Week of January 22nd - More Packing up Larry's Home

Monday, Jan. 22nd: {Note: I did not edit this/write until May 2024 - so may be missing some details...}

Monday morning breakfast as usual coffee and I worked for about an hour then Terri and I went to Larry‘s house to meet our 904 junk removal guys of Zach and Jason. They arrived about 8:35 and got right to work. They removed the couches, the bed mattresses, the window air conditioners, the pool table, ping-pong tabletop, chairs, everything out on the porch, two toilets from the trailer, filing cabinets, lots of stuff they removed and filled their trailer so that worked out really well. Jason, the helper loves books and genealogy so I gave him all the microfiche reels rolls that Charlotte had and he took lots of books as he says he has a book collection so we were able to get rid of some other things too that we did not want.

Terri and I just had cheese and crackers some yogurt for lunch. We continued picking up different areas. Terri finished cleaning out all the clothes in the master bedroom and has many large bags full of clothes ready to be taken to Goodwill.

I completed the paperwork needed by the lawyer tomorrow, Tuesday. We are going to go to Green Cove Springs and drop off the information for the probate and which I had to list all of Larry‘s assets at the time of his death. We are going to take Terri to Sweet Sensations for lunch tomorrow. Terri and I worked until about 2 PM at the house and wipe down some of the remaining tables freshened up the area of the room where the pool table was so we can sort things get it more organized there. We are going to use the living room as kind of a staging area so a plan is to remove everything out of each bedroom bring it out to living room sorted into baskets for Goodwill or trash or whatever needs to be done moving forward. we came home visited with Alyzabeth. We got some mail, thank you notes from mom and Auntie Jean, new Down East magazine. I worked for another hour and a half then made my homemade corny corn muffins along with Ford chili he made in the crockpot and we had dinner. 

Tuesday: Tuesday morning usual breakfast I worked after Alyzabeth went to school and then took Ford to his physical therapy appointment at the new location on Kingsley Avenue. He said the Physical Therapy wore him out plus in combination with his new muscle relaxant pill that makes him sleepy. He was sleepy most of the day. We got underway to Green Cove Springs while Ford stay at home. Terri and I took all of Larry’s in Charlotte’s prescription drugs to the Green Cove Springs police office, found out there is a dropbox there in the lobby to the left. We then went to Darren’s auto body restoration shop and got a quote to fix the dent on Larry’s green Subaru Forrester so that was done and will be able to have it fixed probably in 3 to 4 weeks. I called in a lunch order from Sweet Sensations and plus a pound of their outlaw chicken salad to have at the house and to take as an appetizer to the River House this afternoon. After lunch, I laid down for a little, watching some TV and rested. Don’t know why I’m so tired. Then Terri and I then went to Larry’s house and took out 22 bags of trash. Ford came with us and looked around at our progress. After being back home and visiting with Alyzabeth she of course started in on homework and the three of us went to the River House, visited with Hugh Maureen and Kathy. The day was a lot warmer reached in the high 60s so very nice even though it was sprinkling rain in the morning, and I was not able to walk during Ford’s physical therapy appointment.  The River House was the noisy place. It usually is and we could barely hear each other but we talked about new movies and Erin‘s visit and how to cook salmon. I gave Hugh and Kathy each a few chicken salad sandwiches that I made in croissants for them to take home. Once we got home, we warmed up the leftover chili and cornbread. Of course we were kind of full, didn’t eat much. We’re watching Finding Your Roots, a new episode, has Sammy Hagar in it. Terri talked to mom as she does every evening and I told her all about all the trash and everything we put out at Larry‘s house.

Wednesday: Alyzabeth got off to school on time as usual and I worked for about two hours. Terri and I headed over to Larry’s to continue cleaning and plan to put in a full day. I was kind of off had a slight headache just dragging quite a bit. Terri did a lot of work managing to clean out most of the master bedroom, also the hall closet and packing up many things for Goodwill. I got a text from Larry Pinkstaff yesterday and called him back today. He wanted to let me know about a job at JEA working through Keville engineers to manage a transmission project.  I told him that I was not planning to work in the field ever again, thanked him very much for thinking of me.

