Progress Report

Today I got some major picture hanging done. I did it all myself, too. Instead of borrowing a stud finder (Who Knew!!!), I bought my own, learned how to operate the thing, and went to work. Now if the thing would only find me a stud. :)

Settling in....

Seems like it has rained the whole time I have been in Minden. Last night I went to Ruston with friends to watch their son play baseball and it rained the entire game. Not enough to stop the game, but enough to be cold and miserable. Ruston is where I went to college and it holds many fond memories, but it was hard to recognize any old landmarks because it has changed dramatically since I was there. I do plan to go back in the day time and find my brick with my name on it that I bought years ago!

Today I spent the day (after going to breakfast at Mom and Dad's) in Shreveport shopping for things that I need for the house. It seems the needs (more likely wants) are never ending.

Slothdom!!!

I took a little detour into slothdom yesterday. I have no excuse. The recliner just had a hold on me that normally does not exist. This just happens sometimes. All I do is sit in the recliner and sleep and snore. Sounds like an old lady.....whoa! Maybe that's the problem. The same thing almost happened today, but I just refused to let it happen. I went and bought a headboard for my bed. I have bedside tables that I really like. My dad made them for me years ago when he was playing with woodworking. They are big and tall enough for my tall bed and I didn't want to part with them. If I'm lucky, the new headboard will be about the same color. If not, it will have to do.

Mom's brithday...

Today my mom turned 81. Since there is not a thing in this world that she needs, I went to her house this morning and cleaned her house for her. She really did need that. She hasn't had her cleaning lady in about 6 weeks and she will never be back. She is older than Mom, but didn't want to stop working so Mom let her keep coming even though she couldn't clean very well any longer. The cleaning lady is now in a long term care facility, but I think it will not be long term. I was at Mom's the last time she came and I thought then that she didn't feel well. I asked her and she said she didn't know what was wrong, but she didn't feel well. Within a few days she was in the hospital. Mom didn't let me get one up on her today. Even though it was her birthday, she got in the kitchen (after I cleaned it) and cooked lunch. I told her not to, but she did anyway. She is a sweet, sweet lady!!

I told you I was cold!

I had to stand on a stool to see the ice over my back fence!!

These are icicles on my roof! BRRR!

Progress!!! in spite of the cold!!!

It's too cold to get much work done on the house. After church today, I made at least 15 trips up the ladder to the attic to store more junk. Why do I have all this stuff? Most of it is sentimental type stuff that no one will ever care about but me. After a few more years, I won't even be able to climb into the attic. I should just get rid of it all now!! I have a box full for Goodwill and I can't even describe how many trips I took to Goodwill before I left Orange. Is there any reason that any one person should need 40 golf shirts? I THINK NOT! I have way too many clothes, but it's all such good stuff that I hate to part with it. What to do! What to do!. Progress is being made. See the pictures!! :) My Texas bathroom is almost completed. I had this guest bathroom repainted all white before I moved in because I knew I had to have my Texas bathroom. I still have some final touches before it is completed, but I love it.

Minden, Louisiana...my new home!

This is my new city. It is very quaint with the main streets being paved with brick. Imagine my surprise when I tried to go downtown on Monday and it was all blocked off because Sandra Bullock, one of my very favorite actresses, was filming scenes from a movie there. If I had my senses about me, I would have walked there to see if I could see her. I met someone today who owns a business on Main Street and he showed me some pictures he took of her. Actually, I am just back home. I was born in Minden and raised just 13 miles south of here. My house is coming together nicely. There is still lots to do, but the past two days have been too cold to work in the garage. I did make room for the car since we are expecting freezing rain and sleet tonight. Wow! Big change from Orange,TX!!!

My street...my house

 

2-9-06 The date my life changed completely!

It went off without a hitch except that the movers had to get a trailer to pull behind their truck. I had too much stuff!! They loaded in 2 hours, so we were off by 11 A.M. I arrived in Minden before them where I was greeted by family and friends also bearing gifts. My new home had baskets of goodies from Main Street Bakery, plants, and balloons. The balloons are still a mystery as we do not know who put them in the yard and on the door.
My 14 year old pal and his dad came and hooked up my music system and my computer. Since there was no internet or cable yet, I have been re-acquainting myself with my massive CD collection. AAAhhhhh--I am so happy! Classical music and a fireplace are magical.

Sentimental Send OFF!

There are no better friends on Earth than mine! Four of them...DeLisa, Robin, Michelle, and Amanda....came over Wednesday night before my departure move on Thursday. They were bearing gifts, wine and the most beautiful green plant arrangement I have ever seen. Of course, they also included an Orange, TX t-shirt with their own personalized messages on the back. Then they took me to Acapulco and "made" me drink margaritas. I had a great time and just love those girls. I will miss them dearly.
This is my new kitchen. Look for me on the Food network soon giving Paula Deen a lesson!!

