My September Trip to Boston!

Had an amazing time visiting my children in Boston!  I always do.  I love my children and family so much.

Jimmy did my hair; he made me look fabulous again!  The only damper to my visit was that when I got off the plane; my feet were so swollen after a three hour flight, they looked like balloons, so after elevating  my feet and icing and fluid pills, they managed to go down a bit but hurt during my entire visit.

Went to the movies with Jimmy and Danny and saw the flick, with Jennifer Anniston called “We’re The Millers ”.  It was funny!

Jimmy took me to his house in Maine and then we shopped all over New Hampshire’s outlets looking for sneakers to fit me for comfort.  Bought a pair that felt good in the store but an hour later, I was still in pain.  If anyone has ever shopped with my son; they will know that it means 8 hours of going in and out of stores!  LOL  The long drive to Maine and return drive to Massachusetts didn’t help my swollen feet either I guess.  I was feeling old and a burden to my children due to my current ailments.

Enjoyed the BBQ Michelle and Bill had at their adorable new home.  I love, love, their new house and so thrilled they are out of that third floor walk-up apartment in Everett.  Oh, and loved that Haddock Italiano at Floramo’s Restaurant.  I enjoyed meeting their new neighbors Rose, John and their dog named, Elvis!

Also, loved visiting Rhonda and Brian at their new home and we all got together again my last night at the Tides Restaurant and Brian’s parents also joined us.

My Classmates of 1962 Lantern Luncheon at Volare's Restaurant:

Rose & Diane

Linda Spag, Joanne N., Linda M.. Elaine,

Lee, Roxanne, Kathy and I can't see the last person on

the far left hand side!  I'm thinking it maybe Joanne Struz.

Sal, Peter, John, Scotty

Joanne Struz, Sal, John

Peter and Diane Whiles

Ethel, Meri, Priscilla

Ethel, Roger, Priscilla

Barbara

John, Scotty, Meri, Patty, Joe, Barbara, Roger, Peter

Ethel, Joe, Priscilla

The Lantern Gang had a luncheon in my honor at Volare’s Restaurant in Revere. We had a large turnout and it was so good to see my old classmates again.  

After the luncheon, Diane and I attended the swearing in of the Revere Firemen as a friend of Diane was being sworn in.  From there, Diane and I headed to her new home in Plymouth.  It was a long ride from Revere.  Congrats Samuel!

Her home is so beautiful and huge!  I think I got lost in it a couple of times trying to find my way back to the kitchen from the bathroom!  LOL 

Diane, Chuckie and I had dinner that night at a local Italian Restaurant and of course I had to have my veal cutlets!

My daughter, Michelle drove to Plymouth the following day to have lunch with Diane and I and then Michelle and I drove back to Revere late afternoon.  It was an enjoyable sleepover at Diane’s house.

Also, met up with my Everett Friends for lunch:

Nina

AnnMarie

Great to see Nina and AnnMarie again.  Nina now lives in Boxford and AnnMaire now lives in Saugus.  I was able to view the low income senior building in Saugus because AnnMarie lives there.  The building and grounds were lovely.  The inside of the building was clean but I could smell smoke in the hallways.  I was informed that the tenants are allowed to smoke in their units. 

They are also allowed pets, all of which I’m allergic to cats and long haired dogs so my thoughts of viewing more rentals in one of these places came to a hault.  The apartments are extremely small which I knew they would be.  I don’t know if I can handle being in an apartment of only 425 square feet.  It felt very confining.

The smell of smoke in the hallways bothered me a lot.  I could hear and feel the wheezing in my chest and knew I could not live there.  These are government owned buildings and I’m surprised they allow smoking.  I thought by now that most all seniors have given up the nasty addiction.  I know only too well how hard it is to give up.

Moving from my house of 5,000 square feet to my current condo was a drastic change for me 16 years ago but I’m in a two bedroom/two bath and 1200 square feet to move around in.  It was a major adjustment but I managed.  I gave a lot of furniture away then and would have to do it again all over again if I choose to elect to go into a low income senior housing unit.  I do very much want to be back in New England and close to my children.  Seeing them only twice a year is not enough for me.  I miss them.

Niece, Susan at Palm Beach Airport

Rose at Palm Beach Airport

Arriving back home!

