Happy New Year

OK, so I’m a little slow and New Years was a month ago. That is what retirement is all about….going at my pace! It has been an interesting new year in the fact that we have been able to connect with several friends that we hadn’t seen in quite sometime. I always love reconnecting with friends that have been such an important part of our life at one time, but due to distance or circumstances, we rarely see each other these days.

This morning out of desperation, I have decided to exercise indoors. That is certainly never my number one choice. I drove out to the cemetery, where I generally run, and found that the roads looked too slick and slushy for me. I hadn’t taken a helmet along and figured I’d fall and hit my head and it just didn’t appeal to me! I drove through the park and it was similar, so I came home to run the stairs. This was an adventure that I had never tried. I must describe our stairs to the basement as you might not understand what that means. We have 13 stairs….8 up from the basement, a landing and then 5 into the kitchen. I set the timer for 30 minutes and off I went. At some point I decided to add 5 pound weights in each hand on every other trip. It wasn’t my usual relaxed run, but at least I did accomplish 30 minutes of aerobic exercise and didn’t hit my head as I made each trip to the basement. Gary and I believe that a dwarf built this house as we have several low doorways in the basement. Even I have to duck my head or suffer the consequences. I can’t type here what adjectives Gary puts with dwarf whenever he hits his head.

Life is good for me. I don’t return to the doctor until the end of April and feel that I will hear good reports. I go for the annual mammogram on Jan. 31 and then there will be a bone density before I return to the doctor in Springfield.  Next week I will also have the usual blood workup of cholesterol, etc. for my GP.  Everyone I see says that retirement must be agreeing with me as I look so good (now I know that is a polite response, but nice to hear!) and that I seem more relaxed.  How could I not be, when I am not on a schedule most days?

My heart does go out to so many of my friends and acquaintances that are facing cancer.  I hear of so many and I am so sorry that they have to experience this. I know that not everyone is as fortunate as I was to not have chemo and many do not have the huge support system that I had.   I am so blessed in many ways and it is always good to remember that, but I am sorry that the reminder comes many times in hearing about misfortune of someone else.

We spend many nights at ballgames these days. Mackenzie just finished basketball and is moving onto volleyball. Gabe’s basketball season runs until March. We love watching them progress and try to be there to cheer them on as often as possible. Of course, the good part is that as grandparents, we can miss a game and not feel too bad.  Another perk of retirement….we can make those 5 and 5:30 games without taking time off.

Advertisement