What next.....?

Just when things seem to be OK, Virginia Tech happens...... What is it about the Americans, and their freedom-loving ways, and their "constitutional right to bear firearms"...... I have to admit that the longer I live here, the more I wonder about this place, and wonder if freedom is really what they really think they have..... Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy living here 95% of the time, but that 5% of the time, I really wonder.......

On other things, am settling in slowly but surely to my new place, and I don't even miss my old place in Severn, MD at all..... Where I'm at is just so quiet (granted, I do get to hear more sirens, etc., but that may be more to do with living pretty close to Union Memorial Hospital too), and the room-mates are just so much friendlier..... Definitely worth the money I'm paying for the place right now, and am certainly enjoying it....

Work is a mini-state of turmoil, as layoffs were announced last week, and changes are still happening, and the ripple effect is still kicking in too.... I'm not worrying about it too much, as decisions are being made from NYC where the HQ is (it's a large, world-wide company), and if more jobs are going to go, so be it.....

Anyway, have finally gotten my taxes done, thankfully!!! Federal taxes are coming back to me, but I owe MD just a little bit, so it works out fine........ Just glad to have both sets of tax returns filed and finished with for this year!!

More later...!

Some photos...

These were photos I took at my old place back on Valentine's Day - the day of the excessive snow, as well as the run-in with my former landlady... :-/ But it was such a beautiful evening, with such a nice sunset, I really needed some calming, and couldn't help but take these photos, and I've just come across them. Just had to share...

Changes continue to happen......

Paradise is taking a break, and we're both fine with that, as we need our respective space....it's not easy, but under the circumstances, it's the best thing we can do, and take priority for ourselves first, and then each other.... Uncertainty is never fun, but taking time out for myself is nice too, so I'm feeling a little better because of that, and so is he...

Other changes are happening at work....impending layoffs are in the process of being announced, and we're not sure how things are going to pan out in our part of the company or even how things will be effected in our department. But, we'll find out more details in the next day or two, and I'm not going to, and can't, worry about it all, as it's something that's out of my hands, And as I'm doing the kind of work that can transfer anywhere (to almost any company at at geographical location), I don't feel tied or stuck to this company, so it'll work out fine in the end.......at least for me. I'm not one of those who is tied to a mortgage, or has a spouse or kids to support, so I feel I'm one of the luckier ones. Yes, I have my share of financial responsibilities like most adults do, but I'm less tied down, so if there's ever a good time to get laid off from a job, this is the time..... We'll see what way the cookie crumbles.....

And yes, I'm settling into the new place slowly but surely, and have put more stuff into storage, have a bag of stuff (largely clothes) now sitting in the car for Goodwill, and am finding space slowly but surely for my things I'm keeping. I've a few small things on eBay, and I've gone one item already being bidded on, so I'm excited about that..... I don't miss the old place at all, though I've had to stop by over the past couple of weekends (albeit briefly) to pick up a few things I've left behind by mistake. But I don't foresee any more visits back to Severn anytime soon, unless I'll be down at Arundel Mills Mall, which I'll get to every once in a while.....hey, we women like to shop!!! No photos to update yet, of how my room is getting cleaned up, but I may start reconfiguring how the furniture may work in this room.....or not, as the case may be.

Anyway, I'm tired, so will have to log off soon........'til next time!

Still unpacking... :-/

Still have so much to get through, and have started a "Goodwill" bag of mostly clothes, and have put a few more things into storage since Sunday. Continued going through some kitchen stuff last night, as it looks likely that I won't need most of my own stuff, as there's quite a bit in the kitchen that seems to be for common use, so I am continuing to pack that up. Am looking towards the day that I move out of this place in Guilford, not knowing how long or short I'll stay, but am in no rush to go anywhere anytime soon!!!

Haven't been sleeping well either for the past couple of nights, so I'm feeling very exhausted as I write. Still continues to be trouble in paradise, and that's been mentally draining, so my sleep has been effected. That's all I'll say here about that for right now.

