Rebuild. Reconcile. Recover.

Rebuild. Reconcile. Recover. From our new National Youth Poet Laureate! Amanda Gorman. In yesterday’s inauguration, my highlight was Amanda Gorman. I’ve always loved poetry, but I’ve never seen it come to life as it did yesterday. At a time when our country is facing a pandemic, incredible divisiveness and a loss of what makes the country safe, Amanda captured our needs in three words. Rebuild. Reconcile. Recover. 

Rebuilding can be repairing the damage to our Capitol building. It can also be rebuilding our infrastructure and our ability to deliver vaccines through a fractured health system. Reconciling between political parties, families and friends. Recovering what sets us apart from other countries. The three R’s should be our foundation as we move forward under the new administration. Whether or not you voted for the Biden-Harris administration, choosing not to work toward the common good of our country and its people is short sighted. You are punishing yourself if you don’t work toward the common good. You are condemning thousands to hunger and poverty, death from an uncontrolled pandemic, and increasing dysfunction. Facts not lies. A Congress that puts aside petty partisanship in favor of healing our country must happen! 

So what can we do to help? Be positive. Scroll past negativity. Ignore untruths. Pray for those who believe  the conspiracy theories. We may never be able to overcome the indoctrination of the past four years, but pray that calmer heads will prevail. We are better than violence and mayhem. 

Let’s recover our joy and celebrate our future!

Do We Care?

Do we care? That’s a big question in our world right now. My first reaction is nope! We don’t care. We don’t care about each other. We don’t care about those sick with COVID. We don’t care enough to mask and social distance. We say hurtful things on line as if that doesn’t count...things we would never say to each other’s faces. I struggle not to respond to political posts, but I’m not always successful. We don’t fact check before we post. We trust those for whom a lie is acceptable. We don’t care about the unemployed. We just don’t care. This makes me sad. Please tell me I’m wrong. 

A group of us mostly retired folks sat in our distancing circle by the creek and talked about just this topic. We also talked about sports, home values and a few other topics! It was a wonderful break. We agreed we are conflicted. How do we feel about the lack of civility we see in our world? How do we feel toward those who said COVID was a hoax, refused to model safe behaviors, and now have the disease and may have been responsible for multiple infections by not quarantining in a timely manner.  Even the head of NOtre Dame, Father Jenkins,  did not follow his own advice and mask and got COVID. How do we feel about our government now? What is happening? How do we feel about still not providing adequate healthcare for all? Will our democracy survive?  How do we feel about rising home prices and falling 401Ks?  Are we supporting small business and safely supporting restaurants? We were old and younger, an elected school board member and former campaign chair for Bloomberg, a career healthcare worker (that would be me), a VA security guard and former Sheriff, and Woody who surprised me with how much he has been paying attention! 

So yes, I’m conflicted. We each must explore our conscience. We must decide if we care. We must make an effort to care. We must realize that calling ourselves Christian must be reflected in our actions. And Lord knows, I try as I’m sure you do too!  We must look outside ourselves to the needs of others and do what we can to help. Whether that is donating to food banks, supporting small businesses, over tipping if you go out or deliver in, playing with your grands or helping a neighbor!  We need to learn to care more! I’ll try! 

So have a great week! Care a lot! Wear your mask! Social distance! Wash your hands! Love you all!

Just dance!

Do you ever dance in the kitchen? We do...and our kids and grandkids! It is time to sing, dance and be happy! We need to unite...stop the rhetoric...and try to restore our mutual love for our country. I have tried not to comment or react to political posts since January 1st and have been mostly successful. I still see the blackness in some hearts. I still see both sides acting in a manner determined to keep us divided. My comments won’t get us restored. Your comments won’t get us restored. Only through love and positive actions will we heal. 

I will try to do my part to post only positive content so get ready for food pictures, Harley and Boomer pictures, Woodman doing funny things, and soon, garden pictures. It is a day by day struggle to remain positive. I will fail, but like getting thrown off a horse, I will get up and try again! If I can’t be positive, I am contributing to the problem not the solution. We are at a crossroads. It is not a left turn or a right turn; let’s go straight ahead into a better future!

So I choose to love unconditionally regardless. “Soft words turneth away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger”. Proverbs 15:1. Choose your words with love and purpose. Love you all. Wear your mask. Wash your hands! Stay safe! Dance! And have a great week!

Happy New Year!

Time for Sunday Musings! Wishing you and your loved ones Happy New Year on the first day of the rest of our lives! Let's make 2017 a year of kindness and good works. We must overcome the negativity of our world. We must compensate for divisiveness in our country. Let's focus on simplicity. Be a part of love and life.

