SANTA came to Daughter's House EARLY

Some House Photos

Here's a few photos of my new DIGS taken right after the move September 1st

HELLO FROM NORTH CAROLINA

I am posting this from a PC that I had shipped with all my MESS from Tucson. I had not "used" this PC in over 2 years and it sure is much slower and "different" than the laptop I have gotten "spoiled" with. The darned thing WORKS though which is INCREDIBLE since I bought it in 2003 from a wonderful friend who built it for me. He knows who he is!!! Thanks BOB!

I cannot believe how time has just FLOWN BY since my big move in July! There was the ten day trip by auto with Kitty and Grandson Mylz then the hectic pace of getting a new residence while bumming off my daughter, her man and my grandkids for a month. Now it is these piles and piles of boxes still blessing my garage and storage room not to mention their contents which must find a home either inside the house or in the stash for Garage Sale.

The house I bought, me and Fannie Mae, is 1000 sq ft SMALLER than my Mother's home. Now it's kinda like trying to fit a whale in a sardine can. BUT it's MY SARDINE CAN and I am a mere 3 miles from my daughter & family & see the grandchildren nearly every day!!! YAY!!!!!

I am trying to get all my BEADS and YARN located and organized which might takes years if not DECADES! I found "some" of my Christmas decorations and found a place to erect my 3 foot prelit artificial tree (on my former kitchen table in the Craft room). The most splendid part is I finally get to SHARE my Holidays with the little Family I have here....not what I have but WHO I am with!!!

Must admit I splurged on a couple of purchases for which I will be in hock for a long while...new 46" SMART TV, new 'he' washer and dryer and the house came with a marvelous side by side Samsung computerized refrigerator & high end Kenmore range/oven/microwave that are only 2 years old. So I am very "comfortable" in my new digs.

Been keeping busy knitting now that the cold weather is nearly here. Joined this fabulous group of knitters/crocheters that meet at the local Yarn Shop where I teach an occasional Bead Crochet class. A Row of Purls is the shop's name and our "group knit ins" are twice a week, Monday and Friday evenings. I usually get to just the Monday gatherings as Fridays are reserved for grandchild sleep overs at MY house.

The climate is not messing with my osteoarthritis nearly as much as I thought it would. I am staying pretty active compared the "life of a slug" that I used to lead in Tucson, AZ. Yes, it is more humid, which means my skin is soooooo much happier! People here think LOW Humidity is in the 30% range....HA HA HA...Tucson's average is about 10% I believe!

The people here in Fayetteville, NC are SUPER!! I have the Sweetest Next Door Neighbor Lady who has been a Godsend on Gardening Help!! I acquired a HUGE yard and Lots 'O Plants and Trees that this Desert Rat is gonna need a huge amount of assistance in what to do about it all!!! Especially come early Spring planting time!

The Travel Cat, Squeakers is VERY HAPPY in her new "nest" especially since familiar furniture came in. She is not too "pleased" that we have two "outdoor" cats from next door that like to hang around our front porch and yard. She is especially "miffed" when she sees them rubbing up against me when I am outside doing yardwork or whatever. She trys to tear them apart through our insulated, double paned windows to no avail. HA HA poor Squeakers! She was an AMAZING Travel companion on the LOOOOOONG drive here. She gave us NO GRIEF!!!

So that's about all for this Post. Will get some photos up from the Laptop shortly. Sorry this has been so BORING a BLOG for such a long while...maybe it will improve in time...I HOPE! HAPPY HOLIDAYS ALL!!!

TRIP UPDATE

So, here it is day FIVE of THE BIG ADVENTURE!!! We are just about to pack it in and leave our LUXURY accomodations at the WESTIN St Louis. We are directly across from the St Louis Cardinals Ball Park...four floors above the a above the metro station with a view of the ARCH!

I just couldn't do another day of lugging belongings in & out in triple digit temperatures....not to mention re-arranging everything in the car for every trip. So I splurged!!!! Concierge took care of it all & will again this morning!

It has been such a WONDERFUL experience so far....GOOD FRIENDS....great company....sweet travel all the way around!!! Off for a new & exciting DAY!!! It's AKRON OR BUST Today!!!!

An ARTIST EMERGES !!!

 

I always knew it would be "NO Problem" when it came to my grandson, Mylz, picking up anything I know how to do. He AMAZED even me with his ability to grasp the concept of crocheting in a couple hours...then adding beads and finally making a bead crochet rope from scratch in just two days of lessons. This is a photo of the proud young man and his accomplishment. It is his second practice piece with absolutely NO ERRORS!!!

This child is a genius!! I wish the world was filled with more amazing young people like him.

OOPS, does that sound like a BRAGGING GRANDMA??? So be it! AMEN

MY TRAVELS!!

This AWESOME Guy is my grandson, Mylz! He is the older brother (eleven) to the Little Doll in the previous post!! He is also now here in Tucson, AZ and all set to pursue the Adventure of the Open Road with his grandma and Squeakers the kitty....we are having a BLAST of a time getting prepared for this SOJOURN on the highways of America.

In a mere 6 days, the Bekins men will arrive at my door to pack it all up..then on July 19th, 2011 the big moving van pulls up, Loads up and drives away with almost ALL of my belongings.

My Navigator, Mylz and I then follow by heading North to the Wonderland that is PHOENIX, AZ to stay the night in Sun City, AZ with my girlfriend of 40+ years before embarking on the REST of the journey.

Next, we stop just outside of Alburqueque, NM to spend the night with my mentor and friend, Theresa...perchance to do some beading if time and weariness permits but definitely to do some non-stop chatting and photo taking!!!

We are taking a Northern route so as to make our way up to Akron, OHIO where all MY remaining ROOTS are still flourishing. Most of my father's family is located in or around Akron. I have not seen them in over 40 years!!! I guess this is a reunion of sorts....at least it is for ME!!

My other girlfriend...we attended elementary school together, has also relocated to Ohio, but near Toledo...a visit with Sharon is also on the agenda. She may even be able to come meet my long lost extended family just 3 hours away in Akron.

The trusty laptop will be travelling with us as well as a few other necessary electronic devices so I really intend to keep ya posted from the road on here as well. Happy Trails Indeed!!!

MY TRAVELS!!

 

This is the adorable little gal who is about to turn FIVE YEARS OLD in Fayetteville NC...she is a HUGE PART of my BIG MOVE across country in just SEVEN more days!!!