Perfection

The settlement yesterday was extemely smooth. We never experienced anything like it back in Maryland where every time the buyers and sellers were in separate rooms, lawyers talked, deals were made, tears were shed, hours passed. It's better in Florida where the buyers and sellers were in the same room, coffee was poured, warm fresh-baked cookies were served, smiles and stories were shared, papers were signed, 50 minutes passed. We started at 9 a.m., then walked out with keys and handshakes at 9:50. Unbelievable.

After an hour or so of exploring the beautiful but empty house, we went to lunch at the Stonegate Grille, a restaurant in Solivita over at the Village Center. The blackened cod sandwich was delicious. We strolled across the street to the Membership office and met with the lady who gave us our orientation. This consisted of having a photo taken for our official Solivita Resident ID card that gives us access to all the facilities. We also got transponders for the cars in order to access the community from any of the four gated entry points. I also just love the garage door opener. I'll never tire of pushing that button and having it open and close. LOL And there's a motion sensitive light in there, too. I LOVE this house and this community.

We also got mail at our new house. Mailman Mike pulled up in his little jeep with a letter in his hands. I had just stepped out onto the driveway to bring in a few things from the car, when he called out, "Hi! Are you the Silversteins?" He had a birthday card for me from Leslie and Marc Gaertner, Evey's future in-laws. That was so cool that our first mail at the house was from them for my birthday and hand delivered my our new Mailman Mike. He was so nice. He explained things we wanted to know about mail delivery when we are away. It seems that we will have him regularly on our route and he will know when we are there or not and take care of things for us. So different than Laurel where the guy or girl, many different ones during the week, were listening to ipods or talking on a hands free phone the entire time and seemed completely clueless. We often got other people's mail and had to go deliver it ourselves.

Our electric and water were on when we got there, so that was good. Our phone will be turned on Monday and the premium cable channels will start Wednesday. There are FIVE cable outlets in the house. They are in the family room, both bedrooms, the lania, and the garage. Garage? That guy must have been obsessed with TV. There are also so many electrical sockets we are just amazed. Even in the garage there are a dozen outlets. It's going to be so much easier for Mark to set up all his gadgets in this house, far fewer extension cords.

After our orientation meeting, we went to Disney World for my special birthday dinner. Mark had selected the Trail's End Restaurant, a buffet at Ft. Wilderness, for several reasons. He and Evey had gone there last December and really enjoyed it. It had salmon and many vegetarian options. It also has the western theming Mark enjoys and a reasonable price. I really enjoyed it, but oh, boy, did I overeat! On the other hand, that was my intention when I walked in, so I completely fulfilled my objective! It was fabulous.

Today we plan to go to shul at Ohalei Rivkah, also called The Southwest Orlando Jewish Congregation. We have been there twice before on vacation. It could become our new shul sooner or later. Afterward, we will spend the afternoon at our new pool, if it doesn't rain. Rain chances are considerably higher today than they have been, and afternoon thunderstorms are so typical for Florida in the summer.

Thanks to everyone who has posted Facebook messages or sent me emails or phoned me yesterday for my birthday. It was so heart-warming and loving. I surely did enjoy it.

I loved everything about yesterday. Mark and I are 100% convinced we have done the right thing. It feels right. It feels good. It will be hard to leave next Sunday, but meanwhile we will focus on being here and having fun and setting up the house. I can't wait to sleep in the house Tuesday night for the first time after our furniture arrives.