Heavy Weekend

Thursday, drove back up to city to see my terminal ill cousin, she was being helped by her brothers.  Her son is an alcoholic and absent.  So that has been very hard on her.  She said her mother so angry at son, mother (my great aunt) was writing him off. 

After that, I drove on up and visited with my Dear Grandmother and took her some cookies.  Then took her tax stuff to tax place, got that done.  I stayed with my aunt.   Had dinner with friend from 3rd grade.  She getting married Memorial weekend.   So we caught up.  Enjoyed chat with my aunt and uncle.   Cant believe how uncle failing.   He has lost 90 pounds since his fall last August.

Friday I talked to my old project manager.  I was a temp fir 11 years.   I can still do projects at my old rate.   Nothing work from home, unfortunately.   Then saw bunch of work friends, then lunch with B and T, my fave.

Friday afternoon visited with aunt and cousin, K1.  They got in argument,  I tried to help.  I failed.   I had coffee with friend T.  She totally understands this type stuff.    By time I got back, aunt was back to normal.  I just want no drama, I guess.  I can see where my experience can help, but of people dont want to try, justcwsnt to be "right" and not respect boundaries   nothing I can do.  So I prefer direct my energy where it matters.

Back by DGM and great Aunt on way home.  I made changes to GA wishes she had written out ( she is 95), but reminded her her grandson is sick and we prayed God gets through to him.   I was honored to try to be there for her such a difficult time st the twilight of her long life.

Tired, spending a day recouping today.

Happy Sunday!

Birthday Weekend!

I wonder if now that I am not a captive audience at a computer for 8 to 10 hours a day, if I will just eventually ease off blogging.  But I still have stuff to say and I really want to blog for a year while retired, to see my evWeolution.

I think I just need to set a certain time a day to blog and stick to it.  I have not been terribly busy, but I have been up to the city with my husband and my sister.  We went back to where DH and I moved from, for my DGM 100 birthday!  She had a nice birthday.  We did a card shower for her, she cannot see and cannot hear, so being around many people is stressful for her.  So, we just did the card shower, we shared with people closed to us and family for her and so far she had gotten 75 be the time we left her on her birthday to come home.

The home where she lives is independent living.  She comes downstairs for her meals.  Her daughter and my cousin, my DGM, my sister, DH and I.  we shared lunch with her.  They sang HBD to her and brought her the annual banana split (evidently this is preferred for elderly over cake).  I can understand that.  I prefer pie over cake, cake can be so very dry and blah.  But my sister did bring her some yummy cupcakes from a place I recommended.

When the recreation therapist and the guy in charge came over to say hello, he had a microphone and asked if DGM wanted to say anything about how she made it so long.  Well my Granny gets that microphone and says..."Well if you don't want to live to 100 you better start drinking and smoking...I never did that".  It was pretty funny.

DH and I playing golf today.  It is gray and spotty rain, but should not amount to much.  Tomorrow is my birthday and I am doing yoga and then I think I am either going to steak place or to the casino for dinner.  I might even play $40 worth of slots.  You know, live dangerously.

A Few Chore Projects, A Few More Fun Projects

"The minute you begin to do what you really want to do, it's really a different kind of life."

- R. Buckminster Fuller

Today I am going a little of what I dont and a little more what I do...

Trim other wisteria arbor, a short walk...then couch potato.

No check today.  So we are on tight budget for another week.  We can get into svgs, but I really want to maintain that for emergency and home projects.  It is no big deal.

Talked to my Granny Wednesday.   She is good.  Has stomach 'fullness'.  Doctor doesn't have any ideas.  My aunt thinks maybe liver.  Ironic, my DGM has never had a drop of alcohol.  But she has had problems with gal and liver ducts.

Told her not sure when we will get back to city...soon.  we need a check first. Have to arrange for the dogs...

Today is cool and overcast here.  Have a great Friday!  What are your plans?

Strategic Shopping

Now a days my shopping is very specific and planned.  No more buying stuff because I am bored or looking for a quick feel good.

