Wednesday, May 06, 2015

Wednesday-11:30am: North Sky Apt

This is going to be picture heavy!  
Grab a cuppa and a cookie--LOL!  
I didn't get home from McFamily's until about 8pm and am totally spent today.  Therefore, I will have to save the tornado story for another time.  (Boy!  This possible move has just take over the priority list, hasn't it?  LOL!)
****
The apartment I would get would be the bottom one farthest back from the road in this photo.  It's at the end of the building before that second building that is under construction--which will be the center/main one with the office and lobby, etc.  There will be three buildings total.
Dagan even rearranged his meeting so that he could meet us there and see it, too!  So I asked him to take a video.  
And Leah took pictures!  
I'll just show you a few of those.
Here's the entryway where the mailboxes are.
(We were all waiting for Sherry.)
Ian patiently waited for us to wander about this empty apartment.  Makes you wonder what he must think of the peculiar behavior of adults sometimes--LOL!
Bright enough for facing east on a sunny afternoon.  Very low air conditioner.  We thought maybe so that it would be wheelchair accessible?  The den is right off the living room as you saw in the video.  I am soooo excited about the possibility of having that as my art & craft room!!  
Thinking there might not actually be room for a loveseat.  Might have to go with a nice big recliner and have two recliners.  I'll find out later...if I am so lucky as to move in here.  :)
****
Much bigger sink area in the bathroom with bigger drawers and more cabinet space.  And washer and dryer are included!!  Whoohoo!!
But what I really loved (besides the art & craft room, of course) was the patio... 

...and grass.  Even if it has drought-brown patches.  Something about looking out on grass for a span like this that makes it feel more homey and cozy for some reason. 
And the kitchen!  Leah snapped a picture of the normal sized drawers!!  (Everything is smaller and narrower here.) 
You know us women... 
...Leah got me all the pictures... 
...of all the cupboards... 
...and all the cabinets... 
...and appliances... 
...for some fantasy kitchen planning.  ;) ;) 
I have very few cupboards and cabinets here.  So few they had to have a pantry, really...or, I should say, I am glad they did.  And the North Sky apartment has that huge storage area across from the kitchen and you could use part of that as a pantry also--wow!  (That was the room Dagan wasn't sure what it was in the video.)
****
Anyways, we all really liked it.  I felt--yes--this could be my forever home.  Now I just have to fill out tons of paperwork that will be coming in the mail, make copies of various "proofs", and then I have an appointment with Sherry to turn them all in on Monday.
****
Then I wait for the verdict.
****
Meanwhile, I need a doctor to fill out new forms for me to be allowed to keep Karma since the other ones are so old.  My rheumatologist is such a nice guy and I know he would probably do that for me, but it can take months to get in to see him.  My GP--well, he has an aversion to filling out any kind of extra forms for anybody and wouldn't fill them out for Karma ten years ago.  He also didn't want to fill out anything to help me get disability, either.  (Is it any wonder I hadn't seen him in nine years until my rheumatologist sent me to him because he put me on blood pressure medication?)  
****
Anyways, I call the rheumatologist's office right away since I am overdue to see him, regardless.  No openings until August...BUT...lo and behold, there was a cancellation for tomorrow morning.  BUT because it's been over a year I need a new referral from the GP.  (We've got a whole new system going on up here the last year or two.)  So, I am crossing my fingers the GP is in a good mood and faxes the referral...and planning on being there in the morning unless they call and tell me otherwise.  (Which means because of the IBS I won't eat until after I get back home tomorrow--TMI, I know--LOL!)
****
I am assuming that all doors are opening and everything is just falling into place, right?  :) :)  I mean, why else would there have just been a cancellation at Dr. Sleckman's?  (I cannot move without Miss Karma!!)  I have been overdue to see all medical personnel and planned to this summer/fall, anyways--GP, Sleckman, dentist, eyedoctor.  I do need to see them all...but they all cost money...so I have been procrastinating.  Suddenly...I hope to check one off my list tomorrow, anyways.
****
Anyways, I hung around at McFamily's yesterday so Leah and I could be all excited and talk about the apartment, of course.  And so I could spend some time with Mr. Ian.  I stayed until Dagan got home so I could hear what he thought, too.  Thumbs up from everybody!  :)
****
Then--surprise!  
Dagan and Leah bought me things in Japan!  I got to open presents last night!
****
The big tea bag is to make a whole teapot full of some kind of tea.  The green bag is some kind of instant tea you can make by the spoonful in a cup of hot water.  Dagan and Leah had it served to them in restaurants.  
They went to this calligrapher's shop and got the bigger square stamp you see.  Was made from his personal calligraphy, but we have no idea what it says.  They just bought it because it looked cool--LOL!  The package with the little black tubes are ink refills for that stamp.  (Thank goodness there are pictures of how to refill it!)  The other one that is still in the package is a small calligraphy stamp.
Leah's friend, Yuki, can probably read these and tell us what they say.  Leah took pictures.  When I find out, I'll let you know.
****
She found another one of these pen cases...
...like the one I love that I bought from JetPens.
She knew I would have really loved to have had the black and red one (they were out of at the time and you never know when something will be in stock again or never again) so that is what Leah was looking for, but couldn't find a red one.  Well, we had discussed, back when, that if I wanted to buy a black and red one when they had them again at JetPens that I could always save the orange and grey one for Ian for when he's older.  Yes!  Good idea!  (And good excuse for me to still get a red one--LOL!)  
****
Well, she did find another orange and grey one...that I can use as an extra one in the meantime if I want to.  But, since they plan to have another baby, this way both the kids can have identical pen cases down the road when they are older.  I know!  I know!  We are just kind of optimistically sentimentally sappy.  But it makes perfect sense to us and was an awwww-moment.  ;) ;)
****
The long thin delicate brush is also from the calligrapher's shop.  And the double sided brush pen...well, I already tried it out for writing that thin and thick way that I've seen people do that's kind of spencerian...and it worked!  Bounces right back!  I have wanted to learn how to do that and this brush pen worked great!  (If the brush doesn't have spring to it then it won't bounce back for the thin lines.)  So cool!!    
Those little rubbery bands with the flowers on them are to slip over your fingertip as page grabbers for turning pages or sorting through stacks of papers!  Never seen anything like them!  And the corner clips.  I had already bought some from JetPens and shared with Leah.  They come in a pack of the three colors.  She found these over there, too!
And this is a perfectly formed dried flower blossom that Leah managed to bring all the way back home uncrushed!
When Leah and Ian got their picture taken by this tree in the shogun garden...
...Leah said she saw one of the flowers, still perfectly formed, was lying on the ground and she picked it up.  Not sure what kind it is...but they are really beautiful.  
Does anybody know?  
Leah said she doesn't care if it gets thrown in the blender as an inclusion for handmade paper or what I do with it, but she wanted me to have it.  Sweet!  (And wouldn't that make some special paper!)
****
And lastly--also from that calligrapher's shop...
...a glass paperweight!  No clue what it says--LOL!  But it looks cool!  Can use that to hold down the rice paper as you do your painting or calligraphy.  Awesome!
Well, that's it!  Whew!  :) :)
****
If I get the all clear and am okayed to give notice here...things are going to get really, really, really busy for this snail/hermit, I tell you.  I'd have to be out of here by the end of July.  I'll let you know, for sure, as soon as I hear one way or the other!  
****
Well, here's to things getting crazy, eh?  
Until next time...
****
"O Great Spirit, I awake to another sun, grateful for gifts bestowed, granted one by one."
Twylah Nitsch
Seneca Medicine Woman  

