Little More Progress

Today we rearranged the shed - which we use as the main entrance as it has one step at the entry and one step up into the main living area. Nothing like organizing a room to clear out clutter, find missing items and give yourself more space.

Sweetie hung a 12' metal rod across one end of the room - in front of the metal shelves I'd previously used for food storage - where it does double duty for indoor clothes drying and coat rack. Instead of stringing a clothesline anywhere I hang clothes, etc. on hangers. Our food storage is stashed in a pantry and closet and buckets fill the end of a hall that leads to the spare bedroom. This room has two entries so I just closed the door and made use of the space.

Yesterday we also tore out the broom closet and the cabinets above the fridge. The Hoosier cabinet and fridge swapped places with the kitchen table and chairs which gave us a smaller kitchen work triangle. In the spring we'll install windows above the kitchen table and re-insulate the exterior wall for about 20 feet. In older mobile homes the insulation tends to slide down the wall defeating its original purpose.

Tomorrow I pick up my elderly friend for her first look at our home's interior. She's asked me to take her to her husband's grave and the grocery too; something I feel honored to do.

I also re-buried my cat, Mita, who died last November 2nd. Guess I must have unconsciously been thinking ahead when I wrapped her in a towel, then placed her in a box and wrapped it in plastic. When I dug her up it was a simple matter of placing that box in another box and wrapping it in plastic. A few people think it's strange that I'd move my cat but she was my most faithful companion for 13 years so I couldn't leave her behind. Call me crazy. I don't care.

Up north, where we used to live, they got 15 inches of snow yesterday. Don't miss it but I know it will soon be here too. Oh well, we'll be warm inside with plenty to eat and the company of Lady and Kitty Kitty and great friends who call nearly every day.

Well, time for bed. My eyes are blurring I've read so long this evening. Take care, Treesong

On Being Thankful

On this day, my favorite of all holidays, I find myself being thankful for simple things: an extra quilt on the bed on a cold night; a long, leisurely shower and an over sized towel to wrap myself in; a morning call from my elderly friend to say, "I'm thankful you're close by now"; our new home, of course; for waking up this morning able to walk without falling; and remembering to turn the oven on and off at the appropriate times.

After today, who will remember, in the midst of their distractions and committments, to be thankful? Will they be thankful for a roof over their heads and heat and lights and food to eat? Will they be thankful for friends and family and a store close by? Will they be thankful for an income and a few bucks in their wallets? Will they be thankful for the medication they need or their doctor or pharmacy? Will they be thankful they are even alive?

Each year it seems we "celebrate" Thanksgiving and then leave it's message by the wayside. The day is barely half over and someone complainss the stuffing had too much sage, the pies were runny and the kids were rambunctious. Another comments on her sister-in-law's outfit and the weight she had gained.

We're such vain, judgmental, opinionated people. And all to keep up the empty, incessant chatter. Silence is a killer your know.

Try to steer the conversation toward humor, a new recipe, the volunteering you did earlier or God forbid, God himself, and you're treated like a leper.

Or, better yet, mention mention Sarah Palin and you've got everyone's attention. Like the young woman on Facebook who wished Palin would visit Grand Rapids. When asked why, she said, "Because she's going to be the best looking presidential candidate we've ever had and want to see her."

Talk about comments!

I had to remind myself that on Facebook, everyone seems to talk about anything to anyone. It's as though NOT saying something means you're alone or ignored, God forbid.

I for one, am thankful I've learned it's often best not to comment.

Noteworthy

A while back I mentioned we would be living off our preps for the foreseeable future. It's been an interesting, telling time. A great opportunity to get creative, discover what "food fatigue" really means and discover the holes in your preps.

First, creativity. Who feels like being creative in the kitchen when their body aches in places they didn't know existed and they haven't the strength to lift a cast iron fry pan or operate a manual can opener? Not me.

Second, "Food Fatigue" is real and happened quicker than expected. We agree it's due to moving between two locations three times in about 4 weeks. This means either stocking cookware, dishes, etc. for two locations or living on sandwiches and canned fruit. We opted for the latter. Yesterday I made a huge pan of lasagna. You'd have thought we hadn't eaten in a month. We ate it three times yesterday. I didn't have the energy nor inclination to fix a vegetable. To heck with a balanced meal, I thought. We have plenty of variety in our preps but don't stock MRE type food. Even if we did the microwave was buried in a box someplace though they could have been made in a saucepan.

