In Other News

 

We're moving this summer. 

I don't know when or where exactly, though we have a few areas in mind (it will be somewhere in the Orlando area). No. Marty doesn't have a job at this time. But he's now concentrating his search to Orlando area and remote jobs.

It took some convincing that buying was better than renting with two cats and a senior dog, but I've managed. Today I met with a loan officer and started the preapproval process. Because of Marty's retirement, this is an option without him having current employment.  

This week, Pete the Painter came by and painted our outside trim. I also had him freshen up the bathrooms and the front door. Those were painted early in our time here  by--I'm not making this up--six meth-heads who camped in our home for four days. 

Tonight I meet with Tessa for our every-other-week Taco night, where I will break the news to her: She's going to be listing our home. When? Not sure. We can't list our house until we can get rid of about 60 percent of our personal belongings--some of which will be stored in Uboxes (like everyone's personal desk). After all, the house has to look like four adults, two cats and a dog can comfortably co-exist without tripping over everyone's stuff.  We have another teensy problem, we are expecting thunderstorms for the next two weeks and we can't get Uboxes delivered here (they come from Shreveport) until the rain subsides. This is life in East Texas. 

After I finish my edits for The Redeemed (coming later this year), I'll start working on filling the thrift stores with items to repurpose and posting all over Facebook Marketplace. But, that's next week's issue. 

This is Totally Rational

I've sworn since I moved to Texarkana, that the first snake I saw, I'd be high-tailing it back to Arizona. 

In the last four years, that statement has been amended to the first alive snake I saw on the Texas side. Because, the empirical evidence I currently have is only alive snakes live in Arkansas. I've seen my fair share in Arkansas. I've also seen my fair share of dead snakes on the Texas side.* 

Last week, during our drive back from Florida, somewhere in mid-Louisiana, in the middle of a huge thunderstorm where my phone was alerting me every three seconds of tornado warnings, Polly called Marty. She said, "Hey Dad, I just found a copperhead." After I finished exclaiming my displeasure, Polly said, "Oh... I didn't realize you were on speaker phone." 

Fortunately, Fate decided to riddle my immune system with all sorts of nastiness since we returned, so I haven't been outside in days. Marty swears the snake has now slithered back under two sets of fences and into the woods behind our house. He also swears he's put down sulpher--but it rained, so he will have to do it again. And, he swears he raked the leaves where Polly found the critter and did not find a copperhead, much less any other snake. However, I've noticed a shovel has been strategically placed in the garage. 

Meanwhile, my sister-in-law is on notice that I may be moving in. She's got my room ready. 

*I should add, last fall I found a harmless grass snake in my greenhouse. But: 1) I recognized it as harmless 2) there's currently enough sulphur spread out over the greenhouse floor that I'm pretty sure it isn't coming back. Probably. But my brother and sister-in-law are waiting anyway.  

Gotcha Day

A year ago Buckaroo brought us the Overlords. Leon and Roosevelt have been fun and chaotic additions to the Sunshine family. 

A year later, they are still maniacs. Leon still kills paper. Roosevelt still climbs everything--especially people in the middle of the night. They also extremely sweet. Leon will wrap his front legs in a hug-fashion around an unsuspecting person walking by. Roosevelt is so lovey-dovey and will purr with the smallest amount of attention from anyone, including Luna. 

Though brothers, they are about as different in size and personality as one can expect. However, they are extremely bonded, even to the point of crying for the other (also in the middle of the night). 

Roosevelt and Leon

Looks Like One (or More) of Those Coronas Must Have a Direct Line

This illness is lingering. It's taken its toll to the point where I accidentally "replied all" to an e-mail today and at some point I probably should care. Right now the best I can do is muster an "oops." 

Being this sick is so awful that, after six days, I broke down and asked the Coronas for their help with some Divine Assistance. Though I'm now answering 17,081 text messages instead of sleeping, the truth is, I'm starting to feel better. Looking back, I probably should have asked for prayers last Wednesday.  

For the record, there is no antibiotic for bronchitis. It just has to run its course. 

If you are looking for a good stock tip: whatever company makes Ricola sugar free cough drops. I'm on my third bag in six days. 

Back Home

Marty and I returned from our trip, on fire for changes to the Sunshine household. And ever since, I've been on fire with a fever and awful sore throat. Today I can sit. So there's that. Roosevelt and Luna are snuggling near me, taking turns giving me their healing love. Leon is busy killing a dust mite in the corner of the room. However, he came by, checked out the action on the couch and then decided the dust mite might have brethren who need conquering. 

Her Royal Majesty (Deb) called me today, wanting to see if I'd be healthy enough to go to tomorrow's funeral and Corona night. Right now, probably not. But I told her yes, anyway. I want to be with Corona Patty (and her family), who is burying her younger sister. Plus, Corona night... But honestly, I need a bit of Divine assistance if I'm going to be well enough to socialize tomorrow. 

Earlier today, Buckaroo called me from the store. He's got a board game afternoon planned at someone's home. The context he presented was that one of the newer members offered to host. He asked me if he should bring flowers for a hostess gift for the young woman hosting. Yes, this would be for board games with college students. I'm guessing he means for the flowers to be a banal gesture and not a romantic advance, so I told him a bottle of Dr Pepper would suffice. 

Before he left for his afternoon adventure, Buck came home and presented me with these, saying "Feel better soon. And, oh yeah... stay out of the garage until Sunday."

  

Perhaps the Divine assistance I needed. 

 

Small Worlds Colliding

I should preface this by saying I'm six states away from home. I should also preface this by saying Deb swears I know everyone. Everyone. I don't. 

So yesterday--six states away from home--I struck up a conversation at the local coffee shop with a woman. She's from Austin and we got to talking and I told her I live in Texarkana. She told me if I haven't found a "church home" in Texarkana, I really should check out the local Church of Christ. They are a dynamic bunch and about three years ago helped her out. She and a friend were coming back from Little Rock on their way to Austin.  They got stranded in Texarkana and called the local Church of Christ for help. "A really great couple" came to their rescue and put them up for the night. 

I finished the story for her, because I remembered when this happened and knew exactly who the couple was: Corona Gail and her husband. They still talk about this delightful woman and her friend who were stranded on their way to Austin. 

Vacation

Marty and I are on a vacation, unwinding and recharging our batteries. As I write this, he's emailing a company who is looking to hire someone with his skills. They reached out and asked some specific questions. 

Yep. We're just a fun couple, hanging out on a Friday night on our separate computers.