North vs South - #131

I wasn’t sure how I felt about coming home this spring. Over the past several years, the South has come to feel more comfortable, more like home. I love our simple life, tiny living, access to fun activities, the weather and the natural beauty all around. But it was time to go north…family, friends, doctor appointments, and other commitments beckoned our return.  

And then I walked through the door of our apartment and a big smile came across my face. Wow - I love this place! 

Everything I love is here; my people, memories, the space itself and special possessions. I had forgotten how wonderful this place makes me feel! As much as I enjoy our travel trailer, our apartment is great! I missed my stove and oven, my dishwasher and space to cook! I love my giant photo canvases of wonderful places we have visited, my retro kitchen set, and our adjustable bed! Deena pops down with a big hug for me every afternoon when she returns from her daily activities and I’ve been available to hangout with the kids while Brooke and Rakib pursue their evening activities and meetings. We enjoyed family dinner together as well. I have started to reach out to friends to get together and am looking forward to restarting my regular activities at the senior center and library- plus taking part in new. 

Charlie has been so busy working on his shed, radios and antennas; he has a particular problem with one antenna he’s been trying to resolve. I have hardly seen him since we returned home and I have to say it - it’s been wonderful! After 6+ months of togetherness, it’s good to have some alone time!

A lot of things in our lives are showing signs of age. I have been dealing with leg/foot pain on my left side. I’m trying to do what I can to help myself - ice, heat, stretching and walking. It does feel like it’s improving but it does curtail some of my activities. Charlie’s back has been bothering him; he probably did too much physical work between putting the cover on the trailer, moving things in and out of the truck and then spending 6 days driving in the truck where we didn’t move around a lot. My car, which is 11 years old now - required a new transmission just before we returned home, and though our truck gave us a wonderful, reliable ride home- now needs attention to the power steering. At 16 years- issues are expected. Minnie at almost 17 is holding steady and seems to be doing well! 

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In the week we’ve been home I’ve been reacquainting myself with our northern life. Firstly, I have been cooking every day and really enjoying it! I’m making some really nice meals but the key to my renewed interest is definitely my dishwasher. It’s the cleaning up I hate and being able to put my used pans and utensils in that wonderful appliance out of sight is truly wonderful! After 6 months of hand washing in a tiny sink… well you get my drift. 

The weather has been decent during the day - 50’s mostly and certainly warm enough to be outside, especially with some sun. I started working on our yard - raking to clean, edging all the beds, weeding, spreading the mulch, sweeping, cleaning out all the potted plant containers. A little everyday and I’ve really gotten a lot done. I ordered new cushions for the outdoor furniture; Brooke and I have been discussing flowers and adding some new features to the garden beds. A lot to do! This year will be interesting having the new pool - installed late last summer; Charlie and I never actually got a chance to use it then.

I’ve been at the senior center a lot this week. I played Rummikub on Monday. Tuesday, Charlie and I played Bingo and I actually won a game! Wednesday I participated in a chair yoga class, played Scrabble afterwards and then drove over to the “Y” for the Fair Food veggie bag.  A full day!  And other upcoming plans are going back to the gym, a volunteers’ luncheon Friday.  We’ve registered for wine bottle painting and a painting class at the library and then my annual Mother’s Day Tea. There is no doubt we can keep ourselves busy if we want to! 

 

Well - off to Planet Fitness, breakfast out and then a small food shopping! Yeah, it’s nice to be home!