First Trip Out

We finally made it.

We’ve been trying to camp since Easter and we just haven’t made it happen. Not for lack of trying but for work schedules, moving schedules, weather schedules, and then more work schedules. It felt great to set the blocks, unroll the rug, put up the pink flamingo, and eat our first hot dog. We both had this moment of “now what?” after busting to get the camper packed, rushing up to Beulah Bay, rushing to get set up, and then the calm afterward. I unpacked (and gave myself a promotion from last year) and put some of my clothes in the wardrobe versus had them just packed in a suitcase. It’s nice to get away, Matt did have to make a drive back to Dickinson tonight to work the night shift, but that situation will get better as he has the new staff coming on trained and ready by July.

Both of our works have been crazy and I know that my thoughts are floating back and forth to marketing strategies and campaign and ticket sales and enewsletters and about that time when I look at him I can about see the same look but instead it looks something like staff, master plans, financial audits, hangers, mowers, and FBO’s. I know we are both in those places that work is such a focus and concentration and I know it won’t always be that way.
Have I mentioned to buy your Vince Gill and Kid Rock tickets? No, they aren’t the same show.

The other great thing that is forced into center stage is the condo. It’s really coming together. I’m removing boxes (not as quickly now as earlier last week) and finding more floor and discovering so many things that I haven’t seen in forever. It feels great. TonyDanza is still a bit stressed and puzzled and Lola hates that I’m taking boxes away but I know they can tell the difference and like the space. I’m waiting for a bit more normalcy between Matt’s and mine schedule to fully enjoy the space, everything is a rush and a go, I haven’t been able to spend a weekend there yet. Have a feeling it’s not going to happen anytime soon either. I guess it could be worse, busy is better than boring.

"The fire is the main comfort of the camp, whether in summer or winter, and is about as ample at one season as at another.  It is as well for cheerfulness as for warmth and dryness." -Henry David Thoreau

Closing One Door and Coming Through Another

It's official!

I’ve closed on the condo.

These past couple weeks have been a blur and my lack of posts is proof of that. After closing drama, I closed on Monday, May 14 and had 97% of my things in on Wednesday. After the movers left and I was alone with my cats and my boxes, I breathed a sigh of relief and couldn’t believe that it was a year in the making to get there. Thanks to all who made it possible to get to this new place, but thanks especially to my mother who sat beside me during the failed closing attempts, moved box after box, and was a great source of strength through all of this. Couldn't have made it through it without her.

I’ve been working to unpack boxes and finding some things, like my plates and glasses, have been like Christmas. It’s taking time to figure out where I want things, determine what’s really in the boxes, and then not get frustrated with where I’m putting things. I know I will have to go through and determine what I’m donating and what I’m throwing especially as I acknowledge my love of kitchen gadgets. Case and point: Panini press, personal blender, personal food processor, large blender, large food processor, food steamer, foreman grill, sandwich sealer, ahhhhh, what am I thinking (that I’ve wanted a quesadilla machine and a keurig, with a milk frother! Okay, I admit I’ve got a problem)!

I also got in JUST in Time! With the raise in temperature the apartment I was renting was becoming a hot box of fun. That place worked out perfect as it became the storage unit for my boxes and it gave the cats some space but it was hot as hell in the summer and Fre-e-e-ezing in the winter. Now I have air and a garage!

Speaking of the cats, Lola is intrigued by the new place, her favorite is trying to get into the closets to get to the top shelf and get out the front door. TonyDanza is a bit nervous and unsure, every sound he jumps and seems to be hiding under the bed more than normal. He’ll get over it but I hate his nerves!

Work has been crazy-all I seem to hear is ticket sales, ticket sales, ticket sales, ugh. Can’t wait for Chicago in a month. Need the getaway and the undivided attention from Mr. Remynse.

Meals that I remember: since my last post there are two meals that have stood out. Matt made a Greek chicken pita that was pretty amazing and then the first meal that I cooked in the condo, which was hot dogs and grapes!

"Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory." -George S. Patton