My Oven

Harv and Vi arrived safely yesterday (on time even! A major deal as thousands of flights from Chicago were cancelled yesterday). They warmed my heart by kvelling extensively over our beautiful (In My Humble Opinion) new house. Hubby even kicked in with a testimonial about how hard I worked and how little he was able to help me and how happy and proud he is of the great job I did. But Vi did zero in on the refrigerator and especially on the oven. A bit dated she said kindly. "I'm sure you will want a new one." The three of them then proceeded to discuss the merits of every make, model, color and feature of new ovens.

Truth-Be-Told I could not care less about the appliances and especially the oven which is in perfect condition and is used mainly to cook frozen pizza and biscuits that come in a tin. White is not the hottest color these days but in my kitchen it looks great with the white cabinets and stainless would wreck the entire effect (also IMHO).

But marriage is compromise if nothing else so I promised hubby we would go appliance shopping when he recuperates fully. If he is well I do not care what boils the hot dogs or the pasta!

;-)

Adventure of the Seas

We've been planning a cruise vacation with cousins Harvey and Vi for over two years.  In September 2012 we were supposed to go on the Quantum Class Oasis Of The Seas but Harvey got sick and we wound up going by ourselves. This year, after months of planning a do-over, our plans are again getting rocked by hubby's awful recent bout with Prednisone, the incredibly cold weather in Chicago that may derail H and V's flight in, and now, the looming threat of norovirus that caused sister ship Explorer Of The Seas to cut short its most recent voyage. You call this a vacation!?  And with all the stress and aggravation of the past few months I can honestly say this is one vacation I really need!

The four of us have decided to forgo the tuxes and fancy dresses in favor of stretchy casual clothes and complete relaxation. H and V will be happy to just get warm!  And I will be so happy to just see them tomorrow!  They are truly two of my favorite people and things are always more fun whenever they are around.

Meanwhile, hopefully the Adventure Of The Seas is being scrubbed thoroughly and no one who carries the norovirus will be traveling with us.  That is one Adventure I will gladly take a pass on!

;-)

What I Used To Be

I met a nice woman at Shul last night.  She asked where we were were from and I said South Florida by way of Chicago. She said she also was from South Florida and moved to The Villages from a 55+ community in Boynton Beach called Valencia Palms. I knew the place well as it had always been in the back of our minds as a potential retirement haven.

She went on to say how unhappy she had been in Valencia Palms. The people there, she said, were all about money. Their first question was either "what street do you live on?" (not on the lake - gasp! you must be poor!) or "what did you do before you retired?" (doctor or lawyer were good answers).  She said here at The Villages no one cares about your past life or whether you live in a villa, a cottage, a designer home or a premier home.  And you know what? She was right.

No one I've met here has ever asked me about what I did "before". It's like my past life never existed and I have been reborn as a Villager.  I love it!

Oh of course I am proud of my past career and am happy it helped give us the wherewithal to retire comfortably.  But truly, that was then and this is now.  And now is fantastic!

;-)

I'm A Wreck

I admit it, I'm A Wreck.

I have not been taking care of myself lately mainly because I have been devoting so much energy into caring for hubby (who is still suffering but sloooowly improving). Truth-Be-Told caring for hubby does not really require a lot of energy; worrying about hubby is what is sapping most of my time and joie de vivre. Is letting ourselves go the way to show support? I think not.

I have neglected to take my vitamins for months. I must be eating poorly because the scale is up. Stomach problems and a persistent sore throat dogged me for weeks until I went to the doctor and got some prescriptions for acid reflux, a problem that probably has been aggravated by stress. And forget about using my anti-wrinkle cream and updating my pedi!  At least I've been managing to wash my hair and put on deodorant hahaha.

This changes today. 

;-)

Bloggers and Journal Writers

There are over a thousand special interest clubs here in The Villages (TV). Do I have any special interests? Well yes, I like history, politics, mystery books, movies, trying new cuisines, shopping and blogging. I peruse the weekly Recreation News for things I might like to do and last week I tried out one of the Creative Writing clubs. Those folks mainly write fiction and some have published books to their credit. There is also a club just for folks who want to chronicle their memoirs.

None of those clubs are specifically for bloggers and/or journal writers. So I did what any energetic and devoted blogger would do - I asked the Recreation Department how I go about starting my own club. The staff there had to go through the list of existing clubs and I think they were a bit surprised that I was right, no club currently exists for this popular pursuit.

