Tuesday tunes...

I just returned from "Tuesday Tunes;" a group of faculty gets together and plays music. Wowee, what a deal. And what's more, we are encouraged to get together and fraternize. And everyone seems to be smiling. Don't let "the devil, Dubyah" read my blog, but couldn't he take some lessons? Remember when the other "Dubyah" won his second term and there was that website where people from the US could apologize? And then this other website from Canada sprang up that told us it's OK, we could come visit? Well, I'm your Canadian website. When it gets too crazy, come visit!

A lovely day on the Little Pee Dee River

We paddled SC for the first time. The rivers are certainly different here. Sandy, black bottoms and lots of fauna. See the pics. The cypress was really beautiful in its own way and the turtle actually "posed" for us. CM from Augusta, Jacob and I had a fine time. The weather even gave us a break. It rained the night before so it was overcast and the humidity was down a little. I don't know, I kind of miss rocks and running water. I'm not going to judge after only one trip though.

Why? Why? Why?

Please tell me, does EVERYTHING for a 14 year old have to involve an argument?!!! I know everyone says that teenagers have similar traits, but I just thought it was those "other kids," not mine...he won't be that way. I guess the hormone, "smartass," just kicks in...or maybe it's the 115 degree heat?

Crushed ice...

it's a beautiful thing. I love crushed ice... in water, in cokes, in scotch... Especially when it's in the door right next to the cold water... I love crushed ice.

I just finished cooking...

on my new GAS STOVE!!!! Weeeee! Yes folks, yesterday there were dozens of men here randomly hooking things up (not me, unfortunately). So as of 4pm, we have a water heater, fridge that has running water and ice in the door, a working gas stove, and gas logs (of course we won't be needing those for a while). I can't wait for all the bills! The living room is clean, but couchless (we'll be taking care of that soon). The kitchen is clean. Our bedrooms are clean and mine is actually unpacked. So my next room to clean and get together is the dining room. I have to paint and clean. I'll try to post pictures tomorrow! It's just like a real house!

The lawn...

What the hellfire do you do with sand? Not that I'm ready to do anything, but... My backyard is a travesty (thank you Big Lebowski). I do have a gorgeous hydrangia in the back. Redoing the backyard will come this fall after the boxes are unpacked.

This house in South Carolina...

Some of my more avid readers know that this house was absolutely FILTHY. I don't claim to be Dr. Clean, but I have never seen anyone live like these people did. So, five theatre students, two colleagues and I cleaned for four and one half hours. Then, to clean even further, and because I had to change things, we painted for 4 days. Now, I'll unpack for 6 months. You'll get pictures, I promise. I'm posting one of the house before the screened in porch addition.

Furniture's here...

If you ever have to move, lookup UPack.com. That was the most painless move I have ever had. (I can't say as much for the unpacking part). And inexpensive. Moving help and all, it cost $1400. I budgeted for $4000. Wowee, I can buy a leather couch. Only a couple of pieces got damaged and that's because I didn't wrap them well enough.

The refridgerator and stove are coming today. How did they do it way back? My old fridge is outside in the shed-- inconvenient to say the least.

I'm not going to be redundant so for the next couple of weeks the posts will say:
unpacking

"Moving" (get it?) right along...

I am typing this post on the internet IN MY HOME! (Wow this city livin is great). The satellite man is on my roof. The contractor was only 1 1/2 hours late. 2 friends are coming to help paint tonight. And I found a Big Lots. What more could a girl want?! I will post pictures very soon.

Off to South Carolina...

I bought a fabulous house in South Carolina! I am loving my colleagues and my dept chair. I have spent the last week vacillating between bursting into tears and laughing like a maniac. sigh. I leave at 9am tomorrow to start the "new life."

So let's talk about the move experience. The house closing in TN was "interesting." The wife beater showed up 40 minutes late with his dogs - to the lawyer's office. He asked the lawyer to let him bring his dogs in and the lawyer said, "no." The lawyer also had to be in Nashville by 4:30, so I didn't get much explained to me. At one point the lawyer came into the room where I was "hiding" and asked, "Are those people insane?" I just smiled. He said, "I can't make them understand anything." The wife beatee was very concerned about the tray of flowers she had purchased and wanted to plant them the next day. I told my realtor to gently explain to her that she could plant anything she wanted, but she can't come in the house and complain to me about the husband. He told her I was very busy and had to pack. She called the next day and left me a message that said, "I'll just let the new flowers die. I don't want to bother you." Sheesh. Get me a gun.

The house closing in SC went very well. It took eight of us four and one half hours to clean the new house (the people were filthy) - five theatre students, two colleagues and me. Great to meet the new students. I think it is good that they met me before they have to take my classes (reading and writing...a lot). So yesterday, I... no let me back up... Two weeks ago I made a reservation with Adam Bumbalough (mover). They were supposed to be at my house at 4pm yesterday. They never showed up. By the way, his cell phone is 615-474-3519. You are welcomed to call and say whatever strikes you, although he probably won't bother picking up because he evidently has no cahones (sp). I left a very "colorful" message on his phone at 7pm. He didn't pick up for me then either. I am so fortunate to have four friends that were there for "supplemental" help. The five of us loaded the truck in three hours.

So far the whole experience has been fairly uneventful. I guess if the movers are the "event" I can live with that. I have a good contractor (I think. Is that an oxymoron?) and he is starting to build a screened in porch, lay a new floor in the kitchen and get the house ready to have a gas stove, gas logs and gas water heater. WEEEEEEE. I have always wanted to have gas...I mean... Really, I have always wanted to have a gas stove.

When I arrive tomorrow evening, the demon cat and I will be sleeping on a cot for a week. My furniture comes in July 25 or 26th. I'm glad because I need to paint (over the filth). The house is a 1935 bungalow across the street from a gorgeous park. It has over 1800 square feet, all hardwood floors, three bedrooms, two baths, a den, and a small (weeeeee) fenced in back yard, which I plan to landscape so that all I have to do is pinch off three blades of grass and the yard is mown! I think Jacob and I will love it. I ain't never done no city livin afore. I get trash pickup, recycling, and fast internet!!! woo-hoo!

So stay tuned. Since I have fast internet now, I will keep you all apprised of my situation. No, don't hold your breath...

PS: if you're nice to me you can have 1 complimentary beach time share...