It's All Happening Very Fast!

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.

Birthday and Snow Day!

Yes, we have snow! And, it's cold! Yesterday, when we woke up to snow-covered ground, I decided to stay in my PJs and robe all day long...and loved it. I can't remember the last time I did that, but I knew no one would come to my door. When it was time for Rosie's walk, I put her harness on (no jacket) and walked her to the snow at the edge of the porch. She took a few steps on the snow and turned right around, as I knew she would! The next time, I suited her up and she was ready to venture forth, with only partial success (a long pee!). I stood on the porch and let her go as far as the extendable leash would allow! It was on the third try around 4 PM that we finally had success! 

I got dressed this morning to take her for a real walk, but the snow had turned to ice and I didn't want to risk a fall. So, we just diddled around a little in the yard. I think we are both over it!! I'm not sure how long it will take for things to get back to normal as we still have three nights down in the 20s.

I'm not sure what I did wrong to have a birthday coinciding with trump's inauguration, but I promise, I will never do it again! Actually, thanks to wonderful friends, it was a fun day as we were all happy to have a diversion. Lynn and Chris were kind enough to provide lunch for some of my favorite people - Rhonda, Sally, Maria, and Mark. Tippy and Kieran were missed, and I hope Tippy will be her sassy self at my next one! There seemed to be a theme to gifts, which provided lots of laughs and comments, especially the trump toilet paper and poop bags. I just hate that anyone spent a penny on anything pertaining to him, but I appreciate their thoughtfulness. We had a delicious lunch followed by a beautiful and tasty chocolate birthday cake. Lynn was gracious enough to only put one candle on it! We all took some of it home with us to enjoy later. It really was a fun afternoon and a great birthday. When I move, these are the people I will miss. Wherever you are, it's the people who make life liveable and enjoyable, and I've been blessed with the best! Thank you, my friends!

Speaking of moving, before the storm, things had just begun to move. On the previous Thursday, as I was going to an appointment, my realtor texted to ask if someone could view the house in an hour and a half. I knew I could not make my appointment and get the house ready in time, so after nothing had happened since the first week of the month, I had to decline! The next day, I had two showings. The next two days, there was a showing each day, with one of them being a return visit. They wanted to put an offer contingent on their selling a home in Florida, which won't work with my plans. Even so, I'm glad things are moving and hope I can get it sold before trump tanks the economy. Send good juju my way! 👍

The surprise party came when I received a text from my cousin Dennis and his wife Carol. They would be on Daufeskie Island and asked if I'd be able to join them for lunch on Friday when they came to Hilton Head. It had been such a long time since I'd seen them, and I was delighted to get together. They were traveling with their daughter Amanda and two grandchildren, so it was a lively gathering. We met up at Java Burrito Company for a hearty lunch, but little did I know that they had a birthday hat, a muffin with a candle, a birthday card, and a lovely necklace made by Carol. They sang Happy Birthday, joined by folks in the restaurant. Cued by the hat, everyone along the way kept wishing me a happy birthday! It was fun! And it was good to see them after such a long time. I still have no idea how they knew it was my birthday, and I was certainly taken by surprise. I'm happy that they make the effort to get together whenever in the area.

I was also pleased to hear from family and friends far and wide - by cards, text, phone, and on Facebook. It was great to hear from everyone. Thank you so much!

“Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget.” —G. Randolf

I'm pleased to announce that Paula, a friend from Saudi days whom many of you know, has a book out! Being a longtime dog lover and having volunteered at an animal rescue in Spain, she decided to write a book about rescue doggies.....and Rosie's story is in it! I was finally about to get a copy through Amazon and, naturally the first thing I did was look for Rosie's story!  Second-Hand Dogs is a compilation of short stories of people and the doggies they adopted from a shelter. It is quite impressive! There are more stories than I expected and it must have been a chore to request and gather them all, as well as editing, permissions, etc. Anyway, interspersed with the stories are "Words of Wisdom", or well-known quotes about dogs. Then at the end, she has practical and helpful advice for anyone interested in adopting a shelter dog. I was very impressed by it all and I hope Paula is pleased with the finished product. It was quite an undertaking, but I for one and so glad she met the challenge. It's a lovely book for any dog lover.

There have been the usual - well, with the holidays, more than usual gatherings with friends. Chris had us over for Christmas lunch. Then Maria & Mark included me when they hosted their trivia group, most of whom are democrats who I also know. On my walk home, I found this surprise at my door! A nice selection of nuts and dried fruit from Jim in Sarasota! Totally unexpected, but such a nice treat! I miss seeing him and Anthony as they traveled between DC and FL, and I do hope we can catch up soon. Jim, thank you so much!

Maria and Mark also had a gathering for democrats in the neighborhood. They were pleased to have a great turnout. Rhonda and I have gotten together here for a good natter, as well as Melodie and her friends Josie and Kristen for Indian food. There are also three ladies in the neighborhood with whom I get together, and one just had a big party to celebrate her 80th. Makes me feel good to know I'm not the oldest one around!! All in all, it's been busy but lots of fun.

With the colder weather, Rosie's wardrobe has expanded. I'm impressed with her new jacket, which is fleece-lined and better made than mine! I have finally found a thunder shirt that fits her and I think it is going to help. I've only used it once when she began to shiver and it seemed to keep her calm. Her indoor animal print sweater was a gift from Maria and Mark. She has needed something heavier through much of the winter, but it has been perfect for inside the house on these snowy days.

When the house is being shown, Rosie and I have to be out. One day we went to Jarvis Creek Park, where we discovered a feral cat colony, and the lady was there feeding them. I loved the photo of the walkway with the leaves. Unfortunately, since it is a raised walkway, Rosie wouldn't walk it, so that's as much as we saw! That's your Rosie update! She sends her love!

I'm sure you've seen the news and know the hateful chaos that is happening as we descend into Fascism. I'm not sure how the democratic process failed the republican party and those in it, but they sure seem to hate this country and most people in it. It has gone so far that I truly fear for our future. I don't know what else to say. It's sad. Keep the faith!