After a year of searching, after lots of visiting of various places and being patient on waiting lists, I have finally arranged for an apartment for myself. I will be moving on or about the end of this month. And as I promised, my soulmate was the first to know. I think I may have stunned her with the news after she had had a bad Thursday herself. I hope the news brightened her day a little...
I will admit, it has been a very long and very aggravating experience. I have visited nearly every apartment complex in the tri-county area. I have visited a few privately owned condominiums that were for rent. I have been on eight waiting lists. (Having a college near by makes for long lists for one bedroom apartments, I discovered.) And the first round of lists required a garage in a gated complex to protect my motorcycle. Since I do not have the Harley anymore, my priorities shifted and the requirements moved me up on a few lists. And the waiting (and persistant following up) has finally paid off.
I got a call yesterday morning (on a Thursday!) for a place that is about three miles form my office. Not a gated complex, but it is secluded and quiet. The buildings are fairly new; built less than four years ago. There is a grocery very close by, my bank is around the corner, and I will finally have a place to go to after work to relax and unwind.
I went over in the afternoon for a late and extended lunch to pay the application and reservation fees. The manager told me it might not be until Monday before the app is approved. But I have good credit, so I am not worried. I even got a message on my mobile phone in the evening that my credit looked good and she might have approval even sooner.
Of course, this is just the beginning. The divorce itself is going to take a while, and I have yet to actually move. But it is starting to move faster now. And my wife and I actually sat down and talked last night. Not a screaming match as I was expecting. We talked...
The irony is that Wednesday night was pretty rough, and there was a shouting match. I remember saying that I am planning on moving as soon as I receive a call that a place is available. She said it was moving too fast and that she would fight me in court if I "abandonned" her so quickly. Then she fell into a depressive fit. Then we argued some more. It was a long night...
Last night, I got home and it was like my wife was a different person. Par for the bipolar course, but I am not complaining. But then she asked me who "Denise" is (the manager at the apartment I applied at), because she had called and asked for me before I got home. Apparently, the manager had called my home number before trying to reach my mobile phone...
I really wasn't planning on telling my wife until I know for certain I am approved, but since the cat was out of the bag, we talked about it. No shouting. No threats of lawyers or anything like that. She even offered me the dresser and one of the bookcases (whereas before I was not taking anything with me but my clothes and a few books). She even suggested maybe getting me a set of dishes for my upcoming birthday, because it is something I will need. And we once again discussed my promises to help her financially for a couple more months. And we talked about the animals (that I will not be taking). And there are a few things I will help with like sliding glass door locks for the house so she will feel safer when I am not there. It was all very reasonable and calm. Needless to say, I was a bit stunned. Still am, actually.
So now I will be arranging for electricity and phone service (though I am debating just sticking with a mobile only). Cable and water are arranged and paid through the apartment, so I don't have to worry about setting those up.
And I am planning on taking a much needed and long overdue vacation in a few weeks.
Things are finally moving along...