Ethnicity, race, religion, gender and sexual orientation should never dictate how others are treated. Yes, I get "love one another" as taught by my God even if some people seem unlovable. We need to take a deep breath and work to restore our country. We must learn to value life and cease killing each other. We must feed the hungry. We have to houses the homeless. We have to address mental illness, addiction, and health care for all. We must walk the walk if we profess to be Christian or any religion or even just as a good person. Whether directly through individual actions or by funding those who provide the care.

So...don't make unrealistic resolutions; rather resolve to love one another. Resolve to treat others as you would like to be treated. Speak to those different than you. Engage your community. Feed the hungry. Be kind. Speak lovingly. Focus on positives! Love you all.

Let's Try This Again! I'm Bored!

When I first retired, I started blogging about our adventures. As you can see, I began neglecting my blog and got busy doing other things. Facebook takes up lots of free time as I post, renew and maintain friendships and over share pictures of the grandchildren. I continue to work as a Senior Consultant for The Oncology Group www.theoncologygroup.com helping cancer programs and physicians enhance their services to patients. I also write and edit for publishing houses, websites and a medical editing firm in Taiwan on occasion. We still travel but often it's to places selected for the grands like Florida and Chattanooga. The older I get, the more I wonder what's next? I officially retired from the 60 hour work week in 2007 and my work has been part time. But, hello...I am bored!! And I'm only 67. Hopefully, I have a few more good years left.

So let's look at my next chapter in retirement! I explored a full time job at a local college but quickly realized I value my freedom of schedule. Adjunct faculty also requires a consistent commitment. The advantage to these jobs is that there is no airport involved. I am tired of flying for business. Our neighbors just moved here and started substitute teaching. After the first of the year, I may consider applying. The schools only call if they need you and you can decide if you're available! I still would like to generate a little income for that occasional cruise...we did the Baltic and loved it!

There are also tons of things I could do around the house. I love blogging but we already know I let that slide! Hobbies have also been neglected but I still love to cook new things and just dug out my yarn and knitting needles. Maybe I could learn to make something besides scarves? I love photography and need to get back to exploring new venues. So what's next?

My New Year's Resolution is to blog more! I will explore this next chapter in my life by sharing my reinvention in this next decade of my retirement journey! I know it will be just as much fun but different.

I'm Back!

One of the things I've talked about over the years is working in retirement. The last 12 months have been hectic. We moved and started renovation on our new "old" house and then my occasional consulting gig turned into an almost full time job! One perk is a wonderful lifetime cruise later this year. If you want to do fun things, working in retirement is always an option. Being in health care, consulting has been my go to for extra spending money but I've also written for publishing companies and edited research papers. I would encourage you to identify your skills that can translate to extra spending money!

So this is short and sweet...I think I am about back to embracing a bit more retirement time and a little less work time! Which means more time to post! And more time for fun! See you soon!

Tale of Two Houses

The Tale of Two Houses




There I was peacefully napping on a Sunday afternoon, as many nearly 70 year old guys will do, and all of a sudden my love little bride wakes me up somewhat aggressively which is unusual. So I lay there thinking, which of the neighbor ladies have dropped by for afternoon tea and why do I have to be involved? But, then again, she was pretty insistent so I figured I had better go see what was so important that I should be disturbed like that!



Well, I couldn’t think of anything that would call for me dressing any different than usual, so on went the boat shoes, shorts and tee shirt. I enter the living room to see three grinning faces. One was my bride Pat, and the other two belonged to a couple we vaguely knew. My first thought was just how much it’s going to cost me to get rid of this smiling couple! Even before I joined them, Pat almost shouts out that they want to buy our house. I thought that’s not anything to wake me up from a nap for because that’s just plain silly. When we decided to move off Old Hickory Lake in Hendersonville from a multi-story house, we decided to design our retirement home from the ground up with everything we could think of and then some. Let’s see now…one level, all hardwood floors, doors that could be wheelchair accessible if you want to be morbid; my man cave off the master suite so I don’t have to go far to be alone; a car wash size shower with dual shower heads…and it too is wheelchair accessible; a screened porch for me and a pool for her; and, finally pet doors for the dog and cat…low maintenance and doesn’t interfere with my sleeping! Keep in mind that this was supposed to be our last house. It has an office, guest suite, and oversized garage for my toys…you name it, we have it…so why would I want to sell it!



The house was perfect…EXCEPT as my lovely bride pointed out…Savannah lives 55 miles away. She is our lovely little granddaughter who lives one town below Nashville and we live one town above Nashville. She is the only grandchild near enough to see weekly…the others moved off and left us! We go for visits as often as possible, but distance is a great factor.



