Posts Tagged ‘ Austin ’

This whole move thing is becoming quite real.

• The new cat door came in. We tested it, their new stairs, and their new ramp-with-landing that we built. I’ll try to grab some pictures when we get them installed.
• We sold the washer and dryer to some friends. They have had their house back since 1-Feb, but are remodeling the bathroom before they move in on Saturday. So, we held on to them for a bit longer; they picked them up on Sunday evening.
• Emil packed his desktop computer and took apart his desk.
• I packed the pantry and laundry stuff.
• We are making decisions about “order”, now. We put the stuff from our balcony storage by the door so they will be the first things to go on the truck from the apartment. We had to think this through because the movers are going to the big storage unit, first, where they will get stuff for both the new apartment (furniture) and stuff for the new garage. Then, they’ll come to the apartment to get more stuff for both places. Third stop is the new apartment and then they’ll finally drop off the last of it at the new garage. whew! It’s not quite as complex as “transition day” was when I advised tcamp, but it’s close.
• I’ve had the “how did we fit all this stuff into this apartment” argument with myself at least three times.
• I’ve “drowned” my phone two times this week: once with water and once with pomegranate juice. So far, it seems unharmed. (hope hope hope)
• The cats are bipolar. Marble is curious about every little piece of wrapping and packing materials. Purrrrrl only wants to hide from it all.
• Oh, and it wouldn’t be a big event in my life if I didn’t manage to get sick. I have whatever head cold type thing is floating around, so my breaks are for sinus washes and drugs. And, I have no voice.
• I’ve only dug through one packed box (to find antiobiotics) and need to get back into one more (for super sticky notes), if I can.

We need to make one more trip to the storage unit to sort what goes into the apartment and what goes into the new garage. Except for that and the rest of the packing, I think we are ready.

OH! and the best news: Grandaddy is walking a little bit! I don’t know how much or how far since I can’t talk (rending the phone useless) but I’ve had two messages from Mama Bee about that. Oh So Exciting!

Ack! 2012 has started off with a bang. This must be what runners and racers feel all the time….except we are sprinting through January instead of December. So, here’s a collective update.

The Move

Last year, our rent went up almost 10% and added some fees, too. We knew it would happen again (we heard rumors of $100-$150 increases in 1/1 units!), so we started shopping around. It had to be a Perfect Storm in a lot of ways. It’s not worth moving unless we can stay close to the same total expenses, get more space, get nicer fixtures and stuff, etc. Well, when we started looking around, there were a lot of ways we could make this happen. So, on 25-Feb, we’ll have a new place to live. We have until 22-Mar to get out of Riata, but we’re hiring movers so we can leave early in the hope that they can flip our unit quickly like they did for our neighbor. We have been quite happy at Riata. Unless they screw us over on move-out, I’ll give them a 5-star rating on Yelp. But, when we got this “shoebox” shaped apartment, it was an amazing deal we just couldn’t pass up while we still had a mortgage. We were so happy here that when the lease came around, twice, we just stayed. Now, we’re ready to face moving again to go for bigger/better.

We looked at ~20 places and had a very strong Top 5 list. I fell “in like” with two leasing specialists, one where an acquaintance of ours lives. We found: a lovely town home, an über quiet place up the road, hardwood floors, door-to-door valet trash service, amazing views, and a couple of places with a lot of rugrats. All of the options gave us more space (so I can use Daddy’s desk again!), better amenities for our lifestyle, garage options (so we can stop paying for a storage unit primarily for Daddy’s desk and “junk”), better fixtures, and a better layout.

Just like we did when house hunting, we made a matrix of all the “stuff”. And just like most brides do with a wedding gown, we ended up at the first place we wanted to see: Villas at Stone Oak Ranch. We have good/affordable access to a game room and a 30-seat movie theater. There is a “gift wrap” area full of paper and tape and scissors. All the standards are there too: gym, pool, business center, etc. We have a detached garage, a square balcony, “Romeo & Juliet” doors off the dining room (which I’ve re-named Rapunzel doors), garden tubs, a kitchen that is open on two ends, an excellent pantry, and data ports in all the rooms. The only things we didn’t get: gas cooking (REALLY hard to find) and a fireplace (again? dammit!). But the deal was just too good to pass up compared to the other places in consideration.

Aside: During the process we met an amazing woman named Wendie. She gave us the low-down on why so many communities are doing away with their hot tubs. Turns out, some really scary (as in: there is no known cure) stuff can survive even in 104?-temperature chemical-treated water. The report is new and we could not find it online, but it’s scary. Do not, I repeat: DO NOT get in a public hot tub. Feet only. No “sensitive” areas allowed. eeeeeewwww!

Don’t worry friends and family: we’re hiring movers. We are also cleaning out the storage unit and holding a big moving sale in their parking lot. What doesn’t get sold is getting donated. Goodwill is going to LOVE us! LMK if you are close and care about the few big-ticket items we’re selling.