My niece, Susan returned home with me to Florida.  Again, my feet swelled up from the flight and now included a rash!  Oh my………….The rash had nothing to do with the swelling.  I have such sensitive skin.  I did have a new pkg. of golf socks that were not previously washed.  That could have been the culprit.  One other thing is that walking in Odd Lots stores causes me to itch due to dust mites.  I had sandals on without socks.  Detergents usually are a major thing I’m allergic to.  I know Michelle had clear detergent but I neglected to ask Jimmy what kind of detergent he used as I did some of my laundry while at both homes.

salad, lump crab/broccoli, sweet potato

It was fun having my niece here with me.  We went to the gym together and Susan was on a special diet so she took over the kitchen to prepare all the healthy foods to eat.  We reminisced of old family times and laughed so hard.  Also, mourned the loss of her parents which is my sister and brother-in-law.

We shopped at Mizner Park and had lunch there too.  Susan only found one area in my home that she wanted to stage and that was the bar area in my diningroom that had so many family pictures in frames.  I knew that area was getting to look cluttered.

Susan bought me a lovely large Vase which has not arrived yet as the store had to have it shipped from the factory.

Melissa and Michelle Murray that currently live in Wellington, FL stopped by to visit us.  (Roy’s daughter and granddaughter) both of whom I’ve never met.

Michelle, Susan, Melissa

Michelle, Rose, Melissa

I felt bad that rain greeted us upon our arrival back to Florida and Susan only had two pool days.  We had rain for the remaining days of her vacation here.  Susan took this picture with her SmartPhone by my community pool.

The sun is shining brightly now and the humidity has come down a lot…..the  way I like it.  I still love the cool temps in Boston of 59 degrees and the fresh air going up your nose!  I live in air-conditioning 24/7.  The heat here in Florida during the summer is unbearable and only nice during the short winter months.  

Can’t live without a pool in Florida!

Just realized that I have no pictures of my children in this entry.  We were having such a good time that I forgot to take out my camera.  I hope my daughter has some to share with me.

Dabbling with PSP!

I’ve been dabbling with creating animations since my husband passed away because I found it firstly, therapeutic and then it became fascinating and I was curious and inquisitive which allowed me to continue digging further to uncover most of the tutorials and I haven’t even touched the surface in the past 12 years in PSP!  So, that explains how intense and complicated the program is.  It surely is a work in progress all the time for me.

I’ve been blessed with having so many online graphic ladies helping me along the way.  They are a great group of ladies and part of my online family of friends!

Creating animations involves so much reading, so much practicing, and now attending online classes which makes things a little easier when an instructor is showing you the tools and the tips needed.  Cool, I like it a lot.  Did I mention the best part is that the online classes are free!

I have to continue searching for valuable possibilities to keep my mind occupied, as the best surely will not jump out and shout an announcement themselves.  Widowhood really sucks!  And, we all need an outlet.

Jewelry making is a lot of fun and I love creating great and unusual pieces but how much jewelry do I really need and I’m not interested in selling.

Three days a week of Silver Sneakers Classes are great to help stay healthy and also meet a new group of friends.

In life’s joys, in the problems, in the pleasures and in the disappointments, there are the seeds.  Seeds that we plant along the way of our life’s journey provide innovation and progress. Creating animations was the outlet I needed to fill the void of my lonely evenings.  It gave me the time to look and to wonder, and see value that’s waiting to be created. I search for things to create that my classmates of “62” may get a kick out of for the blog and that I created just for them and also my very first blog, Roses Are Read that encouraged me the most.

It makes me feel good that my friends that I have known all of my life are enjoying that I keep our classmates together after all these years.  We are a special bunch since grade school and all through high school and now we are all approaching near 69-70, we still have each other.  We are all scattered about throughout the United States but close because of the blog because they tell me so.

For me, it is great gratification that a classmate will email me or leave a comment that the blog makes them so happy that we are all still connected!  I'm not sure they are all aware of all the hours I spend doing this for them but I do know they love it and that is enough for me.

Both of my Blogs keep me busy, as I also love to read the blogs of my blogger friends!  Great people out there like my favorite couple, Sherry and Jack and so many more to name but the list would get very long.  Yes, Jimmy from Miami, thanks for the weekly chuckles!

Now, I know where I am but I really need to find an effective pathway to where I really want to go and that is home.  Things are not as easy as it seems.  I’m working on it.  The pathway may look different now, yet it is indeed still there.

Laughter is the best medicine!

Oh, it’s so true that laughter is the best medicine.  I was watching old reruns of the Golden Girls the other night and nearly fell of the couch laughing until my stomach hurt.  And, just last night, Joan Rivers had me in stitches laughing watching “Fashion Police”!

