The CA house sold after we left and it should be closing next week. What a big relief! This has been a long process but one we are hoping to have finished soon. The buyers are very excited to get in and I really hope things will go smoothly on closing day. We haven't had to pay too much for any repairs - just some termite damage. Termites is an ongoing problem there and one we will not have to worry about anymore. YEA!
We are almost out of boxes. We just have one more bedroom to set up and it will actually be my craft room. Right now, we have to figure out how to get storage for all the scrap books I have that I haven't been able to do because of having to keep the CA house all clean and neat with the house on the market. Every time I would pull everything out then I would have to put every thing back because someone wanted to see the house. What a pain that was so I just gave up trying.
I have my first neurologist appointment today with a new doctor here in SC. I have a stack of medical records, starting from 2002, and a couple of CD's showing a couple of my MRI's to give him. It may be too much but at least I have something and the office will not have to wait for my records. I am a little nervous about him as I never received a recommendation for him except by the National MS Society. You would think that should be a good recommendation I could go by, but you never know. How is he around patients, what is his background with MS, etc. Questions I hope to have answered today. If you don't feel comfortable with your doctor and have confidence in him or her, then it makes one question whether you will be able to call with a question or concern and he or she will respond.
On Monday, April 2, will be a VERY important day for Clark Construction. They will be presenting their proposal for the construction of the Edmonton Oilers Arena in Edmonton, Canada. I have seen the concept photos of what the owners want and it is a very futuristic building. I will make sure it will be OK to share photos and when I get the OK I will do just that.
Another flight to Canada will be occurring this Saturday with the presentation on Monday. It will be a large group, each giving their own piece of the the bid. A lot of stress is taking place right now and I need to be very careful of what I say, or do, or even ask for, as I never know what kind of reaction I will get. I know his mind right now is on that presentation. The pressure is tremendous. The company wants this job! I know it doesn't take one person but a team to accomplish this but it doesn't mean any less pressure.
It is starting to get warmer as the days are going by. Our house seems to stay pretty cool which is a good thing right now but I do know it will just get hotter. How will I do? Well, I have a couple of cooling vests to use and AC. I could also go to the clubhouse and read to use their AC. I will make it work or just deal with it the best I can.
A house will be started right next to us shortly. I am not ready for this to happen. We have had problems with the dust and noise from the completion of another house just a couple of lots over. Can you just imagine what the noise and dust and mess we will have and right next door? I can't even keep my house clean and dusted NOW! Maybe this would be a good time to go back to California for three months.
Our house is looking a little crowded with all our stuff now. I am sure it will be fine once we have things in place, pictures on the walls, and everything stored or put away. Right now ... the house could use some help. I try to work as long as I can but my legs won't let me go as long as I want. This may be a good thing as it causes me to take a break but I just sit and look at what needs to be done. We have all the time in the world to get it finished and I am sure it will be an ever changing project.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
New Blog Name
New blog name! Now that we have moved from California to South Carolina I needed to update. South Carolina Doings!
Monday, February 6, 2012
Here We Go Again!
Tomorrow will be packing day. It is so serial to know we will be flying by this weekend going to our home in Bluffton, South Carolina. We have been in California since the year 2000. We have felt small earthquakes but not the BIG ONE! We have enjoyed great weather and beautiful scenery. Where else can you go to the mountains and ski, come back home and go to the beach. Not having snow to shovel or to deal with drivers who do not know how to drive in snow, has been a plus.
We are leaving the traffic congestion, speeding everywhere, and all the celebrities. We are also leaving the high taxes, high prices for everything, and the lack of courtesy.
One thing that California did have, which was neat, is that drivers stopped for pedestrians in crosswalks! You never had to wait for a long time to cross the street. They would stop even if there wasn't technically a crosswalk but a place to cross. Amazing, considering it isn't this way in other parts of the country.
My day, today, will be very busy. I need to go through everything once more to make sure that things that need to stay, will, and things that need to go, will do just that. We also have to pack suitcases so we will have clothes for the rest of the week and next until our house things get to us.
I don't have help during the day but will have Sam (Dad) in the evening. I will then be in charge, on Tuesday, to assist the packers to know what is taken and what needs to be left behind. On Wednesday, I get a break as I will be attending a luncheon for me from my support group. Sam (Dad) will have the duty of getting my car picked up to ship and the moving company loading their van.
We are really hoping this will be our last move. It will depend on how I handle the heat and whether it is causing me problems. If my health is affected, we will move to some place cooler, if there is such a place.
We haven't had any offers to buy our house. We have had many lookers but no one wants to take that next step. The buyers are really searching for the best and lowest deal they can make. I really can't fault them, as we would be doing the same thing. We just wouldn't get a seller's hope up that an offer will be made and then nothing progresses. This is so hard on the emotions by having high hopes and then having it snatched away. On top of this stress then we have a move across country. It is hard at times, to keep everything together - emotions and organization. Questions fly and decisions have to be made.
