Heidy-Ho, Blogging Pals!! Hope this post finds you all well.
We are still working to complete the "final touchup" on the bathroom work. There will be photos and explanations in the near future. There will also be an assessment of the vendors selected to do the jobs.
In the meantime, I wanted to share something with you all that really struck me. No... it wasn't a lightning bolt although we do get some healthy ones around here. :)
I was completing my morning walk the other day. The street I was walking on dead-ends into another street. I have met and chatted with the folks in the last house on the right as I walk as well as the folks who live across the second street and one house down. (Don't worry... it isn't important that you see this in your head.) Both couples are retired and enjoy working in their yards. That's how I met them! The gentleman in the last house on my right had explained he had been maintaining the yard across from him as the owner had passed away and the house had been placed on the market. Don't think this is a postage-stamp-sized lot. This is a good 1/2 to 3/4 of an acre with a lot of trees, shrubs, plants, etc. He has been mowing the lawn and maintaining all of those plants... without pay... just to keep it looking nice. I say there is a local Realtor that owes him big-time!
At any rate... as I was approaching the end of the street I was walking on, I saw both couples out working in a different yard!! I stopped to chat and found that the house's owner was in the hospital in Houston and there wasn't anyone to do the yard... so these two couples had decided to do just that. They had coordinated their schedules and were out leaf-raking, leaf-blowing, and mowing. It was a well-oiled machine-like team. When I went by later in the day, I saw a very nicely manicured yard. These folks, with their own yards and their own issues (one of the ladies has very bad knees), had acted in the very best meaning of "Love Thy Neighbor" and the Golden Rule. With no thought other than how the owner of this home would wish he could take care of the yard but could not, they selflessly spent their morning allowing the owner to have one less thing to worry about. These are the truly good neighbors we all wish we had.
The next time you think one of your neighbors could use a little help, remember that doing something they aren't able to do at that time is the best thing you can do for them... and for others who witness your attitude. I always heard that our actions speak much louder than our words. They do.
Until next post...
Monday, February 28, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
BIG BOX UPDATE
Hello again, Blogging Buddies!!
Well... thought you might be interested in an update on the Big Box experience and the new bathroom vanity countertops.
So... when we last visited, my countertops were paid for but a glitch in the Big Box system had failed to generate a Purchase Order thus the countertops had not been ordered... I was told. After a refund to my credit card followed by yet another charge for the same countertops, I received a call that the delivery date for the tops (originally given as Feb 10) would be Feb 17 and I should hear from the contractor within 48 business hours of receipt of the tops to schedule the actual install. Looked like everything had slipped a week due to the ordering debacle. Fine. Whatever. Just get my countertops in and call me.
Last Friday, Feb 11th, I received a call from "Liz" at the Big Box advising that my countertops had arrived!! Hmmmm. So the receipt was only one day later than the original date quoted. Guess that's good. I asked "Liz" to please take a tape measure out to the countertops and measure the two-sink top. It should be 12.5 inches to the center of the sink at either end from their respective end. Much huffing and puffing later, "Liz" called me to advise that she measured 12 inches from one end and 13 inches from the other end. Okay. Does that mean the average is 12.5 inches which is what I need? Sigh. Anyway, I told "Liz" I wanted to visit the tops before they left the store in order to set one of the selected faucets in place to make SURE the faucet neck was long enough!! No problem. So... this morning, the spousal-unit and I headed north to the Big Box. We located Liz easily enough and went on a controlled visit to my new tops. A flip of the top and a setting of a faucet revealed that my eye had been accurate. The new faucets had plenty of clearance. (The problem with the exising units is that the faucet neck is so short, the water pours out just barely in front of the back of the sink! What you end up with, regardless of how careful you are, is a pooling of water around the base of the faucet which is unsightly and a pain to have to sop up every time one uses the faucet!! I figure this is a perfect time to remedy that problem.
That's the report for today! The painter did call last Friday and I am expecting to hear from him today to come by, size up the job I have, and bid it. The spousal-unit has replaced all 3 vanity light fixtures (2 over the dual-sink vanity and 1 over the single-sink vanity) and they all look just great. I think these minor changes are going to make a major difference. I'll try to get "before" and "after" shots for my HGTV-addicted friends. :)
Have a lovely week. Looks like the weather here is going to be wonderful and I am looking forward to it!!