Finally, today was very nice weather in the 70s and we were able to open several windows in Larry‘s home to keep a nice breeze through the house. Terri also boxed up many books. We plan to contact the 904 Removal guys who was so in love with books he said he would take more. 

Our ponderosa lemon tree with blossoms.

For dinner Terri and I stopped at Publix. I picked up everything needed for Panzanella and it was delicious. I just have to remember that to roast garlic. Whole cloves of garlic needs 30 to 40 minutes before I start the dinner. Alyzabeth ate the mostly rock-hard garlic and I feel bad that I didn’t remember to roast it a lot longer.

Thursday: Another busy morning with Alyzabeth and me working for a short time. I took Ford to his physical therapy appointment and dropped Terri off at Larry‘s house. Terri worked most of the day taking care of books and packing up odd stuff after Ford physical therapy. I took him home and went to Bank of America to open Larry‘s estate account so I can be administrator and disperse funds as needed. After finishing up at the bank which I still need to go back once the account is open, I went to Larry’s and worked with Terri for quite a bit and we had a little light lunch of outlaw chicken salad at Larry’s house. Chris Brown stopped by mow the yard. I paid him $80 and we chatted for a bit, gave him some photos, a few souvenirs and he actually took some light green depression glass in the sandwich pattern a bowl some cups and four saucers, so I was happy that he found something he liked. We also found pictures of the Sheldon Road home when it was first built and how nice it looked before it was stained.  We got home after shopping at Publix and gassing up the green Subaru, Ford grilled hamburgers on the grill for us and they were very tasty. Ford laid down as his stomach was a little upset and slept for 2 1/2 hours which he obviously needed to catch up on his sleep.  He is still taking the new muscle relaxant at night, which is supposed to help him sleep. He took one full pill tonight as half a pill didn’t seem to be working. Took Ginger out for a walk and then it’s to bed. Alyzabeth was doing homework and we’re happy that tomorrow is Friday. 

Friday, 26th: 

Our new parking advantage for Ford!

We drove to St. Augustine to listen to Jesse/the band One Good Ring at Colonial Oak Music Park.

Saturday & Sunday - Refer to Marrianna Trip Post.

Trip to Marrianna

Saturday morning Ford and I got up and finished packing and got on the road to Marianna at 7:40 a.m. Terri and AA stayed home, they had a quiet weekend without us. I heard from Terri and she worked on cleaning our garage some more, they had tropical smoothies, and Alyzabeth moved the golf cart out for Terri in the garage to see if she can make more room and better utilize our garage space. Considering all the tubs and boxes we have that I have not gone through, I’m surprised she could make so much progress.

We made two stops driving to Marianna one as a bathroom break and one to get gas in the truck. With the hour we gained, we arrived at 10:30, met by Bill and Joan in the lobby at the Fairfield Inn hotel. We immediately went to a little sandwich/salad pizza place for an early lunch as we are going to have an early dinner before we head to the basketball game at 7 PM tonight. 

Once we got back from lunch, Stephanie and Butch arrived, Ford and I went to our room checked in, got settled for a few minutes. Then happy hour commenced. We were in the lobby telling stories about Bill and Ford and Stephanie‘s childhood. Joan asked how Stephanie met Butch and she told the story, then of course how Ford and I met and I told the story 1985 dating and wedding.  Stephanie and Butch, met while Stephanie was living in Pensacola and decided to drive around and found out about Monroeville, which is where Harper Lee was born and stopped into the town bookstore to see about buying one of the books. When the bookstore mentioned that they’re actually doing the play soon, but all the tickets are sold out she said suggested that Stephanie come back over Mother’s Day weekend to usher and that way she would get the show they needed more ushers for Mother’s Day.  Stephanie did that and after the play Butch came out and saw her and said something like I know everybody in this town, but I don’t know you. He invited her to the party that evening and had a great time and the story continues of them getting to know each other dating, and marriage.  Lots of funny stories about which family but eventually Butch built Stephanie a nice home and they are still together. We were enjoying our beer, red wine and champagne when some people from Michigan came as the power went out. Huge storm went by with thunder and lightning and the power went out in the whole town. Most of the hotel people were in the downstairs breakfast lobby area waiting for the power to return. These Michigan people were in town because a few weeks ago a small tornado went through and they were checking their local property. He brought a huge bottle of vodka, coffee and milk and shared; gave everybody a white Russian if they wanted it. I heard Joan say something about drinking three of them and they were very strong. Bill, Butch, Ford and I did not have their drink. Since the power went out, we had to go to the other end of town that had power and there were several restaurants open like Zaxby McDonald’s, Kentucky, fried chicken, Mexican restaurant, and a Japanese restaurant. We went to the Chinese/Japanese restaurant and enjoyed everything - I had hibachi shrimp, steamed rice, Joan had pepper steak Bill had lo mein, etc. Joan was a bit tipsy after drinking so much but held her own and we all enjoyed dinner. We had a little time back at the hotel before heading to the basketball game so went to our room and that’s when Ford felt very nauseous and got a very severe headache so he laid down. We ended up missing the entire basketball game while Ford was recovering. 

