WE ARE LISTING OUR HOME – another BIG event in our life!
And yes – at least once a day – ” Please call my phone” ! LOL
It always gets laid down somewhere only not to be found!
Going to miss this – a view out the back door – to the East sunrise.
We decided that maybe it was time – we have gone through one down turn
and after almost 13 years – our market here has recovered
to the point we just may break even on the sale of the house!
Being 71 years old – we just do not have the time left to rebound
if the market once again turns down.
With the pandemic – and our area is still strong in sales
we decided to cut our ties here – and wait and rent –
We love it here – will we be sorry and regret it?
NOTE: Hair is much longer now – going back to my HIPPIE DAYS!
Or will we treat it as a new adventure – a new start –
where ever we want to go!
This could become our new norm!
For the time being – we will stay with the kids –
either in Leesburg or Winchester
and after Christmas – head South for the winter.
Storage will contain whatever we do not sell
and we have sold a lot already!
We have made five trips to Salvation Army –
We have given the kids different items
What they can use or want – we have gone through STUFF
and donated it or thrown away!
Being retired has made it all the easier to do this.
Once you make up your mind –
throwing things away becomes less stressful
and looking ahead to a new beginning
a new start somewhere – we have ideas
but for the time being – we will just relax
( I do not how we had time to work – before retirement)
I will miss my yard – my flowers – everything I created
but I have done this before – leaving my mark on the land
Someday we will return and ride around
just to see the changes and how it looks.
My neighbors have said they will miss us –
They wonder if the next ones will keep it as nice as we have.
Only time will tell –
I told the lady selling our house –
everything you see – comes back each Spring
There are four trees I did not plant – every other tree and bush
I planted – most times on my knees by hand
for you see Northern Va. is full of rocks! LOL
Blooming in the SpringGrowing our own produce The Tower Garden Everything is for sale We will take at least one with us http://www.sfjuiceplus.com Its a big house almost 3100 sf. a 500 sf patio strawberry patch I am going to miss this the most mowing – trimming green grass – shade trees flowers – Gods beautySitting on our front porch I like this better than the patio I get to see people walking saying hello waving from across the streetSaying good bye to the path we walked the sidewalks – the lakes the forests The playgrounds and the buildings to come Sheltering has been good for us as we have places to walk going to miss this after 14 years
By the time you have read this – we will have listed the house
It seems only yesterday – Florida – family vacations –
and WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG!
After 40 days – your mind tends to wander a bit.
You put puzzles together
for me under 500 pieces and must be
RAVEN BURGER!
You walk around the house a lot
and you look at pictures on the walls
Your wife digs out the old photo books
and you stop each time you pass the bedroom
where they sit piled neatly stacked on the bed.
All those years ago Debby and Tammy
The memories come flooding back
the trips to church for youth group
the after school pickups for cheerleading
and basketball and soccer.
The stops at the cider mill for doughnuts and apple cider
the ice cream store
A little town and a neighborhood of close friends
Still to this day we keep in touch!
Upper right Jim and Dottie friends since we played softball I attended their wedding some 40 years ago Lower left Mike and Carol neighbors for 12 1/2 years playing jokes on each other Lower right Buck and Cindy neighbors and friends for almost 40 years traveling the world together
Now – the girls are grown with families of their own
The three oldest grand daughters now 19 – 16 and 13 soon to be 20 – 17 & 14! Maddy – Ella & Sarah
You wander the house – looking at pictures while sheltering in place
You need a repairman for the fridge – the ice still works
but no water for cups – barely two years old.
It is time for the maint. on the air conditioners
you have a contract plan
the dryer is squeaking
all part of being a home owner.
Before the virus the three little ones 9 – 9 & 5 soon they will be 10 – 10 & 6 Cassidy – Bode and Taylor
40 days and counting – you watch the news – read the paper
your 401 K is way down
yet – you go on –
memories of times gone by
What was abnormal now is the norm
But through all of this – one constant remains
Sunday mornings – you sit at your kitchen table
and at 10 am. the live stream begins
Church is still there
God – if you are a believer
is still there – you pray and give thanks
you donate through the app
you still see the help we provide for those less fortunate
40 days Sheltering
Yes – it has been a long time –
a time to reflect – a time to think –
and a time to know your inner strength comes from
FAMILY – CHURCH – FRIENDS & PRAYERS
Sheltering in place social distancing Sherry & Tom
As the days pass we see new things helping out people from a distance
ZOOM – which Sherry has been using since it first
appeared – for her network business in The Juice Plus Company.
Now – there is the weekly “HENS PARTY”
A group that has met the last couple years or so
onec a week for lunch and a movie.
Now it is a once a week ZOOM PARTY!
Of course you do not get all dressed up no make up hats – drinks and lots of laughs
Now – we await our second “FRIENDS ZOOM” on Friday nights
for “HAPPY HOUR”!
There are four couples – who have been friends for I guess 33 years & more!
So – we decided to “ZOOM” and it was new to them!
But – a happy hour with fireballs – some beer and Vodka & Tonics.
First one was themed
HATS & SUNGLASSES
Not sure what this one will be
But it turned into a THREE HOUR HAPPY HOUR!
It has been peaceful at home we walk – ride our bikes and take long country back roads rides.
We are trying to keep it as normal as we can.
Once a week we select a different vendor or eatery
and order for pickup or curbside
to help support them in this time of need
to keep them going – a little bit of ourselves to them
Since I am not allowed to do laundry seems I do not know what to put where I fold ( sometimes) and put my own clothes away I do the outside mowing – trimming in the SUNSHINE!
Family – this is the hardest for us – we are near the three youngest
The three oldest are a hour and half away
and they are in the age group now where they mostly do their own thing
19 – 16 & 13 – soon all three will have birthdays
Then the younger three – twins – 9 years old
and the youngest and only boy 5 years old
Bode – MorMor – Taylor & Cassidy Each night like clock work Cassidy calls her MorMor and Bode – whom hangs on every movement she does – Taylor – who is old before her day and talks to her MorMor
It is the hardest with these three –
but we have done FAMILY ZOOMS
and have seen them from a distance
laughing – ZOOMING the three oldest in their yard
and of course all the family at the same time
This has been the hard part for us
See – we are a family unit – constantly staying in touch
Here we are – social distancing – sheltering in place –
searching google places we can buy food – SENIORS ONLY!
Our new way to ride our bikes and to take our daily walks on the 18 miles of trails we have social distancing giving wide berths and crossing streets to avoid people when possible
What has become a new norm – all in less than a months time!
Our motto has become this.
We have become puzzle experts –
Netflix bingeing on series!
Our way of still practicing Palm Sunday
Church now is live streamed
and we attend that way.
Our Tower Garden in the garage with grow lights
We will begin to harvest this coming weekend
The other two outside with all the vines and bigger vegetables
I 