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New Beginnings

Yahoo!

Nearly 11 months ago, Paul and I made the decision that it was best for us and family to relocate to Clarksville, TN. After much discussion and mental anguish, I approached my boss to request a transfer and was rewarded with the knowledge that she was not about to lose me to another State or office. So with the security of being employed remotely, we put the house on the market, thinking we might have to leave and deal with a long distance sale. Fortunately, that was not the case and the Florida house sold in two days.

So with a month to pack, deciding what went with us in our two vehicles and what would be placed in storage, our path was clear to make the final move to Tennessee. We had purchased the Little Condo on the Bluff a couple of years prior as our getaway location and now it would be our new home.

The Condo is a great little house, quiet and peaceful but the goal of moving to Tennessee was to eventually convince Dad it was time to retire and that we wanted him to live with us. Dad is the only surviving parent that my sister, Paul and I have and it is our goal to ensure he takes care of himself. So even though we loved living in the condo, it was not going to be our ultimate location.

After spending months roaming Montgomery County, we looked at multiple re-sells but no matter what we liked it was going to take thousands to make it suitable for ourselves. Our wonderful realtor passed on a link regarding a new subdivision approximately 3 miles from the condo. After touring the spec. homes in the community we found the perfect model. It had a Dad Suite and a bonus room that we could convert into 2 man caves. Plus starting from the ground up we could make all the modifications that we wanted from the start.

So after 5 months, we are now in the Orchard Hills house. We have spent the week moving, unpacking and purchasing to our bodies and credit card are totally exhausted. We are now awaiting the delivery of the Florida Storage and few items that we had to order to arrive. The Dad Suite is nearly complete and now the real work of convincing the Old Missouri Mule to think about retiring will begin in earnest.

Clarksville has become our new home town and we could not be happier. A new home, new neighborhood and starting Monday September 10^th; Larry B resurfaces with an International Line Dance class at the Clarksville Athletic Club. It is always stressful starting out on a new beginning but having family and support from friends it has been a great adventure. Granted it is one we do not plan to do again, Clarksville is the final stomping ground.

Till next time, LB.

Celebrating Dad’s Birthday

Dad came over for a 4 day weekend today, to celebrate his birthday with us in Tennessee.  Sister had told him she was coming to Missouri for his birthday. He told her he had decided to come here to be with all of us. Of course, Paul and I told him, we knew the real reason for his decision was the fact here he will be fed and pampered.  If Sister visited him it would be take out and diners all weekend. He got a good laugh out of that reasoning but he did not deny it either.

After his arrival today, Paul took him to his first stop during every visit, the local Library to pick up his weekend supply of books. It is always a reading marathon when Dad visits. He can read on average 5 novels during a weekend.  He will have read at least one book by the time this gets posted. (Make that two novels)

Tonight, we will take him out for a light dinner then go harass Umpire Richards for a couple of hours. (That was the plan before the games were called due to wet fields, so Sister and our Friend Kris met us for Chinese). We have to keep Dad up past 7 p.m. or he will have the household up by 3 a. m.  Saturday, Paul will make him his favorite breakfast of eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy. We will show him the progress on the new house and again describe his future Dad Suite. Although, we all know getting him to finally move and retire will take an act of God.

We will stop by Sister’s place for a while then head back to the little house on the bluff to relax. I plan to make my mouth watering, fall off the bone baby back ribs for Saturday dinner. Paul will make his famous baked beans and homemade Cole slaw. 

Sunday, for his birthday, Paul will make Dad a great breakfast. We will relax, read and watch Storage Wars, Swamp People and Storage Hunters. Sister will be over so better throw in some Olympics to that mix as well.  We plan to take him out to the New Catfish House so Dad can have “all you can eat catfish”.

Then it will be back to the little house on the bluff for a great home-made banana pudding, one of Dad’s favorite desserts.

Yes, it will be a nice quiet weekend pampering the old man and celebrating his 74^th Birthday.   Happy Birthday, Pop...

Till next time. LB