So as any strong southern male with generations of strong southern males behind him, I said with great charity…that will be fine dear…or as I learned to say long ago…yes, dear we will sell the house. One hour later we had hammered out the details of the purchase. Well, the women had hammered out the details of the purchase. We all know they run the world! This was on Sunday afternoon. Monday morning I went to our attorney, had the contract drawn up, and it was signed on Tuesday! Now some men who are closing in on 70 might be concerned that they were now homeless, but not me. I married a little human dynamo Irish woman with an MBA in finance from the University of Notre Dame…yes we are a divided family…MS State and the SEC vs. Notre Dame. While watching the evening news on Sunday night, Pat was on the computer looking for a house in Murfreesboro, TN, the home of one Savannah Elizabeth Ledwell!



On Monday morning as Pat brings me my coffee, which is no big deal as she does that every morning, she said we were driving to Murfreesboro after breakfast. I thought it wouldn’t hurt to look around since we were homeless and she had promised me pancakes. We drove down the familiar 55 miles after pancakes at IHOP, and only then did I realize we had a specific destination in mind. Keep in mind she is Irish, red haired and runs my life. So we drove up to a lovely home in a gated community of cluster homes and there sits a real estate waiting to show us around. Remember I told you she runs my life and she’s Irish. We go in, look around, designate the room for my man cave and her office, note that it already has a screened porch and a separate deck, there is a swimming pool and tennis court, a beautiful creek running through a park like area just below the house that the Association maintains, and just a little cosmetic fixing up (like a new kitchen!) she says…so, she turns to me with those big blue eyes after all of 15 minutes and says “it’s perfect, daddy can I have it?”…or at least that’s how I recall it…she says in her direct way to the real estate agent, we’ll take it but given the amount of work, we are going to give you a very aggressive price, much lower than asking…told you she was the brains of this operation!



I have to stand on principle, after all we had only looked at one house for all of 15 minutes so of course I said, “yes, dear”. So within 24 hours we had sold and bought two homes. Stay tuned this only makes 13 homes in 30 years…she promises this is the last one…stay tuned.

Ms. Klutz 2013

Where to begin? As you know, in December of 2011, I broke my wrist. In February, I broke my arm. On July 3rd, I fell down a wet hill and broke my left wrist and left ankle! And I don't have osteoporosis so go figure! Either I have a crush on my orthopedic doc, Dr Haslam, or I am a certifiable klutz! While Dr H is precious, I think I am just a klutz! I have teased my friends about wearing "flippy" shoes...remember when Donna fell into a plane and broke her nose? Flippy shoes! I had on Born flip flops but in my defense, it was wet grass and a 45 degree slope! I guess as we get older we should be more careful. I always wondered why old women wore orthopedic shoes...now I know...it is to avoid orthopedic doctors!

Soooo....I guess I will try to be less klutzy and wear sensible shoes. But I will still keep Dr H on speed dial.

I'm baaaaack!

I am absolutely mortified that I have not posted since last September! This being retired is tough! I had been working a bit more for The Oncology Group but things seem to be slowing down...of course the fact that I also broke my arm falling over my briefcase in a hotel room while checking out a snow storm has kept me a bit limited in my computer skills. And then of course, a major adverse event at my favorite hospital which caused me to have a second surgery to correct their error didn't help my mood much! Sooooo...I think I should start posting again if I can come up with some fun things to write.

We are heading to Florida soon with one of the grands and her parental units. We do this every year. Now that our son and his family are moving back to Tennessee, we are going to drag them down next year. It will be great to have everyone within just a few hours of us, but I will miss stopping off at Harrah's Cherokee on the way to NC...I could always rationalize that Woody couldn't drive all the way to Chapel Hill in one day...now I have to make a special trip to gamble and can't pretend it's just a way stop!

Now...what else do you need to know to catch up on our crazy life? We are not selling our house since the market hasn't quite returned enough to make it worth it so I've added granite in our master bath, redone the kitchen cabinets, subtracted and added some furniture and am trying to figure out what more I want to do. Now we really won't recoup our investment, but it sure looks pretty! Woody wrecked the RV in October when he blacked out...still don't have it back but we've been promised it soon. None of the doctors can figure out what happened so we're just hoping it was a one time event. Christmas was uneventful in 2012...as you recall in 2011 the entire family got sick! This time we just ate and had a ball with Savannah opening presents. We've also been to almost every Boomerangs' concert...and gleefully call ourselves groupies. Throw in lots of movies, a trip to the Egg Bowl in November (that's Ole MS vs. MS State and State lost and Woody was bummed and Jennifer was ecstatic since she's an Ole MS grad) followed by a long postponed trip to New Orleans...of course, there is a Harrah's Casino there! Oh and Woody had to drive me to work in South Bend, IN after the broken arm and before they would let me fly and we stopped at Harrah's Horseshoe Casino in Elizabeth, Indiana so we had a great trip. We've also had Savannah almost every weekend and have lots of fun memories with her, including planting flowers since she loves to garden! It's so much fun to have a grand close and we can't wait to get Riley closer too!

