Changes...They Are A'coming!

I have been thinking about this post since Wednesday. It is one of those topics that needed some mulling and simmering. But as so often happens, an idea took on a life of its own and as of 10 PM tonight (Friday) we have sold our home. Our home of 41 years.

But like most happenings, there is a story.

Hubby has talked most of the winter about what we were going to do if he could NOT handle mowing the yard. He has been able to mow the yard, but decided, enough is enough. So putting the house on the market was something I knew was coming. He wants to move closer to the grandkids and I'm okay with that. When in Sioux Falls last weekend, we talked to a realtor and learned the steps we would need to take to start the process. We did not look at any homes in that community, but did agree on what we would like as our next home. After all, we did not have a deadline. We have ALL summer and winter if need be!

Realtors came to our home on Wednesday morning and visited, took the pertinent information, and shared a timeline and procedures for selling. She came back this morning (Friday) at 10. We signed the papers, putting the house on the market. She went back to her office and put our house on the multiple listing service. She called at noon with two parties interested in looking at 5:15 and later at 7:00...tonight.

Hubby and I worked to make the house look ready for a showing. It was all surface stuff as there was no time for any deep cleaning, or the kind of cleaning I had planned to do prior to the realtors' walk through in 10 days. Our realtor came back at 3:30 to take inside photos, put the For Sale sign in the yard, and complete some more paperwork. Surface stuff like the ripening cantaloupe was placed in the oven along with the bread and onions! Surface stuff like the bath chair, walker and pillows from hip surgery stored in the spare bedroom in plain sight!

When we left the house at 5, someone was waiting along the street to get in the house. I got a text from the realtor at 6:30. The people from the 5:15 showing wanted to come back on Saturday at noon to look at it again. (COOL!) At 8:30 I received a second text saying the second showing is making an offer and wanted an answer by 11 PM tonight. (HOLY CRAP!)

By now there were 3 more potential showings over the next 3 days. Our realtor came by at 9 tonight with the offer. We talked and countered their offer. She made a phone call and by 9:30 tonight we signed the papers selling our house for the asking price.

(I know they opened the oven because when I walked in the house I could smell the cantaloupe! I'm almost embarrassed, but hey...the house is sold.)

After the realtors had left on Wednesday, I was thinking about all the work ahead of us. About all the stuff that needs to be sorted and tossed and sold and packed. 41 years is a LONG time. And until I know what we are moving into, I don't really know what I want to keep and move and what can be sold or repurposed. That is what the blog was going to be about...the process of deciding what things collected and gathered, bought or earned, over 41 years makes the cut of moving to the next home. There may still be a blog about all that. But for now...I am just a wee bit overwhelmed by how fast this has gone and by all we need to do in the next 45 days. Yes, closing is in 45 days. At least it isn't 5!

Changes...they are a'coming!

One Week Update

A week ago today I had the surgery to replace my right hip. I left the hospital Thursday afternoon spending the next 4 days following doctor and therapists' orders and using the prescribed meds, as suggested. I spent most of those days very groggy, often unable to complete a sudoko puzzle without nodding off. I enjoyed afternoon naps as they seemed essential. I was doing very well getting around the house with the walker. And sleeping all night, another measure of healing.

I had my first at home shower on Sunday morning. That first one is always a 'fun' experience and all went well. On Sunday afternoon we enjoyed visits from OFDIL and friends. I even enjoyed a short stroll outside. I was quite tuckered by Sunday evening.

On Monday morning I had an appointment with my GP to check the incision, check my vitals, and discuss pain levels. She kindly suggested I start cutting back and taking Tylenol when needed. So I did. The last prescribed pain meds were taken at 6:30 AM on Monday. What a difference that has made! I was able to concentrate long enough the next two days to read a novel The Secret Wife by Gill Paul for my book club discussion on Thursday morning. (Worth the read by the way!)

Today (Tuesday) I used the cane for getting around the house and taking a walk outside to the flower garden. I did not need my afternoon nap, but should have laid on a bed for an hour or two this afternoon as I get stiff and sore by 6. I will remember that for rest of the week.

I have 7 or 8 exercises I do twice a day while lying on the bed. (Yes, I will need to stay there awhile in the afternoon!) I ice often and move often. The staples will be removed next week Monday. I will wear the lovely white compression socks for the month of June. Driving should be allowed next week.

So this update is to let you all know I am doing well, getting better everyday. Thank you for the emails, cards and phone calls. I'm looking forward to next week as things can only get better!

May Flowers

We had 6 days after arriving home from AZ before we left for the Geo-adventure to Cincinnati. We worked in the yard cleaning the flowers from the 3 large maple trees and mowing the lawn. We think there were more flowers from those 50+ year old trees than ever before. I also took some time to clean the flower beds and enjoy the tulips.

the pasque or May flower was on the down-side of blooming

Photos from May 18th

When we got back on May 30th, all the tulips were done. The lilies are growing. Most of the cone flowers did not survive and nor did any of the poppies. DANG! I have the worst luck with poppies. So during the 6 days between getting back home and hip replacement surgery, I worked in the back flower garden, replanting and doing some decorating. Those photos will have to wait until I am able to get out and about as I did not take any photos when I completed the work.

Interesting and Unusual Traveling Home

We also did some geocaching after leaving Cincinnati as we headed west back to SD. One of our stops was in Decanter, Indiana.

I read enough information on the geocache to know it had something to do with trees and the courthouse. We saw lots of trees. I looked at the geocaching photos and didn't see anything unusual. So we parked and read the sign...

and then looked up...OMG! There's a tree growing on the top of the courthouse. Yes, go back to the first photo and check it out. See! We would never have stopped if it had not been for geocaching.


The other unusual stop was in Blue Earth MN.

having a little fun with the giant

Lexington KY Geocaches

We saw two historic homes the few hours we were in Lexington KY on Friday of our geocaching time in the Cincinnati area. The first was the home of Mary Todd Lincoln.

Of course we did not have the time to go into the house/museum. We were on a mission...


Next stop, home of Henry Clay.

a farmer ahead of his time

quite the family home

ice cellar and dairy cellar

home side entrance to privy, smokehouse, gardens

privy and wash house

smokehouse

I enjoyed our walk around the grounds, exploring the different buildings and gardens. Very warm and humid, so we didn't waste any time lolly-gagging.

Getting to Lexington we traveled some country roads, narrow and not very busy. I enjoyed this part of the drive...

As we were leaving Lexington to get on I 75, we moved to the right lane to turn onto the cloverleaf ramp. We sat in the right lane of maybe 2 miles for almost an hour. As we inched closer to the interstate ramps, we realized the right lane traffic was heading south. Once we moved into the left lane and zipped around all the non-moving vehicles, we quickly got on the ramp to head north, back to Covington. There was an accident of some sort very near that south ramp as traffic was backed up for more than 5 miles as we headed north, moving right along. 

As I mentioned earlier, we were happy to leave the Cincinnati traffic and road systems. On two occasions, Hazel, our vehicle GPS told us we were driving alleys when we indeed were on interstates.  Between Hazel and sign reading, we both were happy to see the area in the rear view mirror. I'll take Phoenix traffic any day!

One more post of the geo adventure and then onto other topics...