I bought couple things.  I wanted to reeplace a pair of comfy sneakers that I have worn out.  I wanted another pair of slip on comfy off white.  I found some adorable Keds and they have glitter!  So cute.  I know I will wear them quite a bit end of summer through early fall.  My DH took me with him to the sporting goods store and decided I needed a good pair of sturdy sandals for kayaking, so I picked out a pair of Keens.  I have never worn anything like them.  They are comfortable but make my feet look so wide.  Function over looks, for these.   I am sure I will get used to them.
  
I am going shopping here in a few minutes to pick out a couple new tops for my DGM.  She is tired of all her stuff.  It will perk her up a bit and I love being of service to her.  She is an awesome Granny.

Any of you pick anything up lately?  Good summer sales? 

More Rightsizing...Still

You would think that after couple of years of purging, I would be about finished.  But I am not.  Now that we have everything (except what is in the hotel) moved in, we will do another sweep to get rid of extras, stuff that is too crowded and stuff we can see we won't need/use. 

This past weekend I cleared out a large set of dishes my MIL gave me.  I explained to her now that we have just smaller retirement house, we don't have the room.  I ventured that I might see if one of nephew fiances (when they get engaged) want them, or see if neice wants it...to keep the dishes in the family.  MIL seemed fine with it.  I sure do hope she understands.  She can see with her eyes how full we are.  So, she gave her blessing anyway.  And I was happy niece seemed thrilled.  I took pictures and texted her.  Then I packed up large microwave and toaster oven boxes and brought them back from retirement house.  The old microwave (we just hate it) I will try to give away without bringing back to the city.  LOL. 

Anyway, my cabinets are less crowded.  The timing is good because I am getting other stuff on kitchen worked out, so it is perfect.  DH and I have 7 more weeks in this extended stay hotel.  We are happy, because the person in the room above ours stomps around a lot, making a lot of noise.  Usu starting about 10pm.  Well, last night they stomped around starting at about 6pm and continued all through the entire night, DH said.  I did not hear because I fell into deep sleep.  Did not feel well yesterday.  It was not my tummy - it was my hands and feet soreness and achey, throat sore, glands...I sure hope I am not getting sick again.  DH said it is going around his work.  I blame the hotel, not the most clean place exactly.  It is not bad, but I am just amazed how people treat the property, not picking up after their dogs, trash overflowing the dumpster, floors dirty, weeds in the yard, cigarette butts, etc.  Gross.  We hope the upstairs people were up all night packing.  It would be consistent with a young college aged youth waiting till last minute to be up early this am to catch shuttle to the airport.

DH and his colleagues are interviewing people for his replacement.  I thinks they found the right person, but they have 2 more people to interview this am.  He will not be late today getting home, so I might some errands after work.  I need to go to the grocery and I have been promising my grandmother I would shop summer clearance sales for her to get couple new tops.  Last night I had so many things to do and did none.  I have to get a workout and errands done after work today. 
Guess I better get to work.  Happy (rainy) Tuesday!

Thoughtful Thursday

Thinking of my DGM today, today is the anniversary of my father's death.  I know it is hard on her and on my brother and my dad's widow.  So for all of them I pause and say a prayer for peace and happy memories.  As for myself, I just try not to think to much on it and also pray for happy memories. 

I am going to have to search for NYC airline tickets soon and get those locked down.  Then DH and I will literally concentrate on paying off our 2 credit cards and putting a couple of his paychecks aside for Oct and Nov (we don't get his pension until end of Oct and SS until end of Nov).  He is not worried, I am a little.  We should get a check for his unused sick time and a check returning our money in escrow from city house.  Maybe even some from retirement house.  It is really hot and we need rain in the Midwest.  I am usually ready for fall by the end of June.  While I am at it, I can add patience to my list of prayers!  LOL. 