I'm sure there are tons of other things you should know to catch up on everything, but it's late and I'm tired! I'm still rehabbing the arm and shoulder...water aerobics and swimming....so now I'm tired AND sore but am regaining range of motion rapidly! I will try to do better...so my tip for this long delayed post is Don't get so caught up in day to day stuff, that you forget to do what you like to do...in my case, it's to write this blog!

A Wonderful Afternoon at the Track!

Woody and I spent a wonderful afternoon at Kentucky Downs in Franklin, KY watching and betting (a little) on the races! We sat on the 2nd floor porch of the clubhouse with lots of other "old" people, had a light lunch (hot dogs, chips and M&M's) and bet on the ponies! It was tons of fun and not really that expensive since you could bet as little as $2 per race or not at all! We, of course, that would really be me, bet a little more than that and even won a little! So your tip for the day is think outside the box, keep up with activities at local venues and head out for a fun day or evening rather than sitting home!

Tonight we head out to Cheekwood for an event hosted by Belle Meade Vacations. Tons of travel and cruise vendors are in one place so we can pick our next "excellent adventure". The very best travel agent in the world is Cindy Farringer who is one of the owners of Belle Meade Vacations and my dearest friend! She has arranged some fabulous trips for us so give her a call when you need a great trip!

Cindy Farringer at cfarringer@bellemeadevacations.com  or 615-386-9876

This is Cindy in Costa Rica I think! She personally checks out so many of the trips or cruises that she recommends so she knows what is great or not...at least that's the excuse she gives for lots of good travel! On Saturday, Woody heads out to a free car show in Lebanon, TN and I'm heading to shop and do lunch. Too many retired folks sit around and don't make the effort to get out. We have a friend who knows entirely too much about daytime TV! He needs to get out more. When you are still healthy enough to try new things, don't waste your life....sitting at home may come soon enough as we age. Socializing through groups or with friends is important. Most senior citizen centers sponsor bus trips to local events or even longer trips. Golden Circle Travel specializes in trips for older adults. You don't have to hibernate for the rest of your life after you retire! Sit down with a map and see what is a reasonable day trip drive from your home...back roads are great because you can go slow and leave your blinker on and no one cares!! Have fun...get out and about...don't vegetate!

A New Endeavor

You know me by now...always trying to reinvent myself! I've started another blog...Making Health Care Work available at www.makinghealthcarework.blogspot.com . When you go to the hospital, you need to know what is going to happen to you and also how to make health care work better for you. Starting with your own personal health behaviors...watching your weight (I'm working on that too!), not smoking, getting some type of regular exercise such as walking or swimming, and eating a healthy diet..you may be able to head off many illnesses by being healthy and taking care of yourself. Staying out of the hospital is the best way to avoid hospital acquired infections and to protect yourself from accidental errors in care. Hospitals don't intend to do harm, but they are only as good as their weakest employee. With the increasing complexity of care needed and the increasing workloads placed on doctors, nurses and staff, it's no wonder that problems happen. Having worked in and with hospitals for over 40 years, I know that they are doing the best they can with shrinking reimbursements, fewer dollars, and increasing numbers of patients. So your tips for today...practice healthy habits, wash your hands lots, ask your healthcare providers if they have washed their hands, don't hesitate to ask questions of your doctor and staff, and, most importantly, do what your doctors tell you!! Take your prescribed medicines correctly and consider supplements and vitamins after discussing them with your doctor.

Road Trip with Savannah and Random Stuff!

Road trip! This past weekend we headed to Chattanooga to take Miss Savannah to the Aquarium as a birthday present for her mommy! Libby and Led could party on and so could we! Libby gave us Marriott points for a room, so we spent the night. The Aquarium was incredible with two separate buildings...one for the Ocean and one for the River. Savannah had been there before but it was all new to us...it is fabulous. Savannah loved the penguins but wanted granddad to hold her when the sharks swam by! I think it's watching Nemo too much. She knows the sharks are not always your friend. We didn't realize that there were two separate buildings on the same ticket, so after finishing the ocean side, we came out and went to lunch at Friday's. Striking up a conversation with a family in the next booth, they asked us which we liked better. Pulling out our tickets, we realized after a leisurely lunch and a bit of a rest, we could go back and do the other side! After a nap back at the hotel, we went for a swim and then had dinner via the Marriott Bistro in our room! Savannah can float on her back...now we have to get the floaties off!