Boy, I will be glad when this is over!!
We are leaving the traffic congestion, speeding everywhere, and all the celebrities. We are also leaving the high taxes, high prices for everything, and the lack of courtesy.
One thing that California did have, which was neat, is that drivers stopped for pedestrians in crosswalks! You never had to wait for a long time to cross the street. They would stop even if there wasn't technically a crosswalk but a place to cross. Amazing, considering it isn't this way in other parts of the country.
My day, today, will be very busy. I need to go through everything once more to make sure that things that need to stay, will, and things that need to go, will do just that. We also have to pack suitcases so we will have clothes for the rest of the week and next until our house things get to us.
I don't have help during the day but will have Sam (Dad) in the evening. I will then be in charge, on Tuesday, to assist the packers to know what is taken and what needs to be left behind. On Wednesday, I get a break as I will be attending a luncheon for me from my support group. Sam (Dad) will have the duty of getting my car picked up to ship and the moving company loading their van.
We are really hoping this will be our last move. It will depend on how I handle the heat and whether it is causing me problems. If my health is affected, we will move to some place cooler, if there is such a place.
We haven't had any offers to buy our house. We have had many lookers but no one wants to take that next step. The buyers are really searching for the best and lowest deal they can make. I really can't fault them, as we would be doing the same thing. We just wouldn't get a seller's hope up that an offer will be made and then nothing progresses. This is so hard on the emotions by having high hopes and then having it snatched away. On top of this stress then we have a move across country. It is hard at times, to keep everything together - emotions and organization. Questions fly and decisions have to be made.
Boy, I will be glad when this is over!!
Monday, January 23, 2012
THE TIME IS GETTING CLOSE TO MAKE THAT MOVE!
I can't believe how close the time is to make that move to South Carolina. I am in the process of making the last minute doctor's and dentist appointments and arranging to get copies of records.
The doctor's and dentist said they would forward the records once a new doctor has been chosen but I rather have my information on the off chance that the records do not arrive in a timely fashion. They might even be lost in the mail and I would have to do the asking all over again.
Sam/Dad is actually having to work all week this week. He has two projects that will be taking up his time. One is in Edmonton, Canada and the other is here in California, updating the Rose Bowl. The Canada job has not been awarded yet but the company has been working with their Canadian counterpart to get their proposal together. Sam will have times he will need to fly to Canada but he is prepared with his wardrobe as he had to get clothing when he flew to Fairbanks Alaska a few years back. The last time he talked to someone in Edmonton, it was -20 degrees. C...O...L...D!!!!!!
It is bittersweet when we leave permanently. We have made some good friends and established ourselves in the community. The MS Society, Pacific South Coast Chapter, know us as well as other MS Society's across the country. That is because I am a MS Ambassador for the Society. Sam and I will continue to fundraise and continue to have the golf tournament.
I did find out that there is not a MS Community yet in the Bluffton area. There are no support groups! I guess I know what I will be doing once I get settled. I need the support and I am sure others will too. I have already been in contact with the local society and once I am in Bluffton, South Carolina permanently, I will help get things moving.
The house still has not had any offers. This has been the most frustrating part of having the house up for sale. We lowered the price, the realtors who have looked at the house have said the house is well priced and should sell, we have had many open houses and continue to have, potential buyers have liked the upgrades and the view and yet we do not receive any contracts. One would be so nice!
Our realtor feels the market is getting a little better and sees people out at Open Houses. Anyone can go to an Open House. I just hope they are the people that want to buy.
Does it sound like I am being a little cynical right now? I am trying not to be but I am very anxious to sell because we will still be paying for two mortgages on a reduced salary. We will make it but it sure would be better if we were without that debt.
I am trying very hard to keep the faith that everything will work out. I pray everyday, several times a day, for that illusive contract. I know that things will happen in their own time but I sure wish it would happen sooner then later.
The doctor's and dentist said they would forward the records once a new doctor has been chosen but I rather have my information on the off chance that the records do not arrive in a timely fashion. They might even be lost in the mail and I would have to do the asking all over again.
Sam/Dad is actually having to work all week this week. He has two projects that will be taking up his time. One is in Edmonton, Canada and the other is here in California, updating the Rose Bowl. The Canada job has not been awarded yet but the company has been working with their Canadian counterpart to get their proposal together. Sam will have times he will need to fly to Canada but he is prepared with his wardrobe as he had to get clothing when he flew to Fairbanks Alaska a few years back. The last time he talked to someone in Edmonton, it was -20 degrees. C...O...L...D!!!!!!
