LA House Dilemma Solved–For Now

Monday, October 3rd, 2011

It's Not Perfect, But We Can Caulk

Last week I wrote about my high “skeeve out” factor when it comes to bathrooms and kitchens. Phil found an amazing house in LA but I was freaked out that the bathrooms weren’t new. I had him and the realtor go back and take close up pictures of the tile, grout, caulking, etc. Between the two of them, I received 25 still pictures and 18 videos. Am I demanding? Yes. But I’m pregnant. I said that I was going to get all I could out of Little Leroy while still in my belly. And I am. If I weren’t pregnant, I think instead of a lease, Phil might have handed me divorce papers. But he knows that right now, and right after this baby comes, a happy Jill = a happy family.

And guess what? I’M HAPPY! We settled on the house. A 1920′s English cottage. Super cozy, yet spacious. Impeccably furnished and it oozes character and history. So I can put off pretending to be a suburbs person in a McMansion sans personality for the time being (that was the other house we were looking at). And I think the sinks and caulking look fine. If not, his dad can tweak it when he visits.

As for the move, well, I guess we’re leaving in about two and a half weeks. We just found a tenant to sublet our NYC pad. All this happened in the last 2 days, so we haven’t even figured out an exact moving date yet. We haven’t booked flights. I haven’t gotten Wayne Sanchez his travel papers. It must be the good pregnancy hormones, because without Xanax/Ambien, I should be freaking the f–k out. But instead, I feel calm. I made a list. I have a plan. It will all get done.

In the meantime, here are a few pics of our new digs. So excited!

The Living Room--With a Grand Piano!

We Have a Yard!! What a Treat!

I Can't Believe I'll Have an Office!

LA Move–House Dilemma

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

My Bathroom I'll Miss

I have never been a suburbs person. Especially a house/neighborhood that is newly constructed, sans trees and character. But now I find myself in a bit of a predicament with this LA move.

When Fia was 2 months old, we moved to LA for a few months. The house we rented on the Internet looked lovely but in reality was a terrible set up, especially with a baby. I was miserable. I couldn’t wait to get back to Brooklyn. So this time Phil is out there looking in person so we don’t make the same mistake. Especially because this time we’ll be out there longer–probably a couple years.

We need to rent a fully furnished house as we are leaving most of our things here in storage and subletting out our apartment. But in renting, we have some very specific criteria. I want it furnished to our taste. I would like to be in walking distance of something. I don’t want dangerous edges and crazy spiral steps/staircase like we have now.  And I want SPACE. Coming from a NY city pad, I’m allowed to be greedy with square footage.

Last week, after much debate, we had a friend check out a house. She gave it a thumbs up, but warned “It’s Ethan Allen-generic.” I decided there are worse problems to have and thus began to embrace the new me. I decided I’ll live like most of the country does, driving instead of  lugging a stroller and toddler down the subway steps. I won’t get a minivan yet, but I’m ready to live in a newly constructed house, devoid of character. And I’ll be happy about it, dammit.

As my Brooklyn friend Courtney said, “When you have a baby, character is the least of your worries. I wanted character and I have a 3^rd floor walk up with no dishwasher or laundry. But I have antique crown molding. Give me a freshly painted white box to live in already!”

She makes a good point. And this house is at least in an old neighborhood, so there are trees. Plus, it’s a 3-minute walk to Griffith Park, which is one of the largest municipal parks in the country. Take that, Central Park.

So now I’m excited about changing my tune. I told Phil, “We’ll bring ourselves. And our art. That will give it more personality.” Plus, with a transsexual cat, Wayne Sanchez, how can you not have character?

Here’s the dilemma:

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