Living now in Arkansas

[foxieden]

We are now living in Bella Vista, AR and have officially "retired".  I have never been so tired.   

We bought a house, and most of the rooms needed repainted, as we did not like the colors.  While waiting on different shipments of household goods, we have been taping and painting.  ( I am really out of shape, and have many aches and pains to prove it).

We did get our shipment from storage (it had been in storage for more than seven years)  Some was damaged, but most came through.  Naturally it was some of the good pieces that were damaged, not any of the "why in the world did we store this" pieces.  I think we donated half the things stored to goodwill.

The major shipment from Egypt was water damaged ( we still do not know what exactly was damaged, as it is still being looked at by both Government official and shipment professionals.)  We will find out more next week.  They are trying to restore any damage before any delivery.  Since they have mentioned dry cleaners, we think it was mostly clothing (I hope not my stash).  Also hope it it is not our custom made furniture. 

We did get our small air shipment, which included some dishes and two of my sewing machines, (the Ellageo, and Serger) with no problems.  The third machine, an Elna, is in the Water damaged shipment so I do not know if it is damaged.

Both of my machines are going into the shop for cleaning and servicing, since I could not get that done in Egypt.

Well must get back to painting,

Linda in AR (used to be Linda in Egypt)
 

[KellyLoftice]

Where is Bella Vista?  Our place was near Nashville, in the southwest corner about 50 miles north of Texarkana.  The Arkansas lifestyle is delightfully slow, but worth getting used to.  The people are so friendly that you might think they are fake - nope, they are just really friendly.  Be sure and go to Hot Springs this summer.

Kelly

[foxieden]

The folks are friendly here, and with some family here, and only about a six hour drive to our son and grandson, brother, and one sister, we think it the right area to retire.  I have lived in the South or in warm climates too long to be able to face the cold wind in a Kansas winter.  Since we are in the tail end of the Ozarks, the hilly terrain breaks up the wind some, and the temperature is usually about 10 degrees warmer in the winter, and 10 degrees cooler in the summer.  Bella Vista is right up in the NW corner of Arkansas.  Our new house is about a mile from the Missouri border to the north, about 20 miles east of Oklahoma.  We are North of Rogers and Fayetteville, along 540 or 71.  My parents retired here, and the house we bought is only half a mile from their house. (Their backyard is almost in Missouri).  I also have one sister who retired early at 50, and she and her husband have been spending the last 5 years flipping houses here in Bella Vista.  Though the past couple of years they slowed down due to the housing market falling here.

We had planned to build on Beaver Lake, and do own some lots there.  However both of my parent's health has worsened in the past year and we would rather live close by, instead of 30 to 40 minutes away.  We did purchase the empty lot next to our new house and plan to add a hobby area.  (enormous sewing room and even larger Woodworking workshop for DH.)  We have already been talking to an architect and Builder.  The sewing room will be about 15' by 26' and DH Workshop will  26' by 36'.

While the addition is being built, I will use a bedroom downstairs as a sewing room.  (The bedroom is now full of boxes from shipments.  I have a lot of books which need to be sorted, as part of my new sewing room will also be my library.)  When I say a lot of books, we counted and have over 100 book boxes.  The downstairs has two bedrooms, bath and extra living room.  Once we have the addition finished, the whole downstairs will be guest quarters and I will not have to go downstairs except to occasionally clean.   Like most houses here, the bottom story is open in back, and we have a great view of a golf course and the other side of a valley.  We are trying to think ahead, and wanted all of our main living and hobby areas to be on the upper main level.  We can easily go up and downstairs now, but in 10 to 20 years we will not want to very often. 

Linda

[Diva Linda]

It is good to know you are finally here in Arkansas where you want to be.  I can't imagine worse luck with your moving situation.  LindaD

[Denise]

Welcome back to the states!

It sure will make it easier for you to attend conferences!

[Kay Ellen]

Wow that sounds like SOOOO much work!!  My step-son, daughter-in-law and gkids just moved overseas this past July, to Rome Italy. I got educated about all the packing/storing/shipping/hurrying up and waiting of that process. I sure hope you get your stuff and it's not terribly damaged, or is repaired.

My husband's Aunt (turning 96 in April) lives in Charleston AR. I'm sure that's a ways south and east of you. Anyhow, we're going to her b-day party on 4/9 and then driving on up to Chicago/Carpentersville for the 2nd User Conference. I may be driving right past you!

Kay

[foxieden]

I will be going to the second user conference as well, DH and I will be driving down.  Kay Ellen, are you going early for the LZ trip and measurement Day?  Is your DH coming with you?

Does anyone have any good ideas about what DH,(John) might go see or do in the Chicago area in the days, while I am going to the conference?  He says he will find things to do, but could always use tips.  He is into woodworking (furniture reproduction), aviation, cad, and more.  Since he has just retired he is still figuring out how he will spend his time.

Thanks for all the kind welcome,
Linda in AR

[Kay Ellen]

Linda,  I am going to be there for the measurement day (Monday 11th), but not the LZ's trip (Sunday 10th). We figured it was 10-12 hours from Charleston, AR to Chicago and we'll be leaving later in the day on the 9th.  And yes, my DH is coming. He's a photographer and will taking some photo side trips, which he prefers to do on his own. But that won't take all his time at all. He'd enjoy meeting your husband   How very fun! 

[foxieden]

Kay Ellen,
DH says that he can find plenty to see and do, but would also enjoy meeting your husband.  Are you going to be staying at the usual Town Suites?  It will take us around 10-11 hours as well, we might break it up and take two days.  DH says we might as well go early enough for me to go to LZs, but we have not made a final decision.  We are still getting used to being retired, and DH says we can take our time and enjoy the trip.
Linda

[Kay Ellen]

Hi Linda,

Yes, we plan on staying at the place Laura negotiates the discount with. I assume that's the Town Suites?  Same here on breaking it up in 2 days, or a day and a half. Just don't want to do a 12 hr drive and then start a week of a user conference--sounds too hard to me.  This is going to be such fun! Are you going to bring your sewing machine?

[foxieden]

Kay Ellen,
I do plan to take a machine.  Hopefully the Elna, which I use mainly for sewing.   It is in the water damaged shipment which they deliver this Wednesday.  From what they have told us, not very much was damaged, so I am hoping that the Elna is ok.  Otherwise I will take my Ellageo.  I still have my original packing crates for both (with the styrofoam) and may put the machine in it's case for transport.  Since my machines have traveled long distances and several moves in those crates, I think either could take a car ride.
Linda

[Kay Ellen]

Thanks for the info. I believel I'll take mine as well. For sewing I usually use my Bernina, and for quilting my Featherwieght. If I only sew skimmers the FW would be easier, but I'm hoping/thinking I'll be sewing more than that.  I onder if I should I bring a serger as well?  Will we be sewing wearable muslins? I had such a wonderfully lazy day yesterday. Today, time to get some sewing done

[albertkj]

I'd be very surprised if you'd feel the need for a serger, but perhaps you should ask Kat.

Kathryn