Tough travel days

We so enjoyed having the kids with us once again . The unpacking was put aside as we shared the sunshine with these cute little ones. Weather was mostly cooperative until the night before they left when we were under tornado warnings. The weather alert radio went off and it is a deafening alarm. Doubtful we could ever sleep thru it which is comforting to know.
Mason has a VERY strong stubborn streak and was determined to help with the bags. He actually managed to get it out of the house all by himself. Because Jon flies for Continental, they can fly standby on flights (fortunately, so can we). The Orlando to Newark flights looked great and off they went to the airport. By the time they checked in, everything was falling apart due to a combination of very bad weather in the Northeast and in Florida. Realizing that they had few options in Orlando, they rented a car and drove to Tampa, hoping to get on the 2 pm flight. They eventually got on a flight at 6:30pm and then had a tough drive home in the dark with the ice and snow.
But it was not time to put away my worry beads. The weather in Denver was deteriorating rapidly with near blizzard conditions forecast for today. Mike, Jenna and all the kids are planning on flying out to Orlando this morning. In text messaging with Becca, they had a slow drive thru bad conditions but so far their flight was on time. I'll relax once they are on the flight and heading towards the sun. Mike came down with the flu last week....the real thing, Type B. (He did get a flu shot) He has been pretty miserable and I'm sure will be pretty wiped out but maybe the sun will help. We'll head down to Disney tomorrow and Saturday to see everyone and cheer Lizzie on in the Twirling Events. You can be sure there will be pictures.
PS: They landed just 17 minutes late.

Andy and Mason came to visit.....

We are so happy to have Andy and Mason with us ....and of course, their parents. They had a great Disney visit and now are spending a few days with us, exploring our new home. Today they are at the beach, somewhere on the east coast. It is a beautiful sunny day. Looks like lunch is still on the face.
View from the lanai out to the golfcourse. Paul and I played our first round in the Inner Circle Couple's Golf. It was the longest and hardest 9 holes I've played. The course is nothing by small mounds, dotted with either sand or water......and the greens undulate in every direction. It was painful. We play best ball per couple so that helps some. We play the next couple on Thurs.....same course. Hopefully , different outcome.
View from the living room. Looks well put together doesn't it ????? NOT. I'm slowly getting thru the major boxes but then I forget where I put everything. I think anyone over 60 should be prohibited from moving unless they have a keeper.

Can't wait to see Mike and Jenna and the kids on Thursday when they arrive for Lizzie's international twirling extravaganza at Disney.

A VERY SPECIAL WELCOME TO MATTHEW CHRISTIAN HOLTAN born on February 9, weighing a healthy 8 lb 15 oz. Congratulations to First time Grandparents Annette and Mark. Welcome to the wonderful world of little boys and diapers once again.....

Can you guess ???

That line on the right is the space shuttle as viewed from our back door. If I had Jeff''s massive lens, it might be more apparent. No , we can't actually hear it go up but it's kind of fun to actually see the contrail. According to the lawn person who was watching from his mower, the night launches are very impressive. Paul and I remember watching Sputnik race across the sky on clear nights in North Dakota.....or at least that's what we told our parents.

The process is going better today and I am making progress. An update from Jon and Marybeth at Disney today reports that Mason (2yrs) fell asleep standing last evening and also slept thru the character breakfast this morning but otherwise is having a great time. I'm sure that Andy slept thru nothing.

Home

Doesn't this look like fun.?? No, it's not !!! I won't whine the entire blog as I am thrilled that we are finally moved in,........ not settled, but we are together with our material world. In order to find our things, we have to unwrap and then discard masses of paper. It can be recycled but just the physicality of handling it and the boxes is tedious. And then there's the puzzle of trying to find a place for everything. We need to get shelving and storage areas. I worked all day in the kitchen and probably have a third left. Since I had the movers pack the kitchen, I have to wash everything before I put it away........after I lined all the drawers and shelves. And of course, since I put everything away, he who lives with me won't be able to find a thing for months. I recently read a favorite blog about this situation and it even has a name.....Male Patterned Blindness !! Since we did not bring much of our furniture with us, we have had to get creative. Here's the latest in affordable and recyclable TV stands.
The move was not without its drama. We had the movers load our things on Friday (until 11pm) with plans for them to drive to Florida and deliver on Sunday. Not. Bad weather in Pa delayed them and they said to plan on Monday. So we flew out on Sunday and arrived at a friend's house in time to enjoy the excellent Super Bowl game. On Monday morning , the driver informed us that he was an hour away but had been stopped by police and was cited for driving too long and had to take a 10 hour rest break. So we geared up for a Tuesday delivery. We were up early and finally got in touch with the driver only to find that he was lost. Paul was able to figure out where he was and agreed to meet him and show him the way in. But, while turning a corner, the driver cut it too close and slid off the road into a ditch.!! Paul found him and watched as the tow truck managed to pull him out without having to off-load the truck. Finally, they arrived at the house at noon. The driver and his two assistants were very nice and did a very good job.....just a bit disorganized at times.

