Another Lifetime to go

8th December 2018

Today was Greer’s twenty first birthday so as a treat we went to the Saugatuck Brewery for dinner.

Greer was served her first drink, and we gave her presents to open. We talked about the first time I met her when she was a baby. Whenever I went to visit, Greer used to hide from me, so the only sight of her I saw were the twitching curtains.

There was music, courtesy of a guy and a girl who successfully murdered every song they played. The only thing that was remotely in tune was the feebly clapping at the end of each song, or that the audience were really glad the song was finished.

Now I shouldn’t be so judgmental, as I would not have the guts to perform myself, but I do have standards, and if that means I have to endure indigestion bolting my food before they attempt another musical massacre, then maybe I can be.

On the other side of the coin we went to see Cameron play the drums for a local band Jake Calmink & further closer, (phew! What a mouthful) Despite the strange name, they are musically talented. It was at the Park Theatre in downtown Holland, a place so decrepit only the beer fumes and music was holding it together. It was a fun night, and it included Greer being called up on stage and everybody sang Happy Birthday to her.

7th December 2018

The cold air hit me like a punch to the chest. It was below zero, but we had to go out to get some gifts for Greer’s birthday. Kelli took me to a couple of the stores that I wouldn’t necessarily be seen dead in, but heck,it was my first day, so I gritted my teeth and got on with it.

We stopped off at the Party Store to look for a birthday badge. This store is a place of utter tat, it is so full of plastic that it it caught fire it would melt. We found a badge with flashing lights, we did have to try some to ensure they worked, quality product?

Snow flurries were all around as I pumped fuel into the trusty Toyota hurrying back to the warmth inside.

It has been the first day back, and I haven’t seen inside the garage yet, what is wrong with me? That is usually the first thing I do to get a feel for the jobs ahead. Kelli wanted me to have the first weekend off to acclimate myself to the coldness, ah, but I’m a man, and can take it.

I heard tonight the The Tin Roof is closing before Christmas. Kelli had good sales there at the beginning, but we left in the summer when they fell away. This will be a big loss for Holland, and the vendors who relied on it to make a living. This illustrates the value of marketing, or lack of it. The owners of Tin Roof did not grasp this, and thought that the individual vendor’s social media would sustain it, so they could just put the sales commissions in their pocket. I was always impressed with the store, it was clean, modern and light, it was not the usual ramshackle place that many similar stores are.

There is no magic formula to this business, no consistency, Kelli works her ass off posting things everywhere she can. We are at the mercy of our customers whims, desires, and at the end of it, what they are prepared to pay.

6th December 2018

I was ready to see my wife again. Funny, I never thought I would use that word again, but things change, and I changed, being married made me “belong” again.

Damian took me to the airport again, but this time it wasn’t an early start, a little more sensible time.

Terminal three was buzzing, the silver Christmas trees were the most un-Christmassy, looking more like silver cones, or Madonna’s bra.

There was a poster announcing “Our Master chef’s Christmas special” which looked like a sausage sandwich. All those years of training to aspire to making a sausage sandwich.

The flight was good, not full, so space to breathe.

I had a red wine with my lunch that was almost a beaker full, that was a serious amount.

I breezed through the customs and immigration, and my bag was one of the first to sail down the conveyor, always a good sign.

At terminal 3 the queues were enormous.

I walked down to the far end of the terminal to a smaller gate where the shortest, thinnest and unintelligible lady was guarding the entrance. The sound she made was a squeal sounding neither human or animal, it wasn’t just me, an eight foot tall local couldn’t see her, and almost trampled her.

A quick walk to the gate to catch the connection to Grand Rapids.

I was sitting next to a lady who had a copy of Michelle Obama’s book on her lap. I asked her what she thought of it. This started a fascinating conversation ranging from the political situation in America, to Brexit, to the royal family. Sometimes people don’t want to engage in conversation on planes, but she was a willing participant.

Kelli was waiting at the arrival gate, and what a wonderful sight it was to see her. I saw her beaming smile lighting the gloom of the hall.

We headed to the New Holland brewery for our customary dinner. The long day didn’t matter, I was home, and Kelli was there with me.

5th December 2018

An early dental appointment got me into Bath, a couple of x-rays and a bit of prodding and I was done for another six months. A bit more shopping then I was back to do a couple of small jobs in the cottage.

I went round the bathroom with a cloth and cleaner, I was a proper Mrs Mop.

I moved a lot of things out of the shed and stored them in the front room. I sorted out my old clothes into three separate bags that Nicola plans to take to the clothes bank. I stacked up boxes of books that need to be culled by 75% when I return.

A bit of a tidy up downstairs, I didn’t want the place to look like it had been ransacked, even though apart from Nicola and Ryan,I didn’t expect any other visitors to see it.

When all that was done it was time to close up the case and set off down to Damian’s.

4th December 2018

This was my last work day, my task was to paint the ceiling. The time was rapidly running out, I had Christmas presents to buy, and packing to do.

I carefully selected the food I would need to keep me till tomorrow, and devoured the rest.

After the first coat, I drove to Trowbridge (the pits) to bug some gifts, then back to do a second coat.

