Running here in Florida is like taking a steam bath with your clothes on. It was only 80 degrees with a slight mist off the waterfront; enough to thoroughly soak my shirt. In Portland, the same distance barely breaks a sweat. The perspiration makes you feel like you got a better workout. Also, nothing ever dries so you can’t wear anything more than a day unless you exercise in air conditioning. However, the real sweating on my part came when decisions were being made on our final dwelling, with the exception of maybe a Nursing Home.

The search continues down the Gulf Coast. We’ve covered ground from north of Tampa to Venice, with a few more stops just south of here. All of our hotel stays have been courtesy of Marriott Rewards points and the flights discounted through Alaska Air. $300 for dog sitting, $500 in meals with the grand kids, and $50 in airport parking our only expenses, plus excessive tipping under the circumstances. That’s nearly a full week under $1000, well below the $1,000/day norm for the two of us. This, of course, is not a vacation but rather all business, visiting 13 potential building sites. It’s been McDonald’s for breakfast, Arby’s for lunch, and family dinners of pizza, sushi, or Cracker Barrel. Nothing fancy and no souvenirs, a travel record in frugal spending!

The sweat drips due to the morning 3.1 miles runs and the budget considerations of design costs. We’re pricing out models, elevations, location, pools, gourmet kitchens, tile, paint, windows, doors, and lanais – just for starters. We will soon sweat it out with mortgage brokers and financial advisors. Will we ultimately pick an established community or one just getting started? How much will this investment eat into our future travel plans? Will I need more deodorant to get through this all? We will get through this life changing process for the better. As it continues, I have to keep in mind that there is only a single vowel difference between Sweet and Sweat!