Good day

It was a good weekend - and I'm home again!

From Nashville

Greetings from Nashville - 

A sad trip to say goodbye to an old friend.  Martha was one of the first friends I made when we moved to Tennessee in 1962.  I'm sorry we didn't see each other more over the last few years.  But I know we'd have picked up the conversations right where we left off. 

It was good to have a chance to visit with their three sons - and reconnect with them as adults.  They're terrific young men, and I hope we can keep in touch from time to time.  Martha & Ed and John & I had some great times, with more laughter than you can imagine.  I'm sorry she couldn't be there laughing with us, but I'm sure she was enjoying the conversation from her new vantage point. 

The happy part of the visit is the chance to see other old friends in Hendersonville.  They're such special people, and are so important in my life.  I hope it works out that we can visit more often. 

Hug your loved ones a lot, and tell them you love them at least once a day.

Love/Hate

I do love my tech-y devices, and probably use them too much.  However… 

Last year, I got a new phone, a new laptop, changed to Windows 10, moved, got a new cable/phone/internet provider, and got new landline phones. Of course there was some adjustment to all the new stuff, but generally things have been working fine. 

Until a couple of weeks ago, when my landline phone stopped working.  I called Comcast (my cable provider).  They were unable to fix it remotely, and I felt I had to have a service call.  The tech told me it was my phone base.  So I bought a new single base/phone.  It worked for about a week (although didn't connect with the old system extensions, even though it was basically the same phone), and then developed an interesting quirk.  It rings, the caller ID works, showing up on the TV screen, the answering machine works/records/plays back, but the handset doesn't work.  All the lights are on, but nothing working on the brand new instrument.  Well, so much for the phone. 

Then this afternoon, the internet disappeared.  Well, shit!  I called Comcast again, worked with the recorded system, and again, they were unable to shut it down remotely.  I finally got a real person (young man, native English-speaker), who convinced me I could unplug the modem.  I managed to figure that out, and basically rebooted the modem.  And finally, all the lights came back on, with the wonderful wifi! 

But no magic changes to the landline phone. 

So, if you need to call me, expect to get the answering machine, leave a message, and I'll call you back.  Or just call my cell phone.

Whew!

Update on the possum trap:  They must have not set the trap properly.  This morning, the bait was gone, but the trap was not sprung.  At least the critter should be looking for another super treat, and maybe they'll be lucky the next time. 

I subbed in a 2-table bridge group this afternoon.  Nice gals, terrible cards.  The cards this evening were somewhat better. 

The closing has been re-set for next Friday.  I hope it works this time. 

My mani/pedi was nice this morning.  I got some color this time, now that my nails are somewhat better.  Looks good, if I do say so myself. 

I found out today that one of my oldest friends in Tennessee has died.  Visitation will be on Saturday, and I going to try to get to Nashville.  RIP Martha.

Never open your mouth

Well, nothing ever goes without a hitch. And I knew I shouldn't have opened my mouth yesterday.  The closing has been postponed for some reason.  I'm not sure of the date, but I think it may be the next Friday.  Oh, well… 

And there's nothing like excitement at home.  This afternoon, I looked out on the deck, and there was a large possum coming up the steps.  I opened the door and stomped out, shouting at him.  He hissed at me, backed off, rolled off the steps, and then slithered under the deck.  I kept a watch, but didn't see him again.  About an hour later, two of the maintenance men showed up, looking under the deck.  I went out to see what was going on.  Someone had reported seeing the possum, and they were there with a humane trap to set to try to catch him. Hope it works.  I'm supposed to keep an eye on it and report if I hear or see anything.  I'd love it if they'd catch the raccoon, too.  It turns out the raccoon has been causing problems all over the building, climbing up the outside walls, and getting into bird feeders on some of the upper floor balconies.  Stay tuned. 

The best part of the day was the wonderful massage this morning.

Ten Things Tuesday

1. All day rain
2. Went to Silver Sneakers here at the Terrace this morning.
3. Mailed the old negatives to the East Tennessee History Center.
4. Shopping trip at Walmart.  Goodie!
5. Had to redo my picture for my passport application.
6. The woman couldn't find the old picture in their files.
7. She took a new picture and it took forever for her to get the prints made.
8. But she didn't charge me.
9. I finished the knitted hat, but it's too big for me  8^(
10. And best of all, the closing for the house is set for Friday!

Good weather, long day.

Swimming, doctor checkup, and

Bridge.  Cards average.

Sunshine

A quiet day today.  I enjoyed seeing the wonderful sunshine outside my sliding-glass doors.  Our snow is all gone, of course.  I hope those with such big snow amounts get back to normal soon.  I've got a busy week coming up, a routine FP appointment in the morning, playing bridge THREE times, getting a massage, and a mani/pedi.  It's a tough life, but I guess I can handle it.