Until next post...
Well... thought you might be interested in an update on the Big Box experience and the new bathroom vanity countertops.
So... when we last visited, my countertops were paid for but a glitch in the Big Box system had failed to generate a Purchase Order thus the countertops had not been ordered... I was told. After a refund to my credit card followed by yet another charge for the same countertops, I received a call that the delivery date for the tops (originally given as Feb 10) would be Feb 17 and I should hear from the contractor within 48 business hours of receipt of the tops to schedule the actual install. Looked like everything had slipped a week due to the ordering debacle. Fine. Whatever. Just get my countertops in and call me.
Last Friday, Feb 11th, I received a call from "Liz" at the Big Box advising that my countertops had arrived!! Hmmmm. So the receipt was only one day later than the original date quoted. Guess that's good. I asked "Liz" to please take a tape measure out to the countertops and measure the two-sink top. It should be 12.5 inches to the center of the sink at either end from their respective end. Much huffing and puffing later, "Liz" called me to advise that she measured 12 inches from one end and 13 inches from the other end. Okay. Does that mean the average is 12.5 inches which is what I need? Sigh. Anyway, I told "Liz" I wanted to visit the tops before they left the store in order to set one of the selected faucets in place to make SURE the faucet neck was long enough!! No problem. So... this morning, the spousal-unit and I headed north to the Big Box. We located Liz easily enough and went on a controlled visit to my new tops. A flip of the top and a setting of a faucet revealed that my eye had been accurate. The new faucets had plenty of clearance. (The problem with the exising units is that the faucet neck is so short, the water pours out just barely in front of the back of the sink! What you end up with, regardless of how careful you are, is a pooling of water around the base of the faucet which is unsightly and a pain to have to sop up every time one uses the faucet!! I figure this is a perfect time to remedy that problem.
That's the report for today! The painter did call last Friday and I am expecting to hear from him today to come by, size up the job I have, and bid it. The spousal-unit has replaced all 3 vanity light fixtures (2 over the dual-sink vanity and 1 over the single-sink vanity) and they all look just great. I think these minor changes are going to make a major difference. I'll try to get "before" and "after" shots for my HGTV-addicted friends. :)
Have a lovely week. Looks like the weather here is going to be wonderful and I am looking forward to it!!
Until next post...
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
BABBLING...
Heidy-Ho, Blogging Pals!! Welcome!!
A few things to impart to you about things here in southwest Louisiana.
First of all, I completed a series of Physical Therapy visits and am glad to report I am feeling a little better and a bit more confident. I think it was a good thing. I continue my morning walks 6 days each week and am on my way to dropping some of those nasty pounds that showed up when I was so inactive over the summer. :)
The Aunt celebrated a birthday February 1st. It was complete with an ice cream cake, flowers, balloons, and lots of cards. Even though the weather was less than stellar, I think it qualified as a good day!
Speaking of weather, it was 24 degrees outside when I left for my morning walk this morning. It was 25 degrees when I returned. This is NOT the balmy south I remember. I'll be filing my complaint as soon as I can find the appropriate form. As to Al Gore... get over yourself, Al. (You can read my rant to Al from LAST January by clicking on his name.)