If laughter seems like a distant memory, then it’s time for the child inside to come out to play.  In reality, you have so much more to enjoy than the child you used to be – and so many more reasons to laugh. You have that library of memories to be brought out and explored – years of joy, happiness and smiles.

We all have mistakes filed away – all good reason for laughter. There’s the accumulation of friendship – full of hugs, love and good times. There’s that treasure chest of experience to be dipped into – and so much more meant to bring a chuckle!

Laughter is said to be the best medicine and there’s lots of evidence that laughter does lots of good things for us.  It reduces pain and allows us to tolerate discomfort.

The role laughter plays in intimate relationships is hugely underestimated and it really is the glue of good marriages and relationships. 

It also synchronizes the brains of speaker and listener so that they are emotionally attuned.

Never overlook the secret of excitement, wonder, enthusiasm in all the good times yet to come.

So keep on laughing everyone!

The Lost Art

I was so surprised and very much disappointed that 36 states have eliminated cursive writing in their public schools.

I remember as a young girl practicing my penmanship, so it would look so pretty and legible.  I have memories of some received love letters, banners above elementary school chalkboards.  Do you remember desks with inkwells? 

I am aware that the computer keyboards and smartphones are increasingly taking place of cursive writing.  But it should not be a lost art.  I find it very upsetting that the younger generation does not know how to write their name in cursive or write a letter in cursive.

When I was in high school, if your book report was typewritten, you got some extra points on your grade only because it was easier for the teacher to read because of some children had poor penmanship and the same held true for college reports.

I still like receiving handwritten thank you notes and I like to send them as well.  Yes, I’m guilty of sending greetings online but it is because I feel that my added animations will bring a smile to the face of the recipient.  It also saves on postage stamps!

While printing might be legible, the less complex the handwriting, the easier it is to forge.

Like it or not, your handwriting can divulge a lot about you.  Here is what your penmanship reveals about your personality:

Large: You are outgoing with a big personality..many celebrities have large handwriting.

Small: You are focused and tend to be introspective.

Closed Loops: You are tense and tend to restrict yourself.

Full Loops: You are spontaneous and expressive.

Slanted: You are governed by your emotions instead of logic.

My handwriting is a combination of Large/Slanted/ and with Broken loops.

What’s yours?

You are your own best judge!

I used to judge myself by looking through the eyes of my parents, husband, friends, neighbors and my bosses in the legal field.  I then realized I was only running around doing more and more in an effort to gain their approval.  It surely does not take long before you end up feeling exhausted, resentful and ready to give up.

I learned that trying to live your life by the expectations of others disconnects you from your own desires. It leaves you feeling sort of empty. The gratification that comes from fulfilling the expectations of others is very little and short-lived most times.

It’s so easy to be resentful about your responsibilities and commitments, and to see them as burdens. Fighting against yourself, and your own obligations, is never in your best interest.

Don't get me wrong, you must do your absolute best in your job as that is rewarding in itself.  Be proud to put your name on everything you do.  I, do get annoyed when I come across incompetent people that just don't care about their jobs and provide poor service.

My recent experience at the dealership for an oil change took a toll on my nerves!  Wow, what a day...........too long of a story to go into but it surely was unpleasant.  A twenty minute procedure took over three hours due to people just not doing their job.  They were all busy playing with their Smart Phones! Poor Customer Service!  Arrrrrrrrrrrg!

I love to write Kudo letters but that day, I hated to write a letter of complaint but it was necessary.

I learned to reclaim the oomph and happiness that is rightfully mine!  You have to be your own judge and live by your own expectations. As you reclaim yourself, you will feel like a new person, because you are accomplishing things that are important to you.  Who is more important than you?

Get your Oomph back………………start today!

Ditch the workout and join the party!

Ditch the workout and join the party!  Zumba is so much fun.  When you are dancing, it doesn’t feel like exercise. 

Zumba is a Latin-inspired dance fitness class that blends booty shaking with international music and an intense calorie burn.

It looks fast and intimidating at first but I just started out at my own pace and eventually I was catching up with the others.  I had a blast!  I was also surprised to see so many men in the class.  Everyone walked out with drenched T-shirts.  You certainly break out a sweat.

Different instructors throw in their own flare which is interesting.

It was a great one hour class and I plan on going back for more!  I found it exhilarating!

I remember when..................

