Dear Di,

I had my email up today with an email ready to send you and I never got around to it.  One of the problems is there are all these emails that I have access to.  One of my concerns is that I’m going to use the wrong address – like the blog address – and you’ll respond and it’ll go viral.  That’s an exaggeration…slightly…but still. Mostly I’m so freakin busy that I haven’t had time to check in.  Of course I could call you after work but you know how we are and I haven’t had a huge block of time in-between work and being a slug.  Tonight my cell phone is shut off – I’ll turn it back on tomorrow.  I don’t care too much.  I don’t really get phone calls.  Do you know that the text and every other function still works with wi-fi?  Even if they shut you off?  I have a home phone that I have to have in order to keep the cost of the cable down – maybe I should go back to just a home phone and wi-fi.  I don’t have an actual “phone” to plug in or I’d call you.  Right now it’s just a phone line.  Someday I’ll get a phone.  It’s not high on my priority list.

Speaking of priorities, I make list upon list of things I need like:

• AAA batteries
• Salt
• Candles
• Flashlight
• Spatter screens
• Oven mitts
• Cinnamon
• Spatula
• Mouse pad
• Lamp shade
• Side table
• Phone
• step stool (I have one but it’s not tall enough)
• Toaster
• microwave
• Picture hangars

And on and on…and dressers, and plant stands and outdoor furniture and brackets to put sound bar on the wall.  It’s amazing the little things you pitch and then think to yourself “wtf?  You couldn’t save the spatula?”  And I don’t have one casserole dish of any size.  Not one. And how many mouse pads have I thrown out over the years.  Well anyway, it’s going to take me a year just to get this stuff done and then I’ll be ready to move again.  I have all my storage bins stacked around the room.

And I think I’m just going to leave them there.  I’m going to go through all of them a little bit at a time and see if I can consolidate or pitch but honestly I’m thinking of just stacking them in a way that it would be like a dresser size height, maybe put a board on top and then like some sort of table-cloth or something – that’s something else I threw out – so many tablecloths – well Walmart has fabric, but anyway, maybe just do that – put my jewelry and stuff on top of that and call it a dresser.  I can live out of the baskets on the floor.  I mean really I have the room in there so maybe I’ll just forget the dresser for now and do that.  It’s not like I’ll be entertaining or even inviting anyone over.  Except I did tell Julia, my boss, well one of my bosses, that I’ll ask her over when I get it a little more put together.  It’s cute, I’m not necessarily unhappy with the smallness and actually the bedroom is a nice size but I certainly can’t invite anyone over to watch TV, unless we watch it in bed…and don’t even go there.  I can’t even imagine meeting anyone.  I know you have hope for me there but I. Just. Can’t.

Speaking of having hope for me there did I tell you the Wisteria Lane girls (and Maryann) FaceTimed me last Friday night? (they were also advising on a future BF) Apparently it was Fireball Friday.  I was so happy to hear their voices and see some faces. Even a little teary remembering a time when I actually had a lot of friends.  Speaking of friends I am sooo looking forward to our girls weekend at Siesta Key next month.  I’m feeling a bit guilty taking the time off of work but we have had the weekend planned over a year so I have to.  I mean you’re depending on me right?  I can’t let the girls down.  It’ll be nice to spend some quality time getting caught up with everyone.

Well Di so far it’s going pretty good.  Real good at work. I really like everyone and am hoping that I’ll be helpful to them.  I learned about a new spreadsheet program today, I think it’s called Money Manager – well whatever it’s called I was very excited – love that kind of stuff – so I’m in spreadsheet heaven if I can ever get past calendaring to work on it.  This calendar business is impossible. I will figure it out but seriously I think I’d rather answer the phone again.  And you know how much I like answering phones.  But I like going to work. I like having something to do.  I’d love to walk there but I don’t want to drag all my stuff with me.  Although tonight after work I walked up and back just to see how long it would take me.  I could get there in 15 minutes walking so if I could just take a light tote bag I could do it.  The morning and after work are the best times to walk before it gets hot.  The weather has been perfect – only up to about 80 or low 80’s.  I haven’t even had the AC on this week – I’ve had to use the heater a little bit in the evening but it’ll heat up again soon.  There’s actually fires around and we’re in some sort of state of fire hazard apparently. Someone at work brought this picture that was unbelievable with a fire (smoke) behind his neighborhood.  Just like California.  WTF?

Anyway, this weekend I’m going back to Stephanie’s for Easter – we have Good Friday off so I’ll head over Thursday night I guess.  Jimmy’s birthday is Thursday and it’s killing me not to see him.  I mean really really killing me.. this no kid part is soooo hard.  When I first moved down here I think I saw them every 6 weeks or whenever I wanted – this work /days off restriction makes me want to throw up.  If I could have taken Thursday off I would have been able to come up for $100 round trip on Allegiant.  I LOVE Allegiant.  But I just can’t ask for the day off already – not with taking May off too.  Hopefully I’ll be up for my birthday in June.  This is the hardest part this not seeing the boys.  I HATE it.  But that’s all I hate so far…the rest is not bad…not bad at all.

