Chapter 32

She Says: It all started in January 2011 "... The idea is to start a blog about our journey... for those who know us it should be entertaining if nothing else! Jason and I will not blog daily, but only when we have something to say about the relocation process. So we strayed a bit.

Last night The Vista became New Orleans! John Harvey was back in town for a visit with 20 lbs of Mardi Gras beads. Blue was the starting point with the regular crowd, Laura and Jasmine. My normal act of returning food (didn't even try the calamari, new breading and tiny pieces of mostly whole calamari) and then on to poor service at the Carolina Ale House. When will I learn? No more eating at Blue and no more stopping off at Ale House. Maybe the newness of the we don't have to drive behavior will ease up...

So today I will venture to Publix on Rosewood. Maybe they will have all the favorite stuff our former Publix had. I understand it is a small store in the Vista, but they never have tilapia and the good fake chicken and meatballs. I have to work on becoming friends with the manager so I can become credible when suggesting which products to do away with an which ones to try. That may be a job for Jason. I also need to find an in-town plant nursery.

And we did rule out trash in the storage closet as the source of the odd smell. Not sure where Jason will go next with this fixation. He may have moved on to getting "Pink Floyd" (his name for the curved wall) fixed and maybe repainted better...

The condo did pass the Mom test! Mom and family friend Jean Henshaw came for a brief one night visit Monday. It was hot and humid but the New Englanders braved the zoo (cute baby koala was the highlight) and then on to dinner at M Cafe with John and Marcia to celebrate Jason's birthday. Springhill Suites across the street was approved by the travelers to be a good guest house should our accommodations be full (only a few more weeks till the rest of the furniture arrives).

Hoping the weather clears for jazz night in the park!

31.2

She Says: Pictures are worth a thousand words!

Pedestrian tunnel under Hampton

And then they had their stuff!

Finesse was best band yet!

The picnic, nice cup holders!

The boys first time on the porch.

No justice the amazing lightening show last week,

Chapter 31

She Says: Most devout follower Holly, I apologize. May not update or make it to D's (gotta get long overdo toe-nalis painted and Jason has a toastmaster convention that will delay him till noon). I do have a week in review picture story planned from my new not perfect Iphone 8gb...
Note to all, crazy Saturday at Finlay Park, we will show up close to 8 for r&b night (it is National night out night starting at 4 lots of family stuff, Zumba at 7, music at 8).
Oh, we can now hang clothes in our closet! Yippee, thank you Chris for an offordable closet, not perfect but affordable).
AND FIRST SUNDAY AT THE FIVE POINTS IDIOT - BOGO!!!!!
Side note, new movies at Nick!
And see me about Cheers game with Blue creww (take old cast an assign characters from new scene...Jasmine and welcome back Phillip already cast....

Chapter 30

She Says: What a week of ups and downs! If you believe in the saying it is only money, then it has been (or will be) a great week!

The Elliott and the Untouchables was a great show in perfect weather. The picnic and libation wonderful. The unknown person wanting my iphone, not so wonderful. I know I contributed to its MIA status and no I didn't know about the free app "where is my ipad?". But really, it isn't like you can sell it (yes I reported it to local law enforcement). Have to admit I am not delighted with the customer service of two companies (why do you not now any answers to my basic common sense questions and why must you kick someone while they are down?).  At least we (or at least I) are true urbanites who has been a victim of a crime...Will tell more on this front later, have to give at least one company a third chance to redeem itself.This experience did allow me to dabble in eBay, not sure that is for me:)

We got more furniture!!!! Bed frame, dresser, bedside tables, coffee table, end table and draperies! Jane then hung pictures. Starting to feel like a home. If I only had an iphone I could easily share pictures. Maybe this will be my hook to get Jason back involved (didn't he say he would have more to say once we were down here?).

News from the hold neighborhood is quiet. There has been a rash lot of break-ins, kicking in back doors... So there is one plus to our Fort Knox (aka Renaissance Plaza) living. Toby dog recovering from his broken jaw caused by another neighborhood dog (Mom trying to help a dog left out 100+ heat...). And so life moves on for all.

The BIG news is Jason's digital piano just arrived. I am sitting listening installed music. Nice! Hannah House suggested moving it to the square corner (as opposed to the curved wall). I asked how do I fit in the book case and sleeper sofa. So it lives in its new curved wall. Perfect spot for cats to sorta hide in it.

