Taking a Break

 Downsizing and packing has become the primary reason for my existence, it seems. I was happy that yesterday we decided to take a break. 

Timbers at Troy
From their Website

I actually played nine holes of golf, just to see how the game would be tomorrow at the tournament. I should hold my own and contribute positively to the team.

I knew it was time to head home when torrential rains started just as I finished the 9th hole about 7:30 PM. I was considering playing a couple more holes, but the rain convinced me otherwise. 

I got drenched anyway getting my clubs into the truck and returning the cart. 

Tomorrow we are playing the Elm Tree Golf Course in Cortland, NY. I have never played the course before and it should be exciting. I usually do terrible on courses that I have never played, but it is for a good cause, the Troy Whittemore Scholarship Fund!

Today, then, is a travel day. Off for Central New York and a much needed continuing break from packing, downsizing, and house selling! Who knew retirement could be so exhausting?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Downsizing - Dog Days

 Aside from being in the middle of the dog days, today is a dog day.

Makayla in Front of the Door
Elkridge, MD
July 28, 2022

Makayla is going to the groomer. We are getting her shaved. I actually do not like to get her shaved, but hew skin has become so sensitive that it is hard to keep her brushed. She looks more like a mop right now than a Keeshond. She is also serving as our dog welcome mat. That is she lies in front of the door most of the day and doesn't even move when we pass by her.

As the downsizing continues, we realized yesterday that we have completed most of the packing prep and and are down to mostly things that we need to keep out until we depart. The Pod arrives in two weeks and that is when everything, including the items already boxed, will get loaded and ready for transfer to Florida. 

Florida seems like a dream now. I have been away so long. It has been cooler there than here. And I miss sitting on the beach for Happy Hour.

This weekend will be different. We are heading to New York for Annual Troy Whittemore Memorial Golf Tournament! At least there will be a change of scenery and I will get to play some golf, or rather the course will get to frustrate me.

And the Dog Days of Summer continue.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Downsizing - That Empty Sound

 It has begun. 

The Emptying Wine Room
Elkridge, MD
July 26, 2022

As I walked into the house yesterday I noticed the empty sound had begun in some of the rooms where the carpets and furniture have been removed or reduced. 

It is eerie and weird. 

I think maybe that the downsizing is getting serious. A bit too serious.

The empty sound is only the beginning because we still have a lot of furniture yet to remove and items to pack.

Amazon was not helpful yesterday. We needed more newsprint for wrapping and we went to Lowes in the morning to get some, but they didn't have any. So, I ordered from Amazon with a delivery time of 1-5PM. Then it changed to 2-6PM. The newsprint arrived about 8PM. Not very helpful--but the wrapping and packing will continue today. 

Another day of wash, rinse, repeat.. 

On the exciting news note, the movement into new homes begins today when Cory and Julianne settle on their new townhome. This comes a week before Patrick and Jen settle. And then hopefully, by the end of August we will settle on our home. It is definitely an exciting time with many moves coming during the next few weeks.

And the empty sound in the house will only get more noticeable.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

It is all in a Saturday

 I felt the loss of the youth baseball season yesterday. I missed the usual Saturday doubleheader in the heat and had time to accomplish an assortment of tasks and projects around the homestead. 

Jen and Patrick's New Home
Glen Burnie, MD
July 23, 2022

The heat was pervasive! When Chris and I were finally able to fall into the pool about 5PM, the air temperature was 97 and the pool water was 90 degrees. I cannot remember the last time that the pool reached 90 degrees without the aid of the heater. Chris and I enjoyed the warm water which quickly evaporated from our skin making us feel cool. It was very refreshing after a day of working in the heat.

I started the day on the mower! Yup, the lawn needed mowing and I was on the tractor by 8:30 while temperatures were still in the low 80s. 

Disassembled and Empty Bar
Elkridge, MD
July 23, 2022

I transitioned from the mower to disassembling the bar. I was able to remove the top to make it easier to move. Patrick and Jen arrived somewhat later and the four of us loaded the bar and all of the stools, except one, into the truck to transition to their storage room. The bar will remain there until the 13th when the movers will install it in Patrick and Jen's new house.

After the bar was safely in the storage room, we went to their new house to check things out. Although we were not able to enter the house, we could see that it is in near-ready to move in condition. We spent time meeting a neighbor couple and hearing their tale of settlement and move-in--and they were moving in as we were talking. They were the first one to move in on there street. 

The evening was quiet and now we are preparing for a busy Sunday. We are going back through the house and beginning the final packing process. Totally emptying closets and cupboards in preparation for the arrival of the Pod in two weeks.

So much to do and so little time, it seems.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Downsizing - A Last Hurrah

George, Sue, and Chris at the Bar
Elkridge, MD
July 22, 2022

We enjoyed our Friday evening happy hour with friends last evening.

We hosted at our home and enjoyed a great evening--but it was tinged with a hard reality.

Today our bar will depart and begin its journey to a new home. It is not going far and will stay in the family as it will eventually grace Patrick's new home. 

Although we have had the bar just less that four years--it has become a focal point for happy hours and parties. I enjoy sitting behind it and ensuring guests have what they need in terms of drinks and the bar is a great place for discussions. The first gathering around the bar was a party we held when I completed radiation therapy for prostate cancer! It was a great way to inaugurate the bar as well as the remodeled basement entertainment area. 

As a counterpoint, last evening was the last time the bar will host discussions in this house.  

It has been a great run! And the bar is going to a good home where it will be in the center of many more parties and meetings!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Summer Heat

 Yesterday was on of the hottest days of the summer. And I worked outside most of the day. 

I started early. 

Old Caliper and Bracket in a Box
Elkridge, MD
July 21, 2022

First, I replaced the broken antenna on my Jaguar. That was harder than it needed to be because the pliers kept slipping off the slots in the nut which holds the antenna onto the car. Other than that it was easy.

Following that, it was another trip to the dump to get rid of more downsized items. And I needed to make rim in the garage to do a brake job for Chris's Highlander. 

So, in the heat of the afternoon, in a small space I was able to clear in the garage, I did brakes on the Highlander. Who knew that the core charge for old calipers is $45 each? I need to turn them in today.

It went well and now, in addition to new tires, the car has new brakes. One of the rotors got warped and I replaced the calipers, rotors, and pads. Yay me!

Hopefully that will solve the problem.

Did I mention the lawn needs mowing? That is today's project in the heat!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD 

Downsizing - Garage Stress

 I have garage stress.

The Mess in the Garage
Elkridge, MD
July 21, 2022

I pride myself of being able to actually store vehicles in my garage out of the weather. When we went to Florida to begin the year we actually placed both vehicles that remained behind in the garage for safe storage. MY Jaguar has been displaced from the garage for the first time and has been related to the driveway.

Downsizing has repurposed my garage as a storage unit and a sorting station. There is precious little room to move. I keep tripping over my bicycle which I am not riding very much.

Yesterday, I made a run to the local landfill and recycling center with a truckload of stuff and it appears that I will be doing the same today. Last evening, Jeremy went through six containers of stuff we had been storing for him and took two away, leaving the remainder for landfill. The sorting may have paid off for him as he believes that among his baseball card collection he found one worth over $1,200. I guess I don't get to collect storage fees for the 20 years they have been in the attic. 

Yes, I have a lot of work to do, but the good news is that the attic is empty, except for holiday decorations.

I believe the end is in sight, but it is not pretty.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD