Journal Entry #22 - Butler, Twp Rd 49, Willoughby Hills, OH

Friday 9/20/02                                                

Day Twenty-two

     Butler KOA
     Starting mileage 92033 / Ending mileage 92190

David had some sort of sinus attack in the early hours, and @ 5:00am got up to do his perpetual Kleenex act in the living room. Poor guy was sneezing and blowing his way through half a box of tissue. Finally made the decision to drink some Nyquil, which meant I would be driving to the inspection. Could be exciting since I haven’t been behind the wheel for over 2 weeks!

Left the KOA at 8:30am. We left the pets in the trailer with the air cond. on, because it was already shorts weather. Nice breeze, though. Arrived at the house 9:00am, and the inspector & real estate agent were already there. The insp. had been up on the roof before we arrived. We followed him around while he did his thing in the house. He was very pleasant, thorough and informative. Says he lives on Pleasant Valley Road near Malabar Farm! I’ll have David write down the general points of interest from the inspection.

I took a few more pictures. We had started a video to show the area near the house, but 5 minutes after I started taping inside the house the battery went dead (a mystery, since David charged it last night). So, more digital photos. Had fun petting the horse again. I finally climbed up the ladder to the barn loft—so much space!

After the 3-hour inspection wrapped up, we said good-bye to our home-to-be and headed into Lexington to get a PO box. David had already filled out the form, so it didn’t take long. Oh, it turns out the current owners of the house ripped out the mailbox, post & all, and installed it across the road for their new house. So, I guess we’ll be in the market for a mailbox (and post…) when we get back. The PO box was intended to get Minuteman Press mail, but now everything can go there until we’re set up.

Decided to have a comfort-food lunch at McDonalds, then back to the KOA to pack up for the trip to Cleveland. Arrived KOA at 1:00pm with 92086 mileage. Managed to get everything torn down and packed away and hitched up and on the road at 2:30pm. After getting to I-71 I called Leslie to confirm our arrival, and then Lynne called to speak to David about the inspection, then I tried to call the Ray & Sharon but no answer. I’ll call my sister after we hit Cleveland, when she should be home from work.

Had a smooth trip & reached Leslie’s at 4:30. Still unseasonably hot & humid, so after meeting & greeting & emptying a beer, we showered. Turns out Dave had an uncle in town, and they were playing an annual golf ‘thing’ so Dave would meet us at whatever restaurant we went to (David & I offered to take them to dinner to thank them for keeping the trailer). Eventually the 3 of us got out the door and headed for the WBC: Willoughby Brewing Company. That’s the restaurant Leslie, Debbie and Marie and I ate at last year and I had a fabulous porterhouse steak. Even though it was 7ish on a Friday night, we were seated within minutes, and Leslie & I had a great time talking & being crazy while David patiently kept us company.
By the way, that pesky science of mathematics was used to poke a giant hole in a belief I’ve held for years. Too embarrassing to write down, but I’m sure David or Leslie would be glad to tattle…After dinner & brews (T-ribeye, since they weren’t serving the porterhouse, D-NY strip, L-salmon) we walked around ‘town’ and stopped in to an art gallery that was having a showing. Saw some interesting, pleasing art in various styles.

A little more strolling (by the way, Dave B didn’t show up but Leslie was not at all surprised since golf was involved) and then we went back to Leslie’s. David was feeling pretty zonked from lack of sleep last night, and overall cumulative effects, so he retired to the trailer and I went in the house (it was @ 9:30). Leslie forced me to eat ice cream—with chocolate sauce.

Dave came home shortly, and after the kids were wrangled into bed (sort of) I flipped through the digital photos of the trip thus far. I went to bed @ 11:00.

End of Entry

Three Tenors (and a Flute)

Andre the Second, Corky, and Brut have developed into a handsome little trio, and Flute is their pretty accompianist. Corky and Brut each sculpted the majority of their vocal pattern from Daddy Deuce's influence, but Corky has incorporated an outside influence--literally.