Lane's basketball team won!

Sunday we left Marianna after having breakfast with Bill and Joan. They have over a 10 Hour Dr., so started out early 8 AM central time we got on the road a little after nine Eastern standard time, and we made good time with a one pitstop.

We arrived home after shopping for "build your own" nacho ingredients to have watching the NFL games tonight; about 1:00 p.m. I fed Ford his leftover breakfast hamburger (from Saturday's lunch) and unpacked. Terri had organized the garage, impressive! AA and I gave Ginger at walk, and suddenly, all is about back to normal.

Once home we caught up on the news about Terri and Alyzabeth brunch with Carolyn and Alex and we told them a few stories about our visit with Bill and Joan. Also, we told that Ford did have the nausea migraine episode Saturday night so we missed the basketball game but we were happy to hear that Chipola did win.  After sleeping the entire night Sunday morning and breakfast we got on the road and it was nice to have that visit even though we missed the basketball game. So we did not see Lane. 

Once Alyzabeth and I walked Ginger, AA continued doing homework. Terri, Ford and I went to Cultured Collective to watch the first football game, which was Kansas City Chiefs against Baltimore Ravens but there was no "regular" beer. They do not carry red or brown ale anymore and the Lola was pretty bad, so we went home. It was not the same happy little bar, free water gone, big screen with beer selection gone, boring bartender and they changed L.O.L.A. to a different hop - terrible and no red or brown ale. 

Back home, watched the games, made our nachos for dinner which were delicious. Ford said they were the best ever I think because we had the Velveeta cheese with Rotel as a cheesy topping. The Kansas City Chiefs won, which was who we wanted to win not just because Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift dating but it is a Missouri team. 

Happy with the Chiefs heading to the Super Boal again. We ate our nachos for dinner, right before the Detroit Lions/SF 49ers game. We were sad to have the Lions lose.

Moving Forward - Cleaning out Larry's Home

Monday (15th): Martin Luther King Holiday. Ford did not go to his Parkinson exercises. AA, Terri and I walked the Ravines' Azalea Trail (see separate post). I made Orange Chicken with rice for dinner.

Tuesday (16th): With Donna cleaning, we went to Larry's home, we needed the past few days off as I am afraid we may get sick, the dust, cat fur and smoke bothers my nostrils and throat. We wore a dust mask for most of our time, Ford tried to get the TV working. We are still just opening boxes and closets in order to get all out in the open in case the kids want any of it. The garage door broke, called a repair place that we used at our home, got an appointment for tomorrow.

River House: Terri made ham dip, which was a hit! Very good stuff, they had had a type of ham salad but not like this. We came home and had a greens/watermelon/feta salad with leftovers.

The new series of Finding Your Roots is on, of course, I fell asleep through most of it. With a freeze expected, we covered plants, the two citrus trees (picked the one ponderosa lemon) and Ford's cherry tomato plant.
Wednesday: Continue with morning routine, AA's breakfast, Ginger goes out most times with Terri, then coffee and off to work. Ford went to his Dr. Al-Saghir appointment, all good there. Terri and I went to Larry's and met the garage door repair guy. He fixed the door very quickly, so we are happy! Dinner was another greens and watermelon/feta salad and leftover red beans and rice (Terri and AA had the leftover orange chicken). We finished the puzzle that Mom gave AA - Appalachian trail.

Thursday (18th): After dropping off the Honda at Suburban, we went to Larry's to continue unpacking/sorting. We made good progress, should beat our record of 14 trash bags with week with more! We had Burger King for lunch, then MoJo's for dinner. Weather was rainy and cool, mid-50's.

