Left for Dallas Monday AM. Rented a storage locker and unloaded most of my Christmas stuff and some odds and ends. There is still lots of room in it.
Had a little time so drove around the area where the new house is. Can't say I am unhappy that there is a WalMart Supercenter, a Kroger, an Albertsons and a Walmart neighborhood grocery within about 2 miles of the house. Also, a CVS and various restaurants up on I 20 as well as a mall and a Toyota dealer for car service. I was especially excited to find a Braums and a Quik Trip. Both of those things existed when we lived in Oklahoma and I love them both. It's not that I am a shopaholic or anything but everything is so far away where I live now. Nearest grocery is 7 miles, nearest mall (small) is about 12 or so and the big mall and the car dealer are probably 20 miles.
Met the inspector and he found several problems that need to be addressed. The roof has some damage and he recommended we have a roofer look at it, there are some electrical things that either don't work or don't work properly and there may be a broken pipe on the outdoor faucet. I left feeling distressed but later talked with the realtor and he said it was not at all unusual to find things that needed addressing and to stay cool.
The weather was dreadful, wet and cold. Ended up not coming home on Monday because the inspection took til 4:30, had to drive an hour in rush hour traffic to pick up my grandson. We started home but the temperature dropped and I didn't want to drive in ice in the dark. We stopped for the night and came home yesterday after the temperature was above 32. Still was a bit dicey but we did OK.
We stopped to see Cowboy on the way home. He was eating his lunch. He was happy to see us and talked to our grandson more than me. He knew he was a grandson but struggled with his name and who his Mom was. After he thought about it awhile he seemed to figure it out.
Got home about 3 and hit the WalMart for some food that he will actually eat. We had pizza last night but I am making ribs for tonight. (Need to feed the help.)
We have been taking things off the walls and patching the holes, packing up Cowboy's clothes and then took everything off above the kitchen cabinets. Need to work some more on patching, etc and am hoping we get my good china and things packed. Mostly am concentrating on getting the heavy boxes into the car to take to storage and the stuff that is up high and requires a ladder. We are getting there.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Sunday, February 9
Not much to report. Spent yesterday packing up my books. That is a big task. I just can't seem to turn loose of very many of them. Anyway, they are now in eight boxes and ready to go.
Today I enjoyed the Sunday paper, fixed french toast and savored that, took a long walk and spent a little bit of time looking through some things in the study. Didn't make a whole lot of progress but have a good idea in my head of what I need to do. I then fixed some sea bass for dinner and it was great.
Tomorrow morning I get up and go to Dallas for the inspection on the house. Will also put some things in storage up there. My grandson will be coming back with me to help with some of the chores that are beyond my abilities.
Will post again later in the week. So far everything is going well.
Today I enjoyed the Sunday paper, fixed french toast and savored that, took a long walk and spent a little bit of time looking through some things in the study. Didn't make a whole lot of progress but have a good idea in my head of what I need to do. I then fixed some sea bass for dinner and it was great.
Tomorrow morning I get up and go to Dallas for the inspection on the house. Will also put some things in storage up there. My grandson will be coming back with me to help with some of the chores that are beyond my abilities.
Will post again later in the week. So far everything is going well.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Thursday, February 5
I have been on quite a whirlwind this week.
Monday afternoon I got a call from a friend who knew I was going to move through this blog. She had a friend looking for a house so she suggested he call me. He came over late Monday, looked at the house and made me an offer.
I had made an appointment with the real estate agent for Tuesday morning but didn't need to keep that appointment. Just sold him the house.
That same day got a counter offer on the house in Arlington. It was not going to work for us so we countered back. This went on through yesterday when we finally reached a deal. So in four days I sold a house and bought a house. Needless to say I have been "chasing my tail". Paperwork, phone calls, etc. It was made a lot worse because my scanner doesn't work and email was up and down on Tuesday and Wednesday. I was able to take documents to the bank and get them sent and went to the title company and got the help I needed on the sale of this house. It is pretty simple because he is paying cash.
Anyway, how cool is that?? I never would have believed it if anyone had told me that is the way it would happen. One of the good things is I was able to negotiate a date for moving that will give me several days after the closing on the house and will allow me to still take my trip. So I can take until the 10th of April to move. That takes some of the pressure off.
I have to go to Dallas on Monday for the inspection on the property. Hopefully it will turn out good. Hate to think about having to start over on that end.
