Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May

Yesterday my mother called me. She was in town and wanted to see if I was, also. I wasn't, but assured her I had to run some errands and would be there. The thing is, when she calls like that, she wants some help from me, but she doesn't want to make me go out of my way to help her. Anyway, she had been to the hospital to see one of her granddaughters who had had surgery that morning and she was afraid to park in the only available handicap space left because of the tight parking. This is primarily because of the huge addition currently under construction at the front of the hospital and right now, hospital traffic and parking has been rerouted. Mother celebrated her 88th birthday last week, so she has a right to want help in negotiating parking mazes. I met her in front of Belk's about thirty minutes later and we went to the hospital.

We left the hospital and went to an Open House one of my colleagues at Century 21 Homeowners was hosting at one of the older homes on Market St. in Washington. Mother loved the house and was a little peeved that she couldn't go upstairs to see the bedrooms because the stair case did not have a full side rail to hold on to. We left and went to Bojangles for a country ham biscuit and cup of coffee. While we were there, I pointed out the niece of one of her best girlfriends from school. She went over to speak to her, sat down at the table and had a nice little conversation. She said later, "That was a great little visit!"

We went back to Belk's (Mother loves to shop for clothes). She couldn't find exactly what she wanted, so I took her to Goody's, which has a lot of Alfred Dunner which tends to fit her. She doesn't normally go there because she has to cross Highway 17. We had a great time, though, and I can't begin say how many clothes she tried on. She doesn't think she has stamina, but she does!! When we were done, I took her back to her car -- parked in front of Belk's. I left her to continue her shopping there. I was exhausted!

It was a fun day.

"Gather ye rosebuds while ye may"
To the Virgins, to make much of Time - Robert Herrick (1591--1674)

Volunteer Rewards

On Mondays I have been going to my grandson's first grade class and reading library books to them. It is such fun to watch them get the humor in the stories and laugh, and the personal rewards for me have been huge. At the end of some of the stories, they have spontaneously broken into applause. That really makes me feel good! I read to them right after they have returned from lunch. A few weeks ago, I was sitting in the classroom, waiting for them to come in. As the kids began coming into the room, one little boy glanced to the side and saw me. He grinned great big, came and stood in front of me with his arms stretched wide for a hug. I hugged him and when the other kids realized that was okay, they began lining up for a hug.

Not all of them, of course, for many children are shy, including my grandson. I had to ask for a hug from him, and finally got it when I got up and walked to his table. The good part is, he did give me a hug, and since then, he hasn't been nearly so shy about hugging me around his friends, because he has seen them hug me, too. I see that as a great accomplishment for him and for me! Children become so self-conscious as they get older and want to make sure they are not embarrassed around their peers. Hugging parents and grandparents falls smack dab in that territory, so I am especially pleased that he feels like he can hug me in public. We'll see what next year brings.

Another great and unexpected reward for me was a card I received in the mail from the Staff and Students of his school, thanking me for my volunteer efforts. They were donating $500 to the media center for books to be purchased in my honor. I was thrilled! I hope these children will remember this year and me when they check out a book that has my name in it.

Old Friends

Yesterday was hard. I attended a memorial service for a former classmate who died with COPD. It was just so fast. When we heard that she was in trouble and Hospice had been called in, we (eight other classmates and I) immediately sent word to her sister that we wanted to see her. Her sister immediately relayed the message to her and she said, "I would love to see them, but I can't, now." She was gone within two hours. How strange, to see the world take on spring colors just the same as it has always done.

April's Fool Day, 2008, and what a glorious morning for my ride into town! Everywhere I looked the dogwood trees, azaleas, and wisteria are bursting into bloom. In another week, they should be in full flower. This is one of the most beautiful times of year in Eastern NC and it is one of those times I wish I could capture in a bottle and bring out on demand. Wouldn't that be great?

We have had rain off and on, today -- a perfect example of why we use the phrase, "April Showers." Luckily, we also had a southerly wind, which kept it from being a cold rain, and when the wind blew away the dark clouds, we had that fresh-washed sunshine that sparkles.

This day started out with our regular staff meeting at Blackbeard's Restaurant. Agents were saying they are beginning to see signs of revival in our local real estate market. This is good news for everybody.

Afterwards, I went in a caravan to view one of the condos at Buoy Tender. This one is located next to the bridge that separates the Pamlico River from the Tar River (go figure!) and connects Washington to Chocowinity. The condo is on the third floor and commands a breathtaking view of the river. It is a beautiful condo, with hardwood floors in the great room, granite counter tops in the kitchen, and cottage-style cabinets. I particularly love the hardwood floors -- they are made of cypress, and they are gorgeous.

Around noon, I went to several open houses in Cypress Landing, a premier subdivision in Chocowinity, with an 18-hole golf course, Har-True tennis court, Fitness Center, Marina, and swimming pool. They were lovely homes, each in the 3,000+ square foot range. Unfortunately, I could not spend as much time at each as I would have liked, because I had to be back at the office by 1:00 for floor duty.

AtlantiSands

I always loved putting the first marks on a clean sheet of paper. That is the way I feel about this blog -- I want to make my mark on it! Today, there is nothing profound that I want to say on it. I only want to establish the fact that I am here.

My name is Sandi and I sell real estate. I have done other things, but I am very happy that I am no longer spending my life in a cubicle. I love what I do, now, because I am helping people, and it gives me great satisfaction.

I am a native of NC and my roots here go deep, for I am a descendant of the Native Americans who inhabited this area before the European settlers came. Fred Willard is doing research on the Lost Colonists of 1587, England's first attempt at a permanent settlement in America on Roanoke Island, which ended disastrously. Willard's research is based on his hypothesis that the English colonists may have joined the Croatan Indians. The Croatan eventually became known as the Hatteras, who by 1729 were reported to be living with the English. Perhaps I am one of these. Time will tell.

Most ancestors of mine came across the Atlantic Ocean by way of ship. Some actually washed up on the sandy shores of Hatteras Island. Beginnings intrigue me, and I thought the beginnings of my blog should reflect who I am and where I am from.

Welcome, then, to Sandi's Sandbox -- at AtlantiSands!