Chapter 50

She Says: It is Christmas break and the weather has felt like the North Pole, but all is shared with holiday cheer!

Jomama arrived Thursday and our days have been filled running my errands and initiating my holiday purchases. A great excuse for me to explore local retailers that I had not yet made a priority... One Eared Cow, Jarrett's Jungle (I may have a new addiction) and another walk through of City Art. Yesterday we went to see West Side Story, the dancing and choreography was fabulous! Today I will try Soda City again and then see what other trouble I can get us in to.

Sad to say I apparently deleted the picture of our lunch at Mojito's (with Mom's first ever Mojito), but  I am happy to share that Greene'es carries more varieties of Pacific Redwood. Will report on the Chard and Pinot Noir once I have tried them, both are a tad more $$.

So, the entry reads Chapter 50 when it should read Chapter 51. I guess just I forgot a week in a year I have been chronicling our transition from a suburban to urban living.  All in all a lot has changed and little has changed. Case in point,  I did successfully damage a plant last night... Never even crossed my mind that I should cover up a third floor balcony plant in the city when temp was dipping down close to freezing. At least my green thumb remains crooked! But is has been a great year with wonderful new adventures and opportunities! Still trying to decide what will happen to the blog next year... Only time will tell!

Chapter 49

She Says: A little late in posting, but I have a legitimate excuse... Had our first overnight visitors, survey says... a GRAND success! Dad and Nancy spent two nights here and report they enjoyed our new place and neighborhood:) My biggest worry was the fold out bed, but they report it was fine and no need for the fiber bed I (but I will keep it for the next visitor!).

Friday Jason and I made a brief visist to the Dojo Christmas party (escaping after the annual singing of Silent Night) and then introduced our guests to M Vista, a winner (of course). Saturday the weather started out windy, cool and overcast as we walked up to Cola City Market. I do have to admit I was a bit disappointed after all of the hype I have heard, but will give it a second try before issuing judgement. Then we went to the Columbia Museum of Art for the Rothko exhibit (yup, I'm still not a big fan of modern art). We all enjoyed a video story of the Vogel's. If you don't know about them look them up, a fun story!

We then went to the Nick for Anna Karenina. I enjoyed it the second time even more, even though someone in my party said "yippee" in an audible voice at the tragic conclusion of the story... We wrapped the night up at The Oyster Bar with our bellies full of always good food with very nice staff.

Any nervousness of the hosts about the new home was proven unnecessary. Maaeo did his usual part as a gracious host and shoe guard (despite the return of his pillow paw). His reward? Someone leaving him to roam the hallway for about an hour... but I won't elaborate on that.

A neat surprise from our neighbor Ms. Joanne! After seeing a visitor's car parked in one of our spaces she rang our doorbell Friday and offered her spot. So, yes my new neighbors are kind neighbors. So glad we hosted a holiday drop-in Monday evening allowing us to get to know many of them better.


Next week is a short one and I have no more excuses to delay finishing my holiday gift shopping. I am continuing my protest and refuse to fall prey to the overdone materialistic slant of the holiday... But am more than ready for the next visitor and round of holiday gatherings with family and friends.

Chapter 48

She Says: What a great week to be an urban dweller! Indian Summer combined with crazy South Carolina politics, little could have gone better.

The week started of with a combined Renaissance Plaza COA, Printers Plaza COA and Arsenal Hill HOA holiday party. Met lots of neat people. I didn't realize we moved to the olddest neighborhood in town. Jason met an Oscar grad who graduated as Jason was entering the Citadel and a father and son training at the Meeting Street Dojo. Few of our Rennaissance Plaza neighbors came, but I am glad we did!

Then before we knew it it was First Thursday on Main. We met up with good friends we (mostly) don't see on a regular basis Bill, Jill, Sumner, and Michael. Met the local artist Whitney LeJeune who features woman with nice colors in her paintings. Small world, Mezza features her work and Jason used to work with her Dad.

Good thing the weather cooled down a bit, first time skater Jason got around the rink with cautious concentration while breaking a sweat. In my opinion the absolutely worst way to try to learn to skate is on a tiny rink, in hockey skates, with lots of people also skating for the first time. So many newbies that the rink had more toe pricks in it than I thought possible.

I equate skating to skiing... The experience is not like getting back on a bicycle! I made it around in a gentle and cautious manner, but just when my confidence was up, I hit a toe prick crater and was like a toddler learning to walk. Neither of us landed on our behinds, but I do have the feeling the Caiparinha at the Brazilian Steak House gave us the motivation to skate. Nothing like lime, Brazillian rum and sugar to make one invincible! We only had one and yes it was the absolute antithises of our food ethos! Where were you Ed?

Last night was a reunion of the old broad club at Blue. David and Jason are such good sports. My night ended catching up on my Hulu shows, who knew Macka liked to watch TV?!?!  Today will hopefully include Anna Karanina with Holly at the Nick and then it is Willie Nelson and Family concert with Bart & Maria. Hope Willie has a good night:)

47.1

She Says: Maaeo has always spoken loudly... but he still manages to charm all he meets (kinda like some other guy around here). What he forgot to say is everyone here at Unit B307 is looking forward to all of the visitors coming! Maaeo just felt a need to forewarn about the new accommodations. A home is so much more with family and friends, especially during the the holiday season.

