Tuesday, January 08, 2008

A new chapter...


I am moving! I found a loft-type apartment in Forsyth. The gigantic leaded-style windows overlook the historic district, such as it is, and it has three bedrooms. I would have gotten something much smaller and easier to heat and cool, but it's hard to find a place that will take my cat, especially on short notice.

As some of you know, I have lived with my friend R for many years. We have some interests in common and have had a lot of fun. He has been dating a mutual acquaintance for several months now and she has decided that she doesn't like me living there. She has told several of my friends that she was going to get me out of there one way or another and apparently, she means it. Her way of removing me has been to start causing problems. She's done some pretty scary things which are giving me cause to fear for my safety and more importantly the safety of my extended family, so the time has come to move.

I am sad for a few reasons, and these are in random order:

~R and I have been friends for a lot of years and it pains me to have our friendship end this way, but some people have no conscience and don't care what they do to get their way and she is one of them, so this is for the best.

~I will miss the 5 cats that I can't take with me. The cat I brought into the house with me thinks she is a dog and she hates cats with a passion (I think she's a cog or a dat to be honest). She was raised by my border collie and we have always had to keep her separate from the others. She stayed downstairs with R and the rest were upstairs with me. I can't even begin to imagine how empty the house will feel with only one cat to keep me entertained, but as I said, this is for the best and R has agreed for me to have visitation rights.


~I spend a lot of time with the neighbor's dog, Keeper. He is the sweetest cocker spaniel dog in the world and he loves me more than his owner (of course I bring him the best treats and take him in my car and walk him to the river, so it stands to reason that he would love me). I know that I can always go over and pick him up for walks and rides, but it's not quite the same as being there all the time.

But I am happy for several reasons as well (also in random order):


~I can invite my friends over whenever I want without wondering if it will bother my roommate.

~I can decorate the place any way that I like. Since the house was in his name, I didn't want to change the decor, it was, after all, "his" house. So I lived with the felt unicorn picture, the stained glass white tiger pane and the deer drawings. It will be nice to have some things of my own on display, although I gave most of my things away when I moved.

~I can't stand the drama that this woman has brought into my life. I'm a happy person who sees the glass half full. Recent events have left me doubting not only myself, but humanity and I do not like feeling that way. I just need to have my own space for awhile to get back to myself.

~I've always loved adventure and in Forsyth, this is about the most adventure one can have. So wish me luck, folks. And if you can recommend a good Feng Shui book, please do so. I'm gonna need all the help I can get decorating this behemoth.

25 comments:

Rhea said...

Ultimately, it sounds like a great change. I love feng shui and I have read both highly traditional books and more Americanized treatments of the subject. One of my favorite American books is "The Western Guide to Feng Shui: Creating Balance, Harmony, and Prosperity in Your Environment" by Terah Kathryn Collins.

Anonymous said...

Wow. A velvet unicorn painting would be a difficult thing to leave behind. Maybe you could replace it with a tasteful velvet painting of Elvis.

Anvilcloud said...

Referring to that woman, it amazes how little joy some people get out of life.

Unknown said...

Change is the only consistency in our lives. You have learned from Ron and his "Friend" apply what you have been taught to live the life you want to live. Your cats will always be only a thought away and the UNICORN sounds like a great conversation piece. We wish you all the luck and comfort that the spirit of friendship can bring you. With much love.

Unknown said...

Congrats finding a place mom. Let me know when your moving and I will drive up after your done and help you decorate;)

NatureWoman said...

Your new place sounds really cool. I thought all of the cats were yours! Sorry to hear you have to move for that woman.

Pink said...

Wonderful news! Wonderful! How exciting.

This will give you the chance to go wild!

Yay!

And I'm so happy you are taking your welfare and safety in your own hands and taking care of you.

I recommend a lot of pink! ;)

No seriously - I see purple for you. Don't know why...just cuz.
xx
pinks

Pink said...

Oh Goodie. I just went back and looked. We can all use a little more wealth - so I hope this brings you a LOT more!

