Freedom!

Today was my first day off of work, and I had a blast! :)

I slept in until 8am--yeah!

I did laundry = had been wearing the same uniform for 6 days straight (eek!)

I made several phone calls to friends and family. Miss you all so much!!

I walked around downtown for HOURS browsing the stores, making (literal) notes about which store is where, and picking up any restaurant brochure I could find. One restaurant (PJ's Pancake House) gave me the laminated copy of the menu! I resisted several times, but the manager won. I had to fold it three ways to get it to fit in my purse, which was already overflowing with menus.

I bought coffee.

I fell in love with a store called The Paper Source. Awesome.

I found our apartment in the maze of look alike apartments. (Family beware when you come down this week. I figured it out for you and I have specific directions.)
Our apartment is TINY. That's right, it was open and empty, so I walked right in. I tried to visualize how our furniture could work in the small and slightly awkward layout. I think we'll have to put the dining table and chairs in the living room. Oh well! The living room has one narrow widow: so much for making beautiful curtains... My little splash of fabric will be unnoticed if left alone, so I'll make matching pillows for the couch, and wall hangings (a brilliant idea from my sister). The kitchen is more of a problem: there's a narrow gas stove + oven, then a 2 sided sink, then an arm's length of (salmon-pink-ish) counter top. Opposite the sink is a fridge. And that's all. Clearly, we need more counter space, so I'm praying that our card table will fit between the wall and the gas stove (could it melt?), OR that we'll find an affordable kitchen island on wheels (as seen at Bed Bath & Beyond). The two bedrooms are identical in size and will fit our needs. The bathroom is also good, except for a window the size of my torso. We have a lovely flowering tree in front of the apartment, which blocks on-lookers and light from our living room. Oh, and the floors (throughout) are some weird linoleum. Thank goodness we didn't discard our rugs. I'm learning that pros and cons are simply a part of life. I'm eager to get everything set up!!

I also found Aldi's: our favorite grocery store for certain items. Yes, it's a good 20-25 minute drive, but with adequate planning, I shouldn't have to go there too often.

Basically, I was out from noon until 7pm exploring and getting to know streets and stores. I feel good driving around, and I'm ready to settle in. Only a few more days to go!