Cowboy had dental work on Tuesday so I went over to be there at 8:30. He had a deep cleaning on one side of his mouth and a filling. On the 19th they will deep clean the other side and fill the other two teeth. He did pretty well but he bled a lot. Afterwards we went back to his room and he was rather worn out and started napping. Said he felt OK but I stayed for a couple of hours to be sure he wasn't bleeding or uncomfortable.
I told Cowboy about the move again and he said he is OK with it. I am not sure if he gets it but so be it.
I am planning to go see Cowboy tomorrow but the weather forecast is for it to be below freezing and maybe some sleet and snow. Will have to play it by ear. Will either not go or go later if it is bad in the morning.
Monday afternoon I got a call from a friend who knew I was going to move through this blog. She had a friend looking for a house so she suggested he call me. He came over late Monday, looked at the house and made me an offer.
I had made an appointment with the real estate agent for Tuesday morning but didn't need to keep that appointment. Just sold him the house.
That same day got a counter offer on the house in Arlington. It was not going to work for us so we countered back. This went on through yesterday when we finally reached a deal. So in four days I sold a house and bought a house. Needless to say I have been "chasing my tail". Paperwork, phone calls, etc. It was made a lot worse because my scanner doesn't work and email was up and down on Tuesday and Wednesday. I was able to take documents to the bank and get them sent and went to the title company and got the help I needed on the sale of this house. It is pretty simple because he is paying cash.
Anyway, how cool is that?? I never would have believed it if anyone had told me that is the way it would happen. One of the good things is I was able to negotiate a date for moving that will give me several days after the closing on the house and will allow me to still take my trip. So I can take until the 10th of April to move. That takes some of the pressure off.
I have to go to Dallas on Monday for the inspection on the property. Hopefully it will turn out good. Hate to think about having to start over on that end.
Cowboy had dental work on Tuesday so I went over to be there at 8:30. He had a deep cleaning on one side of his mouth and a filling. On the 19th they will deep clean the other side and fill the other two teeth. He did pretty well but he bled a lot. Afterwards we went back to his room and he was rather worn out and started napping. Said he felt OK but I stayed for a couple of hours to be sure he wasn't bleeding or uncomfortable.
I told Cowboy about the move again and he said he is OK with it. I am not sure if he gets it but so be it.
I am planning to go see Cowboy tomorrow but the weather forecast is for it to be below freezing and maybe some sleet and snow. Will have to play it by ear. Will either not go or go later if it is bad in the morning.
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Sunday, February 2
Someone reminded me it was "groundhog day". Had not even thought about it. Have had a whirlwind week. Lots of stuff going on.
I have big news. I have decided to sell the house and move to the Dallas area. There are a number of reasons. We have two daughters, one son-in-law, eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren in the Dallas area. I miss them and want to more engaged with their lives and activities. They also need more of "Grandma" if you will. I have been thinking about this for a long time but had to sort through a number of things, not the least of which are my attachments here where I am.
My long term goal is to also have a place in New York where I have additional children and grandchildren but must mostly stay here for Cowboy for now.
I have been in Dallas the past four days, just returned today. Looked at a lot of properties and found one that I really like. Made an offer, already heard they didn't accept so are in negotiations.
The plan is that I will live in a large house with my youngest daughter. She recently acquired a promotion that will have her mostly gone for the next two years visiting remote sites for her company. She will be gone 75% of the time and we will buy a house that is large enough that we each have our own space. We found one that has the master downstairs for me and a large game room and three bedrooms upstairs for her, company, visiting grandchildren, etc. We made an offer but it was rejected today so we are in negotiations.
Her children are grown so it would just be the two of us. There is even a pool for the kids to enjoy. Don't have a clue whether it will work out but if not I will continue searching.
Stopped by to see Cowboy on the way home. The length of time to visit him after I move will increase but I have cut my visits to twice weekly and it is working out fine. He doesn't really have much sense of what day it is or how long since I last visited. He was fine with it. I doubt if he remembers we had the conversation tomorrow. Had lunch with him and it was very good. Every now and then they really outdo themselves and today both the stuffing and the brownie were excellent.
I have notified some of my close associates already and am working on notifying those remaining. This is hard. I love these folks and the fun we have together but I know this is the right thing to do.
Lots of work and frustrations ahead I suspect but life is what it is. Will try to do better and post more often so you know what is going on.
