Loose ends

Trev and I spent all day tying up loose ends in the Big City. Forwarding mail, closing bank accounts, returning keys, etc. Picking up the final items from our old apartment, and running a vacuum over the carpet. We had to leave behind a worn out sofa, two book cases, and a table and chairs that would not fit into the back of the Wrangler.

On Friday my mother, Trevor, and I were fantasizing about what state the apartment would be left in. Trev wanted to (ahem) poop somewhere unfortunate in the kitchen. Like the oven, sink, or dishwasher. Mom thought it would be a great idea to leave a pot roast in the back of the toilet, again. Her first pot roasting was in late 2000. Finally, I pictured using a full roll of duct tape to wrap the keys to a brick and straight up throw it through the leasing office window. Now we are not the type of folks that would leave a rental in complete disarray. This revenge is not without cause...

[Note: We did not actually do ANY of these things. We MAY have forgotten the garbage filled with fridge castaways.]

In October 2011 we moved South because I earned a promotion at The Company's corporate offices. While I was thrilled, this also meant moving 90 miles away from home... in two weeks. Did I mention that we also planned a trip to Arizona... one week before I start my new job. Awesome.

We were desperate. 

I scheduled several appointments to view rentals for the following Saturday. The first unit was a bust. But the second was perfect. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, master suite, in unit washer/dryer, POOL VIEW... the whole nine yards. The rent was within our budget, and no deposit required! We were ready to sign the lease. Everything went upside down from there. 

We left them with our applications, the processing "fee," and double the amount they asked for to hold the apartment. Trevor and I explained neither of us have great credit, but we always pay our rent first thing. The leasing agent assured us that it would not be a problem, they just have make sure that we don't have any balances in collections with other leasing agencies. To make a very long story short, they told us what we wanted to hear and made life miserable. We had parking wars, witnessed prostitution, violence, road rage from a presumably scorned lover, surprise bills, and what we can only describe as sumo wrestling practice in the apartment above...

As we loaded the final items into the back of the Jeep I realized that while I appreciate what living in the Big City has taught me, I wouldn't miss it. My home is in the country.