Saying goodbye

We said good-bye to the house Thursday night and headed for a hotel.

(We could have stayed with the neighbors, but we didn't know how late we'd arrive.)

In the morning we met all the red-tape folks and the owners-to-be.

Cute, bubbly young social worker for foster care

with a ball capped surveyor husband

who had a hint of good-hearted mischief in his eyes.

She was the number cruncher and the worrier.

He was the lovable guy who was all competence

when surveying flood plains for the city of Cincinnati

but a bit scatter-brained in other matters.

(She didn't trust him with the keys.)

These were my first impressions.

We later met them at the house and showed them some details

their real estate agent hadn't known--all good stuff.

Friendly, happy, in love couple (late twenties) excited to have their first home.

They will fit right in with the Hartwood Drive Cul-de-sac Gang (HDCG).

Mike and I are deeply grateful for that. 

Huge sigh.

I went to one of my close friend's salon and got an honest-to-goodness

GREAT hair cut and color done on my hair.

We caught up with each other and then hugged our good-bye.

Last bit on the agenda was meeting the other three couples of the HDCG

 at Outback for food and fellowship.

Loads of laughter ending with some tears.

Then Mike and I headed HOME.

I've never seen the garage this way.

It was packed full of tools, car parts, equipment, etc.

This is where he went to unwind

and where the neighbor guys would hang out with him.

This is where many Cincinnati Reds baseball games were listened to by them,

thanks to a tiny radio propped up on some equipment.

A view of the living room from the dining room part.

The steps lead to the front door

and then more steps lead to the lower level

where the family room, laundry room/bathroom, and garage are.

Mike fussing, making sure everything is perfect.

My detail man.

This window looks out on the back yard.

Our lab mix pound dog left her mark on this carpet.

It's been cleaned, but when I walked in

to our old bedroom empty of furniture, especially the bed,

my eyes immediately caught sight of

her favorite spot under the bed.

(Tasha's been gone almost five years now.)

This room, the tiny third bedroom has been empty for months.

If walls could talk, I wonder what they would say

of these strange boxes cluttering up the floor!

Maybe this will actually be used as a family room--perhaps even

experience the laughter of children.

It was an exercise/computer/workroom for Mike.

I stayed clear of it and the mess.

I met these folks for the first time at Dee's and Bill's daughter's wedding.

They were curious about this woman from Mike's hometown

who he cared enough about to have them meet her.

Of immeasurable importance

are the people who come into your life

and change it for the better.

Here's the Psalm of the Week:

O GIVE thanks unto the Lord,

call upon His name,

make known His doings among the peoples!

Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;

meditate on and talk of all His marvelous deeds

and devoutly praise them.

Glory in His holy name;

let the hearts of those rejoice who seek and require the Lord.

Seek, inquire of and for the Lord,

and crave Him and His strength;

seek and require His face and His presence evermore.

[Earnestly] remember the marvelous deeds that He has done,

His miracles and wonders,

the judgements and sentences which He pronounced.

Psalm 105: 1 - 5

Blessings to you all as you enjoy this weekend.