Cheryl B. Dale's Blog: RANDOM MUSINGS, page 40
June 4, 2012
LONG WEEK
Monday morning, Memorial Day, we got a call of a problem in the family. We hurriedly threw clothes into the car and took off in rain from Beryl. We got to west Georgia the middle of the afternoon and spent two nights there.
We'd been scheduled to go up to north GeorgiaThursday or Friday for a family reunion, so instead of driving six plus hours back to the coast, we drove two hours into Alabama to visit a relative there for two nights. Then drove six or seven hours Friday to spend the night with another relative north of Atlanta. Finally, Saturday morning, we went up to Whitestone - a really gorgeous place with rolling hills and country roads - and enjoyed aunts, uncles, siblings, cousins, and other people we didn't recognize. You know how reunions are.
Then about three thirty we left Whitestone and drove six and a half hours home in time to sleep in our own bed. Ahhh.
Boy, were we tired! And do you think the cats were glad to see us? They were not. Evidently the catsitter gives them beaucoodles of treats. Since we don't, they were not at all pleased to see us return.
Worse thing was I put on several pounds. I think it was that last day at the family dinner. Maybe the barbecue or ham. Maybe the rice and beans. Maybe the fresh creamed corn. Probably the luscious pound cake or the banana pudding like Granny used to make.
Yeah, it was the desserts.
We'd been scheduled to go up to north GeorgiaThursday or Friday for a family reunion, so instead of driving six plus hours back to the coast, we drove two hours into Alabama to visit a relative there for two nights. Then drove six or seven hours Friday to spend the night with another relative north of Atlanta. Finally, Saturday morning, we went up to Whitestone - a really gorgeous place with rolling hills and country roads - and enjoyed aunts, uncles, siblings, cousins, and other people we didn't recognize. You know how reunions are.
Then about three thirty we left Whitestone and drove six and a half hours home in time to sleep in our own bed. Ahhh.
Boy, were we tired! And do you think the cats were glad to see us? They were not. Evidently the catsitter gives them beaucoodles of treats. Since we don't, they were not at all pleased to see us return.
Worse thing was I put on several pounds. I think it was that last day at the family dinner. Maybe the barbecue or ham. Maybe the rice and beans. Maybe the fresh creamed corn. Probably the luscious pound cake or the banana pudding like Granny used to make.
Yeah, it was the desserts.
May 27, 2012
HURRICANE PRACTICE
So the entire year and a half we were at the lake, there was a drought and the lake was low, low, low. This spring it finally started raining and the waters started rising. The view was looking good, the boat dock was floating, looked like the summertime waters would be great for swimming and boating, etc.
Then we sold the house and moved permanently to the coast. So guess what's going on here? Not a hurricane, thank goodness, but it is a tropical storm. Even Jim Cantelore from The Weather Channel is broadcasting from the beach. (You know how excited all these weather people get during hurricane season.)
Yes, T.S. Beryl is promising lots of rain and high winds in our area. And people are going home for Memorial Day tomorrow, to play on the lake and enjoy remembrance ceremonies outside instead of hanging out down here to be cooped up inside.
Can't blame them. It is a little annoying, though, to find the weather so uncooperative no matter where we go.
But at least we aren't being evacuated
.
Then we sold the house and moved permanently to the coast. So guess what's going on here? Not a hurricane, thank goodness, but it is a tropical storm. Even Jim Cantelore from The Weather Channel is broadcasting from the beach. (You know how excited all these weather people get during hurricane season.)
Yes, T.S. Beryl is promising lots of rain and high winds in our area. And people are going home for Memorial Day tomorrow, to play on the lake and enjoy remembrance ceremonies outside instead of hanging out down here to be cooped up inside.
Can't blame them. It is a little annoying, though, to find the weather so uncooperative no matter where we go.
But at least we aren't being evacuated
.
May 26, 2012
ALLIGATOR FARM
Yep, we went back down to the Alligator Farm in St. Augustine for the thousandth time.
My guy wanted to shoot the birds in the rookery. Er, photograph the birds. And there were gobs of them. Due to our move, we weren't able to go every week as he would have preferred so we missed most of the baby birds and saw only gawky adolescents. More babies are coming though, because there was lots of courting going on, so I suspect we'll be back down there before the end of the season. If, that is, we can find time between running back and forth to north Georgia. A family reunion's coming up next weekend so we'll be hitting the road again.