When I'm home during nice weather, I like to open the window behind the zebra finch enclosure ('cage' is such a horrid image) so my little birds get to feel the sunlight and a breeze, and see the greenery of the shrub right outside. Plus, Mother Nature has a much larger enclosure, and several more little birds than I do, and they like to come visit mine and sit in the shrub or on the brick window ledge.

Well, a few mornings ago I heard an unfamiliar bird call from their room, and I rushed back thinking I would find that one of the outside birds had found a way inside. Nope. Corky must have been secretly taking lessons from one of the visitors, because he was sitting on the top dowel rod letting rip with a new rhythmn, and Deuce was just looking at him with his beak gaping open. Couldn't tell if he was proud or aghast.

I'll try to get a recording, but I don't really have the tools for that.

Journal Entry #21 - Butler, Loudonville, Twp Rd 49, OH

Thursday 9/19/02                                                

Day Twenty-one

     Butler KOA
     Starting mileage 91690 / Ending mileage 92033

Since we had no place to be until 5:00pm, we didn’t do a whole lot of anything. Finalized plans for what to pack for the trip back (w-out the trailer) and made lists. The weather continues to be warm and pleasantly humid. Around 2:00pm I prepared a large batch of veggie and chicken yakisoba. Used leftover ground chicken & leftover BBQ chicken. Turned out yummy!

Gave pets their monthly meds.

Left the KOA @ 3:20pm, and headed to the L’ville library to check email. Then, off to our new (soon-to-be) house. Met Lynne and the Sellers, and did a walk-through of the house and part of the property. They are very nice, and seem to be relieved that we are decent and plan to take care of the yard & house. Since they have a new house across the street, I’m sure they’ll be peeking once in awhile. They have relatives that live close by, and it sounds like a nice neighborhood without the pain of living on top of each other.
They mentioned that the shed in the back 8 acres was “supposed to be” excluded, but we weren’t aware of that, and after discussing it between the two of us, we have decided not to let them take it away. After the “tour” and after Lynne headed back to her office, David & I walked the property line for the first time.

Talk about a lot of property! It was so great to walk out to the back 8 acres (via the barn…) and up & over the hill. Cannot see the house from the back fence! Very neat that the land is all fenced for horses. We would have to alter the fence in some way to keep the dogs in closer to the house, but we already have a plan in mind.

Finally left there and headed back to the KOA, stopping near I-71 @ 7:00pm for a small dinner and a cell phone call to my Dad to bring them up to date. Then bought campfire wood on the way back, and David built a nice fire to sit by and talk house. Had to sit back aways since it was still pretty warm out. By the way, Dick Goddard is still doing weather on Channel 8 (now “Fox 8”). He’s looking old but in good shape.

We started to see lightning in the distance, so we prepared for rain. Around 10:15 the lightning & thunder were pretty close, so we went in to scan the TV, and of course, talk house. The rain finally hit at 11:00pm.

Well, it’s 11:30 and I must try to sleep. We have to leave here at 8:30 tomorrow to get to the 9:00 inspection at the house. The rain is tapering off already.

End of Entry

Journal Entry #20 - Butler, Loudonville, Perrysville, Mansfield OH

Wednesday 9/18/02                                                

Day Twenty

     Butler KOA
     Starting mileage 91890 / Ending mileage 91960

David says he woke up at 4:00am & spent hours mulling over house stuff. Managed to fall back to sleep after 7:00am, so we slept in (again). Then we laid there in our comfy RV bedroom and talked about--guess what--house stuff. Already discussing furniture arrangement and remodeling and deck building. Fun!

After cereal & toast, dog stuff & a cat walk, and showers for us humans, we gathered up paperwork and more laundry and headed toward Loudonville at 11:45. I’m going to the library for e-mail, and David’s going to see about an oil change for the truck.

