I can finally put a name and a face together, but not very many as I try to remember which Betty is which as we have three of them. One is easy as she reminds me of my sister-in-law Nora who was the bane of my existence for fifty years. She has the coloring, the build and the 'attitude' of a Nora. . . so I will have to give her a chance to be herself and find out a little more about her. I am sure she is a lovely lady. . . I hope!! Larry sat with us and is a 'native', was in the Army, Special Forces, for fifteen years. He is a quiet man, a big fellow. The other man, don't remember his name, was a talker and channeled the conversation into places he traveled in the States. He even knew about the 'Old Stone Mill' in Newport, R.I. and brought a picture up on his phone.
I have been table hopping all week and although everyone is to mingle, there are some who have their seat and don't you dare take it. I've been frowned on a couple of times this week but as the new 'kid' on the block I am given a bit of leeway. There is little to complain about as far as the main meal is concerned as the chef does a good job and the food is sent over from another building in a tall rollaway type of cart, or wagon, metal, which keeps the food hot. There is variety, two choices each day and some days are better than others....smile!!!! Yesterday's liver was one of 'those' meals . . . I won't do that again. If it is not calves liver , forget it!!! Yeah....good idea.
Christine and I rode over to a mall. Here, everything is fifteen minutes, a half hour, an hour....away !!! Lots of traffic, day and night...no wonder the oil folks are so rich. The shoe store was closed so we found Trader Joe's and lots of strange and exotic things to try.
Sunday was special as it was big doings down at the water front....tents up, lots of 'stuff' to buy, special booths for foods and the big event was a contest for the chicken wings ; fourteen varieties and Chris was one of the judges. We tried them all and they were delicious; hard to pick just one. The ice cream vender sells an ice cream that is like homemade ice cream. Not bad, but I like the fattening real ice cream better. Well, it is okay, but . . . . We ended the day by having a special dinner at the Bistro on the main street. A small restaurant, filled to capacity, as the chef manages to put on whole dinner from soup to nuts and it is delicious. I had ribs to die for as did Jock. Pat had scallops and Chris had a pork chop that looked like a little pork roast. We enjoyed Jock and he had a great time with his family members who were up here on a special trip. He did not like the nine hours of driving but has decided it isn't all bad and will return to have Thanksgiving with us.
After our eleven o'clock dinner I take my walker and go for a walk. I head out the driveway and go up the sidewalk to the corner, probably a good three city blocks. There are many buildings housing the elderly and some beautiful huge azalea bushes. I'd like to clip some but I do not. I am even tempted to pull up a few buttercups and wild daisies. There was a young lady sitting on the bus bench with her foot encased in one of those foot doctor rigs. I greeted her and mentioned operation and she said she was hit by a car in Seattle, knocked over in a heap and her foot was crushed and she lost the sight in one eye. She is thankful to be alive.
So I have many thoughts about living in an adult senior apartment complex. It has many good things to talk about and some not so good. I don't think it is smart to 'bundle' the old folks away but then I'd probably be up for a royal debate on that subject. All in all, I am trying to adjust and keep the 'free spirit' from jumping 'ship'. Like everything in life it takes time, energy and an open mind. I'm working on it.
Doris, three doors down the hall, made some cinnamon buns and hung a bag with four on my door. Off to fill the coffee cup and have one, maybe two . . . I'd share if you were here.
Don't forget conversation is a two way street. Get busy and let me know how you are doing.
It is time to think about YOU. . . It is time to decide to take better care of YOU. Smiles, hugs, good deeds are free to share so start sharing and caring. Start with YOU and spread yourself around. Make someone happy today. Hugs to all.
Friday, May 29, 2015
Thursday, May 21, 2015
I'm Back. . . I think!!
Hello Out There. A good morning to my family and friends. It has been a few months since I last wrote and I have been 'rather' busy. Making decisions is not easy in life and when it comes to this 'time of life' where down sizing is the major job of the day, you can believe that your mind, your heart and your energy are all bogged down in a mire of . . . yes, I had better keep that . . . no, I really don't have to have that . . . but, maybe I had better keep in just in case, and one more item goes into the box to be put in the moving truck and carted off with you.
After camping in for several weeks and bumping into boxes much to heavy for me to move, I greeted my son John with open arms and a sort of 'are we sure we want to do this' attitude and the truck got filled, we got the house locked down and off we went up the highways to Port Orchard. Our trip was done in one day, with a few stops along the way. According to John if we stopped more often we might never get there. Well being kind I chose the faster way even though he was more than willing to go the two country lane roads which I really prefer. I hate that major highway with its fast traffic, huge trucks, and long cement nothingness. I was being kind and thoughtful as John had just traveled across country to help me make this move, but if I travel again it won't be on that major route, it will be along the two lanes with trees, curves and ocean views and an occasional casino or two. Well, they have good restaurants as well as machines!!.
We arrived and surprised Christine and Patricia. Christine led us over to Patricia's new home and it is really lovely with hard wood floors, good sturdy walls and bright and light and homey. It is tiny, a hundred and ten years old, well built and the updated remodel job is perfect. The friendly carpenter misjudged his measures and forgot to measure twice before cutting and building a new screen door for the front door so Patricia has a bright red door with about six inches of clear space between the top of the door frame and the top of the screen door. An open highway to every critter in town. The carpenter has not come back to rectify his error, but will in time, probably sulking in a corner gathering his courage to face both Christine and Patricia.
