Where in the world is Pumpkintown??

Our approximate location is where the green hiking icon is:

Random Thoughts after Three Weeks in Carolina

Three weeks later and we are still unpacking! Since I began packing back in December 2006 – the contents of some of the boxes are a total surprise. What I can feel good about is that the mountain of cardboard is all being recycled. On one of our first days here, we asked a neighbor what day garbage pickup was. His answer was just a blank stare. Story is that if you don’t live in the city limits (the “city” being Pickens), you have to haul your own trash to the dump. The “dump” turned out to be the most efficient recycling center I have ever seen AND it is only about two miles from our house. Since you have to take your trash there anyway, there is really no reason to NOT recycle. The center is staffed with friendly guys in orange shirts emblazoned with “Inmate” across the back (seriously, they are very helpful) and takes everything imaginable from tires, motor oil, paint cans, construction debris to the more mundane glass, paper and plastic. Going to the dump has become an event - one of John’s favorite chores. Good thing, because I’ve lost count of the number of trips we’ve made there!

We’ve found that the house plan really works beautifully for the way we live (thanks, Rick!) and we are very pleased with the structure. Now the property is another story. The last thing we wanted was a lawn, let alone a two acre one. The drought seems to have broken, and we have an ocean of MUD with a little straw and grass seed mixed in. I have been occupying myself (when it’s not raining), picking up miscellaneous building materials (siding hangers, nails, plastic, scraps of trim) and rocks (we have an abundance of rocks.) Though I love the physical labor in the out-of-doors, today the analogy hit me – it’s like trying to empty the ocean with a teaspoon. Even if that grass seed all sprouts like we’ve been hoping for, we will never be able to mow it, since the ground is all ruts and rocks. It is time for some serious help! I have two landscaping people coming out this week for consultation.

Anyway, I have other ways to get my exercise – John and I joined the Pickens County Y. This was our second big surprise. I honestly had my chin on my chest the entire time we toured the Y. It is a gorgeous facility and has newer and more high-tech equipment than any gym I’ve seen. I am excited about getting back in an exercise routine and am pleased to have cycling and yoga classes available to me.

The painter finally finished up on our porch on Friday, so we were able to get the porches cleaned and the furniture moved into place this weekend. So –at long last- I got to do what I have been waiting for, just sit on the porch. It’s all good.

Home At Last!

It has been a little over a week since the movers delivered our furniture, and we are slowly unpacking. Major accomplishments include getting re-connected via telephone, internet and television. (The first weekend here we were without all three - which was nice in its own way) Satellite TV installation was rescheduled once because of the weather on Saturday, March 15th - due to the same weather system that caused the tornado in ATL. Instead of TV, we had the changing weather panorama to watch. This is sunset after most of the weather had moved past:



It was a long road, but we are glad to be here!

Moving Date Scheduled!

Adding this to the blog just in case you didn't hear me "screaming from the rooftop": movers are scheduled to deliver our worldly belongings to SC on Friday, March 14th!

398 days

Today we received our Certificate of Occupancy: 398 days after our "official" groundbreaking ceremony on January 20, 2007. This does not mean that everything is complete, but it is a significant milestone AND it means we can schedule delivery of the furniture that's been in storage.

New photos soon!

News flash

Perhaps subtitled "Promises, promises".... The building inspector is scheduled for Thursday, 2/21, so it is possible that we may have our Certificate of Occupancy on Friday. Scott has a new painting sub who promises to have all the painting completed by next Tuesday (no, the building inspector does not care if the house is painted or not).

Just the facts....

Yes, I will refrain from editorializing, although I have several colorful descriptive phrases in mind – but I’ll let you use your imagination, and just say – the painters walked off the job on Wednesday, and probably will not be welcome back. Guess Scott will be looking for someone else to finish the job. Everything else is looking good!