The car was loaded. We could not have pushed another item into any corner. In order to get us organized and ready to leave the ranch this morning, I put things in the car bit by bit. Four days it has taken for me able to load. Even then, today were multiple trips for me up and down the stairs and in and out to the car, so by the time we arrived I was inclined to leave the car to unload until David comes Saturday morning. But after a bit of a rest, I started to haul stuff in, but the car is still pretty full as I just got a dint of the work.
Every item that comes into the house has to find a new place. In addition, new organization is required in order to find room. Our clothes are still in boxes but we brought lots of stuff with us. For instance, I brought two Queen sized quilts plus two lap size quilts, in addition to a big wool blanket. Now where will I put them? And we brought all the medications from two big cabinets, which must be incorporated into our already full bathroom cabinets. So a big organization must be done. But we will get it done, bit by bit.
The most important thing is that we made it to the lake. I sat outside before dinner on the top deck, nibbling almonds and drinking a glass of water. It is a lovely place and we like it here. In addition, David had a second railing on the stairs and on the interior halls. Also hand grips were installed in our bathroom so we can function at the lake very easily. Now this home is again our only Texas home. Fortunately, it is lovely too.
Thursday, June 15, 2017
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
June 14, 2017. Harper, Texas. The last night.
We have owned country property since 1973. When this ranch is sold on July 27, we will no longer have the opportunity to walk for an hour on our own land. And we will no longer have the quiet of the country. We will miss the ranch but we are ready to move on. Owning this piece or property gave us great joy and we have hundreds of happy memories to sustain us.
This evening we ate dinner with Joyce and Robbie at their home. We have shared many delicious home cooked meals. all done by Joyce. We were not noting this meal as a last supper because they also have fractional ownership at our Playa Royale so we will dine together in the future, but in Mexico. We were fortunate they invited us for dinner because we had just run out of food. We take an almost empty cooler back to the lake.
Today the movers packed our clothes and books and took them to David and Suzanne's garage. The car is loaded with more stuff to go to the lake. Even the Longhorns are sold. Tomorrow we drive out the front gate for the last time. And I will be cheerful. Forward is our watchword!!
This evening we ate dinner with Joyce and Robbie at their home. We have shared many delicious home cooked meals. all done by Joyce. We were not noting this meal as a last supper because they also have fractional ownership at our Playa Royale so we will dine together in the future, but in Mexico. We were fortunate they invited us for dinner because we had just run out of food. We take an almost empty cooler back to the lake.
Today the movers packed our clothes and books and took them to David and Suzanne's garage. The car is loaded with more stuff to go to the lake. Even the Longhorns are sold. Tomorrow we drive out the front gate for the last time. And I will be cheerful. Forward is our watchword!!
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
June 13, 2017. Harper, Texas. Sentimental
I don't think of my self as sentimental but sitting on the dining table ready to be packed tomorrow would tell you that I am. Three objects give me away.
!. When I was going through a drawer in the bathroom, I found a jar of Noxema. I do not use Noxema. I have never used Noxema, but my Mother did. When she died, my sister Carol and I sorted belongings in her apartment. In the medicine cabinet I found a blue jar of Noxema cream. I popped it into my bag and it has been in my bathrooms ever since.
2. I have no use for this set of dishes but they were a wedding gift from Phyllis Braund, a family friend from Peterborough. For many years I used them for my best even though they were not fine china. When Ken gave me good dishes, I began to use them for everyday. The pattern is a pretty bamboo. When I inherited Miss. Tomlinson's dishes, I put the bamboo on the top shelf, until we built the Top House where we use it all the time. I like using these dishes and I was not prepared to leave them behind. Maybe one of the twins will want to use the dishes in their first apartment.
3. Also being packed is a set of silver. This set is not sterling and they have been used for 59 years so are scratched and dented, but for many years, that set was my best silver and was always used in the dining room. My sister and then husband gave us that silver as a wedding gift. As she was a Salvation Army officer at the time, she must have stretched to buy the set for us. Once again, I have no real use for that silver set, but it is being packed tomorrow. Perhaps I will put the set in with all the other flat ware at the lake.
There is no practical purpose to keep those objects, but every tine I see them it makes me smile. For sentimental reasons only I am keeping those objects with me. They are part of my history.
!. When I was going through a drawer in the bathroom, I found a jar of Noxema. I do not use Noxema. I have never used Noxema, but my Mother did. When she died, my sister Carol and I sorted belongings in her apartment. In the medicine cabinet I found a blue jar of Noxema cream. I popped it into my bag and it has been in my bathrooms ever since.
2. I have no use for this set of dishes but they were a wedding gift from Phyllis Braund, a family friend from Peterborough. For many years I used them for my best even though they were not fine china. When Ken gave me good dishes, I began to use them for everyday. The pattern is a pretty bamboo. When I inherited Miss. Tomlinson's dishes, I put the bamboo on the top shelf, until we built the Top House where we use it all the time. I like using these dishes and I was not prepared to leave them behind. Maybe one of the twins will want to use the dishes in their first apartment.