As for holes in our preps. Aren't there always holes in preps? Isn't it human nature to want what you don't have? My elderly friend asked me to pick up Bob Evans Chipped Beef & Gravy before coming to visit her. She's without a car, ill and has a daughter who only stops by to drop her garbage off. This was my first visit to a grocery in I don't know when. Seemed like a dream, the bright lights and shelves stocked to the hilt. When I looked at the prices it seemed like a nightmare. So, yes, we've kept our vow not to buy anything for ourselves but I left the store thinking of homemade donuts (this place has a great bakery), Cornish hens, chipped beef on toast, bananas, ice cream (any flavor at this point would be welcome) and how great a romaine salad would be. Sometime next month we'll go shopping. It will be like Christmas; in fact it may be Christmas.

In other news, I had the scare of my life yesterday. Sweetie began choking while sitting in his recliner eating a cheese sandwich. A few seconds later his lips curled outward and his face reddened. Maybe 10 seconds had passed when his eyes rolled back in his head and his entire body jerked. I grabbed the phone next to his chair to call 911 just as our phone rang. I was my elderly friend who said she'd do it and then call friends who live nearby.

I kept repeating Sweetie's name and suddenly he started choking again. The adrenaline rushed through my body as I yanked him up (my back feels like it today) and got behind him with my arms around him. Not an easy task while he was shaking and gagging! Next thing I knew our friends arrived; her husband grabbed Sweetie and the piece of sandwich flew out.

My elderly friend called again and said 911 was on their way. Sweetie - the infamous stubborn Irishman that he is - repeatedly yelled, "Call those suckers off." He was enraged and swearing and grabbed the phone. Our friends were in shock as he continued to yell and told the 911 dispatcher there was no need for help!!!!

After we ALL calmed down I told my friends, "Well, he's back to normal." They left soon afterward, just dumbfounded. Three hours later he said, "Your know, I lost you for awhile."

Truthfully, part of me wanted to hit him but all I could do was cry. His blood pressure remained low all day and he has no intention of seeing a doctor. Near as we figure, his airway was blocked long enough for him to loose consciousness and possibly even skip a few heartbeats until miraculously it started again.

Now you're probably wondering why I mention him choking after the paragraphs about living on our preps? Because I still cry when I think of how close I came to losing him - stubbornness and all.

Running 'Cause I Can't Fly: "A Full Body Scan of American Corruption"

Thanks to Coyote Prime for posting this.

And, as I mentioned in a comment at SixBears' blog, I'd like to see the likes of Pelosi, Reid, Schumer, the Clintons and all other law enforcement and government morons subject themselves to a body search/scan. How about cross country flights with several layovers/change overs for say, one month. Wonder how long it would take for them to revolt?

Running 'Cause I Can't Fly: "A Full Body Scan of American Corruption": "'A Full Body Scan of American Corruption'by Gonzalo Lira 'In the United States, if a policeman stops you for a traffic violation, and y..."

I Have Lost Track But Not Given Up

One day has blurred into the next this past week. Today we're trying to revive ourselves in time for the next trip.

This would be entirely unnecessary if I weren't living with a hoarder.

His overloaded pickup, pulling an equally overloaded enclosed 12' U-Haul trailer, broke down last night 45 miles west of the Mackinaw Bridge. Sparks flew from his rear passenger side as the truck & trailer swerved from side side to side. A driver of the the lane NEXT to him must have stained his pants before he drove into the ditch then out again just as Sweetie missed him by inches. A line of vehicles braked and slowed in both direction but did not stop after both our vehicles stopped.

About 10 minutes later an elderly man driving a new Dodge pickup offered his assistance. His cell phone got reception; mine did not. He lived nearby and knew who to call for a tow. He even walked the ditches by flashlight with us looking for the tire and wheel. Once the wrecker arrived he offered to hook the U-Haul up to his truck and pull it to the nearby garage. The wheel, tire, brakes and who know what else are gone or ruined. The brakes had just been replaced a few days earlier in preparation for the trip.

An hour later we were headed south in the car towing the fully loaded golf cart trailer.

In case you're confused: Sweetie's 1997 F-150 with 268,000 miles was fully loaded beyond the roof top & pulling the 12' U-Haul - also loaded. I was following in the 1996 Crown Vic towing the golf cart trailer. On it were a 250 gallon fuel oil tank, a cement mixer, and snow blower and cultivator attachments for his John Deere riding mower.

In my humble opinion, the only thing of worth moving were the four painting in my car, the things on the golf cart trailer, the antique twin bed and three tool boxes in the U-Haul.

Believe me, the rest was useless junk. Buckets and buckets of obscure items, many broken or missing parts. Not one bit of it has been touched since being moved to the Upper Peninsula 18 months ago.

This move has now cost us well over $2000 when all we really needed was one trip with the 12' U-Haul and the golf cart trailer.

Tomorrow, if the truck repairs are finished, we return to the UP to pick up the truck and pay who knows what in towing and repairs. And then we begin the journey again, hoping and praying the truck and trailer make it back here in one piece.

