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!

Chapter 45

She Says: Where do I begin!?!?! The rehab is 99% done, yippee:) Jason proclaimed today as fun day (too much going on) so clean up and putting things in their rightful places will commence tomorrow. I intend to do an update dedicated to the stories of Will and Clayton and their work soon...

So, urban life...it is great this week! Vista Lights was a blast.

The Eau Claire marching band kicked off the event. Had some competition from a great drum band, .but the Shamrock (Eau Claire) dance team stole the show...pretty dancing ladies will do that. Saw lots of friends and colleagues, but no suburban friends (?). It was the place to be in Columbia. Missed the tree lighting and the Mayor, but there was to much going on to see it all.

I had been avoiding City Art. I knew I'd fall in love with art work that is out of my price range. But who knew I'd go crazy for a wax "painting" by someone I know! Tim Floyd is a multi-medium talent!!!!! Learned that what appeared to be over-sized spools of threads when viewed through a smart phone can become a biblical face (I should know who it is, but I don't and am O.K with that). Jewelry, vista landscapes and more. Guess I need to start buying lottery tickets again.

Jasper magazine was having their artist awards and Ed Madden was a winner! Haven't seen Ed in too long, a problem that will soon be corrected. The pressure is on me now... he wants the blog link. Poet/English Professor/ Woman's Studies Professor/my co-winner for Leadership Columbia's most liberal award winner reading my writing? At least my blog isn't for credit...

Horrible picture, but had to include. The people watching was fabulous. This anonymous gentleman wins (hands down) the sexiest metro-sexual dad award. He stopped Jason and me dead in our tracks! The stroller was even sleek.


And it appears that we can't end a night out in the Vista anywhere other than Mezza. Their celebratory contribution to the evening was a very confident belly dancer. They did run out of cider with some "amazingly good" spiced moonshine, will have to look for that. Missed the opportunity to get a picture of the kitchen staff in their  hunting garb, it was cold (and funny). Mezza is about to roll out their new menu! Maybe we will have to eat there twice a week...

Today? Well the Gamecocks play Wofford at 1:00 p.m. Then on to Boyfriend Ronnie and his wife Kitty's backyard oyster party. My contribution?  This non-oyster loving lady got BIG shrimp from the Rosewood market farmers market. I will from now on be a regular customer.

Chapter 44

She Said: A first! The blog did not enter my mind until I was walking down to join Jason in Five Points. I'll blame it on the paint fumes.

Homecoming for the Gamecocks today... Think our holiday card will be with the huge Gamecock by the statehouse. Gotta love Columbia South Carolina! 

This week was my 13th wedding anniversary! So how did we celebrate? We ate out every night: Mezza on Monday, Mojitos on Tuesday, Camon on Wednesday, MVista on Thursday, Blue on Friday, and tonight a home cook meal at Junior and Nancy's:) Guess the two workouts with Angie and walk to Five Points through the the Horseshow will help with the over indulgence. Right?

Side note about Wednesday... we also saw Samsara at the Nickelodeon. Great film! I encourage all to find it and see it.

The election on Tuesday, yeah I am OK with that. New precinct allowed Jason a one hour wait a 7:00 a.m. Me at 10:30, I was in an out in five minutes:) Sorry to the friends who had 4 or more hours  bonding with neighbors. A nice perk to our city living!

Last week was the annual chili cook off and Blues Festival in Five Points. Highlight was Eddie Turner.A late picture, but a worthy plug to all to attend next year.

All hope may not be lost in my electrical endeavors. The small writing notes a repaired circuit in the receptacle box. I did at least one correctly!

I have said it before, but the end I believe really is near for condo rehab. I hope next weekend to be super busy cleaning and moving furniture and pictures back to their final destinations.