Moving in and up

Well, I'm moved into my new place. I have to admit, I was worried when I first saw the place. It's yellow and brick, and my neighbors all came out and looked at our car when we drove by, and I just thought, great I'm moving into the ghetto. I should not judge a book by its cover.
We met Carl finally, who is like any of my old Ned's customers. My mom shmoozed him by talking about his antique collections, and his one of a kind car. He gave us the keys and we went to check out #5. As soon as I walked in I felt a whole lot better about this move. You walk into my living room, and the stairs are on the left. You walk straight and go into the kitchen, which is bigger than my parents kitchen. A nice surprise is that my townhouse is actually 3 stories! I have a full basement which is HUGE! Too bad I have nothing to put down there, but if I ever want roommates, I could have a bunch.
Upstairs is my 2 rooms and bathroom. The rooms have an ugly gold carpet in them, so I might be getting a rug for my room. I can't believe how much space I have and it's all mine! So we went back and signed the lease and got to unloading the car.
We unpacked a heck of a lot quicker than it took to pack up the car. After that, Ryan and I left to go shop for a car, bed and couch. We stopped at Big Lots and I got a nice, comfy, oversized couch for $300, and a serta full sized bed. Had trouble with my credit card though, thanks to chase not authorizing out of state purchases, and ended up writing a check, which I did all over town after that. We looked around at some car lots, and the 4runner we had seen on a corner, but after awhile Ryan mentioned that everyone here mainly drove cars, not trucks and suv's. So I called pops and he said my car is running so nice now that the struts are fixed, so he said he didn't see why I couldn't ship my car here. Ryan talked to some guy in the bathroom at JC Penny's and he said his daughter drives 11 miles in an old car to get to school, so I should be fine in my mustang. So that was that, I'm getting my car shipped and I'm so so so happy, because I just love my car.
We ended up at Kmart and bought my pots and pans, more stuff for my kitchen, lamps and a window a/c. Found a verizon store so Ryan could get his phone fixed, and they said they'd give him a new one, so we had to go home to write down his numbers.
Got my electric put into my name and they were also able to do my phone and internet. I get my phone on friday, and 6 days after that, my internet (I'm currently using someone's wireless around here).
Went out again, and this time Ryan was on a mission to find someone to take my couch and bed home, since the guy Big Lots recommended couldn't do it until the next day. The second attempt, Ryan found a guy at the closed hobby shop with a truck who said he would do it. People are nice around here. You know in California nobody would do that, and if they did, they'd probably take off with your stuff.
Went to lunch downtown. Oh...when Ryan and I found downtown I was sooooo much more happier about where I was living! It's like walking in downtown pasadena (except not the nice expensive shops). I know I'll be spending free time walking around down there. Ryan could even tell I looked happier when we drove down there. So we ate at Murphy's II, famous for wings, and they were so good. The whole kitchen staff had to come out and look at Ryan though.
Opened my bank account. The lady I had, had been working at PNC for 35 years, so she was on the ball.
Got some stuff unpacked and boxes put into the rooms they needed to be in. Then Ryan and I headed off to downtown again to go to the Coney's, and Irish bar, for a drink and to mingle with the locals.
Walking in, I loved it. However, it was kind of dead, and I thought, great there's no one to mingle with. There were 4 older people sitting near us, and across from us, 2 young guys. Monday night football started, and finally the 4some started talking to us by offering us some of their chicken wings. I had 2, and they were so good too. Found out 2 of them were from Tuscan. One of them also happens to be related to the owner's of Vince's spaghetti back home. What are the odds? Such a small world. Home follows you where ever you go.
Got pretty tuned up there, and went to Walmart to shop some more. Pretty much have everything I need, besides food now. Found out the trash bags I have to use are $16.50 for 5 bags though. Have to find out where my neighbors dump their trash, because for as many of us as there are, the trash isn't very full.
Oh yeah, found an outlet store called Ollie's. It was awesome. Found my dresser there, plant hangers for my porch, sheets...it's an awesome store. Wish we had gone there first, but oh well.
Met some neighbors. Jeff and his sister walked over as we were unloading. She told me there is a stray cat my neighbor feeds, and Jeff asked if I was ok with him practicing his southern rock band. Told him about Pops and his band and equipment, and later we heard him practicing. He's good. He said sometimes the band comes over and plays for the neighbors, so that will be cool.
Next door is Jim and his 18 year old college bound daughter. Not IUP, some other school. Jim rides a motorcyle, and sometimes parks in my extra space, but Ryan told him if he looks out for me, it won't be a problem. Also found out the couple that lived here before me was a real pain, staying up all hours of the night, being nosey, and putting rocks in the dryer just to break them for the fun of it. Jim also keeps a community dog, and the old neighbor stole him and they had to put an ad in the paper to get him back. So I have a cat and a dog to play with that I don't have to take care of.
Today we got my a/c installed and my entertainment center. Got direct tv to come out tomorrow, which I'll need, since they are leaving in the morning.
I think I'm going to be fine here. Maybe not as homesick as I thought, and maybe it won't be so hard. School will probably be harder.