Settling In

What does it take to do this so called "snowbird" thing?  Well I will tell you that it is not for the fainthearted!  Before Ron and I headed south for two months we spent quite a bit of time researching how to prepare ourselves and our home for our trip.  After all, we wanted to make sure that our home stayed safe while we enjoyed our time away.  We also wanted to prepare for our new surroundings by considering what we would need to make life "on the run" from winter as comfortable and successful as possible.  So how are we doing so far?  Other than the fact that I need a couple of days to recover, (after all, I do live with fibromyalgia) I think we are doing pretty well.  Hey it took me a week of focused pacing to get myself packed up and ready to go. I actually took out my BIG suitcase, the one I took to Ireland almost 10 years ago, and filled it up.  In order to do this, you must study the weather data from the last El Nino year (1997) to project how much and what kind of clothing you will need.  Fun!  I had to consider what I truly wanted to have with me and was worth adding to the weight of what was going to be lugged in and out of the car trunk by my dear, dear hubby.  The test will be how much of what I brought remains unused at the end of our two month excursion.  Stay tuned.
The flipside of all of the "prep-to-go" is the "settling in" phase.  Unpack.  Organize so that you can remember where you put everything and can find it when you need it.  After all, we are senior citizens and our established patterns/routines help things to run smoothly.  The chaos of constantly looking for what you want can disrupt a peaceful sojourn very quickly especially when it is a daily event.  Nevermind the fact that my big master bath has been replaced by a bathroom reminiscent of my growing up years.  Have I mentioned the small bathroom before?
Okay, we are settled in and have stocked the kitchen by journeying thru the aisles of the "Harris Teeter" Market.  Very nice but honestly, not my Wegmans.  I will get over it.  The store was staffed by very friendly and helpful people who were more than happy to help us find what we came to buy.  Then, they gave us a very friendly discount.  Nice!
We love our location.  We can walk the beach to go to the library!  Ron's idea of heaven.  The library is small but the librarians are so happy to chat and help you navigate their domain.  I asked Ron if there are any limits on "checked out" items and almost fell over when he said 50!  Yes, 50 at one time.  I'll need to get my big suitcase out to lug all of that back to the condo!  No, no!  I am definitely a one book at a time girl.  I checked out Ava Gardner's autobiography.  I have always been fascinated by her, so beautiful and adventurous and I figured she was sort of a local since she hails from North Carolina.  Okay not local to Georgia but south of the mason-dixon line.  Ron's selections were more about our location, St. Simon's history and geography.  He will read and I will be informed.
Today is Wednesday, right?  Okay got that.  The sun is shining and it is warming up to 55.  I am feeling very blessed but think of home and all that means to me often.  Peace to all!