So they emailed a packet on how to start a club. I had to provide references and a blurb on the proposed club and my preferred location in TV. After they get the package back, they will "advertise" the proposed new club for a few weeks (the responses go to me) and if I garner enough interest Voila! a new club!

Here's my blurb.  I hope it sounds like fun.

Writing an online blog or keeping a private journal can increase your self- awareness, reduce stress, store your innermost thoughts and ideas, help you work through your challenges, express your joys and leave a lasting legacy of your life.  Blogs can even be a source of income.  If you already enjoy blogging or keeping a journal, or you’d like to get started, come learn some tips and techniques and share some of your posts or entries.  It’s the best free hobby and it might just change your life.

;-)

The Voice In Our Heads

Seattle Seahawks Fullback Derrick Coleman has been deaf since the age of three.  Recently, his story went viral thanks to a commercial for Duracell batteries. Although it seems like Derrick can hear, at least a bit (with the aid of Duracell batteries of course), the message is to listen to the voice in your head, not the noise around you.

I, of course, am a firm believer in those homey axioms like "whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve" (Napoleon Hill) and “whether you think you can, or you think you can't - you're right” (Henry Ford). Truth-be-told I give credit to positive thinking mantras and inspiring songs like "Don't Dream It's Over (Crowded House ) and "I Can See Clearly Now" (Johnny Nash) for helping me achieve work and personal goals. I just wish I could remember them more when the going gets a little rough, hahaha.

I hear that the Seattle Seahawks are favored to win it all this year in Super Bowl 48. Good Luck to you Derrick Coleman.  There will be lots of noise there but the voice in your head is definitely the loudest.

;-)

Finally Home

I got my new driver's license today. There's a pretty good picture of me next to my new address and it's good for the next eight years. While at the Government Center in Ocala I also updated my voter's registration and the titles on the cars, and applied for the homestead exemption and the special "portability" exemption for those of us who are moving within the state. When I got home I was able to finally update my address at a certain bank that insisted on having a copy of an ID showing the new address. And oh yes, I texted the gardener that he no longer needs to cut the grass. All this plus cancelling the homeowner's insurance, electric company and City utilities at the old house effectively abolished my last ties to South Florida.   

What a wonderful feeling to own one property (not three). What a great feeling to love my new house (I think it's my favorite of any house we've lived in), luxuriate in the shell shaped bath tub and see the expansive view of thick Florida fauna from almost every room. How nice to see my social calendar filled with things to look forward to. How delightful to see the household budget for monthly expenses be trimmed down substantially. All my hard work and perseverance seems to have been rewarded.

I'm finally home! Sweet!

;-)

I Am Not...

"I am not my number"

The Huffington Post had an article on a project called What I Be which revealed people's darkest insecurities through a series of pictures. It also seemed to include the corollary "what I am not". This picture was the most powerful, at least to me, but all of the others were deeply moving as well.

It made me stop and think about my own insecurities. Am I a good person really??  Does my life have meaning really? Should I have done some things differently or chosen another path? Have I used my talents wisely? And the biggie: Why does my scale keep going up and down three pounds?

I've been in a small funk for the last week even though things are indeed looking up (see last blog post).  It's Monday morning and a good time for a personal reset.  Thank you Huffington Post for causing me to remember all of the great things I am and all of the not-so-great things I could still work on.

And oh ya, I think my scale is broken.

;-)

The Light

I see the light!  The one at the end of the tunnel. It's getting brighter.

It's been a long tunnel, starting in early October with hubby's horrible condition and the failed closing on our house. But today hubby was finally off the prednisone (Super Yay!) and I see lots of other good things coming my way.

The house is scheduled to close this week or next. Yay!

The Royal Oak (my neighborhood) Social Club called on me today and assured me they are an active, inclusive, fun loving and supportive group and that I will soon have lots of friends and Maj Jong games to keep me busy. Yay!

I managed to grab the Books-on-CD copy of The Gods of Guilt, the current Number One Best Seller, from the Sumter County Public Library before the other 109 people on the waiting list for the book version saw it just arrived. Yay!

Godson Scott and Family have booked a four night stay with us in June.  Yay!

Cousin Chuck called to say he is so happy we will be at his son's wedding in Toronto this summer. Yay!