And once he's had some rest he STILL has stuff in that pole barn as well as a boat and trailer sitting in the yard. God help us because I'm ready to scream. Not that it will do any good.

If you've ever watched Hoarders on TV you have some idea of what I'm going through.

What We've Been Missing

Since moving here life has done a 180. Yesterday was a perfect example.

I joined the library's writer's group that meets every Thursday for 3 hours. It was amazing to walk into a room of strangers and be welcome. People gathered round to introduce themselves and ask about my writing experience, the books I was currently reading and why I'd chosen to move to this area. I was so stunned I teared up.

It seems my friend Deb has been talking me up. "She's written for newspapers and she's always listened to me talk about my writing. You'll all really like her."

To put this in context, I've known Deb since I first moved to this area 30 years ago and she was recommended as a babysitter. She was married with three kids and didn't work outside the home. I was single, had three kids and worked for GM.

We're about as different from one another as two women could get. She left school in the 9th grade; I have 3.5 years of college. She's been in an abusive marriage for 35 years; I would have killed him. She's the youngest of four; I'm the oldest of four. She has very little self confidence; mine could be tempered at times. But somehow we've been supportive of one another.

Deb joined the writing group because she realized she needed something to do now that her children had all left the nest. "I felt like I didn't have a mind left," she said. "I thought writing would help me think."

She cannot spell or punctuate but she keeps trying. She has so much enthusiasm for writing that she sent a story to a vanity publisher. Of course, it was published. She was so proud of being an author that she sent me a copy. I had to restrain myself from taking a red pen to every page.

Everyone at the writing group has read her book and they've all realized the same thing I have. It's a terrible piece of work. Despite that, it has given her a new sense of purpose, pride and determination that no amount of counseling, crying, praying or demanding has ever done.

During our meeting the group's leader gave us a series of writing exercises which we then read to the group. Members responses were amazing. Laughter, jokes and respectful critiques filled the air.

My email was added to the member list. As of this morning I've heard from all but two of the group.

I am still amazed that we get phone calls from live people other than telemarketers.

When we needed to pick up truck parts Deb gave me a ride. When we needed help unloading the U-Haul, help was here. We've been invited to a Thanksgiving dinner - the first holiday invite we've had in two years, maybe more.

While we're up north for the last load, someone will be here taking care of our cat and watching the house.

When we go grocery shopping or stop at the gas station people stop and talk. The librarian knew who I was when I asked for a library card. She even offered a list of books she thought I'd be interested in based on what Deb had told her.

I could go on and on about how welcome we feel. It's such a contrast to being ignored and left out and judged on our past, our location, our lifestyle, our ages and whatever other determinations had been made about us.

And something else I just remembered. At the writing group someone mentioned a wringer washer in her story. Deb laughed and said I could identify with that because I had one. The most elder of the writers group looked up and said, "Have you ever made your own laundry soap?" When I said, "Yes and I still do," no one laughed.

Fix and Repair

We're not wealthy and didn't buy a turn key place with the latest bells and whistles. So, we're making repairs dnd discovering more repairs are needed.

It sucks. The more this country sinks into the abysmal economic hole, the more company we'll have in the fix and repair department. Like I told a friend, "Thank God we know how to live on ingenuity, duct tape, rice and beans and recycled parts."

And though I bitch about Sweetie's mess in the pole barn, he has found a spare propane regulator, a sufficient supply of screws, bolts and caulking and brake pads for the truck.

But, the day will come when we'll have to spend money. I dread it.

Meanwhile my good friend and her GM retiree hubby blissfully spend his retirement check. In the past week they've gassed up the 2007 Dodge truck three times; eaten out every day including taking us to lunch yesterday after having breakfast with his mother three hours earlier. Mark my word, later this month we'll hear mumblings about not having money. Within their extended family one will borrow from another until next payday arrives.

Yet they're the sweetest people I know. Even without money at the end of the month they'll help someone move, babysit their child or offer a place to stay temporarily.

Meanwhile, we'll work toward getting this place in shape and find amusement in our dog and cat; enjoy TV, internet and library books(our entertainment budget) and have coffee with friends.

As for the challenges here, most revolve around a ton of deferred maintenance. Whenever there was a leaky faucet or window, it was eventually repaired but the damage done by the leak was left as is. Consequently we have three flooring soft spots, paneling to replace beneath four windows and several pieces of moulding to replace.

Every time we turn around something else is missing a part or it's so filthy it's stopped working. As Sweetie said this morning, "I'm surprised this place isn't roach infested." That made my skin crawl.

The ironic thing is shelves were full of cleaners, disposable razors and air fresheners - all coated in dust, spider webs and grease. I shudder to think of their toxicity, but I set off two bug bombs inside and two beneath the place when we were last here.