So... let's talk about spelling. Yep. You read it right. Spelling. I know it is something that not everyone does well. I understand that. We all have strengths and challenges. Spelling happens to be one of my strengths so misspells catch my eye pretty quickly. I have to tell you, though... you would THINK that the job of editing a newspaper, filling out the marquee for the church, or filming and editing a television ad would REQUIRE someone who can spell... or at least has someone following behind them who can. Wouldn't you? Am I off-base here? Naw. I don't think so. Let me share a few of my most recent eye-catchers:
1) On the church marquee, I found "Saint Benedect" and "Greator" (in reference to greater glory). Now then... I Googled Benedect as I thought there was a slight possibility that there was a saint out there I was not familiar with who didn't want a name that sounded like a fancy egg dish! Nope. No "Saint Benedect" to be found. As to "Greator", I thought just MAYbe someone was being creative and combining "Creator" and "Greater" to coin a new and appropriate word for the marquee. Uh... no. I was right the first time. Bad spelling. *chuckle*
2) On the television, I have recently viewed two ads that just screamed "I probably shouldn't have this job!" relative to the party (or parties) responsible for proofing them. The first was for a local automobile dealership. The text across the lower left of the screen read "Derrider, La." That would be fine... except it is (and we are) in DeRidder, La. Yep. There is a double consonant in there... but the "r" ain't it!! LOL!! Another favorite is for a wood furniture place in the little town just north of here. It is Quality Wood Furniture. Great name. Tells you exactly what they have there... except the bottom of the television ad read "Quailty Wood Furniture." If one could make wood from the quail (an excellent eating bird!), perhaps that would work... but it doesn't... for a multitude of reasons.
Because there are just SO many misspells in the local paper, I don't even have a list. It's nearly every time I glance through it that one smacks me in the face. I don't know if it's deadlines or just staffing issues... but I have begun to think there is a church-going newspaper editor that moonlights making local commercials!! Sigh.
So... let's talk about making small changes in the home. Yep. Found a nice new sink and faucet I really liked. The Man (spousal-unit) agreed to install it. After all, it was the same size and basic shape of the existing one. How hard could it be? :) (Fortunately, he had asked me to line up the plumber we love here to help him drop it in as the new one is cast iron and a wee bit heavy!) When I arrived home three hours after the scheduled "quick drop-in", the plumber's truck was still in the driveway. This was not a good sign, folks. Turns out the plumbing underneath the existing sink had been done by someone who may have gone on to make local commercials!! It was so convoluted, they ended up having to completely replumb in order to make things fit and work. The most amusing part of this? Well, the fact that the plumber's bill was only $5 less than the cost of the new sink comes to mind!! It's a good thing I haven't lost my sense of humor.
Finally, I want to share with you my current experience working with a "Big Box" home improvement store that is 30 miles away from here (meaning a one-hour round trip drive every time we go there). I will state that the folks I mention here have all been VERY nice and VERY helpful... and VERY apologetic. :) Here is the experience thus far:
Go to Big Box store.
Look at countertops to replace two cultured marble vanity countertops in a hall bath and a half-bath.
Give dimensions to Sales Person to get quote.
Wait for call from Contractor to come measure existing vanity tops.
Contractor comes out & measures.
Wait for call from Sales Person for final quote to do work.
Sales Person calls with quote and advises I must go there to "sign the contract" and pay.
A little more than an hour later, I have a receipt... but no new countertops.
Three days later, I am measuring for new mirrors in the two baths.
Notice the measurements to "center of sink" on the Contractor's hall bath sketch are not right.
Call Contractor and leave message regarding measurements.
Call Big Box Sales Person who advises he has heard from Contractor and Contractor will be back out to re-measure. (Does "Measure Twice, Cut Once" come to anyone else's mind?)
Contractor calls next day and advises he is going to come back to re-measure. Weather is awful.
Contractor hems and haws a bit and asks if I am "sure" about my measurements? (Uh... yes?)
Contractor says he will use my measurements rather than drive down to re-measure. Okay. Your call (but I still assume no responsibility although I am right!).
Big Box Sales Person calls this morning to advise that new "center of sink" measurements will not allow for the rectangular sink configuration I want. Sigh. Fine. Oval it is.
Big Box New Person calls shortly after to advise that, even though I charged the full amount on my credit card, a PO (fortunately I knew that was a Purchase Order since she was using acronyms throughout the conversation) had NOT been generated by their system AND she needed to "refund" my credit card for the amount of the actual vanity tops then charge that amount again in order to generate a PO so the vendor would actually MAKE them!!! That became a longer conversation than it really needed to be but I hung in there.
I think there may eventually be two new vanity countertops in my home... but I'm really not sure about any of it.
It's just been so darned much fun lately, I have not had time to post to the blog. I apologize for the length of this post... but didn't want you to miss out on any of the fun!!
