Sunday, 25 October 2020: Green Bay and Brussels

 

Dellene’s birthday was yesterday.  I think she had a big day with her immediate family.  

We got the washer and dryer hooked up again so I was happily running up and down stairs to get caught up.  

We worked in Brussels with Nathanael and Gracie again.  Since they are in school and available only on the weekends, we need to take advantage of that opportunity. 

Justin baked a turkey, as well as mashed potatoes and squash.  I made cherry coke salad.  (I think only Dellene appreciates the significance of this particular delicacy. )  Justin said he had a plan for a casserole so between leftovers, the casserole and sandwiches, I may not cook all week.  

Justin is rather bummed about the sale of the house.  He thinks we perhaps should have waited.  We bought and gathered all sorts of stuff to set the house up for the winter and now we need to move it all back to Brussels.  We simply don’t have room there.  He’s worried about where we will store all the wood, etc that he had stored here even when we had renters.  He simply does not want to have to get a storage unit because then we’d have to move things twice.  It’s not so fun in our house right now.  

 Packers came out in top in their game with the Houston Texans.  Five and 0 is just fine.  The World Series is going on and I can’t say I care.  

Thursday, 22 October 2020: Hartung

Today is only Thursday and it has already been a huge week for us.

On Tuesday we turned in our ballots.  Please, oh, please let people do the right thing and get out to vote!  Oh yeah, and let our votes be counted!  

On Wednesday, Justin went to the doctor.  He has a spot on his nose that prompted the visit.  The doc says not to worry unless it changes.  Meanwhile, his labs look great.  Yes, we both need to watch cholesterol and sugars but in the scheme of things, we are doing fine.

The really big news ...  we accepted an offer on the house on Hartung.  Justin and I have gone back and forth on this so many times ... we finally said sell.  Justin has mixed feelings but I am happy, happy.  The house was on the market for eight days.  We didn’t get as much as Justin wanted but we did get more than our agent recommended we stated with.  

The floor in the basement has been quite the beast.  There were all too many areas where the concrete floor was pitted.  We bought a skim coat product for repairs and then planned to paint on top of opal that.  If we were staying, I’d do a scatter coat on top of that, but we will save that for another day or another house.  So Jim was supposed to do the repairs and the work on the basement floor.  Justin wasn’t happy at all with his work.  I overheard the conversation when Justin told Jim he wasn’t happy with Jim’s work; he said he wanted the floor  “as smooth as a baby’s bottom.”  Later Justin told me he felt like Jim had done the work “with a shovel.”  What all this meant was that Justin ended up completing all the faring.  He was down on his hands and knees until 4 am a couple of nights ago.  I’ll be so, so glad when this is complete.  Of course, I’ll be glad to get my washer and dryer back! 

So... we settled up with Jim and sent him on his way.  Since we’ve got a contract, we are revisiting our next steps.  We will complete the floor in the basement and finish painting in a few spots but we won’t be taking on many of the plans we might have done had it been our home. 

We still have mountains of work to do, primarily in the basement, but the end, here, is in sight.  Now, we have to move everything back to Bayshore -- aargh! 

The final presidential debate last night.  I think Biden might have gotten drawn off message at the end in the big oil industry volley, so we will see what comes of that.  Good for clean and renewable energy but what about Texas?

I’m eager to see the 60 minutes interview.  

Monday, 19 October 2020: Hartung

The Packers lost yesterday.  How will Aaron Rogers ever be the GOAT if they don't pull it together?  

 I bought a Jordie Nelson jersey not too long ago and wore it for the game yesterday.  Will I ever be able to wear it again?

We harvested squash this week and oh my goodness did we have squash.  We've eaten maybe three of then already but since the temps have been getting down to freezing, the plants are dying and it was time to pull in the veggies.  We had quite a bumper crop so I guess I better start cooking.  First recipe was a roasted butternut squash chowder.  I really like the texture of a chowder; Justin prefers the smooth consistency of a bisque-like soup.  thank goodness for an immersion blender.

 
The house went on the market late Monday and we had our first showing on Wednesday.  Cindy hosted an Open House on Saturday and showing continued.  We've had a couple of folks come back for second visits so that's good.  We set the price significantly higher than Cindy recommended and that might be slowing things down.  While we don't NEED to sell, ... well, welcome to my rollercoaster.  I change my mind at least ten times each day.  Of course, Justin and I have to pick up everything and vacate for each of these showings.  Thankfully we have had a few hours notice for all the visitors. 

We learned this week that United's route from Houston to Merida has been suspended.  AARGH!!  I called to see what our options were and we settled on a flight from Green Bay to Chicago and then Chicago into Cancun.  That leaves us still five hours from Celestun.  We will certainly rent a car rather than take a bus!  Not ideal, but ...

Temps are dropping.  Sometimes I think I'd be ok staying here for the winter.  I think it might be just for the novelty and then I think that novelty might wear off real, real quick.  