I have not done it for a while, but my stop and smell the roses lately is just lounging in our meat locker cold hotel room and just accepting...don't focus on the unfortunate part of this experience and we have been enjoying fruit and salads/smoothies, cool meals.  I especially enjoy relaxing after my late but still hot walks I am now doing at 8pm.  I am loving the long days still, but noticed that last night it was pitch black at 9:15.  Tonight I am having a relative help me with my flights search (my internet is bad at hotel), so I will enjoy a visit with her after work. 

What are you doing to take care of yourself?  Hope you have a moment to relax today.

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matt 11:28-30

D for Debt

http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/?m=1
I realized I am a letter behind.  I will catch up Monday.
Debt is a symptom.  Maybe people go into debt because they don't know anything else.  Maybe people go into debt to avoid dealing with something.  At the basic level, debt is spending more than you make.  Or, at least choosing to pay later instead of sooner. 
Speaking of debt, now my girl Chihuahua is sick.  In the last 2 months, between getting cat all her shots so she could live safely with my friend's cats for a few months and my 2 dogs being sick, I think we have spent over $1300.  All of it charged...then the usual expenses confronted in the first part of a year...taxes, continuing education, professional licenses, HOA...then the bathroom tile...I am on a strict no spending plan now.  Which means I have to work to earn...so after being up most of the night with my sick female dog, I sure did want to stay home today.  But I managed to get up and in on time.  I am glad DH has a work from home day, he can keep an eye on her.  All she did was whimper last night.  We took her to emergency vet, they ruled out anything obvious/life threatening, so we brought her home.  She has been increasingly uncomfortable last 3 days, culminating in extreme discomfort and vomiting last night. 
Also speaking of debt, the opposite of it.  Before I got home to find my little girl sick, I spent time with my dear grandmother.  She and I went through a coin collection of hers and counted it all out and catalogued it so that DH and I can liquidate it for her.  it was $70 and some change face value but included some old coins, steel pennies, some Mercury and Liberty dimes and other silver coins, like some old quarters.  She will be happy to get that done, she said she might as well do it now and enjoy a treat - I wholeheartedly agree.
How will you treat yourselves today?  I am going to say some prayers and breathe deep and go to 2nd hot yoga this week, tonight and bed at 8:30pm!  I do have a man that saw my "coming soon" house listing.  He wants to see it when we are ready to show it.  That is a little treat, even if nothing comes of it.  I realized a certain number of people going to have to see our listing before we find "the one".  Have a great Thursday!
Psalm 50:10-11 “For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine.”

My Dear (Male) Dog

I have a dear (female) dog too. 

Our Boy was much better after we got off work and got home yesterday.  Compare first to second photo, you can tell a difference.  He seemed to be almost his old self again.  Vet cannot find anything wrong, other than heart murmur/enlarged heart - we have know about this several years.  He also has some arthritis, but nothing to clearly explain sudden bursts of pain.  She wants me to bring him back today for 2nd film to see if he has a kidney stone.  He did fine all night last night, except in the middle of the night had another episode of about 7 to 10 seconds of yelping.  It was horrible.  So, we are a bit bleary eyed today, but hopeful he improves.  I was convinced he was declining.  Now, maybe not. 
Weather here is gloomy and gray.  Forecast the rest of the week is chilly.  One never knows in the Midwest, even up to Easter.  I am driving my kitty down to my friends house about an hour from RH.  She is gracious enough to foster my kitty until October when we will be moved completely and out of the monthy extended stay hotel we will be in for 3 - 4 month after city house sells.  DH going to stay home and keep Chico calm.  I am taking a load of small stuff I can unload myself and one large antique I will swing by my sister's after RH on my way to my friend's house Sat to drop off kitty.  That way, I can get my new truck licenced in new state (and avoid the higher taxes here) and clean up the tile mess and put books away/clear clutter in RH Fri night.  I will pop in on my Father in Law, as he is having some health issues too.  At least my DGM here in the city is doing well right now (she is 99!).
Have a wonderful Wed.  What is the weather like where you are?  Any fun Easter plans?  I just thank God so much for his grace and blessings.  I need to slow down and remember to check in with him every day.  Let that guide me and keep my mind at peace.  Know that all this busy-ness can be a way to avoid thinking about what really matters.  Peace to you.

