The first day of a new year

Today has been better, of course - swimming  and coffee.  I saw the rheumatologist, and got my bone density scan.  I'm at the point (osteopenia) where he's going to start me on Foxamax - we'll see how THAT goes.  I don't usually have problems with medications, but time will tell.  I asked him about knee replacements - maybe having both done.  He said having both knees done at the same time is usually done with "younger folks", but to check with the surgeon (that appointment is next week). Nothing else this afternoon except for a nap.  I put out a second hummingbird feeder, hanging off the deck.  It's been fun watching them (about 6 of them) swirling around the two feeders. And for a while, there was a lovely little yellow butterfly sitting on the feeder, enjoying a snack. I capped my day by listening (for the first time) to DT's speech from Arizona.  Scary!

I miss you

I miss you, my love.

Things aren't as much fun without

You. But life goes on.

30 August 2015

I've certainly been aware that August 30 was coming.  And I keep remembering what my friend Beth said as the first anniversary of her husband's death approached - "I'm not going to miss him any more that day than the day before and the day after."  And I've been holding on to that.  On the one hand, I've dreaded the date, but on the other hand, I just want to get past it.

And, in the spooky department, this was the quote to be solved in an online crostic I worked this evening...

"I guess by now I should know enough about loss to realize that you never really stop missing someone - you just learn to live around the huge gaping hole of their absence."

Such fun!

Jean told me that The King and I would be showing on the big screen at a local theater this afternoon.  How could I pass up this chance???  I almost backed out at the ticket window when the ticket was $13.50 - but I'd driven across town to see the movie, so...
It was super - nothing cut - and full screen. The dance scene is, of course, terrific - to say nothing of Yul Brynner in his prime.

I don't know how Jean found out about this.  I didn't see anything about it publicized locally.  Obviously it's something special that Turner Classic Movies (TCM) does from time to time. (Hint:  Jean, keep me posted.)

Then, on the way home, just as I got on the interstate, I drove into one of those frog-drowner rain showers and couldn't see a thing.  I turned the flashers on, and then got off at the next exit to drive the rest of the way home on surface roads.  Of course, when I got home, we'd had only a few drops here.

But, all-in-all, a great Sunday afternoon!

Sleepy Saturday

I had the pizza (from Crust) for lunch today, and it was delicious.  I'll definitely get some from there again!  I hope everybody slept as good as I did last night - woke up about 7:45.  And that's amazing for me!  Nothing much else doing today.  Tomorrow afternoon, one of the local multi-screen theaters is showing The King and I.  I just might go.  It'll be fun to see it without cuts on a big screen.

Friday surprise

I'm excited for me!  The gal I've been playing duplicate forgot and didn't show up this afternoon.  There was another gal without a partner.  We'd never played together - but we were hot! And came in FIRST!!! (out of 7 tables). 

Special Thursday

Thursdays are usually quiet days, but with a special treat today.  I had a massage here at home.  A resident who moved in about 6 weeks after I did asked her massage therapist if she would start coming to the Terrace.  They worked out a schedule and the therapist has been coming here.  I just now got around to setting up an appointment and that was today.  She's a lovely young woman, has a massage school in the area, and also does a lot of "out" appointments.  Anyway today was a treat - and for just a bit more than I was paying before.  And I'll undoubtedly have her come again.

A Joyous Occasion!

We have a new family member.  My wonderful Aunt Betsy's first great-granddaughter and cousin Ken's first granddaughter was born on 8-22-2016 (her "first cousin twice-removed", my sister Carol's birthday).  The proud parents are Kelli and Chris Quin.

Welcome, Ryan Kaye Quin!

Monday Monotony

Monotonous day.

Even down to bad cards and

Butt/back painful chairs.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: Shannon's Moments Meme, Part One

1. Do you like blue cheese? Love it! One of my favorites.

2. Have you ever smoked cigarettes? If yes, how did you quit? Yes - quit about 35 years ago - hypnosis did the trick.

3. Do you own a gun? How are your feelings about gun control/2nd amendment rights? No. Limiting the types of guns that can be owned by individuals has no bearing on the 2nd amendment.

4. What is your favorite flavor of water or liquor flavors? I like tap water, iced, no flavor, no carbonation.  I don't drink alcohol anymore.