Alright I guess that’s it for now.  I could go on and on but I think it’s time to veg and watch TV.  I could start putting pictures up on the wall except I need the picture hangars or nails..it’s on the list.  Oh did I tell you I’m watching Grace and Frankie?  I am addicted to that show.  I usually watch it when I get in bed but then I laugh out loud through most of them so not a real good show to fall asleep to.  But that show is hilarious.  Do you watch it?

Okay now that’s it.  I promise I’ll call.  Maybe I’ll call when I’m on my way to Stephanie’s.  The 2 ½ hour trip that takes 5 hours.  Damn Disney tourists.

xoxoxo

I think it’s time for picture day, don’t you?  I’ve been here one full week now.  It feels like a lot longer in some ways – so much so that I need to remind myself that I’ve only been here one week and cut myself some slack for not having furniture or friends yet.  So today, after a guilt-free sleep-in day, after a long first work-week,  I walked up street. I mean how cool that I can walk up street.  Just like Sewickley.  I think I live as close as Di lives to Sewickley, maybe more like Mary Ann – but less than the girls on Wisteria Lane.  Okay that reference will only make sense to 10 of my 20 readers.  Anyway, it’s close.  So here we go.

First stop – the view of the sky from my porch:

Then I came to the first street blocked off for the Delandapolooza and saw this:

I have no clue of the significance of a pony for a band apooloza. Do you?

I know I call myself a writer but I can’t figure out how to start this story about the first band I saw playing.  Let me think.  Okay, there was a band playing as I scooched by the barricades past the pony.  They were good, I can’t think of what style of music.  Maybe like some rock and rollish – I don’t know – but good.  I heard this background singer but I didn’t see the singer so I looked for the drummer and saw this:

Can you see the drummer?  He had to be maybe 8 years old.  Maybe.  He was singing, he was playing the harmonica and he was playing the drums.  I mean he was GOOD!  Unbelievable. I was mesmerized. I added a video at the end of the blog.  You really have to check him out.

The booths were just getting set up.  I almost got in a little trouble when I saw this stand:

Luckily she was not there as I walked past – but as I was leaving the area she stopped me as I was the only one on the street – I know right?  The good news is I didn’t have any money, but the bad news…she gave me her card.  Oh well.  I know I’ll check her out at some point.  I mean since all the other ones have been wrong why not just torture myself some more…

As it turns out there was a fee for attending the palooza thing and I somehow snuck by while they were setting up. I didn’t want to get the stink eye from everyone for sneaking in and I didn’t have the money for the palooza so I left the roped off area and hit the streets.  Kinda sad about missing the music though.

Here’s the town.  It was a happening place today.

I then started checking out all the little antique, shabby chic places.  Ask me how I feel about giving away my two shabby chic dressers that I had for 20 years and now need to pay a small fortune to buy something similar. Go ahead ask me. No, I mean don’t ask. Well anyway I spent a fair amount of time walking around. Look at this antique:

I wandered basically looking for an ice tea and on my way back home I found this great coffee shop:

I’ve decided it is now my go-to place and very very close to my apt.

This is also close to my apartment. Is this one of those signs that I don’t believe in anymore? Maybe I should go to service tomorrow.

I was kinda thinking of a new look for my new beginning.  Do you think I could pull off this look?

After my walk around the town I took a break and sat on the back steps in my little yard to get an idea what I need to do back there.

Then I took a drive to find the closest Ross Dress for Less – I also found a Goodwill store.  I think the Goodwill is more my speed for furniture – I can fix up my own shabby chic dresser.  Ross has some really really cute side pieces though and the perfect outside table with two chairs for under my tree, that I did not buy today.  But I did get a pair of cute shoes.

Then stopped at Publix which I only mention because of the moon. Moon over Publix.

Tomorrow I’ve been invited to a birthday party at my boss’s house.  Look at that, one week in and I’m already on the party list.  Maybe next weekend will be ‘discovering the beach’ weekend.  I miss being 150 steps away but I do have a job…so there is that.

I had a busy work week as we had a meeting to prepare for on Friday.  Nothing like hitting the ground running.  Luckily I did not forget how to do that meeting planning thing.  I also got my desk all cleaned up and I’m ready for week two.

