But Call Me Betsy

So, I bought a house yesterday. Strange feeling. On the one hand, I feel really good about it, because it seems like a very grown up thing to do and I also never thought I would own a place in Philadelphia. On the other hand, it scares the hell out of me because I don't know a thing about water heaters or winterizing your home or putting sealant of the roof or caulking, for God's sake. But I'm sure I'll figure it out. I couldn't ask for a smoother, easier process and the previous owners were so totally cool and giving--left behind these great decorations and many other things that will make the move much easier. I'm not taking my crappy sofa or my crappy chairs. I'd love to also get rid of the coffee table and the TV stand and the kitchen table, but I'll wait a little bit more on that. Okay, so here are some pictures from our trip to Chinoteague/Assateague Island last week. Prepare for ponies. For instance, there is a pony in here somewhere. Can you fin...

Okay, so I have about a little less than two weeks before I move into the new house and so I'm contemplating the things that I might miss about this place. Hmm...The first thing I think about missing is also the thing I can't wait to get away from, namely, the stray cats I've been feeding and looking out for over the last two years. The little orange mommy cat who I captured twice before succeeding in getting her fixed. She appears almost every morning, and now lets me pet her. Usually, her tom cat buddy follows, this formidable cat who is often bleeding somewhere--either from his ear, or his nose, or his back. He frequently shows up with burrs in his tail too, which I can pick out sometimes. He lets me pet him fully and has only lashed out maybe once when Ernesto agitated him. I don't know what will happen to them after I leave. Will anyone feed them? Will they wonder where I've gone and feel betrayed? Probably not, but I worry about how they will survive the wint...

This photo may at first look like the squirrel has cannibalized one of its own, but it's actually eating a piece of pepperoni pizza that it must have found on the Green, or else it attacked a first-year student who wasn't paying close attention. You have to be vigilant with these squirrels; they're afraid of nothing and will approach you at any moment for food or spare change. I thought squirrels were vegetarians? I never did see this one eat the pepperoni though, so maybe they just eat around it. Two windows below from the same house. The front door of the house opened while I was taking the second picture and I gestured like, I love your windows and then beat it. I probably took a picture of this last year too. I just think it's cute.

Am counting down the days until I no longer have to walk the 6 blocks to and from the subway to get home; a walk that's not devastating, but it's hard to face on the nights when I have classes and don't get off the subway until 8:30 PM or later. In my new house, the subway stop is only three blocks away. V. exciting. The current owners are being extremely generous and leaving me the following items: # Three (3) Area Rugs * - one (1) in Living Room * - one (1) in Bedroom * - one (1) in Office # IKEA Kitchen Cart in Dining Room # Curtains / Blinds in Living Room # Blinds in Master Bedroom and Second Bedroom # Three (3) Nesting Tables in Living Room # IKEA Wardrobe in Master Bedroom (Previously agreed upon) # Magnetic Knife Holder in Kitchen # Hanging Rail in Kitchen # Black Hanging Rack and Three (3) Silverware holders above sink in Kitchen # Overhead Pot & Pan holder in Kitchen # Outdoor Wooden Table and Chairs in Backyard # Corner Garden Stand in Backyard # Wooden Ga...