My Love Hate Relationship with March

I was born in March, so was my mom and my DGM (dad's mom).  It always meant just a peak at spring, after the long winter.  I grew up in the Midwest.  I lived away from the Midwest for 13 years.  I came back 18 years ago.  I still hate winter.  Or maybe I hate trying to get around outside when the weather is icy or snowy. 

The hate part comes from losing my mom in March 1991.  She turned 48 just 4 days prior to her death.  And my late husband SCG died in March 1993.  He was only 32.  Now I have a dear friend, S, who died at 47 in 2014...on March 7.  So yesterday and today I think of her.  I am sure i will write more on S.  I miss her so much.  There are some things i need to unpack there with that.  I will write about that later. 

Tues was dedicated to my DGM.  She turned 99.  After working late, i went over and took her  some fancy cupcakes.  She loved them.  I saved 2 for DH too.  Last year I found this cupcake store when I looked for a special treat to take her for her 98th bday.  She was in the hospital last year.  Almost died.  It was quite a spring last year.

My cousin N who has cancer sent me a frantic text tues to come help her, that her work was screwing around with her.  I had to text her and tell her I could not leave work.  I really need all my hours, things are a bit hectic with time and expenses right now, getting some work done on RH to move in and work on CH to get it sold.  I felt bad on one hand, but sort of annoyed on the other because when I called and texted later, she did not respond.  I have to just focus on my lane and let her follow her journey. 

Anyway.  Sometimes the best thing we can do when we feel like we can barely take care of ourselves is to reach out and "do" for another.  Be an ear for someone else, help someone with something, give someone a ride...maybe even just a text or a call...smile at a stranger.  But get out of our own head!

Last night I went to a hot yoga class...first one since our other instructor left in Nov.  It was good.  I slept very well.  Gonna try to go again tonight.  I don't do 2 in a row a lot.  So, might be a bit challenging.  I would rather walk outside tonight, but is still a bit cool and gets dark too soon.  But the clocks change Sat!

I just read this quote on "the Garden of Pensiveness":  "To strengthen the muscles of your heart, the best exercise is lifting someone else's spirit whenever you can."
   -Dodinsky

Before and After

Know what is more unsatisfying than some poor photos on a blog?  Before photos with no After!

Well, here is a before and after of living room.  It has wood burning stove (lower left out of frame), so we took out un-vented gas fireplace and put in large window. 

 

We love how it turned out.

 

Yesterday was a special day.  My DGM turned 99 years old.  I took her some yummy cupcakes and talked to her about her busy day.  She said she did not know how to receive all the birthday blessings and cards, calls, well wishes.  She was a little overwhelmed and tired.  But happy.  What a blessing she is to us.

Thursday Snow Day, Finally Friday

I stayed home yesterday.  The temp dropped from way above freezing to below while it rained iceapprox 8 to noon.  We did not get a whole lot of ice, fortunately.  And since I go in 6:20am to arrive by 7, I prob would have been fine, but after the ice the forecast was snow, so I was more concerned about the commute home.  One year it showed a couple inches during the workday and it took me 3 hours to drive home.  It was nice, DH stayed home too.  Plus, I had just washed my car and took photos to list it online for sale, so it seemed sort of like tempting fate!

I did laundry and listed a bunch of more of our old work clothes we won't wear if we are retired.  I have had more luck selling men's clothes/shoes lately than mine.  The website I use (Poshmark) I think is exploding, but instead of more selling, I think people are all wanting to get rid of stuff and it has become a lot like an online garage sale.  I see genuine leather jackets go for $20-$25 and nice leather shoes for $8.  It is fine to get rid of large hoard of stuff, but if I am giving it away, I would rather just load the car and give it away, literally.  Which I also did.  My DH has started to work on his closet and we have spent couple of hours 2 diff days down in it sort of getting an overview of strategy.  I think I now have removed most of the stuff of any value he does not want to keep and have listed it (like 10 really nice canvas/twill type Tommy Hilfiger shirts he has had laundered professionally that are spotless.  Also about 10 of his really nice basic suits).  The rest he is 1) keeping - I am not sure where he is going to put 50 Harley tee shirts, lol; 2)  donating or 3) throwing away.  But at least, we sort of have it figured out.  I also listed his travel golf bag and my car online! 

