Update on me and life

Hello, fello(a) blog followers... it's been awhile since I've felt like blogging (aka, journaling)...
not a whole lot to report but I just wanted to say hello and keep in touch.

I have settled in pretty well w/retirement at this point. I LOVE the freedom each day of choosing my day's activities, whether it be staying at home doing things, garage sales on the weekends, exercise, meeting new people... whatever... sometimes I have my, what I call, "wacko days", where I feel disconnected, but I am adjusting. I think the best parts for me are getting connected with people. The immediate people that come to mind are the ones I am meeting in my new church, Tony's youngest daughter Stacy, her granddaughter Emily, and also neighbors. Did you all know I live almost across the road from Linda Evans, of Dynasty fame? Yes-siree! I haven't met her yet, but I saw her on a show, something like Entertainment Tonight.... I would love to meet her and get connected in her gourmet kitchen that I saw on tv. Wouldn't that be a hoot? One day I was bike riding I saw her electronic iron gate open for the FedEx person and I had a chance to ride my bike ride right into her compound. But no, I must not do it that way.

Tony is doing great but I'm sorry that he has such long days at work. I passed by a care center today and almost went in to see about work. Then I thought about a work schedule and said to myself, "Nah, I don't want a schedule. I want my own schedule."

Thanks for reading.  love you ......... E

sons are a blessing

Hi all, it's Monday and the sun is shining, which is a great thing!

Today my mind has been on my son, Tim, for many reasons. First of all, as a mom, I worry about him in NYC, starting out... it's always a struggle to begin in a new environment, for many reasons... employment, finances, stress on the body and mind, and so many other things. I worry from time to time, but I try not to... he's a grown man, with dreams of his own and a smart mind. Why is it, that mother's worry? Well, I don't have the answer, but I have to believe it's that nurturing spirit inside of women. Whether we live in the same house, or 3000 miles apart, the heart is always concerned. Anyway, I am encouraged because he's doing good -- yes, there are struggles, but his heart is where it belongs, in NYC. For now, he's meant to be there and he loves it. Which makes me wonder.... is your heart where YOU belong? Do you love it? I do. I hope you are are following your own dreams. Sometimes it's a struggle.... but have faith, and follow your dreams, as Tim tell me.

Shout out to my dear son, Tim.... love you, kid.. grown man.. E

I'm retired for real now

Good morning! Well, today is my first official day of retirement. I haven't been working the past two months, but that's been furlough, vacation, and personal leave... today is the real deal. It's great, but the bad part is that I don't get my first pension check for 3 months! So I feel like I'm living for free today... no one better expect anything out of me. Ha! I do have a long list of errands today, so I need to hop in the shower and get going here pretty soon.

I spent last week at my folks doing some much-needed painting of their living room. They have a huge wood furnace in the basement and a lot of soot had come up through the registers in a chimney fire and collected on the old 9' walls -- what a challenge. First I TSP'd the walls, then painted the walls and did the wood trim an off-white color... the reward of seeing my parents happy with the results was worth it. We got new cellular shades and sheers too which really spiffs up the place. This was the first time in many years that I was able to go to my folks and not have to worry about a time frame with work, etc. I missed Tony but he totally understood that our time with aging parents is short, so we need to make the most of it when possible. I really enjoyed being in Deep River -- not many people my age are able to go home to the house they grew up in, have both parents alive, and be able to explore in old closets to find treasures like I did... my 1967 Green Acres color book, my DMV driver's test results from 1976, and lots of other treasures. How fun!

It was wonderful to have Tony home for two days in a row (Sunday & Monday). We laughed a lot, did yard work, watched movies, just enjoyed each other's company. Now he's off to work for three days, then he gets Fri/Sat/Sun off this weekend! We may go to Nemah, then the Goonies 25th anniversary event in Astoria. Several cast members will be there... check it out at http://www.thegoonies.com/events/event_details.asp?id=82940.

Have a great day! I need to enjoy this first day of retirement. Interesting... my first day being retired and I post pictures of coloring... hmm, I wonder if this is what the future holds. Or maybe I'll become an artist in my old age. It could be a sign...  E

The smell of coffee brewing...