Minor clarifications from the human perspective.

This foldout sofa bed has no bar sticking into your back! My complaint was Maaeo joining us as we tested the bed last night. He stretched out and made himself very comfortable. An egg crate mattress pad will be secured for those who prefer one.

Trains are not allowed to blow their horn when in the downtown area.A paper is know delivered every morning and a Wall Street Journal can be acquired with less than a block's walk. This is a great new urban community:)

Chapter 47

Maaeo Says: It is about time. Thank you Mrs. Rouffy for suggesting that that I contribute to this saga. I spend more time in here, so my opinion and thoughts matter more.

So, what do I think about living here? I think it is great! The construction part sucked, but everything else rocks for us felines (humans seem real please with the relocation too)! Our perks include:

• The best part is the porch we can hang out on! At the old place we had to stay inside. Windows here provide us with plenty of entertainment. Fewer birds, but a lot more action. Best is human watching during pool season.
• The new cat lotus tree that all humans think is to big is worth every penny. It keeps the girl cats happy, and we all know what it is like to live with angry spayed felines.
• Us felines have our own secluded powder room (and yes the installation of the cat door was outsourced). There is even a trash chute just a few steps out the front door to relocate our scat.
• There are lots of great places to hide, sleep and sunbath! The less social ones of us do appreciate that there is now carpet is now under the master bed... 
• Neighbors are nice. The folks on our floor don't get upset when I slip out and run up and down the hall (Jenifer's place is most intriguing to me). 
• Mary our favorite cat sitter will still come and take care of us here! Although Tom doesn't understand how two people can live peacefully in a home that is 500 square feet smaller than their former home (us fat cats love not having to walk so far).

So my question to the visitors that are about to arrive is why did y'all wait till they moved into a smaller condo to come visit for a longer period of time?  The accommodations are perfect for them, but less than five star for you. I have identified a few things I think you should know about before you arrive.

#1 Your guest room has no privacy. They cut out holes in the wall to minimize the feeling of claustrophobia in the tiny room. The guest room is now more commonly known as the music room (entertainment may be a better title). They squeezed a piano, book/media case and foldout sofa in this small room. The good news is as far as fold out sofas go, this one is good.

#2 You will probably want to bath in their master bath shower. This place has some dumb architectural issues. It is near impossible for the old fat black cat to jump up on the bathtub rim, how can any human climb in?

#3 Trains! Who knew that this town had so many trains coming through? If you spend enough time here, they become soothing. But if you are a light sleeper, bring ear plugs.

#4 They do have a TV, but no cable (you won't be able to watch the TV with the sleeper sofa pulled out anyway). So to watch TV you will have to go to a sports bar up the street, visit the community room or turn on a computer (they will provide you with the WIFI password) They do nicely with Hulu, Netflix and the web. But then again we all know they aren't normal people.

#5 It is like Fort Knox here! You need a "fob" to drive or walk in, get on the elevator and to get onto the community room. A few quiet neighbors without permanent lodging enjoy lounging on the benches outside the gates, but we are respectful of each other and live in peace.

#6 Good news is they now have a microwave!

Other than that, we all look forward to your visit! If you don't like it, Marriott Springhill Suites is next door!

Chapter 46

She Says: Something I never imagined I would be sharing, but Jason willingly and successfully used a power tool!!!! He even knows what a toggle bolt is now. It started with him noticing the curtains falling out of the sheet rock... The boy is proud of himself. Alas, he has already tried to return the drill to his Dad (who refused because he has two). So a short lived victory, but a proud victory none the less.

As a Carolina Alum I must say, Go Cocks! Four wins a row,  it was a good game.

A quick shout out to our neighbor Nappyology. They are the only hair salon out of the ten in a two block radius that seems to be doing booming business. Walk by in a Friday or Saturday at 9 pm and they are packed!

I am going to procrastinate one more weekend and not pull out the holiday decorations. There is no denying it, the holiday season is in full swing.

Chapter 45.1

She Says: What am I thankful for this day after Thanksgiving?
#1 I am smart enough not to be out with the Black Friday shoppers. #2 The condo is open to visitors (maybe these two are out of order, but yes the rug is down, shadow wall up and book shelf organized)! Still need a name...Chateau de Shalimar can't be outdone.

To continue with the tradition of bad iPhone pictures for the blog... We had our debut and hosted the immediate Watkins family for the feast. Despite your critical thoughts on our chosen diet, the millet and cauliflower "mashed potatoes" and mushroom gravy where a hit! The debut was well received and Jason and me had a big sigh of relief. After five months we have a home:)

New this Thanksgiving (for me) was the after dinner pull out you iPhone or iPad as the meal settles. This new tradition/strategy gives one hope that with time you will have room for the pear dessert or Marcia's famous whole wheat banana bread in honor of John Jrs upcoming birthday (ooh good idea for breakfast).

And for my I love being an urbanite portion of the entry, I look forward to soon trying out the skating rink on the art museum plaza!The State graciously printed a section giving tips to Southerners about stopping and falling safely on ice. This former Yankee should be less cynical, but I just can't be! Look back on Sunday... in that issue I'll prove that I was right and Jason can can successfully use a power tool!