Well, it has finally come, moving day. I am so excited I can't type straight. I keep telling myself that at this time tomorrow we will be in Vermont, at Pacem, my new home.
My next door neighbor, Claire, told Audrey the other day that she (Claire) believes I will be back--to stay. Wishful thinking on her part. She does not like change, poor thing, and fears that the new owners of my place will not be nice, friendly, suitable, whatever. But, she should be more positive, this change will give her something to talk about for days. Of course, I'll call to let her know how the trip went and keep her in the know that way.
We went out to dinner at the Olney Alehouse with Pet and Larry last night. It was fun, they had never met Santiago and hadn't seen Audrey in several years. So, it was a good evening. We talked a bit about Vermont and the move. Pet is planning on visiting in January, again in May, and again in July for the wedding, of course. I hope she likes my new home. She wants to help paint the bedrooms and when Spring comes I'll give her free reign in the gardens. She'll be happy there.
Ms. Lily is still freaked out by all the changes, all the furniture is gone. What is happening? She is sticking close to Mama (me). I think she'll be okay on the trip. I'll keep her in the carrier, with the top open so she can roam if she feels so inclined. I'll have a shirt of mine on the seat next to me, so she can cuddle there and feel more comfortable.
Well, Santiago is up and about, Audrey should be getting up soon. So, I had better get going myself, to do some of those last minute things I need to do, like throw out food that will spoil.
Stay tuned, I will write again tomorrow, when we go out for breakfast and coffee and food. I am sure I'll find an Internet cafe ro some other place that has WiFi.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Tomorrow
I cannot believe it, we're actually going to leave tomorrow (Wednesday) for Vermont.
Bette arrived at 9:30 Saturday morning and we went over to Gaithersburg together to pick up the U-Haul truck. She stuck around a couple of hours to help pack pottery. We had a great time together; she is such an inspiration to me.
Lynn and Taron came over Saturday afternoon to continue the packing. Lynn packed kitchen stuff; Taron and I lugged stuff out to the truck. Lynn helped pack the truck, too. We got 2 rows of shelves packed and secured and then went out to Sol Azteca for margaritas and dinner.
I could not make myself do much on Sunday until it was time to pick up Audrey and Santiago Sunday night. They have been miracle workers. The truck is all packed--Audrey had a plan and they executed it. She says that every possible space has something in it. They even got all my clay in it. And they started packing stuff into the car, too.
Poor Ms. Lily has been traumatized. She is hiding somewhere--I think in Grady's room because it has been disturbed the least. It still looks normal. The rest of the house has next to nothing in it, not even a chair to sit on. So, I am typing this on the floor of my room.
I feel so blessed with such wonderful friends and family. I will miss everyone of you; and I had better see you in Vermont real soon.
Once I get up to Vermont, I shall have to find a free WiFi connection until I get hooked up to Comcast. The first thing we will have to do is unpack the truck and then turn it in. So, it may be a couple of days until I post again.
Bette arrived at 9:30 Saturday morning and we went over to Gaithersburg together to pick up the U-Haul truck. She stuck around a couple of hours to help pack pottery. We had a great time together; she is such an inspiration to me.
Lynn and Taron came over Saturday afternoon to continue the packing. Lynn packed kitchen stuff; Taron and I lugged stuff out to the truck. Lynn helped pack the truck, too. We got 2 rows of shelves packed and secured and then went out to Sol Azteca for margaritas and dinner.
I could not make myself do much on Sunday until it was time to pick up Audrey and Santiago Sunday night. They have been miracle workers. The truck is all packed--Audrey had a plan and they executed it. She says that every possible space has something in it. They even got all my clay in it. And they started packing stuff into the car, too.
Poor Ms. Lily has been traumatized. She is hiding somewhere--I think in Grady's room because it has been disturbed the least. It still looks normal. The rest of the house has next to nothing in it, not even a chair to sit on. So, I am typing this on the floor of my room.
I feel so blessed with such wonderful friends and family. I will miss everyone of you; and I had better see you in Vermont real soon.
Once I get up to Vermont, I shall have to find a free WiFi connection until I get hooked up to Comcast. The first thing we will have to do is unpack the truck and then turn it in. So, it may be a couple of days until I post again.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Getting real close
Hi, good afternoon and a very good afternoon it is. Less than 3 days until I no longer have to come to work. Oh my, what a wonderful thought that is!
And less than a week until Audrey, Santiago, Lady Lily, and I make the drive up to Vermont. That is even more exciting than retiring is. Of course, when we get there, we'll have to unpack the truck and move things around, but we'll have fun, too. We'll explore nearby towns; take long walks, weather permitting; and visit with friends and family. And I look forward to meeting new people, finding the local bookstore and library, and shopping at the Putney and Brattleboro food co-ops.
And less than a week until Audrey, Santiago, Lady Lily, and I make the drive up to Vermont. That is even more exciting than retiring is. Of course, when we get there, we'll have to unpack the truck and move things around, but we'll have fun, too. We'll explore nearby towns; take long walks, weather permitting; and visit with friends and family. And I look forward to meeting new people, finding the local bookstore and library, and shopping at the Putney and Brattleboro food co-ops.
Friday, December 5, 2008
This is it, almost
Just one more week until I stop working. A little more than a week until we pack a 17 foot UHaul truck and make the trek to Vermont.
So, to get ready, I will be busy this weekend, packing, getting together with friends, and doing other stuff.
Tonight, I'll have a massage and make a stop at Target. I need more plastic bins.