Sometimes it just doesn't pay to be fancy! We have this deluxe coffee maker that you can set on the timer to grind the beans in the morning to make fresh brewed coffee, but we usually just put grounds in the basket the old fashioned way. Well, yesterday I bought some beans and thought I'd make a lovely pot of Starbucks quality coffee. It was going to be so excellent that Tony would be singing off to work... so about 5:45 we heard the grinder whirring... yes, it's happening... as per Tony's routine, he gets out of the shower, heads for the coffee... this morning I hear "We have a problem!" I run into the kitchen to find coffee and grounds all over the counter, dripping onto the floor - huh? Who would'da thought you'd have to put a FILTER in the basket? In my best Eva Gabor accent I say "You don't like my coffee, Oliver?" By now Tony is running late and has to have his joe in the morning, so he reaches for the instant stuff... drinks a few sips and says "This stuff is horrible." I am frantically wiping the mess, got another pot brewed, just in time for him to walk out the door and drink it on the way to work. We survived! ... and how was YOUR morning? E

Girl Cave

Hi - I don't usually post at night, but I had such a great day that I have to report. I finally finished painting one of the bedrooms in our house. I had most of it done for a couple weeks, but the part around the molding, trim, windows... oh that was tedious so I kept avoiding it. I really wanted to get that room finished because we were going to make it into an office........ well, plans change, don't they? After it was finished I loved it so much that it has now become my "girl cave". I have my laptop in here, rocker with side table for reading, a couple of antique dressers for "stuff", my pictures, lamps... oh, everything a gal could want for relaxing. It's the first space in the house that really feels like mine, because I created it. Love it!! Can't wait for the new house but it may be next summer... that's okay, because I have lots more to "create" here. Thanks to Tony, for letting me become what I need to be! E

What a beautiful day!

I had an adventurous day! Woke up late because I didn't sleep well last night. As a mom, I was worried about my son, alone in the big cities of the east coast. He was in transit transition, and not the best of scenarios. I'm waiting to to hear from him now but his phone isn't working. Oh well, I will trust.

Anyway, I got some pictures of Mt. Rainier, finally. Then I hopped on my bike and I am showing pics of the Rails to Trails bike paths here... they are awesome. After a day like today, I can't remember ever complaining about the weather... and tomorrow is going to be better. I shall brace for next week, but for now, I am enjoying every ray of sunshine!!  E

Gorgeous day... to be followed by another...

The sun is shining today in Washington! Oh my goodness, life feels lighter because of it!!! Anyway, I had a busy, but nice time in Corvallis last week. I'm trying to settle back down into a routine this week and it's already Wednesday... it's the first day I've actually felt settled. I hate being "jerked" around from place to place. I went to the gym earlier and now I have the windows open and I can hear the birds chirping in the yard. We put up a hummingbird feeder after I first moved in and now we have 4 birds coming to suck the nectar. They are so greedy and fight each other for the "alone time" on the feeder. I understand... I fight for alone time sometimes myself. :)
E

I'm coming to Corvallis!

Greetings, this Tuesday morning! It seems like Monday because Tony had Sun/Mon off and we went to Nemah. Talk about wild weather! Rain, hail, cold, sun... and I don't mean just everyday rain, I'm talking sideways rain! Brrrr, I was ready to go home. We got to visit with property neighbors that were visiting from Utah, so that was nice.

I'm coming to CORVALLIS on Wed - hey, that's tomorrow! Yippee do-da-day! I'll be driving my dad's truck because I have to pick up some coal in Monroe. Isn't that dandy that he left the handicap permit in his car... oh, I guess I won't have trouble parking on campus, now will I? When should I come visit you office hooligans? Want to go to lunch? Let me know if it works out -- or I can just come hang out at the office for awhile. Friday is Anja's birthday so lunch is out on that day. I might be there until the following week, not sure yet. I'm waiting to see when my house closing is going to happen. I'm hoping to do it in one trip.

Today I have to finish painting a bedroom and reluctantly go to Walmart. I really don't like to support Walmart but it's the closest store with good prices. At least when I go during the day it's not busy... just need a few food items. I try to make it quick so I don't start looking like I belong there.