It is bittersweet when we leave permanently. We have made some good friends and established ourselves in the community. The MS Society, Pacific South Coast Chapter, know us as well as other MS Society's across the country. That is because I am a MS Ambassador for the Society. Sam and I will continue to fundraise and continue to have the golf tournament.
I did find out that there is not a MS Community yet in the Bluffton area. There are no support groups! I guess I know what I will be doing once I get settled. I need the support and I am sure others will too. I have already been in contact with the local society and once I am in Bluffton, South Carolina permanently, I will help get things moving.
The house still has not had any offers. This has been the most frustrating part of having the house up for sale. We lowered the price, the realtors who have looked at the house have said the house is well priced and should sell, we have had many open houses and continue to have, potential buyers have liked the upgrades and the view and yet we do not receive any contracts. One would be so nice!
Our realtor feels the market is getting a little better and sees people out at Open Houses. Anyone can go to an Open House. I just hope they are the people that want to buy.
Does it sound like I am being a little cynical right now? I am trying not to be but I am very anxious to sell because we will still be paying for two mortgages on a reduced salary. We will make it but it sure would be better if we were without that debt.
I am trying very hard to keep the faith that everything will work out. I pray everyday, several times a day, for that illusive contract. I know that things will happen in their own time but I sure wish it would happen sooner then later.
Monday, January 16, 2012
The Move is Happening
We now have a moving date (maybe). The date seems to be set and we have arranged everything with United Van Lines to pack us on one day and pick up the next. My car will be picked up the beginning of February to be transported to South Carolina. We will have to share the Explorer, that is the company truck, between us for a couple of weeks.
We have the house back on the market and we have had many views once again but no offers. Frustrating! We did have one couple back a second time which was unexpected as we did not know they were coming, the house was not straightened up, and the realtor thought we were not home so entered by the lock box. SURPRISE! There was even a couple that was tagging along with the realtor to see the property in addition to the couple seeing the second time.
We really didn't know what to do but we stayed out of the way the best everyone could. Tony, Abby, Gabe, Sophia, and us, just looked at one another. We did ask if they could come back in a half hour so we could present the house in a better condition but they didn't seem to mind.
I don't know where the break down in communication happened. The realtor that was showing the house said she made the appointment with our realtor. Our realtor did not say anything to us about anyone showing up. Was this a bad thing for us to have happen? Who knows, as it is what it is. If they were looking for that clean look then they should have given us the time to clean up.
We have gone through everything one more time to make sure we won't be taking anything we don't really need. We will be leaving a lot of furniture behind because, one, we won't need it for the South Carolina house, and two, so the house looks furnished. Once the house is sold, the furniture we have in the house will be donated to the Marines for the families that need help.
The move has been happening very quickly. I am on board with everything but I am still trying to get all the records and appointments needed done before the move. Always something happening with never a dull, boring moment.
Will this be our last move? I really hope so but I will not say never will we move again. I just wish we were closer to family but at least we will have the freedom to travel at our own time when we want and as long as we want.
We have the house back on the market and we have had many views once again but no offers. Frustrating! We did have one couple back a second time which was unexpected as we did not know they were coming, the house was not straightened up, and the realtor thought we were not home so entered by the lock box. SURPRISE! There was even a couple that was tagging along with the realtor to see the property in addition to the couple seeing the second time.
We really didn't know what to do but we stayed out of the way the best everyone could. Tony, Abby, Gabe, Sophia, and us, just looked at one another. We did ask if they could come back in a half hour so we could present the house in a better condition but they didn't seem to mind.
I don't know where the break down in communication happened. The realtor that was showing the house said she made the appointment with our realtor. Our realtor did not say anything to us about anyone showing up. Was this a bad thing for us to have happen? Who knows, as it is what it is. If they were looking for that clean look then they should have given us the time to clean up.
We have gone through everything one more time to make sure we won't be taking anything we don't really need. We will be leaving a lot of furniture behind because, one, we won't need it for the South Carolina house, and two, so the house looks furnished. Once the house is sold, the furniture we have in the house will be donated to the Marines for the families that need help.
The move has been happening very quickly. I am on board with everything but I am still trying to get all the records and appointments needed done before the move. Always something happening with never a dull, boring moment.
Will this be our last move? I really hope so but I will not say never will we move again. I just wish we were closer to family but at least we will have the freedom to travel at our own time when we want and as long as we want.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
The foot is healing well
I just had a doctor's follow up yesterday and the foot is progressing very well. So well that he said I could go into a running shoe. Yea!
I am not having the problems that I had the last time (knock on wood) and I am very happy about that. I see the doctor again in three weeks but I am hoping that I won't have to see him before then. It did feel a little weird when I put a regular shoe on rather than the boot. I am getting used to the change.
