It was precipitated because he was about to undergo some major back surgery removing a tumor that had deteriorated his left foot, calf and eventually half his backside. That deterioration wasn't coming back and we had been saying for years that instead of renting our coach home in Fort Myers we would someday get the hell out of Dodge. Actually, Indy not Dodge, but you get the drift.
Our original plan was to leave last weekend, but an unexpected family health issue (temporary) delayed us until tomorrow morning.
January first brought a significant amount of snow here, close to 7 or 8 inches. We picked up our grandkids before it started and then kept them until today. Early this week was too soon to do more than pack up most stuff, but not early enough to get some final cleaning and last minute packing.
Not realizing we would be lucky to have the grandkids for two days left us with taking them home this morning and then running hither and yon and floor and bathroom cleaning for this afternoon. Bob was hoping we would get the place dusted which I told him was really kinda pointless given that there would likely be an inch of dust by the time we get back.
We've handed out keys to family, friends and neighbors, installed a security camera and alarm and will have neighbors watch and keep the driveway plowed so the house does not look vacant.
It seems so different than when we leave our place in Fort Myers. While it's decked out with everything we need, there is nothing there that can't be replaced with an insurance check if something happened.
We moved to this house a year after we were married. His girls were raised here, 22 of our nearly 23 years have been here. All our memories are here. This is the only constant house in our grandkids history, their parents and other grandparents have all moved several times.
Last summer I was sitting outside with my grandson when I mentioned something about moving from this house in a few years. He looked at me like I was crazy. He said, "You will never leave here". In his 11 years this was his constant. He couldn't imagine us EVER living anywhere else. It broke my heart a little.
As does this trip south. And I don't know why.
Believe me, I cannot wait to get to warm weather. They are now predicting near blizzard conditions here starting late Saturday night and probably continuing into Monday. By the time the snow starts up again Saturday we should be at the Florida/Georgia line.
I plan on irritating every one of my fb friends and family with weather updates until April. Pictures of the pool and the beach and the fresh shrimp and fish. Maybe a quick trip over to Fort Lauderdale for an impromptu cruise.
What is this? It's almost like a life that we've only dreamed of. Tomorrow starts the "someday" we've talked about for years.
And while we've locked, secured, alarmed this house of ours, I feel sad for it.
Does a home ever get peoplesick?
Posts
9 comments:
Oh I hope you have an amazingly restful trip!!
Hoping all goes well.
I'm guessing you've been exposed to some of the brutal heat the South can bring. It usually lasts about three months and can literally kill you.
However, the trade-off is the other nine months usually allow short sleeved shirts on most days. When you take out the threat of hurricanes, it's not bad.
Have a safe trip and wave to me as you go through Atlanta.
Thx Jen. We plan on it.
Ed. So far so good. Made it to Valdosta, so we only have 350 miles left, an easy drive this morning. Watching the weather channel, things are looking bad up north.
Jess, we try to always avoid September in Fort Myers. Not only is it hellaciously hot, the sand fleas eat me alive. I need to republish my Hurricane Charlie and Frances post. Fort Myers, Sanibel and Captiva took a direct hit before Charlie reached Port Charlotte. Cat 5!
Hey Coffey. We waved as we weaved through I-75. Luckily we came through on a Saturday afternoon so traffic was light. Were you the old guy that was picking up trash along with the other prisoners? ;D
Don't forget about us old blog buddies! A warm weather post will help us get through the winter, even if we are living vicariously.
I'm trying to make everyone hate me on fb Joe. It's now 73 degrees and climbing as we head south. Just passed Gainsville, windows down, sunny. Got about 250 miles left to go.
So far Michigan and Ontario plates are the majority, with Hoosier plates coming in about third.
Did you SEE that game last night???? We watched it at Applebee's in Valdosta. Made the day even better.
Enjoy the warm weather, Rita.\
And I do think homes get peoplesick...I love to think my Paris apartment misses us, I loved it THAT much and often think that if I got back there, I'd just sit on the steps in the lobby and live in memories for about an hour. Lots of wonderful parties, lots of cooking, four years of bliss.
Yes, I'm SURE homes miss us :-)
Ever think about going back for a visit Z?
Post a Comment