Jon and Marybeth and the boys arrived at Disney yesterday. The weather is perfect, or maybe a wee bit warm (mid 80's) and Andy was way too excited. They will be here late Friday.



And the best part......the gecko was waiting for us on our arrival. Well, maybe not in the grass but he was at the post office. Thanks Lynne for brightening up our day and our lanai.

Happy 13th Birthday Alexander Lee Miller

Today is a very special young man's big day.....he's a teenager. It's hard to believe that this delightful grandbaby is growing up....and doing it very well. He is coming back for another visit in March and we can't wait. Notice that Alex is holding a club with no head on it. It WAS my favorite 3 fairway iron. While we were at the driving range a few weeks ago, he hit a very nice shot and then saw the head fly away with the ball. It was nothing he did. That club was just accustomed to the power of a grandmother and couldn't take all his strength. It is being fixed but not sure if it will ever be the same. Of course, it will always serve as my excuse for poor shots.

The worst is over but I long for the day when we are finally settled. The movers were here from 9am to 11pm !!!! They were slooooooow but seemed meticulous in wrapping and handling everything. The same crew will unpack us on Monday.....hopefully that will go faster.

The house is almost completely empty except for the basement and garage. We've hired someone to clean out what's left and dispose of everything including chemicals, pesticides and electronics. We have a bed, a chair and a TV .....everything we need.

Tomorrow we fly back down and continue with Part 2.

Too much

It never ends. The boxes just keep piling up and there is still more stuff to pack. Paul and I have been packing since arriving home and then today, the moving co. sent two guys to pack up pictures, lamps, the kitchen and all the glassware and breakables. Plus, they had to crate the carosel animals. My dad carved and then shipped those 2 animals in crates that he engineered in the only way he knew how............meticulous and designed to keep those animals safe. I wish I had gotten a picture of them in the crates . Fortunately, he marked the crates with directions as to which way the head went and how to position them. The packers were very impressed.

And there is still more to be done before the movers arrive in the morning. We are now making lists to make sure we don't forget to send everything with them.

Jon has been a big help in moving heavy boxes and assorted errands.

We are excited about getting moved in and settled and enjoying our new home. The Ladies and Couples golf groups for our neighborhood have started so its time to get back and play.

Paul has been burning old papers from the files (like 30 year old income tax forms and a title to a car that Michael bought when he was 18 (a Karmen Ghia). It's been hard for him to separate from his stuff. One of our major dilemas has been the boxes and boxes of photos. What do we do with them? No one wants to spend hours sorting thru them. Even the albums are tedious to go thru. And yet it would be sacriligious to throw them out. Jon transferred most of our slides to CD's. We were very surprised and pleased but its even hard to watch too many of those. So if someone has solved this age-old problem, please let us know. Altho we have thinned, downsized, discarded, given away and burned a ton of stuff, there is still much left. And I have no idea where we are going to put all the boxes when we get there. It will never fit.

Enough of my whining. I'm off to rest my achy fingers until morning. (the rest of me is fine but my fingers are really taking a beating for some reason)

Volunteers welcome

Just to let you know that we are home, it is cold, the task looks monumental at times but the light at the end of the tunnel will be warm.
The movers will pack us on the 30th, load on the 31st and move us into new spaces on the 4th. We are gradually filling boxes and garbage bags at the same time. The decisions are not easy. But we are grateful that we even have this opportunity for a new perspective in our lives.

I'm sure my little gecko friends are out of their 'hibernation' and ready to welcome us back.

'

Transition day

Alex flew home last evening , one tired boy. His flight was almost 2 hours delayed and didn't lift off until after 7pm. It was a great weekend with him .
Today starts the transition to our life in Florida. We will move our clothes and assorted accumulation over to the new house and clean the rental. Tomorrow, very early, we fly north. Then the real work begins. I have lists on paper and in my head of what we move down and what we don't. Brutal decisions will have to be made. It will be a cleansing experience....or not.


These are some neat shoes that Jenna gave me for Christmas.......a grey plastic very comfortable shoe.

These are socks that I knit.......and no, I'm not that talented.....the yarn self-patterns and creates this design all by itself.
These are the shoes and the socks. During the cooler weather, these have been on my feet and I just think it looks fun. Now, if I go without socks and just slip bare feet into the shoes, it looks too weird...like feet with no color....kind of cadaver-like. Too ugly to even photograph.
I have at least 2 more pairs of socks languishing on the needles. And one sweater and one shawl/scarf. I think I need to be snowed in to be motivated to get them knit. Sunshine and warm are not compatible with wool.