On Sunday, we took her to the Children's Discovery Museum. It is wonderful and we only did the first floor. The climbing area is better than our Children's Museum in Nashville as it was geared to a smaller size kiddo. Granddad had to carry her out kicking and screaming to head to other areas...she calmed down quickly when she realized we weren't leaving, just moving to a different fun thing. Chattanooga is the perfect distance for a trip as it's only about 100 miles from Murfreesboro where we picked up the kiddo.

Our tips for road trips with grandkids is go somewhere close, take lots of snacks for the car and room including breakfast foods so you don't have to rush out to eat, take a portable DVD player, pick fun things to do and don't rush! Kids really enjoy some experiences and may run through others as boring. The more interactive the better. Let them set the pace. In our case, the butterfly exhibit was not exciting but she loved touching the rays and sturgeon. Take plenty of hand sanitizer!

Last weekend, Woody and I headed to Louisville for the Change of Command Ceremony for our neighbor Tom. He is moving from the Naval Reserve Center Command to become Flag Secretary for the VAdmiral of the Navy Reserve! It was tons of fun and quite impressive. And you know I always find a casino, so after the ceremony we headed to Elizabeth, IN to Horseshoe Casino...a Harrah's property which meant a free room for two nights, the Paula Deen Buffet and SLOTS! I actually won for the second time this summer.  I've said it before, but if you like to gamble, stay with one company and you can earn free rooms and other comps...just be sure you set a limit ahead of time!

This summer has been different in that we have taken lots of trips We did a week in Florida with Savannah and her parental units, a week in NC with Riley and Will along with a stop in Cherokee, NC, a trip to Paducah for the quilt museum and Metropolis for the casino, a trip to Louisville and Elizabeth, IN, and a trip to Chattanooga with Savannah...one more trip over Labor Day to Woody's family reunion and then home for a while. Whew! So one more tip...yes, two for one today...plan short trips around your home base! We have had a ball, haven't spent that much money, and still had a great time. We now are getting the RV squared away to head to Florida for two different months! That way we won't be gone too long from Savannah and still have our fun time in Florida.

Safe travels!

Grandkiddos! Horses! Gambling and more!!

Traveled to see the grandkiddos in NC in July! We had a blast.
We spent lots of time at the barn watching Riley ride, and Will and my favorite daughter in law learn to ride. Jennifer is doing great and Will is staying on the horse. He had more fun flirting with all the girls! Also loved playing with my granddogs Bella and Charlie. On the way over we stopped at Harrah's Cherokee which is about halfway. After Woody's motorcycle wreck in June, driving and even riding was a bit tough. I drove and just gave him drugs. Didn't do too poorly in the gambling but could have done better. Coming home we took the back way and headed to Rogersville to see Uncle Lori and Aunt Marie and Uncle Paul and Aunt Mary. Aunt Marie and Uncle Paul are having a bit of a rough go...prayers for all of them. We'll see everyone again at the reunion over Labor Day!

Our time, as always, is too short when we go to NC to visit...wish they all lived closer.

July was a busy month...we got bored and decided to head to Metropolis...another favorite casino! This one was a fabulous gambling experience! We also headed to the National Quilt Museum in Paducah. This is such a definite see in your lifetime! The artistry and talent exhibited in the quilts was unbelievable. Woody wants to make a quilt but I know how that goes...he will start one and every 5 minutes will be calling for me to help! I may send him to Estelle's....she does great quilts!!

The one thing I'm most proud of is that I am routinely doing water aerobics! When we were at Camping on the Gulf we used a CD of Billie Jo's Wet and Wonderful which I found on Amazon! I am exercising at least an hour 5 or so times a week. I'm not losing weight but I am putting on muscle and my clothes continue to get looser! Just have to get back on the diet but since the reunion is over the real pressure is off! LOL

We head out this weekend to see our neighbor Tom give up command at the Naval Base in Louisville and head to the Pentagon...we love Cindy and the kids and they will continue to stay here. Tom commuted from Louisville but he won't get home quite as often from DC but you don't say no to a promotion and a Pentagon assignment! Oh and of course there is a casino 21 miles from the base...guess where we will be for the rest of the weekend? By the way...we get comps on the rooms so if I win or breakeven we come out ahead!