I’m looking forward to seeing what next week brings.  I would say all in all week one has been a successful beginning.

xoxoxo

Little Drummer Boy:

Well?  If you have been following along you know that I have moved BACK to Florida.  However, I am in an entirely different area, where I know no one.  The terrain, the climate, the neighborhood, everything is different….again.  And I’m working!  The fact that I’m working is different but not that different because Lord knows I’ve worked before.  Not only have I worked before but I swear this new job is just my old job at a different location.  The good news is that it is all sooo familiar…the bad news is that I have my work cut out of me, literally I think I’ll be doing the exact same things I did at PPU.  At least it’s very very similar.  Nothing daunting, just a different place and people.  And while many of you won’t believe this and/or will be very surprised…I am soooo happy to be back at work.  While I would LOVE my book to get published (which I will still work on) I just feel like I’m a person again.  Going to work, getting things done (well I WILL get things done) getting up, taking a shower, getting dressed and out the door.  I mean the familiar routine is very very welcoming.  Now ask me again in a week and I may be crying about retirement but that will be here soon enough.  At this age we can see how fast time goes – and it goes so very very fast.  So that’s the work summary.  It’s a beautiful campus, I have my own office again, a really big desk – lol – but I’m keeping the desk and no sofa this time.  It’s all good – oh and get this – you can wear jeans if you really want to.  Like anytime.  But I probably won’t but I “can” if I want to.  How about that?  How will I act?

On the apartment front, I moved in Saturday.  The place was soooo dirty.  But my landlord gave me money to make up for it.  Pretty generous too I thought, until I got to the bathroom and then I thought NO amount of money is worth this – BUT I scrubbed, and scrubbed and it’s coming along rather nicely.  It’s a very old place and there are a lot of holes and great big freaking gaps in doorways to the outside – you know big enough for an armadillo to walk in – so I just pray for the best after I turn the lights off – hoping the bugs and armadillos don’t want to come inside.  The landlord is giving me a new stove and painting the bathroom AND he came over and helped me open a drawer that the movers were convinced got locked somehow but the landlord figured it out.  He’s been great – his girlfriend has also been great helping him decide to give me that nice cleaning credit.  We will get along just fine which is good since they live right next door.  My apartment is small but not really – I have a nice enough kitchen although the cabinets are very high, like too high for me to reach without a step stool, which I have but the step stool is still not high enough –  and it’s pretty much like a weird design, but I’m actually getting everything put away.  Since I am down to no dishes it all fits pretty nicely.  The bedroom is a very nice size and I already have the dining room buffet in there, that I got back and looks great, except for the broken top of course, and there is plenty of room for a couple of dressers. I did get a new bed – thank you to all that helped in that area!  So the bedroom is a nice size with two closets – plenty of room for hanging clothes and the bathroom is pretty good size too with A LOT of storage space.  The only small room is the sitting area – like not a living room space but I have a chair in there and a TV and for now I’m happy as can be.  I will send pictures after I get it looking a little better.  I’m still unpacking and I’m too tired tonight to clean up so maybe by the weekend it’ll be good enough for a couple inside pictures. Here are some outside pictures:

The neighborhood is what I would call really bad.  HA!  Except for the alley way that this house borders on – the neighbors to the right are the kind that you do not want to make eye contact with.  I will definitely never walk after dark and probably not too much ever although tonight I did run to the corner store – like on foot – and walked back pretty bravely.  Maybe I’ll make friends with them but I’m not kidding when I say I don’t make eye contact.  They are scary.  But all around to the left and behind the alley it’s nicer.  The town is one block over so I’m considered right down town.  This weekend they are having a DeLandapoalooza – I am told that it will be very noisy in my apartment.  But check it out – 27 stages and over 100 bands playing all on Saturday.  This is the town I live in now.  Pretty crazy and I’m pretty excited.  I have all kinds of things to learn and places to discover.

Another thing that is super wonderful is that I’m all plugged in again.  I have internet, I have TV, I have wi-fi and so I think I’ll be back to blogging.  New adventures, but I don’t plan on changing the title again.

But now I must veg out in anticipation of another day at work. Apparently I’m supposed to go in EVERY day.  What’s up with that?

Have we talked about my eagle sighting?  Well….I was on my way to work the other morning (sitting with my old lady…who as it turns out isn’t that old…and well as we get older those old people are getting younger and younger…) anyhoo, I travel these back country roads to get to their house, typically never seeing another car and well anyway anyway I came up over a little ridge and there to the right was this activity.  One large bird flew off and the other one just stood there.  I think he was preening.  I stopped the car, in the middle of the road, and he waited there while I fumbled with my phone and got a picture.  Wouldn’t you know a car came up behind me and she stopped too to look but I felt like I needed to move on, first not to hold her up and second to get to my old lady on time.  I was so excited to show her the picture.  You would have thought I won the lottery.  I mean just look at him!

Well, anyway, it still gives me the chills. My mom has this book called Animal – Speak (by Ted Andrews), actually I think I have the book too in storage somewhere, and anyway it’s all about what different animal totems mean according to Native Americans.  You know I don’t believe in signs right?  Except when I do.  But I don’t.  But I don’t know about omens.  I think I might believe in omens.  This is what some of the Eagle sighting omens say:

Eagle shows you how to look above so you are able to touch Grandfather Sun with your heart, to love the Shadow as much as the Light. You are being asked to give yourself permission to be free in order to reach the joy that your heart longs for.