The repairs that I had done were okay, but it highlighted other places that I could have made better, so I added them to my snagging list.

Kelli was keeping me up to date with how things were selling. The November sales were down quite a bit compared to the same period last year, but she did an amazing job of selling stuff on Facebook. We are both excited at seeing each other again, although apart for a month it seemed an extra long time.

3rd December 2018

I decided to visit my friend Martin who lives in the wilds of Whitney on Wye. The journey didn’t get off to a good start as there were long delays on the road leading up to the M4 due to an accident on the motorway, and the closure of two lanes. After an hour of utter frustration, I was in two minds to abandon the trip altogether. When I reached the motorway entry I could see the traffic stretching out to the horizon. Instead of turning round I decided to head north and head for the M5 and get off at Ross on Wye, and make my way across country.

I eventually arrived, the journey taking over four hours leaving me tired and a little pissed.

This set the tone for the day.

Martin has his medical issues, bloody hundreds of them. His current situation is that he has severed tendons in both shoulders, so is unable to train (I suspect the reason for his injury) or lift anything heavier than a fork.

They also have a new Newfoundland puppy. I cannot hide my raised eyebrows, as they have little money as it is to live on.

And thereby is my dilemma, he has little consideration for anyone else. He decides what he wants and just ploughs on and gets it without any consultation with his wife Liz. I cannot sit silent, and often my comments causes him to go off on a sulk. His wife is a remarkable lady, she puts up with his tantrums, anger, and selfish manner. She looks after him, the home, and the dogs with little complaint. The furniture in their home has been systematically destroyed by his destructive actions. I often remind him that it’s Liz’s home too, but it’s like I’m attacking him, and he gets all defensive.

I suggested he sell some of his training equipment that dominate the living room, as he is unlikely to be able to use them for the next two years. In his eyes I had caused the biggest insult to his manhood, to even think of this as an option was out of the question.

I have been friends with him for over twenty-five years, I have heard so many times about his imminent death, I have become immune to it. Everything centres around him, he’s not interested in things I’ve done, and even makes me feel bad about being normal and healthy.

I left, just as exhausted as I arrived, suggestions/advice given, but unlikely to be acted on.

1st December 2018

Wow Bath was busier than I have ever seen it before. I had forgotten that the Christmas market was in town sucking in everyone from around the UK. Innocently I had arranged a coffee meeting with my old classmates from the Bath Art School (63 to 68) not realising the mass of bodies in the city. It was like swimming against the tide and it made me feel uncomfortable. Of course trying to find a table at the Boston Tea Party was also impossible, but eventually I was joined by three others, so we had a great reunion.

It is so refreshing that we slotted in so easily, the number of our class is slowly increasing, and if there were any of the teachers still alive we could pick up where we left off and carry on our education.

Afterwards I drove down to Barrington for what will be my last night under Nicola and Colin’s roof.

It was with a little sadness, I’d driven the same route so many times that it became automatic. The warmth that I received when I arrived could only come from family. Without their support I couldn’t have coped with everything, but they, and my son Ryan and his wife Louise got me through this, and I’m glad I did it.

30th November 2018

The washing machine was delivered this morning. Two burley guys knocked at the door gasping for breath, checking if it was the correct address. To their disappointment I confirmed it was, and I showed them where it had to go. Off they went back to the van to get the appliance. I could hear them staggering up the slope, it is the second part pathway that gets you. It turns ninety degrees and the angle increases, so the calf muscles really take the strain. They then had to navigate the first of the steps, the real killers. The machine is heavy as it is a washer and dryer, but they made it to the front door. Up some more steps and through the lounge, the finish line was now in sight. Up a couple more steps, and they reached the utility space where they set it down. A quick lesson in how to remove the transit bolts and they were off, no doubt cursing me and my location, but they certainly were quicker on the way back.

29th November 2018

Kelli told me a funny story this evening. She was driving to Hudsonville to deliver a large dresser to a customer when she heard a whinny noise coming from the back of the truck. Off went the fan and radio as she listened intently for the noise. We recently had some work done on the rear brakes, and with a older truck you expect things to wear out. Kelli was starting to get concerned as none of her actions changed the noise. Eventually she got to the address and hauled the dresser out, that is when she discovered what the noise was. Somehow the trigger on the electric drill got caught on something just enough to cause the motor to turn, making the noise. When she told me this I laughed out loud. Often you have to be there to appreciate the humour, but these “Mr Bean” moments leave us in stitches, but more importantly, there was nothing wrong with the truck.

28th November 2018

Andy stopped off to fit a sealed spigot for the washing machine waste pipe.

I had to go into Trowbridge to find a present for my grandson Ethan who is three today. I went to the Toyshop, and was struggling to find something suitable. Should it have dinosaurs or superheroes? I was moving back and forth down different isles making comparisons, in the end I chose a Play-People school bus, that had various sounds and actions to keep a three year old happy for five seconds before he opens something else.

I drove down to Bournemouth to deliver it, Ethan was at the door, ready to grab the gift, not concerned about the envelope containing the card, he was just interested in the toy.