Aftermath Blog

Here are some random thoughts about our time away.

• We were hoping for warmer weather but don’t miss the snow shoveling going on in MI.
• Can’t get use to NC drivers making U-turns at intersections when you think they are just going to turn left.
• Haven’t met any of our neighbors and don’t expect to.  Everyone seems to keep to themselves.  But I have started to give them mental nick-names.
• Can’t believe how dependent we’ve become on our computer.  Love Skyping and paying bills on-line.
• Funniest moment of the week: After installing a new keyboard on my laptop and while in the process of testing it, Jo says to me, “What are these three screws for?”  Whoops!
• Now that we are using our cell phone exclusively, glad for the 5,000 roll-over minutes we’ve accumulated.
• Received notice that they are going to begin re-roofing our building next week.  That ought to make for interesting afternoon naps.
• Glad Jo brought the necessary kitchen utensils to make brownies and chocolate chip cookies.
• We seem to be drinking a lot of sweet tea.
• Still feel like we are on vacation and loving it.

Here are some thoughts about our first ten days of wintering in NC.

• Having your mail forwarded by the U.S. Postal Service sucks.  Very slow in delivery.  A better option is to have all your mail forwarded once a week rather than piece by piece delivery.  We have only received one piece of mail in ten days.
• The traffic signals can be confusing.  It takes a long time to make left turns.  No Michigan lefts here but you can make U-turns at intersections.
• When Jo goes shopping with Rachelle I have to remind her that the car was full when we came here.
• The sun rises much earlier here than in MI but sets about the same time.
• Haven’t lived in an apartment/condo/townhouse in 40 years.  Takes awhile to get use to hearing your neighbors flush their toilet.
• Tracfones are an inexpensive alternative to a second phone but only work when they are turned on.
• Glad I brought some basic tools with me.  There is always something that needs to be fixed even in a rental.
• You can talk to a human being when you call FedEx. This is important so they can explain to you how their system works.  It works just as stated on their website – no exceptions.
• Thankful I have the Easons taking care of the homestead.
• The local cable company’s basic service leaves a lot to be desired.  You get what you pay for.
• Really enjoying spending time with Nolan – oh, with Rachelle & Josh too.

It’s another Papa day.  Almost ready for his morning nap, Nolan decides to watch a few cartoons with me in Josh’s recliner.  It’s rainy here today with temps in the 40′s.  Looking forward to a rebound to the 60′s starting tomorrow.  We enjoyed church services yesterday with Rachelle & Josh at Eastern Pines Church of Christ.  The pastor, D.J. Maxey, is an excellent speaker and the congregation is very welcoming.  We are looking forward to going back many times during our stay.

No, I’m not talking about the classic cantina from the movie, Star Wars, but rather the one on my HP Notebook. It’s broken. Cracked actually. Mostofthetime itdoesn’tworkunlessIhititveryhard. Some where a while back the plastic was cracked so there is uneven pressure across the key necessitating striking it hard and deliberately to make it function.  A real pain when you are used to striking it lightly with your thumb. I contacted HP support and by chatting with Shibnath R (some place in India?) it was determined that the space key could not be replaced. The whole keyboard had to be replaced.  Did I want to send the laptop to them for repair or did I want to replace it myself? I decided to replace it myself.  So they are shipping me a whole new keyboard. Hopefully instructions will be included. Luckily the warranty was still in place so there was no charge – not even for shipping. (Photo credit: A Wretched Hive, by Martin Ansin)

On the days we watch Peyton & Ayden, they call them “Papa days”.  That’s really a misnomer in that Jo does most of the work.  I’m just around in a support role.  Today was Nolan’s first Papa day.  He was still asleep when we arrived but seemed happy to see us especially when he realized we were proficient in feeding him.  He is a happy one year old  who likes playing with his toys and exploring his world as he chatters away and tries to learn to walk.

We’re all moved in and we are very pleased with the new digs at The Pointe at Wimbledon. We had the place furnished and it came with a TV and pictures on the wall. So far it is pretty quiet although we are getting used to apartment dwelling noises. Here are a few pictures of the place.  Wouldn’t you know it, soon after our arrival a cold wave has hit so in some respects we feel like we are still in Michigan.  On the bright side, it is supposed to be in the 60′s again by the weekend.  We have already enjoyed seeing Nolan and family daily – we are about five minutes from Rachelle’s. Mail & phone calls are being forwarded if you need to contact us. We’ll post regularly here as to how our adventure is progressing.

Always a fun time at grandma’s and grandpa’s on Christmas day. You can usually count on getting a gift from your A-list from grandma and grandpa.  The kids tore through the wrapping paper and shouted with glee as they discovered what they had gotten.  For us that is our Christmas – seeing the joy, hearing the squeals, and getting the thank you’ s. As quoted in Family Circus this morning – their best gifts will be their memories.  Here are a few pics us opening gifts.