The closings on the condo and house went off without a hitch. The events leading up to them were more problematic than we wanted. The condo closing was originally scheduled for October 16, moved back to October 30th, followed by November 2nd, then the 4th, and finally the 9th. The builders had to complete the lower level and make a few cosmetic repairs on the main floor. Each delay reminded me of my time in Britton when we had building projects. During those projects I wanted specific timelines. My request was always the same, “Give it to me straight. Add some time if you like, but whatever you tell me, I’ll tell the public. In the end, if you’re wrong, I’m the liar because I’m the one with the public message.”
There are a few things left to be done at the condo, but we’ll be around until at least the 19th so they can be accomplished while we’re on site. The windows need to be adjusted, the lower level slider won’t lock, and some towel bars need to be re-hung because the installer must have been color blind. (No offense to those of you who may be.) We marked each installation site with blue painter’s tape, but the installer ignored at least four of our marks. He hung them where he wanted, not where we requested. These can be corrected, but it’s just a pain.
We ran into last minute problems with the deal on the house. One was self inflicted. Three were noted by the home inspector and needed to be fixed before we closed. All dealt with electricity. I’m not an electrician, and hiring someone with such skills on short notice is impossible. Luckily, I have skillful friends.
Elizabeth had peal and stick “glow in the dark” stars on her bedroom ceiling. Her ceiling glowed at night. If astronomers wanted to study the constellations in cozy conditions, they could have come to Elizabeth’s room. She had several: Orion, Ursa Major, Aquarius, Pegasus, Aries. There are eighty-eight major constellations and she had most of them stuck to her ceiling. When she went off to Western, we left them. When she completed her masters degree at U of M, they remained. When she headed to California in 2001 to start her professional life, fall in love, and get married, the stars on her ceiling were our constant reminder that she was our “traveler”.
Four summers ago, we hired a painter to repaint most of the house. Elizabeth’s ceiling was a tough call but, after almost thirty-years, Ruth took the stars down. It was kind of a religious ceremony. A huge part of our life in the house was coming to an end. Ruth saved several and we stuck them to the ceiling light globe as a reminder that we should be reaching to the stars.
After we struck the deal to sell the house, Elizabeth requested we replace the star filled globe and ship it to her in California. We had already thought about doing that, but her request sealed the deal. The trouble is, we couldn’t find a replacement globe to fit a forty-three year old ceiling light, so we bought a new fixture.
I have a bum right shoulder and was concerned I wouldn’t be able to remove the old light and install a new one on my own. My shoulder has failed me in those situations before, and I certainly didn’t want to drop the old while putting in the new. I called my friend and golf partner, Bruce, for assistance. He showed and did 99.99% of the work on his own. It pays to have good friends, and he’s among the best.
Ruth took the box for the new light and carefully packed the “star” globe for delivery to Elizabeth in California. She planned to place an electronic votive candle under the globe for illumination. Ruth was surprised to receive a text from BZ indicating that the treasure had arrived after only two days. Perhaps there’s hope for the US postal service after all, but no. The “star” globe was broken in transit.
Elizabeth and Ruth spoke about the entire ordeal on the phone that evening. BZ learned of our failure to find replacement globe , the resulting $20.00 replacement light, the installation by our friend, Bruce, the careful packing of the globe, and the ultimate shipping failure. During the conversation, Elizabeth reminded Ruth that the stars were installed during her fifth grade year in Addison. Her teacher, Mrs. Wiseley, had a treasure box full of tempting rewards for high quality work and good deeds. Elizabeth received such a reward and chose the packet of stars, placed them on her ceiling, and the thirty plus year treasure began. And then she said, “It’s good that Bruce helped with the light.”
You see, Bruce’s last name is Wiseley, and he’s married to Elizabeth’s fifth grade teacher, Carole. Sometimes the stars just align.
TBC
P.S.
We’re not moving today. Our mover called yesterday and was tested for the corona virus. We’re investigating alternatives hoping we may be able to move next week, if the stars align.