But, will be glad when I figure out what to do with my excess stuff, and at least get some of it cleared out, and minimize the amount of stuff in my bedroom, which is looking a lot better than what it was on Saturday!! I should take photos of my progress, even just for my own piece of mind!!

Anyhow, must get back to work, as I'm on a late lunch, and must return..... Traffic was a nightmare this morning with a combination of wet weather and some Motivational convention going on in town today. Marylanders just don't know how to drive in the rain, and Baltimore so badly needs to improve it's public transportation system.....sorry, but 1 lightrail line, and 1 subway line for a city this size just doesn't cut it...... The Baltimore buses suck too, as do the streets, which are covered in potholes, but I totally digress - another subject for another time!!

Must....get....back...to...work......

"The Move" is finally over!

OK, am now finally, oh so finally, ensconced up here in my new place in the Guilford neighborhood in Baltimore, and am still in the process of trying to organize myself in my new place. The final end of the move happened on Friday, 3/30, and seemed to have gone well for most of the day. My boyfriend came with me to help me pick up the UHaul on Friday morning, a little earlier than planned, but that was fine, as it gave us the head start that we needed. Then packed it up with mostly furniture to bring to storage in Glen Burnie, then back to the house, to pack up the bed, and some other bits and pieces, and then up to Baltimore to face the real challenge of the day for the 2 of us, and that was to bring the queen-sized bed up two flights of stairs to my room :-/. We managed, but not without him indicating that the next time I move, he'll be busy that weekend!!!??!!

But got my man out on time to meet with his sailing buddies for 4pm, and me on my merry way to get gas for the truck, and to return it, which all happened by 4:30pm, grabbed food, and got home to eat by 5pm, and was totally anxious as a woman who said she'd call during the day to pick up a piece of furniture that I was getting rid of through www.freecycle.com hadn't called yet, and I really needed everything gone.... Called her at 5:40pm, and she was out to me in an hour, and the couch was taken by a guy who came out at 7pm that night, so I finally was able to get all the big stuff out of my way. Other folks had come out last Monday night to pick up other stuff I couldn't sell at either attempts at my yard sale, so that worked fine for me.

Only problem was that I still had a few too many "piddly" things still left in the house, and in between cleaning/vacuuming/straightening things up as best as I could, I found myself spending more time taking care of stuff than I thought it was going to take, so by the time my man got back at around 8:30/9pm, I was tired/stressed/wound up, and totally spaced out and on edge. Suffice to say, an argument ensued, and caused for a not very good night's sleep, and he left yesterday, not a happy camper......... Nothing like the stress of a whole move to bring out the "best" in a relationship.....! It's a downer on top of what was an almost smooth move out of the house, but luckily, I've had unpacking and further reorganization to keep me busy.

Also, managed to make it out for a hike yesterday afternoon at Patapsco State Park in Catonsville, though I was late for meeting my friends, and so hiked by myself, but met them afterwards, which was nice. Then other friends were having a BBQ later, so we got to join them......and then tonight, I got to meet with my Stitch 'n Bitch group (knitting and gossip, and gossip covers everything from local politics, work, kids/family, whatever's going on in our lives, etc.), so that was great to hang out with some women friends, and have a badly needed glass of wine...very relaxing.

Will be waiting with anticipation as to how my much shorter commute will be tomorrow - will be one of the many things that I will not miss about my old place..!!

Until next time, good night....am off to bed, as I'm sooooo tired!

What is it about Yard Sales??!!

Well, I seem to be doing just a little better today, as by 1:15pm, I've had 3 people come by - since 9am!! At least I've made a couple of sales, one of them being my TV Stand, so I'm glad to see a bulkier item go, but would love to get rid of the few pieces of furniture - armchair, couch, 2 bookcases, hallstand, end-table, my bedframem and IKEA dining table & chairs. Another woman purchased some tupperware, and also my gas canister that I wasn't even planning on selling, but she noticed it, so I offered it to her for $1..... Hey, $1 in my pocket for something I probably wasn't going to ever use again anyway... I know March is not the best time of the year for Yard Sales in the NE or Mid-Atlantic area, but I really hoped that it may have worked out better today, but....

