Professionals!

The movers have delivered our treasures and gone.  The only trauma from this move was of my own making, or perhaps ignorance.  We hired professionals well trained in moving electronics and heavy but fragile furniture.  All the pieces of my favorite things were carefully removed and transported to the new house, with the plan to reset as directed.

Plasma TV 

The big television in the living room in Dogpatch was removed from the wall with all it's bolts carefully packed with the bracket.  My plan for the hill country house did not feature a wall hanging television.  Several times as he loaded our vehicles I reminded Ol' Abner to be sure to get the stand for the TV.  On my final pass through the house I noticed it sitting on the abandoned table in the living room and picked it up to wedge in a small space just the perfect fit in my fully loaded car.  On one of our telephone communications as we traveled he confessed that it had not crossed his mind until that very moment.  This proud supportive spouse assured him that I always have his back.  So much for pride of accomplishment.  I carefully packed the stand, but the supports for the television to attach it to the stand are still in Arkansas on top of the box holding the DVD player that didn't come.  Alas, the TV sits on the floor leaning against the sofa awaiting the critical component's arrival.  Guess I must rely on Son and Ol' Abner to have the expertise to mount the big television on its stand...next trip!

One Less Future Project!

The movers came today.  Watching our possessions hauled through the front door and others out the basement doors to fill two trucks without emptying the house, convinced me I am suffering from the sin of gluttony.  Right now I am overwhelmed with the sense that I probably cannot live long enough to complete all those planned quilts, finish the three cross stitch projects loaded on one of those trucks, or deftly plant those thousands of photos into scrapbooks.  Still I feel the need to hoard the supplies needed for those endeavors and many more, yes I said more.  Perhaps I'll pat myself on the back for passing along all those cake decorating tools.  Boxes of tier cake supports and the plates for them can be much better utilized elsewhere.  Oh yes, I feel better already.

Decision Not Needed

As we plan the move to Texas, concern over transporting boats or selling here and replacing when we finish moving has prompted many lively discussions.  Ol' Abner decided it would work well to just list both boats for sale.  The one that sold first would be replaced and transporting one boat to Texas didn't seem like such a daunting task.  You see, I do NOT like to pull a trailer of any kind.  These two boats are large and heavy, not my idea of a pleasant 12 hour drive with either in tow.

Our boat dock remains on top of Dock 11.

Returning from the hill country house, we made a planned stop in the capitol city for an overnight stay prior to Ol' Abner's dental appointment.  Just after a text to his phone from the electric company notifying us of a power outage, both of our phones began to ring and text messages came from several contacts.  News of a nasty storm in Dogpatch was frightening.  While over 500 homes were without power, downburst winds hit the marina lifting one dock up and scattering it's contents before dropping it down atop another.  Our pontoon boat was berthed in the midpoint of the traveling dock.  Pictures being sent assured us that loss of life and multiple bodily injury would surely be the next news. The photo above was taken early this morning, after a week of clean up.  As we awaited news of the well being of friends and family, the thought raced through each of our minds that a choice between boats would likely not be necessary.

A ride to the marina the next afternoon as we arrived in town just reinforced the belief that our boat probably didn't ride out the storm unscathed.  We were shown to the area where retrieved boats were parked awaiting identification from owners.  Some showed little damage while others barely resembled a usable craft.  Over the next few days, topsy turvy boats were righted and pulled from the water, but ours still remained among the missing.  Last night while I was at a knitting class, Ol' Abner made one last sojourn to the docks.  One of the owners mentioned a boat that was moored at the end of an inaccessible  point.  It had been in the middle of the fray and had to be towed there to make way for dock access as they worked.  A shop worker took him out on a boat and went under water to find the identifying number on the side rail.  That confirmed what Ol' Abner had already determined from the life jackets and giant tube sprawled along the other side.  Our boat had been found and it wasn't pretty.

The sad remains of a really fun boat

A fifty year collection of fishing tackle, some very expensive fishing rods and reels, several other life jackets, flotation toys and beach towels were not to be found.  I had to go down this morning to see for myself.  Looks like the other boat will make the trip to Texas and this one will become a massive paper work headache. We called the insurance adjuster and he tells us it may be weeks before the area is cleared for them to get near enough to boats not pulled from the water safely.  Because of its waterlogged state and punctured pontoon, ours may be one of the last boats out.

We didn't have time this week to be out cruising the lake much.  Boxes need to be packed and repairs must be completed on the house following the inspection.  I think I'd rather be floating.

Journey

Our constant windshield time is taking its toll on me.  Traveling with a nervous dog in the summer heat certainly takes the fun out of a roadtrip.  Searching for a shady place to walk her when we stop and finding carry out food that isn't just a greasy burger or fatty sandwich is a challenge.

In an effort to consolidate the travel needs, we try to schedule trips to Texas to follow or precede one of Ol' Abner's medical visits to Little Rock.  This either gets us three hours into the trip or within three hours of our mountain destination.  We will be back in Dogpatch tonight and I'm ready to visit with friends and enjoy the last few weeks in my home in the side of the mountain.

Cell phones and vigilant friends have kept us in touch with happenings in the town.  Yesterday a storm took out power at the house, as well as about 500 other homes.  That was the least of the problem.  Straight line winds roared through the cove where one of our boats lives in the marina and major damage ensued.  Luckily, according to our sources, no injuries have been reported.  Looking at the pictures posted by friends on social media and telephone reports from others, it's a miracle.  The dock where our boat is, or was moored, is destroyed.

I am ready to be back in Dogpatch.  I want to catch up with friends and relish the laziness of summer heat. It would seem we will be spending some time with the insurance adjustor if damage to the boat is as reported.  Packing for the movers will shake the lazy out of me and we will need to tend to any repairs needed to the house before sale can be completed.  So much for lazy hazy summer days.  We better hurry home and get busy!