It has been nearly a month since I left for my adventure.  During that month, there have been a few challenges, but mostly I have come to realize I am never too old to learn new things.

I have learned how to clean house again.  I admit, I have been quite spoiled over the past two and a half decades.  When I was pregnant with my youngest son, Ryan, I decided to get help with the housework, even if I had to eat oatmeal twice a week for dinner to pay for it.  So until I moved here, I had house cleaners take care of the weekly or bi-weekly chores.  The only reason I even owned a vacuum was because once, many years ago, our friends from England, Lynne and Steve, were staying with us and Lynne casually asked what kind of ‘hoover’ I owned (the British word for vacuum, like we say Kleenex for tissue) and I was embarrassed that I didn’t even own one.  Fast forward to a few weeks ago, and my friend Judy pulled it out to help out, and it took both of us to figure out how to turn the thing on!  I’ve also learned that you can’t clean bathroom mirrors with the same product you clean toilets.  

I’ve learned that I really like living in a small space.  While I still have this sense that I am staying in a nice hotel suite, it has been so nice to be able to get out of bed, go to the bathroom, then to the living room sofa all in about ten steps.  The bedroom in Roswell was–as my two and a half year old friend, Ellaree, says–humongous!  It took about thirty steps just to get from my side of the bed to the toilet.  Then the trek downstairs.  Yep, loving this smaller space for sure!

I’ve learned how to walk two dogs.  Easier said than done.  In Roswell, since I had the doggy door for their bathroom needs, I would walk them on a split leash, with me holding just one leash with two short ones splitting at the bottom, so they walked closely side by side.  Now, I put them on two separate, 16 foot, retractable leashes so they can have their privacy from each other when needed.  If they walked in the same general direction, it would be easier.  But I am constantly having to switch hands, swing one leash around my back, or the best, around the back, under the left leg, switch hands, under the right leg, then a full circle.  I’m getting quite adept at it.  On that note,  I have also learned it’s best to just stay put and watch while Krystal does number two before picking up. As I said before in an earlier post, she is a walking pooper.  If I run and start picking up as soon as she starts, it becomes like an Easter egg hunt trying to find the rest of it.

I have learned that, in spite of having many brushes with death in my life (more on that in another post) and having four major heartbreaks in my life, I am a happy person.  I’ve always been an optimist to a very real fault, and I’m not saying I haven’t had some down times in my life.  But I am happy and feel very, very blessed.

I’ve also learned that I really, REALLY like doggy doors.

Casey is my cuddly, not-so-smart pup who is almost nine years old.  I say not-so-smart in the most loving way, of course, as any mom would.  Once, after Jonathan took the fence down around the pool, Casey got ‘stuck’ behind the gate that hadn’t been removed yet.  Krystal saw his confusion and walked over and showed him the way around the gate.  Another time, we were at the cabin and the sliding glass door was partially open.  He went out onto the deck, then tried to come back and got ‘stuck’ behind the part that wasn’t open.  Again, Krystal came to the rescue and showed him the open part.  I read an article that said to place a towel over your dog’s head, and the faster they got it off, the smarter they were.  So i placed a towel over Casey’s head, and he sat there, smiling and wagging.  Krystal finally walked over and pulled the towel off of his head.  Bless his heart.  

Most of the time, he still acts like a puppy, with his favorite toys being squeaky or…his absolute favorite….a small, purple, cloth pompom ball he tosses around to himself.  Since we moved to the apartment, he is finally trying to grow up.  He just hasn’t mastered the art of being manly, even though he is valiantly trying.   He has always had a wide range of barking pitches, mostly in the high range.  When he gets really excited, like when we pull into the kennel, groomers, or vet parking lot, he squeals more than barks.  I’ve noticed his pitch is getting much deeper these days.  Our apartment complex has an off leash park that we walk to a couple of times each day.  That is where he is practicing his deep pitch barking.  When a dog walks by, he barks deeply, and has started scraping his feet on the ground, similar to a bull getting ready to charge.  I haven’t seen one dog take him seriously.  Bless his heart.

Maybe it would help if I took off his red with pink hearts bandanna.  

Starting over involves a lot of things.  Changing address, drivers license, car tags, just to name a few.  When I decided to move, I chose to get a few new things to make starting over a little fun.  One if the new things I bought was a new set of everyday dishes.  They are quirky and fun…..and just service for four.  Last night, I had my first dinner party in my new home.  Turned out to be eight people.  I brought my china, fully intending on using it when I entertain, but I left my home in Roswell staged to get ready to be put on the market, so six place settings were in my dining room back in Georgia.  So I mixed my everyday dishes with china, no biggy.  I had to use three different styles of placemats, too.  And different glasses.  Now for seating.  My dining table seats two.  Two bar stools at the bar.  Three seats on the sofa.  Ok, there’s one chair in the living room, too, so there’s eight.  Even though it looked very hodge podge, everyone was quite understanding and it turned out fine.  Plus, I cooked my world-class lasagna =) and my friend, Vicki, made her world-class chocolate cake so everyone was happy!

