WET and WINDY...The storm that hit the pacific northwest is visiting us this weekend. Temperatures have dropped, it's windy, it's cold, it's a good day to stay indoors.
My original plan for today , Saturday, had been to drive to Calabasas and watch grand daughter Madison play in a soccer match, but this weather is not the best for me to be outdoors for a couple of hours getting pelted by rain and wind. Will have to cancel out.
It's Hanukkah, today is day 5 in the 8 days of lighting candles and gift giving. Here at " the home" there are no gifts, but we have been lighting the candles in the building lobby each night and it has turned in to a charming get together with most of the residents taking part. Those who are Jewish, ( only 5 of us) have shared stories of Hanukkah when we were children, told the others about getting Hanukkah gelt and how that has transformed in to the chocolate covered candy that looks like coins. We have told the story of Hanukkah, too , and played a CD of Hanukkah music. It has been quite festive and I have enjoyed it, and thought a lot about my mother and how she would have enjoyed it, too.
On the hunt...
I've been driving around Ventura, mostly staying within a 5 mile area near this residence. What I have been doing is checking out the new apartment complexes. I hadn't looked for an apartment in about 50 years and the only time I have "lived" in one is the years my Mom and I had a condo on Maui that was designed like an apartment building.
Most of the apartments have very small living rooms, almost too tiny, but nice kitchens and interior laundry rooms and nice decks. The downside is that the complexes are huge , one is 400 apartments. There are no garages and , for me, the places are too big. Makes me long for a place in Palm Springs with security, a golf course and lower rents! Ventura is very expensive , almost as bad as Santa Barbara. The average apartment I have seen runs about $1850 a month. Add on utilities and you're counting out over $2500 a month before you even buy groceries.
Why have I been looking, you ask. I want more space, another bedroom so a grand child or guest can stay overnight... and I want to get my things out of storage, want to cook myself some meals. There are a lot of pros and cons to consider. If, God forbid, I was sick again, being alone in an apartment with neighbors who may not give a hoot about me, it could be a bad scene. There wouldn't be a handy man to do things for me, nor would there be maid service once a week. I'd have to hire a cleaning woman -- add on $60 to that rent -- maybe even have a handyman now and then.
When I lived in the desert I had a cleaning woman once a week , a handy man every other week. Do I want that expense again? Would I need those people in an apartment?
Noise. I think about noise and would I hear the people upstairs, next door? I wouldn't like that.
I've also thought about a condo, townhouse or small house to rent -- but that might be too isolated for me. Okay if my health is perfect, but if not and I am not up to dragging garbage cans to a street ,who does it for me? As you can see, there is a lot to consider.
In between dragging myself through various apartments, I have been shopping, trying to finish off the family gifts. I've taken care of out of town pals by calling Harry and David and ordering gift boxes of fruit. When I lived in the desert a friend used to send me those and I loved them , so hope my friends will love them , too.
We finally settled on a date for our family get together. Believe me , it is hard to coordinate with four families on a day when there are no sports events or other kid activities. Dec. 22 will find us exchanging gifts and laughs. Not sure where we are going yet - but most likely it will be at either daughter Karen or daughter Linda.
We don't invite outsiders. Is that rude? Maybe, but it is our once a year time to just be us, do some of our silly traditions and have some fun. Son Lee is in Germany but will be back in time, so everyone will be there.
My health? So far, so good. I see the oncologist on Dec. 27 for a routine checkup and on that date we will schedule my January PET scan. I'm already dreading it. The outcome of that scan will play a big part in my decision to move or not.
Today I need to start wrapping gifts cus it looks so messy in my little entry with packages from stores piled up. Will be more of a holiday spirit look if I get the gifts wrapped. I can stay in the spirit of the holidays if I open the box that came in the mail yesterday from my friend Patty in Rancho Mirage. Every year she makes fudge and delivers it to her friends. It is wonderful fudge and the kids and I , and Mom, always loved it.......... Felt thrilled when she mailed me some, too!
Another chore I want to complete is purging my book case of books that I have read and don't need to keep. I've already donated all my Susan Isaacs books to the library and next will be a random selection of books - -maybe donate some Scott Turow. The books are like friends and I hate to part with them, but need the space. My kids keep writing books and they are taking up two shelves.
Son Lee's new MONK book is out and I have it here to read. " Monk In Outer Space". Have started it and it is going to be a fun read. Many of the residents here read Lee's books and he has donated the large print editions to our library, much to the delight of residents.
Okay, this should be a wrap now. Enough blabber for today.
Very wonderful post and good job of sorting out pros, cons of apartment living. Biggest job is grocery shopping and meal planning for me.
Rents in Ventura are off the charts. I pay less than $800 here including heat and garage but of course it's colder than hell now. It's difficult to get to know people in apartment buildings because the residents are so transient.
We had a nice holiday party in my building yesterday and I enjoyed chatting with the grannies. The young guys are into HDTV and I watch too much TV now so an improved picture wold not be a good idea.
Posted by: David Zarkin | December 10, 2007 at 06:51 AM