Anyway, a neighbor went down with us this time because she'd never been before. I believe she was suitably awed. By the albino alligators if nothing else! Here she is sitting on the greeter alligator. And yes, it's statue, in case some of you are wondering how timid Marsha dared!
My guy wanted to shoot the birds in the rookery. Er, photograph the birds. And there were gobs of them. Due to our move, we weren't able to go every week as he would have preferred so we missed most of the baby birds and saw only gawky adolescents. More babies are coming though, because there was lots of courting going on, so I suspect we'll be back down there before the end of the season. If, that is, we can find time between running back and forth to north Georgia. A family reunion's coming up next weekend so we'll be hitting the road again.
Anyway, a neighbor went down with us this time because she'd never been before. I believe she was suitably awed. By the albino alligators if nothing else! Here she is sitting on the greeter alligator. And yes, it's statue, in case some of you are wondering how timid Marsha dared!
May 22, 2012
CATS
Since our move, the cats have been sulking. They thought we were coming down for three months and were horrified to discover it was permanent. They miss their screened porch.
So now they have to watch tennis players through the windows or, if they really beg, I'll open the sliding doors so they can peer through the screen at the birds and squirrels in the tree next to the balcony.
They're miffed, but not miffed enough to sleep by themselves at night. Unfortunately.
So now they have to watch tennis players through the windows or, if they really beg, I'll open the sliding doors so they can peer through the screen at the birds and squirrels in the tree next to the balcony.
They're miffed, but not miffed enough to sleep by themselves at night. Unfortunately.
May 19, 2012
SALE OF HOUSE
My guy and I are now the proud ex-owners of a lake house. An oldfashioned, filled-with-happy-memories lake house that will always be a part of us as we go on to new adventures.
The good thing is that the new owners are as excited to have the house as we were when we first moved there. They have a sailboat and a pontoon boat that's being delivered today, the day after we closed. And they planned to sleep there last night. A child was even driving up to be there with them. The whole family was thrilled.
And so were we. Nostalgic but relieved. Things change. People drift in and out of your lives and you make decisions accordingly.
You can't bring back the good times because nothing stays the same. If life didn't change, we'd be dead. So we've learned to enjoy each day and go with it.
As we're doing now and intend to do in the future.
Goodbye, lake house! Hello, island condo!
The good thing is that the new owners are as excited to have the house as we were when we first moved there. They have a sailboat and a pontoon boat that's being delivered today, the day after we closed. And they planned to sleep there last night. A child was even driving up to be there with them. The whole family was thrilled.
And so were we. Nostalgic but relieved. Things change. People drift in and out of your lives and you make decisions accordingly.
You can't bring back the good times because nothing stays the same. If life didn't change, we'd be dead. So we've learned to enjoy each day and go with it.
As we're doing now and intend to do in the future.
Goodbye, lake house! Hello, island condo!
May 12, 2012
CAT SITTER
About to leave tomorrow to finish up for house closing next week, but haven't been able to get hold of the lady who looks after my cats while we're gone.
Finally heard from her this morning. Poor thing drove up last weekend to stay at her mother's house in Atlanta so she could visit with her father in north Georgia who's had a stroke. While she was there, her aunt died, her cousin's kidneys both began to fail, and to top things off, SUV hijackers led police on a chase from the other side of Atlanta to her neighborhood. Helicopters swarmed overhead, blue lights were everywhere.
Long story short, police caught one of the thieves in her driveway. She got to see them throw him to the ground and handcuff him and all that. Just like a TV show, she said, still shaken.
She's coming home today so she can look after the babies. I don't know if she's going back up there though. I don't think I would.
Finally heard from her this morning. Poor thing drove up last weekend to stay at her mother's house in Atlanta so she could visit with her father in north Georgia who's had a stroke. While she was there, her aunt died, her cousin's kidneys both began to fail, and to top things off, SUV hijackers led police on a chase from the other side of Atlanta to her neighborhood. Helicopters swarmed overhead, blue lights were everywhere.
