Incoherent Scribblings

A Space Dilemma

Isn’t it amazing how one accumulates things the longer one lives in a set place?

When A. and I moved to Germany three years ago, we had gotten rid of a lot of stuff in preparation for an international move. We had hoped that once we moved to Germany we could live a more frugally and so we moved into a generous one bedroom apartment. We had no furniture to worry about fitting inside; just clothes, books, CDs, a computer, dishes and a few other odds and ends.

The first things we bought were a bed, kitchen appliances, and book shelves. We then added bedroom closets, a couple of cheap chairs, and a computer desk. The bedroom and kitchen were full and comfortable, but not over-crowded.

It had been our intention to not have a living room per say, but to turn it into an office and library. Though we had a stereo, we had no television and didn’t plan on buying one. For that reason we thought didn’t need a “traditional” living room. The office/library idea worked, but the room never really felt comfortable and so if we weren’t using the computer we spent most of our time in the bedroom reading or listening to music.

Eventually, the in-laws gave us a TV because they thought our bohemian attitude of a television-free environment was just a little too radical. Of course once we got the TV, we had to get a DVD player. This led us to buying an entertainment center and some more comfortable furniture. Finally the living room was starting to feel like a living room and we wanted to spend time there.

The problem was that the computer with its enormous 19″ monitor was also in the living room and space was getting tight. Then A. decided one computer was not sufficient for the two of us and he got himself a laptop. This required us to invest in another (though smaller) computer desk that also ended up in the living room. I eventually got a laptop too and we got rid of the old desktop, but because I also had a printer, scanner, and assorted other electronic equipment, I kept the big desk.

We had done little planning as we stuck all of this into our living room and it kept getting more and more crowded. We rearranged everything countless times and finally a couple of weeks ago got everything into such a nice arrangement that I am finally enjoying spending my time there.

However, as we were rearranging things we kept grumbling about how we either need more space, another room, or both. As it just so happens, our three year lease is about to expire. So, during the last couple of weeks we have seriously been considering moving.

Will we move? We are still thinking about it and have a meeting this coming week concerning the renewal and/or termination of our lease. It would be great to have more room, but on the other hand, I hate the idea of moving! I guess I am starting to show my age, because one of the reasons I don’t want to move is because it feels so nice to be settled and finally know where everything is!