When an eagle appears, you are on notice to be courageous and stretch your limits. Do not accept the status quo, but rather reach higher and become more than you believe you are capable of. Look at things from a new, higher perspective. Be patient with the present; know that the future holds possibilities that you may not yet be able to see. You are about to take flight.

To align oneself with the eagle is to take on the responsibility and power to become so much more than you now appear to be. 

 If an individual has been going through a hard time, eagle not only signals a new beginning, but provides that person with the stamina and resilience to endure the difficulties. If eagle has appeared, it bestows freedom and courage to look ahead. The eagle is symbolic of the importance of honesty and truthful principles. Summon the eagle when you are about to embark on a challenge, a massive life change or a creative endeavor.

Now is the time to take full responsibility for your life and be prepared for instant destiny. As your spiritual awareness increases, the positive and negative ramifications will become more immediate and have greater force. 

You all know I’m moving to Florida right?  And starting a new job, right?  And a new apartment in a new town where I know nobody and nothing, right?  Well don’t you think maybe this Eagle was a sign?  I mean an omen?  And what about the buzzards?  Have we talked about all the buzzards that came by a couple of weeks ago?

Some of the notes on buzzards/vultures:

They soar with grace and an ease that is thrilling.  For those with this totem it speaks of a coming time when you will be noticed more for what you do than for how you appear.  :-/

okay how about this one:

The vulture was considered a sign of confirmation of a new relationship between the volatile aspects of life and the fixed, the psychic energies and the cosmic forces.  It was a promise that the suffering of the immediate was temporary and necessary for a higher purpose was at work, even if not understood at the time.  It reflects that no matter how difficult the life conditions, rescue is as imminent in your life as was the rescue of Prometheus by Hercules.

How about that then? I think if we’re going to be looking at totems and symbolism and omens well I better include the vultures who made sure I saw them.  All 15 of them.  There’s a lot of talk about death and rebirth with vultures, and also something about:

this bird recognizes that you are fiercely protective of those you feel responsible for but you are reminded that knowing when to allow others to sink or swim is important too.

Seems a little cruel in reference to an 85 year old blind mother that I currently feel responsible for but I’m just repeating what I read.

You just can’t take the seeker out of me I guess.  I’m always seeking something magical, a sign or a promise. And since the day after tomorrow, that would be like 2 days, maybe 1½, I’m leaving for my new adventure, well I guess I’m clinging to some hopeful signs that I’m on the right track.

I’m going to go with the eagle lesson and trust that I am soaring to new heights.  And if not well I guess the buzzards will be there to clean up after me….again…and I’ll start over…again.

I know I’m rambling.  Nervous energy I guess, Gotta get packing.  I’m getting pretty darn excited.

xoxox

I saw Beauty and the Beast this afternoon.  I was thinking how àpropos it is for me to live around Disneyworld.  Me, who believes in magic, fairy tale endings and true love.  I mean really is there any other place more perfect in the world for me?  Please don’t tell Zachary I believe in magic.  I mean I really try and believe in the here and now and well how can you not believe in the here and now because that’s what we all live in, but in my head?  In my head it’s all magical.  I don’t even think I’m embarrassed about that.  I love Disney, I love Belle and big castles with manicured lawns.  I’m a little stunted at the moment on the whole true love thing and beasts turning into Prince’s.  I’ve loved many a beast but they pretty much stay beasts.  That could be where me and Disney part ways BUT the premise is good – unconditional love and all.  Well anyway, that was my afternoon – loving Disney and thinking about living within spitting distance – maybe like a long spit but still.

That said – I’m a true Gemini – and while I don’t like to think I’m schizophrenic – there are definitely two sides of me at the moment – and probably always.  There is the “me” that is really really looking forward to moving, getting my own apartment set up, yes even going back to work, starting all over.  I even bought a couple of plates and silverware.  See how cute?

I’m ready.  Actually I have one week yet so I’m getting ready.  I mentioned to someone the other day that this is the longest time I’ve had in the last so many years to prepare for a move.  Moving from Pittsburgh to Florida was a 2 week notice (although 5 years in my head), moving out of Palm Harbor was one week, moving from the beach to my mom’s?  One day.  Now I have practically a month to get ready and I’ve never unpacked to begin with and all my stuff is in Florida anyway (the few boxes I have left) so having this much time to prepare has been a new experience…again…for me.