Ballots!!!  Our ballot arrived on Saturday.  Time to vote!

Sunday, 11 October 2020: Hartung

We went for a convertible ride one afternoon last week.  We were a bit late for vibrant colors but it sure was nice to get out for a bit.  After a drive by an Llama Farm and a stop for cheese curds, we made it to Brussels in time for another magnificane sunset.  

 

We’d been busting it at Hartung getting it ready to put on the market.  Jim has been here each day working on the basement and the deck leaving Justin and me to do all sorts of other projects.  A colorful assortment of  chrysanthemums added pops of color throughout the yard before Cindy and Dawn came on Sunday for photos.  I was touching up with red paint at the bar when they arrived.  The house will go on the market late on Monday...we wait.

So when I was in Japan, maybe a year or so before Justin arrived, I bought a mattress and box springs.  I got a small flat screen tv as a purchase gift.  I had it set up in the monster room when I lived in Hamura.  The entire time we lived in Germany, the tv never came out of the keller.  I was going to set it up downstairs where i had the ironing board but I never could find both the tv and the base.   Fast forward to retirement and to Brussels, the tv has been reunited with its base and I hooked it up here at Hartung.  The remote still works too.  We got a little rabbit ear antenna and we can watch local TV!  We haven’t done that in years!  One of the first things we watched this weekend was the Texas/ OU football game.  It was a heartbreaker.    After four periods of overtime Texas went home defeated.  No state fair this year for folks to drown their sorrows.  So sad!  The Packers had a bye this week so they’ll be rested and ready to go against the Buccaneers next Sunday.  Will we have an offer on the house by then?

Monday, 5 October 2020: Hartung

 

We worked like Trojans on the yard at Hartung.  Justin says he thinks the yard looks even better now that it did for our reception in July of 2014.  I told him I didn’t agree but I know that I was looking at everything through rose colored glasses then.  Dawn came over to take the outside photos for the listing with Caldwell Banker.  It was too windy for her to use her drone so she will take those shots later.  Now, we will turn our attention back to the inside.  I keep thinking that this part will come together quickly... we will see.  I seem to get distracted by “other” things along the way.  I need to keep a laser-like focus.  

I got the internet connected at Hartung last week and I got the tv connected too.  

Packers defeated the Atlanta Falcons last night.  At week four with four wins and zero losses things are looking great!  We have a bye next week. I think it is way too early in the season to have a bye but it looks like the Packers need it right now since they are riddled with injuries.  

Trump has coronavirus!  OMG!  I wouldn’t wish this off on anyone but OMG!  What will this do to the stock market and even more, what will this do to the election?  And, speaking of elections ... 

Texas allows voter to drop off ballots at only one spot in each county!  Only one spot!  California allows drop off at all public libraries.  South Carolina requires the signature of a witness for each ballot that is submitted by mail.  Yes,  voter suppression is alive and well. 

The first presidential debate was last week and it was a simple and utter disaster.  Thankfully the commission has decided to make some much needed changes before the next debate.  Of course the late night crowd had a hey day with the fodder. (Gotta love Steven Colbert.). 

 

Friday, 2 October 2020: Hartung

 

Trump has coronavirus!  OMG!  I wouldn’t wish this off on anyone but OMG!  What will this do to the stock market and even more, what will this do to the election?

The first presidential debate was last week and it was a simple and utter disaster.  Thankfully the commission has decided to make some much needed changes before the next debate.  Of course the late night crowd had a hey day with the fodder. (Gotta love Steven Colbert.). 

Jim and his son have been at Hartung working on the house...prepping the deck for refinishing, cleaning and painting in the basement, replacing and painting the front steps, painting the exterior foundation.  We found Jim through Anne Marie thankfully he's able to do some of the heavy lifting.  I'm tired of Jusitn (and me) working his ass off.  Perhaps driven by my goal to streamline, we’ve talked with Cindy Loritz about selling and we are preparing to put the house on the market.  

Sunday, 27 September 2020: By the bay

 

Packers are 3 and 0 after their win over the New Orleans Saints today.  Go Pack Go!!!  We've been going to Jordan and Kris' cottage to watch the games.  I'd be fine on our small TV but Justin prefers the big screen experience.  Gemma dpesn't mind at all where we watch the game.  It is all good.  

I tried my hand at baked risotto last week.  Total success!  Long ago I learned to bake a roux and then somewhere I learned to bake steel cut oats.  Why not risotto?  The recipe was from The New York Times and it was delicious.  I followed their technique from one recipe but the ingredients from a tomato risotto recipe.  This may be one of the best things we've eaten all summer!  
Anne Marie stopped by Hartung to visit and shared pears.  they were a bit mealy to eat plain and in salads, so I made pear bread with the first of the batch.  it was ok but a bit dry.  

More bird seed bread -- that's always a hit!

