I tell you what, when it rains IT POURS.
Fortunately in my case I’m in a downpour of all good things. My problem (not that I really have a problem) is that EVERYTHING is hitting all at once. It’s an overwhelming mix of tons to do with lots of time I can’t do anything. I’m not doing anything at work — literally not doing anything. I haven’t done anything at work since I got back from Europe. So I can’t do any work for the old job, I can’t do anything for the new job and yet I have to sit in my chair at work for 8 hours a day. Fortunately, I can do most things from said chair that need to be done, but I will still be cutting things close.
I’m reminded of the “old” Darryl Worley song “Awful Beautiful Life”.
I laid in bed that night and thought about the day
And how my life is like a roller coaster ride
The ups and downs and crazy turns along the way
It’ll throw you off if you don’t hold on tight
You can’t really smile until you’ve shed some tears
I could die today or I might live on for years
I love this crazy, tragic,
Sometimes almost magic,
Awful, beautiful life
Just a small sampling of my to-do/done list from the last week:
- Shut off utilities
- Shut off internet
- Return equipment
- Change address with Post Office
- Coördinate moving process (get everything scheduled, do inventory walk through, supervise all day of move out and move in)
- Find housing in new town
- Setup CSA shares in new town
- Do dishes
- Do laundry
- Sweep and vacuum apartment
- Return all keys
- Clean out stained glass studio
- Find someone to take care of cat
- Go home for Thanksgiving
- Go to hospital for birth of new nephew
- Knit hat/bootie/hand cover set for nephew
- Eat Thanksgiving
- Go to Friendsgiving
- Schedule and host going away party for old town
- Schedule lunch for coworkers
- Coördinate with new coworkers
- Schedule and host welcome back party for new town
- Schedule and attend Mastermind meeting
- Do podcast #1 (Can’t wait to share it!!)
- Schedule podcast #2
- Continue to write blog posts/ comment on others
- Finalize Christmas presents for family
- Attend last session of activities in old town (dodgeball, game night, shopping trip)
By themselves, each and every one of those list items are super doable (and some of them very pleasant!). Cram all of them into a two-week timeframe and you get free entertainment of watching Gwen run around like a crazy person. Not to mention you get a very tired Gwen. I will be very much looking forward to Christmas break where I don’t have to go into work (I will more than likely be expected to answer any support calls for the new job though) and can hang out with my family.
I found some short-term housing in my new city 2 days after accepting the new job. I looked at a 2 bedroom apartment with a 6 month lease in a nice complex, but it was on the opposite side of town and cost over $1200 a month. I would’ve taken that one if I couldn’t find anything else.
Thankfully, I did find something else. I will be staying in my friend’s basement suite as long as I need to for $400/mo. Both of us will tell you we’re the one getting the better end of the deal. He gets someone around the house for the holidays and some money towards the bills, and I get a cheap place to stay with no strings attached. No deposits, application fees, cat deposit, cat fee/mo, garage fee.… Nothing. It’s your basic McMansion — 3 car garage, 3000+ sq ft, 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms. I would never in a million years have picked this place out, but it is much nicer than anything I’ve ever stayed in. That includes my apartment now!
I plan to stay in his basement until after I get settled in at the new job, after Christmas, and after Camp Mustache SE. Then, I will start looking for a multi-family rental property of my own to buy! This will give me time to settle in, suss out the current market, and be sure of my decision since this will be a long-term investment. The best news is MegaCorp will pay all the closing fees as long as I use their people and buy before 9 months is up. Since I plan to buy after only 3 months, I will be golden!
The moving benefits at this level are pretty freaking fantastic. I will share more when I get the details, but between my year-end bonus, my moving allotment, moving allowance, and reimbursable expenses will combine to equal roughly 4 months worth of salary in 6 weeks. I’m going to have a nice chunk of change to put towards the new rental property!
All I have to do is survive the next couple of months. Wish me luck!
Holy moly Gwen that is one full plate. But it’s great that all the financial stuff is falling into place. Though how is it you plan to buy a home in just 3 months are you familiar with the area?
Also great picture.
Oh and when did you start your mastermind group. I wanted to get involved with one too. Any tips/pointers?
The Roamer recently posted…Surviving 1 year of colorful capsule wardrobes, and cutting my wardrobe by 47%
My new town is actually my old town. I lived there for both my internship and first rotation, so I’m very familiar with the area!
As for the Mastermind group, I broached the idea to a few fellow bloggers at FinCon. We are actually just getting it started so this meeting will be our first one! My advice would be to find people who are similar to you and join forces with them (demographics, goals, etc).
I love how everything is coming together for you. So much awesome. Congratulations on all of it, especially the new nephew. Is the hat in the picture the one you knitted for him?
Mrs. BITA recently posted…How Not to Blow your Budget on Houseguests
Unfortunately, no. Mine’s not done yet. That’s his hospital issued hat. Mine would fit way better 😛
Sweet list! Sounds like everything’s planned out.
I didn’t know you were a knitter! Me too, and baby clothes are my specialty because I hate working on large projects 🙂
And I’m psyched to hear about your upcoming podcasts!
I learned how to knit in, get this, an Honor’s Knitting class in college. It was awesome, but sucked to have to frantically finish a scarf on a deadline for a grade.
Wow, that’s a long to-do list! I’m looking forward to your podcasts so your work becomes my gain! 🙂
I think the friend’s basement idea is awesome… seems like a good deal for both of you. What kind of multi-family are you looking for — duplex, triplex, or something bigger? We’ve got a single family rental and a duplex and think the multi-family is definitely the way to go. We’re going to try to buy another duplex in the next six months if possible.
– Jim
Jim @ Route To Retire recently posted…Why Your Company Match is So Important
I’m recording episodes for other people’s podcasts, not starting my own. I should have specified more. However, I will be delighted to share them when they’re out!
I’m looking for at least a triplex and preferably a quad. They’re all over my new town! Good luck on getting another duplex!
Wow, you’re so busy but so amazing for staying on top of it. It’s also obviously all paying out! You’re getting a new place to live, for a lower price and with a higher wage, reaching your goals will be a cakewalk! (I hope you like cake!)
Sounds like a great plan for buying a property as well. Sounds like you’re snowballing positive experiences into a bright future! Go Gwen!!
Thanks Vanessa! Things are certainly turning up roses for me at the moment. Is it weird I’m kind of braced for something terribly bad to happen?
Perfect song for the level of activity in your life. It’s all good! The pieces are coming together seamlessly, especially the basement suite.
Also interested in hearing about your podcast both from the listener point of view and as a possible creator. Have you figured out the technical end and about how much time is involved?
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Maybe I should have specified I will be appearing on 2 other podcasts, not starting my own. I don’t have nearly the free time to commit to something like that right now 🙁
Um…that’s quite a list! All really super stuff though! Great news on the real estate closing fees for the rental!
Looking forward to listening to the podcasts — you must keep us posted!
Thanks Amanda! I’ll be sure to let you know!
I was sort of overwhelmed by your responsibility and goal list, but I was reminded I’ve been there before, and my plate is similarly full now in my own style. Pay now, and play later is our motto. The more you do today, the less you’ll have to do tomorrow. Also, you’ll always have to feel pain in life. You can either do it on your terms, or you can be suprised by it and do it on life’s terms. At least on your terms, you know what’s coming and can be prepared for it, and you’ll be using that pain to reach your goals. The journey to our goals and dream life is a challenging one, but that’s what makes it special. Have fun and god bless.
Bill @ Wealth Well Done recently posted…Falling in Love: How to Become a 2‑Person Adventure.
Thanks Bill! It’s crazy busy right now but it will get better soon!