I spent months looking at condo properties to rent during the time we were in Ft. Walton Beach. I looked at dozens of them on line, cataloged them in my phone, their cost, which owners got back to me when I emailed and so forth. I did my homework. I waited a bit to long to book because of the sheer pressure that comes from getting the right one. But when I did finally book I thought I had gotten the best of the best. A nice looking condo with tons of room, facing the water at an acceptable height (floor level that we would be able to see the ocean with ease and amazement.) And best of all the price was right! I was impressed with myself and thought I had done pretty good.
When we got to the condo it was late at night. Sure enough it was a nice place! Initially I had a few gripes, like the carpets were not looking their cleanest, there didn't seem to be more than one roll of toilet paper in the whole place and we could only find 5 hangers. But other than that we were on cloud nine with anticipation of the week ahead and the amazing beauty of the place we were going to be staying in.
In the morning I woke up and was delighted at the view! I went out side on the balcony to take pictures. I noticed rope hanging from the balcony and I had to maneuver around the hanging rope to get a picture of the beach without that annoying rope in the picture. But not really a big deal. I went inside and took a cute picture of Scott and just about that time there began to be strange noises. Within the next few minutes our peace and quiet morning was shattered by sounds of working men using powered chisels and grinders and drills! And it continued to get worse! In short order the worker men were on our balcony and hanging from scaffolding right in our window!! The peace and quiet was gone! and the beauty was demolished along with it! Arrg! I was trying to laugh and say how funny it was, but the reality was that it was the morning of our 20th wedding anniversary and we woke up in paradise to have paradise snuffed out with whineing, vibrating noises throughout the walls!
We hurried and got out of the condo and onto the beach where we took a long walk and enjoyed the sheer beauty emensly. After our walk we took a drive and managed to stay gone for the remainder of the day shopping and what not. Previously to all of this, we had planned that sometime during our trip we would spend one night away from the condo and travel to Tallahassee and to the small southern towns around. Since our peace had been shattered that day we decided we should take the opportunity to get away for the next day and hopefully the worker men would have moved on from our unit and onto another balcony to bug some other patron. (Although, the Emerald Coast is quite vacant this time of year and I seriously doubt there could of been many other patrons in the building at all. Maybe this was on purpose due to work that was being done on the building.) And so we did, we were gone for the next 24 hours. We left at night to take the drive, stayed in a hotel and woke the next morning to explore Tallahassee and the surrounding area. We didn't return till late the next night.
When we were driving back into Ft. Walton Beach there was quite a rain storm with thunder and lightning. When we got into the condo you could look out the window and see the rain and waves and awesomeness. We snuggled into bed and fell fast asleep. Only to be woken this morning, the third morning of our stay, by the sound of power tools!!!! I couldn't believe it!!! 8:10 am and they were full force! Not on our balcony, but hanging just below it! I could still see beedy eyes of worker men right above the floor of the balcony! And the noise was so loud Scott and I could barely hear each other talking while we were sitting in the same room together!
I was annoyed! I couldn't shake it. I wanted to "get over it". I mean after all, there was nothing I could do about it, right? It was what it was... Or at least that's what Scott kept saying. But I was pretty angry and I didn't want to wake up for the next 4 mornings of our trip angry!
And this is where I stop and ask, isn't it ok to be frustrated sometimes? Isn't it ok to complain about things when the plans you have so carefully made become smooshed by power tools and worker guys?! I need validation here. I mean seriously!
Ok, to move on and finish this story, we got out of our contract with the first condo people and Scott was awesome at finding us another beautiful condo just a few buildings down from the first. I am happily laying in bed at the new condo typing about the past. And any minute now I am going to let it all go! :) Actually, I let it go once we got all moved into the new condo. I was happy to be in a place that I can wake up in morning to silence. But for a moment, I have to say, I just needed to be grouchy and complain a little. Life isn't blissful all the time and sometimes you just have to gripe! I think there is nothing wrong with it. You have to let it out! I think I'll make a cute subway art about griping. I wonder if there is already one made on pinterest?!
Gordon B. Hinckley said, "By and large, I have come to see that if we complain about life, it is because we are only thinking of ourselves." I agree President Hinckley, but when you're on your second honeymoon you're supposed to be thinking of yourself! I'm just saying. He also said, "Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured." And this is us, trying to enjoy Florida in the best possible way!
Old annoying LOUD view...
Beautiful new peaceful, unobstructed view! And a little higher up too!
And we end our day happy as little larks. I'm even more happy than Scott because a small miracle happened! Scott went shopping with me and didn't complain one bit! He was pleasant and kind the whole time. North west Florida shuts down pretty early in January, so we shopped until they kicked us out and then we had delicious food at Panera Bread. We got shut that place down too. It's weird how early everyone closes here, but let's face it, all there is around her this time of year are snow birds! So why not.
Happy complaining people!!
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