I have big news. I have decided to sell the house and move to the Dallas area. There are a number of reasons. We have two daughters, one son-in-law, eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren in the Dallas area. I miss them and want to more engaged with their lives and activities. They also need more of "Grandma" if you will. I have been thinking about this for a long time but had to sort through a number of things, not the least of which are my attachments here where I am.
My long term goal is to also have a place in New York where I have additional children and grandchildren but must mostly stay here for Cowboy for now.
I have been in Dallas the past four days, just returned today. Looked at a lot of properties and found one that I really like. Made an offer, already heard they didn't accept so are in negotiations.
The plan is that I will live in a large house with my youngest daughter. She recently acquired a promotion that will have her mostly gone for the next two years visiting remote sites for her company. She will be gone 75% of the time and we will buy a house that is large enough that we each have our own space. We found one that has the master downstairs for me and a large game room and three bedrooms upstairs for her, company, visiting grandchildren, etc. We made an offer but it was rejected today so we are in negotiations.
Her children are grown so it would just be the two of us. There is even a pool for the kids to enjoy. Don't have a clue whether it will work out but if not I will continue searching.
Stopped by to see Cowboy on the way home. The length of time to visit him after I move will increase but I have cut my visits to twice weekly and it is working out fine. He doesn't really have much sense of what day it is or how long since I last visited. He was fine with it. I doubt if he remembers we had the conversation tomorrow. Had lunch with him and it was very good. Every now and then they really outdo themselves and today both the stuffing and the brownie were excellent.
I have notified some of my close associates already and am working on notifying those remaining. This is hard. I love these folks and the fun we have together but I know this is the right thing to do.
Lots of work and frustrations ahead I suspect but life is what it is. Will try to do better and post more often so you know what is going on.
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Sunday, January 26
Thursday turned out interesting. It turned very cold and by evening it was sleeting. Woke up Friday to a little bit of snow and a lot of ice. They are not prepared for that sort of thing around here. Not a good idea to get out.
On Friday it was cold but above freezing and driving improved. Friday night we had a neighborhood party with a pot luck of soups, salads and desserts. It was a lot of fun but the turnout was down. I am sure it was because of the weather. We played a form of a scavenger hunt at our tables where you have to come up with the items from the people at your table. Things like a gum wrapper, a paper clip, a cell phone, a doggie bag, etc. Then we got a lesson in line dancing. Cowboy and I used to line dance at the Senior Center in Okla and I could almost remember some things. Worked up a sweat pretty quickly.
We practice Saturday morning for the Sunday concert and then I went to see Cowboy. He was in his room and had had breakfast in his room. He had not done that for months so it surprised me.
They told me he did have lunch in the dining room. He didn't want to go outside and walk so we watched TV. There was an old western on and he was really into it. I had brought him a handful of "Thin Mints", the Girl Scout cookie that I had bought from a neighbor.
Saturday night my friend from the home came by to finish up the list of chores he had started a few days back. We pulled out the stove and cleaned behind it, pulled out the fridge and cleaned behind it, changed a couple of light bulbs, moved over some pictures in the living room and cleaned under the furniture in there real well. I have a cleaning service once a month but they don't do those sorts of things and it had been a couple of years I think. At least the list is finished. I am going back to my former handyman. This fellow is just not terribly dependable.
We had our concert today. There were about 350 people there so a nice audience. It went pretty well. There are always a few glitches but we just a bunch of old folks after all. Several people came up after and said they really enjoyed it so that makes you feel like it is worth it. We raised money for the local food bank as well as donations of food.
After we went to one of our members houses and drank wine, ate homemade vegetable soup and an assortment of things brought by the members. Too many desserts but thoroughly enjoyed every bite.
I am pretty worn out tonight. Will probably turn in soon.
On Friday it was cold but above freezing and driving improved. Friday night we had a neighborhood party with a pot luck of soups, salads and desserts. It was a lot of fun but the turnout was down. I am sure it was because of the weather. We played a form of a scavenger hunt at our tables where you have to come up with the items from the people at your table. Things like a gum wrapper, a paper clip, a cell phone, a doggie bag, etc. Then we got a lesson in line dancing. Cowboy and I used to line dance at the Senior Center in Okla and I could almost remember some things. Worked up a sweat pretty quickly.
We practice Saturday morning for the Sunday concert and then I went to see Cowboy. He was in his room and had had breakfast in his room. He had not done that for months so it surprised me.
