Yesterday I drove with friends up along the Blue Ridge Parkway and we ate lunch sitting in our collapsible chairs at an overlook. A good easy time and I acclimated my lungs (and ears which popped a few times) to almost 6000 feet.
After that two hour trip I came home and decided to check in with the manager at the apartment in Durango. Yes she had received my papers, and was planning to go over them that afternoon. But she wanted us to move in in a couple of weeks, and sign the lease in person, in June! I said I couldn't afford to fly back and forth across country, and could my son sign papers (with the power of attorney form, and pay the first months rent?) Not possible, she said, it would have to be in person. No way to email them either. She could check with corporate, but she knew they wouldn't let me. And when did I think I wanted to move when my son would be available to drive me? I told her the last week of July...
She said she'd spend time going over my application and get back to me (thinking there would have to be some changes made probably.) She said if I couldn't take this apartment when it was ready, I'd go to the bottom of the waiting list.
I hung up and started crying. I haven't had any emotional release like that in months, maybe years. It just felt like nothing was happening, and I wouldn't be able to move there.
Of course it was irrational. Just being tired from the driving perhaps. And I still have the Cortez apartment waiting.
Anyway, I called my son Tai, who had a 10 minute break from whatever he was doing at the camp where he was working part time. He then called the manager, and left a message. He texted me that since he was working in Durango, he'd try to go by and talk with her when he got off.
Later he did, and was not very helpful, apparently. She called and said he was asking for special favors of them waiting for us with an empty apartment which goes against corporate rules. When he asked if he could speak to "corporate" she certainly heard that. But he did clarify with me and her that the date we have planned is the only time I can get there.
She called back (Thurs afternoon) to let me know that it will be Tues or Wed. before she hears from "corporate" about maybe having Tai sign the papers for me (she doesn't think even legal documents will allow that.) And we are asking for the apartment to stay vacant a couple of weeks more than the 30 days that she says is corporate's limit.
Anyway, I found my blood pressure had risen quite a few notches. But my oxygen was doing fine, after all this happened. I ate my frozen/microwaved pasta dinner, and watched a bit of Scarlett Fields. Then some Jeopardy. Blood pressure was down finally. Then bedtime.
I am so grateful to also have the Cortez apartment still happening...and will certainly check on it again soon. I'm sure I can have a few questions for them to make that phone call.
As Tai so astutely said, I'm dealing with heart issues. Somehow when I said this was my fairytale to move to Durango, it really was becoming that kind of wish-fulness.
These moves are reality, not at all fantasy. I'm packing and giving away so many things I don't need to move. But I did stop and read my journal about when Tai was born in 1979. Then I packed it into a heavy box of books.
I love the mountains here, and the freedom to enjoy a few hours on the Blue Ridge Parkway. My gas was the only cost, maybe $10 since we went a bit further than I've gone before this year. And in another week I plan to make it to Mt. Mitchell, the highest mountain east of the Mississippi. I would love a picnic there. As would my friend because she really didn't like eating off her lap.
Most of the above was also what I emailed to a fellow blogger, who frequently emails me what she's doing. I really dumped a lot in that email...but it's good to let my feelings out. So here they are again!
