Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Obstacles..

Turn 'em into opportunities!

Yesterday was one of "those" Mondays. We have all had our share of those, and I was overdue for mine..!

The bad:  My driver's license had expired.   The good:  I discovered the fact before "anyone" else :)  For a citizen this would not be a huge issue, but I am a "foreigner" and it's complicated.  After a frantic phone call to hubby, we decided that there was only one option:  I have to get on a plane, go back to South Carolina and renew my passport to freedom (i.e. the driver's license). 
Note:  SC DMV's website states that they do not do online or mail renewals any more, as you have to have a vision test or bring proof of a recent examination.

Now for the checklist of documentation, and I'm in a panic.  I need a current car insurance bill (not cards), a utility bill, birth certificate and more.  I am a foreigner.  Since I'm not at my primary residence and since I'm trying to conserve our trees and forests I had opted out of paper statements in favor of  e-statements.  But with the help of my friend Tiersa, an awesome State Farm agent, and my Virgo-like tendencies to be over-prepared, I located all the needed paperwork.  Relief.  Booked my flight to Charleston for tomorrow.

The bad:  I can't drive myself around.  The good? We have a truck in Charleston, and  my friend Kelley has the day off on Thursday, and voila, another problem solved.  And I get to have some much needed "girl-time" with Kelley.

My menfolk work and cannot take me to Bush Intercontinental.  So I start researching shuttles and cabs and even limos..yes, limos!  A taxi would cost me a whopping $140 to the airport.  Galveston Limo, however, has a service for only $55. Kudos to a super nice lady who answers the phone at reservations. Being a Virgo, I am "thrifty"..(I don't think I want to call myself "cheap", but ya know what I mean).  I do have to be at another pickup location, about 9 minutes from where I stay, but to save a whopping $85 I can get up early to leave with hubby.  The location (another hotel) is on his way to work.  My dear friend Mary has sent me books.  I have opportunity to read.

All day long yesterday I griped about this unnecessary trip, the drag, the expense.  Today my mood has lifted and I'm turning this obstacle into the opportunity to visit with  friends that I have not seen recently - to have a little fun after the legalities are taken care of.  My dear friend Shirley lives downtown on the Battery in Charleston.  I may have time to go surprise her...Monday may have turned around, after all.


Thursday, September 20, 2012

Texas City, Texas

We have been staying just outside of Texas City, TX for the last 2 months now, while James and Sam works at an oil refinery at the port.  It's a short 15 minute  drive from our extended stay motel to the job site - a drive I take every day, spoiling them horribly by taking them lunch, from whatever take-out they desire..and everything is easily located in Texas City.

A favorite is Schlotzky's Deli, closely followed by Burger King, Sonic and occasionally very good deli from the local Kroger grocer - who by the way, has cakes to die for!!  Wing Stop makes great fries with a seasoning that has a slight sweet undertone.  It sounds weird but trust me - delicious!!  This is just the lil tip of the iceberg; discussing all the good food here should be saved for a new chapter, all by itself.  Soon!!

Before we came here I tried to get some idea online of our new location, and was frustrated by not finding much that was relevant, especially photo's.  So hopefully, as you get an idea of where I live and what it looks like, so will prospective residents of this historical city.  We will share the yesterdays and today's over a few posts.  First, some history.

Texas City is a survivor.  It has survived man-made and natural disasters, but the scars of one of the most horrific industrial accidents are still visible to me as I drive through the neighborhoods bordering the refineries.

Storage tanks burn in Texas City, Texas, a few hours after the cargo ship Grandcamp exploded.
Photo: Corbis
                                                                                   
 In 1947, two ships exploded in the harbor, killing about 600 people and injuring 3,500 more. More than 1,500 homes were destroyed.  Twelve waterfront blocks were flattened, 20 inland.  Two planes were blown out of the sky by shrapnel.   It remains the worst industrial disaster in the USA.    Five major hurricanes, two depressions and involvement in two world wars later, the city is still standing, rebuilt and ready for the future.  I will admit that this history made me a little nervous at first, but I have grown to love Texas City, and can easily see us settling down here.  

Sunday, September 16, 2012

It's a Jeep thing...

It was love at first sight..now how do I say goodbye?

I saw her sitting in the Kentucky snow on Dixie Ave nine years ago.  A majestic, regal, shiny black Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd with all the bells and whistles of her year, 1996.  I knew we were meant to be, and took her home.

We traveled far and wide together.  Our first adventure exploring beautiful Louisville, Kentucky - home of bluegrass, the Kentucky Derby, and birthplace of the great Mohamed Ali.  She was loaded on flatbed of a moving vehicle when my son and I went back to Phoenix, AZ a year later.  How happy I was that day when the mover showed up with my big girl!!

We went everywhere..the beautiful green desert of Arizona, Tempe Town Lake, The Buttes, Mesa, Chandler..and she never complained.  A favorite treat was a wash and hand polish at a lil place off 32nd Street.  

Eventually life called again and we took off for Charleston, South Carolina.  We spent years there together, and tended to her aches and pains as she was getting on in age and mileage.  Day trips to Columbia's Zoo, the Battery in Charleston and the marshes of James Island made a regular outing.

A few months ago she and I was on the road again, loaded with a few boxes of belongings, a leather bag full of clothes, a small box of spices (I love to cook), my favorite cast-iron casserole and a joyful heart, on the way to join hubby and son as cheerleader, support, cook and whatever else they may need.

We arrived safe and sound in West Columbia, Texas after a long and hot two day drive.  She did great, but was tired...and it looks as if this one big adventure might have been her last.  Little ailments keep recurring, and bigger issues are looming...my level-headed man keeps explaining to me, patiently, that I have to understand that there comes a time to let go - she has lived for almost 200 000 miles.

I have parked her here at the hotel where we live, and regularly walk out to give her a pat and a word of love.  I still have not given up on her, and stubbornly refuse to acknowledge that restoring her would probably cost as much as a replacement..but how do I let her go?  She has been a part of my identity, my life, hopes and dreams for almost a decade, I see her as "alive".  Don't shake your head - I love my Jeep, and tomorrow when James has gone to work, will take her to a car doctor in Texas City, for another "verdict" - I will not give up, nor give in - it's a Jeep thing!!



Sunday, September 9, 2012

“A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for.” William Shedd quotes

I blame it all on Charley.  Charley, the French Poodle (black, clipped, and very refined if I may say so myself) and his owner, John Steinbeck.  And of course Rocinante, their sturdy and dependable truck.  

The young stowaway - fortunately discovered before they left - would have shared my sentiments, longing for travel and wide open spaces.  The road, always calling....

So here I am, all the way from South Africa.  Hello America, you've been my gracious home for the last 12 years, and I love you dearly.  So much still to see and explore, so many wonderful people still to meet, and all the chicken fried steak still to enjoy..!