No, I haven't faded from the scene. Things are just happening very fast! As of last Wednesday (2/26/25) around 9 PM, my house went under contract! While that's good news (I hope) things have been happening fast and furiously since then. On Saturday, I had someone come by to power wash the house. While he was here, Mr. Nasser Shaheen came to give me an estimate
for a floor repair in the kitchen. With a Middle Eastern background and knowledge of carpets, we had a lovely conversation about that and other things. These are two carpets that I won't have room for and will have to unload. He took photos and asked me not to do anything with them before talking with him. He correctly identified two of my carpets, so I feel like he knows what he's talking about. His stopping by turned out to be a gift in several ways.That took up much of Saturday, so I was happy when Maria and Mark invited Rosie and me over for wine in the afternoon. We had a lovely visit, as always. When I left their house, I saw a service van in my driveway! Mr. Shaheen had sent his guys over to repair the kitchen flooring! So, by the end of the day, I was pooped!! It's been something like that almost every day!
Tuesday was the house inspection, which was really nerve-wracking as it feels like impending doom! My realtor said it would last a couple of hours, but it took three! I had some errands to run and then thought I'd take Rosie to the park. Just as we were about to head out, it started to mist and then quickly turned into a steady drizzle. I managed to get the errands done, but since we couldn’t go for a walk, we ended up sitting in the car for a long time listening to my audiobook, which put Rosie to sleep! We were happy to get home and settled in for the night!
I haven't heard from the inspection, but should hear from them today (Thursday) or tomorrow. I know they found some moisture coming in a window, one which I've had issues with before. I'm hoping the findings will be minimal otherwise. The buyers attended the inspection, along with a brother. They also included a flooring contractor. Since the inspection, they have sent over someone to check the roof (which is only a couple of years old and still under warranty), and someone else to check the windows again! Keep your fingers crossed that I survive this without major concessions! So, that's where we are. If all goes well, we will close on April 10, and I'll be at my new location! Yikes!
The other thing I've done is sell some gold jewelry. Ladies, now's the time. I was stunned and amazed at what I got for it, and I still have the stuff I really wear! While these are all lovely pieces, I just never wore them. I read a book recently titled something like A Year With Less, and she said that often we buy things for our Idea Selves. Things that fit into the vision of our perfect life but really aren't practical for our real life. That's where this jewelry fell (along with a lot of other stuff I'm finding as I downsize!). My relaxed, casual lifestyle just doesn't lend itself to wearing it. The necklace and bracelet at the top were my gift to myself before leaving Saudi. In all these years, I can count on one hand how often I've worn them! It's just something I had to do without looking back!!
Before all of this started to happen, I did manage to get together with Sharon for our monthly catch up. Chris and I went to one of our favorite haunts (Olive & Fig), as well as trying a new Thai restaurant (Thai Two), which we enjoyed. I also visited Tippy several times, though it's been a few weeks since we've seen each other with all that is happening for both of us. One day I got a text from her saying she wanted to talk by phone or get together to discuss miracles, angels, and the purpose of life!! That sounded too deep for a phone conversation, so I went over on the weekend. We had a wonderful conversation about all of those, as well as some peripheral topics! It was wonderful and gave me food for thought for days after.
Since Covid and the first trump term, when I couldn't sit and focus on anything, I got into audiobooks, and I love them! Well, I've just discovered Donna Leon and her Commissario Brunetti series! I love them and am on about my 6th book. Leon is such a descriptive writer, with great characters you grow to love. There often appears to be some social commentary, the family and work relationships are delightful, descriptions of scrumptious Italian meals, and it is set in Venice! What's not to like? All of this is brought together by the fantastic reader! I keep one lined up to listen to while I wait for books that are on hold to arrive. It's an enjoyable interlude. Folks were talking about Liane Moriarty's Here One Minute, which I found tedious, except for the ending....but a lot to wade through to get there. Then came The Crow Trap by Ann Cleeves. Well, I was into Part 2 of the book before realizing it was a Vera Stanhope mystery! So, I've discovered another prolific mystery writer that I like. If you've got favorites, let me know.I recently discovered something that age will prevent me from doing again. A friend asked me to pick her up at the Savannah airport last week. She was to arrive at 6 PM. Well, six turned into 8 PM on a dark, rainy night. With the heavy traffic, lights, rain, glare, large blinding signs, poorly marked lanes, etc, I scared myself and I'm sure I scared her!! We got home safely, but I won't be doing that again!
Recently, Pamela from the Clinton Presbyterian Community, where I am moving, sent a video of my new place to let me see the progress. It's almost done, so if all goes well and we close on April 10, the timing should be perfect. You can take a look at it HERE. it's my new "tiny home", but once I'm pared down, moved, and settled in, I think it will be perfect for this stage of life. The video was made right after the snow, so the exterior will look better as spring arrives. This week we are beginning to see signs of it, and it's great to see the color arrive.
Update: Days have passed since I began this, and we just yesterday, late in the day, got the inspection and requests. In the meantime, I've heard everyone's horrible inspection stories. One referred to his inspection as the "colonoscopy of inspections". Another said to just rest assured they will piss you off! I can identify with all of that! It looks like they are nit-picking, as I expected once they started sending people out to check various things after the inspection was done. My realtor came over last night at 5:30 and we went over everything. I now have a list of people to contact tomorrow morning to follow up with some of the issues. I had no idea the inspection process would take this long and it's eating into time I will need for packing! Yikes! This, too, shall pass! Please keep me in your thoughts.