.....Per my boyfriend's suggestion, he's indicated I should probably aim to continue the yard sale tomorrow, as the weather is expected to be even better again, so I plan to do that........ Not that it's all about the money, as ultimately, it's not, but it'd be nice to get rid of even the "bigger ticket" items, if only to help to defray the expenses that I've had for the month of March, what with paying double rent for 3 weeks of the month, and my deductible on the car damage.... So I've added a new Craiglist ad, in the hopes it may help.

Let's just see how everything works out, and I'll just be glad when the whole move is over, as once my yard sale w/end is over, I'll be likely trying to coordinate with Salvation Army, or whatever other charity of choice can come by to pick up any pieces that are too large for me to bring over.... Then renting a truck to move the few big furniture items I have to move to storage or the new place in Guildford, or whatever.... All I know is that once I move to the new place, there'll probably still be stuff I'll want to get rid of, and maybe try to sell on eBay or else just give to Goodwill/Salvation Army/whatever charity of choice.....

Everything happens for a reason, even though we may not always know/like/understand the reason, but it'll all work out fine.....at least I hope anyway!!

Yard Sale Preparations

OK - considering my first meager attempts at a yard sale never really had a chance - combination of lack of advertising on my part (Craigslist and word of mouth amongst friends) and bad weather that hit on Friday, and kept it cold over the weekend, didn't seem to quite cut it, and so it was a washout. No-one, absolutely not one soul showed up.... I felt bummed, but am glad that I'm around next weekend to be able to afford the time to try again. And this time, I really hope it'll be even just a little better.

For increased advertising, I'm now looking to the local City Paper, Pennysaver (depending on costs), Craigslist again, going to post signs in my local grocery store and library, as well as word of mouth amongst friends and co-workers (again). That and forecasts of far better weather (at least temperature-wise) over the weekend should very definitely help (at least I hope!!!).

Here's my updated ad in Craigslist that I posted last Monday night, followed by the one I've just posted this afternoon (almost identical, but different photos):

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/gms/292981285.html

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/gms/296747129.html

Posted a free ad through City Paper's website this morning to get in before their 12 noon deadline, and must get back to work to prepare some ads for my local grocery store & library....

Wish me luck!!

Things are coming together, I think!

Well, yes, my lease was signed and deposit and rent checks sent, and finally arrived, with a slight delay, due to the US Postal Service in Baltimore working so wonderfully well (note sarcasm), and so I started moving some bits & pieces to the new place last weekend, though this w/end, I feel I've done diddly-squat... :-/ Such is life.....! The new place is another housemate situation (not perfect, but far better than what I have), and located very close to JHU, and so in a very nice neighborhood, and a monthly lease, so that works perfectly for me, as if I find that it may not work out, or if my circumstances change for whatever reason, just have to give my month's notice, and I'm outta there....

Attempted to have a yard sale yesterday (Paddy's Day), and didn't end up happening - combination of different things - didn't advertise enough, Paddy's Day and folks wanted to go out drinking (as if the Irish do nothing else but.....if only they knew!), and the weather was bad (icy snowy conditions, and high's of about 37F), not all conducive to folks wanting to go to a yard sale. Will aim to have it next Sat. instead, temps in the 60's!! Should make the world of difference I hope, and also to get more ads out there....

Got my car back this week too, finally, after the collision center was messing around with me since Monday, but it's nice to have my own wheels back again, and everything looking nice.....

Anyhow, I'm tired, so am going to close here, as I'm so tired, I'm getting cross-eyed....

Night, night....!

Seem to have found a new place to move to....