I'll Be BACK!!!!

Today I am turning in my Road Runner equipment and will not be posting for awhile. Not sure how long it will take to get hooked back up to the world once I get settled in my new home. I'm guessing I'll be up and running in about a week, so stay tuned for updates from the new digs!!!

Taking Texas with ME!

Last week I was at a Cracker Barrel restaurant in Lake Charles and outside where they have all the rocking chairs, they had purple LSU chairs. Sooooo......I went to the Cracker Barrel in Beaumont to see if they had Texas school chairs. They had one UT chair left and I bought it. If they would have had a Texas A&M chair, I would have bought it as well.....so, no need for all you Aggies to be upset! I'm guessing that the Cracker Barrels in all states have their schools on chairs....Clemson, for example!!!

The first "hiccup"...

Today there was a minor obstacle in the house purchase. I was scheduled to close today on the house, so I went to North Louisiana yesterday. My loan officer called me in Texas and left a message, but I was already on the road to Louisiana, so I missed it. I got to the bank this morning all ready to close the deal only to find out that the appraiser, who actually saw the house last Sunday, did not have his paperwork done!!!! We could not close. I did get the garage door opener and a key from the developer and left it with my brother so that all the stuff (refrigerator, washer, dryer, mattress set, and chair) that I bought today can be delivered next week. I have to go back up there Sunday night, so we can close Monday, then come back to Orange and finish up here. Phew!!!! I am tired!

Busy,Busy,Busy....

There are so many things to do when moving in addition to packing box after box after box. Today I went to lunch with my friend, Joy, fully intending to treat her to lunch for her birthday which is already passed. It's a tradition that we have been doing for years. Today, she would not let me pay for lunch because it was our last lunch.

Next, I took a flying trip to Beaumont for make-up that I can only get at Dillard's. Turns out that Dillard's has not yet re-opened after Hurricane Rita. Wasted time and gas.

Tonight my new furniture was supposed to be delivered, but it's pouring down rain and we desperately need the rain. Since I have to leave town tomorrow to go close on the house, we have rescheduled for Tuesday night. That's cutting it close since the movers are coming Thursday .

Scrambled Brain!

I have had a home fax machine for years which I rarely ever used. With all the stuff going on in my life now, I need it. I have been receiving faxes fine, signing the papers and faxing them back. NONE of ones I faxed back got there. It's always good to make a follow- up phone call to make sure!!!! Tomorrow the fax machine goes in the dumpster. It's too old to even offer to Goodwill because it still uses that roll paper. That kind of paper is not even available anymore! On the other hand, my antique sound system has new speakers and I'm sure it will work great in my new house. Me and Jimmy Buffet will be jammin' while I unpack all this mess. Closing on the house is Friday!!!!

Another dog-tired day!

This is making me crazy. I like everything in its place!!!

Tired to the bone!

OK...it's 7:45 P.M. and I am about to go to bed. I am so tired, but my brain won't turn off. I get up in the middle of the night and pack more stuff. Where did all this stuff come from? I'm so glad I started going through all this mess a few weeks ago. Now I know why I haven't moved in 30 years. It's just a royal pain. I just took my stereo system all apart. I know I will never get it hooked back so it will play my music. It's one of those old type component systems, but it still kicks butt with its sound. I am getting rid of the huge speakers and buying some new smaller ones. I'll probably do that tomorrow. Yesterday I bought a new sofa and loveseat. Gave the old couch away. I needed something that doesn't sink to the floor when one sits on it. Besides that, I need new stuff for my new house. It's going to be a whole new world and I am excited about it.

Mover hired!

Yet another milestone reached! I hired a moving company today and the date has been set for February 9th to depart Texas and become a resident of Louisiana. I don't like the way that sounds, but it has to be. I will always be a Texan at heart.

Going, going, GONE!

My loan officer called today and my loan was approved yesterday! What! I just did the paper work yesterday! I cannot believe how fast this is going. Now I am frantically packing, but I don't really know why because I haven't found a mover yet. None.....not one.....has returned my call yet. This has happened so fast that I haven't had time to wrap my mind around it . There are so many people that I need to see before I leave, but I'm afraid I will not have time to visit with all of them. This is how I feel right now.

Divine Intervention!!!!

I'm back from my search for a home. I didn't have to search at all. Just for fun my dad wanted me to look at some new patio homes in Minden, Louisiana. Well, I had already passed by those homes and always wished I could afford one of those cute little homes. Dad knows the lady who is the developer and she met us there to look at the homes. It immediately felt like home to me. All I can say is my prayers were answered. The next day,Wednesday, I took my brother and his wife to take a look. Thursday, I had the developer put a SOLD sign on the home. I don't have a closing date, yet, but the home will definitely be mine. It's in a beautiful part of town and is just 20 minutes from my parents. Check it out!!!!