See you in Pennsylvania. Maybe the geckos will be waiting for us when we return in 2 weeks.

Alex came to visit

At the driving range
At the Golf Academy
At the golf course

Alex left cold Colorado and came to cold Florida. ....or at least by our standards. We managed to get a lot of golf in despite the cooler temperatures. He has never played golf but being the natural athlete that he is ( football and lacrosse) he looked like he'd been doing it for years. He impressed the golf instructor and his grandparents. Given a choice of seeing some Florida attractions or golf, he chose golf. Must be those good genes......

And here is the new golf cart. It is all bundled up against the chilly weather. Once inside and zipping along, it is quite cozy. Altho The Villages say you have to be 14 to drive a golf cart, we let Alex drive on the paths less traveled. As we were leaving the house yesterday, Alex noticed a Monarch butterfly on the driveway. They migrate down here and I have seen the distinctive caterpillars. This one had pretty crumpled wings, both the same, which probably meant it had just emerged from its cocoon and was drying and strenghening its wings as it could not fly. Alex put it in a safe place and it was gone later.

Alex flies home later today, after one more round of golf, and we will miss him. He is a quiet thoughtful young man, except when it comes to Rummikub or Backgammon. Hopefully, he will want to come back soon.

Still no geckos......

It's official

We closed on the house yesterday. Aside from signing way too many papers, it was a non-event. No lawyers, no bankers, no cheering crowds. The Villages , having done this for 40 years and over 34,000 new homes , has it down to a streamlined event. We had a 2 hour walk-thru with the builder and learned all the intricacies of the house systems. Whenever we found something that needed correction, he was on the phone and in a few minutes , someone showed up to fix it. It was all minor, cracks in the floor grout, some caulking in the windows, paint on the driveway. Now we need to contact and arrange for all the other details. We have to meet with the landscapers to learn about the irrigation system. That uses all reclaimed non-potable water and is totally separate from the house water. We need to arrange for pest control , lawn maintainance, lawn care and satellite. We've already done phone and DSL service, had the windows measured for blinds and met with the contractor about enlarging the lanai. Today the garage floor will be painted with some sort of acrylic covering that is not only attractive but much easier to maintain. This is the first house we have owned where the garage walls are painted and as nice as the interior of the house. The builder gave us a large, thick 3 ringed notebook full of all the guidelines for maintaining the house and the systems. It even tells me how to clean mirrors and toilet bowls.
Today we will go and order the golf cart. Thinking that would be an easy decision, we never considered how confusing (and expensive) that process would be. We have finally decided on brand, chose electric over gas and probably will get a navy blue metallic one but that is subject to change. We are not getting one that looks like a vintage car or a fire truck, or police car or in favorite sports team colors. Nor will we get one that is legal to drive on the streets and go faster.....somehow, driving one of those in competition for space with a truck or car doesn't sound very safe.

This is a street legal car....with seat belts and speedometer.

Cute with many different versions seen around here.This is what Main Street looks like on most days and nights. No parallel parking here. Everyone just leaves their golf bags on the back with no concerns about theft. Each brand of golf car has a universal key so our key will fit every car in that brand. You can get a security system but the salesman said we didn't need it. Because of the volume of cars and limited color choices, most people have their names on the front....so as not to drive the wrong one home I assume and so you don't have to remember the names of your golf partners.
We've become members of the Inner Circle couples golf group and have been paired up with others for the next 3 months of play. It will be interesting trying to meet our obligations and move all at the same time but we've been assured it's just a fun time with no serious golfing allowed

Still no geckos.............

The Holtans arrived and the geckos left....

We are concerned about our delightful little anoles, or geckos as they are commonly known. Since our arrival, we have had them climbing and scurrying around the house (fortunately outside) in a variety of sizes...from an inch or so to several inches long. And then we had the 23 degree temperatures and we have not seen anything move. Not bugs (good), nothing flying around and especially, no geckos. Not one. I've looked in all the usual places and have been alert to sounds of rustling brush but everything is quiet. I'm sure they will be back and we will be out with our "Welcome Home " signs when they return.
In the meantime, we had guests to distract us from our sorrow. Mark (Proud member of the Class of 61, Jamestown High School, Jamestown ND )and Annette ( delightful and patient as we talk about the 'old HS days') Holtan, from Munster, Indiana and Naples, Florida, drove up to spend a couple days. We had enjoyed their lovely condo in Naples in October and it was good to see them again. We insisted they see every corner of The Villages so that they might be inticed to join us some day.

They are expecting their first grandbaby momentarily back in Indiana so won't be traveling too far from home for awhile. We are excited for them and await the Big Announcement. !

