Home of Fish Lines, by Lila Fish

NOVEMBER 7,2004
 Our new sofa came last Friday.  I am so-o-o disappointed!  The workmanship is terrible. Two of the bottom cushions were not cut straight.  The design is at a slight angle.  On all three of the cushions, when you flip them over, the pattern is up-side down.  And you can't turn them because of the zipper on the back.  The three back attached pillows are not stuffed evenly, and it came with two small pillows which I had made in a brick colored fabric, and the zipper is sewn in with white thread, and they are not squared off properly anyway.  The service department from Sofa Express came out to look at it and he agreed that the workmanship was appalling.  He did not see how they could  have sent it out, and promised that they would take care of it.  I know that I am picky, but I don't think anyone would accept it the way it is. However, we can use it until they make the necessary changes, so I can enjoy sitting out on the Sun Porch with Molly and a book.  She just loves the sofa.  She sits up on top of the back cushion, basking in the sun, and doesn't mind sharing it with me.

I lost my Internet Connection on Friday, so Rob came down last night for supper and fixed it for me.  Something to do with the connection to the router overheating, so he moved it.  Then he worked on my Vickman Photo Editing program, and I thought I understood how to edit the pictures with it, but apparently not, as I tried to alter a picture for about an hour and finally gave up!

Went to lunch with Sarah on Friday and picked up the pictures I had ordered from her wedding.  So now they, too are on the wall in the hallway.  I love having the family pictures there, and the decorative picture ledges that Linc put up are so nice.  We can change the pictures as often as we wish without having to put new holes in the walls.  The Condo is beginning to look really nice.  We are still waiting for the kitchen chairs and need to get a runner for the hall and an area rug for the Sun Porch.  And still need the cellular shades and valances.  I guess I'm not as far along as I thought I was!  Well, it gives me something to do, anyway.  

I am going to try to find some volunteer work to do - if there's anything I can do sitting down, that is - maybe wrapping packages for the holidays or something like that.  I need to do something constructive with my time.  I think Katie has something she wants me to help her with as well, and am looking forward to that.

OCTOBER 31, 2004
  We are officially Buckeyes again!  On Friday we took our tests (rules of the road and a vision test) and both passed. We'll have to find out where to get the Golden Buckeye Cards for senior citizens as many merchants give discounts when you present them. 
 
 Here it is, the end of October and we still haven't met any of our neighbors.  Not that there are many.  A lot of the Condo's on our side of the street are still unoccupied.  We went out to dinner last night and our next door neighbors were out front, greeting some company, so I did roll down the window to say, "hI".  

We went to an Indian restaurant in a Howard Johnson Hotel.  The food was pretty good.  I had the buffet and it was a little spicy, but good.  Linc ordered fish from the menu and said it was very mildly spiced and good.  Interestingly, their menu says the luncheon buffet is $7.95 but the dinner buffet was only $6.95.  Linc's fish was $12.95.  The portion was huge, but his meal consisted of fish, basmati rice and naan (Indian bread).  On the other hand, the buffet had appetizers, soup, salads and several vegetarian dishes as well as a chicken dish.  And there was also dessert.  We'll probably go back again.

 Had trouble with the computer yesterday.  The power went off several times while I was on and I lost my Internet connection.  It was still off this morning so I called Roadrunner and they told me what to do to get it back running. It worked!  Now we know what to do in the future if it happens again.

  I am so bored.  Decorating the Condo is fun, but I NEED PEOPLE!  Linc says he's not lonely but he's pretty much of a loner, anyway.  He joined a Tuesday night bowling league.  I can't bowl any more due to my Neuropathy so that let's me out.   We went to the library and got books out, but I am tired of sitting around. The phone never rings and I am not used to that. I was so busy at the Lake.  Rob is away for the week-end and of course the grandkids have their own lives.   I signed up for a Red Hat Club on the Internet two weeks ago, but no one responded.  We got some forms to fill out for the Groveport Senior Center, so I guess we will try going that route, although when we were over there looking around last week, the place as empty.  We'll have to check out the schedule.

 I have designed our Christmas Card and a newsletter to send out.  It's not  really a newsletter but just a note to let everyone know that we have moved in case they don't notice the new return address on the envelope.

 Linc just suggested that we take a ride to Marcy to see how long it takes, so I'll end this for today.  Happy Halloween, y'all!