21 comments:

Shady Del Knight said...

Hi, dear Rita! I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I enjoyed the video tour of the place and I hope you can cut through all the red tape and get all the paperwork required to make this move happen for you (and KARMA). I couldn't live w/o that kitty and neither should you. Best of luck with everything, dear friend!

Intense Guy said...

I think the "new" place looks marvelous! And so do all the Japanese goodies!

I'm not a flower person per se' but the flower looks like a rose.. perhaps a relative of the "Pink Iceberg" or "Mary Rose"? FarSideOfFifty is the flower expert :)

TexWisGirl said...

i think it looks bright (of course being empty it looks airy, too). being on the lower floor, i'd think you'd be cooler and more comfortable in the summer. all apartments are rented to seniors there, correct? so the only folks that should be wandering around would be senior residents or their guests? i couldn't help but notice the patio is not fenced in at all. that'll prohibit karma from being able to go out onto it (unless you get her to wear a harness and leash, then still, you'd have to sit with her to make sure she's okay at all times.) is she a door dasher? that would be something to consider, too, that she might try to escape. still, i am praying that all paperwork will be approved and you can MOVE! adjustments will always need to be made, but a fresh, comfortable, affordable space would be a gift!

Janie Junebug said...

That looks so clean and nice. I will be happy to fill out the paperwork and sign it Dr. Janie Junebug.

Love,
Janie

Far Side of Fifty said...

Camellias I think but I am not an expert on Japanese Plants! Whatever it was is lovely and It will make great paper!
The apartment looks fantastic!! The only concer I would have is I know how much Karma likes to sit out on the deck...BUT Dagan could build her a box...aka cage don't tell her that! OR she might like a cat tower in front of that window!
I hope it all works out for you! One step at a time...usually it is the Nurses that fill out forms and just tell the Dr's to sign them.
Great loot from Japan!! I have a "thing" for paperweights so I was coveting yours I wonder what it says:)

GrandmaG said...

