Ann Delaney Beach Blog

Month: November 2022

  • Twice in a Lifetime 🙂

    FB_IMG_1668550788984In December of 2019, we took a “once in a lifetime” trip to Kenya.  Planning our amazing safari adventure began 2 years prior, and required plenty of preparation.

    Vaccinations, malaria pills, and just in case antibiotics were needed.  Clothes were sprayed with Permethrin to repel insects. Lists of foods considered safe to eat were reviewed.

    We returned home just before Christmas of that year with exciting stories; and frankly proud of ourselves for staying healthy the entire time by following the guidelines.

    And then came 2020…

    Of course we worried about infection and illness while traveling in Africa.  Yet never anticipated the fear from Covid just a few months later.

    Fast forward to summer of 2021.  After a particularly hectic work day, I scrolled through the web site of our travel company.  The agent was hosting a safari again in 2022!

    We decided that our “once in a lifetime” event deserved a repeat.

    Visas, passports, meds, and our Covid vaccination cards are ready to go!   Will post pictures on Twitter: @anndelaneybeach

  • Busy Weekend!

    Thanksgiving is the new Christmas (at least here on the 7 mile island!)

    Family friendly events are scheduled for both Friday and Saturday: 96th Street area in Stone Harbor, and along Dune Drive in the Avalon business district.

    Santa will make guest appearances in 2 separate parades: Avalon early Friday evening, and in Stone Harbor on Saturday night.

    Merry, merry!

    Christmas

  • Tenant Observations

    Tenant observations:

    We rented a condo last week in South Carolina to accommodate a family vacation.

    Even after a long career of managing rental properties in Avalon and Stone Harbor, I still gain important perspective from each experience as a tenant.

    For instance, our son and his family arrived Saturday evening hoping to watch the end of the World Series.  There was a small, handwritten note to log on to YouTube to operate the televisions (no cable).  I scrolled through while they were unloading their car, and could only find the game on a Japanese channel!  I gave up after a few minutes.

    Our young grandsons were sharing the bedroom with twin beds.  There were cloth mattress pads on those beds, but no plastic wraps underneath- not practical for a kids’ bedroom (or any bedroom for that matter).

    The unit had been attractively renovated- including the appliances.  Odd that there was no ice maker (just one ice cube tray in the freezer).

    Although none were major issues, it made me realize that tenant expectations play a key role in the overall opinion of a rental home.

    Landlord Observation:

    During that same week, we handled landlord duties in our place across the street.  These working visits allow me to empathize with fellow rental property owners.  Yet by the time we are walking out the door (dragging the Swiffer behind!) I feel a sense of pride for our efforts to please the incoming guests.

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