One e-mail was from S, checking our progress. She really likes the Lexington area. Rather than e-mail her back, David suggested we bring flowers and drop by for a quick visit on the way to Mansfield. Such an idea man! Sent a group email to our whole address book giving details of our purchase. Should get some interesting feedback. 

Arrived pond house at 1:00. Had a nice visit, and S and H liked the flowers. H especially liked the news that we’ve found a house. We share details with them, and S found the blurb in the Sluss Realty magazine.  I think it may all work out in the future for a house swap. 

We didn’t stay too long because we need to go finalize paperwork for our new place! Stopped at a 10-min Lube joint near Lynne’s office. That’s where I’m at inside the truck right now, while five people try to get the drain plug out. Such commotion! David is circling & looking below into the pit like a mother hen. This truck is our ride, you know…

Okay, it’s 9:30pm, and I’m going to try to remember the day: went to Lynne’s office and signed off on the acceptance of the counteroffer. Found out the walk-through will be Thursday at 5:00pm, and the house inspection will be Friday at 9am, so we should be able to take off Friday afternoon or before as planned.

Left her office and went to “China Buffet” at the mall for lunch-supper. Nice place. Tried to find a photo dev. shop on the mall directory, but no go, so we headed towards the Home Depot to price out appliances (range, dryer, micro) and because David spotted a ‘Great Clips’ nearby since I wanted to get my hair cut. (I haven’t had anyone but Michelle at Gene Juarez Salon cut my hair for the last 8 years!) He dropped me off, and an old gal ‘Karen’ went to work on my hair with scissors and a razor blade. She imparted knowledge to me like: “Once you get a razor cut, you never go back” and “Mansfield’s a walking graveyard, waiting to die”. 
$10 plus a tip later, I left & walked across the parking lot to the Home Depot, after locating David via our 2-way radio. He was done there, so we dropped by Sears to price shop, then headed back to the KOA.

Due to our large meal we weren’t hungry for dinner, so I headed to the laundry room with a load of whites. Not too much else this evening, except we looked at the digital pix of the house, and talked over decorating & remodeling strategies. As usual, we’re both on the same page. Many decisions will have to wait until we’re in for real. OH—it turns out the horse & misc. animals belong to the former owners who have a barn behind their new house, so the animals will probably not be wandering into the barn. We talked tonight about having horses in the future to ride on our acreage, and the local “bridal trails”.

Now it’s 10pm & a thunderstorm is brewing. No rain yet, just light & noise. Between that, the crickets, and our daydreaming about our new life, it’s a very magical time. Ugh! Magical—who says that and means it? I mean, it is interesting, fun, and kind of like a soap opera in that I can’t wait to see what happens next. (rain started @ 10:06) 


End of Entry

Random List: 5 Minutes of Sound

For 5 Minutes: Sounds I Hear While Sitting Outside

in the Back Yard...Starting...NOW!

• leaf blower (neighbor)
• crickets
• dogs barking (not ours)
• cicada rattle
• scratching (cat in litter box in greenhouse)
• bird chirping
• rooster crowing
• other rooster crowing
• horse snorting
• sheep ba-a-a-a-a-a-a-a
• whoosh of car driving by
• slap (my hand on my arm on a mosquito)
• horses hooves (running to the barn away from flies)
• me grunting (lifting heavy cat)
• dog bark (ours)
• siren (in distance)
• whoosh of wings (flock of starlings leaving tree tops)
• click-click (dog nails on greenhouse floor)
• dog panting
• oven timer (dinner!)

Journal Entry #19 - Butler, Twp Rd 49, Mansfield, Lexington OH

Tuesday 9/17/02                                            

Day Nineteen

Offer.....Counteroffer.....Counteroffer Accepted!

