Consulting

Since I moved here, once in a while I get a call from a random real estate agent asking me some question having to do with Arizona real estate. Wednesday was no exception. I got a call from one of the three owners of the transaction coordinator company that hired me last September. 

As you probably don't remember, I worked for this company for three days and then resigned, as I did not have time to work and manage Dad's care at the time (Dad, at the time, was in a rehabilitation facility and it was 70 miles from my home). Plus, I may have talked to a friend at the Department and got a squishy-in-the-gut feeling about the whole thing. But that's another story. 

Anyway, this company is still around. However, because interest rates took a drastic turn last week, the housing market is changing. Her broker is demanding to take over their business and their subsequent income. She called, asking me for advice. What did I charge? 

Honestly, I don't want to charge anything for what I had to say. My advice seemed perfectly obvious. But I did speak freely. I told her: Your broker is a sleezeball (hence the squishy-in-the-gut feeling) and has no strategy for a soft market. So, he is panicking because the market turned. He is threatening you (how did she not see this?) and he wants the money you are making from these sales. I made a few suggestions and gave her the name of a few of my good contacts for her to reach out to (use my name) who might need a transaction coordinator, because it was obviously time to move on. 

What I found absolutely astonishing was that this LICENSED ACTIVE REALTOR hadn't paid attention to the fact the market was changing. It didn't occur to her the real estate market might eventually shift and there might be either more homes for sale, less buyers, prices too high or higher interest rates. I don't even have any skin in the game and I understood basic supply and demand. Apparently her broker didn't pay attention either, but he understands basic supply and demand.  

As much as she wanted to pay me for our 20 minute call, I think it might be better if she saves her money for a rainy day. 

I Have A Problem I Didn't Know I Had

This morning I secretly called the exterminator and set up service. I did the deed when Buck wasn't nearby, so he didn't have to hear me tell the nice lady on the phone that Polly, Marty and I found a spider or two in the kitchen. Buck doesn't do spiders. 

The nice lady then told me that spiders really aren't my problem. You see, I live in Wake Village. And I live on Arizona Avenue. And I live "near the woods." All of which I knew and nice lady knew because I gave her my address. And she also knew because she grew up in Wake Village and was familiar with the area. According to the nice lady, my problem was really snakes. And her company doesn't handle snakes. As an unfortunate coincidence. Neither do I. 

Her recommendation was that I immediately head over to the local hardware store and buy something called "Snake Away," generously sprinkle it throughout my yard and that will--and I'm not making this up--"help" take care of the snake problem that I just found out I had.* The nice lady warned me, the stuff stinks, but it is "effective." I can handle smelly more than I can handle snakes. 

Now then, according to the nice lady, I will still want to have my regular pest control service, which will include setting up critter traps to ensure there are no rodents in the area that hungry snakes might want to eat. Let them find their meals elsewhere. Though all I'd seen so far in my yard was a dead mole and a possum that likes to taunt Luna, I still negotiated for a few extra traps to start our pest service. 

After I got off the phone, I called Marty. I instructed him not to come home for lunch, but instead, head over to the local hardware store and pick up the Snake Away. He can then go poking through our yard, generously spreading this stuff out, so that the snakes will feel sufficiently unwelcome. In fact, buy two bags and be extra generous in the spreading. Make sure the snakes truly get the message.  

*On a side note, we noticed the neighbor's yard last weekend smelled very sulfurous. Turns out they were spreading Snake Away. 

House Guests

 Squee!!! 

The Sunshine clan had our first house guests this weekend! My brother Squirrel, and his 8 year old son--my favorite human--Patrick, came to stay with us. It was wonderful. There was laughing and joy, and it was much nicer than the last time I saw him which is when our father had passed away.  

Squirrel, who is as unaccustomed to small-town life as I am/was marveled at the lack of strip malls, side walks and noted a distinct lack of litter and panhandlers here in East Texas. Patrick was intrigued that he had to go to two states (Arkansas and Texas) to get to my house. The airport is in Arkansas, which is 8 miles away. 

