Hilton Head Island - One Beachy Trip

We were away for a couple of weeks. Guess where?

Hilton Head Island! Been going there for the past 20 + years.

Why do we keep going? Why do we drive for 12 hours to get there?  Because we're crazy!  Ha ha.
Once you get there you feel it was well worth the long drive.

We like Palmetto Dunes for the beach and biking. The above photo is of Shelter Cove, Palmetto Dunes.

You can't beat biking along the beach at Hilton Head!

Oh well.  We're back home now. That's okay. I'm already researching when and where to go on our next trip to Hilton Head Island!  Ha ha. 

Now, you probably already know that we just moved after living in the same house for 29 years. Maybe you're thinking. Hmm. Why didn't she move to Hilton Head since she loves it so much?

I did indeed consider moving to Hilton Head. But, golleeee. I think the people who live on Hilton Head hardly ever go to the beach. For them it's the mountains that are calling their name. Nope, far better to just visit, have a fantastic time, and then move on. 

Can you believe it? After two weeks at the beach I was already yearning for the hills!  Yes. On our way back north we stopped off at Asheville in North Carolina.

Now, that's a fantastic trip. Beach and the hills. 

What could be better?!

Memorial Day Week-end, 2014

On Sunday we attended a Memorial Day ceremony at the Requin submarine.

The submariner veterans read out the names of submarines that had casualties over the years. Such a long list! Had no idea so many submariners had perished over the years.

We were given petals which we tossed into the river. 

The geese checked them out. I guess it's okay if they ate them? Pass, dunno.

On the Monday we were back in the suburbs at a Memorial Day parade in a small town close by. 

So many bagpipers! This is just one group of pipers that were in the parade. The bagpipe is ubiquitous around here. 

There were greyhounds in the parade. Once they stop winning races they get put to sleep, so lots of people adopt them. Hmm. I'm thinking that not enough people adopt them. If you'd like a lovely doggy, then maybe consider adopting a greyhound? They seem very gentle dogs.

One of several marching bands. 

It was really very festive. Lots of patriotic music being played that just made you want to sing along!

The Shriners were in the parade, singing away!

I don't know who the little girl is. But, I like the expression on her face as she watches the parade.

At the end of the parade there was this speaker. I'm sorry to say that I don't remember his name! I think it's Rock something or other. Anyhow, when I was told he was going to be speaking I hadn't a clue who he was. Turns out he was a famous football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ha ha. Oh, and I think he was in the Vietnam War. That's probably why he was a speaker. 

Wee Patio - No Farmer's Wife Here

This is our patio in our new house and this is our first Spring in the new house.

It's small, compared to the huge back yard we had at our old house.

We have a new George Foreman electric grill. The old barbecue grill that we had for years and that used propane gas we dumped. It was all rusty and falling to bits.

The fence doesn't go all the way around the wee patio. Apparently it's because of all those odd things sticking out from the ground. I really don't know what half these things are, but everybody has them. Could be for electricity? Dunno. Our patio backs on to the road, which is odd, I know. We had so much privacy in the old house, and here we have very little! But, c'est la vie.

All those tools that I used in the old house.  The famous de-thatcher!  I used that every spring. Yikes! I yanked on it pulling it and pushing it to get up dead grass. Won't be using that anymore!  Ha ha. Part of the deal here is that we pay a homeowners' association fee which covers outside maintenance.

The equally famous edger. That was hard to use, so it never really did see the sunshine that much at all.

The rake! I used that a lot to gather up the leaves as well as any grass clippings that somehow got loose whilst cutting the grass.

This is just part of our back yard at the old house. There's a section to the left that you don't see but which goes downhill on a steep slope. There was also a substantial front lawn that I took care of too. Many times I felt like a farmer's wife when I spent hours working away outside.

Do I miss the big yard?   Absolutely not!!  I'm more than happy with my wee patio.

The Saga of New Construction Woes

Wondering why I have posted this photo?  Hmm.  Guess!  

Our beautiful brand new hardwood flooring has been coming unstuck since the month of January! Sooo glad we're still under the warranty.  The installers came out in January and again in March to re-stick the sections that were loose.

Okay, so far so good. Until, guess what?

Even more flooring came loose. It was non-stop. The level shows that the floor wasn't flat. Apparently 3/16th of an inch over a ten foot section is permitted. On some sections of the floor is like walking up a slope!

The blue tape is where the floor either had a hollow sound, or was actually loose.

In the end, the powers that be announced that the concrete subfloor wasn't flat. Ha ha. Didn't you know it wasn't flat BEFORE installing the floor?

We ended up in a hotel for three nights whilst large sections of the floor was dug up. A large crack was found in the concrete, which just added more spice to the mixture.

The crack continued from the hall into the master closet.

Here's hoping that the saga of new construction woes is over. Surely the floor will no longer come unstuck?!   They put down a levelling agent to try to make the concrete flat. That should help. I really do hope so.  The section which is like a slope?  Well, they said that since the wood is not moving there that they don't have to fix it. Oh dear. 

Five Reasons you know you're ready for Spring

1.  You just bought a whole bunch of  bird feeders. What? The high today is just 35 degrees Fahrenheit!

2.  You're amazed that there's green stuff on your front lawn. Oh?  That's grass! Haven't seen it in months.

3.   You tried on seven bathing suits at TJMaxx. You really did. Might as well get into the swing/swim of things.

4.    You tossed out your winter boots. Into the trash they went with all the flourish of a magician signing his signature.