Today, I went to church with my friends, Jeff and Vicki, again and went to the class that Jeff was teaching again.  I seriously thought about standing up at the end and ask, “does anyone have a pacemaker in this room?” (There’s bound to be at least one in that crowd!).  After I found the individual/individuals, I would ask “just how loud does it beep when it runs out of battery???”  Maybe next week!

As a side note, during the worship service, I looked over and saw a guy sitting across the aisle who looked very familiar.  Then I remembered….he was the first guy I ever wrote to on Christian Mingle, a dating website.  Small world……

As I said before in an earlier post, my dogs had access to a large backyard via a doggy door at our previous home.  Knowing I would be needing to pick up after them when they did number two. I bought some supplies.  I bought some brightly colored, scented bags for the deed, as well as a little holder you attach to the handle of the leash.  As soon as we get up in the morning, I put on my fluffy, white robe and slippers and head out the door.  A few mornings ago, we headed out on a windy morning.  As soon as we got out, Casey did his business and I picked it up.  As I bent over, my bright orange roll of baggies fell out of the little holder.  I chased the long, unrolling coil down, tied off Casey’s bag, and wouldn’t you know Krystal had begun her bathroom break.  But Krystal walks as she poops, so I had to keep an eye on her to see where my assistance would be needed.  So, I put the partial roll of bags under my arm so I could roll up the rest of them, all the while watching Krystal do the walk.  I finally looked down and I had the partial roll in my hand, and had mistakenly put Casey’s bag under my arm.  I looked like I was flying an orange, flat kite in the wind and had a messy robe.  Of course I dropped everything, was totally grossed out, and still had to remember Krystal’s poop path.  

Yesterday, I saw a wonderful home I could buy.  And It had the perfect place for a doggy door.

Well, the dogs are adjusting. Yesterday, I left them, and for the first time, I didn’t hear a peep out of them when I closed the door. All seemed to be going well in my life, and I was just thinking last night, how happy I am! YAY!!!

But, of course, a kink was thrown into my happiness this morning. I got a call from my pacemaker people. I have a monitor by my bed, and each night, my pacemaker can send out information. I was informed that Beldar (my name for my device, due to feeling like I have an alien in my chest) is about to give up the ghost and will soon need to be replaced. yay…. And the last time, it cost $96,000. And I have a $10,000 yearly insurance deductible. And $5000 out-of-pocket after deductible is paid. Sure am glad the cabin sold. And, get this, I was told it will start beeping at me soon. This morning, I went to a ladies’ Bible class. At the start of the class, a woman was saying a quite lengthy prayer, and I heard BEEP. It sounded like it came from across the room, but I thought it might be my chest being a ventriloquist. Don’t think it was, but I did ask the lady from the pacemaker place just how loud this beep would be, and if it would be disturbing during church. She said she wasn’t quite sure how loud it was. Great….now we play wait and see!

One of the first things I wanted to do when I moved to Murfreesboro, was find a new church home.  The Nashville area is Church of Christ Mecca, so there are plenty to choose from.  Today, I attended the one that Ginny’s brother, Jeff, and his family attend.  It was nice knowing someone there.  I went to the class that Jeff was teaching, and I fit right in!  The people in the class reminded me of my peers in the cardiologist waiting room.  Yes, it was a seniors class.  I am just about the only one waiting to see the cardiologist without a caregiver or oxygen.  Believe me, I am a spring chicken there!  At one point, about two months after I had the pacemaker installed, one of my fellow waiters (or waitees??) kindly informed me that it is against the law to be buried with a pacemaker.  I told her I would keep that in mind.  Anyway, I enjoyed church today.

I finally ran into someone in my breezeway near my apartment.  I took a deep breath and said “Hi!  You must be one of my neighbors!  I’m Belinda and this is Krystal and Casey and we are new here and they are used to living in a house so they aren’t used to having to be quiet but I’m trying to train them and I’m awfully sorry if they have disturbed you!”  He says ” I’m John and I live in the next building.  I’m sure they will be fine.”  What the heck was he doing in my breezeway?!  Now I have to dread meeting my neighbors all over again!

When I finally made the decision to move to Murfreesboro, and decided renting for a while would be the way to go, one of my main concerns was my two dogs, Krystal and Casey. They have lived with me since they were twelve weeks old and had doggy door access to a very large back yard any time they felt like it. I took them with me occasionally to the cabin and they were fine as long as I was there.  But leaving them alone there was a whole other story!  It was mostly Krystal, with her separation anxiety issues, but she could get Casey going as well.

Well, the day finally arrived.  It was time to start leaving Krystal and Casey alone in our new home.  I planned it well.  After breakfast, we would go for a little walk.  Then, I would say all the things I’ve said to them over the years when I was about to leave.  I would put Casey in his crate with a treat.  “Y’all be good!  I’ll be right back!”  Casey would smile and wag, munch merrily on his treat and wait for my return.  Krystal would look at me sadly, say “I’ll miss you!”–she’s very smart, remember?!– and hunker down, also awaiting my return.  I would start by leaving for a couple of minutes, come back inside, say “I’m baaaack!!!” Krystal would say “well that wasn’t so bad!”, Casey would smile and wag, and we would do it all over again, each time making my leave a little longer.  

