Our First Week in Tampa

We have been in Tampa for a week now....we're still in a hotel We were hoping to close on Friday...last Friday. We didn't but we were told it could possibly be Monday but definitely by Tuesday. It's now Tuesday...still not closed. Maybe Thursday but probably Friday. I'm getting very tired of the song and dance and wish I could just get a good date that will stick.

Thankfully our hotel is a nice hotel. It could use some remodelling...updating but it's clean, quiet and safe (other than the "Yankee's Fantasy Camp" group getting rowdy last night). Our room is a little suite with a living area, bar area and separate bed/bathroom that can be closed off. This works well when we're gone because we can shut the babies in the back and their not staring out of the door all day. The hotel is one of those that has the huge atrium in the center and there are big windows that flank the door (and the door itself is is glass). We can't complain too much. We did have a cold front today...Highs only in the 60s...BRRR.

I've been to work for a day and a half. It went really well. The co-workers seem to be very nice and get along well. The work seems pretty interesting...always something new. I like that kind of challenge. I think the hardest thing for me is going to be not having my cell phone. We can't even bring them in the building. In fact there are lock boxes outside the building because if you leave them in the car in the summer they will cook. AND it looks like I'll be heading back to DC in March for a week long class. Yea!

So everyone send us some good vibrations that we'll be able to close sooner than later and that we'll be settled soon...we're still taking reservations. :-)

Day 3: Travel to Tampa

Day 3 was much better than Day 2. One thing...we didn't loose anymore fish (of course there are only 4 left). But even better...the sellers came to there senses and accepted our offer. And most importantly we made it safely to Tampa. We aren't going to be able to close on Friday but we have settled into a nice hotel. We are staying at a Sheraton that has a separate living area so there is a little room to spread out. The babies are very excited to be stable (for a few days anyway). The plan is now to close on Tuesday. Keep your fingers crossed that there are no more hiccups.

Day 2: Travels to Tampa (part 2)

Today has not been a good day. The one bright side (and by far the most important thing) is that we made it to Savannah safely. We are in a clean, nice hotel and can take a hot shower and recuperate. The bad news is...we had a complete meltdown of our aquarium and lost all but two fish and our house fell through. We aren't sure what happened to the fish other than we got to the hotel and they were all dead.

The house appraised for less than the selling price. We came back and offered them the appraisal amount and we would cover the closing costs. They didn't accept. So we're back on the house market...wish us luck.

This isn't how I had hoped to spend my night in Savannah. I guess we'll have to come back and do it right.

Here's to a better day tomorrow...

Day 2: Travels to Tampa (part 1)

I took a shower and must admit I feel a lot better. I took some necessary precautions. I put the floor towel in the shower to stand on and the hand towels lining the bathroom floor to step on when I got out. I was very careful not to touch anything unnecessarily especially things that look like they might require a tetanus shot.

I did take some pictures of the place to give you an idea. They don't do it justice but you get the picture.

A shot of the luxurious sleeping quarters (notice the window above the door) The sink and toilet

The shower...can you see the towel on the floor

A shot of the lovely ceiling...classy

Day 1: Our Travels to Tampa

L.A. and I started our trip down to Tampa yesterday (Jan 5). We got a little later start than we had hoped for. L.A. thought we could have everything loaded and be gone by 11 am. I thought we'd be lucky to get out by 3. It was 5:30 when we actually left...right in the middle of DC rush hour. But the traffic gods were good to us and traffic was relatively light.

We made it down to Richmond before stopping for some food and gas. The great thing is that McDonald's has free WiFi so it made determining our next plan of action a little easier...drive to Fayetteville for the night. Well we didn't actually make it to Fayetteville.

Around 10 pm the exhaustion and the dense fog set in and we decided to go ahead and stop. We passed what appeared to be a new Days Inn. We called and found out they allowed pets and had free WiFi (and obviously was nearby) so we decided to call it a night (we were only about an hour shy of our intended target).

It must have been the fog that made this place appear new...or delusions because it was anything but. We got the "pet friendly" room (which is understandable) but it smells like moldy cat pee. I'm a little afraid to get in the shower even though I'm convinced that I'm covered in bed bugs...I itch from head to foot and have little red bug bites all over my legs. I woke up this morning to a tick on Oreo's ear. (I can't be positive he got it in here but I wouldn't be too surprised either.)

By the time we unloaded the dog, the cats, the three buckets of fish/coral and got situated it was around 2:30 am. Even with the complete and utter lack of energy, I didn't sleep well. Beyond being concerned for my health, there is a little window above the door with a light right outside. It has a curtain but the curtain doesn't cover the window very well so the light hit me in the face all night. And for the trifecta, Oreo kept trying to wake me up to go potty but I wasn't getting out of bed to bring him.

It is now 9 am. Time to get moving. I guess I'm going to brave the shower but I really wish I brought some shower shoes with me. We are planning on stopping in Savannah tonight. Keep your fingers crossed for a better room, a better night's sleep and better weather (I forgot to tell you that it's raining). Stay tuned for Day 2 recap.

L.A.'s Last Day

Yesterday was L.A.'s last day at work. I guess they didn't want him to go (to be honest I can't blame them!)

First Diana and Cheryl pretended to be happy that he was leaving...so he wouldn't suspect their evil plans

Then they drugged him and duct taped him to the chair (with his own tape)

Then for good measure Cheryl tied him up with an extension cord to make sure he would not get away
I guess they forgot the gag because he was able to sweet talk his way into letting him go.

Geaux Tigers and Happy New Year

After a season of documenting the ups and downs of the LSU Tigers through a photomontage of sorts, I forgot to take a picture of the grand finale...our bowl game...the Peach Bowl. I blame the craziness that has been this last week in December...moving, starting a new job, buying a house and saying goodbye.

We did watch that AWESOME win (38-3) with our friends Bill and Susan Brigman (thanks again for having us). What a way to end 2008! We start the year with a National Championship win and end it with a rout of Georgia Tech in the (slightly) less prestigious Peach Bowl.

After the game we all rang in the New Year with Dick Clark and champagne (that I think was really sparkling wine but was tasty none-the-less). As always it was great food, great football and most of all great company. We're going to miss you guys!

Happy New Year to you all! May 2009 be your best year yet!