Oh! And we were able to surprise a friend with the referral fee paid to REALTORs. She’s a single mom and a cancer survivor, so she was elated with the news.

(The) Grandaddy

Grandaddy is quite frustrated and bored. His hip is so messed up from the botched “Paris-effin’-Texas” surgery that he can’t sit up. He’s been laying down since Hallowe’en. The Longview/Tyler doctors have deemed all surgical options too risky. Health care is a joke from the beginning; but in a small town that is 20 years behind the times, 1 hour from an interstate highway, and 2 hours from anything you’ve ever heard of, it’s nothing short of tragic. Mama Bee is still fighting the residuals from the beotch who called APS on her (the witch has since apologized), but no one wants to take Grandaddy on as a client. They claim he’ll have a stroke if he stays in bed too much longer, but they won’t come help her get him the physical therapy he needs to get out of the hospital bed. It’s heartbreaking….worse so to be physically and financially powerless to help. If I could wave a magic wand, I’d care-flight him to one of those fancy-schmancy places in Dallas where he’d get all the help he needs. Again, I need to win the lottery for that. I don’t know what those places cost, but even the crappy Paris nursing homes are $6K per month…and for terrible care compared with what my Grandmother can do (even at her small stature).

The Fraud

In the midst of The Move, we got a call that we’d have to pay rent with “certified funds” like a cashier’s check or money order. We’ve been on auto-draft, so this would be a real pain in the butt. Today, I called the “ladder” of people to find out the cause. Some jackass spoofed my Texas driver’s license number when writing a bad check at Walmart in a town I’ve never been to in Oklahoma. Telecheck reported it to credit on my DL number without checking any facts like the name. So, now, I’m in the middle of yet another fraud mess. I’ve lost count of how many times this has happened. So, to all the people who gave me shit (my sorority included) for wanting to protect my SSN, DL, DOB, mailing address, and other “credit” information, Fuck You! THIS is why. Less than $300 of stupid means we have to get a money order for rent every month? Are you kidding? Since Emil was just frauded over Xmas, this is just another reason to try to get off the financial grid. I haven’t even owned checks in years and I’m still dealing with this kind of bullshit.

Dear Walmart: stop taking checks. They are not money. They are only theft.

“Dear” Telecheck, this a’int our first rodeo for something completely out of my control. I already don’t shop at any store that posts they use you. You have needed better processes since ~1993 when I bought <$10 worth of socks from one of your client stores. Your sign in the window means I don’t shop there. fuckers. Oh, and if you think I’m alone in my opinion, search “telecheck” on Twitter. You need to learn/use social media, too, BTW.

The Fun

Austin is about to ride the big wave of fun that is Spring. Right after we move in, we’ll have RISE (free workshops for entrepreneurs) and the four South by Southwest conferences. I’ve been invited to return tot he photo crew for SXSW. And, I’ve been selected to wrangle for another all-time favorite photographer at Texas School in May. It’s a fun ride, but it’s a sprint, so jump on board fast if you want to hang with us!

Oh, and for those of you close by, look for a party in April or May. The party room at the new place is stellar (pool, poker, shuffleboard, music, swimming, etc.)

Last week, our Internet speed was inconsistent, and we ended up with a tech call to have the problems investigated.

While the tech worked on lines and such, we chatted. He’s lived in New York and hasn’t been in Austin all that long. At one point, he was telling me about living in “this little bitty town…”

him: “…Franklin”

me: “oh, yeah!”

him: “you do not know where that is!”

me: “Yes, I do. We lived in Bryan before moving to Austin. Emil is a Bryan native.”

him: “Oh! So then you know why I moved to Austin!” (He now lives here with his wife and two cats.)

me: “Yes, we moved here for the same reasons!”

us: LOL!

He was the nicest guy you’d ever want in your home fixing the broken Internet. I wish it wouldn’t have been creepy to ask him if he and his wife wanted to hang out with us (or the ChildFree group) sometime.

I spared him any potential embarrassment for his comments and did not tell him how we have several family members working for Franklin schools. We are in agreement, so that’s all that matters.

Happy Anniversary to us! One year ago this weekend, Emil got a bona fide job offer (he won the race between us!), and we found out we were moving to Austin! Just a few days later, we had an apartment. Just a few days after that, we moved half our 3/2.5/2/2 household to our new 2/2 place. It was a very busy and exciting time for us.

Now, a year later, we know we made the best decision. It’s so much nicer to live in a city of a real size. More importantly, this is a far better fit to our personalities, lifestyle, and beliefs about humanity.

Happy Anniversary, Austin Luzas!

Backstory

Last fall, when we took a Condo tour with the GoodLife team, we loved Spring Condominiums. They were large enough to have all the amenities we wanted and the layout of their units was the most efficient and useful.

So when we were invited to their Grand Opening, we were excited. Emil had to do some stuff to a few servers, so I went on my own with the hope that he’d be able to join me later.