So the Gemini part?  I’m sad to leave.  I know I know.  But I really didn’t see this move coming..I’m happy about it, but in my mind I had set down roots here in Virginia. Both me and my mom feel a little blind sided by all this.  That said NOBODY should live with their mother as an adult.  I mean just nobody. It’s not natural.  It’s been an interesting psychological adventure learning why I act the way I do sometimes, seeing why my siblings act the way they do (seeing my mom in everyone) – I mean it’s been interesting in a therapy kind of way.  And not to mention I think it’s been nice for my mom.  I’ve been doing a lot for her – not that she needs it of course – but I do stuff anyway because that’s who I am.  Remember my struggle to work or stay with the Baker kids even though I was not much help there in the end – because they didn’t need it?  Most kids, teenagers, don’t need it right?  They are fine, they can take care of themselves.  But it’s nice to be there for them. Same with my mom. She is fine, she can take care of herself, but it’s nice to be here.  What would be better would be to be down the street and stop by everyday but that didn’t happen.  As a matter of fact I had put us on a waiting list for me to be a paid caregiver for my mom through a county program and guess who called last week saying we cleared the waiting list?  Two weeks earlier and I would not be moving.  So what is the takeaway from that?  I am not supposed to be here taking care of her, or the call would have come 2 weeks earlier.  On that front we have someone lined up to help IF she wants it.  A lot of pressure is relieved there for me.  I can almost go guilt free.  Almost.

I will miss the garden that I was planning, I will miss the neighbors that I’m still meeting, I will miss Lori, I will miss this really crisp air, I will miss the possibilities that were in my mind.  I won’t miss the summer months here, there’s more bugs here than in Florida believe it or not, more snakes, more heat (she doesn’t believe in air conditioning) so in that regard I couldn’t be happier or timed it better to get the heck out. And well I will have my TVs hooked up in time for Game of Thrones. But there is a huge part of me – a whole half of me – that is very sad about this. And a whole side of me that is so excited I can’t stand it.  So there you go.

In other news – I am about halfway there to getting a bed.  I got some nice gifts from my blog party and have been sending out my daffodil thank yous.

I have this last week of work (where I babysit my old lady) and then I’m off.  See?  When I type that I get so excited in myself I really can’t stand it.  I’m just trying to keep it at bay because I have a whole week yet.  A. Whole.Week.  That’s a long time for me.  Anything can happen.

But if something else happens I hope it’s magical cause I think I’m on a roll.

xoxoxo

Well it’s time – sorry for the short notice but the time has come for the party to commence.

Come in – Come in!  Thank you so much for coming to my blog housewarming party.

Come in – Sorry mom’s on the phone.

Here let me take your coat.  It’s a little chilly here today isn’t it?  But it’s chilly everywhere in the country so come on in and warm up.  Soon I’ll be back in Florida.

After that entrance we have some more background party music here – click here before coming in – then keep going:

Well first come on in and see who’s here.

And No- no Amy, you don’t have to sneak around the garden to steal daffodils – I’m giving you some.  Come back inside.Come on I’ll show you where the food is..

Wait who’s this?  Helen Mirren? When did you sneak in?

Come on in the kitchen.

The table looks like it’s set for 3 but extra plates are behind you.  Help yourself there is plenty of food and of course desserts.

quiche

Easter (spring) cake

biscuits and cookies

and more cookies

In this room you can get some tea.  You can probably get some harder beverages in the big back party room – it certainly looks like those guests are drinking something more than tea.

Yes there is a big back party room – only visible on the blog housewarming party page.  Come on back and see who else is here:

Is Mar a little tipsey?

Nice of Donna to stop by before Chelsea’s wedding. Suzanne looking good

I told them they didn’t have to dress up

The three bows

Ellen standing in front of a mural that looks like the gulf – because we all know there is no Gulf in Virginia at the Blog party

Oh, these two…always have to be the best dressed

Ira and Mom, talking about the old days

Sally? She must have brought a change of clothes. And look there’s Lynn.

Barb and Sandy are in the house!

There’s a slide show of the apartment going on in the party room.  Not many pictures on it – well here you can see them here:

garden entrance

front porch

a decent kitchen for one

Here’s the gift table:  Look at all these gifts.  If you brought one you can leave it here:

I’m about to open some presents.  Have a seat.  Someone let Steph know that I’m opening if she wants to come in from the porch.

O.M.G.

What are these???? (not to be confused with what are THOSE?)  A Bed AND A sleeper love seat?

WHAT??????  Beautiful.  Thank YOU!!

Thank you soooo much.  I can’t believe it!!  I can’t believe what nice things you can get at a Blog party (in your head)

Wow.  I am overwhelmed with gratitude.

Speech Speech…

Well,  like I said, I’m overwhelmed.  Seven years ago, in 2010, I sold my house with a dream to pick up and move to Florida to start over.  Everyone was supporting me even to the extent that Suzanne let me live with her for the summer because why get an apartment when I was moving?  Right?  But then I didn’t move to Florida because I couldn’t get a job in Florida; although so many said to try anyway I played it safe and chose security over reckless abandon.  At least that time I did.  Well as you know, I ended up in the apartment in Moon Township – spent alllll the proceeds of the sale of my house in getting reestablished – and that was without buying a new bed even!  Things are expensive.  I dragged everyone around with me to get that couch, the buffet, the chair, I got pictures framed, curtains, curtain rods, a new bedroom for visitors.  And then nobody came – okay I take that back…plenty of people came to visit.  Although after Jimmy took his bed to college there was only the broken bed for people to sleep on…Okay well anyway, then the internet dating came – then I ended up in Florida anyway, in a completely different manner than I had expected.  I KNEW it was a gamble but very true to my nature I wanted to give it a go, and give it a go I did…I gave it all I had…and I lost all I had.  Literally.  Lost.it.all.

