Just Waiting

I’ve been waiting all day.  Although I do understand this task is not arduous or physically challenging, it is a huge undertaking for me.  I’m impatient.  There, I've said it.  I’m not proud of it.  It’s just the way I’m wired.  I am working on it.

It started this morning. I’m waiting for the heating guys who need to come to the house and jump-start or kick the oil furnace and get it going again.  We arrived in Farmville at 10:30 this AM after a weekend in EC, only to discover the climate in the house was a bit chilly….the thermostat reading 57 cool ones. After several phone calls, I was assured that the fellows would be out straight away.  I’m still waiting.  It’s 3:00. 

The waiting spills over into Faye waiting.  Well, maybe she’s no longer actually waiting for me.  We were supposed to walk the dogs at noon.  Poor Woody.  He’s waiting too….to doo…doesn’t get any worse than that.

Now I’m waiting for John to call.  His once a week phone call is always anticipated and much appreciated.  I so look forward to catching up and touching base with him.  I can’t call him.  The calls only go one way.   One can see (maybe understand) how anxious I become when the call is late…or doesn’t come through at all.  Did I mention I’m impatient?

Now that today has gotten all backed up, I have yet to get to the grocery.  Tonight’s dinner is on the back burner…(pun intended).  When George gets home at 7:00 or so, he’ll be ready to eat.  Darnest thing is, when I explain the day, with all its setbacks and WAITING;  how dinner isn’t ready, how I had to improvise with my can of northern white beans…he won’t be impatient at all.  Why is that?

Book Club Visits Farmville

Book Club came to Farmville last weekend and what a time we had!  Two cars full and two solos arrived on Friday in time for lunch.  After a pizza and salad lunch at my house, everyone got checked in and squared away at the B&B.  The weather was perfect and we meandered downtown, through the jumbled mess at Motley’s and peaked into most of the shops situated on Main Street.  The cocktail party started at 5:00.  10 Elizabeth City ladies joined 11 ladies and 1 gentleman from Farmville.  Chuck and George poured wine and mingled with the guests while the ladies chatted and got to know one another.  Willie, the sole Farmville fellow, just flirted and charmed everyone. That's not entirely accurate...Chuck and George poured the wine as well as pouring out charm.  A good time was had by all.  Later, the EC crowd strolled down the street to have a fabulous dinner at the Greens’ house..with more wine and lively conversation.  What a special treat for our troop to be entertained so royally by the locals!

Saturday we woke up to snow and it charmed us throughout the day.  After a wonderful breakfast of pancakes with blueberries prepared by Harlan, most of us drove to Appomattox for a history lesson and a bit of antiquing.   Di and Linda stayed in Farmville to check out Green Front.   The snow helped to create an authentic setting, as we strolled the historic buildings and grounds where General Lee’s army surrendered to General Grant.  Lunch was a bust at Appomattox's little local bookstore, but we felt it was all okay and certainly got a lot of chuckles out of the total absurdity of the hopeless situation.  Back in Farmville, the afternoon was spent at the B&B, with some girls napping while others played Scrabble and read.  We worked on our list of books we have read in the span of 35+ years, and we revamped the  “By Laws.” We  now have the annual Christmas party hosts set until 2020.  That’s something.
Drinks and dinner at Charley’s. Games until bedtime.  Merriment and laughter. Another memorable eakfast. It just doesn’t get any better than a weekend with dear friends. 

Wednesdays at the ReStore

A Few Selections

"May I help you?"

 

 

I’m volunteering at our local Habitat for Humanity store once a week.  It’s not your usual thrift shop.  No racks of used clothing, no books, no toys.  What we have to offer is salvage materials, light fixtures and ceiling fans, windows and doors, sofas, beds, desks, sideboards, kitchen sinks and commercial refrigerators…..just to mention a few choices.  Just about anything and everything you may need to get a house underway is ready and available for pick up or delivery.  It’s called the ReStore and I think that’s a great play on words.  It nails it.  There are only two paid employees.   The rest of us are either volunteer, are court ordered or social services recipients.  It’s taken me over a month to figure out what that term means.  Apparently Delonia, Rose, Chad and a few others, receive rent, food and health benefits from social services in exchange for working at the ReStore.  I’m not one to begrudge anyone wanting basic needs, but I have to say, these folks have figured it out.  The system is working for ‘um.  The court ordered folks are working off their time or tickets.  They come and go week to week.  Do a little of this and a little of that and they’re out of there.  For an organization working on a tight budget, it’s a great way to insure a steady line of workers.  It works all around. 

I enjoy the time I spend there and we all get along.  I’ve been working the register lately.  Not to worry, I’ve got the hang of it now.   In addition, I like to move inventory around, changing up the “displays.”  It’s kinda like pushing your living room furniture in different layouts every now and again - only I never know what I’ll discover when I turn up on Wednesdays.  There are always new items and always favorite ones gone.  I have to admit, the policy of having to wait 3 days to purchase a new floor item is a good one.  I haven’t come home emply handed yet…and if it was “no holds barred,” I’d be in big trouble.  I’ve bought a wine rack, chest of drawers,bedside table, rake, and mirror.  All true treasures.

Last week I came home with a pink plastic chair.  I know just what I’m gonna do with it.