dwell
June 10th, 2007 @ 11:38 pm | dc, domestic | Post a CommentAll weekend Andrew has been telling me, “Keep your expectations low.”
All weekend I’ve been telling friends and family, “We’re not getting our hopes up yet.”
I can tell you: It’s a big, fat lie. My hopes are up. My expectations are high. I really, really want Andrew to get this job. He’s going to kill me for saying it on the blog, but it’s the truth.
I’ve blocked out the potential negatives to the job, such as not moving back to Colorado anytime soon, or the fact that I won’t have a househusband who cleans the house and cooks dinner while I’m at work. The fact that I’m sure he’ll work weekends and sometimes pull all-nighters, leaving me home alone.
Because, frankly, I’ve got my whole life planned out if he gets this job. We’ll buy a nice little condo in an up and coming neighborhood and he’ll ride his bike one mile to work and I’ll have a garden terrace to plant some herbs and tomatoes and we’ll use the second bedroom as a home office and splurge on making everything wireless. I’ll have you over for donuts and iced coffee on Saturday mornings and we’ll sit out on the terrace except if it’s afternoon, in which case we’ll be drinking mojitos and talking about what color to paint the accent wall in the living room. I’m thinking terra cotta.
Later on when the boys come back from golf, we’ll pop in a DVD and cozy up on the suede sectional to watch it on the flat screen I promised to buy Andrew when he said I could decorate the house the way I wanted. We’ll grill kebabs on the gas grill on our rooftop deck with the view of the Capitol and the Washington Monument.
After dinner we’ll take a walk around the neighborhood with our little dog Javier, who will no doubt become a favorite among the neighbors. On Sundays we’ll walk to the farmers market down the street to buy groceries for the week. Our dining room table will actually be a dining room table, and not a coffee table in front of a sofa. We’ll host eight for dinner, or 12 for appetizers.
My dad will fly to Washington to help us build built-in bookshelves for the office. Mom will help pick out new curtains, hopefully luxurious ones that puddle just a little bit when they hit the floor. We’ll finally make use of all our nice wedding gifts. My best friend will be our feng shui consultant, ensuring happiness and harmony throughout our abode.
I’ll test out the Dyson on our eco-guilt-free bamboo floors and cherish the big windows and their cross breeze that is impossible to create in our current below-ground dwelling. I’ll pore over decisions like brushed nickel or satin chrome?
I’ll finally buy stationery with our address printed on them. We’ll frame and hang wedding photos. We’ll splurge on a Christmas tree so tall it brushes the ceiling.
**********
My plans for a newer, more permanent life here are coming together. I just need this one (teeny, tiny, little) thing to happen this week to set it all in motion.
My fingers are officially crossed for you!
written by Nic
June 10th, 2007 @ 11:59 pm
Oh, I would love to come to your house for donuts, appetizers, or dinner. Too bad I don’t actually know you and don’t actually live on the same side of the US as you. Details. . .
Good luck!
written by Janssen
June 11th, 2007 @ 12:13 am
Yarrr.. it’s so hard NOT to get your hopes up high when these things are so important to you, you’ll be definitely in my thoughts over the next few days. xo
(And are international visitors welcome in your new abode?)
written by alyndabear
June 11th, 2007 @ 1:24 am
Ok well now I’m totally rooting for Andrew – I want to fly out to DC, see the sights and drink some mojitos with you!
written by Maya
June 11th, 2007 @ 1:53 am
I’m sending you and Andrew my best job-getting vibes…
written by E :)
June 11th, 2007 @ 5:32 am
I think this deserves !!! not !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You are not crazy at all for being 10 steps ahead of the game!
written by Liz
June 11th, 2007 @ 8:37 am
Now that sounds like a great plan. I hope everything works out for you two!
written by Melissa
June 11th, 2007 @ 9:40 am
Good luck, Andrew!! I have a lot of the same fantasies. Fingers crossed for you guys!
written by Operation Pink Herring
June 11th, 2007 @ 9:42 am
I’m hopeful for you guys, too! (If only because then I can try to finagle and invitation to Janet’s House of Hospitality next time I am in DC.)