Sunday Stealing

Feisty Twenty-five

Stolen from: Love me some surveys
Do you like to see it snowing outside?

As long as I don't have to go anywhere.

Do you tell your family you love them enough?
Nobody ever tells loved ones enough.
Do you like getting jewelry or do you not wear any?
I rarely wear anything other than earrings and my wedding band.
Do you watch a lot of NFL football?
I don't watch any football.
Have you ever used the word ‘lame’?
Maybe in referring to a problem with someone's walking, but not usually in any other sense.
Are you/Were you in a band? If so, what was your band name?
No
When is the last time you went to the doctor?
I have an appointment on Monday for a checkup with my FP.
Do you own any shirts with a peace symbol on it?
No
Would you ever go to Japan?
Of course.  It's one place I've never been.  I probably won't get there now.
What was the last thing you went to Walmart for?
Usual stuff - vitamins, OJ, coffee, etc.
Ever gotten in a car accident?
I've been a relatively minor accident, but it was many years ago.
Have you ever been in a choir?
When I was a teenager.
Do you like the color of your eyes? If not, what color would you want them?
I have no problem with my brown eyes.
When was the last time you went ice skating?
Hahahahahaha!
Do you like to brush your teeth?
What's to like or not like - just something one does for good oral hygiene and health.
Have you ever had a surgery?
That's another funny one.  Too many to mention.
Do you look older or younger than you actually are?
Probably about my actual age (almost 80).
When is the next time you’ll be up on stage?
Never, I hope.
Where did you spend your last birthday?
At home.
What is the last show that you watched a full episode of?
Blue Bloods
Do you know anyone who lives in Utah?
I've been in the state many times, but I don't think I know anyone who lives there.
Is there anything you need to work on doing soon?
I'm working on finishing knitting a hat and crocheting an afghan.
Do your feelings get hurt easily?
No.  Life's too short to worry about things like that.
Do you, or do you know someone who has taken karate lessons?
One of my grandsons took several years of karate when he was in grade school.
Were you ever a boy or girl scout?
I was a Brownie and a Girl Scout many, many years ago.

It's winter!

I got out to swimming this morning.  The car was clear, and I had no problems.  Mostly today, we just had cold rain.  But they had a lot of snow in Nashville, Hillsboro, and Kentucky. We finally started getting some snow about 6 pm.  We've just had about an inch or so. Those poor folks in the DC area are really getting hammered.  Some of the staff here are staying overnight, so we know things will be covered for us.  That's nice to know.  Stay warm, folks!

Thursday miscellany

I played bridge tonight (for the second time) with the other three gals from here.  It makes for a fun evening.  I'm definitely the most active of the four, and may be the youngest (definitely no older than second youngest).  One was married just after WW2, so I figure she was born maybe between 1935 and 1930 - not sure about the other older one.  The two oldest gals are both in assisted living and using walkers.  They can get a bit vague at times, renege from time to time, and table talk, but deep down inside, they are really good players.  And pretty sharp most of the time. The oldest one keeps score, and is sharp as a tack at that - even mostly adds it up in her head - and gets it right.  It's going to be fun playing with them. 

Our snow/ice was all gone this morning, but I still stayed in the building all day.  I'm going to get out to swimming in the morning.  We're supposed to get a lot of rain during the day, with maybe a little snow in the evening.  But the forecast is for us to miss the brunt of this storm.

The Lady Vols beat Vandy, and the Lady Mocs beat Mercer - a good basketball night.

Icy!

Well, I decided to skip swimming this morning, and BOY was it the right decision!  There was ice on my deck from freezing rain when I put the bird feeder out, and then it turned to sleet.  There were closed roads because of accidents all over town.  It never did warm up much - and there's more coming in a couple of days.

But, by staying home, I got my laundry done and went to the DVD exercise class. It was an interesting set of movements, and really a good workout.  It's called Zookinesis, and it is chair exercises for seniors.  It's based on tai chi chuan and they are wonderful stretching exercises.  I think it would be a great addition to any exercise program or good just by itself.  This is a link to a YouTube video of some of it, or just google Zookinesis.

Snow?

Schools already closed

For tomorrow.  Guess I'll skip

Swimming.  Sleeping in.

Brrrrrrr!

Wow, it's been really cold here today.  It just barely got to above 32* - and that's cold, even with the sun shining.  And it's supposed to be down in the teens tonight.  Plus they're talking about that white stuff this week.  At least I don't HAVE to go anywhere.

We didn't play bridge at our regular venue today.  That's a city facility and was closed for MLK Day.  One of the couples arranged for four tables to play at the clubhouse in their community.  It was a good afternoon, even without much in the way of cards. For me, the only problem was coming home close to rush hour on the usually-congested interstate. It did clog up, but at least I know where to get off and how to maneuver through surface roads.