I spent an entire hour scrubbing ONE ceiling beam in the living room. If I wipe a damp cloth across it I still have yellow/gray residue on it!!!

This is a 1982 Schult the previous owner bought in 1984. I doubt the walls were ever scrubbed. The original carpet is in both bedrooms and hall. Newer carpet is in the living room but is heavily stained. We'll pull it all up in January.

The propane company was just here for an inspection. When they pulled out the range I about upchucked. No need for a mop or broom beneath it. Sweetie is there now with a carpet razor cutting the vinyl flooring away. Not even going to bother trying to clean the mess.

I've taken a slew of pictures but am having trouble with my camera once again. Suffice to say I'm scrubbing more today and making spaghetti sauce.

One day at a time we'll make progress. Later this week we return to the UP to load up and winterize the place. It can't happen soon enough.

So much more to talk about but I have work to do! Have a pleasant day, Treesong

The Journey, the Realizations

We departed the U.P. at 4:20 p.m. only to realize we had a flat tire on the U-Haul passenger side rear OUTSIDE tire. We were still in the driveway!!! After trying to fill the tire with a portable compressor Sweetie drove 16 miles to a station with air. Once he filled the tire he pulled forward so my truck tire could be checked. No sooner had he jumped out of the U-Haul and we heard a loud pop. The U-Haul tire deflated again.

Unbelievably, the tire never went completely flat; only down about two inches. It was Sunday evening and nightfall was approaching, so we continued on to the nearest U-Haul outlet that could possibly help us the next morning - another 32 miles away.

To shorten the story, we contacted U-Haul on my cell which kept disconnecting (poor coverage) and once again Sweetie's English/Irish temper got the best of him. Off he drove while I'm standing outside my truck talking to U-Haul foe the third time. I told the operator never mind, he's taken off and soon followed his disappearing tail lights.

We stopped every 50-100 miles checking the U-Haul tire, which never deflated further. So, the truck made the journey with a slight tilt toward the ditch but everything inside arrived in one piece!!!

My man has determination if nothing else.

WE arrived here exactly 13 hours later (Monday morning) exhausted but grateful. A short time later we had the bed unloaded and blankets piled high upon it. The pilot on the furnace had gone out and we weren't able to relight it. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.

Three hours later I got up, made coffee and toast and Sweetie slept another five hours. I unloaded what I could from both trucks and rounded up our planned help. That in itself got interesting. Within four days of having arranged the help only one person showed up. Two others had the flu and one had got a much needed job. But, still running on sheer determination, we unloaded the truck and worked feverishly to fix a few things before we ran out of steam Wednesday afternoon.

I can't recall when I have ached so much or when three Aleve during a 24-hour period had NOT touched the pain. Sweetie slept most of Thursday and has since paced himself and taken better care of himself. Having satellite TV hooked up made all the difference because he and the remote and his recliner have become one again!

Today I felt clear headed enough to hook up the DSL and answer emails.

I'll post more later. In the meantime we are soooooooooooooooooooo grateful to be here. The realizations of what we've been missing, how fortunate we are and how awesome God is have flooded over us like waves from a refreshing sea.

Thanks to all of you for your comments. Have a restful Sunday. Treesong

Moving Forward

Yesterday we loaded all the furniture minus our bed in the U-HAUL. The bed will be the last thing loaded & the first thing removed so we have something to crash on.

Sweetie went to bed at 9 p.m. and woke at 1:30 a.m. He puttered in the pole barn awhile then came in & drank coffee. I stayed up until 11:30 p.m. and got up at 6 a.m. The garbage has been hauled to the community dumpster and a few crates have been loaded but we need daylight to do much else.

Our aim is to leave here today. Time will tell as Sweetie just admitted to spitting up blood for the past two days.

I've arranged for more help once we arrive down state. In the meantime we appreciate everyone's comments and prayers. Treesong

The Procastinator's Curse

Sweetie and I have many similarities but also a glaring opposite trait; namely he's a procrastinator who takes his time to "think things through." I, on the other hand, act quickly, decisively and work a project through to its conclusion. If it has to be done, I getter done. Then it's finished!!!

The sheer thought of moving has immobilized him due to his "mess" in the pole barn. This consists of buckets, crates, boxes, tool chests, and piles of more stuff than I care to mention. And hardly any of it's been touched since being unloaded from the U-Haul 18 months ago!!!

So, a 26' truck has sat in the drive since 1 p.m. today - still empty. Our pickup, with sides built up around the bed, has been partially loaded.

Everything in the house is packed except the TV and computer, minimal toiletries and the coffee pot. We're living on soup, sandwiches, and oatmeal cooked in the microwave in heavy paper bowls.

