Chapter 26

108F°

She Said: So, we are tired happy condo owners! I blame it on high temperatures and 10 months of elevated moving stress and soon to be perfect condo! Media said Columbia broke highest temperature ever record (a mere 108 today per nightly news, but little humidity).

Yes there is additional humor/drama to this story added today, but at this point we are over it and condo owners.  And have I said we are happy exhausted people (and he is snoring away at 8:34 p.m.)!?

If updates slow down, it is because of internet connectivity issues. While I hate that TWC is the only reliable wireless/wifi service provider, they will install new service Thursday a.m. We check out Sunday from our temporary home. Good bye hugs to Lavern this morning and see you later hugs to new friend Padmaja last night.

Laura, Darryl never took me on as a client, but my fourth interaction got me a better monthly bill (after installation)... And trying no cable (not even subscribing to my standard 13 channels for $14 and month). Stay tuned to side story about living with only internet TV.

I do have to publicly state my dismay with the reaction to every American having National health care coverage (however it is done, we do all have to pay car insurance) and GOODNIGHT!

View from our balcony/Yes we are exhausted

25.2

She Says: Am I moving this weekend? Hell yeah! I love moving on days when high and low temperature records are broken. It is a pattern of ours. People are nice to offer to help, but even we are smart enough to be doing this very slowly! Will move stuff from hotel and kitchen and bathroom boxes before checking out on Sunday. Rest over the next few weeks and with assistance of paid help:)

25.1

She Says: Is moving an initiative? How reliable are horoscopes (in the State)? To eliminate any risk, we will check out Sunday... "Gemini (May 21-June 20): Open the fortune cookie and read the message, but take it with a grain of salt. This is not a good week to launch initiatives."

Friday at 8:30a.m. is walk through of Renaissance Plaza condo and 11:00 a.m. closing sans current owners (^*&^&!). To do Monday: 1. Invite painter and contractor to come and give bid Friday afternoon. 2. Start change of address to Pulaski Street address. 3. Call Time Warner and hope we have made the window and won't have to pay to open a new account.

Accomplishments this weekend: 1. Picked out paint, carpet and bedspread. 2. Attended Shalimar block party as a "used to live here neighbor". Side note: Mary remains the best ever neighbor. She rescued the peace plant that Bubba Y (I'm  99% sure) gave us as a wedding shower present from the trash pile and is bringing new life to it (sunlight and fertilizer do great things). Not enough time to chat with all the neighbors I cherish, but hope to be invited earlier than next year's block party! 
3. Had the awkward moment with the new owners of Chateau de
Shalimar (the damn lawnmower, sorry Flat). 4. Bought new Renaissance mattress (that is really the name!) at Best Mattress (the ONLY place to go in Columbia - made local!!!!).  5. Parked near condo and strolled up to meet Fred (Jason's friend from grad school) for dinner. Felt the calm vibe of the Vista and allowed a moment of zen as we think of our life to come. 6. I'd be remiss if I didn't point out the Gamecocks baseball team, year three in the College World Series. Two or three games to go!

Also of note, first session with Angie at Fit Columbia! Will share more on that in the days to come, but if you are looking for affordable personal training check out http://fitcolumbia.com/index.html.

Pondering now the value of a great painter versus a good painter... The pocketbook will help us decide that matter.

Chapter 25

She Says: The countdown has begun! We close in on the condo in one week:) Shalimar block party tonight!

Chapter 24

She Says: I am becoming that person who leaves the trusted friends/businesses behind. Another new haircut at Mojo City Salon! It is a business in  the live and workspace surrounding Renaissance Plaza.  And a new pharmacy...   My guilt of leaving the corporate Publix Pharmacy is diminished by using the local independent Hawthorne Pharmacy down the street from work.  Not even going to tell Kamal in person, going to have the USC Pharmacy student due it for me (ran into him at Palmetto Infusion).

So, I believe we have resigned ourselves to live in a construction zone again.  Just not able to get in with Home Repair Services, painter, etc. to get estimates and on vendor's schedules. Our agents not playing nice has climaxed and the unprofessional agents will not be in the closing together (hello middle school). In pre-preparation of moving in late June/early July I practiced household chores this morning. A little vacuuming, scrub the tub, toilet... Yeah I still got it!

Only other exciting news is my new suitcase! Didn't know how pricey these things can be but this Briggs and Riley carry on case (model is this picture is Neko) is that bomb! Perfect for my voyage to Chicago for the National Conference on Volunteering and service.