I guess what happens the rest of the week is dependent on the weather.

1

Another quiet Sunday

Margaret came by this afternoon and hung more of my art.  The living room is about filled up now.  8^) .  We found a good place to hang the collection of Navajo and Peruvian rugs.  I'm glad to have them up.  We didn't have any snow flurries this morning, and there was bright sunshine this afternoon.  Cold, though - and due to get colder.

Sunday Stealing

Why do you want to know that meme - Part four

76. What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?

"Measure twice, cut once"

77. Is it easier to forgive or forget?

Forgive

78. First mobile phone?

Probably about 10 years ago - nothing fancy or "smart"

79. Strangest dream?

I never remember my dreams

80. Best dream?

See above

81.  Who is the smartest person you know?

Our daughters

82. Who is the prettiest person on you know?

Everybody is pretty one way or another

83. Do you miss anyone right now?

Of course - John

84. Who do you love? Why?

Our girls - because they take such good care of me

85. Do you like sharing?

What's the point of having anything if you can't share it.

86. What was the last picture you took with your phone?

In Elizabeth City, NC

87. Is there a reason behind everything that happens?

Life happens

88. Favorite genre of music?

I like most music

89. If you had one word to describe yourself, what would it be?

Survivor

90. Describe your life in 5 words.

It is what it is.

91. Craziest thing you’ve ever done?

Probably our 3 1/2 month trip with the camper including the Alaska Highway

92. First three songs in your favorite playlist?

I don't have a playlist

93. Are you more creative or logical?

Probably equal parts of both

94. Would you rather lie or hurt someone with the truth?

I doubt I'd lie, but I'd also probably find some way to avoid the truth

95. What are you most proud of?

My family

96. What personality trait do you admire in other people?

Loyalty and a sense of humor

97. When you imagine yourself as really, really relaxed and happy, what are you doing?

At the beach, watching the surf, and reading or knitting.

98. How do you usually start a conversation?

With a stranger, introduce myself and try to find out something about him/her.

99. What is the best news you could hear right now?

That I had won the lottery, but I didn't, and I didn't even buy a ticket.

>

Boo! Yea!

Boo!  Last night, I went out to a String Theory concert - going by myself.  When I got there, they were not letting people park in the only close parking lot.  I'm not able (or willing) to walk (alone and at night) from where I would have to park otherwise.  So I just came on home.  I'll call before the next concert to see if I can get in that lot.  If not, I guess I'll just pass on the rest of the season.  Phooey on that.

Yea! I've found a bridge game here at The Terrace.  Two of the "old-timers" had been playing with a foursome, but two of their group are no longer able to play. So when two of us showed up looking for a game, there were places for us.  We played tonight, and are set up to play regularly on Thursday evenings.  They are all pretty good players, so I'm a happy camper.

And there's a Lady Mocs basketball game tomorrow afternoon.

And Margaret's coming by Sunday afternoon.

Plugging along

Things are plugging along here.  My landline quit working the other day.  A tech guy from Comcast came this morning, and it's the base phone itself (hardware, not software) that's not working.  I've ordered another one, so should have that phone working soon (I hope).

I got an e-mail from my realtor this afternoon.  She indicates that she thinks the house will be closing soon.  I think it's all amazing.  We shall see. 

Land line

Phone is still out.  Call

To Comcast didn't fix. Tech

Coming tomorrow.

Ten things on Tuesday

 

1. It was REALLY cold yesterday morning.
2. Today started cold, but warmed into the 50s, with lots of sunshine.
3. I got my laundry done this morning.
4. I went to the Silvers Sneakers exercise class while the laundry was in the dryer.
5. Good soup and salad for lunch.
6. I went to a "food committee" meeting, i.e., getting together with the head of food services (chef) for comments, complaints, compliments, etc.  Interesting.
7. After that was a music program, a young man with a terrific bass voice singing mostly Johnny Cash and Jim Croce songs - the best music I've heard here so far.
8. My land line phones aren't working.  I just get static when I listen for a dial tone.  Got to call Comcast tomorrow.
9. I've got a little bit of vertigo again.  Time to call the ENT guy tomorrow, too.
10. Listened to the State of the Union tonight.

Cold with a surprise

The temperature fell all day long, down to about 30* as I write this.  It's supposed to be in the 20s when I head out to the Y in the morning.  At least, it has dried out, and there is no precipitation.

Margaret called as she was leaving the Lady Vols game in Knoxville (they won over Auburn).  She was coming through Chattanooga and stopped so we could go to dinner.  Dinner at La Altena was good as usual - and it was good to have the unexpected visit.

