Won't You Be My Neighbor?

Last week, my neighbors in the adjoining unit confirmed that they are moving out sooner rather than later -- possibly as soon as this month. I've been circulating their Craigslist post among my social networks, in hopes that friends or colleagues will join me at The Hilltowne Square Jamboree™.  The message I sent out is below:

"I live in a duplex in Chapel Hill (off the N bus route), and my neighbors recently told me they're moving within a few months and will be selling their 2-BR, 1.5 bath unit. They haven't even listed it yet, but since I am the only other occupant in the building, they're giving me and my friends first dibs.

I would love for some like-minded folks to move in, who would enjoy developing our spacious yard (i'm thinking gardens, composting, bbqs, and native habitat restoration) and possibly other shared improvements to the building. One other neighboring unit will be available within the next year, so we could create our own planning department neighborhood (there are three duplexes total, and all three are currently occupied by information and library science graduate students!!)

Comparable units sold for $115-$123k between 2006-07. Pictures and improvements are posted here.

Email me with questions -- and please pass this on to others who might be interested. I look forward to scheming with you."

"Name That Extra Room" Contest

I received word yesterday that my potential roommate is a no-go, leaving me with an entirely vacant bedroom. At the moment, I am using it to finish unpacking and sorting my remaining boxes -- but then I am faced with a dilemma: to look for a roommate or not to look for a roommate?

If I don't find a roommate, what do I do with the extra space? My office/sitting room is so far working out very well, and I already have more space in my kitchen, bedroom and living room than I've ever had. What's a girl to do?

Some ideas I've thought of:

1. Move my office to the spare room. There's more light, more space, and I would never have to worry about the neatness of my workspace in the rare event of guests. 
2. Create a dedicated guest room. I like the idea of a spare bedroom for guests, and could even have it available for short-term rentals or visiting students/scholars/faculty.
3. Work out/yoga room. If I had an entire room dedicated to exercise, am I likely to do it more? 
4. Some other combination of uses I haven't thought of yet?

Post your suggestions and daydreams for me here!

Wish List

Tomorrow marks the two weeks anniversary of closing, and I've spent most of that time moving and laying low. More pictures will be forthcoming, so you can admire the hard work and devotion of my BFF, who spent a week with me unpacking and organizing. Meanwhile, in case Old St. Nick is making a list and checking it twice, I've put together my own list of items to improve my home's functionality:

1. Dust buster - especially for cleaning up litter, tracked or spilled by the kiddos;
2. Breadmaker - i've never really used one of these before, and if I have a roommate who makes bread, this might be superfluous (or maybe even sacrilegious!) but for now it goes on the list;
3. Microwave - never thought I'd want or need one, but as someone who often eats on the run, I'm willing to sacrifice aesthetics for nourishment. Anyone have recommendations for small, efficient, and unobtrusive-looking microwaves?
4. Water filter - my faucet PUR water filter has sprung an irreparable leak and the water around here is terrible to taste. 
5. Potato brush - i found potato-washing gloves the other day, but both the gloves and the brush are unnecessary novelties..
6. Trash can - hanging plastic grocery sacks from doorknobs is a bit unsightly. :)
7. Salt & pepper grinder - thanks to Sarah, I now have the most *adorable* salt and pepper shakers; but i'd like bona fide grinders for peppercorns and kosher salt.
8. Screw-pull - mine broke and I cannot justify the $50 or so to replace it. But they're so niice.
9. Silverware divider - come to think of it: i still need silverware! But the drawer is very narrow, so a standard sized divider will never do.
10. Toaster - i don't think i've ever owned one, and yet I don't think I've ever lived without one. I miss having a toaster almost daily.
11. Broom
    
12. Mop - yep, need one.
13. Desk chair - i'm using an IKEA dining room chair at the moment. It's neither ergonomic nor comfortable. I figure this will be my next big investment since I expect I'll be spending lots of time sitting in it. Update: For the time being, I'm using my yoga ball. At some point, my workspace needs a complete overhaul for better health and posture. Update #2: I reappropriated a desk chair from my cube at school. Turned out to be the perfect color, perfect size, and has rollers appropriate for hardwood floors!
    
14. Ice cube trays. That is all.
15. 11-inch slotted spatula. I'm not really sure why this made the list, but it seems like one of those kitchen essentials that I don't have.
16. Coat rack - I have two hooks for hanging coats and hats just inside the door, but a coat rack woudl be a welcomed addition or maybe just a hat rack ( I have a lot of hats.)
    
17. Box grater - because sometimes a flat grater isn't enough
18. Jelly-roll pans (with 1-in sides) - actually, any pans for baking; otherwise, there can be no pie, bread, casserole or otherwise.
    
19. Clock - Pictures forth coming, but Sarah hooked me up with the hippest wall clock this side of the Mason-Dixon. Courtesy Urban Outfitters.
20. Kitchen scissors - yep yep. Need 'em. Nothing more to say.
21. Knife guards: Two 8" Chef's knife guards; One 4"paring knife guard; - I've wanted these for a while, in order to store my chef's knives safely in the drawer. However, I've had trouble finding non-clunky looking guards at stores (Here they are! http://www.broadwaypanhandler.com/broadway/product.asp?s_id=0&prod_name=Wusthof+Knife-Life+Edge+Guards&pf_id=wusthof_knifelife_edgeguards&dept_id=2430)
22. Cookbook holder
23. One and/or Two-quart saucepan(s): Preferably stainless steel with copper core. I really like Meyer Bella Cuisine cookware (http://www.meyercanada.ca/MeyerCanadaProductSpecifications.asp?Pid=1), and use the 3-qt saucepan, despite having caught it on fire once (yeah, not so shiny anymore...)
24. Maple lid racks: Medium-sized for lids, and tall for trays.
25. Two-piece sponge tray: http://www.containerstore.com/shop/kitchen/sinkArea/sinkAreaOrganizers?productId=10005749
26. (NEW 11/4/09): Popcorn hot air popper!!
27. (NEW 11/4/09): Toilet brush

Okay, I realize that my list focuses primarily on the kitchen, but aside from my desk and my bed, that's where I spend most my time. Yay for stuff!

Day Two: taking form

My best friend from Argentina arrived today to help me unpack and start to settle. Although we spent most of the day running errands and napping, we made significant progress toward a more organized space. We focused on the living room/home office. Tomorrow, we'll work on the kitchen.

Day One: unpacking begins

And so the work begins.

Cricket & Oliver Redecorate

The morning of our move, I crated the kiddos while I went to pick up the truck. When I returned, I found they had managed to pull every sheet or rug within reaching distance inside their crate. I put a fuzzy green sweater just outside the door and watched them work their magic: Going, going, gone!

Preparing to Move

Packed for what I hope will be the last move for another five years! Loading and unloading took 2.5 hours, two trips, $200 (for truck rental and two movers), and no fuss.

Packing

You can see that Oliver has been very helpful in preparing for the big move.

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