new apartment – Integrating the Spirals

August 25, 2023March 26, 2024 Sheila “Spiral Sister” Murrey Connections, Mind-Body, Travel

We have arrived! Our first week living in Ocala, Florida

Here’s a run down from our move to Ocala, Florida. We are loving Ocala already! If you would rather listen instead of read, play the audio:

First impressions:

Furniture – We lived in an RV for 11 years and then a furnished condo for 2 years, so while we are minimalists, we still needed a few pieces of furniture. We got a great deal on two twin mattresses at the first store we visited ($250 each!) and the next day we found a huge furniture consignment store and made offers on a computer desk and leather Serta office chair, and Broyhill console for our TV. Yes, we had bought a new TV 2 years ago for the condo since the one that was there didn’t work right or we couldn’t figure it out. We also ordered two barstools from Amazon for the bar/raised kitchen counter.
Doctor – We’re very happy with Richard’s new doc and I’ll be seeing her as well, whenever needed. She took Richard’s blood and sent it off to a lab for results to come in a few days. We are self pay currently and she only charged us $79 and gave us all the lab fees for the blood tests up front too so there were no surprises at the check out counter. I’ll be writing another article about her so watch for that if you want to know.
Grocery store – We can walk to a Publix and that was the prime reason we chose this apartment community (along with their amenities, beautiful grounds with large oaks, unit floorpan, and availability of a ground floor unit). Publix is employee-owned.
Restaurants – We love the Italian restaurant and diner next to the Publix! Great customer service and selection of food. The food has been hot and delicious. Plus we have a Subway in the plaza too and the Publix deli. Of course I cook–(but not this week as I’m on vacation).
Banking – I started a new account for us at one of the two credit unions here in the plaza. They are not planning on joining the Central Banking Digital Currency (CBDC) thing and are owned by members headquartered in Lakeland, FL with branches all over Florida. They even offer a high-rate Certificate of Deposit that is now paying over 5% interest! We were treated very well and got our new account setup within an hour (though we did have to walk home and back to get our lease to prove our new address). Two banks failed in California recently so I really wanted to move our funds to a safer place and we’ve always loved credit unions.
Apartment Community – The community had a food truck come in yesterday and that was such a treat! We’ve never had that before! We didn’t have anyone help us unload our stuff on Monday or furniture on Tuesday but I asked and that’s what was important. Mostly as you know, I’m very self sufficient. I noticed several people wearing ear buds so that’s why a few didn’t help because they didn’t even hear me ask. I also asked the guys at the furniture store but no one had time or knew anyone to refer us to call.
Neighbors – Our upstairs neighbors were moving in on the same day too so they couldn’t help. And they haven’t learned how to walk in an upstairs apartment. I will wait to see if this improves or we adjust before I say anything about this though. Update 3/25/24: this never got better so we are moving. Yes, again. This has been untenable and apparently, due to the Federal Fair Housing Act, the apartment community cannot assign people to particular apartments based on age, working hours, or what not.
Parking – We don’t have a car and don’t plan to so we have no issues with that. Though our bedroom is in the front of the unit by the parking lot so our neighbor wakes me up at 5am every morning when he starts his Charger. Go figure. Ha!

Mind-Body

It seems man always has a problem describing or explaining quantum mechanics while Nature simply plays it out intrinsically, organically. We can move our fingers, and whole body, in a wave-like fashion and observe our own movements. We don’t need to know the speed of light or how it’s measured in order to do this. We don’t have to know or understand wave function collapse. Any child can strum their fingers on a desk (or in the air) simulating a wave by moving each finger up and down incrementally one after another, and indeed they always have. No knowledge of physics is needed.

I’ll write another article on my mental health observations regarding moving as I already feel layers of the onion peeling away. I noticed yesterday I am much calmer and clear about some things but yes, wherever we go we take ourselves with us! Ha!

U-Haul missteps

Incorrect store location sent to me via confirmation email
Incorrect store opening time sent to me in ALL communications right from the start as well as in confirmation messages
Improper coordination with third-party moving helpers via the U-Haul application and that you have to pay in advance to reserve that help but if they cancel or cannot fulfill their service, they have 3-7 days to return your money! If someone is short on funds they then cannot try to schedule an alternative moving helper company because they will also have to pay in advance for them (while still waiting on the first company to refund their money)!
I’ve sent a review to U-Haul but may also send screen captures of the communications to them at a later date (I’m not sure it’s worth my time/energy)
Thankfully, the U-Haul location for the truck drop-off went well and the lady there, Carla, was quite nice and welcomed us to our new home. Also our Lyft driver from there back to Publix was a retired state trooper from the Virgin Islands and super nice—we even discussed a potential tutoring job for me!