We put all of my things in the garage and John had a plane to catch back to Delaware and the kitchen project which has taken much longer than he anticipated. He will have to make another trip as his friends decided to rent the house for at least six months while they test Brookings out.
So, here it is five days since my arrival and I am ensconced in a lovely studio apartment which is bright and larger than I anticipated. I'd guess fourteen by thirty feet....with an extra queen size alcove for a bed. I have a single so it looks roomy.
There are two huge windows with blinds, and I now have lovely white sheers with lavender flowers..orchids I think, from daughter Christine, The girls cannot walk in the door empty handed. I cannot convince them that I enjoy empty space.
My chair and ottoman have found their niche. I have a new yard sale desk made of metal with two shelves. The one possession, I missed the most was my old white desk with three good sized drawers and the little skinny one in the center. I wont tell you how I cried over the old bed and mattress I sold. That mattress was bought in 1981 in Carson City, Nevada and had stayed as good as the day I bought it.
The plants stands are still doing double duty; the old lamps are working fine. I have a small table and two chairs gifted by Christine's friend Pam who had no more use for them. They fit and look fine.
The kitchen is small with lots of cupboards. I have a small electric stove; a tiny refrigerator and I mean tiny. I may lose weight yet.
SO!!!! I am settled in a senior apartment complex. We have our main meal at eleven o'clock in the morning and can bring back a container of left overs for another meal if we want to. I would say we have at least forty ladies , the youngest, 74 to one lovely lady, Rose, who is 98. There are probably seven or eight men probably in their eighties. The names are fleeting. I do better with faces at first. It will take time to put a name with the face. One I will remember quickly as she reminds me of my sister-in-law Nora, the bane of my early years....her name is Betty.
So, I'll be back with more words . I will not be writing daily, probably once a week until I find out if I have anything to write about.
I have no camera connection for pictures. . . maybe later.
I've missed writing to each of you early every morning. I hope you are all healthy and happy. If you have time send an e-mail to j.m.sullivan@juno.com and catch me up on what you have been up to.
Be safe, be kind, be YOU. Smile because you can. Remember you have one second at a time, no more, no less; make them come alive as only you can. Hugs to all.
After camping in for several weeks and bumping into boxes much to heavy for me to move, I greeted my son John with open arms and a sort of 'are we sure we want to do this' attitude and the truck got filled, we got the house locked down and off we went up the highways to Port Orchard. Our trip was done in one day, with a few stops along the way. According to John if we stopped more often we might never get there. Well being kind I chose the faster way even though he was more than willing to go the two country lane roads which I really prefer. I hate that major highway with its fast traffic, huge trucks, and long cement nothingness. I was being kind and thoughtful as John had just traveled across country to help me make this move, but if I travel again it won't be on that major route, it will be along the two lanes with trees, curves and ocean views and an occasional casino or two. Well, they have good restaurants as well as machines!!.
We arrived and surprised Christine and Patricia. Christine led us over to Patricia's new home and it is really lovely with hard wood floors, good sturdy walls and bright and light and homey. It is tiny, a hundred and ten years old, well built and the updated remodel job is perfect. The friendly carpenter misjudged his measures and forgot to measure twice before cutting and building a new screen door for the front door so Patricia has a bright red door with about six inches of clear space between the top of the door frame and the top of the screen door. An open highway to every critter in town. The carpenter has not come back to rectify his error, but will in time, probably sulking in a corner gathering his courage to face both Christine and Patricia.
We put all of my things in the garage and John had a plane to catch back to Delaware and the kitchen project which has taken much longer than he anticipated. He will have to make another trip as his friends decided to rent the house for at least six months while they test Brookings out.
So, here it is five days since my arrival and I am ensconced in a lovely studio apartment which is bright and larger than I anticipated. I'd guess fourteen by thirty feet....with an extra queen size alcove for a bed. I have a single so it looks roomy.
There are two huge windows with blinds, and I now have lovely white sheers with lavender flowers..orchids I think, from daughter Christine, The girls cannot walk in the door empty handed. I cannot convince them that I enjoy empty space.
My chair and ottoman have found their niche. I have a new yard sale desk made of metal with two shelves. The one possession, I missed the most was my old white desk with three good sized drawers and the little skinny one in the center. I wont tell you how I cried over the old bed and mattress I sold. That mattress was bought in 1981 in Carson City, Nevada and had stayed as good as the day I bought it.
The plants stands are still doing double duty; the old lamps are working fine. I have a small table and two chairs gifted by Christine's friend Pam who had no more use for them. They fit and look fine.
The kitchen is small with lots of cupboards. I have a small electric stove; a tiny refrigerator and I mean tiny. I may lose weight yet.
SO!!!! I am settled in a senior apartment complex. We have our main meal at eleven o'clock in the morning and can bring back a container of left overs for another meal if we want to. I would say we have at least forty ladies , the youngest, 74 to one lovely lady, Rose, who is 98. There are probably seven or eight men probably in their eighties. The names are fleeting. I do better with faces at first. It will take time to put a name with the face. One I will remember quickly as she reminds me of my sister-in-law Nora, the bane of my early years....her name is Betty.
So, I'll be back with more words . I will not be writing daily, probably once a week until I find out if I have anything to write about.
I have no camera connection for pictures. . . maybe later.
I've missed writing to each of you early every morning. I hope you are all healthy and happy. If you have time send an e-mail to j.m.sullivan@juno.com and catch me up on what you have been up to.
Be safe, be kind, be YOU. Smile because you can. Remember you have one second at a time, no more, no less; make them come alive as only you can. Hugs to all.
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