I've watched the video three times and don't understand how that's not a 2-bedroom. The code here is a room needs a window and a closet to make it a bedroom. Dens typically don't have closets. But, anyway (LOL), it's awesome! You will love having more space. I suppose, if it's safe from being stolen, you could put a kennel on the patio for Karma. You might need a bird feeder to keep Karma entertained, because it appears to be a quiet area. I also think the cancellation is a good sign. You're going to have a busy summer. Better rest up! :)

DJan said...

Oh, it's perfect. I am now on pins and needles until you get the Miss Karma paperwork and find out if this place is yours. I'm in awe at how things have already begun to fall into place. Guardian angels, keep it up! :-)

Darla said...

WOW! Its hard to type with my fingers crossed and I'm keeping them crossed for you!

Darla

Anonymous said...

That sure looks like a camellia!! I heard about a guy who bought a beautiful shirt while in Japan or China. It was the only shirt he owned which ALWAYS came back just the way he liked from the laundry. Turns out the beautiful calligraphy on the pocket translated to "Do not starch"!!

Zue said...

The flower is camellia.
So happy for you, Rita.
It all seems to be falling into place.
I do hope it all comes together for you....wow, what amazing developments!
Sue x

Desiree said...

Yes, as Zue has stated, the flower is a camellia japonica, a shrub/small tree native to Japan, China & Taiwan where it grows wild in forests. Apparently, it is the adopted state flower of Alabama. They are truly gorgeous. I have 3 trees in my garden. A deep cerise, the same pink pictured here and a white. They flower prolifically through the winter.

Desiree said...

Now...on to commenting about THE apartment! It looks marvellous, Rita! I have poured over each picture and think it looks perfect. All of my fingers and toes are crossed, but I have a good feeling this is one of those meant-to-be situations...it does all seem to be lining up to fall into place. I am truly delighted for you...you absolutely deserve this good fortune and I think it was GREAT that Dagan was able to make time to be there, too...what a wonderful son!

I loved hearing all the details of your visit and seeing the pictures of Ian, sitting so sweetly in his stroller. What an angelic little boy he is. It was super seeing you "in person" as well...and I have to say, you look wonderful, Rita! You hide your health issues well! And your age!

The picture of Ian and his lovely Mom is frame worthy! Leah really has a beautiful face.

Oh, this news has made my day...I am doing a happy dance just for you and visualising you and Karma blissfully happy in your brand new home! Such excitement lies ahead, beyond the packing up and moving, which I know won't be easy...but the reward lies on the other side, so hold that in the forefront of your mind

You have the best support, in Dagan and Leah...and I know they will make it as easy as possible for you.


Desiree said...

Just read some of the other comments...and the concern with Karma not being able to sit outside safely on her own...but a couple of good suggestions to accommodate that.

Anonymous said...

WHat a lovely apartment - fingers crossed that you get it! It will be easy enough to use some wire fencing/chicken wires that are light and easy to move so you can create an enclosure for Karma.

Carol said...

That would be the perfect place for you and as I've said before "I have great feelings about your move to a better place!" Those gifts from Japan are so nice and very thoughtful. Your DIL knows you well ♥

Krisha said...

This looks like a really nice place for a "forever" home, and tons of storage and more than enough space for a single person or even a married couple (of course with no kids LOL) I am really excited for you and hope you get it.
I am saying my prayers and keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Victoria Zigler said...

What a great day! The place sounds fantastic, and so do your gifts from Japan!

Eliza said...

Ok I am going to answer the question then come back after reading the last post coz I feel I. Ay have missed something important.

The flower is a camellia called japonica I have this same tree in my garden bay window and it was planted by my grandfather over 50 years ago. It truly is a magnificent flower and flowers here in winter. It is featured in most of my desk posts out the window for WOYWW.

HUGS ELIZA

be back soin

Eliza said...

This has got to be the best news of the year, my prayers are with you and karma as you don't have yourselves separated, you are a package deal. Oh to have space to move, a den, storage and appliances too. Everything here is crossed.

Hugs Eliza

Feral Turtle said...

I just know that this place is already yours. I even heard the woman on the video saying to the older gentleman that this unit was already spoken for by you! All good signs lead to you moving to your new home very soon! Wonderful gifts from McFamily Rita!! I am just so excited for you and what will you do with all that storage???

ChicagoLady said...

Yay, will keep praying you get this new place! It looks perfect for you!