incredibly true adventures: January 2009

Thanks for waiting patiently for us to reveal fabulous photographs of our new little home. Those photographs are forthcoming, I promise! Until then, please continue to be patient with us. Indeed, we're also waiting patiently, but for different reasons.

You see, our little European washer/dryer all-in-one unit decided to leak all over the closet floor. Twice. Therefore we have been without means to wash our dirty clothes since last Tuesday (Jan 20). So last week, our slumlords, I mean, landlords decided to purchase a full-size washer and dryer for us on Saturday. Fabulous, right?!? Well, yes, however, those appliances have been sitting in a trailer right outside our front door ever since. It's now Wednesday (Jan 28) and our lovely, slightly used appliances still sit in a trailer, taunting us, right outside. Each day since the appliances arrived we've thought, "Surely today is the day those appliances will be bestowed upon us," and we've been proven wrong every single day. A call to our slumlords yesterday yielded just a voice mail message. We inquired, ever so kindly, "What's the status on our washer and dryer? Let us know, please." The message has yet to be returned.

Also, to add insult to injury, this morning our dishwasher (circa 1993ish) decided it didn't want to perform its duties anymore -- the locking latch refuses to budge. So we'll add it to the list of repairs.

In our landlords' defense, they both work full-time. However, they also determined they could handle second jobs as real estate moguls by buying homes throughout the neighborhood in which to rent to individuals in need of a place to dwell. Doing so comes with its share of rewards (i.e. tax breaks, rent payments to cover the mortgage costs) and pitfalls (fixing broken stuff and resolving issues). These two obviously love the rewards (and who wouldn't???) and avoid the pitfalls as much as possible.

For example, in the thirteen short days since we moved into our mansion, the following issues have occurred:

1) Broken kitchen sink sprayer. Instead of spraying, it basically spits. It's still not fixed, although landlord purchased (or, more likely, found along the street) two replacement sprayers, neither of which worked after he installed them. He finally told us he wasn't sure what was wrong with the sprayer and that we'd just need to deal with the spitting.
**BROKEN**

2) Steps leading up to our front door were warped and rickety. We're talking nails poking out of shoddy, rotten wood. Thankfully, the landlords fixed this lawsuit hazard within the first eight days of our residency.
**FIXED**

3) Missing kitchen faucet aerator. You know that thingy you take off the kitchen faucet when you install a water purifier? Well, it's gone. And we want it replaced.
**BROKEN**

4) Touch-up paint. It was obvious the landlords didn't paint between renters as the scuffs, dents and dings on the walls were everywhere. No problem, we said, we'll take care of touching it up. But doing so means we actually need paint. And we have been given none.
**NOT RESOLVED**

5) Leaky washer/dryer. (Story in second paragraph.)
**BROKEN**

6) Replacement appliances in driveway. For four days. (Story in second paragraph.)
**NOT RESOLVED**

7) Cable. Included in the rent were trash, water/sewer, Internet and super-deluxe cable. However, landlord was mistaken when he advertised the super-deluxe cable because super-deluxe cable involves a cable box and special super-deluxe cable remote control and more money. What he SHOULD have advertised was basic cable. His mistake. Now give us our super-deluxe cable. Landlord has told us he is working on the issue.
**NOT RESOLVED**

8) Dishwasher door locking mechanism won't budge. Landlord doesn't know about this yet. Who knows how long it'll be before its fixed. In the meantime, Minnesota will be hand-washing all dishes, which she actually sort of enjoys doing when she has the space to do so and a drying rack (neither of which we have). If given the choice of washing by hand or using a machine, the machine tends to win. Unless the machine is broken.
**BROKEN** (However, landlord is not yet aware of problem.)

What's most comical (but not in a ha-ha kind of way) is that when we moved in, our slumlords requested we inform them IMMEDIATELY of any issues because their previous renter waited too long to tell them. So we've been telling them of our issues, and they, in turn are ignoring them. We've been kind and gracious and patient thus far. We're not pesky or annoying or bothersome renters. But perhaps that's the problem -- maybe we're too nice?

That's not to say our slumlords are mean, horrible, awful people. No, on the contrary. They're a kind, sweet couple with wonderful hearts of gold. Plus, they're full-time schoolteachers who chose their profession because they want to make a difference in young people's lives! That alone awards them a place in heaven.

Anyway, the moral of my story is twofold: Landlords, be kind to your renters and fix problems in a timely fashion. It's your obligation. Renters, be kind to your landlords, but not too kind. Remember this is your home too, not just your landlord's.

And the point of my story is this: I cannot take pictures of our cute little mansion because the apartment is still a bit chaotic due to washer/dryer issue. Remember, we’re dealing with 500 square feet here, so space is at a premium. Because W/D unit is located in our only closet, we've tried to be accommodating by clearing a path for the broken W/D unit to be removed and new W/D units to be installed. In fact, we’ve removed our hanging clothes from the closet not once, but twice, in anticipation of their arrival. We’ve also moved our television unit three times. And then we wait and we wait and we wait some more, and we move things back into place, and then we move them out again, and…you get the idea. And in the meantime, our patience wears more and more thin.

(...and I'm taking deep breaths, and more deep breaths...)

On a more positive note, we absolutely love our new little treetop castle, aside from our inattentive slumlords. Fingers crossed that tonight will be the night we welcome a working washer and dryer into our home!

Also, in other positive news, we discovered the Atlanta Cupcake Factory produces some tasty little morsels of cake -- pure bliss in every bite! In fact, the cupcakes are almost as good as those from Saint Cupcake in Portland. Plus, the Atlanta Cupcake Factory is only two miles from our house. Score!!!

AND Southern Sweets Bakery is another new favorite of ours. We tried their golden cake with chocolate butter cream frosting and, oh my goodness, it was heavenly! We can't wait to try more of their decadent treats.

In summary, broken things = bad; cupcakes = good. Now let's go get a cupcake!

As always, we're sending lots of love and hugs across the miles...the girlz

So you've probably been waiting on pins and needles as to our exciting news, huh? Well, wait no longer!

(drum roll please)

Lucky found a job! And her first day was yesterday! Just like President Obama!!! Unlike President Obama, her new duties will not entail being the leader of the free world. Rather, she is working as a designer in a long-term temporary assignment with a large corporation. Certainly she won't be retiring from this company, but having a temporary position will afford her the time needed to continue looking for the perfect position. The unfortunate part about the job is that it's a 30 mile commute one-way. Alas, it's a job, so we're happy!

We're also happy because...

(drum roll please)

We found the perfect little apartment and have moved to Atlanta! Yep, it's been a whirlwind of activity this past week or so. We've moved all of our possessions out of Mama Black's home and into our 500 square foot mansion. It's been fun unpacking boxes and getting things situated in our new place. We're also looking forward to exploring our neighborhood and attending events in the city. Yahoo!!!

Here's a sneak peek at our new place. More pictures to follow.