We slept late, but started working right after showers and breakfast. Eric decided today was the day we were going to put up shelves in the dinette area. We figure it will look nice, and we’ll be able to unpack a couple of boxes of collectibles and decorative items. I guess he figures as long as we’re here, we should enjoy our stuff. I agree!
He actually wants to put shelves around the perimeter of the master bedroom, too, but just one foot off the ceiling. Then, I can put a lot of my vintage purses and other decorative items on display there, too! He’s all about storage and display!
I did three loads of laundry. The laundry room here is really nice. It’s just a short walk from the apartment down to the laundry room. I can put the laundry in, come back, do some stuff around the apartment, then go throw it in the dryer and come back again. Then, I just go pick it up and fold it here. Very convenient!
We were busy working when the cable guy arrived. This was the least-stressful and most productive “installment session” yet. The guy moved the DVR box into the bedroom and put the new digital cable box in the living room. He checked everything to make sure it was working perfectly and he was gone within a half hour!
After he left, we went to HOME DEPOT to buy pre-cut pine shelves (4 feet long x 10” wide), stain, brackets, screws and everything else we need for this project. When we got back, I started unpacking boxes (I got through about 4 before I made us a big salad). Eric started sanding the shelves and will stain them tomorrow.
After we ate, Eric kept working on the shelves and then started cutting up all the boxes I had emptied. I had emptied 2 or 3 more. This is quite an accomplishment, but we still have about 50 left! Some will stay packed for a while, since there’s just no room for everything, but whatever we can unpack, we will.
The best thing I ever did was keep a very detailed list of what was in each box. It’s a WORD document I typed as I was packing boxes, and then continued as the men were packing us. So, any time Eric might ask “Where are my spackle knives?,” I just go to the WORD document, do a search for the word “spackle” and there it is – box #56. I can see what needs to be unpacked and what we can leave boxed. Most boxes have a description on the outside, like “Eric’s Tools” or “Craft Supplies” but I have about 10 boxes of Eric’s tools and about 20 boxes of craft supplies, so it helps to have a very thorough listing, so we can find anything quickly.
The best thing about today was that Eric was in a really good mood. It seems the busier he is, the better he feels. I guess it takes his mind off the things that are bothering him. That’s why I think it would be great if he got a job, because keeping busy and working every day would definitely keep his spirits up.
Our friend Jimmy called this afternoon, because he was worried about Eric. He’s such a good friend. He sent me emails with links to bicycle clubs, mountain bike trails and even a guy he found on CRAIGSLIST looking for someone to mountain bike with!
Then our friend Jerry called. He’s going to be staying in Los Angeles for about a month, so we’ll get to see him again for sure. We visited him in Chicago over Labor Day Weekend, right before he moved south to Urbana, Illinois. He and I commiserated about the frustration of moving to a smaller space and having no place for your stuff.
Tonight Eric and I watched KITCHEN NIGHTMARES with Chef Gordon Ramsay. It’s such a great show with plenty of drama. The Chef goes to a troubled restaurant and whips them into shape. He’s so volatile that he really pushes people’s buttons, but he knows what he’s doing and he’s always right! Tonight, he was in a restaurant in Babylon, NY! You should check it out, if you haven’t already!
Tomorrow we will continue the unpacking and the shelf-building. We’re on a roll!