Justin prepared breakfast one morening last week.  His yogurt, berry, granola parfaits are always so much prettier than mine.  Our homemade yogurt sure is good!  

What else is going on?  Ruth Bader Ginsberg died.  When I learned the news, Sean was visiting, her and Justin were out by the fire.  WHen I went to tell them, our first words were "We are so screwed."  This will be one of those markers in our lives.  Where were you when Kenedy was shot...when the Challenger exploded... 9/11... RBG's death.  OMG!!!  Trump has proposed her replacement and of course, he wants her in place before the elections.  
Trumps taxes have been disclosed.  That was an eye-opener.  
Wisconsin is having a spike in corona virus cases... maybe we should have stayed in Mexico.?.?

Justin and I completed a NYT crossword puzzle today.  It took both of us and it took over an hour.  And that was an easy one.  

 Wednesday, 23 2020: in my kitchen

I made yogurt this week.  I bought a Greek Yogurt maker and went to town.  We can't get plain yogurt in Celestun and, if we get back to Mexico at all this winter, our trips to Merida will be less frequent.  So... I learned to make yogurt.  It was delicious; so thick and rich and delicious!  I think I'll make some more!
I also tried my hand at fried green tomatoes.  That was a first for me.  Yummy!!!  We got our tomatoes from Michelle.  Wonder if we can get more???

We booked our flight for 17 November.  You gotta love the airline industry.  The flight from Green Bay to Merida, through Chicago and Houston is cheaper than the flight from Houston to Merida alone!  We thought we'd drive to Texas and leave the car, maybe at Uncle Harrold's and then fly from there.  Then COVID... then Uncle Harold, then ...  And now I find it is significantly cheaper to fly out of Green Bay.  Go figure!  
Now I need to work on the paperwork for Gemma.  I have the validation that she is my Emotional Support Animal, now I'll submit that to United and see what hoops are next.  

Justin chopped down basswood trees on the preserve part of our property.  Gotta love a man wielding his chain saw!

We’ve decided not to sell and not to rent Hartung.  We will hang out there for the last month or so before we fly.  We will need to blow out the lines and shut this place down.  Justin has been trying to talk me into Hartung as an Air BnB for several years.  I am warming up to the idea.

I listed a few things on Facebook Marketplace and found success. The red couch from Brusssels is gone as is the stinking trundle bed.   I was so, so happy to see that walk out the door!  I hated that thing.  Now it is gone.  We still have the trunk and the duck decoys and a few other items. 

   

Now I need to make a giant list of all the things we need to do.  I've been a list maker from way back -- thankfully.

Tuesday, 22 September 2020: Milwaukee

 

Happy Visa Day!  Happy Fall!

The first day of fall found us taking a quick road trip to Milwaukee for my visa.  I had abandoned this process two years ago when we learned that foreign residents can’t have a car with foreign plates.  Since we didn’t want our car to be confiscated and impounded, we changed our course.  We had planned all along to drive for a few years and then fly but losing my car wasn’t how we wanted to make the change.  
While I’ve been waiting for this, I’ve just been frozen and not able to focus on anything else.  First I was waiting and waiting for Butch to work on the yard.  Then I was waiting for the Visa thing.  What’s next?  Anyway, now Justin is a permanent resident of Mexico and I am a temporary resident.  

We drove to Erich’s for a short visit with him and the kids. We got to see his new house.  Hes done mountains of work in his yard.  Funny how, like his last yard, one can easily see his dad's influence.  

Last week...

We finished that damned puzzle!  It was a beast!  We wrapped it up and called Michelle.  She came to pick it up in exchange for tomatoes -- pretty good trade, but not good enough.

Mary celebrated her birthday.    Meanwhile, more than 200,000 people have died in America. The first CNN report of COVID 19 was 8 January 2020.  Who would have known?

Monday, 14 Sept 2020: Hartung

Football yesterday.   Yes, it looks like we might really have an NFL season.  No pre-season and not much in the way of training camp, but we are having games.  Go Pack Go!!!  The Packers season opener and a win over The Vikings was a great way to start the season.

Today we went back to Hartung and focused on the yard.  We need to get this done before the weather changes.  That meant runs to the yard waste center for me.  

These sun flowers eaily stand 7' tall.  Justin planted maybse a dozen but only one thrived.  

It started growing and just didn't stopp!

Justin is simply a news junky. He reads the Times, CNN, and a few others each day.  At least we get some relief with football news.  I grow weary of it all.
I didn’t know we had a “black national anthem.”  I think I have a problem with it too.  I’m fine with Lift Every Voice and Sing as a song for civil rights, but a national anthem?

Nineteenth anniversary of 9/11... when that catastrophe happened, we came together as a nation.  Today we are more divided than ever.  

USPS is still under the gun.  Funny how voting is being used as a political pawn and USPS is right in the thick of it.  So, so strange.  

Hastas in bloom outside the front door in Brussels.