Long story short, police caught one of the thieves in her driveway. She got to see them throw him to the ground and handcuff him and all that. Just like a TV show, she said, still shaken.
She's coming home today so she can look after the babies. I don't know if she's going back up there though. I don't think I would.
May 6, 2012
SALE OF HOUSE
So now they're wanting to move the closing date up. Which is good. We're ready to get it done!
But that means rescheduling the movers and the maid service. Not to mention the kitchen range repair that we're still waiting on, and that the contract says closing hinges on.
Oh, and the dock needs moving out and we're not up there to do it. That means contacting a dock company and trying to get them to move it since we don't plan on going back till right before closing. I'm hoping for rain.
But before we do anything, we need to hear if the early closing is gonna happen. We're on pins and needles, wanting to be doing something -- anything! -- but not able to figure out what.
My nails are almost down to the quick.
But that means rescheduling the movers and the maid service. Not to mention the kitchen range repair that we're still waiting on, and that the contract says closing hinges on.
Oh, and the dock needs moving out and we're not up there to do it. That means contacting a dock company and trying to get them to move it since we don't plan on going back till right before closing. I'm hoping for rain.
But before we do anything, we need to hear if the early closing is gonna happen. We're on pins and needles, wanting to be doing something -- anything! -- but not able to figure out what.
My nails are almost down to the quick.
May 3, 2012
DREAMS
I lined up a maid service to clean our house right before the closing. Trying to explain what was going on - part of the furnishings were being left so the house wouldn't be empty but it would still need a thorough cleaning - took a while. I guess that explains the Dream.
I go into the office to sign the contract (actually I did everything on the phone and through email) and find cleaning comes with some sort of fitness part. I keep saying, "No, no, I only need the house cleaned, I only need the house cleaned," but the perky interviewer won't take no. She's determined to sign me up for gym membership. My guy, meanwhile, is in another office agreeing to everything.
Finally, five o'clock comes, me still protesting. With the interviewer dragging me, everyone proceeds (except my guy, who sensibly leaves) down to the big auditorium where some kind of cult activity is going on. Now I'm protesting, "I'm really not religious, I'm really not religious," but no one pays me any mind.
Finally, I make a break for it, get upstairs just as the priest? shaman? warlock? whatever he is in full regalia including mask and pointed hat, is locking the front door. I feint to the left and manage to escape on his right. "You'll be sorry. You'll never get your house cleaned," he calls after me.
Then I find my guy in some sort of church next door, sitting in the pews as the sermon begins. He beckons me in. "It's okay," he says. "It's Christian. Or maybe Jewish. Anyway, it isn't the maid service."
I turn around and go out the door. "I"ll wait for you outside."
Religion and fitness in one dream. This is way too weird for me to handle. Even in my sleep.
I go into the office to sign the contract (actually I did everything on the phone and through email) and find cleaning comes with some sort of fitness part. I keep saying, "No, no, I only need the house cleaned, I only need the house cleaned," but the perky interviewer won't take no. She's determined to sign me up for gym membership. My guy, meanwhile, is in another office agreeing to everything.
Finally, five o'clock comes, me still protesting. With the interviewer dragging me, everyone proceeds (except my guy, who sensibly leaves) down to the big auditorium where some kind of cult activity is going on. Now I'm protesting, "I'm really not religious, I'm really not religious," but no one pays me any mind.
Finally, I make a break for it, get upstairs just as the priest? shaman? warlock? whatever he is in full regalia including mask and pointed hat, is locking the front door. I feint to the left and manage to escape on his right. "You'll be sorry. You'll never get your house cleaned," he calls after me.
Then I find my guy in some sort of church next door, sitting in the pews as the sermon begins. He beckons me in. "It's okay," he says. "It's Christian. Or maybe Jewish. Anyway, it isn't the maid service."
I turn around and go out the door. "I"ll wait for you outside."
Religion and fitness in one dream. This is way too weird for me to handle. Even in my sleep.
April 30, 2012
NO TV
We've been away, working at the house in north Georgia. Got a lot packed up, brought a lot back with us, rented a storage unit today, will go back for more before closing in 2-3 weeks. Stuff we don't want the movers to move like an antique Singer sewing machine.
