So, there's a lot of catching up to do. November 14, 2014. Friday afternoon about three o'clock. I stuffed my Miata full of what I could take to make life bearable-- hoping I'd have what I needed to make a start at life in Florida. I left my job of 31 years with a very nice sendoff, tears and a tummy full of nervous knots.
And 30" of snow. I was a wreck. I'd never make it out!! Nervous breakdown number 1.
My cake and such good people threw me a party. Nervous breakdown number 2. I was really leaving! The house had still not closed and I was leaving Dennis with the mess of it. Heading into the unknown and iffy weather. He would drive me to Rapid River where we would split up -- He, to deer camp, me to Florida.
The roads --- eeh gads.
He drove the Miata out of Marquette as I would have had a heart attack. Once we cleared the county line, we were good. Thank God. Now, to nervous breakdown number 3. Leaving my child and husband. Hurried goodbyes in a gas station parking lot. There's never enough time. I had to hustle south quickly to get out of the dangerous parts. I stopped for the night just this side of Indianapolis. At a fleabag. I could have used some comfort but I was tired and you never know what you're going to get until you get there. I tossed and turned but got an early start. Further south. I got to Nashville around 5 p.m., planning to stop for a bite to eat and decompression. Guy at the rest area asked me where I was going. He showed me the weather map. A massive ice storm was heading right for Nashville. I forgot about eating. I drove. I made it to Birmingham, Alabama around midnight. I got lucky this time. The clerk asked me if had any pets and I said, "I haven't shaved my legs in awhile but they're mostly friendly." He laughed so hard he could barely check me in and gave me a great rate. It pays to be punchy. This room was a dream. King sized bed, sheets like butter. Heaven. I didn't want to leave.
Further south in the morning. Normally, we take 231 out of Montgomery but I decided to try something new and it sort of took me down along the coast of Florida. 331, towns like Opp and Florala. I was in no mans land -- Alabama. Perhaps this wasn't such a great idea! I drove. I got to the coast about 3 p.m. I use the term loosely. The rich have decimated the coast so that you can't even see water. There are cookie cutter condos and ice cream stands as far as the eye can see. Why you would want to live that way, I have no idea. Have at it. Unfortunately, they've ruined it for the rest of us. But, this route gave me an opportunity. Highest point in Florida. Dennis has this goal of seeing the highest points of every state. I thought what the heck. I drove right through it, might as well stop and add it to my list of two such points.
Yea!! High point indeed. I traveled on never seeing the "coast" once until I got to Mexico Beach-- about 10 miles from Port St Joe. Familiar territory but night was coming. I had to hurry. I knew the house would be barren but I had to set up my airbed and such. Got to the house and set up quickly, depressed at it's barrenness. Sleep did not come easily. In the morning, it all sort of hit me. What the hell had I just done?? I had nothing but electricity. I had just left a comfortable life and wonderful job of 31 years. I felt myself doubting everything I had just set in motion. Could I change my mind? Panic. I had to clean up a bit but it seemed overwhelming to me. I picked up some stuff, cleaning and paint stuff. Maybe it would cheer the place up. I found that if I thought about it too much, I would panic all over again. Overwhelm myself. So, I made a deal with myself. One project a day. Complete it and go out to enjoy the nature that you love about PSJ.
I had to report to work too, which gave me something to look forward to but the library and the people were unknown commodities. I did the drug test and the following Monday I headed into Panama City to fill out my paperwork and see to my "orientation". The main branch library is right across the complex of the County building so once my paperwork was done, I headed over to the library, thinking I'd have an hour or so orientation. My orientation was a full eight hour work day at the main front desk of this large and very busy library. Thrown into the deep end. Eight hours. Wow. Though that's how I learn best, my body wasn't prepared for the dog and pony show. Surprisingly, I did allright. I didn't prove to be such an idiot. But I was tired and hungry.
My respite for food in PSJ is the local Piggly Wiggly grocery store. I love the Pig. I lived at the Pig for the first few weeks. I ate their fried chicken mostly every night. It was fast and hot and cheap. I think the ladies at the deli thought I was over doing it on the chicken. Desperate times. Don't judge me.
First order of business was establishing a mail box at the new house. That meant one of two things-- a post office box and a monthly fee or put in a mailbox myself. Always up for a challenge, I chose to put one in myself. I bought a kit. Said it would be easy. It wasn't. It didn't work as the Postal Service requires the box height to be 42" from the ground to the box. The kit didn't even come close. I had to go a different route. I had to get a 4x4 post and sink it. I had to buy a couple of things. A shovel and a 4x4. I batted my eyes at the guy at the lumber yard and he cut it for me. It wasn't because of my charms, I think I frightened him. But-- ta da! A mailbox was born! I was proud of myself.
