Time Has Made Changes

 

August 2025? How can this even be reality!? Five years since the last post and over 21 years since I started this blog!, let me tell you ALOT of changes have taken place. 

1. RETIREMENT: Last year I was "forced" into retirement. After ten years with the company, they said they no longer would need me as my position had been consolidated. So, instead of looking for work, I chose to retire.

2. FAMILY: In 2023 I lost my mother to cancer. She had deteriorated from Alzheimer's to the point that we had to place her in a care facility. In September of 2023 she was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer that had metastasized into her stomach, bladder, and kidneys. They said she had about 30 days and on the 28th day from her diagnoses, she passed. Father is still here, living at home and as active as he can be for 86. My 4 kids are 33 and up to 44... My grandchildren are 19, 19, 17 and the youngest just turned 5. Time is moving by at a pace that I have a hard time keeping up. 

3. FLORIDA: In May of this year I relocated to Pensacola, Florida. I mean why not, right? I'm 65, retired, isn't that what we do at 65? It came as a surprise when DJ and B decided they wanted to sell the house and buy in Florida. We thought over it for a long time, and after dealing with family opinions and much thought, we put the house on the market and moved to the Sunshine State.

4. LOKI: Loki is my companion, friend, baby and the reason for my sanity or the loss of it. He is a shiatzu / bichon mix (what they call a "Teddy Bear" dog.) I adopted him in 2021, and he is an integral part of me. 

Those are the four biggest changes over the last five years. The other change would be me. I've turned almost completely white-headed, had another mild stroke in 2022, and I am beginning to see those tell, tell signs of aging. For the most part I am healthy in mind, body and spirit and enjoying the sunshine and my new home. 

Hopefully I will post more often, but I'm not making any promises. Maybe at least one a month?

We'll see...

Razputin, Anyastasia & Fisher or the "Babies"

 Yes, RAZ putin, not Rasputin. Or as he is called "Raz". He is my buddy. He is a beagle that DJ & B adopted from a shelter and he is the best guy ever! He either sleeps as you see here, in my bed or on the floor, by my bed. Well, that is until his daddy gets home. 

That other furry friend up there in my bed is Anyastasia or "Anya". She is a dachshund/pit bull mix and she is a princess! She also loves lying in my bed until Daddy gets home. 

Then there is the little baby. Fisher, named after Carrie Fisher as we got him the day Carrie Fisher died. Maltese / Shiatzu mix. Veracious bark, but a chicken shit.  Scared of his own shadow. He refuses to get off the patio when it is dark outside unless someone is with him. He prefers to sleep downstairs in his playpen. He doesn't like coming upstairs in the dark.

These three babies keep me company. DJ works normally 5pm to 5am and B works 10pm to 7am, so these three are my companions and my co workers since I've been working from home. They work cheap, for treats! They also help keep me sane. Yes, I talk to them. We have some great conversations!!😘

Trimming the Hedges

 I mentioned in my first blog post back on my birthday and my first post in seven years that I was living with DJ and his husband, B now. In 2013 they bought their first home and about a year later they asked me to move in with them. It was odd at first, but I finally settled in and their home became my home. Fast forward to today. About a year ago, sometime in August 2019, DJ and B put their first home on the market. On December 17, 2019 they closed on the new home. A thirteen room colonial with an acre of land. We all love it, including the babies (the doggies).

I went out for a little bit today (as I have not been out of the house other than to go to the doctor) and when I returned, B had hedge clippers and was trying to manually cut the huge shrubs in the front of the house. He was not having the best of luck. I proceeded to get the electric hedge trimmers out of the garage and finished the job, and the photos above is the completed project.

I was quite proud of myself as the last time I had done this big of a project was way back in the mid 1990's when I worked with my former father-in-law. He taught me quite a bit about landscaping (as well as other things, I may add).

Hat's off to me, and thanks to my former father-in-law, RIP.

Alone...But Liking It.

 A little over a month ago I moved into my new place. Alone. First time I have ever lived alone, ever.  I really was anxious about living alone and not sure if I would like the idea of being by myself (well not totally by myself, I have my cat, Cordelia). There are pros and cons. The pros are I have my own complete space, and it's all me. From the decorations to the furniture to the food i eat and buy and how i spend my time.  Quite frankly I like those pros. No compromising on color schemes, or furniture or what kind of soap to buy. Here are some pics of the place, and you can see my style, can't you?

However there are cons as well. When I get lonely there is really no one here to talk to, and I am not a real big phone person, but now when I get on the phone I can't get off, because I haven't had any human interaction.  I know my friends and family are like..."what is wrong with him, does he ever shut up?"  But those that know me, they were probably saying that before I was living alone!  Some of the other cons are trying to cook for one person.  I am finding it is somewhat difficult to make enough to eat, without making too much that it sits in the fridge and goes bad, as I am not real big on leftovers.  It also is very quiet. I tend to leave on the TV just for sound.  I miss my roomies terribly, but they are a phone call away, and only live about 10 minutes away.  So when I get to missing them too much I can call or pop over and then leave when they have enough of me.  Honestly though the last few times I've been out, I look forward to going home.