OCTOBER 28, 2004
 We're still busy, getting things put the way we want them.  It's fun, but also involves a lot of running around buying stuff and then returning stuff that didn't work the way I thought it would!  
 We finally got our storm door last week, and the appliance garage for the kitchen.  Yesterday I found some bright red canisters. salt and pepper shakers and a water pitcher.  They look pretty good on the kitchen counters.  It's amazing that I actually have enough counter space that I can put some decorative items around!
 Tomorrow the sofa for the Sun Room is coming, then I can select the color for my cellular shades and buy material to make some valances for the living and sun rooms.  Linc hung some more pictures today and he is making himself a work bench for the basement.  I think I need one as well, but I would need better lighting than what is down there now.  I made a new centerpiece for the dining room and also a Cornucopia for Thanksgiving, and I had to bring all my mechanics upstairs and do them in the kitchen.
 Last Saturday we drove to Berlin, Ohio, abut 100  miles from here, to Amish country.  We had lunch there but didn't think too much of the meal.  And the streets were so crowded with tourists that we didn't attempt to find a parking place and wander through the shops.  I think we will go back on a week day some time.
 Yesterday was Katie's birthday - I can't believe she is 23 already.  (She'll probably kill me for telling the world how old she is!) We celebrated with dinner at Rob's and Sarah baked a delicious cake.
 For some reason, ever since our move here my neuropathy has been terrible.  I rarely sleep through the night, and often am up most of the night with the pain.  Then during the day I am exhausted. Then poor Linc has to put up with my crabbiness when I am tired.     The medication I take doesn't  help much.
 Rob and Linc took the car and truck for Ohio plates yesterday.  Now we have to go take the written and eye tests to get our Ohio driver's licenses.  Then I guess we will be officially residents of the Buckeye state once again.  We registered to vote when we came up to house hunt.
  Tonight is Beggar's Night in Groveport, and it will be interesting to see if we get any "Trick or Treaters"  If not, Linc will have to force himself to eat the Hershey's candy we bought!


OCTOBER 13, 2004
It seems impossible, but we are now living in Ohio!  The sale of the house went without a hitch as did the 'closing' on the Condo up here.  The furniture moved in on the 20th of September - have we been here that long, already?  We moved in on the 26th and Molly joined us a few days later, as there was a large opening in the wall in the basement to some storage area and We were afraid that Molly would regard the storage area as the world's largest litter box, as it has a gravel floor, so Rob and Linc had to frame in a screen to put across the opening.
 But we are nearly settled in.  The only unpacked boxes are in the garage and basement, so it is beginning to look pretty good.  We even have cellular shades and curtains in our bedroom! (Temporary shades in all the other windows as yet.)  There are pictures on the walls!  But it is so-o-o big!  Our little home at the lake was 1232 sq.ft. upstairs and here we have 1780 sq. ft., plus a two-car garage!  And of course a full basement for storage.
 I love the close proximity to the family.  Rob and the grand kids all live about 35 minutes away and we see them at least once a week.  Granddaughter Katie took me shopping last Saturday and we had lunch together.  That was really nice.  Rob stopped by tonight for a few minutes to straighten out my Eudora.  Grandson Chris has fixed me a wireless connection to Roadrunner which is a wonderfully fast Internet service.  It actually makes browsing the Internet fun!  I never did too much of that before because the phone connection was so slow, and Patience is definitely not one of my virtues.
 If it weren't for my Neuropathy, life would be great.  But it is getting pretty bad, and very painful for me to walk any more.  It also keeps me up pretty much at night.  I went to a new doctor yesterday and she didn't offer me much hope.  Said there's just not a whole lot to do for it, especially as the Neurontin and Tegretol didn't do me any good.  She said the pain pill I am taking is pretty potent, even though it doesn't seem to help me much, either.
 Well, there's no sense dwelling on it.  I'll just have to learn to live with the pain and try and enjoy the move to Ohio and the family.  Monday was our 52nd Anniversary and we had dinner at the Worthington Inn.  The ambiance was great and the food was good, too.  It's hard to believe that we have been married for 52 years.  Think we'll make it to 60?  Lots of people do, so with any luck we will.
 As if we didn't have enough to do, getting settled, Sunday we canned 8 pints of Piccalilli and today did another 10.  I really like to do things like that even though the tiled kitchen floor is murder on my feet.  But now we have enough to last us the year and enough to give as gifts as well.  It is really great on Hot Dogs and Brats.
 Today I received a surprise from my Bunko group at the lake.  A beautiful framed photo of them with a card with little notes from each of them.  I do miss them, and my Tuesday morning Breakfast club as well.  This coming Tuesday Susie is coming to pick me up to go shopping and have lunch.  It will be my first social outing in Ohio outside of family , and I am looking forward to it.
Guess that's all for tonight.  Talk to you later.
 