But, here I am, back at the beginning.  And no it is noone’s responsibility to help me rebuild.  This was totally my doing.  Of course I should have known better.  Maybe. But it was an adventure, and well I don’t regret it, I don’t regret the experience anyway.

My niece called me today and congratulated me on the job.  Everyone is being so nice.  She has this way of putting it in perspective, which I’m sure the rest of you can do, but sometimes when you’re “in” it it’s hard.  But thank you Evan for pointing out the obvious.  It didn’t take that long to get the job and in the meantime I got to spend some time with Grandma (that would be my mom)- – when waiting it seems like it’s forever. But really it’s only been about 6 months.  And I do love it here in the woods.  On my bucket list has always been to be here when the daffodils are in full bloom and, this year I achieved that goal.  I am here and they are here in full bloom.

Yes I’ve made it harder on myself by not having those house sale proceeds and not having one thing to show for that anymore…except my TV and a broken buffet – IF I get the buffet back – BUT it’s also an exciting time. I’m going to rebuild. I’m starting over. I’m getting NEW stuff and only a little bit at a time because my newplace is sooo tiny and I am sooo poor starting out.  BUT can’t you see the possibilities?  I do.  I’m excited.  I’m excited to get back to life, to working, to contributing to society and one of these days that damn book is going to sell.  I just know it.  And then I’ll have a party for real – no presents required.

Don’t worry if you didn’t bring a present. No presents required this time either. I just wanted to share my good news and hopeful future with all of you that have been following along.

I have these daffodils here as your party favor. Please take one.

I’m sending bulbs to anyone that wants them, just let me know. I know Amy wants one (or two).  If I don’t have your address send it to me using the contact form/page and I’ll send you one/some.  Mom wants them thinned out anyway.  We have enough to share.

Thank you all again for coming.  Please help yourself to some more food, enjoy the music  and I hope you’ll stop by and see me when you come to Florida.

Incase you forgot where the gift table was (click on the picture):

Click to Donate Now!

xoxoxo

Parting music:

Well, it looks like I finally got myself a job.

Has anyone tried Castor oil for anything?  I read that it removes skin tags, makes your eyelashes grow and is like some miracle oil for different things.  After paying (well, okay owing) $380 for removal of skin tags last year I thought wouldn’t this be something if Castor oil works?  Plus I have a teeny little skin tag on my eye lid along my eyelash line.  So what if I can grow my eyelashes AND remove that skin tag at the same time?  Like a win-win right?  My doctor here says I can also use a thread and just pop off the skin tag on my neck.  Not on my eyelid.  I’ll try the Caster oil first.  Maybe it’s a de-wrinkle product as well.

The job? It’s at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida.  Funny story…I applied last October thinking I was applying at the Gulfport, Florida campus which is right beside Treasure Island where I lived last summer and close to Stephanie’s.  Then I didn’t hear from them until January to see if I was still interested so I figured why not say yes (still thinking it was Gulfport) because well why not. So I said yes I was interested.  It wasn’t until the very end of the Skype interview (which was February 9th) that I found out it wasn’t in Gulfport.  It is 3 hours away, across the state, on the east coast (or near the east coast) of Florida – near Daytona Beach.  I assumed they wouldn’t offer me the position because I didn’t have any idea where it was that I was applying to and I assumed I would turn it down anyway because I know NOBODY there, don’t really want to live on that side of the state, plus it’s inland, well anyway….before I got home from the library (from the Skype call) I talked to Stephanie (my spirit guide you know) who told me I will LOVE this area (also told this by my neighbor on Treasure Island) and anyway Steph said I’d love it and not to turn it down based on the location.  When I got home from the library I already had an email asking me if I was interested in the next steps (reference checks) and so I said “sure, why not” – I know they asked Jordan and Karen (from PPU) not sure who else and apparently they were impressed with the references and asked me to come for an onsite interview – travel expenses paid (except for the car) And so I went down last weekish.  Thank you Jordan and Karen!

So last week(ish) I was sitting on the beach…and today I’m sitting at the creek.  See the difference in foot attire below.  Both places are so peaceful.

I walked to the creek today to check out some noises we heard in the woods – nothing creepy just someone cutting trees so I wanted to see what was going on.  The neighbors are making a path to the old mill from their house. That’s pretty cool.  They love the mill as much as we do.  Everyone loves that mill.  I was noticing the roof today (on the Mill) I can’t believe it’s still holding up after what?  100 years?  My cousin Ira will probably correct me here on how long that’s been standing. I bet it’s longer than 100 years.  Ira used to play at the mill as a boy.  Am I right Ira?  Is “play” the correct term there?  Or were you working?

