Oct. 26, 2007 - Adjusting to life in a small(er) town...
Well, we are here now and I have been saving up my grievances so that I would only make ONE negative post. It's been a long month. Moving in (there are still boxes to unpack!), getting settled into a routine (we still are not a part of a larger community of Homeschoolers and we are all starting to miss our friends), and adjusting to life here is taking a while.
First, there was the problem with our mail. We weren't getting any!! There were a few pieces on the mantle that were hand delivered to the man we had doing some painting before we moved in. Along w/ those was one of those yellow slips from the post office that tells you "there is something wrong with your mailbox." Apparently, here in the historic district, everyone had porch boxes and the mail was delivered on foot...a long time ago. Now, there is a federal law (I suspect, due to cranky, tired, foot weary mailmen) to mandate that everyone had a curb box. So we had to purchase and install a mailbox. But not before the utility companies could come out and mark the lines so that we wouldn't dig and hit a water main or something equally as disasterous. And they couldn't come til Friday...I called on Tuesday. **sigh**
In addition to the utilities being a potential problem, we are living in the downtown historic area. Lots of character to the house and very convenient to everything, but we have no driveway. This means we park on the street in front of the house. As you all know, in an effort to be more efficient with their time, the mailman will drive right by your mailbox if it's blocked...after all, he can just bring it tomorrow! So I was (and still am) very concerned about the placement of our box on the curb affecting our mail delivery. We opted to put it at the corner of our lot vs the end of the sidewalk (which would be the middle of the house), so that we could still park and hopefully not block it. This has worked fine so far, but on Thursdays, after Eric leaves, I have to center my van between the mail and the garbage so that they both get taken care of.
Which brings me to my next rant...the garbage men left all my boxes!! I took the time to break them down and stack them neatly (okay, I supervised the boys and they did a fine job) and they are still sitting on my curb!! grrrrr But, I know that is not necessarily a small town problem. I think it is on the interview questionnaire when one applies for the position of garbage man (do you think they have an application process?). "How do you feel about leaving a job only half done?"
But then, the police here are making up for it. On my way out of town for my High School Reunion, I was stopped for running a red light. In my defense, I do not make a practice of running red lights. I have not lived here in a very long time and I am not familiar with the area. I was double checking my directions and when I saw the light, it was too late.
I had favor with God, as she did not site me for running the light, or for not having changed over my tags (they are expired FL tags, why renew when we are moving and we'll have to register in TN anyway?), or for having a FL license (you only have seven days after you relocate to get a new DL! How crazy is that! Like that's at the very top of my to do list!!), OR for not having proof of Insurance (we are insured, but I could not find my card when she asked. I found it later, it was an expired one anyways. That probably would have put me over the edge with her).
Grace there, however...Eric went out the other day to go to work only to find a parking ticket on my van! Yep, for parking in front of our house facing the wrong direction on the wrong side of the street. I guess the donut shops are closed overnight around here, cause this was issued at 1 am. Officer Nix had nothing better to do. I will probably try to argue my case just because it was the middle of the night and in front of our house in a residential area. It's only $15, but it's the principle folks!! It took me a whole day to cool down over that one!
Speaking of things being closed, I know the book stores are closed because we tried to take the kids one night after dinner (and cleanup). We pulled into the parking lot at 7:55pm and saw a lot of people leaving. I said, "I think they are closing." Everyone replied, "It's only 8o'clock mom! It's still early!" (We are still on FL time, where things are hopping all the time). We unloaded and got to the door, and sure enough, they were closing. Load wails of protest and sighs of disgust at how early everything shuts down around here were heard from the peanut gallery. We took them to an alternate location to appease them.
If you are still with me...you win the good friend award! All this complaining would have scared a lesser friend away!
To end on a more positive note, the weather is getting cooler and we are enjoying being outside. I will need to go clothes shopping soon as we have very few warm clothes to wear!! Eric is enjoying his new job and the people/place he works seem to like him as well. 
We really like the house we are living in, it is very cute and roomy. I will try to post pictures soon.
Blessings! I feel much better for getting this all off my chest!
Comments
Nov. 9, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Michelle32
We used to live in a small too. It was an adjustment to say the least. Some nice things though:
Traffic jam was having to take two turns to get through a light
Everyone seemed to "know" each other and there was a sense of real community
Hang in there...you'll see some fruits of small town USA soon!
Michelle
Nov. 14, 2007 - Hi
Posted by Donna Young
I just read in the BCHE yahoo group that you have a blog. I thought I would drop in to say hi. Welcome to Tennessee! :-)
Donna
Nov. 14, 2007 - Welcome
Posted by Anonymous
Wow--you had a rough start here! I hope it gets better and you learn to love it here!! You are a wealth of info and I greatly appreciated all of your info at the meeting!
Michelle T.
Nov. 15, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Sheri
Phyillis, If it weren't so funny, I'd cry! I know how you feel, having recently moved, but I think you win the moving maladjustment award! I hope things start looking up...it can only get better...right? Love and miss ya girl! Sheri :)