We tried to spend the afternoon at Bringle Lake, which is about 5 miles from my house, but apparently most of Texarkana had the same idea and parking was not to be had. We compromised and I slowed down and Squirrel got out and walked around the parking lot for a quick moment so that he can say he "explored" the area. 

There were two downsides to their visit. First, they had to leave too soon. I would have been thrilled to have them stay the entire week. The other downside was that we don't really have guest accommodations. Patrick crashed on a spare mattress in the dining room (which holds Buckaroo's desk and a recliner chair). Squirrel crashed on the recliner chair. We offered them our bedroom, but Squirrel insisted on this arrangement instead. And as much as they probably would have enjoyed staying longer too, I'm sure they will appreciate sleeping in their own bed this coming week. 

Luna's Playground

 

Luna and I don't seem to be on the same page as to who can play in these squares of dirt. When she is caught she is put into time-out into the laundry room. Not that it stops her from digging up the sweet potatoes and tomatoes (we've lost two tomato plants). Even when she hasn't been caught red-handed, her conscious has become so guilty on occasion that she will come to the back door, head down, and walk straight to the laundry room (which prompts me to bolt outside and see if my garden is still intact). 

And don't even get me started on what happened to the blueberry bush. Argh! 

Yesterday I went to Dollar Tree and splurged on whirligigs with the idea that maybe, that would deter her and I will be able to salvage the radishes and peppers. Here's hoping.  

The garden gnomes are in the top right. Their names are Na-gnomi (Naomi), Gnome-buddy (Nobody) and George (George).  They are guarding the rest of the tomatoes. I hope. 

A Small Town Experience

 I left my house at 9:30 this morning for an across town 10:30 appointment. 

But first, I went to the bank, got three cashier's checks. Before I could leave, Ms. Rose--the bank manager--called me into her office to say hello and inquire about my Easter and how the kids are doing. 

Next, I stopped by Marty's office, changed cars with him, and then dropped back by the house and dropped off my cashier check receipts. 

Next, I went to the post office to mail two of the checks. I didn't just drive up to the mail box. I actually went inside. 

THEN I went to the Fed Ex office to send off last check with a care package. 

I made it to my 10:30 appointment across town at 10:25. 

April Showers

Every Wednesday afternoon I have a 12:30 meeting. Even Buckaroo knows to keep the dog out of the bedroom during this time. Mother Nature didn't see it my way yesterday, as she struck a lightening bolt on (or near) our home! (Polly and Buck swear it was on the house, and I felt the house shake). I felt the hairs on my arm stick up and light in the room flashed when it hit. The meeting attendants (located in three countries) all saw my background go white and then back to normal. It was surreal. No damage done to the house from what I can see. 

Interestingly enough, my friend Rhea texted me that morning. She heard about the tornado warnings and hail over here. She wanted to make sure we were ok. At that moment Polly was checking the weather app on her phone (yep, tornado warnings), Luna was in the hallway making herself as small as possible and Finn was in my closet. So, even the pets sensed the danger. 

Here are some of the pictures from the rain. Though they may not look impressive, I assure you, they are. Our garden beds are made from 10 inch planks. All that water happened over the course of less than two hours. 

Random Texarkana

It's been a long week. Eric passed away on Friday. I figure St. Peter needed a bit of extra time to dust off his desk before processing Eric's intake. Now Eric is hanging out with our uncles and my dad (his uncle) and playing cards and checkers. Eric finally gets to sit at the big kids' table. 

 _______________

It is pretty and green here. Very pretty. Very green. This is Arizona Avenue last weekend. One of the cultural aspects I discovered is that folks don't have lawn sprinklers. This is the way the grass looks naturally. No wonder my water bill is $60. 

_______________

Making friends in a post-pandemic world is challenging enough. But add to that being an introvert, socially inept, shy, awkward and just moved here from Planet Arizona and you might begin to see why I have a few challenges. That said, one of the ladies from the Coronas invited me to join them again this Friday night! And it wasn't Tessa. The invitation came from another member. I had such a blast with them last month. These ladies are so down to earth. All three of you would fit in so well with them.  