AS gets a little nervous sometimes about how Perfect I seem to think life will be when we finally begin cohabitating… but I think it’s natural to be excited about nesting. Right?
written by Laurel
June 11th, 2007 @ 10:00 am
Keeping my fingers crossed for you…this is very exciting!!
And yes, you can count on me for donuts or mojitos ANYTIME!!
written by Shesabigstar
June 11th, 2007 @ 10:05 am
Ooh, how exciting! It would be so depressing to always look at the realistic, gloomy side of things – I say that as a frequent realist – but your vision of a terra cotta living room and Javier is too fun to push away for now.
Good luck!
written by RA
June 11th, 2007 @ 10:32 am
Sounds glorious. All except the not moving back to Colorado anytime soon part. If you stay, I PROMISE to finally come visit. Me and baby! (Hope that second bedroom has think walls).
written by alison
June 11th, 2007 @ 10:35 am
Ahh! Now I’ve got yet another reason I love to read this blog so much….you just described maybe my most perfect idyllic life EVER.
So good luck to you, Andrew! And Janet, can I come over and play with Javier soon?
P.S. My living room is terra cotta! See?
written by elise
June 11th, 2007 @ 10:47 am
And you can throw awesome (blogger) parties at the new place when I come to visit.
Good luck to Andrew. I’m crossing my fingers for him (and you)!
written by Isabel
June 11th, 2007 @ 12:11 pm
Good luck Andrew!
written by Audrey
June 11th, 2007 @ 12:27 pm
Good luck and fingers and toes crossed going out to Andrew!!
And just by the way, your house sounds fab!
)
xox
written by heidikins
June 11th, 2007 @ 12:37 pm
Good luck!!
written by B
June 11th, 2007 @ 12:55 pm
That sounds like such a dreamy life. Whether or not it is this particular job that makes it happen, know that things will happen how they are are supposed to!!!
written by Lauren
June 11th, 2007 @ 1:16 pm
Donuts! On the Terrace!
I am so there.
::Crossing Fingers:: for you and Andrew!!
written by Julie
June 11th, 2007 @ 1:16 pm
My fingers are so totally crossed for you guys! Also, I’m so coming for donuts and staying for mojitos!
written by Lindsey
June 11th, 2007 @ 7:49 pm
man, i know how hard it is *not* to get your hopes up about that kind of thing. i’ve been there many times before. good luck! i also am crossing my fingers for you and hoping everything works out!!
written by cady
June 12th, 2007 @ 8:37 am
Sending good luck wishes!! (and keep fingers crossed).
Boy, the white picket fence dream has come so far! hee.
written by Aimee
June 12th, 2007 @ 11:31 am
it was so great meeting you in person! does the mention of a sunday market mean you’re thinking of my ‘hood?
written by Lana
June 12th, 2007 @ 3:27 pm
Hey I lost my phone with your numbers. Could you call Michelle and give it to her? Also I am in town for 1 more week if you would like to talk before I have to go back.
written by mr. cheetos
June 13th, 2007 @ 9:43 am
Good luck
When’s the housewarming party gonna be? 
written by princess banter
June 13th, 2007 @ 11:10 am
I’ll make the coffee, mojitos, whatever! Can this be done by August?
written by Lextoase
June 13th, 2007 @ 2:24 pm
FIngers crossed in California!
written by Janet
June 13th, 2007 @ 2:46 pm
I think that sounds like an absolutely wonderful plan. I also think that you and I are slacking on the blog writing. At least our excuse is that we have other stuff in our lives that’s taking up our time.
written by Zandria
June 14th, 2007 @ 11:28 am
Hiya!
Just had to shout out to you and say, I’m right below you in the Whoorl Good Hair Square!
written by Maya
June 14th, 2007 @ 3:50 pm
Wow, no one will ever accuse you of not thinking it through enough and planning ahead very well! Good luck — I really hope this works out.
written by angela
June 14th, 2007 @ 10:00 pm