Stop and Smell the Roses

The day before we left for vacation (I'll blog about that later), Craig and I went to see two apartments in Collingswood. If you didn't know, Craig and I have decided to move to the Collingswood area of New Jersey by the end of April. Our lease will be up then at our current apartment complex and we needed a bigger apartment closer to our "after work activities," yet close enough to work that we wouldn't have horrendous drives every morning.

Collingswood is referred to affectionately as "The Gaybourhood" as recently more homosexuals have moved to the town and have brought it to life with a great downtown including quaint shops and restaurants and galleries. I found a place on Craig's List and we made the appointment. It was a 2 bedroom, upstairs half of a duplex that was so charming - complete with stained glass windows and an adorable kitchen! Unfortunately, the landlord wants to have it rented by April 1st - which we know will happen, so it was a bust. However, she reluctantly showed us the downstairs one bedroom apartment complete with hardwood floors, a fireplace, dining room, one bedroom, a bathroom with amazing light fixtures, a kitchen that is small (but we all know I can make that one work) a full basement with a washer and dryer, and a back yard deck! PERFECT! And it will be renovated and ready for the end of April!

After thinking about it, we're going to take it! There is plenty of storage in the basement for our "extra stuff" and I think this will truly work out for us. My two areas of concerns are 1. the front garden and 2. the back deck. I am NOT, repeat, NOT a green thumb! I've killed cactus. It's sad.....very sad. While in Florida I was talking to my mom about "gardening" and yes, I picked up a "Gardening for Dummies" book. What can I say? I'm a dummy about gardening and I've learned a lot so far with this book. I don't want a magnificent garden, but I do want something that is pleasant to look at. Mom also bought gardening gloves and gardening tools for me while we were there as well!

Craig, of course had his say. He wants a Phillies Flag and an American Flag. I'm totally ok with that. But even better, our back deck "theme" is going to be.....wait for it......Baseball/Phillies!! And I'll even have a few potted herbs & maybe even a tomato plant! I'm very excited about this. Especially since we are moving in Spring, so I can have a nice, relaxing project to work on. Hopefully! Now all we have left is packing, moving, unpacking, throw in 2 "little shows" and THEN I'll be on my way to gardening. Wish me luck!