Author: peterb51

29th November 2017

Today was Aviva day, the day when a wonderfully written letter, and the original certified bank statement was sent off to this useless company.

But first, the printing problem.

My sister has a Wifi printer, but both my iPhone or iPad cannot see it, so I had to end up emailing it, and printing it out from her tablet. Of course there were mistakes and other changes that I was rushing to get done, and to catch the post. Eventually, everything was sealed up and shoved in the post box.

Kelli had been busy procuring more furniture to re-fill the empty space at Lakeshore.

An interesting thing happened to the cabinet we sold on Sunday to the lady who made a dog kennel out of it, well it appeared on another selling list for the inflated price of $200! Not sure if the price includes the dog?

28th November 2017

Today was the beginning of next stage of my new life, the UK part, and I had a number of things to do.

Firstly I had to find another interior company to refurbish my cottage in Bradford on Avon. I have a lot of things I want doing to it, and I had been let down by another company in Melksham, who I was hoping to start planning the job whilst I was away. I chose to meet with Interior Harmony in Chelsea Road in Bath, I had used them before, so I hoped they would be interested in taking the project on.

The journey to Bath took a couple of hours, due to traffic jams and roadworks. Ah traffic jams, I did miss them. I also missed speed cameras, which I believe I drove through whilst exceeding the speed limit……… now awaiting a brown envelope, welcome back Pete.

The meeting went well, and we agreed to meet at the house next Tuesday.

Next on the list was a visit to the bank to get an original account statement that I could send to Avia to get my other pension. They have rejected two other applications, because they claimed they were not original documents.

“Well lady, I have your name, so sort it out, or I will visit you personally”.

I was shocked to find the NatWest had moved, and changed beyond recognition. Gone were the solid structures of oak and granite, of smiling faces behind glass, and the feeling that your money was safely stored in a cardboard box next to the Manager’s gentleman’s parts.

Instead, it’s all purple and maple, with greeters and standing tables, manned by people who don’t really like it, but are not allowed to say. They don’t need too, it’s in their eyes.

So, in possession of my bank statement, original, signed by a assistant manager in his own blood, I set about my next task, a birthday present for my youngest grandson.

Disaster! the Eric Snook toy shop has gone!!! One of the last places from my childhood erased, I couldn’t believe it. I know it was never the same place after it moved, it was part of the fabric to the city, a toy shop now gone. It made me sad, another place men could go to lose themselves for a short time.

Panic set in, where do I go now? I went to Hawkins Bazaar, a place full of shit and worthless tat, and ended up at the toy department of Debenhams, a place lacking in any sort of soul, but I had to find something.

I finally got a digger, it makes all kinds of noises, just like the real thing, should drive the parents crazy.

Ethan seemed pretty pleased with it, and he didn’t break it.

27th November 2017

Landed at Heathrow at eleven thirty, and my bag was one of the first on the carousel. This as a great relief as there was such a short time between me landing from Grand Rapids and transferring to the London flight, all credit to American Airlines. At least I won’t need to smack the baggage girl at GR who promised me that the bag would be transferred okay.

I was due to be collected by my son Damian, who, as normal was a little delayed. I expected to be reunited with my car, which he looked after , (and used) whilst I was away. Instead I had to babysit my Grandson for a couple of hours. I then had to drive to my sister’s house in Barrington, ( one and a half hours away) so I was pretty wrecked at the end of the day.

Kelli did send me a picture of the furniture piece that we had sold yesterday. Sure enough it became a dog kennel.

As I lay in bed, reflecting on the last three months, and thinking of the work I have ahead of me, I already started to miss the craziness, the work, the fabulous food, and Kelli, and wishing I was still there.

26th November 2017

So the time has come to pack all my crap into my case and head back to the UK.

I rushed around this morning planing timber for a shelf to fit a returned piece that I had farted about with for a few weeks. It became more relevant when a piece we had just finished sold today before it was taken to Lakeshore. It is great when this happens, although the lady intended to use it as a kennel for her dog. She described how she was going to cut the centre of the doors away to make access. I could see Kelli cringe, but with money in her hand they can do whatever they want.

I said my goodbyes to the dogs, they will have to bite somebody else for a while. On the way, we stopped off at Kelli’s family for hugs all round, then off to the airport.

Gerald Ford terminal has been remodelled, and looks slick and modern.

These twelve weeks have been amazing, my adjustment to retirement has felt seamless, and natural. Getting back to the UK will be a big change, and the most daunting, but equally as challenging.

As I sat at the gate I calculated we must have used sixty toilet rolls, heard “Nights in white satin” one hundred and forty times, “Forever Autumn” ninety six times, (live version) and forty five times (album version). I gave Kelli a hard time on this, but she knows I am joking.

She cooked some amazing food, and I can’t wait for more.

I felt sad at leaving because this was the longest time I have spent in the US, but I’m going back.

