Metal Meredith

Seeing Things In a New Light

Phil and Vivienne and I set out this morning at 930am to make a trip to IKEA. As always, I was delighted to go, Vivienne not so much and Phil was just being sweet to me. We started up 95N and were pleasantly surprised that there wasn’t any traffic.

About 30 minutes into the trip, a car passed us going really fast. I noticed the license plate, the erratic driving and the fact that the car was spending much of its time on another car’s bumper or halfway on the shoulder kicking little pebbles up onto my windshield.

About 2 minutes later, we saw a big puff of white smoke, a car slide to the right, then all the way back to the left, smack into the concrete column of an overpass, flip and immediately catch on fire. It was that same car. Everyone on 95 stopped cold, us included. Many people jumped out of their cars and ran to the vehicle. There was a huge cloud of black smoke, two men were running around the overturned vehicle and yelling for fire extinguishers. They found two small ones. I have never felt more helpless. I was sure that someone would come out, someone would pull someone out or anyone would come quickly and put the fire out.

After a good 2 or 3 minutes, Phil and I decided to leave. We couldn’t do anything else and I was worried that we were being part of the problem by blocking traffic behind us. We climbed back into the car, calmed Vivienne down who was just mad that she wasn’t allowed out of the car, and continued up 95 to IKEA. The radio wasn’t turned back on, Phil and I didn’t say a whole lot, we were just quiet for about 30 minutes.

At IKEA, we found out that the countertops we came to order were discontinued. I had just called Wednesday and confirmed that they were still available. I was told to come in and order them. So we drove an hour and a half. This made my whole kitchen plan come to a screeching halt. Phil and I took some deep breaths and went to get some lunch.

At the table, I stopped being upset and recapped my day thus far. I looked at Phil and said “Let’s just figure something else out. We are here. We are not dead on 95. We just don’t get the kitchen we originally wanted.” There is nothing like death to put your life in perspective.

On our way home, at 330pm, there was still a 7 mile back up on 95. The news that afternoon reported a crash on 95 which killed 3 people and another was in critical condition at a local hospital. They still have not identified the people in the car. I called the State police and reported what I saw just to be sure they had all the information they could use.

I am still in awe of the split second that took 3 lives today, lives that I witnessed the end of. I didn’t want to be one of those people who didn’t stop and help. But once I stopped, I knew there was nothing I could do. On the way up 95 after that, it seemed that everyone in every car was silent as a plume of smoke continued to rise over the horizon in the rear view mirror. I grabbed Phil’s hand, gave it a big squeeze, and looked in the mirror at Vivienne smiling, eating cookies.

Love,
Meredith, Phil and Vivienne (eating cookies, still)

How does this happen?

I was enjoying staying at home with my wonderful little girl, playing, singing, laughing, and having so much fun. Then, out of nowhere, she becomes tiny demon child. Please don’t tell me this is a long phase.

Phil and I have been tortured for over a week now by this menace. She is still as cute as can be when she isn’t screaming, screeching, yelling, hitting, falling to the floor and kicking, or tugging on your arms and hands. But these times aren’t very often at this point.

Last week we were all gathered around the coffee table eating some (nutritious) Taco Bell when Vivienne decided that she only wanted our drinks. She didn’t want her food, her drink, or our food, just the Pepsi in the big cup with the straw. When we repeatedly told her no, she became more and more agitated. When she had enough, she threw herself onto the floor and began to kick and yell and scream and fake cry. Phil and I were stunned, but calm. We managed to have the wherewithal to sit and ignore her. After a good two minutes, she stood up and sat back in her chair.

When things were clearly back to normal, I asked Phil “Did we win?” To which he replied, “I think so.” Ah, parenting, the one competition where the enemy is also the gold medal.

We are in full ‘hurry up and wait’ mode with both houses. I have things in order at the current house. Getting some last minute repair estimates after the inspection, starting to pack, and planning out my utilities and such. The new house has been measured for carpet, a new front door and the kitchen plans are all worked out. Now we are just in a holding pattern waiting for closings. I am not good at waiting. What I need is a big wall calendar where I can put giant black “Xs” on each day.

Lastly, my dear friend Ronni is getting married this weekend to a wonderful man. I was there for the beginning and am very glad to be able to share this with them. Ronni knew Phil before I did, so it’s only fair that I went to high school with John. The fun part will come when I get to see some old high school friends at the ceremony! Lucky me!

Until Next Update…
Meredith

And with one week under our belts…

We have a buyer.

This week was spent living in conditions that are reserved for single people living alone with a maid and chef, certainly not a family of 3 with a two year old and two cats. It was a week of constant cleaning, wiping, replacing of items and eating out. Everything in this house has a place right now. If we bring anything in, we need to find something else to go out. There is just no room. It is perfect.

We had over 12 showings this week. I followed Vivienne around all day putting her toys back, straightening blankets, sweeping up after cats, and Phil. I lit candles, turned on all the lights, opened curtains and blinds. I swept the front walk, back patio and floors about a dozen times a day. No one can really live like this (aside from my dear father...how DOES he do it?)

Today our realtor called to tell us that she had an offer coming. She came by after church with papers in hand. We were offered $500 above asking price. Phil and I were happy, nervous, scared, overjoyed, relieved and overwhelmed. In fact, we still are. After signing the papers and putting Vivienne down for a nap, Phil and I caught up on some computer stuff. Phil promptly took a nap and I sat down to announce the news.

The buyer is a single grandmother of a toddler and another on the way. Her son is the realtor. She is a traveling nurse from Maryland who wanted to move to be closer to her grandkids. I am so pleased about the buyer! I am excited that more memories will be made here and it won’t be lost on renters and college kids.

Now we are getting ready to cook our first real meal in this house in over 10 days. I am so happy to get things back to normal, even if normal involves packing.

I am also creating a site dedicated to the new house. It should be an interesting journey bringing life and happiness into a house filled with so much ugly and sadness. Hopefully two goofballs and the cutest kid ever will be able to make our new home as great as this one.

More updates soon!

Love,
Meredith, Phil and Vivienne

Is the Hardest Part

Now that we have found our new home, we have to sell the one we are in. Since I have never done this before and my house is THE cutest thing ever, I thought surely this will be no problem. Who wouldn’t want to live in the adorable cottage?

It seems that no one really does. Ouch, truth really hurts.

We were assured that it would be no problem, we would have many offers on day 2. Well, its day three and we are still taking appointments. One person said the kitchen is too small (yes, we know) and the other didn’t want to be this close to the highway (yes, we know that, too). So this leaves us still taking bids, still showing it for appointments and hoping that sooner or later someone will have to have it.

The cats have now come home from the vet. The litter box and food bowls have been returned to their original spots. There are leaves on the patio where Sunday only dewdrops and ladybugs roamed. The Dogwood tree that was majestic and colorful has now lost over 2/3s of its blooms. Even the azaleas are having problems holding onto their flowers. The perfect cottage is starting to show its true colors. The boxes of “stuff” that were quickly shoved into attic to conceal all the things real people need to live here are still up there. I have forgotten what is in those…..oops.

The worst part is trying to live in a place that feels sterile. No one can live here under these conditions and keep it in “show quality”. I am tired of eating fast food and take out. I am tired of wiping as I go in every single room (sorry Dad, its just not in me.) I am tired of having a stomach in knots. Good Lord, its only day 3. If no one bids on this place by the weekend, I might not make it to the other side. Do you think that the news would believe a hunger strike until I sell the house? Call NBC, I am on my way.

Until better news….

Meredith