AUGUST 28, 2004
 The end is in sight ! So much has happened in so short a time. Inspections, repairs, appraisals have all been completed.   We have made two trips to Ohio, found a Condo we like very much about 26 miles from Rob's.  Last week we met with the builder to sign a contract and have some changes made.  Our closing date for the Condo is the 17th of September - less than three weeks away- and we will move in on the 20th.  I guess the furniture will sit on a truck somewhere for a few days as the movers are coming here on the 14th to finish packing, and will move everything out on the 15th.  We will spend the night with Dot and Richard and go to our closing early on the 16th and then head on up to Ohio to stay with Rob until we move in.
 Trying to coordinate all the utilities and banking business in two states is quite a challenge.  Linc's pension and both our Social Securities are electronically deposited and we have most of our bills paid by electronic funds transfer,also done automatically, so all of those institutions have been notified of the necessary changes. Insurance was a prime concern since all of our worldly goods will be sitting on a truck someplace for several days.  Then there are all the little things like magazine subscriptions, medical records, etc. etc. that have to be transferred.  And of course, most importantly, I will have to find a new hairdresser!  We have a new address and phone # which I will send out to everyone.
  I am trying hard to dot all our i's and cross all our t's, and think I have covered everything with no loose ends.  All that's left is the packing, and Rob and two granddaughters are coming down to help with that.  The moving company will finish packing anything we miss.  
 We will truly miss all of our friends here at the lake, but I know that the fun of being so close to Rob and our grandkids will make up for it.  And some of our old friends from 25 years ago are still up there and are anxious for our return.  In all probability, my next blog entry will not  be made from Virginia!  So farewell, Virginia and Hello, Ohio!
AUGUST 3, 2004
We have a contract!  Of course there are many other hurdles - inspections, etc., and they must be approved for their mortgage, but if all goes well, it looks like we'll be heading up to Ohio around the 20th to find a place to live up there.  Already my friends here at the lake have been  surprising me with farewells and gifts.  A few weeks ago my wonderful fiends at Breakfast club surprised me by ALL  (18 of them) showing up for breakfast and showering me with gifts.  Then yesterday the Bunko Gang presented me with a gift.  It will be so hard to leave all these wonderful people, but we will be compensated by being near our family.  Tomorrow one of the local movers is coming over to give us an estimate.  I will call at least one more for comparison.  And now we must begin sorting out our stuff in earnest.  I should say that I must begin in earnest, as while I think I have accomplished a lot, there is much more for me to do.  

JULY 16, 2004
 My Goodness, it has been a while since I entered anything here!  And so much has happened! The  most important event in our lives recently was a 'TIA' which Linc suffered in June, necessitating a brief stay in the hospital.  Fortunately, he has had no bad after effects and was given a clean bill of health in the Hospital, except for high blood pressure for which he is currently on medication.  We purchased a BP monitor and it has come down considerably to nearly normal.
 However,  the incident did give us a scare - or should I say it gave ME a scare - Linc is so unflappable!  So we have decided to relocate back up in the Columbus, Ohio area where our son and grandchildren reside.  Actually, we originally thought we would simply move to an area closer to hospitals and emergency service here, but our family, and the grandchildren in particular, have been waging a campaign to have us go back up to Columbus.  And so we have capitulated and spent 9 days up there over the 4th of July, 'house-hunting'.  We found several homes that would probably do well for us.  One in particular, in Groveport, was exceptionally nice.  However they will not give a contingency contract, and we must sell our home here before we can purchase up there.  We continued looking, and found some homes built by M/I, which could be satisfactory, and there are several areas around Columbus in which M/I is building.  And that is about all we can do for now until we sell here.
 Now those of you who know me, know that patience is not my long suit, so I am champing at the bit hoping to find a buyer soon. Once we have made up our minds to go, I want to go NOW.  But things are slow, and we have not had many lookers.  We have been occupying our time trying to sort out all of our 11 years accumulation of "junk".  I freely admit I am a 'pack rat' - so afraid that if I throw anything away today I will need it tomorrow.  At any rate I am trying to be ruthless, sorting into three categories.  "Trash", "Treasure" and "Sell or give away."  Linc has already taken a load of trash to the dump, and I have only made a small dent in the accumulation.  
 I will surely miss all of my wonderful friends here at the lake.  I have been involved in so many activities these past 11 years, and I will miss those activities as well.  It has been  25 years since we lived 'up north' so I am sure it will take some getting used to again.  But our minds are made up and we are prepared to make the move!  So if you know anyone looking to buy a beautiful home on the lake, please contact our realtor, Leigh Howard-Owens & Co./ Long and Foster- Moneta, Virginia

MAY, 10,2004
The following is a tribute to my son, Rob.
Thank you, Rob!  (My son, who just left for a long, lonely drive back up to Columbus, Ohio.)
Thank you for making the long trip down to surprise me for Mother's Day.  Yes, I was surprised when you called from Fincastle Saturday night to say you were on your way, but no, I wasn't really surprised that you were coming as it is so typical of you.  After watching you take care of Paula for more than 20 years while she grew steadily less able to do for herself and more dependent upon you for everything, I know what a caring person you are.  You took care of Paula with such love and devotion that you are an inspiration to everyone. You raised three wonderful children who reflect your caring nature. Thank you for making us all so proud of you through all those difficult years.   

For those of you who don't know, Rob's wife, Paula, died of complications due to Multiple Sclerosis a little more than a year ago.  They were married nearly 30 years and she was just two days past her 50th birthday..

Mother's day began with opening cards from Linc and granddaughter, Sarah, followed by opening a beautiful gift from daughter, Carol, who has just located to Holland Michigan.  She sent me three beautiful Snowmen ornaments from the Delft Factory there. A fun breakfast with Rob and our friends, Dot and Richard, at Crazy Horse Marina was next on the agenda.  When we got home, Carol called to wish me a Happy Mother's Day, and we just 'chilled out' at home the rest of the day. Dinner was steaks on the grill, eaten on the porch. We are finally having some beautiful spring weather.  We eat most of our meals out on our beautiful screened in porch, and now can barely see patches of the lake through the newly leafed out trees.

HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENED AT THE FISH POND APRIL, 2004

 April 21, 2004
On Sunday we got home from a 5 day Newcomer's Wanderer's bus trip to Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA.  There were 55 of us on the bus, led by Shirley Fry, and what a wonderful trip it was.  We spent 2-1/2 fun-filled days in Charleston and the rest of the time in Savannah.

Among other things, we took a carriage ride, had a fabulous meal in a restaurant called "California Dreaming" in Charleston, visited the Battery, went to Tybee Island, ate at Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House, took in a live Musical Revue,  shopped in the old Slave Market, toured two plantations, had a "train ride" at Magnolia Plantation, saw all kinds of wild life including many alligators, shopped and ate on the River Walk and had a dinner cruise. (Not necessarily in that order!).  We were never idle!  Shirley really knows how to put together a bus trip.  Our bus driver was one we have had on many other trips, so we enjoyed his talented company again. (He sings, dances, does imitations, tells jokes and takes good care of us besides.)  I took my electric scooter and it worked out well as there was a great deal of walking involved.

I took over a hundred pictures, but most of them were of people, flowers and wild life.  If you are interested, you can see some of them  by clicking on the Newcomer's link above the picture of Miss Molly, our cat.

April 10, 2004
I guess this has turned out to be a monthly blog!  So much has happened since I last made an entry.  The most important event was Sarah's Wedding!  We drove up to Columbus on the 16th and enjoyed the prenuptial festivities which included the Rehearsal Dinner on Friday night and a Brunch given by Carrie the morning of the wedding.  That afternoon I went with Sarah and the bridesmaids to get my hair done and we had such fun admiring each other's "do's".  One of the bridesmaids, Angela, was my chauffeur and she was such fun to be with.

The wedding was perfect and of course Sarah was the most beautiful bride, ever.  The flowers were plentiful and beautiful as well.  Sarah and TJ make a beautiful couple together and we all wish them much happiness.

The day after the wedding we drove up to Holland, Michigan, to see Carol and Bert's new home.  It is huge and lovely!  They are having an office for Carol built in the day-light basement.  We did some sight-seeing with Carol, but the weather was not very warm, which was to be expected, I guess.  On Wednesday we drove back down to Rob's and on Thursday came home.  A lot of time spent on the road.  Then, unfortunately, I came down with my usual Ohio cold and am still suffering with it which is the main reason that I have not felt like writing anything here.  Went to the Dr's finally this Thursday and she gave me some samples as well as a prescription as I seem to cough all the time - night and day.  It is somewhat better, but I still am not feeling up to par and the cough is hanging in there.

On the 31st I had to go to "Game Day", a  charity event sponsored by the Women's Club, as I was responsible for a table for four.  I was miserable all day, and I hope I didn't infect everyone there.  Then, last Monday was my turn  to hostess Bunko, and I would rather have stayed in bed, but it went well.  All these social activities get in the way when you're not feeling well, but sometimes it is easier to go than to find substitutes.  Likewise with Bunko - when it's your turn to host it's hard to find a sub at the last minute.  And as it was we had 6 subs playing! Guess it's that time of the year.

We had a severe windstorm last week and some of the shingles blew off the roof, so Linc and a neighbor are out there now seeing what is needed to fix them.  Brian (the neighbor) says another windstorm will cause us to lose some more, so Linc is going to get some tar or whatever it is called to glue them down.

Tonight we go out to dinner with Dot and Richard and tomorrow morning we are going to an Easter Brunch with them.  I will not publish this until after we get home, as Chris and Carrie had a break in a few months ago which they attributed to Chris' blog which told the world when they were going out.
 
April 10, 2004
Just got back from Easter Brunch at Crazy Horse Marina with Dot and Richard and it was delightful.  We will definitely go back again.

Please click here  to see pictures of our May trip to Ohio.

Please click here to see pictures of SML Newcomers

Please click here to see scenes of the lake.

Please click here to see pictures of our friends

Please click here to see picture of the "Neighbors"

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