Broyhill cherry wood console – aka “my coffin” as it weighs as much as me and thought it might be the death of us getting it the apartment! I trust the Broyhill name as my parents always had Broyhill furniture since I was a child. Paying homage to them and it will remind me of them everyday!

$40 wood bookcase from Goodwill. I am still arranging things so it will be full of books soon. Hubby has to find new place for his CD player.

Hubby’s new used computer desk and leather office chair from the best consignment store in town.

Got 2 of these. Yes, we are leaving them on the floor.

All in all, we’re sore from doing all of the unloading and walking, but we’re very happy to be here and feel a complete sense of accomplishment getting so much done on our own. Next time, if we ever move again, we’ll hire movers. Ha!

My 4th book is on Amazon!! And here’s how you can read it: Have Yourself a Wholly Vibrant Life: Reversing Asthma and Other Chronic Illness Naturally

To our better health, ease, joy, and sustainment in JOY!

Sheila “Spiral Sister” Murrey

Peace. Out.

Integrating the Spirals to ease suffering

My online Zoom video course, Integrating the Spirals is helpful now more than ever because I know people are suffering. (Let me know if you’re interested in the Integrating the Spirals course.)

As an empath I want to help ease suffering and raise hope. I want to uplift others and raise our collective vibrations and consciousness. I teach breath work and meditation so we appreciate the value of Detachment. We till our inner soil with our breath and that offers us peace and calm. Meditation is an easy way to Connect us with spirit, higher selves, Omniscience God, and receive personal guidance.

Be the best version of who you want to be–because if you’re reading my words your soul is probably beckoning you to align with it and live up to your highest ideals. Not perfect because who is perfect? Most stagnate or ‘get stuck’ while on their way to being whatever they think perfection is. Making progress is enough. Carrying your Karma lightly is enough. Be kind to yourself while living responsibly. Who you ARE affects us ALL. We Are All Connected.

Omniscience knows ALL. Omniscience is always with you. You are never alone.

The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe.

About us

My husband is an award-winning illustrator, plus he’s a seasoned guitarist, bass player, and songwriter (with over 400 original songs). You can view some of his artwork and listen to all of his songs at: http://listen4music.com

Here’s a video of us performing on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/416711742?ref=fb-share

About me, your Spiral Sister

I would love to speak at your bookstore, crystal shop, acupuncture/chiropractor office, natural health foods store, art fair, music, or yoga festival. I support healthy lifestyle businesses.

I invite you to check out my new metaphysical book–Blue Eyes: Ethereal Messages of Connection. There are two versions (Kindle and paperback) on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3WV68KF

I’m an Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice” and “Energy of Receiving” available on Amazon.

Connecting…

For more updates, To Do’s, or moving to Ocala, Florida and our new adventures, follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeonyour

August 4, 2023September 27, 2023 Sheila “Spiral Sister” Murrey Connections, Mind-Body, Travel

Moving to Ocala, Florida – Update and Prep work

Here’s an update that includes my prep work (list of To Do’s) regarding our impending move to Ocala, Florida. If you would rather listen instead of read, play the audio:

As mentioned previously, we chose an apartment community 3 to 5 miles from downtown Ocala, so we could live within walking distance to grocery stores and eateries. We were prepared to apply to both our top choices of communities (just in case for any reason one didn’t accept us). Thankfully, we were accepted by the one with the amenities we liked best and in the best location to meet our needs (namely, within the shortest walking distance to the stores, doctors office, banking, and eateries we liked). The application, check in, monthly rental payments and such are all done online too, which I love, because we have had many issues at our current place of rent checks (yes, even paying via Bill Pay) get lost, not cashed, etc. and nothing irritates me more than paying before or on the due date and the people not getting the money for 10 days to two weeks through no fault of ours!