As far as staging my house, I have decided that the 4 bookcases we are keeping in our basement, we are going to go ahead and move them and stage the space another way.  I have a large picture and a chair I am going to move from master bedroom down there.  DH and I think the more bigger stuff we can move each trip, the better off we will be.  We may even sell the Suburban before next fall.  It is 19 years old and we got a good deal on it, but we had to put a little more into fixing some things than we had planned.  We have just about decided that rather than keeping an older vehicle that is not exactly what we want or need (we don't really need 4wd, but if we do, we would almost rather have a truck).  So, if we get our stuff basically all moved without having to rent a trailer or spend way more time, then the repairs will have paid for themselves and we will go ahead and cut our loss.  We also have a 14 year old Camry, but it is low miles and we think it will last for years and is more economical, so we think we will keep it longer and maybe get a small truck instead of old suburban and my new expensive SUV.  So excited to consolidate our assets/efforts and get rid of debt!

I am ready to move and want to do more, but really we are sort of in a waiting pattern until we can get couple more loads to RH, including getting the bookcases out of basement.  First we will move all the Christmas stuff and some other stuff (cabinet from dining room) i have packet up.  Then next trip (early Feb we will move the bookcases).  Then move loveseat out of the basement, get the carpet re-stretched and cleaned.  Then move couch and chair from master downstairs and stage with the large painting.  Move dresser from master to RH and late winter, move large shelf from master to RH master closet for sweaters/sweatshirts/shoes.

All while I am trying to help take care of Granny and work full time.  Ugggghhhhh.  I will be glad when this is all over.  We have tried to talk Granny in to moving with us, but she thinks she cannot leave her daughter and cannot intrude on us.  Actually I would consider it an honor to care for her and much prefer to her going to a nursing home and also, it really would be much easier for me.  But I truly doubt she will come with us. 

HNY!

This is a special year for me.  This year my DGM made it through an illness and hospital stay just after her 98th bday.  I turned 50 this year and my DH is retiring next year, making 2017 our last full year (& last winter) in this city/state.  We celebrated our 10 year amniversary and 10 years in this house.  It has been awesome, we love our house.  However, we are ready to downsize.

In 2018, i am going to try to stop saying downsize and say rightsize.  I am not into making resolutions to feel bad about not keeping, but I am into sharpening and focusing my intentions.  There is a lot of power into writing down our goals. 

My word next year is "abide".  As we move toward a huge life transition, I want to abide in the present.  I also want to abide in whatever I experience, not tune out with distractions.  But most of all, I have been learning in church to "abide" with Christ in my daily life.

I hope you feel joy and hope as you abide in 2018!  Thank you for stopping by.

Grateful for people

10/29/17
Grateful for people

I am grateful for people in my life.  I had a great date night with my DH listen after a busy and productive Sat morning and drive sat afyernoon looking at leaves.  Sat morning was cool, but afternoon was pretty.  Stayed up way too late, had fun.  Saw my 97 yo DGM and her 93 yo SIL (my great aunt) and my fathers cousin.  It brought on some painful memories of my dad...but my dad is gone now.  I did what I could before he died.

After my busy sunday helping my DGM, i had a healthy early dinner and caught up with my aunts for little while.  I didnt get my walk in, rare for a Sun.  I will just walk extra this week.  Sold a purse and canned some apple pie filling.  First time ever made chunky applesauce with cinnamon.  Its good.  My house is clean.  In an hour, bed then another work week...

Trying not to wish my life away too fast!  But want winter over and its barely started!