We're in the lull before the storm. The next few weeks are going to be incredibly hectic with every moment filled. I'm making lists and getting mentally prepared for the task of deciding what leaves Pennsylvania and what stays. Jon will help by putting some items on ebay.

This week we will decide on window coverings, a new golf car, movers and close on the new house. On Friday, Alex arrives for his golf weekend......what a fun break that will be for all of us. On or about Wed the 23rd, we head north and begin the Moving Process.

In the meantime, the weather down here is perfect. Come on down, we'd love to see you !!!

Look who came to play.......

Andy arrived on Friday evening to visit his lonely grandparents. Oh yeah, he brought his dad with him. Andy was very impressed with the high beds and immediately climbed up and proclaimed his happiness with being in Florida.

Before we know it, he will be able to drive the golf cart. For now, Jon enjoyed zipping around.
But the high point , in Andy's opinion, was the swimming pool. They are heated to 84 degrees and we only dragged him out when he began to resemble a prune. Temperatures were perfect, in the mid 70's, with clear brilliant skies.

Andy was a bit confused with the whole house thing. Between the rental, the new house and the Pennsylvania house, he's just not sure where we live but he thought the new one was 'cool' and enjoyed hide and seek in the closets.

Jon and Paul tried out one of the many golf courses.

This is what the Younger and the Senior thought of shopping.....................................!!

We have always viewed the buffalo from a distance but Jon decided we should get up close and personal and to encourage that, we had apple slices. Well, do you know how long and disgusting the tongue is on a buffalo? I tried to gingerly extend the apple out and hoped he would gently take it but no, he slobbered and snorted and got down right pushy trying to get it. I chickened out and left it on the post for him to figure it out. Meanwhile, Andy is viewing this all from the safety of the golf cart. He wasn't impressed.

Amid many tears and sobs and pleading not to go home, we drove them back to the airport this morning. They are returning in a few weeks but time doesn't mean much to a 4 year old. The house is much too quiet.

Did they say HARD FREEZE WARNING

For those of you considering a trip to The Villages to visit us in the next couple of days, be forewarned that it is no longer a tropical oasis. Note the temperature on the right side of this blog. Now add strong winds. Then cancel the morning walk, the golf game, the dip in the pool, lunch on the lanai and an evening on the square dancing the night away. Bring the parkas and the hand warmers. Better yet, cancel the flight and show up on Friday instead when temperatures will be back up to almost normal.
Guess we'll take our lawn chairs and go sit in front of the fireplace in the new house.

THIS IS HOW GOOD 65 LOOKS....YOUNGER EVERY DAY.

A man of extraordinary strength, courage and bravery. And he's also very cute and nice. And did I mention sexy and handsome .? What more could the world ask for?

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY

SOLD ! ! ! !

What a surprise...! Although we had someone who had been interested in the house for awhile, we didn't really expect any movement until at least spring, if then. But on Thursday we received a call that someone else wanted to see it. In a flurry, Jon arranged for his cleaning lady to give it a lick and a polish. On Saturday , Jon donned his realtor hat and showed the house. That afternoon we received an attractive offer and we accepted today. Wow.

When we first saw the house, one of the reasons we acted so quickly to purchase it was that we felt it would sell quickly if we ever wanted to do that. It has location, location, location. And it is beautifully built with many upgrades. It has always been our favorite house.

We don't have a closing date as yet but assume we will head north the end of January to pack and move.

Jon seems to think he is entitled to a 3% fee. I think we will just deduct it from what he owes us.....you know, things like orthodontia , wrecked cars, flying lessons, a protracted life at college and oh yes, let us not forget the babysitting charges....

Christmas memories

Leaving on a jet plane..........from 80 degrees to a lovely white Christmas Eve. We were excited to once again be with our Colorado family . Lizzie, Becca, Nicholas and Alex on the couch on Christmas morning, all in their new pajamas.
Lizzie modeling the latest in hand knit hat and mittens, fashioned by her very talented mom, Jenna.


During our 4 days there, 10 inches of snow on Christmas day, and another 6 inches on Thurs, did not deter anyone from going anywhere, especially when driving this. However, it was a bit of a challenge for Paul to actually get in this . Mike promises to put steps on it for the old folks.

One of our excursions took us to Tattered Cover Bookstore, Denver's most famous place to enjoy a hot drink and good book.
We laughed and played Rummykube for hours.


Roxie has mellowed a bit from the busy noisy puppy to the princess who enjoys her new bed.

After filling up on all the Christmas goodies, we still had room for a fine Mexican dinner, despite all the snow .

We reluctantly flew home to 80 degrees. It was a wonderful few days and we will remember those special moments.