So it turns out that it's going to be a little while longer before we can get settled into our new place in Charleston since we basically had to scrap our previous plan and find a new place. Last weekend we finally got to see the new condo we were supposed to move into, and Leo and I were unimpressed to say the least. We knew that the model we saw was slightly different to the unit we'd be moving into, but we didn't know that it was as vastly different as we came to find out. The floor plan was misleading, and the property manager wasn't one hundred percent honest about several important things. If I'm honest, we could have made it work, but it would have been quite a tight squeeze, and there would have been no room for us to grow into the space. We were unsure that there would be room for all of our things, and there was space where we didn't need it (humongous bathrooms!) and no space where we did need it (no real dining area!). It was really disappointing, and we were so excited to see the place and plan to move in.
On Tuesday this week, Olivia and I went back to the apartment complex that was our very first choice when we were house hunting back in July. It's further from Leo's work, and more expensive (though not more expensive than our condo in South Florida) but we both loved the layout and the amenities and the things that come standard in each apartment. There were two units available for immediate move in, but both were on the third floor, and there was no elevator. The wait for a first floor unit is a bit long, but it's the option we chose, so we will be living with my parents for a couple of months since our apartment won't be ready for move in until November 1st. It's quite a long wait, but it really is the perfect place for the three of us, and it's somewhere I can see us staying for two to three years, which is a big plus. There is more than enough room for all three of us and our things, and I think we'll be happy there.
It's a bit of a sacrifice for all of us, but I am so thankful to have awesome parents who want us to make sure we move in somewhere we will be happy, and are willing to let us stay with them until we can make that happen. I'm spending this week trying to get the three of us settled in at my parents' place a bit more, and I think I've got Olivia done. I just need to work on getting Leo's and my suitcases unpacked, and then I think we will be a bit more comfortable. I'm disappointed that the condo isn't going to work out, but I think the apartment is the much better option, so that makes it a little easier to be patient and wait a couple of months to move into a place where we will all be happy.
In other news, Leo continues to settle into his new job. He seems to be finding his place, and he even has his first work trip planned for the week after next. He's working with clients in Cleveland, Ohio, and will be spending a couple of days there. If nothing else, it makes a change from going in to the office!
Our Labor Day weekend was nice, and we got to spend it with my family. On Saturday Leo, Olivia, and I went to the beach with both of my sisters, one brother-in-law (the other is in Greenland for work), both nieces, and my nephew. We spent several hours swimming and building sandcastles and eating delicious tuna fish sandwiches, and a great time was had by all. Until Sunday morning when we discovered that two of us had contracted swimmer's itch ON OUR FACES while at the beach. (Y'all, don't Google that shit. It's gross. And definitely do not look at any pictures of it. UGH.) Suffice to say that it's a really icky rash that itches and burns and can last up to a week. Thankfully, my face and my sister's face are nearly back to normal, and the other sister had a small patch on her back, which couldn't have been exactly a picnic, either. I'm not feeling the beach love anymore, though, I'll say that.
Anyway, Sunday morning we had brunch with my parents, one sister and her husband, and my nephew. Later that day all the kiddos got together to play. Monday, Olivia and I did the grocery shopping with my mom and dad, and that evening we grilled some delicious ribs. It was a nice end to a really relaxing weekend, and I know everyone had a hard time going back to work on Tuesday.
Pre-swimmer's itch, when I still liked the beach. I'll spare you the picture of my rashy face full of pustules. You're welcome.