3. Also being packed is a set of silver. This set is not sterling and they have been used for 59 years so are scratched and dented, but for many years, that set was my best silver and was always used in the dining room. My sister and then husband gave us that silver as a wedding gift. As she was a Salvation Army officer at the time, she must have stretched to buy the set for us. Once again, I have no real use for that silver set, but it is being packed tomorrow. Perhaps I will put the set in with all the other flat ware at the lake.
There is no practical purpose to keep those objects, but every tine I see them it makes me smile. For sentimental reasons only I am keeping those objects with me. They are part of my history.
Monday, June 12, 2017
June 12, 2017. Harper, Texas. Organizing.
The packers and movers are coming on Wednesday morning bright and early. As we sold the ranch complete with homes and contents, we do not need to worry about selling the furniture but we do need to remove our personal belongings. We excluded the books, art, sculptures, telescope, electronic equipment and selected dishes and cutlery.
So far, I have placed on the dining table of the Top House all that will be packed. They will also pack our clothes in the closet and chest, plus shoes. I have also started loading stuff in the car. Our medicine chests were full as was the cabinets in the bathroom. The contents are now in the car, with a couple of containers to go down the stairs. I can not walk down the stairs without holding on with at least one hand so carrying is difficult. I was quite a sight trying to take down the stairs a waste basket with supplies from the bathroom. It was too heavy to carry in one hand so I ended up going down the stairs backward, lifting the container and moving it down two steps. Ken would not be pleased but it is now in the car. I made sure the next one was much lighter. Ken has gone through drawers and cabinets. We are making progress.
The boxes will be sent to the garage of David and Suzanne because we must organize at the lake house. The closet needs attention and the books culled before we can install our clothes and books. Fortunately, David and Suzanne offered to come and take all the art from both houses. I am not sure if they realize how much there is, but at least we do not need to box up all the art. I am also not sure what they will do with all the paintings. We will find out soon. We are on our way.
So far, I have placed on the dining table of the Top House all that will be packed. They will also pack our clothes in the closet and chest, plus shoes. I have also started loading stuff in the car. Our medicine chests were full as was the cabinets in the bathroom. The contents are now in the car, with a couple of containers to go down the stairs. I can not walk down the stairs without holding on with at least one hand so carrying is difficult. I was quite a sight trying to take down the stairs a waste basket with supplies from the bathroom. It was too heavy to carry in one hand so I ended up going down the stairs backward, lifting the container and moving it down two steps. Ken would not be pleased but it is now in the car. I made sure the next one was much lighter. Ken has gone through drawers and cabinets. We are making progress.
The boxes will be sent to the garage of David and Suzanne because we must organize at the lake house. The closet needs attention and the books culled before we can install our clothes and books. Fortunately, David and Suzanne offered to come and take all the art from both houses. I am not sure if they realize how much there is, but at least we do not need to box up all the art. I am also not sure what they will do with all the paintings. We will find out soon. We are on our way.
Sunday, June 11, 2017
June 11, 2017. Harper, Texas. The Sale.
We were told to expect the ranch to sell in 6 to 12 months. And we were not thrilled with the system of marketing. After all, using the multiple listing system successfully for over 30 years made me a believer but now we bought into the broker specialist program. We were apprehensive.
But we did know a thing or two about selling property so Ken and I made decisions. The broker gave us comps. We selected the bottom os his range. Overnight, I thought about the price of $849,000. and decided the price was too close to a million and we needed to have a 7 in the price. I talked with Ken and to son David and we agreed on $799,000. So the ranch went on the brokers web site last Tuesday. On Wednesday we were told to expect a showing at 5:00. Our broker came too, even though the buyer had a buyer agent. The agent and buyer came back in Thursday to drive the part of the ranch they had not seen with the broker.
An offer was registered on Friday morning and by dinner time, the contract was ratified. We had a few counters but ultimately, I suggested to Ken that often the first offer turns out to be the best, so we accepted the buyers final offer. The offer was an as is condition sale with no inspections. And he is buying house and contents so we do not need to sell or move the furniture. We excluded the art and books Settlement is July 27. David will attend.
Now here is the interesting part. Our broker automatically sends via the internet his new listings to every agent who has inquired or shown one of his listings. And this purchaser told his agent to only show me properties under $800,000. So the brokers system did work and my hunch about price was correct. Now we can get along with our life although folks have suggested that we priced it too low. But we are happy. Our ranch is under contract.
But we did know a thing or two about selling property so Ken and I made decisions. The broker gave us comps. We selected the bottom os his range. Overnight, I thought about the price of $849,000. and decided the price was too close to a million and we needed to have a 7 in the price. I talked with Ken and to son David and we agreed on $799,000. So the ranch went on the brokers web site last Tuesday. On Wednesday we were told to expect a showing at 5:00. Our broker came too, even though the buyer had a buyer agent. The agent and buyer came back in Thursday to drive the part of the ranch they had not seen with the broker.