So my retirement tip is get a rewards card from one casino and stay with it...I like Harrah's because they have casinos everywhere and they are very generous with their comps...especially if you can go during the week!

Back to the Olympics...I love watching just about everything! Have a great time in retirement! See you at the slots!

My 45th High School Reunion!

If you've been following my posts, you know that last weekend was my 45th Jackson High School reunion...or as Woody says, our first H.S. dance! I had not been to a reunion since my 10th so I hadn't seen these wonderful "old" friends in 35 years...except for Rombye.  Rombye has a great leather works offering called The Cordwainer www.cordwainerleather.com is their site. We see her twice a year at our Artisan Fair in Nashville. Soooo...it was great to reconnect with tons of people who were an important part of my life back in high school! We almost didn't get to go because Woody wrecked his motorcycle on his trip with Mike. One separated shoulder and tons of bumps and bruises and sore muscles later, he still troopered on and escorted me! Today you get a few tips, not just one....don't let an almost 70 year old man ride a motorcycle and don't even think about missing your high school reunion!

I was really surprised that all of us so easily integrated again...it was like we were never apart. I think all of us had a few trepidations over a few extra pounds, some gray hair, and baggage carried over from high school. I know I'd been on a diet for months which unfortunately still didn't make me tall, thin and blond. What we found is that regardless of circumstances or size, we still loved each other and saw us as we used to be! Well, except...we had to sit up straight, girls up, and no side shot photos! Lots of hugs, a few adult beverages, some tears (that would be Patsy), dancing (YMCA and the electric slide), singing (that would be Donna and me and Carol and Pat G. and a few others), a great brunch at the Baker's Rack in the old Holland's building (one of my favorite shopping places in Jackson along with Kisber's and Rosenbloom's), and lots of talking (really gossiping but we don't say that, bless your heart)! I missed several good friends who either had scheduling conflicts or were chicken and didn't show! I know who you are and will make sure you show at our 50th! I won't miss another one as long as I'm still around! It was a blast! Thanks to Mary Helen, Donna and the rest of the reunion committee who made this a weekend to remember!

Facebook and the Prayer Chain!

Recently I've been trying hard to diet as my 45th high school reunion is the end of June...unfortunately I've not been too successful! I certainly don't look like I did when I graduated from high school, or even nursing school! But I guess at 63, I can't expect to be tall, thin and blond....but then I've never been over 5'2", always been a bit stocky as I was, and still to a degree am, a jock. As for blond, I look too washed out so I'm a bit of auburn to cover the gray! With the advent of facebook, at least I know what some of my cohorts from dear old Jackson High School look like...we're older but still gorgeous! Of course, Betha still looks great! So since I haven't been as successful as I wanted on the diet, I'll just hang on to my good lookin' hubby and have a blast!

I had a reminder a few days ago that I am exceedingly blessed...whenever I have a twinge of jealousy (think of Betha and her gorgeous self), I immediately try to stop and think of all the good things in my life! Is life ever perfect? I don't think so, but God doesn't always do what we ask for...He does what's good for us!! There are always a few things I'd like to renegotiate, but God is too busy laughing at my plans to carry on a meaningful dialogue! But like my diet, I persist in telling God all the things I'd like him to help me with in the future...that comes right after praying for all my family and friends and tons of petitions from my facebook friends. So far He's done a great job of taking care of all my family and friends, so I guess He's listening to me, just not letting me sell my house or motor home!! One thing that I am amazed at with prayer, is that facebook has replaced all the old time prayer chain calls! I remember when mother would get a phone call to activate her prayer partners for someone at First Baptist Church in Jackson, TN. Now, my friends just post on facebook that they need special prayers...even God has gotten into the social media network!

This post is sort of a buckshot topic...I'm just jumping around from topic to topic, but I do so love to share all my thoughts...this is better than a diary or a journal, and certainly cheaper than a psychiatrist. Yesterday and today, we opened our pool finally...this is the first time we've done it ourselves...other than the fact that we should have opened it sooner, I think we're getting there. We left it covered until we got back from Florida, so that was 9 months and tons of algae....at least we've got the chlorine level where it needs to be, the pH is better but not great yet, and we've vacuumed tons of dead algae...hopefully in a few days it will be crystal clear and I can get back to water aerobics!

Woody leaves Monday for a week in Chattanooga with his brother...they are riding motorcycles on several road courses around the city. So I'm going to be asking for prayers for their safety on facebook! Let's activate the fb prayer chain! Especially for Woody! Remember, he's supposed to be my arm candy at the reunion.