Tomorrow morning, I will take Lady Lily for a drive, her first in over 5 years, to start getting her used to being in the car. It should be interesting.
Tomorrow afternoon/evening, Marilyn, Lillian, and I will get together to watch Casino Royale and a Bollywood flick and go out to eat. We always laugh until our sides hurt when we get together. I will miss them big time.
Sunday morning, I'll go to Meeting, and Sunday afternoon, I'll take Lily for another drive and then pack some more, of course. Sunday evening, it's time for the Big Broadcast on WAMU.
So, to get ready, I will be busy this weekend, packing, getting together with friends, and doing other stuff.
Tonight, I'll have a massage and make a stop at Target. I need more plastic bins.
Tomorrow morning, I will take Lady Lily for a drive, her first in over 5 years, to start getting her used to being in the car. It should be interesting.
Tomorrow afternoon/evening, Marilyn, Lillian, and I will get together to watch Casino Royale and a Bollywood flick and go out to eat. We always laugh until our sides hurt when we get together. I will miss them big time.
Sunday morning, I'll go to Meeting, and Sunday afternoon, I'll take Lily for another drive and then pack some more, of course. Sunday evening, it's time for the Big Broadcast on WAMU.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Good stuff
The annual NEA staff craft fair is today and I brought a lot of pots in to sell. I didn't realize I had so many made. It's kind of neat, the way that happened. I kept making a few pots every so often and before I knew it, I had 30-40 made.
My friend Nadine stopped by this morning to say hi. We're both retiring on the same day and we both have things we are planning to do in the next phases of our lives. She's going to finish up her Ph.D. research and write her dissertation. I'm so proud of her, she has worked so hard.
I am getting excited. There is so much to do, but I am getting it done bit by bit. And part of me has already moved on to what I will be doing once I have retired and moved.
I think more and more about making pots, especially about the glazes. The shapes of my pots are good, I want to work on my glazing. I've been using store bought, pre-mixed glazes for quite some time, but now I want to go back to mixing my own. I had more control, better results.
My friend Judith was surprised, when I visited her the other evening, to hear me talking so much about glazing. She had been thinking that I will be doing more social activism and not be putting so much time and thought into making pots. I know I need to do both, so I am going to hold my mornings for making pottery and my afternoons for other activities, of which there will be plenty, knowing me!
Well, that is all for today. Gotta go sell pots. :)
My friend Nadine stopped by this morning to say hi. We're both retiring on the same day and we both have things we are planning to do in the next phases of our lives. She's going to finish up her Ph.D. research and write her dissertation. I'm so proud of her, she has worked so hard.
I am getting excited. There is so much to do, but I am getting it done bit by bit. And part of me has already moved on to what I will be doing once I have retired and moved.
I think more and more about making pots, especially about the glazes. The shapes of my pots are good, I want to work on my glazing. I've been using store bought, pre-mixed glazes for quite some time, but now I want to go back to mixing my own. I had more control, better results.
My friend Judith was surprised, when I visited her the other evening, to hear me talking so much about glazing. She had been thinking that I will be doing more social activism and not be putting so much time and thought into making pots. I know I need to do both, so I am going to hold my mornings for making pottery and my afternoons for other activities, of which there will be plenty, knowing me!
Well, that is all for today. Gotta go sell pots. :)
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Only 10 more calendar days to go
Well, I shouldn't do it, but I do--grin from ear to ear. Sorry.
Okay, you may think I really don't mean sorry, but I do. I am sorry if I make you jealous or sad. I'll miss you, too, sometimes when I am sitting in my living room, tucked up snug in front of a fire, looking out across my lawn at all the snow in the winter, with Lady Lily on my lap.
But not when I'm making pots in the morning or meeting new friends or going to school or gardening in the spring or entertaining family and friends. Not when I am walking or biking in my new neighborhood or when I am canoeing on the Connecticut River. And not when I am exploring the hillside behind my home or shopping at the co-ops in Brattleboro and Putney.
Some of you have asked, "Won't you be cold?" Probably, but that is what winter is like at home, you hunker down inside, if you don't want to go out. Or you go out and make snow angels. Yeah, that is winter at home.
Okay, you may think I really don't mean sorry, but I do. I am sorry if I make you jealous or sad. I'll miss you, too, sometimes when I am sitting in my living room, tucked up snug in front of a fire, looking out across my lawn at all the snow in the winter, with Lady Lily on my lap.
But not when I'm making pots in the morning or meeting new friends or going to school or gardening in the spring or entertaining family and friends. Not when I am walking or biking in my new neighborhood or when I am canoeing on the Connecticut River. And not when I am exploring the hillside behind my home or shopping at the co-ops in Brattleboro and Putney.
Some of you have asked, "Won't you be cold?" Probably, but that is what winter is like at home, you hunker down inside, if you don't want to go out. Or you go out and make snow angels. Yeah, that is winter at home.
Monday, December 1, 2008
12 more days
What a day! Only 12 more calendar days until I retire. Only 14 more days until Audrey and Santiago come. And only 15 or 16 until I move. Yikes. So much to do in such a little bit of time. But, it will all get done, I have no deadlines to meet, so it doesn't matter how long it will take to pack and make the drive to Vermont.
And once we get there, I will have plenty of time to unpack and plenty of help. It will be challenging to find new friends, new projects. I am looking forward to it.
And once we get there, I will have plenty of time to unpack and plenty of help. It will be challenging to find new friends, new projects. I am looking forward to it.
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