Giving up

I just read a quote by Malcolm Muggridge “One of the pleasures of old age, is giving things up.”  In my younger years I would have had a difficult time believing that, but I have experienced it…it is true!  When the children left home we downsized from our large colonial home to a ranch, and upon moving to Charlotte downsized again.  In Sebring I have again downsized and it is a real pleasure.  Don’t worry, I still have more that I really need, but it is a delightful experience and I feel extremely blessed to be part of the SIM Village!

Last weekend was spent with Justin, Laura, Ella and one-week-old Sophia in Sumter, SC.  She is a real doll, and unlike new born Ella, she sleeps through the night and rarely cries.   We had a bit of a scare one evening when Justin and I took a bike ride in the neighborhood with Ella riding in the little trailer.  As Justin turned, apparently Ella leaned with the turn and caused the trailer to upset and dump her onto the street where she got a small cut on her forehead and a couple other small “bumps”.   The cut generated a lot of bleeding, making the upset appear more serious that it really was.  A neighbor drove them home and then came back for me and the bikes.  Fortunately there was no serious damage to Ella or the equipment!  From there I drove up to Charlotte and picked up a few things I had left, spending time with several people at the office.

I am still opening miscellaneous boxes…those with a vast number of unrelated items, most of which should likely be discarded.  So far I have not found my camera attachments to recharge the battery and connect with the computer so that I can transmit pictures.  One of these days I will surprise you with a photo or two when I find it.

Your emails and calls have been a tremendous encouragement.  Hopefully I will be able to be organized to promptly respond shortly.  The internet connection still has not been established at my house so I am having to transmit this from the Fellowship Hall or Lodge where we have Wi-Fi available.

Love to you all,

Chuck

Blessed

I have been greatly blessed as I settle in here at the SIM Village.  The workers did a excellent job of renovation and construction and the residents did a great job of cleaning and preparing for my arrival.  I have had workers each day making improvements and changes to meet my needs but I believe that everything is about complete now.  The major item that remains to be done is to get the internet set up at the house.  I purchased some new equipment yesterday so that I can interface efficiently with both our Sebring and Charlotte offices.  The final task is getting it all hooked up which appears likely to be accomplished next week.  Until then, I am relying on some rather slow wi-fi connections which can be a bit frustrating at times.

This evening my neighbors are having a block party to welcome me as a new resident. With all of the invitations for meals, I am having to watch my intake or I will not be able to fit into my clothes.   Tomorrow I plan to head for Sumter, SC to see my new great granddaughter...Ella's sister.  I had hoped to get up there sooner, but the tasks here seemed to take priority.  Now that things are pretty much in place, I should be able to get away for a few days.  I suspect that when I return it will be much like moving in again, attempting to find where I put things. Wow...this old guy finds this all to be a rather steep learning curve! When I can get a better internet connection, I will attach some pictures that you may enjoy.

Yesterday I took a picture of two sand cranes that were intently looking in my door off the lake.  I stepped outside and they were extremely tame.  They are large birds, about three feet tall with bright red caps on their heads.  I'll save their picture to send later.

Thanks so much for your prayers, calls and emails.  You are a great encouragement!

Love to all,

Chuck

Still unpacking

All is going well and I know many of you are looking for an update. Due to a potential storm coming in on Wednesday, we decided to make a quick change of plans and pack Tuesday evening. I wasn't able to organize my last minute items too well but it all worked out. I drove down here on Thursday and we unloaded the truck Friday. Since then I have been buried in boxes. Finally I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Things seem to be fitting in quite well and I am certainly thankful that I got rid of so many things before moving. Everyone has been most helpful so that is a tremendous blessing. I anticipate that tomorrow I will complete emptying boxes. I admit that there are some in my storage roomthat are not urgent and I can deal with later.

I have not had time to get hooked up to the Internet so I am dictating this on my cell phone. Please excuse any strange words or misspellings. Dictation is fast but not always that accurate.

Thanks for your prayers and your frequent emails. I was also thrilled to find several notes and cards in the mail when I arrived. It is a mighty good feeling to be getting close to the end of this unpacking project. It will be great to get started with my responsibilities at the office soon.

Love to you all,

Chuck