first day of school

Well, I sent Wayne off to his first day at school, I mean work, today. Yes, I got up at 6, it was brutal. I just got an email from him that everything's going great, he's having fun...

I got the Jeep washed and waxed, it was looking pretty nasty from the trip down...now I'm going to find a video store and kick back for the afternoon...life's tough

Everyone is finding a place in the new World

As we settle into our new Beach House - the cats have had the hardest adjustments - as they discover lizards, geckos and other amphibs - they run from door to door as we have the house open to collect the tropical breezes. Lili prefers a spot over the fridge.

Beach House

Doesn't this look like one of those realty ads - well it's the real thing - we are sleeping on the sofa futon and looking for a bed. Susan has some leads - and she is like a "heat seeking missile" - don't get in her way. We are so HAPPY!

Nothing seems quite the same

Here it is February - and we hung out on the beach today. I start work tomorrow - feeling a little bit country - a little bit rock-n-roll - Susan and I both had the same feeling - very relaxed - not stressed like back home in Hampton. Hope it lasts!

Changes in Attitude

Changes in Latitude

To backtrack a bit - We pulled up
with all of the primary colours - thanks to Billy and Frank, our transition to our new place was really effortless. As you know, we brought no furniture - we've been scrambling this week - first Susan found a Dining room table and chairs - then the futon couch - then a desk for the desktop computer - then the cable was hooked up and we had a solid connection.

Whhewww!

Hi all, we're here and it's beautiful, about 78 degrees and a gorgeous blue sky. We've been non-stop shopping and between that, the drive down, and enjoying the neighborhood, we're pooped most of the time, crashing into bed by 10. We've upgraded from sleeping bags to a futon, that's a good thing. So far, so good...I miss our other home and friends/family...but it eases up some when I walk outside!! Our friends Jim Baugh and Joe Dudley from Virginia just drove up, they've been in the Keys. Actually Joe lives in Jacksonville now I think. Anyway, our first visitors! And we got our first mail today, a lovely note from our buddies Willis and Fran in Georgetown!

We'll get some more pictures up soon.

Heading South

We left Hampton - thanks to Bill Rice, who somehow packed the Trooper and Jeep so we could move the essentials - the 3Cs - Computer, Clothes, Cats.
Bill's car went Kapoot and I headed to Richmond to pick him up. There is no one that can compare with Bill's ability to pack a space - so.............. when Bill said, "my car broke down and may not make it - well -I jumped in the Trooper and headed to Richmond. By the way - Frank made it possible for us to get the Trooper in the first place - Frank sold us Pete's Trooper - so Bill helped us to pack. After the cars were packed, we were invited to Vickie's for traditional crepes made by Vickie's sister Chantel. I can't discribe the culinary excellence of the crepes - but, we had an incredible evening at Vickie's with Chantel/Rob/Bill/Susan and myself.

We met Bill, Pam (Susan's brother and sister-in-law), her Mom Gloria, and our good friend, Angel and Jong at Berret's in Williamsburg - fabulous meal - thanks Bill - then the Hospitality Suites and after dinner drinks with Angel and Jong. We always love to stay there - it reminds us of Susan's Father - he always stayed there.

Back to Hampton - We said a bientot to the neighborhood - went to see George Carlin with Carolyn and Jim - and Hit the Road to Florida. Putting the cats into cages proved to be more than we thought it would be - After along drive we are in Savanna tonight.
Hope to be in Delray tomorrow.

freaky crazy

"Hard to believe" doesn't cover it. It's a butterfly in the Grand Canyon and a teapot's steam - intriguing and baffling and bouyant. We're driving Pete's Trooper down, I know he didn't like the beach, but hopefully he'll be happy to be with us...I've been checking Craigslist everyday for free or cheap funky fun stuff to furnish our new beach townhouse (shout out here to our new friend Julie Evans the best realtor we know in Delray Beach - JEvans520@aol.com, contact her when you decide you have to move down to be near the bestest, most fun friends/family you know). Anyhow, Wayne's in charge of the pics.

Whew...so much to be done....gotta go


SIB

Sirianni's Pizza and more

A Friday night tradition - a short drive into the small town of Davis and eat Pizza at Sirianni's - famous for their Pizza and their t-shirts that proclaim "Make Pizza - Not War" stenciled on the back. Our group can fill the restaurant. The "loud level" is up there, as we catch up on old friendships. Bring a check book or cash - they don't take credit cards. As we leave the restaurant - the Davis Bank is posting a whopping 8 degrees Fahrenheit - 2 feet of new snow. We are visiting Winter before moving to Florida.

Room parties are the tradition for Friday night. Everyone catches up on what has pasted and what is on the horizon. It's an interesting mix of individuals: artists, doctors, teachers, carpenters, electricians, executives, students. All equal in our friendship and our love.

Not so Tropical; but . . .

We returned from Florida to Hampton on Tuesday Feb. 6th and loaded up the car - Vickie came over on Thursday and we started our Pilgrimage to Blackwater Falls Lodge West Virginia. Every year, we converge to the deep snow of West Virginia for skiing, party, friendship, and fun. This year about 30-40 family and friends dribbled in starting on Thursday- by Friday night the whole gang had arrived.

Thursday night was room parties - welcoming in the new arrivals - The party started in Diego's and Teressa's room and moved around the hall. As always the youngers were a year older - and had brought their friends from college and work - lot's of fun!

Shots of the Town House

Before heading to the airport today we went by to see the house - we signed the contract -

and will be heading down around the 19th of Feb. The place is unfurnished; but, we will try to furnish it down there. Probably take some stuff with us - but, not much.

Yippeeee!!

Hi everyone! We're so excited! We've met a few new friends and are looking forward to coming back in two weeks. We'll miss our friends and family in Virginia, but hopefully we'll have the occassion to get together many times this year. Come on down to see us here in Florida, we have a spare room. It's a small funky beach place with the tiniest half bath I've ever seen, more like an eighth bath, with a little dollhouse size sink. You'll die laughing when you see it. It has a sign that says "Loo" on it.

Anyway, have to get to the airport. Stay tuned!

27 East Street Delray Beach Florida

Yesterday, we looked at several condos, townhouses, in Delray. We couldn't get the little townhouse that we saw on Sunday out of our mind. The location is incredible: 2 blocks from the Ocean - 1 block from the Intercoastal - 1 block from the main drag Atlantic Ave. shopping, dining stores, etc. We made an offer at the end of the day and after negotiations, we are going to sign the contract today. We decided to rent and once we get down here, try to find something to buy. 27 East Street, is a small 2 bedroom townhouse with an awning covered balcony. They allowed us the cats and we can move in on the 21st of February.

We got the place

We made an offer today - negotiated the contract -
voila - we have a resident 27 East St, Delray
Beach, FL

We are 2 blocks from the Ocean - 1 Block from the Intercoastal -and 1 block from the main buisness districk.

Arriving in Delray Beach, FL

Arrived in Florida - yep, neither one of us realized it was Super Bowl week-end -the airport in Ft. Lauderdale was crazy!

Checked in the Colony Hotel - an old, classic hotel in Delray Beach, built in 1928 -

It has been raining off and on since we arrived - but, still holding at 68-70 degrees. We have been seeing some places - one potential: 2 blocks from the Ocean and 1 block from the main shopping area! We had lunch and glass of wine on the upper deck of Boston's (great little beach grill) overlooking the ocean. Yesterday was spent house hunting, quick dip in the pool, and a movie (Volver). We continued to drive around and explore the area. We meet the realtor again at 10 am and head out again this morning.