I have now put on my AFO (a brace to keep my right foot up so I don't stumble ((at least that is the goal))). I didn't want to use it when I had the boot on my left foot. It would have been too much.
It will still take time for the foot to feel normal but I am just happy right now that I am not having the problems like last time. I guess the New Year of 2012 is going to be a better one for me.
I am not having the problems that I had the last time (knock on wood) and I am very happy about that. I see the doctor again in three weeks but I am hoping that I won't have to see him before then. It did feel a little weird when I put a regular shoe on rather than the boot. I am getting used to the change.
I have now put on my AFO (a brace to keep my right foot up so I don't stumble ((at least that is the goal))). I didn't want to use it when I had the boot on my left foot. It would have been too much.
It will still take time for the foot to feel normal but I am just happy right now that I am not having the problems like last time. I guess the New Year of 2012 is going to be a better one for me.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Happy New Year 2012
Wow, the holidays are over and we are back to doing our regular stuff. I hope it was fun for everyone. I was busy, which was a good thing but before you knew it, everything was over. You put all the holiday things back away and wait for another year to pass. It is sad in a way to lose all the cheer and happiness that people will have at that time of year. The holiday can be expensive if you let it and not restrain from getting everything someone wants. I know that can be hard to do. You want to make sure that the holiday is special.
I had a great holiday for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. My daughter (with her family) made her first Turkey from start to finish with all the extras. She did a great job. I saw my oldest son and family after they made the long move to Denver from West Virginia. They even had purchased a new home to get everyone settled. It was making things a little easier for them knowing they now had a place to call home once again.
Christmas I spent with my other son and his family in Maryland. It was different for me because we were not splitting time between houses as we once did. We had a great time and it was very relaxed.
Now, I am working on my next project which will be a big change in our lives. Retirement and moving back across the United States, going from California to South Carolina. The process has begun. Movers have been contacted to get their bids, transport companies have been contacted to move my car, sorting through everything to rid us of stuff we really don't need but have been hanging onto.
Disagreements are happening as to what big stuff we should move or not. The house in South Carolina has been set up with pretty much everything you would need to live there. It is those other things that you want that need to be included now.
I am not sure I am ready for all the changes that will be taking place. It is scary and exciting at the same time. We have made many, many moves and it hasn't been because of the military. It was due to going for/to a new job and moving up the corporate ladder. This also caused our kids to have to move away from friends they had made and schools they may have liked. It was a choice we had to make as we had a growing family and needed the security of a future.
I am scared of the new place, not of the house, but learning a new area. Because of my MS, it takes so much longer for me to process things and to feel comfortable. I do have a GPS which will get me around and I do rely on it quite a bit. I won't feel so frighten and be in tears when I am lost and can't find my way home. That feeling I do not want to feel anymore.
I know in my heart that this next chapter in our life will be a wonderful one. We will have the chance to do things when we want to do them. We will not have the restraints of a job and only having a couple of weeks to vacation. We do plan to travel and see the country. We will also take cruises. We have worked hard to this point and we deserve the benefits.
I had a great holiday for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. My daughter (with her family) made her first Turkey from start to finish with all the extras. She did a great job. I saw my oldest son and family after they made the long move to Denver from West Virginia. They even had purchased a new home to get everyone settled. It was making things a little easier for them knowing they now had a place to call home once again.
Christmas I spent with my other son and his family in Maryland. It was different for me because we were not splitting time between houses as we once did. We had a great time and it was very relaxed.
Now, I am working on my next project which will be a big change in our lives. Retirement and moving back across the United States, going from California to South Carolina. The process has begun. Movers have been contacted to get their bids, transport companies have been contacted to move my car, sorting through everything to rid us of stuff we really don't need but have been hanging onto.
Disagreements are happening as to what big stuff we should move or not. The house in South Carolina has been set up with pretty much everything you would need to live there. It is those other things that you want that need to be included now.
I am not sure I am ready for all the changes that will be taking place. It is scary and exciting at the same time. We have made many, many moves and it hasn't been because of the military. It was due to going for/to a new job and moving up the corporate ladder. This also caused our kids to have to move away from friends they had made and schools they may have liked. It was a choice we had to make as we had a growing family and needed the security of a future.
I am scared of the new place, not of the house, but learning a new area. Because of my MS, it takes so much longer for me to process things and to feel comfortable. I do have a GPS which will get me around and I do rely on it quite a bit. I won't feel so frighten and be in tears when I am lost and can't find my way home. That feeling I do not want to feel anymore.
I know in my heart that this next chapter in our life will be a wonderful one. We will have the chance to do things when we want to do them. We will not have the restraints of a job and only having a couple of weeks to vacation. We do plan to travel and see the country. We will also take cruises. We have worked hard to this point and we deserve the benefits.
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