     Butler KOA
     Starting mileage 91781 / Ending mileage 91890

Up & at ‘em! Early dog duty, after which I’d pledged to stay up, but it was so cold in the trailer (5:30am) that I was forced to snuggle on the couch with Vince, Tessa & Tig. Not too comfy, but fun. Gave David a chance to catch a few more winks. Then the usual morning stuff, although we seem a bit tense, and out the door at 8:35am. David had to stop for two deer on the road—so cute!
As we drove we decided to call Lynne & see if she could meet us at the house instead of her office, which she grudgingly agreed to. Seems I jumped the gun saying “offer” last night on the phone when I should have said ‘second walk-through.’ Oh well, all fixed. Met Lynne at the house, and I took a gazillion digital pix.

David looked to more of the practical stuff, then we put an offer on paper & sent it off with Lynne, who had to leave by 10:00am.
After she left, we walked around the “front 2.5” with Vince & Tessa. Tessa was pretty excited by the horse in the barn—a horse that we’re assuming belongs to a neighbor, and just wanders into “our” barn via “our” corral which adjoins to their field. David got a little frustrated by Tessa’s antics, so we didn’t exactly have a spectacular moment to write home about. However, it felt a little early anyway to get too excited since we have to wait & see if they accept, deny or counter the offer.
Finally left the house, and headed towards Mansfield (the mall) to check mileage & travel time. Stopped for early lunch at a Taco Bell (11:00) then back to Lexington to scope out the town and look for a library. Found the post office too, and inquired about P.O. boxes (5ish x 5ish = $34)  The library was okay—a branch of the Richland County library system. A friendly librarian showed me around, and it seems to have all the amenities we need.
Finally, back to the KOA. I relaxed with a local newspaper and a USA Today, while David labored—wash & vacuum the truck, and shake out the dog stuff in the back. French Dips on the menu, and I decided to whip up some jalapeno cornbread to go along. Yum on both counts!
After dinner, David thought to check voicemail, so he climbed onto his trusty picnic table in the middle of the unoccupied park area and lo & behold had enough signal to hear a message from Lynne: counteroffer, with all other terms accepted. We contemplated the new $ number, then hopped in the truck to drive into Butler, first of all for a strong signal to call her back, and second: for champagne!
Took some doing, but we reached Lynne and told her the counteroffer is accepted. We have an appt at 2:00pm tomorrow at her office to sign papers, and find out when the property inspection will take place. David went in the “Super-Valu” to buy champagne, and I called my Dad to break the news. He & Elsie sounded happy for us. It’s so nice to have family to share this with. I’ll email my sister & everyone else tomorrow when we have more details & access to the internet.
It’s kind of funny to know that we haven’t even seen all the property yet—don’t even know exactly where the 10 acres ends to the north—but it doesn’t matter because there’s no one around to infringe on our space! A couple neighbors, just enough to feel safe and in case I need to borrow an egg or some milk, but no one on top of us like at our WA house.
We’re having a campfire & the champagne now (our first campfire due to the previous heat)

 and I feel so fortunate and happy. A great husband, my health is good, and we’re on the road to a new home. A home with land, space, freedom—and a hot tub!

Well, it’s pretty dark so I’ve got to wrap this up. Maybe David will write something later.
P.S. Took Tig for another walk earlier today—he’s really getting the hang of it, and struts along slow but steady.

Fuel 421 miles / 24.3 gal / 35.59

End of Entry

Journal Entry #18 - Butler, Loudonville, Twp Rd 49 OH

Monday 9/16/02                               

Day Eighteen

     Butler KOA
     Starting mileage 91684 / Ending mileage 91781

Another take-it easy morning. The dogs are worn out after yesterday, and David, Vince & Tessa all fell back to sleep after dog duty. When I finally became alert after 9:00, such a cute vision of squishy, huggable, sleepy creatures all on the bed—even Tig!

Pancakes & coffee for breakfast, a little vacuuming, a shower, then I went off to do a little laundry while David took care of dishes & other trailer stuff. We plan to leav in time to drive around a little before meeting Lynne at 1:30.
Departed the KOA at 12:20. Went straight to the Millsboro Rd house since we couldn’t remember what it was all about. Ended up loving the house, but so-so on the property. The “redwood” house on Lohr road turned out to be unavailable (in Contract) so we proceeded to the house on TR 49. 

