket & rental. Act like clueless dumbass '...it has to be made out to someone?' and get money orders instead. Leave bank branch without card. Get back to hotel - call and confirm with bank they have card. Drag happy self back out for another trip to the bank.

Here are some pics of the new place:

These are turning out really small. Anyway 1) the kitchen with the stairs leading up to the loft above 2) my bedroom 3) the deck/balcony 4) the living room w/fireplace 5) loft

HOME

Ladies & Gents - Friends & Family,

I have a place! The realtor just called me (8:45pm) to say that I definitely have the place! He said he ran the credit check and found it to be exactly as I had described - no history and a couple of inquiries from the cell phone company (yeah, it was a huge pain getting a cell on no credit). He also made sure to point out that he had several calls regarding the place today but that he told them there was already an applicant. ME! So yes, I am very excited. I sign the lease on Friday and do a walk through with him. Tomorrow I have to go get the cashiers check. Carpets were cleaned today and they'll empty out some items tomorrow.

The only furniture I have right now is a hammock, which I plan to put in front of my cool fireplace. Oh, and an exercise chair known as the 'hula chair' which I will probably not be able to get up the stairs. That could be embarrassing 'Hi new neighbors! Nice to meet you! Care to help me with an early New Years resolution?'

I plan to send out announcements with the new address (don't want to publicy post it). So e-mail me your addresses! Most of you know my kotter.com e-mail account, but I'll post my yahoo one here in case you don't. I avoid making the kotter.com account public so as not to get spam (although somehow it still managed to find me).

countrycatgal@yahoo.com

So if anything, maybe the next time you see me, I'll be 10lbs lighter or at least more muscular from going up and down 3 flights of stairs. Maybe I can dangle some cheese at the top or something to motivate me. I'm very excited about the fire place. No more fireplace DVDs, I can buy my own easy starter logs at Safeway. For Thanksgiving I'll buy my premade food and pop it all in the microwave and walah, you'd never know that I cheated on everything. I can even get food scented candles to help with the homemaker appearance (any future husband prospects out there - you did not see this post).

Ooh, Kenny Chesney is performing on tv... wow, I've missed my country. Hey, what are the odds that some country guy would love 3 cats and a disfunctional kidney person who can't cook cuz Josh Turner's kinda cute ;-) Okay, better end here.

Home

I am in Thornton, CO. I've spent two nights at some Economy Lodge place and I will check out on Friday which is when I will move into my new place.

I discovered Thornton when I came to check out a place that I'd found on Craigslist. I knew I was home when I was driving around and found a nephrology/dialysis center. I also found a Safeway which is complete with a deli/grill/pizza area. AWESOME. The place where I am staying at turned out to be cheaper than the motel 8's and it's even got a small kitchen complete with cookware.

Today I called and was shown a place. It's a 1 bedroom place, but it has a loft that can be used as a second bedroom (guest room?). I laughed when the realitor showed me one of like 3 storage areas and said I could put the litter box in there (excellent!). The carpets will hopefully be cleaned tomorrow and then I can move in on Friday. I just need to get a statement from my accountant and a cashiers check. I called the accountant and was told that usually the realitor will send them a form of verication but she'd ask to see if they're allowed to generate something. They'll call me back tomorrow. I've heard that there are Washington Mutuals around here, so once the realitor gets back to me, I'll head over and get a cashiers check. I need to get one for that speeding ticket anyway.

The one drawback to this place is that it's on the 3rd floor. So A) good - no more listening to people stomp around! B) I was very embarrassed at how out of breath I was. How the heck will I get furniture up there? Shelly & Patrick are going to looove their visit to see me C) there's a pool! That will come in handy during the summer D) There's also a dryer - WALDO!!! He loves the dryer. E) garbage disposal & dishwasher & fireplace oh my! All of this is for $100 less than I was paying for my small one bedroom in CA.

Moving On

I spent two nights in Georgetown with no internet. I could tell the first night that I didn't want to stay permanently. It's VERY cold there and the air (or maybe the altitude?) seemed to dry out my throat even more than usual. I made plans the first night to head out the next morning and check out nearby cities. Then I would come back for another night before leaving that second morning. I stopped to get gas on my way out my first morning there. Bad habit of mine, I sometimes leave the key in the ignition (with it turned off of course) while I pump the gas. Only this time, the car managed to lock itself (I swear I didn't do it!). Great. My purse, cell phone, everything was locked inside. There was a truck parked nearby with a guy smoking inside. I asked if he could help and he came and looked, but said he didn't know how to break into my car. Next I headed inside and told the laughing cashier of my predicament. I was eventually sent over to the only mechanic shop in Georgetown. They in turn called a guy named Jason who came from a nearby town. I waited inside the gas station and by the time I even noticed that Jason had come to my car, he already had the passenger door half open. It was well worth the $50 and I now have a business card from the' lock doc' in my purse. He was a very nice guy about my age from Santa Rose, CA. Of course my earlier debate of 'should I wear makeup or should I not' came flashing to mind and I kinda wished I had actually worn make up :-p

All is good though and today I am in Aurora. I met someone earlier re: a place to rent. It's a 2 bedroom place in the basement of a house. A little busier of a neighborhood than I would prefer, but it'll do and maybe in like 6-12 months I can search for something more quiet once I've settled in. The cats join me on the 16th, so my main concern is to be ready for them.