5.    You can't wait to wash your car. Yes, no more taking it to the car wash. Gosh, isn't it great that soon you'll be able to wash your car in the driveway? Ah, life is good!

Found the Mail!

Well, guess where the mail was?

It was in a separate section of the place where you mail items.

Who knew?

Apparently the mailman should have placed a key in our mail box to let us know, and to allow us to open the box where our mail was.

However, I had requested that we just pick up the mail ourselves at the post office. Talk about confusing the situation!

We've been here in this confusing place for around 8 months, now.

Just keep repeating that we accomplished our  goal which was to get away from the big back yard. We really did accomplish that. 

Where's the Mail?

Just got back a week ago from a month long trip.

Started off in Hilton Head Island where the weather was so-so. We did, however, have a few nice, warm and sunny days. Managed good bike rides along the beach and throughout the trails.

Sea Pines is a particularly picturesque part of the island with miles of bike trails.

Also spent a few nights in Florida before taking the cruise that left from Port Canaveral.

After the cruise we went back to Hilton Head.

Not a bad trip at all!

Now, here's the thing. I stopped our mail. It was to be held at the Post Office until our return. Well, nobody knew where our mail was!  They simply couldn't find it.  Hmmm.

Where is our mail?!  Actually, it's basically always just a bunch of junk. So much paper wasted. So much waste that people simply toss in the garbage. It's the principle of the thing, that's what I think. The mail has to be found.

Who's Cold?

 

It makes you cold just looking at this photo, doesn't it? Temperatures have been below freezing for so many days!  We're lucky if we get into the teens. And that's Fahrenheit.

Are you ready for warmer weather? I am! But, even down in South Carolina it's cold just now.

Actually, I'm getting used to walking in the cold. I get nice rosy cheeks. I walk faster in the cold. I've even been going to the gym more often. 

Guess the cold isn't so bad after all!

Are you Ready for Warmer Weather?

Are you ready for warmer weather? How do you know?


Five ways that you are DEFINITELY ready.


1. It's been below freezing for the past three weeks. It's still below freezing. But something appears in the sky. It's a yellowish, round thing. Is that a fried egg? You're so happy to realise that no, it's not a fried egg. It's the sun!


2. You bought a bright orange, lacy sweater at the sales today. Nobody wears lacy clothes in the winter. That's okay. When you look in the mirror in your orange lacy sweater you think you're at the beach!

3. You look at the snow that never melts. You keep looking and you look even more. Suddenly you see grass creeping up through the snow. Your heart leaps and you smile, you smile so much that the snow melts. Oh, was that just a dream? It was a lovely dream!

4. You're simply tired of chilling your white wine outside on the front porch. It does work, that's true. And far better than cluttering up your fridge. But, now you're ready for some Chianti or vinto tinto as you think about your upcoming vacation.

5. You refuse to wear your boots. You refuse to wear your scarf. You even refuse to wear your gloves. It's not THAT cold, is it? You tell yourself that it's all in the mind.

Feliz Navidad

Decided this year to decorate in silver.

Also did away with big tree that we've had for years. When we moved we left it for the people who bought our old house.

I bought a cute little winter tree, as I call it, and decorated it for Christmas.

It really is small!  But he's cute. 

Wouldn't it be nice if this little dog were real?

This is the first year we decided not to exchange gifts. Well, in theory at least. I did get these beautiful flowers.

Now that Christmas is over, the shops and roads are back to normal. It was a surprise to be out driving and not get stuck in traffic, and to be in the shops and not be banging into people. It's actually quite nice that Christmas is over. 

How You Know That You're Ready for Winter

Cold weather, long dark nights - can only mean that winter is close by.  Are you ready?
Five ways that you know you're ready for winter:

1. That old blanket you were going to give to your dog? It's already coming in handy to snuggle into when you're checking out Facebook on cold evenings.

2. You used to think that Florida was just a place for old people. Now those Florida beaches are calling your name.

3. Summer clothes are on sale!  Yay!  But you don't buy any. Instead you pay full price for a nice new warm winter coat.

4. You finally found that ugly looking scarf auntie Victoria gave you last year. Who cares if it's ugly? It's warm, and that's what counts.

5. That doggy of yours is dying to go out. Oh well, you figure, he's a big boy. He can go out all by himself in the frigid frost.

New Houses

Please note that all photos and written work are copyrighted sstaas.  All rights reserved.


They're doing a lot of construction all around us.  The reason we chose the location for our new house is that it was the last one in the group, which meant we wouldn't be disturbed by construction right next door. The other reason we chose this location is because it's the last of the beige coloured houses.

When we first had to decide on which location to build the saleslady suggested this place below.

She was referring to the first house you can see. I think its driveway is longer than ours, but not by much. And the siding will be white, which we didn't want. But, still, each time I walk by I wonder if maybe we should have chosen it after all.

Down the road, you can see all the new construction going on. I think there's a rush to get things completed before the winter sets in.

There's a constant stream of workmen and their trucks coming and going.

It will be strange when all the construction is finished. It will be so quiet!

Week-end away. Where are the signposts?

Please note that all photos and written works are copyrighted sstaas. All rights reserved.



After all the hustle and bustle of moving it was time to get out of town. With unexpected high temperatures on the horizon we took off for Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

First time ever we had been there. Nice place. Long, long boardwalk and a very pretty lake.

In order to get there we had to go over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Yikes! What a tall bridge. And narrow too.

Took a while to figure out how to get to Rehoboth Beach after we crossed the bridge. Sign posts? Even the GPS system didn't help that much. Maybe Rehoboth Beach is one of Delaware's best kept secrets?  Pass, dunno.