.......but don't want to say too much for fear of jinxing it, as I haven't signed the lease yet. It's in Baltimore City, and found it a couple of weeks ago, and everything was right about this place, except for the timing of it. Owner wanted me to move in straight away, but I indicated that the earliest I could possibly move in was the w/end of March 10th, (on the basis my current landlady seriously wanted me out by March 14th), but that I could be where I'm at until March 31st. Well, as it now happens, I am at my current abode 'til March 31st, as I have a receipt to indicate as such, though my rent check hasn't cleared my account yet..... And this new place's owner now is offering me this place to move into next weekend, so has prorated the March rent for me......

I talked with my boyfriend about it, and he's indicated that I should go there, as all other indications were that it's a good fit; rent works out slightly cheaper and inclusive of utilities (unlike my current abode!), nicer house, far nicer neighborhood, roommates seem more civilized and quieter than my current ones, it's a monthly lease situation (perfect for me, as I really didn't want to be tied to an extended lease of any sort), so I've decided to bite the bullet, and pay double rent for the bulk of March. But at least it's one less worry of where I'll be on April 1st regarding an abode!!

Have also started putting some stuff into storage, and am looking at various items to get rid of and sell in a yard/moving sale. Have already sold a couple of pieces - my coffee table to my roommate, and the matching console table to a friend from a women's group that I'm a member of.... It's a start, and will have to decide on a real yard/moving sale some weekend during the month of March... It's slowly coming together, and I feel I'm in such a transition now, it's more stress than I'm comfortable with, but that's life too.....

I'm so thankful for my boyfriend, as he's been very patient and supportive of me, and knows work is a bit stressful at the moment too....... Also, I have to bring my car in for repairs this morning to the collision center where I got my estimate of damages done (one of my insurance companies preferred collision centers/body shops), and so I'll get a rental car from them, so at least all the paperwork can and will be done at the one place rather than bringing Enterprise or any other rental car agency and having to deal with them too.

It seems when it rains, it pours, but trying to look at everything going on in my life right now, I'm trying to look at things positively, and it's difficult at times, but these things are happening for a reason, and am trying to learn some lessons here.... I tend to be the kind of person who puts up with too much of what's not quite good enough for me for way too long, and for no good reason.....hence my living in a house with roommates and a landlady I never really cared for, for way too long - can't believe I stuck it out here for 2 years!!! Am looking to want to buy my own place, and figure that this year will be the year for some good changes!!! Keep positive, keep positive, keep positive........my new mantra!!!

Some Good News.....as minor as it might seem

Well, between one thing or another, I now have until March 31st to move, so I'm glad to have an extra bit of time to get my stuff together.... If it had worked out the way my landlady had originally indicated, I would have had to have moved on March 14th, which may have forced me to scramble a little bit harder, but seemingly have it sorted out now to move at the end of the month. Suffice to say, that she's taken what will be the last of my rent payment to her (and my receipt says it all!!) At least the ball has started rolling, and I plan to start bringing already packed stuff into storage on Saturday morning, and at least I can move a bulk of my stuff at my leisure throughout the month, until I find a new place to live, the sooner the better of course. But I can breathe a little easier now that I know I have an extra couple of weeks, which I know will make all the difference!! :-)

Let me dance a little dance!!

Packing is going slowly, but it's getting done bit by bit..!

Did some more packing last night, and a small spurt this morning, but am making progress. Really have to learn to let go of a lot of stuff, as I know I'll probably still end up moving with way too much stuff. Am going to try to make some more headway tonight!! Moving is such a hassle, but it's a part of life, or at least it is of mine right now!

Weird and busy week....

Have just had a rough week involving a major run-in with my landlady, and suffice to say, without going into the necessary details, that I'm now looking for a new place to live. Have started packing up some boxes, and have put a "Moving Sale" ad in craigslist to try to get rid of some excess stuff that I don't need, and am now homehunting (to rent vs. to buy initially.....).

