MAKE A 1 BDRM INTO 4

How to add rooms to a Studio Apt

and

PB Popscicles & Reverse Psychology

Charley & I live in an somewhat adequate place downtown. Let me rephrase. My living situation was suitable (I had to look up another word for adequate) when it was just me, solo, with all my daily on-goings. Everything and the kitchen sink in one room, and the bathroom located way down my long foyer. (Sarcasm) It kind of sucks. I don’t have a tub, and come to find out more than half of the units have tubs. I have this shower that has limited water pressure and an ugly shower curtain. I have tried and tried to make that dang bathroom somewhat cute and, I guess, welcoming. Some things just can’t be something it’s not, right?? There’s only so much changing of a shower curtain can do to transform a basic bathroom.

I am one of those people that agree it’s not real suitable for people to get a medium to a large dog when residing in an apartment. Well, I have changed my mind, a bit. I see how much pets have enhanced people who are only able to live in an apartment, or choose to, live in one. I think it takes a lot of work and a huge commitment (10 + years – however long the pet companion lives), plus enormous responsibility and imagination. I give credit to people who readily accept that challenge and succeed in their venture. Make their dog a successfully happy dog. Make it work with what you got in a positive way. Kudos. Really.

Well, I’ve embraced the challenge. Way, way, way. I’m the weird lady that talks to her dog like a person, takes her dog almost everywhere, photographs every monumental stepping stone, and talks incessantly about it to everybody who happens to be around. Poor people. Thank you for lending your ear, whether you meant to or not???So, since I had to keep her in the house (ha-ha- house sounds like a mansion now to me) for 2 weeks (her heat) I was so much aware of how incredibly boring it is, and how incredibly frustrating it can be. I also realized how much I’ve gotten to used to going places with her and embarking on adventures. She’s fun. A fun pain sometimes, but always fun.

Anyway, I was getting tired of Charley’s hawkeyes, which has made me acutely aware that I may have acquired weird habits as a result of living with just me for over 3 years. I am aware I munch my food, (graze, munch here and there), I eat cereal dry straight out of the box, and I eat too much peanut butter right out of the jar. With a spoon. It’s called a Peanut Butter Popscicle. C’mon now!

I also realized I talk to myself a lot. Did I do that as much when I didn’t have her? Did I always pace whenever things didn’t turn out the way I wanted them? Did I always sit there in my long forgotten teenage angst thinking me and my life would be different if only such and such had happened, and the everlasting question why? I really got the sense of my selfish me-talk when she’d just stare at me, not blinking, then sigh heavily, turn on her belly, tuck her head in her paws, and start kicking out her legs. She does that. FLICK. FLICK. KICK. KICK. I think she is telling me to get over it.

Well, since she was driving me nuts, probably because she was going nuts, there were times when I just wanted to be in my own space, and I figured there were times that she probably wants her own. Yes, she has her room (crate) where she will chill occasionally, or I tell her to go to her room, but, wow! It still is in seeing eye distance. No matter what corner of the room I’d put it, we can still feel each others presence. If I am not paying the Essential Attention to Charley or She Will Die toll then Charley will try to distract me by barking short little RUFFS, RUFFS, out the window, all the while fetching a glance, or more like a stare, over her shoulder to waiting for me to react. Or flat out ignore my “no-no-no’s.” And yes, I get a bit perturbed. I try to ignore her. Doesn’t work. She was being annoying. She never barks. Only to get my goat. She’s a Sneaky, smart, spoiled little girl. She usually wins.

But, driven by madness, I suddenly had an great epiphany. I noticed when I used reverse psychology on her, by “ohhh, goood girl, that’s right. YOU TELL THEM!!!” or, “Are you saying hi to all of our neighbors? How friendly is that!” only then she would stop. After giving me this DIRTY LOOK she’d go curl up by the front door and stare half open eyed at me, really going for the guilt trip and making me feel i am too much of a homebody or recluse. Or a terrible pet owner. Actually, she is sitting by the door staring with words that say,

“I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udûn. Go back to the Shadow!

Gandalf

I went and got one of my old, fancy shower curtain liners and sectioned off a little nook, right by the window she loves to bark out of. I even made the ledge bigger so she is able to sit comfortably and look out the window. It actually turned out ok. I was actually surprised the first day I hooked it up and we were on our walk when she just wanted to go home. So, sure, wow, weird….ok Charley.

As soon as we got home, she went to her window, laid her chin on the upper ledge, and let out a big sigh. I have to get a picture. I even enjoy sitting in there. I put some of my books and crafts in a book case. She has brought some stuffed animals and some chewed up bones she’s managed to squirrel around this place.

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I’ve refurbished (can’t think of the word at the moment) this studio into a, let’s see, we have the bedroom/kitchen/living room, then a little quaint reading nook nestled in the armpit of downtown Seattle, with the beautiful scenery of a closed down food bank, and the tri-colored apartments across the street. Sirens fill the night, tall buildings mask the sky, and there seems as if a drag race or two happens around 3 a.m. for whoever is into that kinda thing. OH! I also have a somewhat cordoned area that separates the hallway and our(Charley& me)communal living area.

It is divided by a curtain rod and….A SHOWER CURTAIN. But, hey, it works! What was once a onsie-room has now turned into a 4 section forsie. It can be done!

***** along with the PEANUT BUTTER POPSICLE,  ONE OF MY FAVORITE munchy items is PEANUT BUTTER, AND WHIPPED CREAM.  FROZEN WHIPPED CREAM.  MIX IT TOGETHER, AND EAT.  THE LEFTOVER WHIPPED CREAM TUB CAN BE USED AS A BOWL.  HA, HA. I didn’t think it would be good, but it is actually delicious.  It’s like peanut butter pie.  Plus, for carb watchers, there aren’t that many in this recipe. As long as it’s not eaten in excess…. 

Instructions for adding a room in a studio; note: THIS IS REALLY TACKY

****** PRE-REQ*****  Small studio/room/space, and 1 med to large Charley Waffle – like dog.  Cyborgs welcomed.

• need 2 points of contact ( a wall and the post of my 6 foot stack thing that starts the split of the “main” room.
• shower curtain, or liner, or both, or I guess, a curtain rod—- whatever is available…
•  v/Twine, PRETTY RIBBON, fishing line. I just used some purple ribbon I had and threaded through the holes. … basically anything !! 

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So this is the half post. She’s back in action. She’s fierce as fire…..

This one is hard to sort. I lost my phone AGAIN and it really bothers me. I don’t mind too too much the phone itself, it’s actually the way I have to function in the world. Actually, it sucked too because I was starting to get the courage to ride on of those LIME scooter that are lying around Seattle. I CAN”T BECAUSE I DON’T HAVE A PHONE……ISN’T THAT SOMETHING. I am having a hell of a time with the two step authenticating process as well. I say it is the war on the poor.. I could use the LIME bike for transportation to and from work. People who can’t afford a phone, get the government phone, which is the most frustrating thing I have ever had. I had my buddy try it out for a day, and you tell me what you think. He was ready to throw that thing out my window. That, (the government phone)is another blog in the near future; I am babbling right now. And I just jerked awake. woa…..Charley is sprawled out and is looking very cuddlable.

The first QR code I had to enter on my phone was JOANN’S CRAFT STORE. I was so annoyed. Why can’t they keep coupons, messy messy coupons? I feel old. Everything is moving so fast.

I just want to ride one of those scooters.

I am a Gen-xer. So, I am now “old school.” Or just old. Anyway, we are back from waking the bunnies. She was bad. Bad Bad Girl…..