October Ushers in the Holiday Season!

 Well, a chaotic month has flown by, ushering in the holiday season which whizzes by even faster. I have to confess to not being in the mood for any of them. Maybe it will improve as the festivities arrives.

I had been thinking that I've sat at home so long that the thought of getting out and doing anything became daunting, intimidating. So, on Monday (9/20) I set off for a trip to Savannah to check out an Indian grocery (which the guy at our new, favorite Indian restaurant told me about) and an Adli grocery store. The only problem is that it was the rainiest day we have had all year. It blagged it down!! I would not be deterred and scoped out both places to my heart's content. Other than the rain it was a successful outing and proved that I can still do it!! My question is whether the intimidation I felt before venturing out again on my own was a product of being cloistered away on my own for so long or a product of aging?? Is anyone else feeling this?

The following week (9/28), I had my roof redone. That created more anxiety for Rosie than for me, but we took it in our stride. One morning I was in the kitchen all morning and I brought her bed in with me and she slept there all morning. When the crew took their lunch break, she ventured into the sunroom for a nap and then joined me on the sofa when they started up again. One day we spent most of the day away, so that gave us both some relief. All went well. It was a great crew, though the foreman looked like he was 12 years old! They worked steadily and did a great cleanup job. No complaints whatso ever and I'm glad to get it done.

The big news is that Donna has a new car! A bright, shiny, red Honda CR-V! Here's the story. I've been thinking about it for a while because, while my 2006 RAV-4 was fine around town, I no longer felt confident doing longer trips. So, on Monday (9/27) I struck out to look at Hondas, Hyundais, Subaru, and Toyotas. I was dressed as I normally slob around the house because I had no intention of going inside. I'd just browse the lot and expect a salesman to join me to answer my quesitons. Well, Honda had NO 2021s! I thought it would be a good time to look for 2021s, but little did I know the full extent of the chip shortage! They had one grey, used CR-V with 27,000 miles on it. So, on I go to the Hyundai dealership - same situation. Then on to Subaru. They, too, had no 2020s or 2021s but the guy said that he could sell anything in the whole mall, "let me check my computer." In the meantime, he asked what I was looking for - a real color (not black,white,grey), fabric seats, all the new safety features,etc. I told him this was going to be my last car and I wanted all the bells and whistles. He, who looked 12, made a sad face and said, "dont think that!" I told him I might live another 40 years but at 115 I would not be driving! That lightened him up a bit. He worked his magic and said that the VW dealership had a used, red, 2021 Honda CR-V, did I want to look at it. Why not? He got someone to take him over and he was back in a few minutes. He came in and said "it was meant to be," it even has fabric seats!! So, I looked and took it for a spin, and it was like new, with only 9300 miles on it! There really was no deal to be had, nor would I likely even find another like this for a long time. So, by the end of the day, I drove it home! As I said earlier, I was not really presentable but also I had done nothing to clean, empty, prepare my car for trade-in. I felt so  bad about that, but they didn't seem to mind!

The story doesn't end there. My intention was to withdraw funds from an annuity and pay for it outright, but it would take time to transfer funds. They were satisfied with a deposit, so the next day I called my financial advisor to tell him what I'd done and whether my plan was better than financing. He went with it and I got all of the paperwork ready to submit to the Lincoln Financial. Normally, I would fax it, but since I not longer have a landline, I scanned everything and sent it by email. You guessed it - I sent the email without the attachment! Every day I check the Lincoln Financial site and nothing is happening. Finally, on Friday I call and they tell me they received the email with no attachment. I correct that immediately! Even so, that delays things a week - it's the end of the month for the dealership, in addtition to that they have been sold to AutoNation and are consolidating financial loose ends, changing computer systems, etc. It could not have happened at a worse time and it was all my fault! The guy I was dealing with at Subaru was patient, but I knew he was under pressure and I felt the same. I provided them with verification of the annuity and got someone at LF to confirm that things were actually in progress. Finally, Friday (10/8) the funds were in my account and I was able to provide them with a check. Everyone involved was relieved!

One little funny aside: When I told my financial guy what I'd done and after the shock wore off  (for both of us!), he asked what I'd gotten. When I told him it was a CR-V, he said they wree great cars. Both he and his wife have one and his has 300,000 miles on it. I told him the story of the Sabura guy's response to this being my last car, and that he, my financial guy, gave me hope that I might live long enough to put 300,000 miles on this car!! He got a chuckle at that.

Other than the new roof and car, I've just been busy with the usual things. Tippy and I did our Kenya and Tanzania presentation for OLLI/Beaufort, which is always fun. Lots of eating out - and by that, I mean at restaurants but outside - with friends. Just this week, Chris and I welcomed back the chef at Olive and Fig. The restaurant has been closed for about 2 months due to his diagnosis of colon cancer. He had surgery at Duke and appeared to have lost a little weight (had just had his first chemo treatment), but otherwise seemed well and happy to be back. Maria and Mark, my neighbors across the street, and I went for Indian again, and the Pandemic Pals got together on Friday without Lynn and Tom. Lynn called at the last minute to say that Tom was having some type of episode and they would not attend. Later that evening they called 911 and he was taken to the hospital. He was home the next morning and I haven't seen them personally yet, but he says all is well. And, just this morning I met Tippy at First Watch for a late breakfast. At this rate, there is no chance of losing weight!! I'm not sure what will happen with being able to eat out once the Covid and cooler weather so we may as well enjoy it while we can.

I can't leave without sharing a little Rosie with you! This is squirrel spotting and you can see the intensity. You can also the whiteness around her muzzle.It's hard to believe that my baby girl is almost 7 now! 

And something for kitty lovers! You remember the glamor shot I had done of Rosie? Well, my friend Rhonda had one done of their recently deceased kitty, Olivia, for her husband's birthday. It's hard to beat the original photo of Olovia peaking out of the tub, but I thought it turned out well. I hope Bryan liked it.

Peace and Love to All.

Stay safe and well.