Chapter 29

She Says: We are going to be able to sit down at a table to eat, I hope! True to this not so typical Stickley furniture's nature, the re-assembly process appears to be challenging (part puzzle part expanded wood).  So I hide and type as they work! Not a great picture of furniture(consequence when using but a cell phone camera), but it is gorgeous!
Bottom line, The Amber Door does great furniture restoration. With all the former stain one could not see the table was Cherry and Maple heart wood! And the seats are whole and sturdy. Now I just wait for boxes to arrive Monday and hunt for key that opens and closes the china cabinet doors. We fully endorse The Amber Door!

Each week I feel like I am so close to having a more functional condo and life, but then realize we have a ways to go. Painting and cleaning accomplished this week. Monday brings boxes in storage (plus our rocking chairs so we can sit  on the porch!). Bedroom furniture will also arrive Monday so we be able to find clothes (and I'll be able to augment my wardrobe with items I packed!!!) and unpack boxes titled kitchen and bathroom. Jane will also be by to install window treatments and possible put up some pictures. So maybe life will feel more normal then.

We have not yet missed a TV... Still delaying purchasing just a monitor as apposed to a  TV. This may be one of my wait three months deals before I invest. News is the true challenge, but does true news really exist or is it all entertainment? TWC is still a monster in my opinion. One a lighter note like a giggling teenager I am hooked on Friday Night Lights courtesy of Netflix. Do have to admit season two is at a tipping point for being over the top... Hope they reel it back in in episode three.

So what are the urbanites doing this weekend? Jason has a colleague who plays in a band that has a gig at Carolina Wings tonight. And tomorrow City of Columbia will host Elliot and the Untouchables (Blues) from 7-10 at Finlay Park. Able to walk to both!!!!!! We just have to hope the summer monsoons hold off (especially since Jason is on call this weekend for SCE&G customer service).

A shout out to Angie Wolff at Fit Columbia. Week three of the RSD1 SAB building group, and it is a not so serious group with short attention spans. She handles our diverse levels of fitness very well, but I bet like me she just wants to holler! Who knows who will come back after our first six weeks are completed... I really need to bump up my efforts outside of our weekly meetings and not get mac-n-cheese in my veggie plate at Lizards Thicket.

I will try to get Jason to take a picture to post soon of the new hair do. It is part Rachel Maddow part Jamie Lee Curtis... so it is short! Everyone says they like it and close friends say they love it. It did motivate me to go visit Angelica (Moscow native) to do something about the circles under my eyes with a little help from Estee Lauder.

Long post so I'll sign off, as Amber Door continues to complete the puzzle...

Chapter 28

She Says: It is all about baby steps. Chris is almost done painting and he finished installing our washer and dryer (first load in now!). Expect table from Amber Door, bedroom furniture and packed boxes next week after much needed deep cleaning. Then life should resume a near normal routine.

Jason is keeping visitors out until all is done in early September. But, I'll give you a sneak peak that   keeps me out of trouble. Who know, I may already be in a world of trouble after he sees my latest haircut (thank you Jamie Lee Curtis!).

Formerly a 3rd door for tiny bedroom.

Neko & Macka's new hiding spot.

 

 

 

New wall!

The green doesn't look as green as it really is in this picture. Yes my cats have come out of the closet (I did add a towel for Macka to sit on but she hasn't elected to use it yet).

On a sad note Jason's Granny just past away. She had Alzheimer's and never wanted to live that way. She had a stroke two days ago, very fortunate that she didn't suffer long. No one should have to exist in such a condition (in my humble opinion). She was truly a wonderful woman.

Chapter 27

She said: We are in! Us, the cats, supplies we had in hotel and a box spring & mattress. Progress is slow and steady! New carpet in master,check. Contractor to make 3rd door a wall in guest room (still wish it could be the other roor) and paint next week, check. Time Warner Cable holding up their reputation of incompetence, check (we are still without Internet access... I could rant for a while, but we all have our TWC story). There just has to be an opportunity for a true competitor to emerge... Amber Door had done a phenomenal job on the table and china cabinet. Who knew there was cherry and maple! One more coat to go and it will look like its true nature. A lot to get it right, but Jason was right to make it a priority. Happy belated fourth. We did not stay up to watch fireworks. New neighborhood kinder to pets and those that have to work the next day than previous. I'll let Jason tell you about meeting new neighbors at pool. My only quote is "No, I graduated from high school in 96"... Knew we should have struck up a conversation with the more mature looking couple. For the record, last Saturday and Sunday it was 109 here. Highest eIver since they started recording. Thankfully the humidity was low. Off to walk up to meet Laura at Blue!