I've reached that point in my relationship where we've started discussing moving in together....which is big; especially for me because I've never lived with anyone I've dated. There are definite pros to taking this next step...I will no longer have to pack shit to go stay at his house or get up early to go back to my house and get ready for work. We will no longer be trying to maintain two homes and will jointly be able to maintain one (I will have someone to take care of the yard work that I so hate doing). We'll be able to share expenses rather than both of us paying for cable and gas, etc. And most importantly we'll be making a life together, which is what I want.
Now let me explain the opposing side of this coin...I am an OCD control freak. That statement right there should say it all, but I'll go into detail anyways. Let's start with my way is always the best way. Obviously not everyone agrees with me, but I have to say, when it comes to getting shit done in the most efficient and timely manner...I'm a boss. For example, we were putting together the dining room table (I was really just sitting there)...I suggested reading the directions and Joel decided he didn't need no stinking directions. Outcome? He had to take the table apart after it was complete and put it back together because he put the legs on backwards. My way is always the best way.
I also am prone to fits of obsessive cleaning, no particle of dirt is safe. I usually always clean a little something every day...whether it be the bathroom or the floors, maybe the kitchen...whatever it is something gets done so that my house never gets out of control. That being said, there are days when I start to clean something and it isn't living up to my expectations which results in me tearing everything apart and cleaning top to bottom; the next 24 hours it isn't really safe for someone else to be in the house because chances are high I will annihilate anyone who brings in dirt (obviously except for myself because I did all the cleaning). Now I have two cats who bring a lot of hair into the picture (which drives me insane) and he'll be adding on a dog. If I could get the cats to lay down and let me run the vacuum over them I would, but no such luck so far, so instead I take them to the groomers every other month or so for baths and haircuts; so I'm confident in their level of cleanliness. The dog...not so much. There are already a few baby gates in place to keep the dog in designated areas when we are not there....I would expect to see a baby gate in every doorway to ensure I can control her movement. These gates actually serve a dual purpose as the cats, for whatever reason, don't seem to understand they can jump over them so I can gate them out of rooms as well. I keep telling myself that compromise is the key, but fellow control freaks will tell you it's difficult.
The final point I'll make is....what about all of my secret at home behaviors? When I have the girls over and we binge drink 6 bottles of wine and smoke a pack of cigarettes each...what about when I binge drink several bottles of wine...alone...and smoke a pack of cigarettes because that's what I feel like doing on a Wednesday night. How about watching sad movies and crying my eyes out while eating a whole pizza and a bag of chips, ya know, because sometimes you just need a good cry. Or when I spend hours in front of the mirror analyzing whatever facial flaws I've decided to focus on that day, however, this one might not be that big of a problem because Joel takes forever to shower; spending a large amount of time in the bathroom won't seem that odd to him. It's just that when you're dating someone you always put your best foot forward, you don't want them to see all the crazy hiding beneath the surface. But when you chose to move in together you're life is an open book, you're going to see the best and worst; you'll either grow stronger or fall apart. As long as Joel doesn't have a problem with the fact that I pretty much never wear pants when I'm at home, the rest should be a piece of cake. It may take us awhile to find middle ground on the rest...but pants off is non-negotiable.