Sunday Stealing

Why Do You Want To Know That Meme, part three 

Stolen from: Love me some surveys

50. What do you spend most of your money on?

Housing (apartment, meals, cleaning, etc.) and travel.

51. Would you rather visit the past or the future?

The future

52. Favorite clothing store?

Walmart

53. What is the best advice you can give to those who are feeling down?

It's not possible to give blanket "advice" to those suffering from depression.

54. How often do you think about your future? Does it scare you?

I think about my future frequently.  I wouldn't say there were things that scared me, but there are situations I'd prefer not to have happen.

55. What angers you the most?

Intolerance, hatred, lack of respect for others, stupidity

56. When was the last time you got majorly angry?

I don't get "majorly angry", but I really hate the current crop of Republican candidates for the presidential nomination.

57. When was the last time you got really sad?

Most of 2015

58. Are you good at lying?

Nope, and I try never to do it

59. What foreign language would you like to learn?

I'd like to speak/understand Spanish better than I do

60. How many languages can you speak and what are they?

I don't really "speak" any other language, although I like to think I speak English fairly well.  I understand some Spanish and French, and a few words of German.

61. How often do you go to parties? If you don’t, what do you do instead?

I'm not really a party-goer.  I do whatever I was going to do anyway.

62. What books do you plan to read this year?

I'd like to read more of almost anything.  My reading volume has been tanked for a long time.

63. Do you have breakfast every morning?

Definitely

64. Tell us a secret.

I don't keep secrets - although sometimes I don't tell the whole truth.

65. How many concerts have you been to?

We went to a Jimmy Buffett concert years ago, but other than symphony and chamber music programs, that's it

66. Last hug?

Last week

67. Who knows you better than anyone else?

Since John is gone, I guess my girls do

68. Baths or showers?

Definitely showers.

69. Do you think you’re ambitious?

No

70. What song is stuck in your head?

None

71. Countries you’ve visited?

U.S, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, Antarctica, Ireland, Iceland, England, Scotland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Russia, France, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Austria, Yugoslavia, Italy, Croatia, Greece, New Zealand, Australia, Cambodia, Vietnam

72. What do you most value in your friends?

Loyalty, honesty, a sense of humor

73. What helps you to sleep better?

Being tired, sometimes some melatonin

74. What is the most money you have ever held in your hand?

Enough cash for family Christmas presents

75. What makes you nervous?

I don't really get nervous.  Sometimes uncomfortable with someone who I think is a bad driver.

Virtuous #2

Well, if I felt virtuous yesterday, it got doubled today.  There were two boxes of papers that have been under the counter since I moved.  I managed to totally ignore them all this time.  This afternoon, I finally went through them.  Some papers got filed, some got pitched, but most got put in the burn/shred box.  But that's one more chore done.  Not that all the boxes have been gone through, you understand.  But at least there are two fewer than there were this morning.

Also I checked with the realtor.  She says that the contract for the sale is still in effect, and moving slowly through the maze of regulations and paperwork. So things progress…

Virtuous?

I'm allowing myself to feel a little bit virtuous because I went to the Silver Sneakers exercise class again this morning.  I know I need to do this.  Now let's see if I can keep it up.

Wednesday haiku

Swimming, coffee, friends!

Always a good way to start

Your day. Good for me.

Getting some things done.

I went to a Silver Sneakers class here at the Terrace this morning - making me feel very virtuous.  I'm going to try to do that on Tuesdays and Thursdays (the non-swimming days).
I'm planning to go by the county Voter Registration office tomorrow.  I remembered today that I need to change my address on my registration in time for our elections this year.  Fortunately, the office has easy access, i.e., not downtown in the courthouse.  LOL  I have to renew my driver's license this year, too (since I'm turning 80 on my birthday).  I think I can do that online, though.

Seasonably cold

It's finally turned into winter and January - imagine that!  We had some bright sunshine today, but they're now using the term "wind chill" (it's 26* wind chill as I write this), and only around 40 for a high today.

One of the gals I share a dinner table fell Saturday night and broke her hip. She had surgery that night and will be in the hospital for a few days, then rehab.  I'm so sorry for her, but I hope it's a warning for all of us to pay attention to where we put our feet.

Nothing too exciting today - except it surely did feel good to get back in the pool with my buddies. Also just middling cards at bridge this afternoon.

Moving toward normal...

It was a lovely chilly day today.  I decided I had to get off my fanny and get some exercise, so I went to the Y.  I was planning to just work by myself in the pool, but a deep-water class had just started, so I participated in that. It  felt great to be back in the water, and get some movement going.  It was the first time I'd been to the pool since Thanksgiving (between the cold and my foot).  And then I've got a short nap this afternoon.  I guess I'll get back into the "normal" routine on Monday.