I had low expectations because I kept picturing neighbors nearby, and the house close to the road. The second we pulled in, I liked it all over again. House, yard & out buildings neat & clean on the outside. And, a pond that we hadn’t seen from our driveby. 10 acres with undeveloped land on 3 sides, and the road is a quiet township road. The house is a ranch with a giant basement, and a screened porch out back with hot tub! More details later. 

With this property at the top of our list, we moved onto one Lynne had seen on Bollinger Rd, but it was too “horsy” for us. We were very excited about the “49’er” house, but wanted to wait ‘til we saw the Loudonville house later. So, back to the KOA at 3:30. Rest, talk, dinner & dog stuff, then out the door at 5:50 to go to L’ville. First stop: library & email. David composed a lovely message to the [homeowners] re: the intriguing property we found, in case that would encourage them to sell.

We met Cherie at the L’ville house at 6:45. It was a bust: icky house. We still liked the property, but now not as much as the 49’r house. On the way back to the KOA we drove past LHS because we’d heard marching band sounds. Pulled into the parking lot near the practice field & had fun watching the chaos. *Good memories!

Back to the KOA at 8:15. Called Lynne on the way, and told her we wanted to make an offer, so we set a 9:00 appt for tomorrow.
Tried to decompress awhile; watched my soap, then reading & to bed. (Hard to sleep).

*Good memories: I was a trumpet-playing member of the Loudonville Redbirds Marching Band!

End of Entry

Journal Entry #17 - Butler, Lyndhurst, Willoughby Hills OH

Sunday 9/15/02

Day Seventeen

     KOA, Butler, OH
     Starting mileage 91464 / Ending mileage 91684

More thunderstorms last night, although I really only heard the rain. The classic “torrential downpour”. When I did dog duty @ 5:30, it was so warm and muggy, but ceased raining long enough for Vince and Tessa to do their thing. Then back to bed, except we both felt wide awake. Good thing we were too stubborn to get up, because we did fall asleep again, until @ 9:00.

(Flock of wild turkeys in camp)

Today is Sunday when I get to see *Leslie! So, a quick breakfast & gathering of stuff, and on the road to Cleveland/Willoughby Hills by 10:00. Stopped to fuel up before getting on I-71, and talked to my dad on the cell phone. Sounds like Pav is loving the royal treatment.
An uneventful trip for the most part, until I realized I hadn’t brought Leslie’s address with me, and we only got her answering machine when we called for directions. They did call us back in time to give us directions to Leslie’s parents house in Lyndhurst, where we headed to meet up with them. Got there @ noon, and hung out for awhile while Leslie gathered up their stuff. Vince & Tessa got to meet the kids, and explore the fenced back yard. Tessa was Miss Congeniality as usual, and Vince handled the new people & surroundings pretty well. The kids were very good about not trying to touch him.
We headed to the Barni’s by 12:30, and David got to see the area I talked about after my visit last year. Leslie had a gathering planned for later to celebrate Alex’s 9th birthday, so she had to get busy cooking a pot of “Cincinnati Chili”. It was fun watching

David play ball with Alex, and he supervised when Alex & Matt wanted to walk Tessa on a leash. The dogs had a great time romping in the back yard. It was quite humid when we were there, so David borrowed a T-shirt (a Mt Rainier t-shirt…) from Dave to spare his dress shirt.
After a bit, Leslie’s parents and Lisa & Tim arrived, with Margaret and baby Timothy James, 1 week and 1 day old. Leslie’s chili was excellent, and lots of fun toppings. Leslie forced me to put our name on one of Alex’s presents, and it was a toy he really liked, so I felt a little guilty taking credit. Maybe I’ll tell him—some day. After presents, cake & ice cream, it started to get dark, and due to our unfamiliarity with the area we decided to leave @ 7pm. We’ll be back next weekend to *drop the trailer, so we didn’t have to have a long, sad good-bye.