Terrible Event

Five minutes in, I was miserable. The party was full of snobs…and not just any snob, but the type you can tell from across the room. I texted Emil and told him that the party better get a lot better real fast, and we made plans to meet at home instead. The party planner did some things that were just wrong. Tent poles at the outdoor pool were smack in the middle of doorways. Food was tucked in a tiny corner doing such disservice that I had none and only know who catered because I was told ahead of time. The photobooth—a real booth, not a photographer with a backdrop—was all alone in the gym. They had moved machines and equipment against the walls, so there was plenty of space in there…but no people.

I don’t even know how many times I was stuck in a door or hallway or corner because people were so self-centered that they didn’t walk through the door or would stop to chat dead center in the hallway.

So, it was a terrible event. I wasn’t there 30 minutes, which is annoying after a 40 minute drive in “rain traffic”. But that’s not why I’m no longer a fan.

I Hate Snobs

One sales agent was a snob. Maybe she was mirroring her audience.

I didn’t seek her out. I buzzed through the party on the 5th floor, had my personal bubble poked waaaay too many times, grabbed a glass of wine, skipped the food corner, and headed up to the models on the 25th floor.

During my self-guided tour, I didn’t bother anyone. I didn’t keep the sales agents from schmoozing and wooing immediate buyers. I kept to myself and looked around. In the fall, we saw so many units (at four different condos) on the tour, and I wanted a reminder of the Spring ones more specifically. Plus, I wanted to say hi to my friend who just started working for Spring and was hitting all the party spaces looking for her.

One sales agent and I waited for the elevators together, so she struck up a conversation. Turns out, she remembered me and Emil from the event the in fall. Good for her; I’m always impressed by people who can do that. I gave her our same line, “We’d love to live downtown,” and added “Spring was our favorite on the tour,” alongside some of the reasons we liked it best. I didn’t want to lead her on, so I joked “…when we win the lottery.” I guess that last line was too much for her.

When the elevator doors opened, she tried to escape the conversation with me, but I didn’t realize it, at first. I said I wanted to say hi to my friend who is their new event coordinator who I hadn’t yet seen at the party. She shot a jab at me, “Well, she’s probably working.” Really, bitch? Do I look or sound that stupid? I told her I would absolutely not keep her from her work, but only wanted to say hello.

How dare she (the employee) talk down to me (a guest)? How dare she act all peaches-and-cream until we are in view of others? How dare she assume that by “say hello” I’d keep my friend from working? I can wave and say hello…and then haul ass back to the car away from this terrible event. How dare she refer to my friend with a tone indicating she’s the hired help? Yes, that’s true in this case, but it was true of the sales agent, too….and it was not true of me.

In hindsight, I should have said, “I’m sorry. WHAT was your name?” in a tone that implied I’d be ratting her behavior out to someone more important. I don’t know her name (why weren’t the event staff wearing name tags???)

So. Terrible event. Terrible experience with a staff member. No longer a fan of Spring Condominiums.

My CroKnit friend, Stephanie, blogs about food. She gets her veggies from Greenling and has been asked to blog her use of their produce “box” for them.

Go read her first article on the Greenling blog!

CONGRATULATIONS, Stephanie. What a nice way to share your love of cooking.

Several weeks ago, I saw the first sign of fall: Hallowe’en candy in the stores!

Since then, we’ve battled the final few days of triple-digit temperatures (we almost set the record), but finally got some relief from the temperatures and drought. Emil and I both think (wives’ tales, we’re sure) that the wicked summer is a predictor of a harsh winter. After the hard heat, we are ready for some snow/ice!

Other signs we’ve seen in the last few weeks: school supply lists and football.

Today, though, we had to get jackets! Not only is it raining, but there is a crisp chill in the air. So, here we are on the first day of fall and it really feels like fall!

yay fall!

As of late Thursday night, we have secured a contract on our house! The buyer has a 7-day option period and 15 days to finish securing financing and then we are set to close on August 28th.

While we are thrilled, we are also cautious. We both feel a little better, but will be thrilled when this is all over.

To those who have listened to us (ahem. me.) whine and fuss, thank you for your patience.

Wish us luck in the direction of a SOLD sign. We’re aiming for glorious inspections, quick financing, and a smooth closing.

And like we have most of the weekends since we moved, we went back to Bryan this weekend. Instead of some of the projects we had planned—like removing the parts of the fallen tree that were leaning on one of our decks–we packed. Surely, we’ll be back to make the minor repairs found by the inspectors and then again with a moving truck to take the rest of our belongings to storage.

We are one step closer to being real residents of Austin!

We are excited to share some great news with all of you!

After quite a few months of research, house projects, listing our house for sale, job hunting/interviewing, and narrowing down what we do/don’t like, we are finally moving to Austin!

Emil has accepted a job with the Travis County Clerk’s Office and starts work there on June 1st.

Lori has been promoting her photography in the Austin area and plans to expand As You Wish to that part of our fine state.