I have our electricity, water/sewer, and internet services all set to turn on for our new apartment soon too (we move 8/21/23), so we will see how it goes. I still need to put in our change of address notice with the post office, but I think by this point in time, I have everything done that needs to be done. I have the U-haul truck and two helpers hired. I will drive the moving truck myself with hubby by my side. I think once we get everything packed into the truck we’ll see how much more we want to buy at the new place in order to keep future moves also to a minimum.

We have packed about 85% of everything and are waiting until the last 3-4 days before moving day to complete the rest. I think of it like packing for a trip or vacation but in reverse. Everything I use daily, will go into my suitcase the day before we get the rental moving truck. I’ll take an Uber or Lyft to the U-haul dealer.

I have also pre-cleaned the current place a lot and will do more of that the last few days so that once all our boxes and totes are out, it won’t take me long to do one final wipe-down and broom or vacuum and call it done. Mind you, this place wasn’t all that clean when we moved in so I will leave it at least the same or better. It’s furnished (I had never rented a furnished apartment before in my life) but they had never moved and cleaned under anything, which has always bothered me. I didn’t know initially until I dropped something at one point and it rolled under the bed. UGH

The owner never steam cleaned the couch or such either so I always had a sheet covering it (they disagreed but I felt there were blood stains on the couch cushions too, so that’s another reason I covered it). Anyway, I know one person’s idea of “clean” can vary drastically from another’s, and so again, it is what it is. I’ll take a video when we leave just to ensure I can prove how we left it should any questions arise.

Summary

I can let go (deep breath here) of all low vibes I have had about living in Bradenton (I never wanted to live here but it was cheap rent and available at least for one year) back when we had looked for a place in St. Pete/Gulfport and could not find anything reasonable or available. Some places were only available during part of a year, and lots of small houses, duplexes, or such went on AirBnB, so there’s that.
I’m glad our new place won’t have GPS issues (it’s been hard for people to find our current place for deliveries), So many times, drivers have had to text me to find us at this place in town, which I certainly never expected. I guess the city of Bradenton never thought their addressing scheme out very well back in the day. (After having delivery issues when we lived in the woods “off grid” before moving here, that had been one issues I’d never expected to have, living in a city.
I’m glad our new place won’t have mail issues (some of our mail went to another near identical address here and thankfully, those folks were nice and brought our mail over to us when it would get delivered to them). Our new apartment community has a mail center where packages are received. And the address is super easy to find for visitors via GPS.
I’m looking forward to taking a bath at the new apartment too! The current old iron tub has a rusted out spot and hole in it so I couldn’t take baths here, only showers.
I can release negative feelings I have had about no one visiting us in two years (of “friends” (who live here) who we used to know and see a lot but apparently quit caring about us after we moved away (for work back in 2017). So be it.
I can look onwards and upwards. Two years here has been more than enough and that last hurricane (Ian), pushed me over the edge as far as dealing with power outages was concerned. Yes, I realize that’s a first world country problem but we did our 17 months living off grid during 2020-2021 and we are sooo over that!
I’m looking forward to using new appliances too at the new apartment–everything here is old, hence the cheap rent I suppose.
I can focus my energy on making new acquaintances and friends and seeing new sights. As well, we will be two hours closer to northern destinations I want to visit soon! Two hours closer to getting out of the state should we need to.
I love the hills and lay of the land in Ocala too.
I love the arts community in Ocala also.
I love horses. I grew up with horses and worked with an equestrian photographer years ago too, so I am hoping I can do something there related with the equine industry. I am asking the Universe to surprise me!
I am also hoping it is more quiet there, though I am sure the trade off will be between the all ages community we will be in versus the 55-plus community we are in now, and also we will have someone living above us. But there’s going to be major road work going on where we are at currently and I didn’t want to be here when it ramps up with milling and paving happening for weeks/months! This condo has poor windows and doors and we can hear everything outside and are close to a four-lane street that will get widened.

I feel Ocala will present us with a lot of adventure, with more natural springs to explore, horses to view or ride (I am looking forward to visiting the World Equestrian Center (WEC), and see how folks of all ages accept our original music in Ocala (as Richard already asked if he could play guitar at the apartment community pool and was told he could), so we shall envision success there!

In case you missed part 1 of this post: https://sheilamurrey.net/2023/04/29/apartment-hunting-in-ocala-florida/

Part 2 was: https://sheilamurrey.net/2023/05/04/apartment-hunting-in-ocala-florida-part-2/