Thanks for staying with me. Let me know if you need a plumber. I have a good one. My recommendations on other providers are yet to be determined!
Until next post...
A few things to impart to you about things here in southwest Louisiana.
First of all, I completed a series of Physical Therapy visits and am glad to report I am feeling a little better and a bit more confident. I think it was a good thing. I continue my morning walks 6 days each week and am on my way to dropping some of those nasty pounds that showed up when I was so inactive over the summer. :)
The Aunt celebrated a birthday February 1st. It was complete with an ice cream cake, flowers, balloons, and lots of cards. Even though the weather was less than stellar, I think it qualified as a good day!
Speaking of weather, it was 24 degrees outside when I left for my morning walk this morning. It was 25 degrees when I returned. This is NOT the balmy south I remember. I'll be filing my complaint as soon as I can find the appropriate form. As to Al Gore... get over yourself, Al. (You can read my rant to Al from LAST January by clicking on his name.)
So... let's talk about spelling. Yep. You read it right. Spelling. I know it is something that not everyone does well. I understand that. We all have strengths and challenges. Spelling happens to be one of my strengths so misspells catch my eye pretty quickly. I have to tell you, though... you would THINK that the job of editing a newspaper, filling out the marquee for the church, or filming and editing a television ad would REQUIRE someone who can spell... or at least has someone following behind them who can. Wouldn't you? Am I off-base here? Naw. I don't think so. Let me share a few of my most recent eye-catchers:
1) On the church marquee, I found "Saint Benedect" and "Greator" (in reference to greater glory). Now then... I Googled Benedect as I thought there was a slight possibility that there was a saint out there I was not familiar with who didn't want a name that sounded like a fancy egg dish! Nope. No "Saint Benedect" to be found. As to "Greator", I thought just MAYbe someone was being creative and combining "Creator" and "Greater" to coin a new and appropriate word for the marquee. Uh... no. I was right the first time. Bad spelling. *chuckle*
2) On the television, I have recently viewed two ads that just screamed "I probably shouldn't have this job!" relative to the party (or parties) responsible for proofing them. The first was for a local automobile dealership. The text across the lower left of the screen read "Derrider, La." That would be fine... except it is (and we are) in DeRidder, La. Yep. There is a double consonant in there... but the "r" ain't it!! LOL!! Another favorite is for a wood furniture place in the little town just north of here. It is Quality Wood Furniture. Great name. Tells you exactly what they have there... except the bottom of the television ad read "Quailty Wood Furniture." If one could make wood from the quail (an excellent eating bird!), perhaps that would work... but it doesn't... for a multitude of reasons.
Because there are just SO many misspells in the local paper, I don't even have a list. It's nearly every time I glance through it that one smacks me in the face. I don't know if it's deadlines or just staffing issues... but I have begun to think there is a church-going newspaper editor that moonlights making local commercials!! Sigh.
So... let's talk about making small changes in the home. Yep. Found a nice new sink and faucet I really liked. The Man (spousal-unit) agreed to install it. After all, it was the same size and basic shape of the existing one. How hard could it be? :) (Fortunately, he had asked me to line up the plumber we love here to help him drop it in as the new one is cast iron and a wee bit heavy!) When I arrived home three hours after the scheduled "quick drop-in", the plumber's truck was still in the driveway. This was not a good sign, folks. Turns out the plumbing underneath the existing sink had been done by someone who may have gone on to make local commercials!! It was so convoluted, they ended up having to completely replumb in order to make things fit and work. The most amusing part of this? Well, the fact that the plumber's bill was only $5 less than the cost of the new sink comes to mind!! It's a good thing I haven't lost my sense of humor.
Finally, I want to share with you my current experience working with a "Big Box" home improvement store that is 30 miles away from here (meaning a one-hour round trip drive every time we go there). I will state that the folks I mention here have all been VERY nice and VERY helpful... and VERY apologetic. :) Here is the experience thus far:
Go to Big Box store.
Look at countertops to replace two cultured marble vanity countertops in a hall bath and a half-bath.
Give dimensions to Sales Person to get quote.