An offer was registered on Friday morning and by dinner time, the contract was ratified. We had a few counters but ultimately, I suggested to Ken that often the first offer turns out to be the best, so we accepted the buyers final offer. The offer was an as is condition sale with no inspections. And he is buying house and contents so we do not need to sell or move the furniture. We excluded the art and books Settlement is July 27. David will attend.
Now here is the interesting part. Our broker automatically sends via the internet his new listings to every agent who has inquired or shown one of his listings. And this purchaser told his agent to only show me properties under $800,000. So the brokers system did work and my hunch about price was correct. Now we can get along with our life although folks have suggested that we priced it too low. But we are happy. Our ranch is under contract.
Saturday, June 10, 2017
June 10, 2017. Harper, Texas. Jan.
Jan took us to The Longhorn Cafe for lunch to have our farewell meal. She even picked us up even though we drove right past her place on the way to the restaurant. Jan has always been en excellent rancher neighbor. There are half dozen friends near the ranch that you could call on to help. They are loose but tight knot community. We three enjoyed ourselves at lunch. She even might visit in Nova Scotia. But not this summer.
Jan is an amazing lady. She runs her ranch all by herself. And she is 82. Her husband died before we moved to the ranch so we never got to meet him but the two of them built their own home well before anyone was worrying about conserving energy. The home is charming and eccentric, which fits Jan perfectly. We have always been friends since the first time we met. She is energetic and enthusiastic and never complains. Even though we don't see her often, we will miss her when we move from our ranch. Today after lunch. when she dropped us off, there were hugs all around. Jan is quite a lady.
Jan is an amazing lady. She runs her ranch all by herself. And she is 82. Her husband died before we moved to the ranch so we never got to meet him but the two of them built their own home well before anyone was worrying about conserving energy. The home is charming and eccentric, which fits Jan perfectly. We have always been friends since the first time we met. She is energetic and enthusiastic and never complains. Even though we don't see her often, we will miss her when we move from our ranch. Today after lunch. when she dropped us off, there were hugs all around. Jan is quite a lady.
Friday, June 9, 2017
June 9, 2017. Harper, Texas. Home #2.
When Ken was going to be an Intern, he was to be working every other weekend and every other week, where he was required to stay in residence at the hospital. Our neighborhood was not perfect for a lady living alone so we rented a flat in North Toronto. An older Polish couple owned the house which was a typical Toronto home, brick with 2 floors. The second floor had been made into an apartment, which was lovely. The neighborhood was safe and the apartment was spacious.
We hired a mover which Ken looked after while I was teaching. The first night we slept in the place we received a call from the police asking if we owned the blue Volkswagen across the street, because if we were, it no longer had any tail lights. The police spotted someone just leaving the car. When they investigated they realized we had no lights. Evidently the rear lights can easily be removed. Ken and I laughed because for 5 years we lived in a so called bad neighborhood with no problems but the first time we move to a safe place, we are robbed.
Ken had major surgery just as he started his internship. When he came home from the hospital he weighed 120 pounds and was white as a sheet. I was teaching during the day and our kind landlord brought him nourishing soups every day, chicken soup, borsht, goulash. Anything to get him healthy. It was a true act of kindness. And they encouraged Ken to sit in the backyard in the sun, which he did regularly. And the landlady often sent us up desserts,just setting them outside our door in the little vestibule.
We enjoyed our year in our lovely flat but we decided to move to Texas, because the lung surgeon recommened to Ken to do his Residency someplace warm. We selected Texas. The choice was excellent but we were sorry to leave our kind landlords. They made our flat a special place to live.
We hired a mover which Ken looked after while I was teaching. The first night we slept in the place we received a call from the police asking if we owned the blue Volkswagen across the street, because if we were, it no longer had any tail lights. The police spotted someone just leaving the car. When they investigated they realized we had no lights. Evidently the rear lights can easily be removed. Ken and I laughed because for 5 years we lived in a so called bad neighborhood with no problems but the first time we move to a safe place, we are robbed.
Ken had major surgery just as he started his internship. When he came home from the hospital he weighed 120 pounds and was white as a sheet. I was teaching during the day and our kind landlord brought him nourishing soups every day, chicken soup, borsht, goulash. Anything to get him healthy. It was a true act of kindness. And they encouraged Ken to sit in the backyard in the sun, which he did regularly. And the landlady often sent us up desserts,just setting them outside our door in the little vestibule.
We enjoyed our year in our lovely flat but we decided to move to Texas, because the lung surgeon recommened to Ken to do his Residency someplace warm. We selected Texas. The choice was excellent but we were sorry to leave our kind landlords. They made our flat a special place to live.
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