Tim is moving to the east coast on Saturday - wow, what an adventure! I'll miss him, but am happy that he's following his dreams. Now I have another place to visit.

Later peeps... E

Weeks' mission accomplished!

Hi! I'm pumped - literally! I found a gym that I am going to join. All week I've been out searching for the perfect gym for me. I was on my way this morning to try out LA Fitness. I looked at it yesterday and it is new, clean, has classes, etc... but very pushy sales people, and about 22 miles each way. So this morning enroute, I spotted a gym called Thrive and decided to stop (check out the link). I walked in, not really expecting much, but immediately had a good feeling about the place. It has Les Mills classes. I only recently heard about them, but they are very popular. Plus the gym is only 14 miles from the house, really clean, and what is awesome is that the cardio machines have TVs on them with about 200 channels!! Since I've been in Rainier, I haven't had tv, so woo hoo! I've missed Robin Roberts on GMA. I tried a Les Mills class this morning, it was yoga/pilates/tai chi mix, very nice stretching. I'm going to join this gym tomorrow.

Now I am back home, almost ready to tackle some more unpacking, etc. I'm itching to do some gardening too, but only container gardening this year.We have deer to deal with and I need to figure out a solution for that, without fencing, since we'll be selling this place.

Oh yea, update... we got our well drilled yesterday for the new house in the back. I had never seen that done before, so another new experience on my list.

Some of you want pictures. Okay, here is one after my workout today. No makeup, hair askew, au natural... take me or leave me! E

The Gym Quest

Okay, today was a bit discouraging... all of you that have Dixon memberships, relish it until you leave. It is the BEST value and gym around! Last week I did a one week free trial at Anytime Fitness... there were two rows of cardio machines facing out the window looking into the parking lot. Off the list.

Today I started a one week trial to Bally Total Fitness -- the name sounded like luxury. Nah, kind of old. So then I got to looking online for the best in the area. The Valley Athletic Club - that sounds like LUXURY, eh? "Excuse me Tony, I won't be able to cook or clean today, I'm going to the CLUB." Unfortunately, luxury comes with a price tag of $71 per month! And it's a 30 minute drive each way. Hmm, this will take some consideration.

In the meantime I will used my exercise ball and videos, and with each club I get a one week free trial, except at the luxury club, of course.

Going to close for tonight. I miss you all!

E

Monday morning

Hi all! It's Monday morning and I'm living the dream - sitting here with wild hair and a bathrobe as my morning attire. Life is tough!

Tony had a long weekend which was nice. It was so nice not to have to travel too far. We did go to Seattle to the Supercross motorcycle event at Qwest Field. I had gotten tickets for Tony's birthday - he loved it! It's cool to have Seattle just over an hour away, but there sure is a lot of traffic up there. Oh, we stumbled across this awesome Korean restaurant in Lakewood on the way up... incredible food! Oh good, I have leftovers for today.


We went to a home show yesterday which is always fun. It's a good thing I'm not rich because I would have bought a $4500 greenhouse, $3000 cookware, and a $1000 knife set. I settled for some "top of the line" scum cleaner - what have I come to?


Not much else to say right now. I have a bedroom I'd like to paint -- maybe I'll get started on that today. Right now I would like to take a snooze... couldn't sleep good last night. I'm not feeling very witty at the moment... later!


Oh, p.s.... my house closing will be in about 2 weeks!! Woo hoo!

It's me, in Rainier

Here I am, sitting in Rainier, Washington at 7:00 a.m., with no job to get ready for... it's retirement! But even in retirement, I keep extremely busy. People who retire always say "I don't know how I had time to work!" I think that's because in retirement you finally get a chance to do the things you've always pushed aside before. When you work fulltime, you don't organize, clean, cook much during the week... you barely have time to get home from work, throw something together fast and vegg, watching American Idol, Dancing With The Stars, or Lost, or whatever. It's nice to be able to focus on each event a little more slowly and clearly. It seems like I do things a little better now.

I am resurrecting an old blog I once used. I hope to post some pictures and tell you of my adventures. There's an awesome location down the road to take a picture of Mt. Rainier, but the weather has to cooperate. I will get that shot one day! For now, I need to take a shower and get ready to roll.

E