Lee and I are in Miami this weekend visiting Dave and Erin. I’d never been to Miami before, and within the first 2 hours, one of my Miami stereotypes was confirmed – another was shattered.
Everything is indeed brightly colored. We first noticed as we drove in on I-95. There was a series of overpasses, and each had a different colored underpinning. One was blue. Another was red. A yellow one. A pink one. Wow.
The architecture here looks a lot like I thought it would. Lots of green landscaping and palm trees. Lots of Spanish tile. Lots and lots of easter egg colors. I really like it, but it’s definitely Miami. You couldn’t get away with it everywhere.
But I discovered one stereotype was false – that all the people are glamorous and beautiful. Really, I knew it wasn’t true, but I still had that perception. However, tonight I saw a ton of plump people wearing outrageously skimpy clothing. Ewww.
Tomorrow, we’re headed to the Keys. Tomorrow night we’ll have some Cuban food and do some latin dancing. Fun! But best of all, it’s great to be together with everyone again – no matter where we are.
Five bright signs posted around town clearly stated that our yard sale began at 8 a.m. At 6:45 our first customer rolled up.
Lee and I were in the process of setting up tables and organizing our junk on the tables. The gentleman was nice, and even helped Lee move a desk from our garage to our yard sale pile. He bought a good bit of stuff, so I couldn’t be mad.
As soon as he left, another person arrived. Before long, there was a crowd milling around our yard, digging through our boxes and piles. I checked the clock: 7:30.
I believe we had more people before 8 than after 8. By 10 a.m., the rush had slowed to a trickle. By 11:30, we were done. We didn’t sell everything, so what was left we loaded into Lee’s truck and donated it to Goodwill.
It felt really good to get rid of a lot of stuff. It wasn’t easy – I could have easily talked myself into keeping much of it. But I’m happy to have less clutter in my life, and an extra $500 in my pocket. Not too shabby.
I had been warned about these people. Yard sale people. Not the kind who occasionally like to check out yard sales to look for bargains — but the kind who live to plunder for the hope of finding that one special thing that they can take to the Antiques Roadshow. The ones who make it their life’s mission.
Today, we encountered our first.
Our yard sale is tomorrow, and we are running a classified ad in the paper today and tomorrow. When Lee and I got home from work, I grabbed the mail out of the box, and noticed a white sheet of paper torn hastily from a notebook and stashed among the letters. Scribbled on it was a note, asking us to please call Sharon and listing a number.
I immediately thought this was one of 2 things: a Jehovah’s Witness (they come by a lot), or a yard sale freak. But I could have been wrong. It could have been important. At the very least, it could be interesting.
So I called. Got a voicemail and declined to leave a message, but in the days of caller I.D. or *69, our phone rang shortly. Lee answered. It was Sharon. Wanting to come look at our yard sale items.
On our newspaper ad, we clearly stated, “No early birds.” So why does she think that means no early birds, but day-before birds are just fine? Lee informed her that our yard sale would begin Saturday at 8 a.m. Do we have any antiques? Ummmm, no. We have junk. You can buy it at 8 a.m.
From the stories I’ve heard, we can expect people standing in our driveway at 6 a.m. tomorrow, offering to help us pull all the yard sale stuff out of the garage so they can pilfer as we go. I’ll be annoyed, but hey, if they give me their money and take away my junk – I’ll still be happy at the end of the day.
This is a snapshot of just a portion of the stuff we dragged from our storage shed today to prepare for a yard sale next weekend. We’ve accumulated quite a lot these last few years, and have been inspired to purge by TV shows like Clean Sweep.
Going through all of our things was both interesting and difficult. I have a hard time parting with something that brings good memories. Like the stupid sheets of notebook paper my best friend and I taped together and drew a whole town on when I was in elementary school. There was Lake Ginger, and Ginger Lane, and I drew my own house and houses for all my friends. I know, it sounds psycho, but it was fun. I trashed it, because what in the world do I need to keep it for? Still, it wasn’t easy.
But I’m looking forward to this yard sale. I need less clutter in my life. Some of the stuff in those boxes, I can’t believe I’ve kept so long. And I really did learn something from those TV shows. They always say if you have something to which you are attached emotionally, but you keep it in a dusty, moldy box and never look at it, then you’re not honoring it. It’s better to sell it or give it to someone who will use it, and just keep the memories for yourself. Amen.
The last few days have been rather agonizing, filled with endless debate and decision making (or indecision making) about very important things. I don’t believe I would like to recount it right now. I did, however, have a very good time flying in First Class, and I think that would be more fun to write about at the moment.
On the last, shortest leg of our flight Sunday, Lee and I flew First Class. The person who booked the seats got us the upgrade. I’m not sure how, but was definitely happy about it.
I’ve never flown First Class before, so when we boarded the plane I took my usual right turn, looking for my seat. I was disappointed to find all the seats looked the same, and thought to myself, “this is such a short flight and such a small plane, there really is no distinction between First Class and coach. Oh well. Nice try.”
Only then did Lee point out that First Class was to my left. Ahhhh. There it was, a section of the cabin with only two seats per side rather than three. The seats were large and puffy and vinyl and so spacious I felt I could waltz on them.
As the rest of the passengers tright to find ways to contort themselves into their coach seats, I enjoyed some wine. We took off, and as the other passengers dined on pretzels, I got a snack mix that included peanuts. I got a mixed drink and they served it in a GLASS. With a stirrer.
On the other legs of our trip, I had grown very nervous about the landing. I don’t know why, but I had squeezed Lee’s hand in a death grip at the slightest hint of turbulance.