5. Do you get nervous before a doctor visit? Why? No.

6. How do you like your hot dogs? Mustard, onions, sometimes kraut, sometimes chili.

7. Although it’s been asked a lot, tell us about a favorite movie that you haven’t shared before. Mostly the old movie musicals.

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee, water, tomato juice.

9. In a dating situation, have you ever misrepresented yourself to seem cooler or hipper? (Yes we know for most of you it was long ago…) It was a REALLY long time ago, and "cool" and "hip" meant totally different things then.

10. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? Why? My wedding ring, for obvious reasons.  The only other jewelry I wear are earrings.

11. Favorite hobby? Tell us about it so we understand it. What could be hard to understand about computer stuff, knitting, reading?

12. Do you have A.D.D., or have you suspected it? No

13. What’s a thing you dislike or would change about yourself? My weight

14. Middle name? Like it or not? I wasn't given a middle name at birth, so my "middle name" now is my maiden name. No likes or dislikes.

15. Name three random thoughts you might have on this week: Friday, massage; Monday, haircut; Wednesday, mani/pedi.

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink. Tell us a bit about them. Nothing interesting - coffee, water, tomato juice.

17. Current worry: My knees.

18. Current annoyance: My knees.

19. Favorite place to be in the summer? Give us a wee bit more than “the beach”. How about "the beach" at Fort Morgan with family and friends.

20. How do you usually ring in the new year? If forced  to do something new, what would it be? I usually ring in the New Year doing what I do every other night.  I could be spending time with family if the opportunity presented itself.

21. What have you done this summer that’s special? Pictures please. Other than the beach, the small ship cruise along with coast of Maine with Ann & Al.  No photos to post.

News Bulletin!

Jesse has accepted a job with Bridgestone in Morrison, TN (between Manchester and McMinnville).  It is plant maintenance - electrical, mechanical, electronics.  He starts September 19.

Welcome home!

Friday Five

1. Swimming, as usual, with a really good teacher.
2. Coffee with the buds.
3. Massage - doesn't get much better than that.  And it'd been too long.
4. Trip to bank and close estate account.
5. Maintenance guy here checked out rattle in my a/c.  He figured out it was actually a spring in the bedroom window casing that was vibrating.  And he fixed it with a folded up piece of paper.  Love it!

Wednesday half-and-half

It started off as a normal Wednesday - swimming and coffee.  I left early, though, and headed downtown for an appointment with the attorney.  After sharing some receipts, signing a paper that was notarized, writing a check for $14.00 to the court, and a substantial check (not unexpected) for the attorney's fees, the estate was officially closed. Now it's time to meet with the financial advisor to decide what to do next.  On the way home, I stopped at Walmart for an infrequent stop to stock up on important things like yogurt and coffee.  Then home and lunch. 

I finished the newspaper and computer stuff, watched some Olympics, and complained about aches and pains.  By midafternoon, I decided to pack it in for the day, change into soft clothes, and eat supper at home (I had picked up a salad at WM).  I finished off my day with some more Olympics, news, and a recorded Rizzoli and Iles.  How exciting can it get!

Back to Monday

I've been lots creakier than usual.  I've never associated any of my problems with weather before, but maybe that's changing.  Back into my routine today - swimming, coffee, hanging out at the library, and bridge.  My cards were really awful at bridge, but at least we quit a little early today.  LOL  The rest of the week is pretty easy.  I did get a massage appointment set up, but unfortunately, not until Friday.

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The Sculpture Fields at Montague Park - where some of John's ashes are buried in a tree planting - was featured in a local TV stations news recently.  If you can get to it, his tree shows up at 1:47 minutes and 3:15 minutes.  The tree has our ribbons tied on it.  I'll try to post a link.

http://newschannel9.com/this-n-that/sideroads/sideroads-visits-the-sculpture-fields

Working on the routine

I was sound asleep before 10 last night, and slept until 6:30.  Not that I needed it.  Two loads of laundry was exciting to start the morning.  It was a good night's sleep, but it didn't keep me from an hour nap before lunch. Singing in the Rain and Brigadoon used up the afternoon - the Olympics for the evening.  It's back into the real routine tomorrow.

Home again!