25th November 2017

So this is my last full day, and the news from the market was good. We had sold the round dining table, the chairs and Fido’s coffin!!! and this was before eleven o’clock. I was working in the garage scrabbling around trying to get things finished. I had laid up the wood for the back panels to the Fifteen bucks piece, but there is no timber left to cut the battens to fix them in place, so this will wait until my return.

There was one last piece that we managed to complete. I had made a new infill part for the top, and brought to life another interesting cabinet.

This didn’t stop us from making one last visit to Goodwill, but pickings were slim. We then went to another thrift store and she found an iron bookcase that folded flat. This would go straight to Hudsonville. I found a Herman Miller “Scooter ” for three dollars fifty, it was virtually brand new, no marks on the base, it was a bargain. We looked on eBay and, I’m sure we could get eighty to a hundred bucks for it.

We had a wonderful dinner at Pereddies as usual.

24th November 2017

So it’s Black Friday, a day of retail madness, fortunately I was spared the agony of the crowds.

It was my final trip to Hudsonville, and I was excited to see what had sold this week as Kelli was Vendor of the week. The booth looked exactly the same, very little had sold in the week. My candle holders resisted people buying any, so remained exactly where we had put them.

The apocalypse cabinet looked good in its new place, and the new items fitted in well.

There is eager anticipation that Saturday with clear the place out.

I did more work on the Fifteen bucks cabinet, but I don’t think I will finish it this time, which irritates me, I don’t want to rush it, and am pleased with the progress I’ve made on it.

Dinner was bangers and mash with sauerkraut, good simple food.

23rd November 2017

Thanksgiving day, so everything is closed except Meijer. Kelli was preparing a vegan feast to take to her parents where the family celebration is held every year. The meal of nut roast, roasted sprouts with cashew nuts,stuffing with roasted bread, sage and onion, and gravy was fabulous.

The only thing missing was a nice glass of wine, which is forbidden in the house. I had to imagine what it was like whilst sipping water.

Even the pilgrims fathers celebrating the first harvest would have been munching on their potato thinking ” this would go nicely with a glass of wine”

The day ended like every Thanksgiving day should, by a visit to A&E.

Greer, Kelli’s daughter had been suffering from a hacking cough for a few weeks, but as we were out in the car she started coughing, and squealed in agony holding her side. Taking no chances Kelli drove straight to the hospital.

Within an hour they had signed her in, checked her insurance, saw the nurse, saw the doctor, up to x-ray, saw the administer, double checked her insurance, saw the doctor again, he suspected she had a strained muscle around her ribs, so he handed us a prescription, and off we went to Meijer to get the prescription filled. There was an issue with Greer’s details meaning we had to pay a part of the cost. Kelli, gnashing her teeth was not happy, I guess someone at the insurance company will get an earful tomorrow.

22nd November 2017

Today is Kelli’s dad’s birthday, so it was out looking for a suitable gift for him.

We went to the chocolate shop that we had visited recently, and picked up something delicious.

There was no work in the garage today, most of the projects have moved indoors, where it’s warmer, for painting.

There is one project left to finish, I want to get the woodwork finished then Kelli can paint at her leisure.

This evening is Dave’s party, so big helpings of carrot cake is in store.

21st November 2017

Frantic day trying to finish everything before I leave. I had a fire going to keep warm and to burn the wood off-cuts, so I smelt like a kipper.

There is a lot to cram in, but there will be things that Kelli will be able to finish.

There is already things building up for my next trip.

Kelli’s created a wonderful meal from the scraping of the fridge, after forgetting the vital ingredient to the one she had planned.

She also painted the Apocalypse unit ready to go to Hudsonville on Friday.

This project has taken a long time, and consumed much of a Scandinavian forest. Realistically I should not have wasted my time on it, but I am glad I did.

It started out as a water damaged ruin.

All the damaged panels were cut out leaving the door, the drawer and the front frame.

Each side was replaced with new wood.

Now it’s been repainted and lightly distressed, it looks amazing.

We also crammed in a visit to Goodwill (how could we not?), and found some more unusual things.

Yes, they are trees made from twigs, and they are so cool, whoever made them must have had the patience of a saint.

20th November 2017

It’s my birthday!! 66 years and never been kissed by an American sailor . However being in America the chances of that coming true are much more possible.

Instead we went to Hudsonville to re-stock. I was really disappointed that none of the reclaimed wood candle holders had sold, I would have been excited by selling one.

The day was sunny, and a really good omen, or so I thought, we had sold a few things, so not a total loss.

Birthdays for me are times of reflection, but this time was a lot different. There were cards, presents, cake and wine, a perfect combination.

The cake ceremony was held at Kelli’s parents where all the family gathered to join the feast.

Kelli had made a strawberry chocolate tart, which was fabulous, one slice was not enough.

Tomorrow is another day, I need to switch gear to finish the outstanding projects.