I remember when I was young, I couldn’t wait to turn 16 years old so my mother would allow me to wear lipstick and then turn 18 to get my license to drive.  But, I never heard people say, “I can’t wait until I’m old”.  I do hear people say, “I can’t wait until I retire” but they do not prepare themselves that it is an ending and they like myself have to learn to reinvent yourself.  I was not prepared and I have many friends that were not prepared either.

Planning for all the what-ifs of senior life is especially important if you are living alone. And let's face it, even if you have a partner and/or kids, there's no guarantee any of them will still be around when you need them. Do you know who is going to be there to step in with comfort, guidance and rational medical advice when you are old? 

More people are single for a variety of reasons, some have delayed getting married and eventually let go of the idea and others are single because of divorce or entered widowhood unexpectantly, an experience that can be especially difficult economically for women. What's more, those marrying later may choose (or be forced to choose) not to have children.

The choices we make as young adults have ripple effects through life. No one prepared me for the lessons when I was young to enter old age and no one advised me of the many resources needed.

So many adults live alone and are learning new and often richer ways of living by going solo. Still, it is difficult to grow old alone.

Your life maybe different if you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth and/or received an inheritance which made your financial life better.  It is hard for a woman to struggle alone and raise your children by yourself.  I’ve been on both sides of the track and understand completely.

I hope the younger generation learn to prepare for their retirement now, as it is crucial.

Embrace Life's Little Pleasures!

There’s a lot to appreciate in life’s little pleasures.  I know that my daily journey would be much lighter, brighter and easier if I don't try to carry my entire past and future around with me.  I have to remind myself to take a break.  By letting go of my obsession with yesterday’s struggles and tomorrow’s never ending to-do list, I’ve learned to force myself to simply enjoy the beauty of what’s right here, right now.

Just enjoying the little things…..you know the ones that put a smile on your face…….no price tag that comes with it.  Cooking something special just for me!   Seeing the beauty in a day filled with sunshine and flowers is a day to behold.  Enjoying a glass of wine while reading a good book on my Kindle. So many little things that we all take for granted.  But, to a Widow, they become big things.  Because for the most part, they are the only things.

I get so overwhelmed sometimes because I miss having my husband around to fix something for me.  It is hard for a woman to do things alone and as I got older, it gets even harder when you add all the aches and pains that come with the “golden years”.  Too expensive to keep hiring a handyman for so many things that need “fixen”!   And, too old to get on a ladder again!

Sometimes you have to stop thinking that some new richness will fulfill you, so you can fully experience the richness that's already yours.  You can’t keep looking back when things were easier.  Those days are gone.

Of course, during difficult times in your life and we all have them, you have to give yourself the gift of patience. 

Patience is the main ingredient necessary to get through difficult times.

Yes, it’s hard to be patient!  But, without patience, you would have no hope and no direction to turn to.  I've been blessed with being a patient person. Some days, it's not so easy but for the most part I'm just fine.

  
Patience helps nourish both compassion and empathy.  So, embrace patience.  Ultimately it really makes you stronger.  Wouldn’t it be nice if everything was organized for you without complications but I’m not sure if that would be the answer to make things better.  It is hard to make major decisions when life throws you some curves but we all seem to get by when you think clearly and weigh the pros and cons to the situation.

Today was not a productive day due to the weather but nonetheless, a good day just chatting with my cyber friends.

Life is good!

Listen Up! Protect yourself from No See Ums

 No-See-Ums.....

They go by many names, and while "Biting Midges" may be technically one of the more accurate ones, No-See-Ums fits the best as you never seem to see the little buggers!

They are so small, they can even enter through my screened in patio.

Years ago, I went to the doctor and got steroid injections to try and relieve the pain and itch.  It was a very painful procedure since I had over 100 bites all over my body.

Treatment after you get bit? Well, not much works. I use antihistamine for relief from the severe itching.

I mentioned my dilemma to my son and he suggested Lavender.  So, I did my research and found that Lavender is excellent to use for No See Ums!

~ The Herb To Grow ~

This flowering herb is one of the most widely used essential oils in aromatherapy and has medicinal, culinary and beauty uses with therapeutic benefits when used dried, fresh or infused with oil.

I also found some relief from using Avon's Skin So Soft.

I read an article that if you drink down a shot of apple cider vinegar, it will keep them at bay!  I'll try anything at this point.

I'm getting bit in my house while watching TV in my den.  They claim the little buggers are attracted to light.  I just may stop using my battery operated candles too.  Yet, real lavender lit candles help.

I have also landed in a hospital many years ago from sand fleas!  I was enjoying my first trip to Florida on the beach with several girlfriends and I'm the only one that got bit all over.  It ruined my first vacation as a young woman in my 20's.