[David writing] I was chosen as the “object of interest” by Alex & Matt upon our arrival. They were good kids & fun to play with, even though I really don’t know how to throw pitches. They were also good around the dogs, and vice versa.
100+ miles one way to their house—a little more than expected. Looking forward to house hunting on Monday. Hope one or more looks appealing. Note: sleeping too much. Musn’t get too used to it.

Fuel: 24 gal / 34.25 / 405 miles

*Leslie: My best friend that I met at BGSU in 1982

*drop the trailer: The plan was to leave our travel trailer at their house, travel back to WA and stay in motels, then pack up and move back to Ohio with a moving truck, car hauler and U-Haul trailer.

End of Entry

Random List - Commutes

Vehicles and Routes I have used to commute to work

1. Bicycle......A few miles from my family's house in Ohio to Pleasant Hill Lake......3-4 miles mostly downhill on the way there, which made for a long, difficult ride home.                                                 *****Moved*****                                                                                      
2. Bicycle......BGSU dorm room to Aquatic Center......1/2 mile, flat roads and sidewalks.                                                 *****Moved*****                                                                       
3. 1976 Impala......College-town apartment to local restaurant......short trip, big car.                                                 *****Moved*****                                                                               
4. Seattle Metro Bus mostly/sometimes the Impala, my legs, and an antique elevator with multiple gates and a human attendant......Apartment on Alki to umpteenth floor of Smith Tower downtown......Long trip [I don't really remember, maybe 1-1/2 hrs port to port?].
5. Seattle Metro Bus mostly/sometimes the Impala......Apartment on Alki to clothes retailer warehouse/sweatshop......8 miles, 20-30 minutes.                                                 *****Moved*****                                                                          
6. Impala......Apartment in Renton to Redmond WA......About 20 miles, and LOTS of serious traffic.                                                                                        *****Moved*****           
7. Impala/1983 Subaru Wagon......Apartment near Tukwila WA to downtown Seattle near Pike Place Market......About 15 miles and 30 minutes.                                                                     *****Moved and got married at this point, so different vehicles to play with*****          
8. Subaru Wagon usually/Impala and 73 Ford F150 rarely/then Cutlass Cierra mainly......House in Des Moines, WA to downtown Seattle......about 20 miles and 40 minutes.
9. Cutlass Cierra mainly/Subaru or Ford F250......Des Moines to just up the street......about 10 minutes, finally a short commute again!
10. Cutlass Cierra or Subaru or Ford F250......Des Moines to Federal Way......about 12 miles and 20 minutes.
11. Cutlass Cierra or Ford F250......Des Moines to just up the street......about 10 minutes
12. Cutlass Cierra or Ford F250......Des Moines to Kent......8 miles and 12 minutes                                                                 *****Moved*****                         
13. Ford Escort or Ford F250 or Corvair van......Home in Auburn WA to 10 miles away in Auburn......about 15 minutes.
14. 2001 Honda Accord mainly/1987 Volvo Wagon or Ford  F250 sometimes......Auburn to Kent......10 miles and 20 minutes                                                                                                                                                      *****Moved*****                       
15. Honda Accord mainly/Volvo Wagon or Ford F250 sometimes......Twp Rd 49 to Galion OH......6 miles and 12 minutes
16. Honda Accord......Twp Rd 49 to Bucyrus......17 miles and 30 minutes
17. Honda Accord or Pontiac Vibe......Twp Rd 49 to Ashland......25 miles and 40 minutes                                                                              *****Moved*****               
18. Honda Accord or Pontiac Vibe/then Hyundai Elantra Wagon or 2006 GMC Envoy/1999 Saab occasionally/now 2005 Saab Convertible mainly......Pleasant Plain OH to Sharonville, 26 miles 45-70 min to my job of the last 4+ years.

Please tell me if this inspires you to make your own list!