Sunday Update

Today I'm taking the day for catching myself up on a few little things hanging out there.

(1)  Watch a spring garden video from the local gardener's club.  My girlfriend belongs and she sent it to me to help me start my little bitty garden.  I need to make the time to watch it.  Spring planting is around the corner.

(2)  Finish the pendulum class (rest on replay).  I stayed for 90 minutes, but then my son came over with the dogs.  It was time to sag out anyway -- information was moving way too slowly, but it was a fun class.

(3)  Finalize cookie order for the wedding welcome night.

(4)  Finish watching Bridgerton.  I have 1-1/2 episodes left.

(5)  Make progress to finish both current books this week.  They're clogging the works.

(6)  Prep for bookclub this afternoon.

It's a bold list, but I'm giving it a go.  Too many things piling up and that keeps my mind buzzing in a stressful way.

I'm taking a full break from coffee this week.  EEEEEKK (!!)  It's going to be a challenge, but I'm stopping because it doesn't taste as good lately.  I've been drinking way more than normal because I switched back to full decaf and it's been cold and rainy these last few weeks.  Every once in awhile I need to stop to reset my taste buds.  That usually happens on a vacation, but we know that didn't happen this year.  A week is probably longer than I need, but I set the commitment.  

Pollen has started in GA and it's set to come in force soon.  Lots of nose blowing in the morning and swollen eyes all day.  Fortunately, it doesn't last long.

That's my Sunday update.  Off to houseclean my to-do list.  Stay well.  Later gators.

Black-N-White Cookies

Another done and dusted off my 21 for 2021 list.  I made black-n-white cookies.  Hubby says they taste exactly right, but I don't think they're as cake-like as they should be.  Also, as you can tell, I wasn't very particular with the icing decorating.  It's a little off -- 55% to 45% lol.

I framed (Framebridge) a recipe from my grandmother's mother.  I'm bringing it to the Asheville house.  I'm super happy with the frame.

We're now closing on the house on March 9 -- WHAT?!?!?  This entire process from first idea to owning the house is lightening fast.  I'm trying to slow down and not panic that I have nothing for the house yet.  March is turning out to be a HUGE month for me.  I'm also trying not to panic about the sheer volume of stuff I'm ordering.  When you have nothing for kitchen or bathrooms or bedding -- it's a small fortune.  We budgeted it all, but it seems massive when you clump everything together.  

Enjoy the process.  I promised myself, but it's harder than it looks -- especially when we're still working on wedding things.  Exciting month and it will all get done, but I need to be intentional about enjoying it.

I leave with this quote -- sums up now just right.  Have a great Saturday.  Stay well. 

Old "Normal" Week

If I closed my eyes, I could believe this week was (almost) like a week before the pandemic began.  Two days trips to Asheville where we TALKED to people (yes, masks and precautions, but still) and we walked about in a town (everyone masked).

Chatted with my next-door neighbor shouting across our lawns -- this was one of the few times we've seen them in a year.  Walk with a friend (also masked, but in-person).  Grocery store TWICE this week (gasp).

Two outdoor runs.  Lots of long walks.  Busy with house and wedding prep.

And I'm beat to the bone.  Totally out of practice on how to live this life, but it feels so dang GOOD.  The pandemic either made you mountains more busy (kids home, juggling home workspace, etc) or it made you lonely and bored.  I fell in the latter group.  I think a little relief is on the horizon for both groups this year.  

Maybe this was just this week and a blast of spring weather ... but the taste of what's to come is nice.

In other updates ...

Wedding is back to under 30 people.  Yea.  Safety wins!

Hair practice MUST happen next week because I'm getting a little panicked that I can pull it off using tools and sprays.

Home inspection was fine.  Lots to fix, but we're all set.  Nothing big, but 20 small important things.  Waiting on a closing date now.

Making black-n-white cookies this weekend.  It's on my 21 for 2021 list.  

Pendulum zoom workshop this weekend that my former life coach is hosting.  I like fun and quirky things.  Sunday is bookclub and I need to remember the book -- reading it seems so long ago.

Speaking of books.  STILL reading the current ones (a political book and Migrations).  Neither is drawing me in and since I've been tired, not much reading happening.  I think they're both worthy reads, so I need to make some time to get back to them next week.

Here are some interior and garden pictures of the Asheville house.  We are buying some of the furniture to as a stop-gap until we can figure things out.  New furniture is so backordered right now, we were concerned it would be a long time before we had things to sit on.  Spring is just about here and we want to enjoy the house right away.  A year of being cooped up is long enough.

Happy Friday.  Stay well.  Later gators.

The House

Here's some scoop on our vacation home.  

It's 3 bedroom (loosely) -- 2 on the top floor and one, technically in the basement; however, it's too small.  We're going to use the carriage house as a 3rd bedroom.  It has climate control and is weather-proofed, but no bathroom.  A few steps to the house and a bathroom.  Three full baths -- one on each level.  Two bathrooms are clawfoot tubs -- love the look, we'll see how showering feels :)

The house turns 100 next year.  It was fully renovated 2 years ago with lots of the original charm.  Four fireplaces, original windows in some of the house, original woodwork in some of the house, original stone, etc.  It's a registered historical home so changes are approved by the Historical Society.  

