Life is What You Make It - #87

 If we are fortunate enough to grow older, we all seem to be in agreement - the days, weeks, months and years seem to go by faster and faster. Time and good health becomes our most important currency; spend it wisely but spend it all!

One good thing about keeping a blog, it is a reminder to me of how I’ve spent my time; it is a ledger of my life. When I reread my writings, scan my photos - I smile and realize I did so much more than what immediately comes to mind. I have taken chances, made new friends, visited new places, challenged myself. And I am grateful to have a life partner - willing and able to share this time with me. Thanks Charlie!

We will be retired 4 years in March and it has been better than I dreamed.  I didn’t have any expectations or preconceived ideas but rather a go with the flow attitude, allowing my interests and curiosity to lead the way.  I continue to seek out ways to participate and be involved. “Life is what you make it - and what you make it, is up to you”.

2024 is shaping up to be an amazing and adventurous year! With two cruises planned both spring and summer, plans to return to Bay St Louis next winter for 6 mos, and many other smaller trips - we will be traveling a bit.

 

My mom will be celebrating her 99th birthday this year in May; that is pretty amazing! My youngest great niece will become a Bat Mitzvah and we will join in the festivities with the family over the Labor Day weekend. The venue is at a sleep away campground in West Virginia;  we even get to sleep in a cabin!! Boy, will this bring back memories for me!

February has just left the starting gate and we can see spring in the distance! In January we celebrated Charlie’s 76 birthday in CT. We visited Mohegan Sun and had a great dinner at Summer Shack; the next day we spent at Foxwoods, browsing the shops at Tanger Outlets, gaming, and an early dinner-late lunch at The Sugar Factory. We can’t resist the ice cream at this place although I did feel it wasn’t quite as good this time. On our final day, returning home, we spent a few hours in Mystic at Olde Mistick Village. We love meandering through the shops at this quaint site and had sushi for lunch at Pink Basil - a great Asian restaurant in the village. I was glad it was still there as they have a pineapple fried rice that is to die for!

Hit 100,000 miles on my Honda!

The weather has been cold, snowy and icy but we are still out and about.  I finally lead my diamond art class; the heart keychain projects came out beautiful! Everyone really enjoyed it and I felt good. Looking forward to contributing my time and ideas again in the spring. 

 

Our next getaway is in just a couple weeks; we decided to try a new casino - MGM Grand In Springfield, MA.  This time we’ll be celebrating my birthday (scary 69)! We’ll spend a couple of nights and should be fun.

On the annoying side- I have to get another tooth capped. This tooth actually split down the middle about 6 years ago; my dentist at the time was able to mend it with a big filling and it has held well. But that split has become more apparent so- better safe than sorry.  I don’t want to wait until something happens ‘cause things always happen at the most inconvenient time! 

I’ve pretty much developed a weekly routine focused around activities at the senior center - exercise classes, bingo, scrabble; then at home - walking, cleaning, laundry shopping and projects. 

                     Stoughton Senior Center

 I bought myself a rock tumbler; I’ll see what kind of trouble I can get into with that but I have some ideas. I also purchased a sushi making kit for me and Deena. She is a big sushi enthusiast, we love it too so it will be something we can do together. 

Today will be a balmy mid 40’s which is actually comfortable. I’m joining a winter walking group today for a narrative walk in the “sheep pasture” in the next town over. The rest of the day is mine to just do what I want. Ain’t retirement grand?!!