Logistics being what they were, I had to report to work and think about all the things that needed setting up. I so appreciate when things work for you rather than against you. My job is heaven. The library is small but busy and I just love it. I also got very lucky with my coworkers. They are all the sweetest funniest folks. I feel at home and they are so supportive. My new boss, Nancy is fabulous. I hit a home run in the work department. Thank you, Jesus. The holidays were fast approaching so I was facing my first hurdle of "being alone" for them. But, fear not, I did just fine. Thanksgiving morning I went over to the church that is practically in our backyard. They provide meals for folks less fortunate. Assembly line style, I helped scoop up cornbread stuffing for about 800 meals. It was awesome and great fun! I even got a turkey breakfast out of it!
I had a habit of snagging free wifi at the Visitors Center. They had a lovely deck and view of the Bay while I tried to conduct business-- usually Facetiming with Dennis and Lane or trying to set up health insurance one Sunday morning. I hated it. But, I got good at it. Meanwhile at the house, I set up my kitchen with a sunshower for washing my hair and doing dishes, a hot plate, an electric skillet and pilfered water from the county park in a 7 gallon jug. I picked the bedroom upstairs for my sanctuary. I tried to make it homey. Painted, added curtains, my heater, my camp toilet. Every night after work, I would get my gluck from the Pig and go to my sanctuary. It was warm and cozy and I learned to love it.
I had transported an old Mac in an overly stuffed Miata and I'm so glad I did. I checked out movies from the library and watched them to pass the time at night. A Godsend. But, I had to get started working on things-- conveniences as it were. I needed a refrigerator. I hated not being able to buy things ahead and having no where to store them. So, Black Friday I ventured into the big city and marched right over to Sears. I bought a frig. They would deliver it the next Wednesday. I was giddy with anticipation. Next, I need phone and internet. I hated this cell phone business. Here in PSJ, you could stand in any given spot and not have service. It was maddening. That, and I was eating up minutes like Pac-man. So, I called for phone and internet. And DISH. They move you for free. So I called them too. I also bought a TV Black Friday. Moving right along. I couldn't wait for all this to occur. In the meantime, I enjoyed going to work and making new friends.
He was just a baby and he wanted me to feed him, I wished I could have taken him home. I shall call him Neville.
Dish on Monday, phone and internet on Tuesday, refrigerator on Wednesday -- oh, wait, nope. I had to go to a workshop and called and spent over 45 minutes with Sears arranging for a later delivery time. No problem, they said. I got home as quick as I could to find a note "We were here, where were you?" Seriously!! I called and was very agitated. I would have to wait until the following Wednesday for my delivery. But, it came, as did Dish and phone and internet. I even bought myself a recliner to recline in! Now, I had a nice nest downstairs too!
Heaven. I also had to address the toilet and water situation. No putting it off. The week of Christmas I set things in motion. The city had to put in a new meter, I called a plumber since I thought I would rather have right than wrong. So, by Christmas eve, I had water and a toilet. And a huge plumbing bill, but what the heck. What hey say they'll charge and what they charge are two different things.
For fun in my off hours I would cruise the streets of PSJ looking for things of use to snag. They throw everything to the curb. Everything. I have found several useful things in the trash. For instance, this fabulous artificial tree. I thought something must be wrong with it but stuffed it in the Miata (ha ha-- picture it please! I should have taken a picture!)
I set it up and put some lights on it and called it good. I loved it! It cheered up the place considerably. I even made ornaments out of scallop shells that I found.
Now, I faced Christmas. I confess, I felt a little lost. Usually, I'm usually the one up til 2 a.m. Christmas Eve doing the wrapping while everyone else sleeps and dreams of Santa. I had nothing to do and I was feeling sorry for myself. I spent the day at the church, helping to cut up cakes for the meals assembly Christmas morning. It was rainy so I couldn't walk the beach, but I decided to do the traditional thing and seek out the lights. Mexico Beach had this incredible display so I headed over there to enjoy them. They cheered me considerably.
I talked to Dennis and Lane at Mom's and wished I could have my people with me. But Julie and Jill came through with gifts for me to open so It was cheery in the a.m. I got up early and headed for the church to scoop cornbread stuffing again and I had a fabulous time! I was home by 9. I took a nap. Then, got up and opened my gifts! It was in the 70's so I went for a walk on the beach. I survived the day. I went to the neighbors across the street-- the Keagles, a sweet couple from Colorado who winter here. Their hospitality knows no bounds. Showers and Christmas dinner. It was awesome. Next chapter is preparing for Dennis and Lane to arrive!