It's in a wooded neighborhood with a number of other historical homes.  1.25 mile walk and you are in the heart of Asheville.  7 minute walk to ice cream.  8 minute walk to coffee.  10 minutes to restaurants and 15 minutes to 3 supermarkets (TJs, Whole Foods and HT).  A little over a mile to The Grove Park Inn.

Neighbors are an eclectic bunch -- lots of families and that's great.  Most of our street are medical professionals -- that's a nice thing in a pandemic.  All the medical peeps are vaccinated -- also a perk.  

Asheville is a MASK WEARING town.  During tourist season, you get out-of-towners not wearing masks, but local people are compliant.  We didn't see one non-mask wearing person.  

Now for the fun.  Here are some pictures.  I don't have many interior pictures yet -- stay tuned for those once we move in.  BTW -- yesterday was awesome, exhausting in the best way.

Stay well.  Later gators.

Asheville Again

This trip should be loads easier on my back.  No dogs to contend with and herd into the backseat every 10 minutes.  They took turns on my lap (which isn't the safest for them).  That took a big toll on my comfort.  We have other plans for their next ride up.

Youngest is coming over to watch the dogs for us.  We haven't seen him for about 6 weeks -- that's what happens when you have a new love :)  

Duke and I ran outside yesterday.  My legs are a little sore, but I'm doing a Peloton ride this morning.  Bike and running compliment each other well enough that I shouldn't have a problem.

Food is packed.  Bathroom safety is planned.  We're all set and super excited to go back and really explore the house.  We aren't concerned with the home inspection.  Everything has been newly renovated in the last 2 years.  Can't imagine there will be anything major.  

I'll take pictures and share this week.

Have a happy day and stay well.  Later gators.

Calendar

It's strange to have LIFE on my calendar.  

Wedding coming up (even though it's nothing like it was imagined).  It's still a SOMETHING on my calendar filling up with things to plan and things to do (like practice my updo!!).

Vacation home adventure.  Lots of planning and dreaming of fun days ahead.  Lots to do to get it set up (back to never-ending online shopping).  

Warm weather on the horizon.  Starting to get sneak peaks of spring (hello, Yellow Pollen).  Thoughts of picnics, outside runs, family hikes.  A few little outdoor fun things on the calendar.  Gibbs Gardens set to open for their daffodil explosion.  Talk of finally meeting our youngest's girlfriend (outside, masks, socially distant, etc), but STILL (!!)

I need to get my "social" chomps dusted off.  AND, I need to remember what I learned this year.  Slow down.  What IS important to me.  Boundaries.  What I allow on my island (thanks, Glennon Doyle).  How I show up.  What GIVES me energy.  What DRAINS my energy.  What feels GOOD and what doesn't.  Problem solving (advanced class LOL).  

My focus on life as we move forward ... for myself, for my relationships ... laughter, curiosity and kindness.  If I can find those things and be those things, life is better for me.

As I imagine coming out of the pandemic, I want to imagine things different than the before times.  This takes intention.  Even a year later, it's easy to go back to old routines, old patterns.  Intention takes me to different places and I'm well ready for different.  

I'll leave with a picture from our vacation home.  The owner sent us a sunset picture -- oh, it's so pretty :)

Stay well.  Later gators.

Huge News

Good lord, we bought a house.  

We verbally agreed to an offer after we got home on Saturday and an hour later there was another offer.  We super duper feel like we had a little help from the house-buying gods.

Contract is signed.  Home inspection is Wednesday.  Closing is either mid-March or beginning of April depending on getting the closing attorney's availability and our blackout dates from the wedding.

I'll take a bunch of pictures on Wednesday and do a post all about the house.  It's has a story and it's been a feel-good experience all around.

In other news ... wedding drama.  As though there wasn't enough stress for everyone, now there's a bit of drama.  My DIL's mother wants 12 of her siblings (large family) to be invited.  Most of them have had COVID because they don't take the precautions seriously.  Even though most had it, it's been longer than 3 months and who knows if they can re-infect, etc.  It's an uncomfortable position.  Kids are not comfortable with it, but feel pressured.  We are NOT inviting them to the Welcome Event on Saturday -- no way.  We'll keep our distance at the wedding (which will be relatively easy) and her mom will be tasked to keep them masked and socially distant.  They also talked about requiring a negative test right before driving down.

It's especially dramatic because it's so last minute.  (And kind of convenient that her mom will be vaccinated before the wedding because she works in a school.)  This leaves us with ZERO guests at the wedding and her parents with almost 20 (bridesmaids from the family).  Hubby and I will be socially distant wall flowers -- dang, this sucks.  The wedding is about the kids, but still, it's frustrating and feels lonely.  

And, we are the people to take everything home.  Yard games, leftover bar alcohol, decorations, etc.  It suppose to be taken home the same night but they will ask for an extension to the next morning.  Can you imagine.  We stand alone all night and then after everyone has taken the shuttles to the hotel, we load the car.  This is reminiscent of their college graduation where we sat second fiddle to everything.  Monday we get their dogs for the week too.  Feels a little like hired help all of a sudden.

I'll get over it and it's not a done deal.  It feels selfish on the part of her mom.  She's super nice, but this isn't the first time we've seen this kind of thing and probably won't be the last.  Our focus is the kids and we'll help them in whatever way we can.  We'll find our own way to have fun and we absolutely will love to watch them enjoy their special day.

As for today -- RAIN.  I'm going to try and clean most of the house today.  Wish my back luck :)

Stay well.  Later gators.