Wait for call from Contractor to come measure existing vanity tops.
Contractor comes out & measures.
Wait for call from Sales Person for final quote to do work.
Sales Person calls with quote and advises I must go there to "sign the contract" and pay.
A little more than an hour later, I have a receipt... but no new countertops.
Three days later, I am measuring for new mirrors in the two baths.
Notice the measurements to "center of sink" on the Contractor's hall bath sketch are not right.
Call Contractor and leave message regarding measurements.
Call Big Box Sales Person who advises he has heard from Contractor and Contractor will be back out to re-measure. (Does "Measure Twice, Cut Once" come to anyone else's mind?)
Contractor calls next day and advises he is going to come back to re-measure. Weather is awful.
Contractor hems and haws a bit and asks if I am "sure" about my measurements? (Uh... yes?)
Contractor says he will use my measurements rather than drive down to re-measure. Okay. Your call (but I still assume no responsibility although I am right!).
Big Box Sales Person calls this morning to advise that new "center of sink" measurements will not allow for the rectangular sink configuration I want. Sigh. Fine. Oval it is.
Big Box New Person calls shortly after to advise that, even though I charged the full amount on my credit card, a PO (fortunately I knew that was a Purchase Order since she was using acronyms throughout the conversation) had NOT been generated by their system AND she needed to "refund" my credit card for the amount of the actual vanity tops then charge that amount again in order to generate a PO so the vendor would actually MAKE them!!! That became a longer conversation than it really needed to be but I hung in there.
I think there may eventually be two new vanity countertops in my home... but I'm really not sure about any of it.
It's just been so darned much fun lately, I have not had time to post to the blog. I apologize for the length of this post... but didn't want you to miss out on any of the fun!!
Thanks for staying with me. Let me know if you need a plumber. I have a good one. My recommendations on other providers are yet to be determined!
Until next post...
Sunday, January 16, 2011
SO FAR IN 2011...
Hello there, Blogging Buddies!!
Well, the holidays are (finally!) behind us and I have already been working to remove those extra pounds. Sigh. Why does that happen?!? Fortunately, the extras have been kind enough to begin going away and there weren't that many so I am happy with my efforts. I will keep it up as long as I continue to see results... even small ones.
I have been going to Physical Therapy for the past five weeks and have one more week to go. Once I got back to walking in the mornings and began doing stretches/moves/exercises that address my lower back situation, there has definitely been improvement. I remain optimistic about the situation and have decided I am simply going to have to live with the back I have. (I don't think they are doing back transplants yet.) So... it's okay.
We have been in the house here for 20 months and there are a few things I have decided I don't want to live with any longer. (These are the words that strike terror into the heart of the spousal-unit!) However... none of them are major or terribly expensive... so he has decided to be part of the solution. :) There are a few "home improvement" projects in the near future to while away the remaining winter hours. I will keep you posted as we go along.
The "tax organizers" have arrived... one from my CPA and one from the aunt's CPA. It's that time again. Oh goody. I have begun compiling the "Important Tax Information Enclosed" envelopes that begin arriving this time of year. Could we really start thinking about a "flat tax?" Please? It would make everyone's life SO much easier!! Oh... I forgot... what will we do with all of those IRS government employees?!?!? Never mind. It will never happen. Sigh.
Oh... and I want to tell you about a Customer Service experience that was a GOOD one. One of my aunt's friends, who recently moved to Florida, sent my aunt a big box of oranges from a local (Florida) provider. We opened them up and they were just awful. Seriously awful. There was absolutely no juice to them. They were a mess. So... I fired off a letter advising them of the lack of quality along with my opinion that their customer (my aunt's friend) would not be pleased to know this. I suggested they owed her a refund at the very least. It was only a short time later that a second box of oranges arrived at my aunt's house. While they still weren't stellar, they were certainly usable. I have used a few for smoothies and they are peeling them for my aunt to eat since they are edible. :) Now that I have confirmed the improvement, I will be sending the provider another letter letting them know of my appreciation. That was a nice experience. Too bad it isn't the norm!!