The thing is, when we're up there, we have no telephone land line and the cell phones don't work without the AT&T microcell which doesn't work without broadband. And we have no internet or cable so... I can check email and get to emergency stuff on my phone at good old Micky D's, but at night, we're reduced to watching old movies. Or Red Box movies, actually. We watched Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy; I liked the book but the movie was slo-o-w. Then we watched the new Mission Impossible; it was too fast (and impossible describes most of the action perfectly), and gave me a headache. Then we watched, on recommendation, The Descendants. Another slow movie that was rather depressing. Nice music though. Finally we watched one we found while packing: The Cutting Edge. Love that movie!
Not looking forward to going back up but back up we must go. Sigh. A few days to work in things here (Two opened bottles of olive oil added to the one here???? Four pairs of house shoes added to the two here????) and then we'll bring more stuff back. To fit in somewhere, somehow.
When we decided to move, we put stuff in storage in Hartwell, where we'd thought to come back after a few years on the island. Then we decided not (the lovely lake lot had grown large houses with four car garages all around it; it'd be like living in a subdivision except with a lake in the front yard). So we moved the stored stuff down here. Then we had to go back to north Georgia and the stored stuff went into the basement. Now it's coming back down here.
I am really keeping my fingers crossed the house closes! I'm tired of carting stuff up and down the road.
The thing is, when we're up there, we have no telephone land line and the cell phones don't work without the AT&T microcell which doesn't work without broadband. And we have no internet or cable so... I can check email and get to emergency stuff on my phone at good old Micky D's, but at night, we're reduced to watching old movies. Or Red Box movies, actually. We watched Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy; I liked the book but the movie was slo-o-w. Then we watched the new Mission Impossible; it was too fast (and impossible describes most of the action perfectly), and gave me a headache. Then we watched, on recommendation, The Descendants. Another slow movie that was rather depressing. Nice music though. Finally we watched one we found while packing: The Cutting Edge. Love that movie!
Not looking forward to going back up but back up we must go. Sigh. A few days to work in things here (Two opened bottles of olive oil added to the one here???? Four pairs of house shoes added to the two here????) and then we'll bring more stuff back. To fit in somewhere, somehow.
When we decided to move, we put stuff in storage in Hartwell, where we'd thought to come back after a few years on the island. Then we decided not (the lovely lake lot had grown large houses with four car garages all around it; it'd be like living in a subdivision except with a lake in the front yard). So we moved the stored stuff down here. Then we had to go back to north Georgia and the stored stuff went into the basement. Now it's coming back down here.
I am really keeping my fingers crossed the house closes! I'm tired of carting stuff up and down the road.
April 24, 2012
HOUSE UNDER CONTRACT!!!
After a year, we have our house under contract. Yeah, it was finalized on Friday the thirteenth and yeah, there are some details to be worked out.
But...
Things are going okay and we're hopeful of a closing next month. So we're going up to pack some books, and other odds and ends, and to bring some things down here. Winter clothes, canned goods, suitcases, files, stuff like that. We also have to go through and do away with stuff we don't need. We've done this once but in the year we've lived up there, we've added more stuff, lots of which we don't need.
Have you ever noticed how much we accumulate? And how much of it we seldom use or how much we get tired of right away? We tried to be good, we really did. But it didn't work out.
I'm glad someone wants to buy our house. Much as I've loved it and the lake, it's time to leave. But this moving is the pits.
Wish someone else could pick out what we need to keep and what we need to throw away. And then move it and throw it away! I bet we'd never know what got thrown out.
But...
Things are going okay and we're hopeful of a closing next month. So we're going up to pack some books, and other odds and ends, and to bring some things down here. Winter clothes, canned goods, suitcases, files, stuff like that. We also have to go through and do away with stuff we don't need. We've done this once but in the year we've lived up there, we've added more stuff, lots of which we don't need.
Have you ever noticed how much we accumulate? And how much of it we seldom use or how much we get tired of right away? We tried to be good, we really did. But it didn't work out.
I'm glad someone wants to buy our house. Much as I've loved it and the lake, it's time to leave. But this moving is the pits.
Wish someone else could pick out what we need to keep and what we need to throw away. And then move it and throw it away! I bet we'd never know what got thrown out.