One of the worst cons is the fact that I can not seem to get on a sleeping schedule.  I am finding that I am staying up later and then when the alarm says it's time to go to work, I am having a difficult time getting out of bed and getting motivated.  I am going to HAVE to force myself to making a bedtime and sticking to it.

Being living alone has not been as bad as I thought it was going to be. I think I have adjusted quite well. Maybe now I can work on not being single....not that i want a live in boyfriend though...I think I really need to give this living alone thing a shot!

One Week Back

DJ has been home from Montana for a week, and let me tell you it has been one incredible week. I will not go into to all the reasons as to why, but let's just say we really missed each other!

Since coming back we have spent more time talking and cuddling that we have in quite a long time. So I suppose when they say that, absence makes the heart grow fonder, has some truth to it.

We will find out how true that is, as he is leaving again. The first week of October he will be travelling to Louisville, Kentucky to open another store. Now this trip will not be as bad. For several reasons. Like we will be in the same time zone. Louisville is only an hour and a half from home, so there will be a few days get away for me as well when I go to Louisville to meet him.

I wanted to share some pictures with you, so head on over to Yahoo Pics of Dan's Trips, and see some of the pictures from DJ's trip to Montana!

Change of Routine

The posts have been few and far between. I apologize for that, but honestly the my blogging has taken a back seat to work, DJ and World of Warcraft! I will continue to give bits and pieces of the goings on around here if you are really interested that is.

The last post I had just received word that DJ was going to be gone for two weeks in Montana opening a new store. Well, he is there and I am here. This is the 9th day we have been apart, and just let me tell you this has been one of the hardest things I've had to do. Leaving him at the airport was just heart rendering. Knowing that he is so far away and if something was to happen...I don't even want to think about it.

The third day into his trip he called and said that he had been asked to open a new store in Oregon. I was really pleased and happy for him until I found out when he was going. 4 or 5 days after he got back from Montana. I was a mess for an entire day. My whole world was changing and to be honest I didn't like it. I can handle him being gone from time to time, but back to back with only a few days to be with one another?? I think that would take it's toll on any relationship. We talked about it at length for a few days, over the phone lines and we both decided that it was just too soon to take off again and to be apart. There will be other trips, and when those opportunities come along, I will just have to accept it. But not back to back. I need my man for more than just 4-8 days a month!

It has been quiet and lonely around here without DJ, and I find myself missing him at the most inoportune times. Like 4 in the moring when he is sound asleep (like I should be) Or during the middle of the day when both are working. But soon he will be home (5 more days!!) and things will be back to normal, at least until he goes away again....

Welcome to the Laundromat!

Laundry is the least favorite thing for me to do regarding household chores. I hate doing laundry, especially socks.

But today I did laundry, lots of laundry. That was until I heard this huge sound coming from the laundry closet. It sounded like the washer had reguratated it's entire contents and then was trying to tear it's way out of the laundry closet so that nothing else could be put inside it.

Actually it was the motor. Which burnt up. Now we have no washer, and Dan still has no car. What is it with us and motors this week?? So no I will hate laundry even more than I already do. It now off the the laundromat!!

All I Want For Christmas

With Christmas right around the corner I began thinking last night not what I really want for Christmas, but what I really NEED for Christmas. I pondered this question for a while and realized there is not really anything that I really need.

I have a great partner that I love more with each day that passes, and he loves me in return. I have four great kids and two great grandkids and a family that loves me. I have a great job that I enjoy going to... at least three days out the week. I have both my parents, still healthy and happily married. I am alive, and somewhat healthy with both my MS and diabetes under control. I have a great new apartment that keeps me warm and cozy. I have food in my fridge and plenty of water. So many things I have that I take for granted.

So, do I really need that 42" plasma screen TV, a new cell phone, more clothes, or a new upgrade on my computer? No, not really. Do I need any of those things? Well not really do I need them, but that 42" Plasma TV would look really great in my great, new and Cozy apartment!!

Check out the Crib!

As promised I have added some pics of our new place. You can find them over on the left in my links. I am very proud of my dinning area. Check out the curtains, I learnt a trick off of watching too much HGTV, this curtain is actually an old shower curtain!! Yes, this used to hang in our bathroom, many many months ago and now it brings the right touch and color to our dining area.

After looking at our place I tried to decide what style it is, and all I can think of is a mixture of Mediterranean, and Bohemian, so take a look and tell me what you think. Be nice...