We've had six calls from potential buyers of the Blazer/plow but either they haven't shown up, haven't had the money or low balled the asking price.

As of today, he plans to load the pickup; place it on the car hauler and have me drive the car down state. The Case tractor goes in the U-Haul with garage junk around it and furniture to the back of the U-Haul.

That's the plan. When it will come to fruition is any one's guess. We have until 1 p.m. Tuesday to return it - in Ionia.

WHEN this move is completed all of his stuff will land in yet another pole barn, where fortunately I can't see it from any window of the home.

To say I'm frustrated is an understatement. Thanks for letting me vent.

Living on Preps

I always knew there'd come a time when we lived totally on our preps. That time has arrived.

Based on our balance sheet and the likelihood that our land contract will be foreclosed on, we're belt tightening now.

Canned meats, soups, vegetables and fruits will be supplemented with dried pastas and beans and instant potato flakes. I have sauces, flavorings, gravy mixes and baking mix and pancake mix too and even powdered egg, butter, powdered milk, canned juices and 12 cans of coffee.

There have been times in my life when I ate nothing but pasta and soup for weeks on end. Thankfully, wise prepping will give us better fare.

So, from here on out, no grocery shopping. Our fridge top freezer here has 3# of hamburger, a beef roast, 30# of blueberries, some frozen veggies and a package of chicken breasts. Gonna clean up the freezer meat first instead of packing it in a cooler for the trip south. The blueberries will be transported on ice for use in pies, muffins and bread through the winter. Even if they thaw some, blueberries re-freeze well.

Our cleaning, personal care and medical supplies are in good shape too. The thing I'll miss is my caffeine free diet coke. But, sacrifice we will.

Occassionally I'll give updates as to how our diets are faring.

Well, it's late and I've been yawning long enough. Later, Treesong

Developments Since 10/14/10

The Buyer's deposit was delayed until Monday thanks to electronic snafus.

The people in our family - who've had little to do with us or my father - threw a tizzy over the nerve of us moving and "abandoning" my Dad.

We packed our truck full to the side walls Sweetie had built and hitched the golf cart on its trailer behind it. The motor home starter gave out 50 miles later at a gas station and we developed a fuel line leak to boot.

We had no other mishaps until the golf cart windshield flew off near the Lewiston exit. About 23 miles later a State Police car had stopped a car on the right shoulder so traffic merged to the left lane. Sweetie did likewise, promptly pulling in front of an 18-wheeler traveling at 70 mph while he did 55 mph. Four cars behind the 18 wheeler braked hard headed for the right hand lane where I was. I closed my eyes and said, "Lord, if this is my time, fine."

When I opened my eyes, the four cars where stopped in the left and right lanes; Sweetie was back in the right lane oblivious to it all, and the 18 wheeler was way ahead of the whole mess. I, on the other hand, was about to run into the back of a pick up as I had not braked at all!!!

At the first St. Johns exit, north of Lansing, I drove 25 mph on a side street in front of Sweetie in the motor home. Within 300 feet, the trailer detached from the ball hitch, a chain broke too and the tongue slid beneath the truck. I pulled over, thankful that we weren't traveling 55-65 mph on the highway.

We arrived at the new place just before night fall and couldn't find the key that had been hidden. A few phone calls and half an hour later we were inside. While waiting for entry Sweetie walked around the buildings and yard. His only remark was, "it's too close to the road."

We spent four days working on the place, unpacked and shared three meals with friends. It was wonderful to be in an area where people were looking forward to seeing us. By the second day we knew we'd made the right choice. Sweetie liked the road, the field, the neighbors and the convenience of an 16 mile round trip to Tractor Supply or Menards versus the 240 mile round trip we used to travel.

We arrived here last night and the family dramas have continued since. My sister-in-law had taken my father for a tour of an assisted living facility. He like the place, turned in his application and deposit and picked up a change of address form from the post office.

While my SIL was gone to a neighbor's to pick up some homemade jam, my ex showed up at her home and completely undid the previous arrangements. When she came home she found my ex sitting at her kitchen table with three empty beers. He said he "had taken care of everything" for Dad and he would be moving in with my daughter's boyfriend. The fireworks soon flew and the ex soon left.

My father said nothing at all but left the house while she was in the shower the next morning. He went to my daughter's home, called my middle sister and asked her to come out here with himto check on the cats. While here, they loaded most of his stuff in her truck & delivered it to the boyfriend's.

If you're dizzy from reading all this, imagine how we feel.

We've wisely chosen to remain neutral. In a matter of weeks they'll all realize what they've signed up for and their complaints will begin. In the meantime my father will relish all the attention and have lots of people to play against one another.