It hasn’t quite worked out that way.  I did as planned with the walk, then the talk.  As soon as I said “I’ve got to go….”, Krystal started a soft “no, no, no,…..”  Oh boy, here we go!  I put Casey away with his treat, he munched merrily as anticipated, and Krystal stared at me.  When I stepped out the door, I was surprised at what I heard.  Casey started barking.  And barking. And….then he was joined by a loud screechy howling.  I waited MAYBE a minute, came back in, announced “I’m baaaaack!” and after I got a lecture from Krystal NOT to do that again, all was well.  I did this several times, with the same result.  Finally I went to the grocery store, stayed for about 40 minutes, and came back.  As I got out of my car, I could hear another dog hollering…it wasn’t either of my pups’ voices.  Phew!  At least other dogs make noise here, too!  But as I got closer to my apartment, it got louder and louder.  Casey had gone hoarse from yelling!  The screeching had started, too, before I opened the door, and about a minute after walking in the door, my phone rang.  I KNEW it was the office with complaints!  But alas, it was my friend Ginny, telling me what our plans were for tonight.  Dinner and a movie.  The pups will just LOVE that!  I haven’t met my neighbors beside me and above me.  Not really trying to, either.

By the way, after six walks yesterday, Krystal slept HARD last night.  At one point, I watched for her chest to move as I thought she might have passed away.  Now if she could just stop with the lectures….

I have two beautiful, loving Bichon Frises (a breed of dog, in case you didn’t know) who are spoiled rotten. I freely admit, they have me very well-trained. Krystal is 13 1/2 years old and Casey is 8 1/2 years old. While Krystal is very smart, she is also neurotic and has panic attacks. Casey is my not-so-smart cuddler who still acts like a puppy. They have lived in a house all of their lives, and, since I am not a very good master, I have let them do whatever they want, whenever they want almost all of the time. Including barking. NOT very conducive to apartment living.

I got them from the kennel on February 5, and took them to their new home the next day. We left at around 7:30 PM, just around the time they usually turn in for the night. The car ride was pretty uneventful, thank the Good Lord. When we arrived at the apartment, I found a parking space and began gathering stuff. Casey was already yapping excitedly, as he loves going ANYwhere….even to the vet! What dog likes going to the vet?! But I digress. I got their leashes on, gathered up as much stuff as I could carry, and got out of the car. The leashes got tangled, but the pups were very good, not barking at all while we were trudging up towards my door. Actually, they were a little TOO quiet. I looked down, and there was Krystal and another leash with an empty collar hanging from it. And there was Casey, excitedly exploring the other side of the parking lot. I dropped everything and started chasing him, hollering for him, then yelling ‘TREAT’, knowing that would get him to follow, which he did. I knew my neighbors weren’t too worried about my dogs, just the crazy, loud lady in the parking lot!

The first night was rough. In my mind, I envisioned taking them out for a final pee, then turning in, with Casey in his crate and Krystal sighing contentedly and curling up next to me on the bed for the night. In reality, this is what happened.
Me: Ok, pups, it’s 11:30, time to go to bed.
Casey: smile, wag, wag, wag….
Krystal: In here?! Well…ok…if you insist. (I told you Krystal was smart…thus the conversation)

12:45 AM
Krystal: Ok, time to go home. Come on….
Me: Krystal, go night night.
Casey: zzzzzzzzz
Krystal: NOOOOOOO, this isn’t OUR bed! Get me out of here!
Me: Krystal, GO NIGHT NIGHT!!!
Casey: zzzzzzz

1:30 AM all is quiet finally…

2:15 AM
Krystal: OK, I’ve had enough. NOW can we go?????
Me: No, Krystal, we have to stay here!
Krystal: NOOOOOOO!!!!!!
Casey: zzzzzzzzzz

And so it went the entire first night in our new home.

Today is Thursday, and the plan is to stay home all day with them so they will get used to the new place. Lots of walks, lots of exploring. Tomorrow begins the training process of me leaving them. I have it envisioned in my head just how it will go….

In the meantime, I’m giving Krystal doggie Xanax.

Moving day — February 2, 2013.  Groundhog Day, Gary Snyder’s 61st birthday, Jonathan Plsek’s 16th ‘new’ birthday, and my moving day.  After 22 1/2 years in the same house, the moving process wasn’t exactly easy, especially moving from a 3650 square foot house in Roswell, Georgia to an 1177 square foot apartment in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.  I began at least a month beforehand, weeding through stuff that brought back so many sweet memories of raising my boys in that house.  I found cards they had made me over the years, notes telling me they loved me, pictures they had drawn.  It was a long process….especially when I would stop, look, read, remember.  But I finally had to box up, throw out, store, and pack for my new place.  Other than a few neighborhood kids scaring me to death playing around the pool, everything went relatively smoothly.  I wonder if the groundhog saw his shadow?