Saturday, July 16, 2022

So sorry that CC is feeling some seller's remorse. It is pretty normal for anyone to have serious second thoughts about major life changes. I had that same feeling around the marriage and selling my Florida home, but I really am super happy about those decisions now. And I hope your Dad gets better soon. It is disturbing when an older person can't seem to pull out of an illness. Fear about that is probably fueling your overall feelings about the move as well.

Yesterday I bought a few things for the house which made me feel more at home. I really have a serious need to put a stamp on things. I had already bought the bedding set before we got here. This week I brought back a lamp for the bedroom from my house. Yesterday I got an umbrella for the deck table so I could sit out there in the heat of the day. It helped that they were 50% off yesterday. I also cut lots of the beautiful hydrangeas around the house and put them into pots and glasses that I repurposed as vases. I bought some better cleaning materials for the bathroom and cleaned it. I have been slowly reducing some of the clutter around that truly bugs me. I don't think Mike has noticed the interior stuff much though of course the umbrella was rather evident.

Justice is getting more comfortable with some running freedom daily. He flies around the beach in the morning. Though he has always stayed in the yard up to now, he took off after a fox came into the yard last night. Mike and I then chased Justice of course. He did come to our calls a couple of houses over. Whew!

Laundry, beach, golf (for Mike), and date night tonight. Have a satisfying Saturday!

Off to help with my Aunt and Uncles tag sale! More later.

Liz, Seems like it is more than overdue for you to add your style to your home with Mike. Probably was hard to do when there was a "tenant". An umbrella for the deck is a must.

CC I think you are truly brave to do what you are doing. You wanted to create a life that fit you better, and you are out in the world doing it. I can't imagine one could do that without feeling scared and overwhelmed at times.

The tag sale was a lot of work, and some fun too. It's funny what gets chosen and what doesn't. Things I thought that would sell immediately generated little interest. Some of the beautiful antiques were admired, but not purchased. Other lovely pieces were sold at a fraction of their original value. My Aunt said you have to be satisfied that you enjoyed it, and now its going to someone else who maybe could not afford it otherwise.

Yesterday we toured an historic house and grounds called Castle Hill. It was the summer home of the Crane family, who donated the house and grounds to Ipswich. It is run by a Trustee Group. Simply beautiful grounds. You could see Crane Beach from the grounds, the one you have to buy a $40 pass in advance if you want to visit. We joked that for our $10 admission they let us look at it and all the "rich" people enjoying it.

Tonight we are going out for Greek food if there are still reservations to be had. Tomorrow, we might want to go to a movie. Monday possibly the non rich people's beach, Pavilion Beach if the weather is good.

Greetings all

Not much new here. Spent some time in the studio making my slug figures. Not too exciting. We started watching a show "Hacks" which is pretty funny.

So I am sitting here planning how to get rid of stuff and get the house picked up. Somehow I plan but never quite get it done. Must consider the obstacles and remove them. Too many papers laying around. Ditto clothes, boxes and dog toys. Poppy jumped in the bed with muddy feet today so thats one mess that needs immediate attention and a trip to the laundry mat.

CC a little bit of regret is pretty normal. But remember you spend a great deal of time making this decision and it was well thought out. I know you will have a ton of fun exploring your new surroundings. Finding the coffee shop you like, trails and shops. And the thought of having your own pool! I bet that cleaner smell disappears soon enough. What does desert smell like? Not sure I can imagine that. Anyway keep us updated.

DD hope the tag sale went well. Thanks for the pick of the fancy house. Looks like a fun tour.

Liz there is a tracking dog collar called FI so you can electronically track your dog. I think it is used a lot for hunting dogs.

Peps hope you are enjoying the dog show and winning! And that the Goat behaves.

Well nothing will get done if I don't go do it. My brother, Mr. Persnickity, is threatening to come up here and visit and bring his little dog. Thats all good but the house and yard are a disaster and must be addressed. I think I have convinced DH that we must hire yard work done as its too much for him now. So onward with this. Now if I could just get him to eat grocery store roasted chicken.

Diane S

Ohh, I do hope you convince him to hire yard work out. What luxury to have it tended nicely on a regular basis. My DH is skilled in home repairs and yard work, so he never wants to hire anyone, but it sometimes takes FOREVER for things to get done. Live my dreams for me and hire a lawn service :)

Sedona is at 4350 ft, so it's got a lot of pines and cottonwood trees mixed in with the cactus. The backyard of my rental has a lot of big pine trees. At 100 degrees it smells like hot pines!

I think it's their laundry detergent. (There is a HUGE container of it in the garage, which gets very hot and perfumed with detergent smell). I just got back to CA (trying to break myself of saying "home") and I turned around fast and I can smell it in my hair from sleeping on the sheets. So first thing when I get back is rewashing sheets and towels with my detergent!

My dad got released today. His creatinine is still high, but much improved. He's thrilled. Claudia said it almost got ugly this morning when they weren't getting a move on to get his Ivs out.

I've got a headache from all the bright sun driving (and maybe a little dehydrated). So I'm going to shower and take a nap.

Hope everyone is doing well and thank you for your kind words! I know it will all work out, it's just that now the hard work starts!