His niece and nephews downstate are amazed and shocked by all that has transpired. I've assured them that it's all "normal" in this family. The SIL and we feel fortunate that we'll be some distance away. She was going to remain here this winter but may return to Idaho. We'll be 527 miles south.

Frankly, when all is said and done, that's exactly what our "family" wants. Once again, what at first seems like upheaval and disappointment will be a blessing.

We've also received another past due tax notice on the land contract downstate. Tomorrow begins another round of phone calls, legal maneuvering and appointments. Perhaps by Tuesday we'll return to packing and loading a truck and enclosed trailer.

The adventure continues!

Just As I Open My Mouth...

Within two hours of my last post the buyer's lawyer finally called. The Purchase Agreement is signed tomorrow and the deposit is wired to our account.

Meanwhile I talked with my Dad's niece downstate and told her the news. She was excited as my Dad is the only elderly family she and her brothers have in Michigan. Dad's sister (her mom) lives in Florida. She too thought it would be good for all of us to have a change of scenery, etc.

The owner of the place we're buying downstate called awhile ago. Just wanted to be sure we're still interested. She's carrying a lot on her shoulders with her upcoming wedding, cleaning out her old home, her fiance's health (he's awaiting a heart transplant) and starting a new part time job.

I assured her we were more than ready to move & told her what we'd already packed. That in itself encouraged her.

And just imagine, Sweetie hasn't seen the place yet!!! Not in person anyway.

In a few days I'll post pictures of our vehicles and the sparse interior areas here.

Thanks all for your comments, Treesong

In Limbo

We're in that familiar place - Limbo.

I, being the proactive, getter done kind of gal, have packed the motor home to the ceiling, keeping in mind even weight distribution. It is our personal U-Haul and I'm crossing my fingers that it survives the 500+ mile trip.

Sweetie, being the laid back, reflective guy that he is, watches the progress and asks, "Did you remember to...?" And, "What about....?"

So today is role reversal time.

I'll read and sip coffee and wonder when he's going to remove himself from his all mighty recliner.

Occasionally, I'll comment on the weather and ask if he'll need help with anything.

Meanwhile, my father's been told of "the move" as simply and delicately as possible. Too much said leads to confusion and endless questions. We've told him he's free to remain in the area or go with us. To our surprise, we said he'd go with us.

However, and it's a huge however, my brother's in town until Sunday. A last minute trip to get dental, vision, hearing and a physical before jetting off again delights my Dad who meets his only son for breakfast this morning. Sunday brother flies to Iraq for work as a "gun carrier" according to his long suffering wife.

His wife and I have communicated via email (still ignoring her husband's directive) and she passed the word to my brother that we're moving. Brother made a few wisecracks and quickly went next door to my next youngest sister's. We all await the result of that meeting. We expect a pronouncement from them as to what Dad is to do. Brother is his executor and has Power of Attorney but otherwise limited contact with our aging father. Sister has called Dad about five times in 10 months and visited here three times. She's always got a smile on her face while here but goes home, calls my brother and mentions the tiniest concerns. The last was that Dad's car should be parked so that he doesn't have to turn around to leave the drive. And maybe he should eat more fresh fruit instead of canned.

Brother was fired from his last assignment in Jordan but, after two rejections elsewhere, managed to secure a 2-3 month stint in Iraq. His previous three stints there were at higher pay and position but, like his wife says, the AAA is catching up with him - attitude, arrogance and alcohol.

Dad doesn't want to sever the relationship with his cat so either he moves into a an apartment that allows pets; with another relative (can't imagine who) or with us. Right now he feels he and his cat should remain with familiar people. Personally, I think a change of scenery and closer to amenities and his downstate relatives and friends might be the best medicine.

Alas, as I'm always saying, time will tell.

We also await the signed Purchase Agreement and deposit from the buyer here and have issues to address with the land contract people downstate.

For sure, life is not dull!

In Response to What's 4 Sale

If any one's interested in the items we have for sale, keep in mind we're located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula in northern Houghton County.

For those of you who've asked, the prices are as follows:

Golf Cart, 92 Yamaha w/canopy and split window, ball hitch & 3 sided box ($1500).

570 Case Diesel w/back blade, bucket, 3 pt. hitch, live PTO & new Country Line 5' brush hog ($5000).

1978 Chevy Blazer with Western plow. 350 V8. Missing rear bumper. Has great tires plus a spare. Used only for plowing driveway. ($900)

1981 Dodge Rockwood 2300. Sleeps 4-6. Awning and Onan generator. Propane 4-burner stove & oven. Propane/Electric refrigerator. Full bath w/tub/shower. Upholstery and windows/screens in excellent shape. ($3000).

Contact us via this blog if seriously interested.

