Sally's Trust Condo rented

We got Back from Florida and working on the Condo a couple of weeks ago. It is two bedrooms and two baths. The pictures I took of the place are here. It is on the rental program as of Feb 1 and it has already been rented for the month of February and March rentals are coming in. This condo is in the Sally G. Nies Family Trust and I think she would like it. You can see how Lorrie and Kathie furnished and decorated the place. We're hoping that this will rent well and the property will appreciate since the selling prices are now quite low. The rental agent is here. The unit is 2108 Treasure Island and you can look it up. Rates are very variable depending on time of year.

Since being back, I am still trying to get the Sugar Land condo more organized. Anytime you move it is a slow process to get stuff put where you want it and so you can find it. Val is helping me in this process.

Just had a colonoscopy for the first time in 10 years. From what I have heard, it was ok. No polyps but some divirticuli that are present in most people of a certain age. So that means I can wait 10 years again for another one of these. Most of you have had this done so you know the drill with the prep being the worst part of the procedure. At least no one can say I'm full of it (at least this weekend).

Unfortunately my back is still giving me problems. I want to go skiing this winter and may give it a try, but will probably not do much. I usually go with Craig's family to Winter Park. This year Christopher's spring break isn't until April. So it will be spring skiing, which isn't my favorite. It's possible I may go up earlier with Val, but we haven't yet decided.

I'm amused by the Republican presidential primaries and debates. The republicans claim to have a big tent for all types of people, but it seems that this year it is a circus tent with a variety of clowns. Why are people surprised at Mitt Romney's tax rate? That is the whole point of the Bush tax breaks to make the wealthy people wealthier. It seems to me that Obama is very vulnerable to being defeated this year because of the economy and perhaps other things that people are upset about. But it looks like the Republicans may self destruct--a process usually reserved for the Democrats.

Enough of that.

Happy New Year!

It has been another busy, but great couple of weeks. I closed on the condo in Panama City Beach on the 19th and it has been repainted and cleaned since then.

Craig and his family arrived on Christmas Day and we went to Lorrie's for Christmas dinner of prime rib, mashed potatoes, asparagus, Yorkshire pudding and a couple of pies. Val had dinner with us since her family gathering is after Christmas.

Craig, Kathie, Christopher and Gavin stayed with me in the Sugar Land Condo. There are two bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor so there was ample room. The week was filled with the cousins all doing stuff together like movies, laser tag, and of course video games on their computers and other gadgets. The weather has been mostly nice after a cold Christmas day. But now it is about 70〫although it is supposed to cool down tonight. Craig and the boys flew back yesterday (New Year's eve). Kathie stayed on and we celebrated New Years in some far off land so that we could get to bed early.

This morning, Lorrie and Kathie are flying to Panama City Beach to begin furnishing and decorating the condo that we hope will be rented as soon as we get it ready. They haven't seen it so I am anxiously awaiting a call from them to see what they think of it. Val and I will drive to Florida on Thursday and arrive on Friday. We plan to stay until the place is ready to rent--I hope less than a week. I'll post some pictures next time.

Last Thursday, Val had her family's Christmas celebration at her house in my old neighborhood. There were about 40 people there. I went as did Craig and Kathie. It was fun. While we were there we went to sit on the bench that the neighbors dedicated to Sally. I've shown you this before, but it never fails to grab me when I am there. Since Sally was cremated, there is no fixed memorial spot except for this bench. However, Sally's ashes are scattered at some of her favorite places coast to coast.

I'll report back after the Florida trip. I'm excited.