Houston we have a problem.
The day started off great. I woke up with the sun, had a nice shower, checked out of the hotel, took my very first Uber to the auction, waited a few minutes for them to open, and finally had a very nice lady help me with the paperwork for the truck. All I had to do was go out to the parking lot, find my truck, drive it to the check-out gate, then be on my way. I walked to my truck and checked it out. It was dirty, as the pictures had indicated, missing the rear view mirror, which I hadn’t noticed, and was overall well used. But it was still the truck I wanted. It cranked right up and I put it into drive. Then the issues started.
It hesitated then jerked into gear. I had a sinking feeling but continued to drive to the exit. As the opportunity to drive a little faster arose, I hit the accelerator and there was again a long hesitation before another jerk. By this time I was feeling pretty sick. I drove to the exit building, parked, and went in. I found a guy and told him about the issue. He came out and drove it, said he experienced the same problems, went back inside, and came out to tell me that I would be refunded. So that was a huge relief. I got another Uber back to the airport and booked another Southwest flight while sitting in the lobby. I was again able to check in and get through security quickly, and only had to wait an hour or so before boarding. This time I had the whole row to myself and our flight was even shorter due to a tail wind. I exited the plane and the terminal, and Liz arrived to pick me up about ten minutes later.
It was an easy drive home and Luke had just woken up from his nap when we arrived. I had lunch with him then packed up before hitting the road. I stopped at the trailer dealer in Winchester and a mini mart in Pelham before ascending the Mountain. My first stop was the supply store where I bought some bolts. I drove by the lots to see if the excavator had come. He had not. I went to Lake O’Donnell around sunset, then over to the Templeton Library. Next I stopped by the Monteagle library to use the internet before getting some food at Piggly Wiggly. I talked with Liz on the phone for a few minutes, now I am just trying to recover from an exhausting day.
On an adventure.
This morning we took Luke to Home Depot since we didn’t go yesterday. We also went to Target. On the way home Luke went “cowboy tinkle” for the first time. After we got Luke a snack at home we drove up to the airport and they dropped me off. Check-in and security were a breeze – both took only about fifteen minutes or so. The plane wasn’t too crowded and I had a window seat along with a vacant middle seat. Wearing a mask the whole time was a bit of a pain but the flight lasted less than two hours. The Houston airport was a bit confusing, but eventually I got to the right place for the hotel shuttle to pick me up. That was a quick ride and I checked into the hotel. It was pretty nice. I walked next door to Sonic for dinner and have just been watching stuff about the Mayans and Aztecs on the history channel since then. I will call Liz in a little bit and try not to go to sleep too late.
Taking advantage of the nice weather.
This morning Liz and Luke made breakfast cookies. Once the light rain ceased we went to the playground in Spring Hill. Luke had a good time despite the fact that it was pretty crowded. After that we went to Kroger for a few things. Lunch was nice but Luke failed to take a nap. After quiet time went to a car wash in Liz’s car, then to a park in Columbia. Luke had a good time there and it was a bit of a cross-cultural experience. We came home for dinner and then Luke had his bath and bed time. Those went well because he was so tired.
Slow, unseen progress.
I slept really well last night, and a little bit later than planned. I organized my car some this morning, but the address signs in front of the new lots, and then drove down to the courthouse in Jasper. That went well and I took a different route back to Monteagle. I went to the bank and Piggly Wiggly, ate lunch at the cottage, then began the journey home. I stopped at trailer dealers in Fayetteville, Lewisburg, and Columbia on the way. I wasn’t too impressed with any of them. I arrived home about three and Luke was still napping, so I made some phone calls and did a bit of work on the computer. After he woke up we did a video chat with my parents. Dinner was nice and then we cleaned up and he had bath and bed time. He went to sleep more easily than I expected given his long nap.
Errands and more.
Liz had an early meeting this morning so I took Luke to speech therapy. He didn’t really engage there for whatever reason. He did come out of his shell once we went to Publix though. After shopping we returned home and I did a few things before driving up to the Mountain. I spent the afternoon making address signs for the next two houses, going by the bank to submit loan stuff for the houses and to wire money for the truck (pictured below), and chilling briefly at the Goat Market. I also used took a bicycle to the thrift store in Tracy City. This evening I have not been using my time very productively, but rather just looking at trailers on my phone.
Buying a truck and other adventures.
This morning I took some stuff to the thrift store in Tracy City, then came to the library to use their internet in order to watch an online auction in Houston. There were several trucks I was interested in, and I bought one. Now I just have to figure out how to get it. I went to the Goat Market to celebrate before going to the cottage to clean and pack. On my way home I stopped by the Kubota dealer to check on the mower (not done) and went by a trailer place near Shelbyville (practically no inventory). It was great to get home and see Luke. We played together for a bit as Liz had a late meeting. He had a lot to say and dinner and didn’t really want to go to bed. Now I am working on my loan applications for the next two houses.
Another beautiful and even less productive day.
Well I decided that I was going to be very serious about resting my ankle today, and I was somewhat successful. This morning I went to the bank to discuss my loan and got some bad news. I can’t do any construction until the loan is finalized. They are afraid of liens on the property, which I understand, but that could push me back as much as two months. So that dark cloud followed me for a few hours. I did manage to drive down to Jasper and get the parcel numbers for the new lots at the courthouse. That information might help speed things up. Then I went to the Goat Market where I only planned on having a drink, but I got a pizza as well. It was good to talk with Eric and Spenser though, and the place was pretty much deserted. This evening I went on a little drive to Sewanee just to get out.
A beautiful, unproductive day.
First thing this morning I drove down to the Kubota dealer in Hillsboro and dropped off the mower. They said they would try to look at it mid-week. My ankle hasn’t really improved over the past few days, so I did try to stay off it as much as possible. I was only a little successful with that. I made three trips to the hardware store to get some supplies for a little project I’m working on. That is a log counterweight for the tractor. It didn’t quite end up as planned so I’ll have to do some more work on it tomorrow. I did go to Piggly Wiggly for some groceries and have been relaxing at the cottage. I did manage to get the Sequoia running.
Warm and sunny again.
I didn’t go to bed until 2:20 this morning, so getting up for breakfast was a little rough. After eating we went to Maury County Park on the other side of town. Luke had fun at the playground and interacted well with the other kids. We came home for lunch and then he was supposed to take a nap, but didn’t. I was loading the lawn mower onto the trailer and Liz came out and took him for a short drive. She returned and he was still asleep so we all drove a bit and ended up at Henry Horton. Luke played there a while and then we went to Ace Hardware, which he loved. We returned home and I worked on the computer while Liz and Luke did a video chat with her parents. After dinner Luke had his bath then went to bed. I will chat with Liz for a little after she comes out and then will drive up to Monteagle.
More rain, new adventures.
It was raining this morning and Liz and Luke made breakfast cookies. After breakfast and a little playing we hit the road. Our first stop was Hobby Lobby, Luke’s first visit there. He had a big time and talked us into getting some decorations for his room. Next we went to Lowe’s and picked up something, but now I don’t even remember what it was. our next stop was Office Depot and I stayed in the car. Finally we went to the farmer’s market. We had lunch and both Luke and I failed to nap. The afternoon went by quickly. Luke was a little rowdy at dinner but did well for bath and bed time. Liz is at the store now and I’m looking at trucks online.
