I rented an apartment today. I have not done that since 1993 or so. I have been a happy home owner for the last 14 1/2 years and I am essentially starting over on the home front.
I am downsizing from the 3500 square foot home that my ex insisted on having and moving into an apartment with about 700 square feet. I do believe that my new apartment would fit inside of the garage of the house I am leaving. It is probably still more room than I really need but I have found that it is difficult to rent an apartment that is much smaller, at least here in Tampa.
I must admit though that I am really quite happy at the idea of calling the rental office when something is broken. I dont have to fix it myself. When I did my ‘final walkthrough’ of the apartment today before taking possession of it I discovered that the screens on the windows had little holes in them. My first thought was that they are not too difficult to replace, and the steps necessary, then I realized…. I don’t have to fix them, they get to fix them. What a nice change from being responsible for fixing everything. It is also the first time in almost 15 years that I don’t have to worry about mowing the yard. I don’t have to worry about taking care of the pool. I don’t have to worry about the washing machine breaking.
I have so much stress in my life anyways. It is going to be nice to take a break from worrying about fixing everything around the house. Perhaps the next man in my life will have some home repair skills of his own. I have not had any luck with that in the past and as a result I am Ms. Fixit. I have done everything from hanging drywall to replacing the garbage disposal or toilet. There is a satisfaction in doing your own work and doing it well, but for not I am quite sastisfied in knowing I CAN do it myself.
Perhaps the one thing I will do this weekend is replace the lock with a much better quality. Teaching security leaves me a bit paranoid. Knowing it is fairly easy to pick a lock is one thing, but it is so unbelievably easy to bump a lock and even easier to purchase the tools needed to do that leaves me wanting a high end, bump resistant, lock from Schlage or Medeco.
Be Safe
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