~ Ideas and Tips ~

Rub lavender oil or even lavender flowers on your pulse points of the body which are also the hot spots. Include under arms, behind ears, neck and on the inner arm area behind the elbow to repel insects.

Basil is also said to be a great bug repellent so make sure you have that in your garden growing or in a container planted up.  I also have kept fresh Basil leaves one on each shelf of my cabinet that contains grocery items.  This I found does work!

White vinegar rubbed into the skin has proven successful for keeping No See Ums, mosquitoes, gnats and fleas away.

If anyone has any successful tips, please send to me!  Thanks!

The Signs of Aging!

I recall jumping for joy when I received my Medicare Card in the mail because for me, it meant I would have health insurance.  I was denied health insurance for the previous 8 years due to existing conditions which inferiorities me because illegal immigrants get health insurance and I paid my dues all my life and I was denied!  And I was born and raised in the USA!  This is my Country!

It seemed the minute that card arrived I started to decline in age.  I expected gradual changes but one thing after another blew me away.  I hated constantly living in a doctor’s office.

My doctor told me that your body ages depends in part on your family genetic patterns, but lifestyle choices have a more powerful impact on how well your body ages. 

Well, I knew I could control that so I signed up at the gym for Silver Sneakers classes three days a week.  I also became a Vegan but not for aging reasons at the time.  I had a fatty liver due to eating animal fat.  It was hard but I did feel better.

The following is what I have noticed since I have turned 65 and now 68 years old!  Oh, gosh where did all those years go?

Skin: With age, the skin becomes less elastic and more lined and wrinkled. Fingernail growth also slows. The oil glands gradually produce less oil, making the skin drier than before. I use moisturizer every day and night and protect my skin from the sun and I live in Florida!

Hair: It's normal for hair to gradually thin on the scalp, pubic area, and armpits. As hair pigment cells decline in number, gray hair growth increases.  Seems like I’m losing more hair now, as I see it on the bathroom floor daily…………….Ugh.

Height: I have lost as much as 2 in. (5 cm) in height. This is often related to normal changes in posture and compression of joints, spinal bones, and spinal discs.  I recently had an MRI for severe headaches and grateful it came out normal but the bottom part of the report indicated that my brain shrunk!  My doctor laughed and told me to not panic and that it is normal because I shrunk in height!  Damn!

I’m too old to be wearing Stilettos now.  Oh, how I loved my shoes!

Hearing: Over time, changes in the ear make high-frequency sounds harder to hear and changes in tone and speech less clear. These changes tend to accelerate after age 55.  Fortunately, my hearing is still good.

Vision: It started with reading glasses in my 40’s and just recently with my last appointment with the eye doctor, I am now wearing transitional glasses every day!  I should try contacts because I’m so vain.

Sleep: Changes in sleep occur as you age. You will probably sleep less at night, and you may not sleep as deeply as you did when you were younger. I’ve been dealing with severe insomnia for years now and I need a sleeping aid, as my doctor feels the quality of life is more important than going without sleep for 2-3 days at a time.

Bones: Throughout adulthood, men and women gradually lose some of the mineral content in their bones. The bones get less dense and strong. You can slow natural bone loss and reduce your risk of osteoporosis getting regular, weight-bearing exercise (such as walking), getting enough calcium and vitamin D, avoiding lifestyle choices that weaken bones (such as smoking). 

At my last bone density test, I now have Osteopenia which is the beginning stages of Osteoporosis!  I had a fall in the house two years ago and it is just now starting to heal.  Great, I just keep adding to my list of “Aging”.

Metabolism: Over time, the body typically needs less energy, and your metabolism slows. Hormone changes in the aging body result in a shift to more body fat and less muscle mass. The best approach to managing these changes is to take in fewer calories while keeping up or increasing your physical activity. 

Lonely:  I need to get out more.  I never go out at night anymore.  I think this causes more trips to the fridge!  I think Widowhood changes a woman.  I think being a couple keeps you young at heart.  Being away from my family doesn't help either.

Weight gain: The above topic explains this!

Dupuytren: I developed four nodules under the skin of the palm of my right hand.  It hurts.  The doctor told me that nothing can be done for it until my fingers start to curl.  Great, freaking great.  Daily warm soaks help and less time on the computer as well.

Foot pain: Does the bottom of your feet hurt when getting out of bed in the morning?  Another damn symptom!  What gives?

Yet, my body still feels like dancing!