I'm not sure what else I should share with you today...oh...go see Rock of Ages..it's a feel good movie with great music. You'll come out feeling great. So nite all...have a great weekend!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Memorial Day Weekend! What a wonderful, HOT time in H'ville! Record high temperatures predicted and records being broken daily...needless to say, we've planned a lazy weekend. Went to see the Avengers on Friday afternoon. Had to wait until our free ticket from lots of trips to the movies was valid! Still have to squeeze in MIB III tomorrow. We are just addicted to movies. Savannah spent the night Friday. We usually take her to the local car show which she loves because of the kids activities, but it was just too hot. We took her to the Adventure Science Center, our children's museum, on Saturday. She had a ball but grandad was pooped. He had to to chase her up and down the climbing area in the center!

Today was the Indy 500 and the Coca Cola 600! I have always loved open wheel racing and over the past years have learned to love NASCAR. Last year we got to go to the Indy 500 and so glad we weren't planning this year since they had record temps too! We've been to Indy 500, Daytona 500, and Bristol...we've been to Monaco but haven't seen the Grand Prix of Monaco...missed it by just a few days. Our bucket list is getting really short, so we need to think up some more fun things to do!

Just a few more days til we head to Florida with the Ledwell's. This is now our annual trip...would be great if we could ever convince Chris and Jenn to join us but we'll see them in July. I just love going to the beach, even if we mostly stay on the balcony or the pool deck and look at the beach. Can't wait to get to Dusty's and eat lots of oysters and Dewey's in Destin for fried shrimp. We found a condo in Destin we want, but no movement on the RV so I guess we'll wait...we really don't need both!

I know I've promised retirement tips in every blog entry, but I really don't have a tip this time other than to thank all our active and retired military for their service to our country. Because of them, we can sit in the comfort of our air conditioned home and watch racing...or cook out with friends...or go to the movies...and mostly just celebrate the freedom that we have to live large and safe! Have a great rest of the weekend!

Commerce is alive and well!

I just made a sale on Craigslist! Savannah had outgrown her slide and "climbing" wall and her toddler bed so we had been trying to sell them by sticking them in our front yard. No luck and I'm just sure our neighbors loved seeing them on our driveway every day! For those of you following my trip through retirement, you know I've sold lots of stuff on eBay and probably made a profit...although I'm really not sure! So to move on to Craigslist is so much easier because it's free...and free is good! You do have to worry about someone mugging you when they come pick up the stuff, but with Woody around I feel safe. He's not exactly small and you don't necessarily have to open the door if the buyers look a little suspect! Our friend Wild Bill sells things all the time and he says you should meet the buyer at McDonald's or somewhere public...that might be tough with the couch and chairs I've also listed. So tip for the day...Craigslist is a great way to sell things, but take precautions and either meet away from your house or have a really big person to be there when the buyers come!

My consulting work is really slow right now so I actually have some time to catch up around the house. One of the things that I've found in my semi-retirement is that goofing off can expand to available time and then nothing gets accomplished! Savannah does help me by cleaning up the porch when she visits...she hates dirt! Guess I should let her use the sweeper rather than by hand! LOL! I am pleased that my screened porch garden is doing well. We have little tommy toe tomatoes on the plants...or at least on the higher branches since Andy the Yorkie has stripped the lower ones bare...he loves tomatoes but he needs to let them get ripe! Our gardenia tree has tons of blooms and we have sweet basil, rosemary and mint growing like crazy. I finally got my petunias out in the front bed but I have to admit that's all!! I desperately need to weed around the mailbox and in my Iris in the back, but I just have no interest! Preen works wonders but you have to weed first! The big beds are fine, but the little ones are suffering as I really don't like yard work! I hate bermuda grass...it just runs everywhere!! If you love gardening and just want to weed, come on over!

Hope you have a great week...things are good in H'ville!

Are discount clubs cheaper?