Friday: Took Ford to his back pain doctor (Dr. Gill). We are not sleeping well, so took it easy today. AA got her new sunglasses (non-prescription to wear with her contacts):

Went to the Colors of Wild Zoo Lights. Separate post.

Saturday (20th): Terri and I went early to Larry’s home. Leaa and Jesse arrived with two vehicles. Jesse loaded up four or five large boxes of albums and 45 records. Leaa was a big help by boxing up the dark green glass and the light green block optic that she was taking home.

The dust was almost unbearable today while Terri and I went through boxes, closets, glassware, and books. Jesse also went through the garage and took many things. I am so thankful they found many items to take home. They filled the truck and the back of Leaa‘s car.

They plan to come back tomorrow on Sunday and go through clothes and other things with Liv and Tristan. Nicole, Jordan Avery and Mila are coming also to look through the belongings in the house.

At 1:30 Leaa and Jesse left to get Publix subs and get Dylan, her friend and the friends mom to take to our home to change and put on make up before their final dance. They loved Ginger once Alyzabeth left, let her out of the bedroom. They stayed at the house until almost 4 PM and then brought a Publix sub to Larry‘s house for Terri and I to eat. We raced over to watch Dylan dance a solo to a Dolly Parton song, she looked lovely and dance her best. During the show, waiting for Dylan, I rubbed Ford’s shoulder, reaching over AA. I briefly rubbed AA’s arm, sitting next to her. I teared up when I saw her reach for her Dad’s hand.

Once we got home, we baked Ford’s spaghetti pie for dinner. We were all tired and dragging, so Terri spoke to mom as usual in the evening and we all finally headed to bed around 9 o’clock. 

Mila had a horse showing at GCS Fair grounds:

Tomorrow will be another day at Larry‘s house with the family members arriving to look through anything they would like to have.

Sunday: Back at Larry's home, Leaa arrived and then Nicole, Jordan, Mila, Avery and a friend. Another very cold frigid morning. We continued to pack and clean the house. I worked on opening the unopened cards that Charlotte received from her grandmother and found more five dollar bills and money orders in them for a total of $321 total in letters and cards that were unopened from 1988 to 1993. 

Leaa arrived at about 9 o’clock and we chatted. Nicole, Jordan, Mila and Avery and Friend arrived at 10:15 and they asked what they could do to help. They offered to take all the laundry baskets full of things for Goodwill and pack them in Jordan‘s truck bed. It was such a great help to have them haul all that stuff out of the house. The girls, three girls went about the home discovering different things, Mila's friend took a bandanna, Mila took a letter opener and they had fun just playing outside and looking at all the different belongings and treasurers. Jordan also took the living room air conditioner out of the window and packed it up in the box for us, was glad to be able to get that window closed and locked. Jordan also worked on the lock on the trailer that has Charlotte‘s mother’s belongings in it and was able to get the door open for us to see the contents.  Contents were buried with two toilets, roof shingles many boxes, a couple pieces of furniture, some windows and other things. We did not crawl through the entire trailer. It is leaking and has a bucket in the center to catch water when it rains. Ford and Alyzabeth came over for a short visit to see family and then left (Ford's back/hip always bothers him) and went home. 

Larry's albums and his wood album stand at Leaa/Jesse's home:

Once Leaa left to go get Dylan for lunch and the Wilhelmy's left, Terri and I cleaned off the pool table, the beds and the couch is getting ready for the Junk 904 guy, coming Monday morning. 

Terri and I went home and we had a late lunch, bought sandwiches from Publix that morning but had not had time to eat them. Got a quick Wendy’s burger for Alyzabeth and Ford ate leftover wings. We watched the NFL football game and saw Tampa Bay lose. The second game today is Kansas City Chiefs against Buffalo Bills. I am going to watch Miss Scarlet and the Duke and All Creatures Great and Small new episodes on Sunday night. We had leftover spaghetti pie for dinner and are relaxing.

January 19th - Zoo Lights

Terri, AA and I went to the Zoo Lights at Night. Beautiful creatures all lit up. (posted this in May 20204 so did not write any details down).

Zodiac Animals: