[TheDude]

Tomorrow will begin one of those new chapters in the book of Me.

I became a home owner in TV last week. That was phase one (picking the house, the mortgage (ugh)). Though the mortgage processor was painful, I was able to close in under a month.

So, tonight (12/16/16), I am at the end of phase two. Within a week I was able to arrange movers, end lease, do all the address changes and getting utilities set up. I am 12 hours from being on the airplane and on the way. Currently it is a real feel of 10 degrees where I am. I'm staying in a flagship hotel with my dog.

Tomorrow starts phase 3 of my 4 phase plan. That is getting to TV, giving everything set up, depending on people for deliveries and services, waiting for the movers, and finding food.

It is going to be interesting. I haven't had a good night's sleep in a month as I have been always on the move; go go go. I think in phase 3 I will still be in go go go mode.

Since i don't drive due to an injury in the military, tomorrow I will be taking the shuttle from Orlando to the golf cart store, renting a golf cart, driving the cart with my dog, and luggage to my house (I will be using the GPS, this will be interesting), then hopefully I get there in time for the 2 service appointments I set up between 3 and 7, and then finding a grocery for food.

Heaven only knows what I have forgotten.

I just had to vent as I am about to go to sleep, am so wired, wake up is at 4am (the final of my favorite TV show is at 10pm, ugh), then dog with me on the airplane, 2 hour flight and beginning of TV life hopefully for many years.

I just had to get it out of me as I have been going nonstop for a long stretch. One day I was up 23 hours (Day I flew down I was up from 3am to 2am the next morning).

How long do I have to go until phase 4 kicks in. Phase 4 is the golfing, the enjoyment, the settling in; how long until that kicks in.

Well, thanks for listening to my rant. I'll probably edit/correct typos/ or delete for privacy reasons in the future.

Thanks for listening. I did it!

[raynan]

Breathe! You don't want to collapse before you get here.

[kcrazorbackfan]

Trust me, all you've been through to get here will be worth it.

[redwitch]

Sent you a pm.

[asianthree]

When you allow yourself to enter into phase four.

[dbussone]

Thank you for your service. There are many of us who will assist you in any way we might be needed.

You will love it here - and make many new friends.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by dbussone

Thank you for your service. There are many of us who will assist you in any way we might be needed.

You will love it here - and make many new friends.

I agree with him. I almost always do.

It is VERY hard to do what you just did. In a sense we are pioneers, going to a new place to begin a new life and many of us are not quite as energetic as we once were to see to moving all of our earthly possessions.

It is very stressful to change your life in a major way and to go without sleep and especially in a time when there is tension all around us in this country..some of it good.

This IS worth it. We love it here and although we are getting a bit older and don't dance at the square like we used to, there is so much to do and so many interesting and delightful people to meet, each with an important story of their adventures in life so far.

My family thanks you for your service and welcomes you home. It will be fine. Kindest wishes.

[golf2140]

Thanks for your servive.

1. Take shuttle to your home.

2. Contact Taxi to golf cart rental.

3. Take golf cart ride to restaurant

4. Have a nice meal cold beer

5. Enjoy your new beginning.

[Nucky]

The most important advice is get your essentials and then take a physical break. Mrs Graciegirl told me to chill and breathe, she was correct, I was trying to conquer this new operation in the blink of an eye. There is no rush anymore Mr Dude, you earned being here. Take Care.

[Charlie J]

This is how you deal with all the adversity in your such challenged life. Think of all our unfortunate military folks that come home maimed, psychiatrically challenged or even worse, in a coffin and then your stage 4 craziness will wane. Just a thought. The villages is an ok place to live but not the best. Just ok

[kcrazorbackfan]

Originally Posted by Charlie J

This is how you deal with all the adversity in your such challenged life. Think of all our unfortunate military folks that come home maimed, psychiatrically challenged or even worse, in a coffin and then your stage 4 craziness will wane. Just a thought. The villages is an ok place to live but not the best. Just ok

Wow, talk about a Debbie downer. Where, in your opinion, is the best place to live and, why don't you live there? Sure beats the hell out of anywhere in the West, Midwest and Northeast now with all the snow, ice and deadly cold.

[Barefoot]

It took us about three months from our date of possession in 2007 to the chill/enjoyment stage.
Looking back, I realize we could have done the settling in part at a more subdued pace.
We just wanted to get it behind us.
From an empty home to furnished with pictures hung and birdcage built and golf cart purchased.
You will want to proceed at a pace that allows you enjoyment combined with a sense of creating a new lifestyle.
Welcome to The Villages to you and your dog. You will love it here.
Hope to see you at the dog park!

[Bay Kid]

Enjoy every minute, good or bad, because it will all be just a memory in a short time. Thank you for your service and making life in America great for all of us.

[villagetinker]

OP, if you let us know what village you will be living in, you should get some replies from your new neighbors. Also, the golf cart paths can be confusing, be sure to get a golf cart path map as soon as possible. If you use Google maps, select bike paths (I have been told this) and it will show the multi-model paths for golf carts.
Hope the helps, thank you for your service.

[Bonnevie]

there's a Villages app that has maps including golf cart maps for your phone. You will love it here. just realize you don't have to do everything all at once.