It's All For Sale

Sweetie has selling fever. He's had me listing things on Craigslist half the day - between three loads of laundry, vacuuming, cooking, bookkeeping, and packing a few boxes while Dad was walking.

I know what's motivating him: the chance to wheel and deal and visit farm implement stores, junkyards, scrap metal shops and auctions. As long as he keeps his wheeling/dealing on a profit making trend we'll both be happy.

So here's a sampling of what he's put up for sale. We've given first dibs to the guy whose buying this place.

Thanks all for your comments. Talk to ya'll later, Treesong

A Week of Changes

As I posted earlier, the winds of change have been blowing and I knew something was in the works.

While visiting downstate, I followed my desire to return to a familiar area by lookin at real estate. I looked in a tiny village, then considered the nearby town of Ionia.

I also toured my elderly friend's home and knew instantly this was NOT the place. I talked to Sweetie that evening and told him of looking at my friend's home. He said, "I need a pole barn and five acres to drive my tractor around."

This was my first clue that he just might be changing his mind. Hmmm.

After four days of looking I decided to wander country roads. I'd told myself I'd turn down any road that had a real estate sign.

The very first road had NO signs but I turned down it anyway. Sixth-tenths of a mile later I came upon a for sale by owner sign. It said: "Mobile home, pole barn and five acres."

I sat there and cried for a couple minutes, gathered my senses and called the owner's number. The woman was bound for Chicago and would return in two days. Once I toured the place I was amazed at how God had heard my prayers. Both bedrooms are larger than what we have now and a bedroom and bath flank each end of the home. The layout is like none I've ever seen and there's more storage that I've ever had. The parcel is a long 5 acres with 168 feet of road frontage bordered by a corn field to the north and forest to the south. A two-track leads up a small incline beyond some woods by the pole barn and to a field where deer gather. Following that road I thought to myself, "this could be my after dinner walk." Twas a nice feeling.

The attached mud room will come in handy when Sweetie comes in from the pole barn where he will be able to drive his tractor inside thanks to the full-height sliding door. A deck off the living room looks out at perennial flowers, lilac bushes, raspberries and blackberries. Aside from removing the kitchen wall paper and rebuilding the deck, there is nothing to do.

We drive downstate next week so Sweetie can see the place. He's drooled over the pictures and spent the last few days "thinking about what to pack in the U-haul."

We emailed the man who wanted to buy the three acres and he's signing a Purchase Agreement and sending us a deposit next week for the whole place. We've also received an offer on the property downstate that we sold on a land contract.

If that sells we'll be out of debt and have a tidy nest egg.

Our only remaining challenge is what to do about Dad. We've decided not to say anything until all the ink has dried and the results of his CAT scan are in.

I pray my father will realize he needs to live in town where he's surrounded by my sisters and my children. He craves attention and action and we're either tired or too sedate at this point. I think we're all in need of a change.

If things have worked out thus far the rest will too.

Sweetie accepts the fact that his health no longer permits working on constant remodeling/repair projects. Living within a mile of a small grocery, gas station, library and medical clinic would be advantageous and best of all we have wonderful neighbors. The road is a mile long and includes three retired couples, one Black Angus farm next door, a 30-ish couple with two kids, and a 48 year old single man who winters in Florida.

So now The View From Treesong's will have a difference perspective!

The Winds of Change

They're blowing. I can feel it in my soul.

Of course, life is never static, but I've lived long enough to recognize the signs. I have my private meditation/prayer time every day and "unexpected" things are happening.

My elderly friend near Ionia, MI. called and confessed she thinks her time to leave this world is approaching. She really needs new legs or a wheelchair and like she says, "the first option is too expensive and the second is too depressing." She then said she feels depressed - a startling admission from a woman who's been the backbone of her family.

It so happens my father wants to make another trip to Mt. Pleasant to spend a week with his professor friend. I'm dropping him off in about a week and continuing on to Ionia. I called my friend to confirm my visit and she said, "you'll never believe this but my old place is up for sale."

She's right. I thought her current home was for sale and she'd decided to move in with a family member or go to the nursing home. I hate the thought of either and so does she.

Now she's dreaming of her old place and half-jokingly tried to talk us into buying it. "And if you can't move here right away maybe I could stay there until you get here."

Strange how my night time dreams at least partially come true. Sweetie, who's adverse to moving downstate but will move to Florida, was actually interested in reviewing the realtor's photos online. He asked a few questions and has been quiet ever since - a sign his gray matter is processing a few things.

In the meantime, we continue to work on things here and plan for the trip. Sweetie thus far says he's not joining us - unless he has a funeral to attend or a fat check to pick up from the sale of his mom's home.

So, like everything else in life, time will tell.