 I'm home!  I got up about 3:15 this morning, left the ship about 4, for a flight out of Portland at 6 a.m.  It was a bit late leaving, but made up some time on the way back to Atlanta.  I got in, got the shuttle, and got to my apartment about 12:30.  By 1:30, I'd had a bit of lunch, unpacked, and was in my chair, reading the paper and watching some Olympic diving. 

It was a great trip.  I loved being able to travel again with Ann & Al.  Plus it was a fun trip.  The stops were in neat little Maine towns - each with its own personality.  Unfortunately for me, I found out I had more limitations than I was expecting, so didn't get to explore the towns at all.  But it was a great experience and lovely scenery. We met some wonderful people, and the food was incredible. American Cruise Lines is a well run organization and will do anything possible to make your experience a good one.  I signed up for a trip with them next August in Alaska with Margaret. 

An interesting observation about the other passengers - there were a lot of handicapped people on the trip.  I was concerned about my lack of mobility, but in the event, I was probably in about the middle of the 95 passengers.  There were two folks on scooters, and a lot using walkers. One lady even came with her caregiver. There were also several groups - families of 50-60-year-olds accompanying one or two parents.  They all seemed to be having a good time. In any case, it's always good to get home. 

Our temps here are predicted to be in the low 90s and high 80s next week.  And we had almost 3" of rain while I was gone.  That's a good thing!  Lots of wash to do tomorrow, and I'll still be resting up to get back into the routine on Monday.

Rockland, Maine

Rockland is a place of good memories. Schooner trips on the Isaac H. Evans with Anne and Nick in 1990, and on the Stephen Taber with Andy and Sarah in about 2004. Didn't see the schooners this time, but did recognize some places, even with all the changes. It's been a good trip. Stops in Bath, Castine, Belfast, Camden, trip to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. Great trip and food all around. Even made reservations for Alaska next year. Home on Saturday.

From Portland

Our various modes of travel went without a hitch. Car, shuttle van, wheelchair, airplane, wheelchair, and taxi. And tomorrow onto the boat.

Another good day

We went to the museum (the Hunter Museum of American Art) today, and spent most of the morning there.  The traveling exhibit and the permanent collection are very nice, and we enjoyed it. Next we went across the street to a very nice art gallery (fortunately we didn't find anything we couldn't live without).  And we had a nice light lunch at the nearby coffee shop.  After driving by the sculpture garden, we came back to my apartment to hang out for the afternoon.  We talked about the various excursions offered and make some tentative decisions as to which ones we want to do.  Fortunately, as traveling companions, we've never felt that we were "joined at the hip" and had to do everything together.  I know I won't be doing any of the guided walking tours, but will probably do some by myself - and do a couple of the museums and bus trips.  Time will tell.

And a new wrinkle in travel, devices, technology, and old folks. I got an e-mail from Delta that I could check in.  I followed the trail through the different instructions, and got to the place where it asked if I wanted them to send the boarding pass to my mobile device, send me an e-mail, or send me something to print.  Since neither Margaret or Al could get my computer to talk to my printer yesterday, I said send it to my mobile device and gave them my cell number, and clicked "next".  My phone promptly told me I had a text, and there was a square code thing-y that I assume will work for my boarding pass.  'Twill be interesting.

A busy day

I do enjoy being with Ann & Al - they're really special folks and family.  I picked them up this morning and brought them back here to see my place and just visit a bit.  Then we drove over to the Sculpture Fields so they could see John's tree and the sculpture in the park.  They enjoy that kind of thing, so even with the heat, they walked around a little more than I did (while I got the a/c going to cool down the car.  We had a nice lunch at a nearby local bakery/sandwich shop.  We all got salads - Ann & I got the daily special - fresh local greens,  fresh peaches, goat cheese, pumpkin seeds - delicious!  Then back home for a while.

Margaret came over and we went downtown to take a late afternoon ride on the Tennessee Aquarium River Gorge Explorer (hydrofoil catamaran).  It goes downriver from the downtown dock, into part of the Tennessee River Gorge - a really neat trip.  We saw a number of ospreys and great blue herons, but not a lot of other wildlife.  Probably too hot for them, too.  We finished off the evening with a nice dinner at my favorite Chinese restaurant, and then called it a day.  No specific plans for tomorrow.  We leave on Friday for Portland, and board the boat Saturday morning.

Getting ready

Getting ready to

get ready to travel. Ann

and Al tomorrow.