So, back to the job. The job title is Project Manager for Brown Center for Faculty Innovation and Excellence.  Here I copied this from the job description:

The Brown Center facilitates the development of the Teacher-Scholar (http://www.stetson.edu/administration/provost/stetson-teacher-scholar.php). The Project Manager is a full-time position that performs professional and administrative work to advance the goals of the Brown Center under the direction of the Executive Director. This position will be responsible for the overall management and completion of short term and long term projects, initiatives, data collection and analysis, communications and outreach activities of the Brown Center and other Faculty Development activities. In addition to managing the Brown Center efforts, this position will provide management and administrative support for the Associate Provost for Faculty Development, and will serve as the program coordinator/ administrator for the University’s Institutional Review Board (IRB).

There will be a lot of administrative work, a lot of meeting event coordination, kind of a little bit of everything, VERY similar to what I did at Point Park down to being the IRB coordinator.  So pretty much a perfect fit.  When I went for the interview I saved them tons of money by flying on Allegiant, flew in a couple of days early – drove to the beach (saving them money again on ground transportation but not saving ME money) and anyway the day of the interview (which was last Wednesday) I drove over to campus – 3 hours from the beach, checked into the Hotel, went into the town and had lunch, cute town, LOTS of furniture shops, got to campus at 12:30 for a campus tour, and at 1:00 started the interviews.  FIVE hours of interviews.  I did not yawn one time.  I did not get bored.  I apparently answered intelligently and well I was offered the job on Monday.

While I was there, in DeLand, I did not look for housing.  I am very used to NOT getting the offer so I didn’t want to put too much time and effort into it.  After my 5 hour interview I walked back into the town had really good Sushi and then back to the room where I was exhausted and plopped into a very comfortable Hampton Inn bed.  Up at 5:00 a.m. – to the airport – back to beautiful Virginia before noon.  Actually a 1½ hour plane ride.  I love Allegiant. I would invest in them if I was the investing type.

Yesterday we had a visit by 15 Turkey buzzards.  At least I think that’s what they were.  They are not quiet birds.  You know how sometimes, most times, birds glide quietly right by you and you might not ever know they are there.  Well these birds make quite the racket (or would it be racquet?) with their wings.  Mom assumed there was something dead in the yard, but I did not see anything dead.  Nor were they eating anything.  Just hanging out in the trees, flapping around a bit.  THEN I googled it and found out that mating season starts for them around March and well, that might have something to do with the gathering and flapping around trying to impress the girls.  They were not there this morning so whatever mysteriously brought them here also mysteriously took them away.

I need to find an apartment in DeLand, from a distance.  My offer includes travel expenses and I believe, based on the IRS Publication 521 covering moving costs that I could go down and look around and have those expenses reimbursed.  I do not know that I will do that though. I actually have a job here in Virginia next week and the week after babysitting my old lady. However, I found a very cute little apartment on Craigs list in what is called the Historic District.  It seems pretty perfect.  Small is good since I have no furniture.  Although I am getting my dining room buffet back from the previous BF.  And I have a TV and I have my kitchen aid mixer to make cookies at the ready.  I will be able to have all my stuff in Tampa moved over at an expense much less than what I am allowed to spend.  Isn’t that nice of me?  I’m thinking of having a house-warming party for myself…now…online…with a GoFundMe page.  Is that tacky? I need a bed. Well I need a lot of things – so I thought why not?  If I had a party I bet people would come.  I can’t have a party because well you know, the only people I know live hundreds of miles in all directions.  So what if I have a blog party?  With a GoFundMe page?  Where I get all the presents?  And no one gets any cookies?  Doesn’t seem quite right does it?  Well, if I get enough money I will get TWO beds and then everyone can come visit and sleep in their own bed.  And THEN I will make cookies and perhaps a Quiche and we will all walk around the town/village and look in the furniture stores and have sushi for dinner.

Perhaps I will have my Blog housewarming party later this week. My job and my move will be April 1 (April 3 for the first day of work). Plenty of time to plan a Blog party.

Am I excited?  Hell yes.  What about mom you say?  That is a blog for another day.  A very conflicted blog.  This is already long enough.  More intrigue and suspense for my next blog.

xoxoxo

I really don’t feel like a blogger these days.  I often remember my discipline with Finally Florida and feel oh so less than adequate in the blogger category now.  But then again, life is not as exciting…right now. I know that will change and then I’ll be diligent again.

In the meantime here’s some “oh-so-Lynn” details of my life.

