The first week of September in 2009, what a week that was.
I had managed to lose a job, sell a fantastic house that we loved, left family and great friends behind, and uprooted Kath to Arkansas. Thank God I will never do that again.
It has been anything but easy for her and I. She followed me here, not really happy about it, I think she misses family and friends the most, sometimes even now I think she would return to Nebraska. She would never tell me so, but sometimes I just have that feeling. I guess you could ask her.
But as the two years have gone by, we have some great memories of being here, in what is a completely different world for us.
First thing is the fact we live in a very small house compared to what we had in Omaha. That was one very nice, well built house we had worked very hard for, and enjoyed for just short of 15 years. We have a small photo album we had put together as we built that house into a beautiful home. We look at it often. But the little Cozy Cottage as I call this house, has come a long ways in 2 years. I am glad I was able to do alot of the work myself. I don't think I would have the energy anymore to do it again. I would work daily on this little place, and really accomplish alot. But if I was faced with it again, I am not sure I would have the will or the strength to start all over again. Maybe I would. We have a photo album of it too, as it was being worked on, and can remember so many things as we went through the two years of trying to make it our home.
We always tried for a beautiful green plush yard, full of flowers, ornamental trees we would plant and watch them grow. We would get so frustrated at nature, as a little fungus might get into the yard and we would end up with some spots. Or we would plant something that just didn't do as well as it was suppose to.We would water at will, not thinking about how expensive water can be in some parts of the country.
Well, we have moved to a town that literally is on a rock. And if you get lucky as Kath has on most of her plantings, and have them do well, and survive the heat we have down here, You have done well. Despite the little tags on plants when you buy them, that say "heat tolerant", or "deer proof".............don't always believe them. After two growing seasons she has figured out what this area can handle. As for the plush lawn...........just hope for something green is a good way to approach lawns down here. You can water all you want, but as we used to say about the clay being so hard to keep watered in Eastern Nebraska,.............well try watering a rock!
Probably next to missing family and friends, we miss the convenience of shopping and "GOOD RESTAURANTS"!! This area has no clue what it takes to be a good eating establishment. This you have to trust us on. Want a good meal, go north to Branson or Springfield Missouri. Shopping is best in Springfield. A two hour drive north which is enjoyable, if not just to get out for a change of scenery.
As for daily life here in Arkansas, we both still are working. You almost have to, with the rising cost of things. I never thought I would see food as expensive as it is today, and going up steadily week by week.
Our time off when we lived in Nebraska, was spent working on our yard, going out to our favorite eating places (Broncos, Big Fred's, Texas Roadhouse, Jack and Marys)once in awhile going to a movie at the theatre on Maple street, or walking through a mall, and not to be left out walking the dogs in the last few years!
Our time off here always includes a walk with the "boys" and just being outside, enjoying the parks, the river, the lake and the constant sighting of wildlife as much as we can.Fishing the river is normally a real "kick", but this season, with the rains and high lake waters, the amount of water released to the river has been tremendous and the fishing has not been the best, saying it lightly. I suppose if we didn't have the pontoon boat, we would have put more effort into river fishing, but fighting the high water is not a lot of fun, and can be considered dangerous by some one like me who has only one year of experience navigating the river. So up till now this year, we have been on the river very little, but reaching normal lake levels should slow the release of water into the river making for some much better fishing conditions this fall.
As for Kath and I enjoying the lake, it has been fantastic. We get out as often as we can to enjoy a beautiful ride or going to a cove and just relaxing, and getting cooled off in the water. The pontoon boat was a purchase we have really enjoyed. We both agree that while we are still able to enjoy owning a boat, we need to use it as much as we can. Someday, our health, or the cost of maintaining it, will be where we have no business trying to keep a boat like it. But we will hold on to the river boat, as long as we can. Not only can it be used on the river, but safe operation on the lake can be enjoyed. You have to be aware of the amount of lake traffic and weather and stay in toward the coastline. But you can still enjoy a nice ride on a very beautiful lake here in the Ozarks.
This last weekend was a good example of how one can enjoy getting out, and meeting people that live in the area. The local volunteer fire department had an "Open House".They had a band playing, served up burgers and hot dogs, had a silent auction to raise money, and they had rides in the firetrucks for the kids.Three other departments from the area came and had water fights with fire hoses. Using a buoy up on a cable, kind of the opposite of "tug of war". The State Park always has something going too. Music at different venues is always a happening thing too here in the Ozarks.
So looking back, life here in so many ways has been a real adjustment for us. We miss a lot of what our life included living in Nebraska. We have a lot of great memories from a lot of years there. But we are enjoying life here in so many different ways, and creating new memories here in Arkansas.
Till the next time
Bob and Kathy
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