Also, my car was hit by some numbskull in a grocery parking lot in Gaithersburg on Saturday, and was rude, selfish and irresponsible enough not to leave a note, so am dealing with MY insurance company with having to have that fixed. Got the estimate of damage done yesterday and have approx. $1400 worth of fixing to be done, so the collision center will take my car on March 5th to start working on it..... At least I have rental car insurance coverage, so I will have a set of wheels to drive around for the week, so all is not lost...... Enclosed is a photo of the damage done.....what someone will do and not own up to. It's some small consolation to know that they must have done enough damage to their own car too (I hope!!). Such is life, and if it wasn't me, it would be someone else's car, as this kind of thing happens every day......just weird timing for me, I guess.....

Anyway, looking for a new place to live is going to be a great thing, as it'll at last get me out of a not very pleasant living situation, which I've just gotten too comfortable with for way too long (2 years too long), and I should have moved a long time ago, but didn't want to if only 'cos moving is such a hassle....... So am trying to keep positive about it too, as change is always unsettling, but in this case, it's a very good thing!!!

'Til next time.....!

Hiking seems to be my new thing!

Have gone hiking 3 times since New Year's weekend now, and seems to be something I'm enjoying more & more..........here's a photo I took last Sunday down at the C&O canal in Potomac, MD where I met a sailing friend and went hiking with some of her friends as we did in Patapsco State Park the weekend before, but this time another sailing friend came along too, so we had a bigger group. And it was the first time hiking in the snow, though the drive home was a little scary......

Christmas Shopping........

Got some done today, and it's great to be in the process of getting some shopping done, and FINISHED for some folks!! Not planning on doing too much shopping, as I want to simplify and stay within budget. Mainly, I shop for my nephew and niece, and then my boyfriend, and may get one or two items for his (grown) kids, and possibly something small for his parents if we end up going to visit them for Christmas. But at least I've now got "my 2 kids" taken care of, just have to giftwrap, box up, and mail the packages off to Ireland. AGAIN, I haven't planned it far enough in advance to send their packages via surface mail instead of airmail, so the USPS will be doing well by me again this Christmas. :-/

Started working on some of my boyfriend's gifts, and was seriously irritated when I got home this evening to find one of the items purchased was missing from the bag, so I'll have to go back to the store tomorrow or this coming week to pick up. Called the store, and they indicated it was fine to do so, as long as I have my receipt..........grrrrrrr....the guy must not have put it into the bag, as I looked all over for it (it's a small item - stocking stuffer, yet something I know he'll really appreciate). Such is life, I guess.........oh well.....

Am looking to cook dinner again this year for me & my man, as it went down so well last year, but this year, I'll have him help with the grocery shopping (i.e., share the cost of buying the food), and also help out in the kitchen. Last year, he was recovering from surgery that he had 5 days before Christmas, so I forgave him for not helping out too much, if at all!!!! It was part of my Christmas gift to him anyway! Depending on if we visit his parents, we can cook for them too, as they're both elderly, and in poorer health, and so neither cooks. So, we'll see if a visit to York, PA will be on the cards, but probably will happen anyway, even if just to visit with his kids. Will make up for the fact that I won't be making back home to Ireland (again!) to visit my family, as I have such little time off, and the flights are too cost-prohibitive at this time of year too. I'm hoping to make it home for Christmas next year, as I haven't been in Ireland for Christmas since 2002 (but have been home plenty of other times since, of course!).

Anyhow, must get back to chilling and watching some TV, and getting into some knitting tonight, as I haven't touched my needles and yarn in sooooo long!! So many projects, and they've been on the needles way too long, and something needs to be done. Will have to take some photos of finished projects, hopefully, I'll have some to post in the New Year.......

Nite, nite for now...........

