the goosebumps start to raise.

forget the past. -nm

i'm officially movin' on up ...to the west side.

i sign my one-year lease on a lovely little one bedroom condo in a high-rise, on the equally lovely gold coast of Lakewood, Ohio, this friday.

I lived right next door to the building i'm moving into, 7 years ago.

it doesn't have lake views, which i am very sad about ...but, i can head out to the pool or rooftop deck to see those views anytime my little heart desires now.

to say i am excited to move out of my current pad is an understatement. 

not saying i don't like where i'm at.

in fact, i love it.

i love living with my cousin, and i've had a great run the last four years.

but it is time for me to get the heck out of fudging old brooklyn, ohio.

& as far away from 2810 brookdale (some loser's parma address) as i can possibly get.

my heart goes pitter patter for this town, but only because of my family roots.

otherwise, i'm not too keen on having a dress barn, skyline chili, the whitetrash parma tavern and wal-mart close to home.

i was set on moving to ohio city, tremont or gordon square but i just don't feel comfortable/safe enough to live alone in a house or even an apt in these neighborhoods yet.  

so, back to lakewood i go.

i've never lived alone before.

i'm scared. i'm excited. 

i'm nervous. i'm anxious.

i'm happy.

& i'm suuuuuuper excited to decorate.

but i'm not excited to pay for said decorations.

i'm already thrifting like crazy for decor that doesn't make me mad at myself for spending money on it.

i try UNBELIEVABLY hard to live a life as minimalistic as possible.  

it will be tough to do this with my own place, but as long as i have my library, clothes, a plant and a bed to dream my sweet dreams on ...i don't need to spend 100 pointless $dollars$ on a pointless lamp i can make on my own with recycled pieces.

and it will be just as purdy and one of a kind to boot.

i have two weeks to pack up my life and get the heck out of dodge.

i know it isn't far.

& i know it isn't a big deal to some.

but for me. at this exact moment in my life. with all that i have gone through the last six years.

this. is. huge.

contrary to what some may think. 

i will not be getting a cat. ever.

& i will not be a crazy cat lady like the above picture may imply.

dinner, drinks and celebrations are in order.

my favorite meal in all of Cleveland is awaiting me at Momocho. tonight.

thank goodness, because i need a drink.

cheers.

xxoo.