They told me he did have lunch in the dining room. He didn't want to go outside and walk so we watched TV. There was an old western on and he was really into it. I had brought him a handful of "Thin Mints", the Girl Scout cookie that I had bought from a neighbor.
Saturday night my friend from the home came by to finish up the list of chores he had started a few days back. We pulled out the stove and cleaned behind it, pulled out the fridge and cleaned behind it, changed a couple of light bulbs, moved over some pictures in the living room and cleaned under the furniture in there real well. I have a cleaning service once a month but they don't do those sorts of things and it had been a couple of years I think. At least the list is finished. I am going back to my former handyman. This fellow is just not terribly dependable.
We had our concert today. There were about 350 people there so a nice audience. It went pretty well. There are always a few glitches but we just a bunch of old folks after all. Several people came up after and said they really enjoyed it so that makes you feel like it is worth it. We raised money for the local food bank as well as donations of food.
After we went to one of our members houses and drank wine, ate homemade vegetable soup and an assortment of things brought by the members. Too many desserts but thoroughly enjoyed every bite.
I am pretty worn out tonight. Will probably turn in soon.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Wednesday, January 22
Went to see Cowboy this morning. He was in his room and watching TV. Had not been out. It is pretty chilly out today. We looked at the comics and talked a little bit and then I got him in his jacket and out the door for some fresh air. It really wasn't bad in the sunshine. We walked around for a while and then went back in. There was a fellow there playing the guitar and singing. He was terrible but everyone was listening to him anyway. They were also tossing a balloon around and there were probably six or so of the residents engaged in that. It made for an upbeat and happy environment.
After a spell the guitar player quit and it got much quieter. There was some soft music playing in the background and the TV was muted. \
I went over and talked to a couple of the wives for a few minutes. A pleasant morning.
I forgot to turn in my lunch ticket so when lunch came out I didn't get any. Woe is me..... Anyway after Cowboy ate we went back to his room and in no time he was sleepy and dozing off. I decided to leave and go get some lunch. I like Sonic and there was one on the way home so I stopped there.
Lots of family issues going on right now. Spent a lot of time on the telephone with two grandsons and my daughter. Rather complicated and took the rest of my day.
Plan to stay in the next couple of days and get some things done. Have to prepare food for a neighborhood party Friday night and then have practice Saturday and the concern on Sunday. Will be glad when it is all behind me.
After a spell the guitar player quit and it got much quieter. There was some soft music playing in the background and the TV was muted. \
I went over and talked to a couple of the wives for a few minutes. A pleasant morning.
I forgot to turn in my lunch ticket so when lunch came out I didn't get any. Woe is me..... Anyway after Cowboy ate we went back to his room and in no time he was sleepy and dozing off. I decided to leave and go get some lunch. I like Sonic and there was one on the way home so I stopped there.
Lots of family issues going on right now. Spent a lot of time on the telephone with two grandsons and my daughter. Rather complicated and took the rest of my day.
Plan to stay in the next couple of days and get some things done. Have to prepare food for a neighborhood party Friday night and then have practice Saturday and the concern on Sunday. Will be glad when it is all behind me.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Sunday, January 19
We had dulcimer practice yesterday. Almost three hours. That is too long. It is hard to sit and play for that long. Concert is one week away.
I drove up to see Cowboy and took him some fresh cherries. Before you could "boo" he had eaten every one. I made sure it wasn't a lot of them and that is good.
The home is all torn up at the moment and they are remodeling the nurses station. It was OK yesterday because workmen aren't there on the weekend but they say it is really noisy when they are working.
Beautiful day, about 70. We went outside and walked for a while and then sat outside for a while. Back to his room and some TV. He fell asleep around 3 and I woke him and said goodbye and left. He seems quite content.
Hope to spend some time with the paper and take a long walk today. Also have some chores to do around here.
I drove up to see Cowboy and took him some fresh cherries. Before you could "boo" he had eaten every one. I made sure it wasn't a lot of them and that is good.
The home is all torn up at the moment and they are remodeling the nurses station. It was OK yesterday because workmen aren't there on the weekend but they say it is really noisy when they are working.
Beautiful day, about 70. We went outside and walked for a while and then sat outside for a while. Back to his room and some TV. He fell asleep around 3 and I woke him and said goodbye and left. He seems quite content.
Hope to spend some time with the paper and take a long walk today. Also have some chores to do around here.
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