ORE FEATURES
A Monthly publication of Ozark Rock Exchange
VOL #7: Issue #9, June 10, 2006
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Main: >> Start Page >> ORE Features Archives >> 2006 >> Lodestone & My New Home | |
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| ORE'S FEATURED GEMSTONE: My New Home & Lodestone (Was Aventurine) It has been so hard to write lately. I have sat down a number of times to begin writing about the sparkling Aventurines, one of my favorite gemstones. Unfortunately the words will not come right now. I know it is the distraction of this large and hurried move looming in the very near future. So, instead I've decided to write you about our home hunting experience. Since it was nothing short of magical and miraculous. And since some of you played a part in this magical miracle with your prayers, wishes and energies, it seems only fair to share the adventure with you. Efforts to secure a Memphis residence over the internet and via telephone were not working. It was decided that an emergency trek to the city was necessary and within 24 hours we secured a vehicle, packed our bags, grabbed some quarters (for the newspaper) and headed Southeast to Memphis. I performed two key tasks that ultimately gave our mission what I believe was the extra "push" it needed. First I sent out the note to let you know that the newsletter would have to be delayed a few days. The rush of replies with wishes, prayers and energies was overwhelming - thank you all!! Secondly, I found a special Lodestone and asked it to direct us to our perfect residence in a new city where we knew nothing. Monday, we arrived fairly late in the afternoon (thanks to a slow start getting our critters settled with a critter sitter) and decided to rest and reserve our energies for the next day. In Springfield Missouri, our current residence, one can just drive around the desired neighborhood and check out "for rent" signs in front yards. In our small town innocence, we thought we could do the same thing in Memphis. So, we wasted almost our entire Tuesday search under this misconception. We found some desirable neighborhoods that appeared to be in our price range and size needs, but not ONE SINGLE "for rent" sign ANYWHERE!!! Finally, we had our big "duh" moment and put one and two together: One - Memphis is a high crime city, Two - putting a "for rent" sign in the front yard is like saying "steal anything not nailed down inside this house". So with our last few working hours fading quickly we rushed down to the Commercial Appeal (the local newspaper), purchased Sunday's edition, then tracked down a gigantic map of the city and went back to our hotel room. For the rest of the afternoon we circled potential prospects and telephoned real-estate companies. After speaking with a number of agents, we decided that they would be our last resort, as there would be extra fees involved. As the clock ticked past 6:00pm we decided to close our first full and very disappointing day of house hunting. We found a wonderful Italian restaurant for dinner called Colletta's (yummmmmmmyyyyy!!) with portions large enough to feed us for two days. We vowed not to discuss our disappointment at dinner and talked only about the good days and opportunities ahead of us in Memphis. It was a very happy evening rediscovering how much we love each other and being together. Wednesday dawns and panic is creeping into my thoughts. My partner is due to start his job in one week and a day, and we still have nowhere to live. We both are up early. By the time we finish our morning routines, it is still only 7:00 am. We try to pass the next hour patiently, telling ourselves it is not safe to call anyone before 8:00am. Finally the appointed hour arrives and we divide our circled classified ads in half and begin calling. By 9:00 am we have five appointments before noon and another half a dozen or so addresses to drive by. As we climb into our rental vehicle I start searching for the Lodestone that I had placed in the car as we left Springfield. I was keeping the gemstone in the car, since it would be taking us to our destinations. But it didn't seem to be in the place where I'd left it and I felt a little fear that the Lodestone had chosen not to assist us. The first four houses all seemed ok, but not quite "perfect". Some were a little too small, some were not quite "safe", and there was one, well, it was just UGLY!!! The fifth house on our appointment list was still an hour away from the assigned meeting time. However, my partner was extremely excited about the ad (I was extremely skeptical). The ad said, 3 bedrooms, 1 bath on 1 acre with lots of trees for (this is the best part) $600 a month. The address was in Memphis. It just seemed a little too good to be true, so we decided to drive by before the landlady arrived. That way we could bail it if was really really bad. It was not really really bad. This little old farmhouse with hardwood floors sits on an untouched acre in the middle of a bunch of warehouses!!!! The house is surrounded by Pine trees, Oaks and a number of new trees we are unfamiliar with (for now). It is not only perfect, but a miraculous find in the middle of Memphis. The size is just right for all of us and Ozark Rock Exchange too. There is even a small wooden barn in the back yard with lots of potential for storage or other future uses. A small portion of the yard is already fenced for the puppy and the kittens will have a little over six acres (the landlady owns a total of six acres and three houses along this strip of Holmes Road) of woods and over growth to hunt in. Definitely too good to be true. We waited patiently for the landlady to arrive, trying hard not to feel too eager until we had the chance to tour inside. Though, my partner had already decided at that point this was the home. We barely finish touring the rooms inside before he asks "this is the one, what do we need to do next?". This is when the landlady reveals that a younger couple had claimed earlier that they wanted the house, but she was having trouble verifying their information (too good to be true). We explained our urgency and she said she would have an answer for us by that evening. When we climbed back into the rental car, I immediately found the Lodestone, right