Right now I am not sure I can make it (more on reasons for that in a future post), but I did ask to please reach out again if I don't show. I was told, "Of course!" But hopefully I can show up. I even know what I will bring if I can go: Nancy's Spinach Artichoke dip with bagel chips. 

Squee!!! 

Gardening

 

The seedlings have been mostly planted. I have a few tomato plants that are still sitting in my window sill, getting stronger. The bed on the lower left is squash, radishes and peppers. The bed on the lower right is lettuce, kale, spinach and leafy greens. Some celery too. You can't really see it, but there are really plants in there.  The upper right is the tomato bed. There are two tomatoes there now. Plus, one in its own pot in the top middle of the picture (my "birthday tomato bush" from Marty). The tomato seedlings will be planted after the rain storm we are expecting this week. 

The top left will have potatoes, onions and garlic. I'm questioning whether or not the potatoes will grow, as the bed is pretty shallow, I'm thinking we will probably add another layer of soil/planks as the plants grow and double the size of the bed. That will probably help them out. But, I don't need to do that today. 

Oh, that black thing in the top left is a composter. Not sure how that's going to work out just yet. Stay tuned. Right now it's about 1/4 full and nothing has had a chance to decompose. 

What isn't pictured is the cucumbers, beans, pumpkin (Polly swore we needed pumpkins), cilantro, parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. They are in another part of the yard. 

There is also a flower bed and a blueberry, blackberry and raspberry bush. 

 

Today

I spent my birthday crying. Normally, I don't. This birthday didn't seem to give me much of an alternative. 

Six weeks ago my father died. That alone gives me a heavy heart. I miss my dad so much. 

Last week my father's favorite sister died. My brother was named after her. She was one of my favorites too.  

On Saturday I spoke with my favorite cousin--her son. Eric was in serious grief. His mother's funeral happened that day. We talked on and off throughout the day. Our hearts heavy. I called him Saturday night to check on him. He didn't answer. I texted Eric Sunday. We chatted briefly in the morning. Sunday afternoon he had a massive heart attack and hasn't regained consciousness. 

Today his family spent the day saying good bye to him. His sons are 21 and 28 and are being thrust into a horrible position to make life decisions they never thought they would have to make. I am told in the next 18 hours Eric will be with his mother and my father. He is 53. Hopefully St. Pete will be busy enough with Eric's intake and give the rest of us mortals a rest for a bit so we can catch up on our crying. 

Eric and I had two running jokes. First, we decided to share my birthday. His father passed away on Eric's birthday a few years ago. He didn't like his birthday any more. I told him he could share mine. With that logic I guess that would make Eric 54 when he leaves this earth.

Our other running joke is that it was a crying shame we weren't raised together. My mother often said if we'd lived near these particular cousins she was afraid of the mischief Eric and I would get into as teenagers. The way Eric and I figured, I'd have gotten into more trouble and he'd have gotten into less. But we will find out when I get to Heaven and we finally have a chance.  

Spring Flowers

Even thought I was repeatedly told it was "too late" to plant bulbs this past January, I did it anyway. I bought some daffodil, tulip and crocus bulbs. 

Today I am not sorry. 

The Little Rock Run

Polly and I took a road trip to Little Rock today for supplies. We shopped at the usual: Costco and Trader Joes. We also went to lunch at a restaurant that looked better on the Internet and where the food reviews were obviously written by the staff's mothers. 

Little Rock allegedly has a population of 197,000 with the metro having a population of about 700,000. None of those folks were on the Interstate. They were all on the one road with the Trader Joes and Costco. 

I am much more of a fan of Little Rock than I am of Dallas. Less traffic, gas prices were slightly less than Texarkana (I have no idea how they'd compare in Dallas) and the groceries seemed to be what I paid in Dallas on my last run. And Little Rock is about a half hour closer to Texarkana. Plus, I have a friend who lived in the Little Rock area for a while a few years back. I thought about her all day. Happy thoughts. 

I'm told Shreveport is getting a Trader Joes this summer. Rumor has it the Costco just opened up too. Great news! That city is only 80 miles away.