Getting Used To Our New Lifestyle

We've been in our 2 bedroom apartment for 6 weeks now and are finally getting used to living in a much smaller place.  We have a downstairs unit and like any apartment living there are things you have to get used to or accept as part of being here.  One is having someone tromp heavily in the unit above you...  boom, boom, boom as they walk from room to room and the other is an occasional party by kids that can get a little too loud once in awhile.  That's only happened twice so far though.  The complex is very strict about being quiet after 10 pm.  The college kids that like to party have been warned twice and they next time someone complains, they'll get kicked out.

It's a gated community, so we like the added security!  I can't get over that our rent is as much as our house payment was, BUT there's no maintenance to worry about which saves us about $600 a month.  No more yard work, termite protection plans, bug spraying costs, etc.  If a light bulb burns out, we can call maintenance and they'll come by and replace the light bulb for us.  Sweet!

I sold my 2013 Hyundai Genesis  and leased a 2018 Honda CRV.  We bought the Genesis for road trips between Jacksonville and Tennessee, but because we now have a cabin 3 hours from the grand kids, and our other SUV has over 100K miles on it, I decided to get a new vehicle that got better gas mileage and served our purpose better.  The Honda is sweet little SUV and I enjoy driving it because of all the newer technology, i.e. adaptive cruise control, slow follow cruise control ( great for traffic) and self stopping crash mitigation feature that helps bring the car to a complete stop to avoid rear ending someone.   In 3 years, I can turn it in and get something else if I want.  AND the car I drive will always be under warranty!   I thin we're done buying houses and done buying cars!

April fast approaches and both Kathy and I can't wait to get back to the cabin.  We still have some work to do on the trailer - replace the awning and springs and I need to hire an electrician to go through the cabin and fix some circuits that are causing trouble.  I don't mess around with electricity!

Our Home Is... sold.

... for sale.  Today's date: 12-3-2017.
Once again Kathy and I have decided to make a change in our life style.  Our home in Jacksonville is too big for us ( 4 BR and 2 bath) and as we get older, we find it gets more difficult to maintain the home.  So we're downsizing to an apartment to be able to live a more "lock & go lifestyle."   Now we will be able to "hit the road" whenever we want to and won't worry about hurricanes blowing our roof off, is the grass getting mowed, etc.  A relief.  So let the new chapter in our lives begin!  Here's some pictures of the last house we'll ever own.

Up date: Offer received on 12-12-17.  To close on or before 1-31-2018.
We closed on 1-31-20178 

Front

Back of home

What I want in a golf cart...

Nothing more need be said :)

Halloween 2017 at PVC

I "borrowed" these pictures from some folks who were actually AT this event at PVC - so thank you!
Unfortunately we had to return home before the annual "progressive Halloween parade" took place this year.  I just wanted to show how much these great people get into the mood!  We missed a good party!  Anyway, here are some pics:

Bedroom in Trailer is done.

We've been working hard to convert the trailer we have into a bedroom that will hold a king size bed.  I made some repairs on the sub-floor, installed new carpet, painted int interior and now we just finished putting out new bed in.  We love it!

Before Renovation - queen bed shown.

New king size bed and dresser bought at a 2nd hand store.
Scroll down to  May 19 post to see more cabin pictures.

Hurricane Irma Pics

Well, Irma has come and gone.  It did some damage to a lot of trees in the campground where we are, but no one was hurt.  We lost power for about 13 hours, but the people across the creek are still without power after 7 days.  Here are a couple of pictures to get the idea.

Hurricane Irma is Coming

Date: 9-7-2017.
Oh boy.  Hurricane Irma, the strongest hurricane to hit the US in recorded history is passing over Puerto Rico as I type this and heading towards southern FL.  Key West and Miami are going to get hammered and THEN it's supposed to turn directly north and head straight up the middle of FL.

 

Kathy's Mom and sister are in Jacksonville and we are in GA.  We can't leave GA to get to them because of the traffic created by people evacuating FL.

This morning the news said the northern GA may also be subject to category 1 strength winds around this coming Tues./Wed.  Oh crap.

Stay tuned.  I'll update this post after the hurricane passes.

PVC Party 9-1-2017

OK, it's Labor Day weekend.  There's a party Friday night at Ray's cabin and we start playing a game called "The Ministers Cat."  It's a drinking game and fun as all get out.  Here are some pictures.  Some of the language in the videos might not be good for tender ears.  You were warned :)

A video on how to play "The Ministers cat."

 

Kathy's PVC friend and neighbor, Beth

If you don't play the game quick enough, you'll face "corporal punishment."  Here's someone getting spanked,which is usually the form of punishment handed out. :) 

  

Kathy's PVC friend and neighbor, Cathy.

It hasn't been all play and no work!  I ripped up all the carpet in our trailer, and painted it.  We had new carpet installed few days later.  Coming soon our new king size bed for my big butt!  Pictures of finished "bedroom" in another post.

 

Kathy at the party on 9-1-17 at Ray's cabin

Another video...