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.

Time flies

Where do the days go? It seems like I just closed on the house. I then went to California to have Thanksgiving with Craig and his family. Returned to Texas and almost immediately drove to Florida with Val to see Sally's brother, Jimmy and his wife, Teresa. They own several condos there that they rent out as an investment. And Jimmy wanted to meet "this Val person". We had a great time with them. It was all very comfortable, and we had some good seafood and wine and walked the beach. The beaches there are so beautiful and white. Well, I was discussing with Jimmy about what I should do with the money from the sale of the house that is in Sally's Family Trust, and he suggested I get a condo in Panama City Beach. He thinks the market is about as low as it could get, the condos rent well, and the income makes a few percent on the investment plus the tax advantages of depreciation. I wasn't much interested at first, but he persisted and I went with him and a realtor to see a repo that is selling below current low market value. Short story, I bought the condo and it is scheduled to close escrow next week. Lorrie and Kathie (daughter in law) are going to go to Florida in early January to furnish and decorate it. They had so much fun and success here and at Winter park in Colorado doing that, and they are excited to help.

Val and I will probably drive out the first week in January and overlap with the girls and try to finish up so it can get rented by mid January.

Craig, Kathie and the boys will be here on Christmas day and stay for a week. Then Craig will go back with the boys when the girls go to Florida. Kinda exciting and a little scary and impulsive (for me). Oh well...

Am debating whether I have the ambition to send out Christmas cards this year. It's been a couple of years, and since I have a new address, it probably would be worth it. But that doesn't guarantee that it will happen. So don't be upset if you don't get one and be surprised if you do.

It is sold!

Well, closing was on Thursday and the house is no longer mine. After what seemed like forever with the water damage, etc, etc, the house got on the market in late August or early September and closed November 10. I am so pleased that it went pretty quickly, and the buyers got a great deal. They seem to particularly like the yard, which was Sally's pride and joy. I'm so glad that someone wanted it who would appreciate what she did. Most people probably would bring in a bulldozer and put in a pool.

Very gradually, I am getting the new condo organized and the final boxes unpacked. One of these days, I may post some pictures.

I'll be going to California for Thanksgiving with Craig's family like last year. Should be fun. Leaving on Saturday November 19.

Fingers crossed

Degas House

There is a good offer on the house!!! We are now in the option phase so the buyer could back out without penalty. However, they seem to really like it, and they appreciate the yard as well that Sally had worked so hard to establish and maintain. The option period expires on Monday and closing is scheduled for November 10. I am holding my breath and crossing my fingers hoping that nothing derails this process. The buyers will be getting a very good deal and I think they appreciate that. It will be like lifting a burden off my back when this is finished.

Val and I had a great time in Louisiana. We stayed in Lafayette on the way down to New Orleans. Very interesting--heart of the Cajun country with great Cajun food. In NO we were in a house that

Preservation Hall
had belonged to Degas' family. Went to the French quarter and did stuff like Preservation Hall and K-Pauls restaurant. Really had fun and ate too much. But I now remember how sleazy Bourbon Street is. Once every 20 years or so is enough for that. We didn't see any evidence of Hurricane Rita, but we didn't go looking for it either. Here are a couple of pictures.

It's Raining!!

We are having the first sustained rain since about February. It isn't too heavy so there shouldn't be any significant flooding. We really need it--everything was really stressed from the drought and the water restrictions. I know those of you in the west and the deserts think we don't really know what a drought is. I suppose that is true, but it is so unusual here that it does make an impact.

There is some action on the house sale, but nothing definite yet. I'm hoping for a serious offer soon, however....will let you know. I'd love to get it sold even if I need to take much less than I would want. It does look really good now.

Yesterday was Sally's birthday. She would have been 70.

This week Val and I are going to New Orleans for a couple of days--she got something on Groupon (whatever that is). We will be staying in the Degas house. Here is an excerpt from the NY Times:

Edgar Degas travelled to New Orleans during the fall of 1872 to spend a few months visiting the considerable American branch of his family. His visit is something of a legend in New Orleans, told and retold with the casual disregard for historical accuracy that affects many New Orleans memories, but it is barely known elsewhere. The journey to New Orleans marked a key moment in Degas's career, however. Distracted and stalled in his profession on his arrival, he left the city with a new sense of direction and resolve. He also took with him, in his portfolio and his mind, several unforgettable images of New Orleans life.

Who knew?

Gradually getting things organized here in the new condo. I like it a lot and it shows all the work that Lorrie, with Kathie's help, has put into it. Lorrie has been so sweet and working so hard on the new condo as well as getting the house on the market in top shape. I couldn't have done it without her.

Time to go back to Texas

Well it's that time again to leave one condo and go back to another condo. Trying to get everything ready to leave--to make sure everything is clean and safe. Sally was excellent at that with her somewhat OC personality. I'm trying to mimic all she did. Sitting here now typing this and looking out at the La Costa Golf course from the main room of the condo. There is a Phoebe (bird) sitting on the railing of the tiny balcony. I'll miss this as always but am looking forward to getting back to Sugar Land and seeing Lorrie's family and my friends--and Val who left here about two weeks ago.

Still some action on the house sale, but no serious offers, unfortunately. Keep hoping.

Tonight will go see Christopher in the Carlsbad HS marching band perform at half time of their game. Shortly after getting back to Texas, I will be going to the "Battle of the Bands" in Sugar Land to see Stephen and Andrew with the Stephen F. Austin HS marching band. Band has been a great organization for the grandchildren and I'm pleased that they have stuck with it through high school.