My boyfriend and I went hiking yesterday afternoon, at Seneca Creek Park, close to where he's found a new place to live - he'll be moving in a couple of weeks, which will end up being the w/end of my birthday (though my birthday itself falls on the Monday). He'll be living in Gaithersburg, very close to his job in Rockville, and he's excited to be moving out of where he is right now, as his landlord asked him to be out by the end of the year, as he and his wife are moving into the house, and they'll be using his room for storage space. He's just as happy to be leaving, as he was never crazy about the place anyway. I just am a little sad that he's moving further from me, but I think he'll enjoy the easier commute to work......... This is me at the park, checking out the map of where we hiked. It was a really nice place, and we plan to visit there again to go on some more hikes.... I'm looking forward to it, as I'm finding that I'm enjoying hiking, and I especially love doing it with the one that I love! The other photo is of Seneca Creek, and this is how close we got to it........ Lots of fun!

Photos to share - Baltimore's Inner Harbor on an early Fall Evening

OK, so it's been a year since I've set up my Blogging account, and I haven't had much activity in this past 12 months. I've been playing around with the blogger website over the past week or so, in an effort to familiarize myself a bit more, with layout, trying to add photos and any other tweekings, etc., but I still feel like I've a ways to go before being totally comfortable with bloggings, and the ins and outs of it.

In the meantime, Happy Thanksgiving to all Americans, as it is that time of year over here, and I'm looking forward to getting into the Christmas season, even though I won't be getting to visit my family in Ireland again this year, as it's not within the financial or time budget. I did get to visit home back in June/July though, which was nice, and will hopefully get back sometime in the Springtime if I can work it right......

Anyhow, am going to sign off here, as I'm tired, and haven't even managed to tune into ER tonight after all even though I had thought I would do.

Goodnight!

A quick check-in.......

Just checking in again, very briefly; I'm currently recovering from surgery, but just for a brief few days (surgery was on Wednesday, April 26th), and am back to work on Monday. Am enjoying the few days off work though. Today is my 12th Anniversary of moving to the USA from Ireland, and can't believe sometimes, that I've stayed this long. Came from having won a green card through a lottery, didn't have a job at the time, and thought I'd try out living State-side for a while to see how I like it, and here I still am, 12 years later......... It's been a challenge at times, but overall, I enjoy it for the most part. As I get older though, there's more things about Ireland and Europe that I miss (especially being closer to family and friends still there), but I definitely don't miss all the rain!! I'm trying to organize a trip home very soon, but flight prices are getting crazier, so I'm trying to work with my NWA frequent flier miles, but haven't called the airline in a couple of weeks. Will have to try again very soon, before my family thinks I'm not coming back to visit at all!! I have a couple of friends who are talking about wanting to visit Ireland with me too, but will largely depend on if they have the time and/or money to travel....... Would be nice to have them come with me to visit, so I can be a tourist in my home country for a change!!!

Anyhoo, gotta go, as I have some other errands to take care of today!

Not much progress........ :-/

Well, I haven't been doing much of anything with my blog since January, so I thought I'd go ahead and add something a little new. I've becoming more and more addicted to knitting over the last 5 years or so, even though I've been knitting since I was a child, and a lot of knitters have their own blogs out there, so I may end up chatting about that more and more........ And I'll throw in lots of other ramblings about lots of other stuff too, like sailing which I started learning back in the summer of 2001, and have continued to enjoy it as best as I can. And hiking, which I've just recently started doing on a (semi?) regular basis with a new group, and am enjoying the outdoors, but hating the fact that I'm so out of shape!!!

Anyhow, I could ramble on, but am really tired this evening, and gave up a night out of knitting with a new group of knitting buddies, and am feeling a little guilty, but really needed to get home to get some R&R..........before getting some ZZZZZZZ's..............

'Til next time, (and hopefully, it won't be so long!). Must get to purchase a digital camera this year, as it's been on my wish-list forever, but oh, which kind to get......that's my quandary!

Cheers!
Barbara

New to Blogging

This is my first time to the world of blogging, and I'm hoping it'll be fun. I'm a little nervous about it, as I feel I've jumped in without knowing too much about it, so I hope I don't get myself into trouble with it!!!