And opportunity- thats exactly what this is, and you see it as that, I can see that.

Go purple, Laurie! Yay.
xx
pinks

WithinWithout said...

I think this is something you've been considering for a while, and I guess she and him finally made your decision for you.

You can't control her or him. She apparently sees you as a threat, and he apparently lets her do his thinking for him.

Either way, as much as maybe you were avoiding this, you've found your own place to spread your wings.

I hope you make your new home as big and rich and full of deep colours as your big heart.

Mary said...

Congratulations! I think this will be a great, new adventure for you. Poo on her. Her actions would bother me, too, but soon you will out of there and away from his decorating style.

It's a shame you are leaving R on these terms but you can still keep in touch with each other. After all, you will have visiting rights!

I'm happy for you, Laurie.

Unknown said...

I’m sorry that you’re moving for that reason; however, the move and the apartment sound exciting.

I have a couple of books on Feng Shui, including the one in the Dummies series. My favorite is entitled ‘Feng Shui Your Life” by Mary Steenburgen

Anonymous said...

of course you know i will help you move into your new apartment, well i will unpack the boxes as you bring them up them fabulous stairs, i forgot to count how many there were, and as far as decorating, you are so lucky to have me and wolf to help ya out!!
lots of love!!

Pam said...

You will be happy wherever you go and I wish you peace, contentment and good company in your new home. The woman that has brought all of this about, by her very nature, will never be truly happy.

Ur-spo said...

start to throw things out NOW
when in doubt, throw it out.
moving is much better with the fewest things.

wd said...

I have to agree -- whatever shall you do without the velvet unicorn?!? If not the velvet elvis (as was suggester) perhaps a tasteful portrait-sized picture of Karl Rove might do well (ducking to avoid being hit).

What a wonderful opportunity for you! A New place -- I will be moving into mine on the 18th. . .so we both can add new chapters.

L ~ you are the type of person that will follows the saying: "It will be what I make it." BRAVO!! Just don't ask me to help decorate as you would probably end up with much worse that velvet!!

(HUGE bear hug) ....b

Anonymous said...

im sorry for all this if you need a hand let me know life is too short not to have freinds an freinds helpo any way they can

Anonymous said...

I do hope you get to see the kids. I am really sorry to see you leave in the way you are. You deserve to be treated much better. A new start and some decorating will do you some good. Let me know when you are moving and I will send you a house warming present!
Much Love
Dawn

The Atavist said...

I'm an ancient relic with many years of living, relationships galore, lots of experience, and I can't say that I understand people any better than I did when I was thirteen and wondering what made the world go round. I hope your male roommate grows some balls, tells your female friend to take a hike and realizes that your friendship as a rational and likable creature is more important than getting laid with a girlfriend who acts out of spite and jealousy. Having said all that, you will doubtless be better off on your own with the opportunity to meet some new individuals with a bit more class.

Good luck!

Gina said...

Best of luck to you Laurie, on what is hopefully going to be a very exciting new adventure!

KGMom said...

So--raise that half full glass of yours and DRINK A TOAST to life, on your own terms.
Enjoy--have fun decorating.
Cheers.

threecollie said...

Good luck with it. It is sure to be hard, but with your resourcefulness and great attitude you are sure to make it work for you. Best thoughts from us anyhow..

Unknown said...

It sounds as thought there will be more room in your life for things that make you happy. Have a lot of fun decorating you nre space.

Squirl said...

I hope you can make this loft a happy home for yourself. It's too bad that R feels he needs to be with a woman who's so insecure and devious that she would treat his friend like that.

Hang in there hon.

LittlePea said...

Yay! A new place. And the positives are not having to deal with all the negativity of a poisonous person and surrounding yourself with things you love.

Cathy said...

Honey. That house is going to miss you so much. However! You are so right about getting out of that sickie's sphere.

I'm delighted that you'll have your own place - it'll feel like home as soon as you get your special 'Laurie' things settled in.

(I did fine perusing your pixes unitl I got to Dale's . . . )

Happy New Year, my friend.