Today, I'm cleaning closets, donating to Goodwill and picking up the supplies for International Coastal Cleanup Day. I have a four mile stretch of beach to clean between now and October 2. Anyone want to join me?

Birthdays

Yesterday we celebrated Sweetie's 67th birthday - which I have been celebrating for awhile now as I've been saying for months that he's 67! Ah well, he's taken it in stride.

Dad took us to dinner at our favorite place and two of us enjoyed eating beef! Prime rib for Sweetie, rib eye for me and fish for Dad. Later we stopped at the grocery and picked up a pecan pie and strawberry cheesecake. Sweetie had stayed up til 5 a.m. yesterday so he slept in until 12:30 p.m. as did Dad. I got plenty of things done while they slept and occasionally checked to see if they were still breathing!

This morning I fixed the guys fried ham and eggs, toast, juice and coffee and now Dad has gone back to bed. Sweetie's playing Freecell and thinking, I'm sure. Once again the land contract payment is overdue and once again we're both holding our breath and hoping and praying it will arrive soon. If the buyers can manage to make payments for nine more years then we're free of the place downstate. If not, well, I really don't want to imagine that scenario. Like our banker here says: "Receiving payments from them, even if they're late, is better than them walking away. Look at them as though they're renters..."

Would be a great thing to do if we had several thousand in reserve.

In other news my Dad was the victim of a bank scam. We would never have known about it if I hadn't questioned him for the third time about a "book they're publishing" that he wanted to send a photo in to. Two days ago he said, "the nice man who called me already had my bank account number and wanted to record what he told me and my answers so it was okay to take money out."

This "nice man" called him about two weeks ago while we were either outside or not at home. The strange thing is he reached my Dad by calling OUR phone number. Few people know our number or that Dad's here and our phone seldom ever rings!

Two hours later a friend of his called. "We wondered if your Dad mailed his contribution to our ministry because we haven't received it," he said. By then it was too late to contact the bank but we stopped there yesterday. We surmise someone lifted his donation from our mailbox, or elsewhere in the process, then used the account info to access money. Dad's missing check has NOT been cashed but two ACH debits have gone through: the first for a small amount from one phony company; the second a large amount from another company. According to the bank, this is a common practice. The first is a "test run" and then the real damage is done.

Add to this pressure the fact that Dad gets confused and we have a real challenge on our hands. He also steadfastly refused to add my name to his account as an authorized signature because he claims my dearly beloved brother "handles everything!" My brother is his executor but is nearly always playing mercenary overseas. I emailed his long-suffering wife about the bank scam and she forwarded it to my brother. HE responded by saying I'm the one raiding Dad's account and that set off a round of fighting between the unhappily married couple.

My brother, who cheats on his wife and was fired from his assignment in Jordan, is now holed up with a "friend" over there while he tries to find an assignment in Kabul! Like his wife says, "Maybe a sniper will hit his target."

So, closer monitoring of my Dad's financial affairs is in order.

We also learned that local banks in this little corner of the world are not exempt from fraud. The bank's security person said attempts to steal account information happen daily and much of it ends up being unrecoverable. The scams happen quickly and the jerks change accounts, locations, etc. HOURLY.

Another reason to keep cash at home guarded by a loaded gun.

It's Been Awhile

It's been awhile since I've posted because...

I've been way layed by another MS episode. It's passed for now but not before I've accumulated more broken dishes, a gashed elbow and some bruised arms and legs.

When I've had energy I've helped Sweetie get a few projects completed. We're about seven weeks away from our first snowfall. It seldom stays longer than a few days until the season really gets going in mid November. In the meantime we've had low temps, high winds and lots of rain. The gravel road we live on is in sore need of a grader and a week of sunshine.

We've had some luck selling a few things along the roadside in our front yard. Sure has helped the bottom line as we've had plenty of expenses. Before one can sell land it has to be resurveyed ($250), an attorney hired ($300), and two new deeds prepared. Add insurance and plates due on two vehicles because of Sweetie's birthday and the piggy bank is looking sickly.

Dad's taking us out to dinner Tuesday and on the way home we're picking up another load of firewood. Despite any claims of the Farmer's Almanac, people here are prepping for a hard winter. We still need to get the pole barn roof extended over the firewood stacked along its west wall. Though we have most of the materials for this project we need some lumber and clear skies. Three times today we started outside to work and all three times we never got beyond the front steps.

I did a large grocery/prep restocking yesterday. As usual prices had increased: 80 cents more for butter, 98 cents more for a dozen eggs, 18 cent increase for ground check (didn't buy any). Chicken or pork in a zillion different varieties will be on the menu for the next few months. $3.89 for round steak or $4.49 for beef roast just ain't happening in this house.

May have some great pictures to post next week - if the weather clears. Have a great week everyone. Treesong