where I had left it. I knew then the house would be ours, eventually. Half heartedly we drove by our remaining addresses, but never took the time to make any more phone calls. We get back to our hotel room around 6:00 pm and take showers to prepare for dinner plans with some friends of my partner's. Just before we leave the landlady calls, she's been unable to verify the employment of the other couple and says we can have the house. (yippppeee - we can celebrate at dinner) We give her the fax number at our hotel with the intention of signing the paperwork as soon as we return from dinner. The four of us had a wonderful dinner on Beale street. We visited a karaoke bar, shopped at a hilarious store (got the best pair of sunglasses) and spent a totally fun evening thinking our new home was secured and waiting for us. We went straight to the hotel office as soon as we returned, but there was no fax. First thing the next morning we checked, no fax. Wait a couple of hours, 9:00 am, still no fax. We call the landlady, no answer, leave a message. For the next three hours we try to contact the landlady with no success and doubt starts nicking away at our confidence. I pick up our Lodestone, it still feels confident, so I trust and keep quiet. Finally we go by the friend's business that we had dinner with the night before. We call from his business phone and the landlady answers. She is just returning from an appointment. She is getting the lease papers and will call us shortly on where to meet her. More minutes slip by, then it is an hour later. We call. No answer. We wait. As 2:00 pm creeps up, one week before job-day, we call one more time. The landlady answers. She has the lease papers at her house and we can meet her now to sign everything. We both let go a huge sigh of relief and a silent yipppppppeeeee. With less than seven days to go, in less than 36 (rushed) hours and with some very powerful help we found the perfect Memphis home. Thank you, thank you, may you feel and be infinitely blessed by the joyful glow of my gratitude. Now, if I can just figure out magical packing, I'll have it made! Pictures of Lodestone --+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- SUBSCRIBER'S SPECIAL: FREE small Aventurine! Receive a FREE Aventurine with any purchase from Ozark Rock Exchange. You can shop on line at https://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/cart You can also place your order by email at stephanie@ozarkrockexchange.com or send your telephone number for a phone appointment. Discount will be taken at the time of purchase. You must be a subscriber as of June 10, 2006 to be eligible for the Subscriber's Special; the Subscriber Special is not valid with other offers (unless otherwise stated). Only one special per subscriber, please. The Subscriber's Special will expire July 5, 2006. Remember you never pay extra for shipping at Ozark Rock Exchange! MOVING BONUS!! Place your order before Tuesday July 13 and receive an additional FREE Lodestone with your order. Moving Bonus will expire at Midnight Tuesday July 13. --+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- SKY NOTES Full Moon, Sunday, June 11 2:04 pm ET -+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- I'm Just Packing -+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: FAVORITE CRYSTAL CONTEST! The Annual Favorite Crystal Contest each Summer has definitely become my favorite contest, I so enjoy reading your stories and entries. I can't wait to start reading this year's collection, so let's start the contest! The contest is very simple - to enter, just email webmaster@ozarkrockexchange.com about your favorite crystal. It can be as simple as writing the name of the stone, or maybe you have a story to share about your special gem. It doesn't matter, because the winner will be chosen by random drawing. No judging or guidelines, just sharing. That means there is no reason not to enter. The winner (chosen by random drawing) will pick their own gemstone collection that will include a RAW, POLISHED AND CARVED version of their choice. Winner can choose a: Rose Quartz Favorite Crystal entries must be received and posted by Midnight July 4, 2006 to be eligible for the Favorite Crystal drawing. Email entries to webmaster@ozarkrockexchange.com One entry per contestant please. (special note** I will not be able to personally reply to every single entry as I have done in the past. This will mostly be due to the fact that I will not have access to the internet for about 48 to 72 hours during the move. Meaning I will have to prioritize my email communications for a while as I get caught back up. Please be assured that your entry is in the contest, even if you do not receive the normal reply back.) Details on the contest are posted at -+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- What's Happening At Ozark Rock Exchange? BACK IN STOCK: Amethyst carved double point pendants, Ametrine and Chinese blue Fluorite have all been restocked in the catalog!!! Several other new arrivals have also come in, but will have to wait until the move is complete and we are all settled. Watch for an announcement toward the end of the month. ORE FEATURES ARCHIVES: The archives are completely updated now. All of the 2006 issues (except this one) are now available online. You may view the archives for 2006 here: http://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/ore_features/2006/index.shtml ORDERS AND MOVING MADNESS: Orders will be processed on a normal basis now through Tuesday, June 13. Orders placed after June 13 will be processed on Sunday June 18th and shipped on Monday the 19th. Wednesday July 14 we will be loading our truck and then leaving Springfield permanently the morning of Thursday July 15th. IF you place your order before the moving madness deadline, you'll receive an additional FREE Lodestone, along with your Subscriber's Special of a FREE Aventurine. With ANY order!!! WHAT'S HAPPENING AT OZARK ROCK EXCHANGE? The answer is at --+--+--+-- ©Copyright 2006, Stephanie Pflumm, All Rights Reserved Worldwide. No portion of this newsletter may be reproduced without the written permission of the editor/founder, Stephanie Pflumm. Please feel free to share with a friend. |
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