Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig

If you were not aware of it, I was away from home visiting my mother in Las Vegas. The city and all the activities are not enticing to me, so I didn't see any shows or do any gambling. I did eat at a buffet one night with friends and played two hours of bingo. That was my one night out. My kids and I lived there several years during their school days and the gaming industry did not

My cat Lola missed me while I was away. When I walked in the door yesterday afternoon she ran to me and meowed and rubbed on my legs and would not allow a few inches between us for the rest of the evening. My neighbors across the street saw me arrive and came over for one last visit with Lola. They were taking care of my cat while I was gone. I guess Lola wouldn't come out when they came in the apartment to feed her. I have been brushing Lola and talking with her and she is settling back into our routine.

It is a comfort for me to know that my anxiety about flying was that one time, about ten years ago. I was flying from California to Hawaii and both going and coming back I was obsessed with getting to the door and getting off that plane. I have avoided flying since then until this trip. With the help of an anti-anxiety pill and my music on the iPod I made it through with flying colors so to speak. This flying experience and the whole trip went so well I plan on going again in about six months.

Adjusting to the two hour time difference was a breeze when I got there; getting in tune with the time at home is not going as well. I am staying up late and sleeping in, almost missing things I am committed to doing here at home.

My mother is 91 years old. She has shrunk and is somewhat shaky. Her mind is pretty sharp, in fact, she can remember some words and people's names that I cannot remember. It was good to have so much time with her.

Here is a pic of me and my mom at her apartment in the assisted living facility.

Preparation

In less than two weeks I will be flying to Las Vegas to spend a week with my mother. She is in an assisted living facility there, and will soon be moving to a nursing home. Years ago my kids and I lived there and they went through school there so they have kept in touch with school friends over the years, but I have not kept in touch with anyone there. The city has grown so much since I moved from there.

My mother and I speak on the phone almost every day, but we both decided that it would be nice to see each other in person, so it has become a work in progress for me to prepare for this trip.

The ten year old girl across the street will have her first "job" taking care of my Lola while I am away for nine days. Lola will be in our apartment, she has never been outside, so she will need to be attended to each day. My little friend wants $1 per day for the job.

The last two times to fly were from California to Hawaii and I experienced my first ever anxiety attacks on those two flights. I did not want to be on the plane; I wanted to get to the door and open it and get off the plane. In order to ensure I will be able to get on the plane to go see my mother, I had to see my doctor and discuss the anxiety, and filled a prescription for anti-anxiety pills. Sheesh.  My doctor assured me there are many people with the same problem.

Between the monthly decorating at the senior center and preparing for the trip, I will not be writing any posts. At least, I don't think I will. I will be reading my regular blogs and commenting.  There has been a change in the cataracts this past year, so when I return from Las Vegas, I will be making an appointment to see an eye doctor. If I am going to have the cataract surgery, I would like to have it done before winter.

My way of life includes being as prepared as possible for the things I am planning, so that when the unplanned things happen I have the wisdom and sanity to deal with them. Life brings surprises and challenges at unexpected times, so I try to be prepared for anything.

The Windshield is Clear

About six months ago, a rock flew up from the wheel of a large truck in front of me on the highway, popped on my windshield right in front of my left eye, and within days a crack began moving across the window. Driving was made difficult, as I had to scrunch down to see under the crack, or sit up very tall to see over it.

Last week the crack had traveled 2/3 of the way across the windshield. I called every auto window replacement company within a hundred mile radius for quotes. I carry liability insurance on the car but even if I still had full coverage I would have had to pay the deductible. Then I saw a comment on a site I frequent that is a local online garage sale site. The commenter was expressing appreciation for the great work replacing her windshield. I called that company for a quote. Not only was the quote almost a hundred dollars less than all the others, he comes to the customer. I made an appointment and Monday morning the window man came here to my apartment, replaced my windshield, and was on his way within an hour and a half.

Now I hop into my little red car and don't have to scrunch down to see out the window.

It is the little things in life I am appreciating.

Taking Shortcuts

Is it a trait of the younger generations, or have we as a people always looked for ways to find easier methods? Attempting to open my mind to taking shortcuts has mostly made me decide that taking a shorter path is not the wisest choice for me.

When I see ads such as this

and ads about making thousands of dollars a month, or other supposedly easy, quick ways to lose weight or make money or accelerated learning, it does make me stop and think. I don't watch television, but I can only imagine all the ads on TV that are enticing to many people. I get enough of them sent to me from well wishers in emails.

It seems to me that the faster the results, the more impatient people become. Fast Lane. Fast food. Instant gratification. Terms I hear but pay little attention to, reasoning that they don't apply to my life right now. Believing that a brisker manner would mean quicker service, thus more "time" for the individual, is a big con. Like the ads.

Senior Apartments

There are 16 apartments, eight in each building. I live in one of the buildings. Yes, I am a senior. Happy to be there finally, old enough to have gained some wisdom along the way, and young enough to have fun being retired. Most of my adult life I worked and wanted to be in a position to not have to work. Each of us can tend a garden under our windows. I planted a few flowers and plants under my window but just did not have a heart for gardening this year. This coming spring will be my time to get the soil under my nails and enjoy planting flower seeds and tending a small garden. I bought a sun hat for gardening. And gardening gloves. And knee pads. I am ready for spring! Oh yeah, this is only summer and there are two more seasons until spring. Well, I am planning for the future.

So much has happened since moving to this town one year and ten months ago. The first year here I would take my camera and walk around town, snapping pictures of anything that looked interesting. These apartments looked interesting, so I took these photos of them in my first year here, never knowing anything about the apartments or that I would soon be living here.

In the three months I have lived here, a new roof was installed, a new brick planter put up around the flag pole in front, and various smaller improvements to the outside.

This now feels like home.

A Train In A Yard

This wooden train is in the front yard of a house in town.

We Went To The Races

The next town is even smaller than the town I am living in now. There was a celebration in the smaller town today, the town was celebrating its 125th birthday.

One of the activities was a racetrack for lawn mower races.

Lots of people turned out to watch this unusual sport.

Here are a few pictures.