Clothes:

So I brought up some summer clothes from my weekend trip to Florida last week that I got out of storage.  Why do you ask?  Well I’m kinda asking myself that too.  I mean I can’t wear my white jeans here now can I?  Well anyway so yesterday I was organizing.  I was finding all these “groups” – let’s call them “factions” of clothes – (again if anyone wants to help me with the use of quotes, italics, etc., please feel free)…anyway so I have work clothes – work clothes from Florida – not from the north.  So well that’s good to have them so let’s say if/when I get a job anywhere south of the Mason Dixon line I should be good.  The further south the better.  But then I have these beach only clothes.  Like when I lived at the beach for the summer I think I wore the same 5 things – ratty t-shirts, shorts, beach stuff.  So what do I do with those now?  I put them in a suitcase..for now.  Then I have my Virginia clothes.  I wear the same things here in the woods too.  Like ratty sweaters, turtlenecks, the same pair of jeans.  So they are in a category all to themselves and right now they are on the spare bedroom’s bed as I’m not sure if it’s time to box them up.  They are too bulky for dresser drawers.  We are having some cold weather so I need those.  Then there were date night clothes – I put them all in the Goodwill.  All.  Then there are fancy schmancy velvet Christmas attire type clothes – I’m keeping them – back of the closet at mom’s.  See what I mean?  It’s not too much but my clothes tell a story and all my different lives.  When I moved to Florida I sent all my blazers and work clothes to my younger sister in Arizona.  So that answers that question, I will not be moving back to Pennsylvania.  I don’t have the work clothes.

Cooking:

Have we talked about the Purple Carrot?  My brother and sister-in-law sent my mom (and me) a couple of weeks of this Purple Carrot deal – one of those mail order food services.  All plant based.  I am a HUGE fan. They send all the ingredients..like even the teaspoons of flaxseed or garlic salt or basil or whatever it is you need for the recipe. They send all the ingredients and step by step instructions and well it was fun and delicious!!!  I’ve saved the menus and have a couple of new menus to add to our rotation.  Like the last night was Sweet Pepper and Hemp Seed Pesto pizza. – The pizza dough was made with mung beans.  I assumed it would be my least favorite.  We loved it.  Because of course I am always wrong about myself.  Anyway, that’s been fun to get and to do.  It makes enough for 2 with a leftover for 1 (in our case) – okay, right it makes enough for 3..duh.  But last week when I was traveling we put the 1 leftover right in the freezer for mom to eat while I was away.  If I lived here full time, like with a job, I would probably get one delivery a month I think. Just cause don’t you get sick of making the same things? So that’s been fun.  And if you want to try it use this link and we’ll both get $25 off. (if it works) Purple Carrot – How about that?

Car:

I’m sitting here at the Mercedes dealer. They are doing A service. Know what this means in laymen terms? They are charging me $300 for an oil change.  Sure they make it sound fancy but really it’s an oil change. But I brought it here because the neighborhood place, well they struggle with a waiting room for one, and then if there are things wrong, well I don’t know it just seems complicated all the time, so I’m here.  That’s all.  I had asked them to take me over to Wegman’s so I could plug in over there and send out a couple of books but they showed me their waiting room complete with a row of computer desks, a TV, a closed circuit TV so you can watch them work on your car (I’m not watching), free snacks and coffees, so I guess that’s worth $300.  LOL.  I brought my own tea.  Had I but known.

I think that’s it for now. Don’t you?  I don’t have any other updates. The intrigue and suspense continues from last week for all of us.

xoxoxo

Well, I can’t really call myself a writer or a blogger if I don’t write or blog now can I?  Sooo, I need to get on that.

Last we spoke (figuratively speaking) I mentioned the daffodils here. I’ve posted a couple of pictures on Facebook but today they look so beautiful that I went out and took a video with my phone. See if you can tell where I trip.  HA!  Anyway, they are in full peak and it’s just so beautiful out there.

I’ve been doing a tiny bit of traveling.  I left for Florida on Sunday flying into the Orlando area and drove over to Stephanie’s on Pass-a-grille.  I got there just in time for the end of the Oscars.  Got to see the flub-up and all.  I loved being back in “my” room.  I wonder how many of her friends call it their room.  Well whatever, when I’m there it’s my room.

Monday day I assumed the position:

Monday night I saw the girl.  Only saw one girl.  I was happy to be back assuming the sideline vigil – nobody asked me to keep score.

Tuesday was a lot of running around, more visiting, more beach work 🙂  – ya know I really “need” that color back on my face, and a lovely night out with Steph and Lisa at the Island Grill (75 cent oyster night – I know Ellen, not on the safe eating menu) BUT still and all what a great couple days of catching up and warming up.  Even got some summer clothes out of storage, giving a new meaning to switching out summer/winter clothes.  My summer clothes are 800 miles away!

I’m not going to say much other than this is what I did Wednesday. There will be more on this next week.

And then this morning I flew home. Palm trees in the a.m. and blooming Dogwood trees by lunch time.  About 30 degrees different but still sunny in both places.

That’s all I’m going to say about that now.  Next week I will say more. I promise.  And now…for your daffodil viewing pleasure:

I wonder how I could add music to that. Wouldn’t that be pretty?  Like Aaron Copeland’s Appalachian Spring.  We played this at my wedding in 1982 – it’s 25 minutes long.  That would be a lot of daffodil viewing. Well here it is anyway –  You can listen in the background right?.

https://youtu.be/WVahuS9hk_s

xoxoxox