1. Attached garage. Ah, the things I used to take for granted when I lived in the Midwest. It may seem like a little thing, but the attached garage improves the quality of life so much, especially when you have kids. I love that they can run out and get in the car and I can run back in to grab the baby or a diaper bag or the kid's lunches without running at the speed of light because I'm so worried that someone is either going to A: take off with my car and kids or B: see my kids unattended in the car and call DCFS. I can't tell you how many times I've endagered the baby by carrying him AND a diaper bag AND a stroller AND a pile of library books that need to be returned, all to avoid leaving him by himself in the car. Another bonus is that when Stewart falls asleep in the car, I can let him nap in there because it's not too hot or cold and he's right there where I can check on him. It's a beautiful thing.
2. Dishwasher. Enough said there.
3. Upstairs. Can I just tell you how much I love that the kids sleep upstairs and we sleep downstairs? I also love that when I tell Stew to go to his room when he's throwing a fit, I actually CAN'T HEAR the fit. That was always the idea of putting him in his room, however, when his room was only ten feet away, it didn't exactly work.
4. Washer & Dryer. Again, enough said.
5. Traffic. Or lack thereof. It's such a wonderful feeling of freedom, knowing that wherever I need to go, I can get there in five minutes.
6. Wal-Mart (and other big box retailers). I know, I'm supposed to love all those unique, over-priced boutiques and eateries that were available to me in Santa Monica and L.A. But I couldn't afford them anyway. And all I really need, I can get at Wally World. Or Target. Or KMart. Or Old Navy (and I don't have to deal with the frickin' Third Street Promenade to get to it).
7. Chain Restaurants. As I missed Wal-Mart, so I longed for Chili's, Applebee's, Outback Steakhouse, and The Claim Jumper. No, I do not have sophisticated, urban taste. I LIKE my baby back ribs, okay?
8. Parking. All hail parking lots. Big, suburban parking lots with plenty of room for all. No more having to PAY to park at the hospital, the doctor's office, the post office. No more twisting through parking garages and waiting for elevators just to go to Bed, Bath & Beyond. No more digging for change to feed meters which will probably turn out to be broken. No more enduring the mixed smells of urine and citrus air freshener in the Third Street Promenade elevators. No more getting lost in the labrynthine Westside Pavilion parking structure at Christmastime.
9. Paseos. Valencia is criss-crossed with pedestrian walkways for biking, running or walking. There are miles and miles of trails to enjoy and I am totally loving exercising without worrying about traffic. On Mondays I run, on Thursdays I've been taking Stew out on my bike, and on Saturdays while Stew naps, I take Owen. They both love going over and under the major streets (big tunnels and big, big bridges). I love that it's SO EASY to exercise.
10. It's a Family Town. Everyone here is SO much nicer to me and my kids. It's most likely because everyone here has a family, too. In Santa Monica, people treated me like a leper for having three kids and being in the way. I dreaded going shopping because people were always brushing past me with annoyed looks and dramatic sighs. I hated walking through parking lots because I was certain to be honked at by some asshole in a Boxter. I've even had OLD PEOPLE give me 'tude, and they're supposed to oooh and awwww over babies, not tell me that my stroller is in their way, or that I should get in the elevator "on the double," or to "push the button for Chrissakes!"
My first trip to Ralph's here was so amazing I almost cried for joy. Every single person in the store, every customer, every worker- stopped to say hello and coo over Wilbur. No one gave me a dirty look or pushed their cart impatiently up against me. They treated me as if I had every right to be out shopping for groceries with my three kids- and guess what? I DO. I couldn't believe that I had even forgotten that. I had actually been treated so badly for so long that I actually kind of thought I deserved it, and was constantly apologetic in public. "Oh excuse me, I'm so sorry I'm in your way!" "I know, I'm slow, sorry, it's hard to push the stroller"- on and on and on, when I really had no need to apologize. If anything, they should have been apologizing to me for being complete DICKS.
I am so happy for you. It sounds like heaven. I've never had an attached garage until this house either and it is the best thing ever. I'm so happy that you are doing well.
Posted by: adrienne | October 13, 2006 at 06:43 PM
When I lived in L.A I loved that life but now that I have been in Louisiana for about 5yrs I don't know how I ever wanted to raise a family there. I love my Walmart, fresh air, NO TRAFFIC and realy nice people. I just wish that my family and friends were closer. You have it made cus all you have to do is get on the freeway. Best wishes.
Posted by: Mary Gonzalez | October 15, 2006 at 07:20 AM