Not So Desperate Housewife

Apparently it’s good to have a hobby; hobbies’ broaden the mind, bring variety into your life, distract you from the day to day routine and are relaxing. So in the spirit of the New Year I’ve been out and got myself a new hobby, no not flower arranging, line dancing or learning Spanish: looking for a new apartment.

Okay, here’s the thing, I am REALLY nosey and what better way to have a good nose than looking in other people’s homes. People fascinate me in all kind of ways: how they tick, what motivates them, what choices they make in life, how they see the world; I am constantly amazed by how different we all are. And an interesting addition to this list is how people live.

I like my living space tidy and calm (Husband says I am in the upper quartile for tidiness – yes he has analyst tendencies) and I know not everyone lives like this; I have a best friend who reminds me of this on a regular basis. In fact she thinks I have a problem. (OCD or something...) Well, I don’t think it’s a problem. I like the way I live. So whilst not expecting all apartments I view to be at the upper levels of tidiness, I wasn’t quite expecting to see so many in the bottom quartile.

I walked into an apartment the other day and my jaw nearly hit the floor. It looked like they had taken everything out of all the drawers and cupboards and thrown it across the floor. I was trying so hard not to show my amusement; internally I fixed my face to neutral. Inside I was screaming: really? Really, you live like this? It was absolute chaos. But what fascinated me the most is that this couple were clearly so comfortable with their living ‘style’ they had no problem with showing me around their apartment in this state. Part of me thought good for you, not caring what people think. It doesn’t bother me that people live like this, I don’t think shame on you, I just think your home, your choice - just don’t ever make me live like that!

The other fun part of looking at apartments is all the lovely people I’m meeting: the young estate agent who is just starting out in her career and excited about life and all its wonderful opportunities; the Senior Partner of an estate agency who gave me a lift in his rather nice car (because someone like me shouldn’t walk!); the VERY hot estate agent. The apartments he showed me weren’t up to much but I saw them all anyway – obviously.

But in at number one is a fantastic young man called Ollie. He didn’t roll his eyes once when I took far too long with my tape measure and started talking to him about colour schemes; he offered me a lift on his scooter (no, I didn’t!); he walked me to the main road after a viewing as it was dark and I wasn’t sure where I was; and if there was any doubt about his first place he made sure of it by telling me he wished all his clients were like me.

And then there is the fun I have with the assumptions people make about me. I turn up at these appointments and as polite conversation is made they find out I don’t work. (My stock answer is ‘I’m not working at the moment...’ I don’t mention the fact that I haven’t worked for nearly seven years!) And I know how I look; I look like I am a well off lady who doesn’t have to work. And this amuses me no end because I may look this way, but in fact I have NO money. I then find myself saying things like ‘I’ll try and get my husband in to see it but his schedule is really hectic’ and the stereo type grows wings; I sound like a 'Stepford Wife'. And whilst I am constantly bemused at how I went from a career girl to a ‘housewife’, I smile. I smile because I am not on the sofa; and for now that’s good enough for me.

I think I have found our dream apartment (unfortunately not with HOT estate agent but maybe that’s a good thing, might have been a bit awkward with Husband in tow..); hoping to get Husband’s opinion on Saturday – if his schedule allows.

Although have just found out it might not actually come to anything - Husband’s work situation may be changing. Again. Seriously, I have started (and stopped) apartment hunting three times in the last 12 months. But hey who cares, look at all the fun I’m having.

Where are you getting you kicks?! Would love to hear your thoughts...x