But it’s amazing what a glass of wine and half a cocktail on a 45 minute flight will do for nerves. As the plane lowered toward the ground, I thought, “it’s okay if I die. I’ve lived a good life.”
Bottom line, First Class RULES. I need to go play the lottery now so I can make it First Class forever.
Mom, Lee and I got to meet lots of crazy animals at the Charleston Aquarium this weekend. We had such a good time. It was great having mom to visit.
I love aquariums. Something about the way the fish move through the water- the amazing colors on the animals – their abilities to camoflauge and adapt. I could just sit and watch the sea life for hours.
After the aquarium tour, we checked out Fort Sumter, which was very cool. I learn so much more about history when I can see it up close. I like to imagine what it was like during the Civil War, when the fort became a major battle zone. It makes it more real.
Then we topped our trip off with an Imax film about coral reefs. More fish watching, with some of the most beautiful cinematography I’ve seen.
But best of all was the company. The only thing that would’ve made the weekend better is if our whole family could’ve been together. But we’ll all get together again soon. In the meantime, I have some cool pictures of some awesome fish.
Three years ago today, Lee and I closed on our very first house. We loved it then, and we love it even more now. Yeah, we curse at it sometimes. Like when the roof leaks. Like this morning when I shut a door and the doorknob came flying off and rolled across the floor. But it’s an older home – so you must expect these things.
Despite the imperfections, it has not only been a wonderful house but a wonderful home. Every time I drive down the road and turn into the driveway, I think it feels warm and inviting. Apparently the pigeons think it’s warm and inviting, too, but that’s another story.
It’s a tiny house and I know we’ll outgrow it one day. But for now, it’s a great house and I’m glad it’s ours.
Saturday was Lee’s birthday, and what a very good birthday it was. The celebration began Friday when Erica came to town and surprised him. Then Saturday, Dave and Erin drove up from Miami and surprised him as well. It was great to see everyone and spend quality time together.
Saturday night, we went to Tango for dinner and a traditional birthday creme brulee with festive sparkler. I think Tango has great food, but I also enjoy their presentation. For example, the creme brulee is scorched at your table, and not only do you get the dessert itself – but glazes are drizzled all over the plate and fresh fruits and even small flowers are scattered around the dish. I love it when Lee orders the “Rasta Pasta,” because it comes with a tortilla shaped as a rooster, or at least that’s what I think it is:
Very cute, whatever it may be.
After dinner, we went to the Tybee Pier. It was a beautiful night and the moon was bright and full. It sparkled off the water, and the rolling waves made the bits of light dance and move and constantly change. It looked more like a fireworks show than a reflection. Just beautiful.
Then, we headed to the Marshall House bar for some cocktails and people-watching. Sunday, Alva finished off the weekend of surprises by coming to visit. It felt so good to have everyone together like that, and it all went by too quickly. I think we should make it a tradition.
How can a movie be so funny and frustrating at the same time? So clever, yet so STUPID?
Lee and I went to see the movie “Eurotrip” tonight. Despite my frustrations, I highly recommend this movie if you just need a good, silly laugh. And you don’t mind lots of male nudity. The all male nude beach scene was a bit bizarre.
There were so many funny parts. Laugh out loud funny parts. And I loved the montages between scenes. When the travelers moved from one country to another, there was always a funny montage of pictures and music and graphics. Something you don’t often see.
I am usually willing to suspend my disbelief. But my disbelief refused to be suspended at one point. In a drunken stupor, the main character sent a stupid email to his love interest in Germany. When he realized his mistake, he tried to send her an apology, but she blocked his email. So the guy realizes the only way he’ll ever get in touch with said love interest is to travel to Berlin. Tomorrow.
What? Couldn’t he just send an email to her address from a friend’s account? Couldn’t he just sign up for a new address – like AMERICANIDIOT22348@YAHOO.COM?
But oh no. He had to forego his summer job. He had to travel around the world to find this girl because in this information age there is no other way to effectively deal with a blocked email account. Then when he and his friend are in the airport the next day, he asks his buddy, “How are we going to get to Berlin?” First, you should ask that before you show up at the airport. Secondly, if you’re at the airport, my guess is you’re FLYING to Berlin.
But really, despite those grave moments of stupidity, the movie was funny. And I have a feeling it’s the kind that will grow funnier with each viewing.
We got to see plenty of snow on the drive up to Tennessee. When we stopped for lunch in South Carolina, the snow was still several inches deep. But the longer we drove the warmer it grew, and by the time we got to Tennessee the snow was all but gone. There were about 3 patches of snow in my parent’s yard. I threw the world’s smallest snowball and built a very tiny snow woman named Maxine. Then it all melted.
Today the weather couldn’t have been more different from the last time I wrote. Upper 70s. Sunny. May hit 80 degrees tomorrow.
I knew it was going to be warm, but when I stepped outside this morning I literally stopped in my tracks. It felt so wonderful. As I put Millie in her yard, I was jealous I couldn’t spend the day lying in the grass with her.
When I came home at lunch, I toyed with the idea of faking the quick on-set of an illness so I could play hookey. Instead, I dutifully went to a government meeting and tried not to nod off – wishing for a window so I could at least look out onto one of Savannah’s parks.
My mind also traveled to Athens. I remember being in college when the weather began to warm. If I had an hour between classes, I’d stretch out on the grass of the north campus quad and pretend to read, while actually napping or just people watching. Bodies would be scattered all over the grass like something horrible had happened – but really everyone was just soaking up the sun. Sometimes I wish I could take a break on a pretty day like today and run over to Daffin Park and stretch out in the grass. Except, I walk Millie there, and I’ve seen how much poop is in the grass. I’ll keep dreaming instead.