Now that I'm retired, I take a lot longer to shop! I have a Sam's Club membership, frequent WalMart and love Publix Grocery. One of the things I've found is that prices on any given item or on any given day can be lower at any one of the three! Last week we priced Atkins Nutrition Bars and saved well over a dollar by buying 3 boxes at WalMart rather than one triple size box at Sam's. Since there are only two of us, sizes of consumables at Sam's means waste, but sometimes it's less expensive to buy large and give some away if you can't use it all especially fruit. Several of our friends shop together and split large packages but I've never found anyone that likes everything I like! I'm always partial to Publix meat because Sam's and WalMart have not proved to be that good in quality. Both Woody and I are not afraid to buy clothes at Sam's since they often have Ralph Lauren Polo, Nautica, Levi's, Calvin Klein and other brand names. Clothes shopping does require trying clothes over clothes (which looks a little funny I know), knowing how designers' fit or being prepared to return things that don't fit when you get them home. We've also found that brand name grandchildren clothes can also be found at Sam's but are often cheaper at WalMart! As fast as kids grown and as rough as day care is, Garanimals at WalMart are cheaper than Carter's or OshKosh. You can still buy a really special outfit occasionally...but just sayin...to go to WalMart or work in the yard, you don't need designer duds...you might be overdressed.

Woody and I also entertain ourselves with shopping if we can't think of anything else to do on a rainy day. We love to browse Sam's and sample food! So enjoy shopping but bottom line...watch pricing and try not to impulse buy!

Too busy for words!

I don't even know where to begin! I have been working for The Oncology Group in Amarillo, TX and Las Cruces, NM for the past few months and have really enjoyed it...however, it has left little time for "retirement"! We always talk about working part time or occasionally in retirement for extra spending money but sometimes it does get out of hand. All that being said, the job is finished so I'm back to having a few moments for myself again.

To catch you up, we went to see Mary Poppins in February which was fabulous, popped up to Metropolis to the casino and hit Lobster day in the buffet, and went to see Mirror Mirror which we loved. We took Savannah to Jackson for the weekend to swim and visit family a few weeks ago, went to see the Easter bunny and rode the train and carousel and had a wonderful Easter Sunday cookout with the family. Savannah turned 2 on April 12th and had her party on Saturday the 14th, we did our groupie thing and went to see the Boomerangs that Saturday night and also back in February too, and then drove to Jackson to see my sweet sistuh Dana star in Lend Me A Tenor for the Jackson Theater Guild on Sunday! In between, I broke the garbage disposal and bruised my rib or pulled some cartilage! Don't ask...but if you must know...if you put a penny in a tulip vase to get them to stand up, don't pour the water out in the garbage disposal and then turn it on! One stuck penny and one useless blade. I have little tomatoes on my plants on the screened porch, basil coming up, mint and rosemary running amuck and a gardenia tree that is suffering...not sure what I'm doing wrong. The iris and roses are thriving but I still need to plant a few annuals to brighten up the yard. My flipper is improving slowly after three weeks of Occupational Therapy with Jessica who was wonderful...that's my broken wrist and damaged tendons....but Woody likens me to Nemo with a busted flipper! So all in all...you are now sort of caught up on our fun things!

Miss S and Grandad watching cartoons on Saturday morning in Jackson!!

Here is Miss S using water floatie things for the first time in the wonderful Doubletree Pool in Jackson, TN

and Mimi and Savannah riding the carousel...and the Easter Bunny!

I promise to post more pictures later, but I have to move them from the camera to here!!  Like I said...I have been way too busy! So your tip for the day is don't get so busy working that you forget to have fun!!

I'm addicted to Words with Friends!

If you've known me for a very long time you know I love the game of Scrabble. Unfortunately, my hubby Woody is dyslexic and has trouble spelling anything! Recently I've discovered Words with Friends on facebook. It's an interactive Scrabble game! I've been playing with my sister-in-law...she of the same who made me join a bowling league in 1978! Yes, Juanita...I remember to this day getting a trophy for my high game of 155!! Needless to say the only time I've bowled since 1978 was once for a fundraiser and once very late in Las Vegas...or maybe I should say very early in Las Vegas. But I digress! Our family has always loved games and often played when the kiddos were younger...I'm hoping that soon we can play Candyland with Savannah...we love playing Uno with Riley! So my tip for today is...Playing games can stimulate your brain and put off mental decline, maybe dementia...and it's also lots of fun. Games can be online or around the table. Games are really fun with children and grandchildren and leads to lots of great memories that will outlast any "purchase" you might make for them! So go play! You are never too old to play.

A quick update on the wrist...the wrist doesn't hurt but I am afraid I've done some tendon or ligament damage...lots of numbness and sharp shooting pains...oh well back to the doctor next week so we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Had a great time at Lib and Led's for the Super Bowl...we made a decision a few years ago to quit having a party or even leaving the house for the Super Bowl because we love football and were missing lots of the game. We had a ball...we all love football and had great food and Savannah...what more can you ask! Now I'm ready for some Sounds baseball! Poor Savannah doesn't have a chance...she will love sports or be bored out of her mind!

Hope you're all having a great winter...our jonquils are already up and blooming! Gotta go play!