Just Some T.L.C.

T.L.C. - that is what I did all weekend. Before you become jealous, let me be clear. It was not Tender Loving Care. Nor was it a marathon of interesting shows on The Learning Channel either.

No, my T.L.C. stands for talking, looking and cleaning. So it's part-fun and part-major-pain-in-the-ass.

T is for talking through the internet waves. I jibber-jabbered nearly all day on Saturday. I located an online mom's group in Pensacola and began making a few connections. I just jumped right in on the conversations that several mothers were having about swine flu, local activities, etc. Of course I had two reasons for diving into the discussion. (1) I am looking for referrals and resources about the area I am moving to and (2) I'm exploring my options for friends, both for Vivian and me.

Some people prefer to just read, sit quietly, take in the surroundings, then slowly introduce themselves. I used to be that way. Every now and then, I sit and enjoy the peace. But I don't have that kind of time (or patience) at the moment. Now I just walk right up to folks, either online or in person. Just like I talk to my waitress in the restaurant, speak to the checkout girl at the grocery store and compliment the lady standing in line behind me.

The online world has been very good to me. That is, after all, how Kirk and I met. Many of my friends here in Alabama came from a local mom's group internet site. It is the new way to stalk, (er I mean), to meet people.



Through this new mom's group, I have already received an invitation from a fellow mom who's offered to be my tour guide upon arrival, suggestions on a blog to visit for kids' activities, found a potential realtor, received feedback on local area schools, received a list of things to do downtown and discovered that most people residing there love, love, love their hometown and seem friendly. So life there seems promising!

L is for looking at houses, my favorite part of the weekend! Kirk and I went through a long list of potential homes that may be ours in Pensacola or the surrounding areas. I feel so friggin' happy that, this time, I'm on the buyer's end of the market. Just a few months ago, I was a seller and it took ELEVEN MONTHS to sell our home in Ohio. So you see, I've paid my dues. In fact, I've helped pay toward two house notes (and the equivalent to four-year's college tuition) for almost a year. We lost money when we sold our home in April. But none of that matters now.



Because now I'm a buyer, not a seller. And the chips are stacked in my pile. I sifted through a lengthy listing of beautiful, affordable homes that are ripe for the pickin'. In fact, I think I may even become the Jerry Seinfeld of homebuyers, meaning I will be extremely picky about where I will dwell next. Here is my chance, right? Why settle for less than perfection for my family? No fenced in back yard? Next! No large, spactious kitchen? Next! Is that a chipped tile in the foyer? Next! (okay, well maybe that's taking it too far.... but you see what I mean).

Also, L is for longing to use the hotel amenities where we will be living for a month or longer. We were able to book our temporary residence this weekend as well. Let's just say I can't wait to rack up those Marriott Reward points on my silver elite membership card! A month's stay at over $100 per night. Woo-hoo, Mama Mandy wants a free vacation next spring or summer!

Our hotel is downtown so I look forward to exploring the corridors, restaurants and charming shops that exist within walking distance of our suite. Our "home" has a complimentary breakfast each morning and social cocktail hour every weekday evening. Sweet! I'll be eating, drinking and living it up (as best as I can with a two-year old, that is). Thankfully, a fitness center is open early and late in our hotel so I can burn off those waffles, hashbrowns and drinks that I fully intend to have. The pets may go a little crazy in small quarters but I intend to take long walks nearly every day to properly introduce myself to our new city.

C is for cleaning and straightening our current rent house before we leave it, in less than two weeks! This would be the annoying aspect of our weekend. Kirk and I spent a huge amount of time cleaning, even worse - we did "deep cleaning". He did more than me though, I must admit. (You see the trick is this: act like you can't do something very well - like mopping the kitchen floor; then your man will take over and do it for you. Works like a charm! ;-)



Seriously though, I went through closets, clothes, toy chests and more. I scrubbed scum out of the kitchen sink, scoured the counter tops and much more. I even dusted. I NEVER dust! Even though the Navy has scheduled people to do most of the packing for us on October 7 & 8 (and we move on Oct. 9), our family must get this home in tip-top shape now. After all, we're renting and since we've broken our lease agreement, potential renters could arrive on our doorstep at any moment to claim this home as their own soon.

C is also for creative cooking! I've been throwing together new dishes to use up the food in our well-stocked deep freezer. I have tried a few new cassroles and dishes that we would not normally eat. Out of mayonaise? No problem. Slap some three-cheese ranch salad dressing on that chicken sandwich instead. Out of taco seasoning? No worries, I have all the ingredients to make it from scratch. Oh and don't forget to consume all the wine, beer and mixers (like mudslide and margaritas) that you can stand between now and moving day. Hey, you do what you must to avoid being wasteful of your current supplies, am I right? ;-)

So that was my weekend. Just some T.L.C.

For the next several weeks, I will be posting less and visiting your blogs less. The T.L.C. must continue for awhile and sadly, it will consume my days and nights. I hope you understand.

Next time I speak about T.L.C., hopefully I will be referring to my new place in Florida. More specifically, I hope to be referring to my:

Two o'clock nap,
Lounge chair in my backyard swimming pool and
Cocktail in hand.