So that is what has taken place thus far this year with us. We will see what remains. There is lots of time!
Well, the holidays are (finally!) behind us and I have already been working to remove those extra pounds. Sigh. Why does that happen?!? Fortunately, the extras have been kind enough to begin going away and there weren't that many so I am happy with my efforts. I will keep it up as long as I continue to see results... even small ones.
I have been going to Physical Therapy for the past five weeks and have one more week to go. Once I got back to walking in the mornings and began doing stretches/moves/exercises that address my lower back situation, there has definitely been improvement. I remain optimistic about the situation and have decided I am simply going to have to live with the back I have. (I don't think they are doing back transplants yet.) So... it's okay.
We have been in the house here for 20 months and there are a few things I have decided I don't want to live with any longer. (These are the words that strike terror into the heart of the spousal-unit!) However... none of them are major or terribly expensive... so he has decided to be part of the solution. :) There are a few "home improvement" projects in the near future to while away the remaining winter hours. I will keep you posted as we go along.
The "tax organizers" have arrived... one from my CPA and one from the aunt's CPA. It's that time again. Oh goody. I have begun compiling the "Important Tax Information Enclosed" envelopes that begin arriving this time of year. Could we really start thinking about a "flat tax?" Please? It would make everyone's life SO much easier!! Oh... I forgot... what will we do with all of those IRS government employees?!?!? Never mind. It will never happen. Sigh.
Oh... and I want to tell you about a Customer Service experience that was a GOOD one. One of my aunt's friends, who recently moved to Florida, sent my aunt a big box of oranges from a local (Florida) provider. We opened them up and they were just awful. Seriously awful. There was absolutely no juice to them. They were a mess. So... I fired off a letter advising them of the lack of quality along with my opinion that their customer (my aunt's friend) would not be pleased to know this. I suggested they owed her a refund at the very least. It was only a short time later that a second box of oranges arrived at my aunt's house. While they still weren't stellar, they were certainly usable. I have used a few for smoothies and they are peeling them for my aunt to eat since they are edible. :) Now that I have confirmed the improvement, I will be sending the provider another letter letting them know of my appreciation. That was a nice experience. Too bad it isn't the norm!!
So that is what has taken place thus far this year with us. We will see what remains. There is lots of time!
Finally, a quick moment to remember my friend, Donna Hull, who left this world on January 14, 2010. I hope her family is doing well and is adjusting to their new world without her. She remains in my heart and they remain in my thoughts.
Love you, Donna!!Until next post...
Friday, December 31, 2010
LOOK OUT 2011!!!
Heidy-Ho, Blogging Buddies!!
Thank you for visiting with me this year. I hope you'll stay for 2011, as well. :)
As I sit here on New Year's Eve, knowing I won't make it anywhere near midnight before I fall soundly asleep, I find myself thinking of things over the past year and since I have returned to Louisiana. I'll share some of them with you now.
I will confess that I still miss my local Starbucks on Escarpment in Austin where I felt like "Norm" from "Cheers" when I walked in. Multiple "Hi, Mary!"s chorused from behind the bar. "Give me your cup" was a common theme even when the line was long for me to pay (I always took in my personal travel cup). My preference was known and the folks were friendly. But... in place of my beloved Starbucks, I have found "Get Healthy", a local establishment where the regular folks behind the counter now know my preferred drink and the food is really excellent (I confess to a love for the "muffalini", a muffaletta in panini form that is FABulous!). They also carry a number of health supplements and good advice. It's small and cozy and I enjoy meeting a friend there for the occasional afternoon coffee break in addition to the lunches enjoyed there.
I will confess that I very much miss my best friend of over 30 years with whom I would spend great times. We would make every small theatre group play that our friends were involved in (with one frequently directing while the other frequently acted). Before those plays, we would stop in at a local Austin eatery for a wonderful dinner and bottle of wine before walking to the theatre. We would take a day when spring began peeking out to hit a winery tour run to the west of Austin, stopping wherever we saw a winery sign and catching some shopping and a fun lunch somewhere in Fredericksburg or maybe Marble Falls before returning home with our treasures. But... while I still miss my best friend, I have been incredibly fortunate in renewing previous friendships here as well as making a new friend or two. There is a small group (4 of us) who try to catch a lunch at least once a month or better. It's called "Herding Cats" since the 2 who are gainfully employed have pretty hefty work schedules and matching up calendars is sometimes difficult. There is another friend who has had some very difficult challenges in 2010 who I don't see as often as I would like but who remains in my heart. I am hopeful that 2011 will allow her to spend a little more time with me when possible.
I will confess that I really miss my walking buddy in my old 'hood. Even on the mornings I just really wanted to lie in bed, I knew I had to get up and get ready. Ginny would be waiting out front at 7:00 a.m. SHARP! She lived across the cul-de-sac from me and became such a great pal. We shared a love of landscaping and spent some great times at one of the local nurseries together. We would admire each other's newest addition as if it were a baby in a blanket!! :) (Maybe that's why they call the plant places "nurseries", too?) We talked and talked during our approximately 50 minutes together each weekday morning. We solved MANY of the world's problems during these times... even though the world didn't know it. But... I found it was easy to not walk since there was no one waiting for me. That was to my detriment. So, I am now paying for the lack of exercise but am happy to report that I returned to my walking regimen about 2 months ago and have found that, even without her walking next to me, I can still chat with Ginny in my head!! I know her well enough to know what our conversations would be about (usually current events) and that we would likely agree on the solution. While I miss seeing her, I can still enjoy her!
I will confess that I truly miss the anonymity that a big city affords one! While I knew the first names of the folks in my cul-de-sac in Austin, I only knew Ginny's last name. When I went to my local H.E.B. (large grocery store), I could do every bit of my shopping without running into anyone I knew. I knew to not have a private conversation in a public place (and still do!) but it was not likely anyone I knew would overhear it even if I did. But... even while it is disconcerting that folks I don't really know well tell me "Oh, I know where you live." here, it is also comforting to get phone calls checking on how I'm doing from folks who know when the spousal-unit is in Texas on his monthly run. It is also nice to see folks in the grocery store who I might not otherwise run into here. It is somewhat of a giving up of my privacy... but in a relatively reassuring environment.
I will confess that I do miss the ability to hop in the car and make a quick run to grab things from Home Depot, PetSmart, Whole Foods, Chico's, Central Market, Bed,Bath, & Beyond, Costco, or Sam's, or to make a quick run to the mall to catch the shoe sale at Nordstrom's. The ease with which I could make those runs allowed me to not plan too far ahead!! But... while I don't have easy access to all of them, there is a Home Depot, PetSmart, BB&B, and Sam's within an hour's drive. Those trips give me a chance to chat with the spousal-unit for about an hour down and about an hour back. Since we can both hang out in the same house without chatting for quite some time, it is nice to have that "forced" interaction which I enjoy. (I won't speak for him but he hasn't jumped out of the moving vehicle on one of those trips yet.)
So... there are lots of other things I could cover here but I think you should have the point by now. I miss a lot of things that I became used to during my 37 years in Austin. What I have found, though, is there are other things that can help make up for the things I miss. Understand they don't "replace" the things I miss... but they help make the loss a little easier to bear.
As I look toward a new year, I know I will continue to discover things I miss... but am also confident I will discover something that helps make it not so bad. :)
I wish you all a safe and prosperous New Year!!!
Until next post...
Thank you for visiting with me this year. I hope you'll stay for 2011, as well. :)
As I sit here on New Year's Eve, knowing I won't make it anywhere near midnight before I fall soundly asleep, I find myself thinking of things over the past year and since I have returned to Louisiana. I'll share some of them with you now.
I will confess that I still miss my local Starbucks on Escarpment in Austin where I felt like "Norm" from "Cheers" when I walked in. Multiple "Hi, Mary!"s chorused from behind the bar. "Give me your cup" was a common theme even when the line was long for me to pay (I always took in my personal travel cup). My preference was known and the folks were friendly. But... in place of my beloved Starbucks, I have found "Get Healthy", a local establishment where the regular folks behind the counter now know my preferred drink and the food is really excellent (I confess to a love for the "muffalini", a muffaletta in panini form that is FABulous!). They also carry a number of health supplements and good advice. It's small and cozy and I enjoy meeting a friend there for the occasional afternoon coffee break in addition to the lunches enjoyed there.
I will confess that I very much miss my best friend of over 30 years with whom I would spend great times. We would make every small theatre group play that our friends were involved in (with one frequently directing while the other frequently acted). Before those plays, we would stop in at a local Austin eatery for a wonderful dinner and bottle of wine before walking to the theatre. We would take a day when spring began peeking out to hit a winery tour run to the west of Austin, stopping wherever we saw a winery sign and catching some shopping and a fun lunch somewhere in Fredericksburg or maybe Marble Falls before returning home with our treasures. But... while I still miss my best friend, I have been incredibly fortunate in renewing previous friendships here as well as making a new friend or two. There is a small group (4 of us) who try to catch a lunch at least once a month or better. It's called "Herding Cats" since the 2 who are gainfully employed have pretty hefty work schedules and matching up calendars is sometimes difficult. There is another friend who has had some very difficult challenges in 2010 who I don't see as often as I would like but who remains in my heart. I am hopeful that 2011 will allow her to spend a little more time with me when possible.
I will confess that I really miss my walking buddy in my old 'hood. Even on the mornings I just really wanted to lie in bed, I knew I had to get up and get ready. Ginny would be waiting out front at 7:00 a.m. SHARP! She lived across the cul-de-sac from me and became such a great pal. We shared a love of landscaping and spent some great times at one of the local nurseries together. We would admire each other's newest addition as if it were a baby in a blanket!! :) (Maybe that's why they call the plant places "nurseries", too?) We talked and talked during our approximately 50 minutes together each weekday morning. We solved MANY of the world's problems during these times... even though the world didn't know it. But... I found it was easy to not walk since there was no one waiting for me. That was to my detriment. So, I am now paying for the lack of exercise but am happy to report that I returned to my walking regimen about 2 months ago and have found that, even without her walking next to me, I can still chat with Ginny in my head!! I know her well enough to know what our conversations would be about (usually current events) and that we would likely agree on the solution. While I miss seeing her, I can still enjoy her!
I will confess that I truly miss the anonymity that a big city affords one! While I knew the first names of the folks in my cul-de-sac in Austin, I only knew Ginny's last name. When I went to my local H.E.B. (large grocery store), I could do every bit of my shopping without running into anyone I knew. I knew to not have a private conversation in a public place (and still do!) but it was not likely anyone I knew would overhear it even if I did. But... even while it is disconcerting that folks I don't really know well tell me "Oh, I know where you live." here, it is also comforting to get phone calls checking on how I'm doing from folks who know when the spousal-unit is in Texas on his monthly run. It is also nice to see folks in the grocery store who I might not otherwise run into here. It is somewhat of a giving up of my privacy... but in a relatively reassuring environment.
I will confess that I do miss the ability to hop in the car and make a quick run to grab things from Home Depot, PetSmart, Whole Foods, Chico's, Central Market, Bed,Bath, & Beyond, Costco, or Sam's, or to make a quick run to the mall to catch the shoe sale at Nordstrom's. The ease with which I could make those runs allowed me to not plan too far ahead!! But... while I don't have easy access to all of them, there is a Home Depot, PetSmart, BB&B, and Sam's within an hour's drive. Those trips give me a chance to chat with the spousal-unit for about an hour down and about an hour back. Since we can both hang out in the same house without chatting for quite some time, it is nice to have that "forced" interaction which I enjoy. (I won't speak for him but he hasn't jumped out of the moving vehicle on one of those trips yet.)
So... there are lots of other things I could cover here but I think you should have the point by now. I miss a lot of things that I became used to during my 37 years in Austin. What I have found, though, is there are other things that can help make up for the things I miss. Understand they don't "replace" the things I miss... but they help make the loss a little easier to bear.
As I look toward a new year, I know I will continue to discover things I miss... but am also confident I will discover something that helps make it not so bad. :)
I wish you all a safe and prosperous New Year!!!
Until next post...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)