A beautiful full length cheval mirror is on its way from eBay.  I've always wanted one and my new super big bedroom has plenty of room for one.  Yay!

Eight slightly used Franciscan Apple dinner plates are also on their way from eBay.  My collection will be complete.  Yay!

Dinner at Golden Corral included fun conversation with a couple of other Villagers.  It reminded me what a friendly place this is, filled with people our age that are happy to stop for a while and shmooze even if they never met you. Yay! 

That light is getting brighter! YAY!

;-)

Hello 2014

In a fit of optimism I bought a large 2014 calendar for $1 at Dollar Tree.  When I peruse the weekly Recreation News and the daily newspaper, I pencil in things I'd like to try.  The Renaissance Fair. The Computer Club. Philosophy. Tai Chi. Political clubs. Creative Writing. Maj Jong. Meditation. The Mullberry Ladies Group. Freethinkers. Hadassah. The Villagers Homeowners. A class at the library. Zen.

The days go by and I have done none of the above. My new retirement lifestyle is on hold until hubby gets better. My mind is just not on having big fun and socializing.

So I am filling my days with other things.  I re-subscribed to Netflix.  They mail me a DVD every few days and because I missed a lot of movies the last few months my queue is pretty robust.

I've found places for the last few decorative tchatchkes and pictures I thought I might not be able to use.

I shop on eBay for great bargains on my secret wish list.

I listen to the news and call a few friends.  

I try to help hubby in every way I can.  Sometimes my patience is not what it should be and then I feel bad because he is hurting so much and trying so hard to get through this tough time. 

I will survive! And thrive!  Promise. 

The calendar still has lots of pages left in 2014...

;-) 

Silk Plants

Here's a little secret about me: I love silk plants. I think it's mainly because I am totally unable to foster life in a real plant for more than a few weeks. They grace the kitchen and laundry room soffits, the dining room breakfront, and other strategic nooks and crannies when nothing else will do.

Most of my silk plants were purchased from places like Big Lots about 26 years ago when we moved into a new house. They were all the rage then and I've wondered from time to time if they are becoming passe and maybe I should pitch them all.  But I don't, I still like them, and whenever we move I give them a good bath and freshen them up for the new place.

Imagine my surprise when I realized I could use several more silk plants in the new house! Imagine my sticker shock when I saw that prices have greatly increased (but the realism has increased also so I can't complain).

Welcome new greenery, this Grape Leaf basket with "204 full green leaves and grape hued berries and realistic leaves accented by shades of brown and red". Ebay, please ship it quick!

;-)

Prednisone

Prednisone is my new enemy. 

Prednisone is a drug doctors prescribe for everything under the sun including allergic reactions, some types of cancer, asthma, COPD, CIDP, rheumatic disorders, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, adrenocortical insufficiency, hypercalcemia, thyroiditis, laryngitis, tuberculosis, hives, lipid pneumonitis, pericarditis, multiple sclerosis, nephrotic syndrome, lupus, myasthenia gravis, poison oak exposure, to prevent rejection post organ transplant, migraine headaches, lymphoblastic leukemia, Non-Hodgkin lymphomas, Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma and other hormone-sensitive tumors.

So when hubby went to the dermatologist in early October for a small rash on his hand (probably from poison oak from a bit of light lawn work) it was the first thing the doctor prescribed.  When the rash got worse he prescribed more prednisone. When hubby went to the second dermatologist with an even worse rash, more prednisone.

What the doctors don't tell you is that this drug suppresses the immune system leaving patients more susceptible to infections. It completely cuts off your body's adrenal glands' ability to produce vital hormones. You cannot get off this stuff, you have to be weaned very slowly to avoid far worse problems, like death. You have to hope and pray your adrenal glands kick back in after you are finally off of it. Some people never get off of it once they are on it. The three months hubby has been on it are far too long. The list of serious side effects is long and scary. Of course neither of the doctors mentioned this while cheerfully scribbling prescriptions to get him out of their office fast.

The third dermatologist, who suspected the now full-body rash, boils, itching and open sores were actually caused by the prednisone, ordered a biopsy (negative, Baruch Hashem) and put him on a weaning off schedule. Hubby is suffering greatly, our lives have been a daily struggle, and I wish Doctors 1 & 2 the most unhappiest of New Years.

:-(