AND ALL THAT JAZZ

(The following was delayed for editing)

Wife Phyl, Bella, the minature Chihuahua, and I are one week settled into our new apartment, and we are starting to enjoy life.

Admittedly, it was hectic at first - with a few unexpected events taking place; which I won't go into here.

The first was a positive.

I'm thinking of getting a tee shirt for this old "Foop" that reads: "Doesn't fold - bend- spindle or mutilate." Thus, the experience of trucking up three + flights of stairs was a scary thought.

Still, we wanted to spend quality time with the kids and grandkids, while possibly looking for a home in the north to either supplement or replace our comfortable home in Bradengon, Fla.

When we walked into the apartment complex one day early - with checks in hand- we were told a Terrace level apt. had opened up. No lugging goodies, furniture, purchases etc up to the third floor.

That was truly our greatest fear in making this temporary move.

After a lot of adjustments dealing with the forwarding of mail and bills etc for a different Apt address; we started to settle in.

Unfortunately, Mr.Foop," (a/k/a Mr. Results Oriented") got into trouble by overwhelming the missus,who had only a passing glance experience with what the real Pgh - and all it's shortcuts, hills, challenging curves were all about.

This is despite her "almost" Western Pa introduction coming in from the roller coaster hills of W. Va. for 3 hours.

We transplanted Floridians don't do sweeping curves and cliff driving very well any more.

Finally, after a few nights exploring Pittsburgh's Pinot Grigio wine supplies and making friends, we agreed on some compromises; our normal way of dealing with challenges.

(1) The missus will not be doing any open houses or even house visitations for a minimum of 30 days, or until nightmares about West Virginia roads cease.

(2) Mr. Foop must cease and desist with showing her all the shortcuts when she still hasn't had time to master the main roads of Penn Hills etc.

A real positive for Phyl has been the Pittsburgh food - unlike even that in Harrisburg - her home town. Morgans is our favorite bistro.

The huge plus for both of us has been the people, including family, and our renewed exposure to "All That Jazz."

More later.