Friday, Friday

This was the day everyone looked forward to while I was working. It’s unbelievable how we wished away other perfectly good days to have some free time. Priorities change when you become aware how quickly life goes and how we need to pay attention or we’ll miss it.

That said, I have to admit I’d rather spend time doing fun stuff instead of regular stuff like cleaning the house. I’ve taken a couple hours to make an egg casserole for six Keto breakfasts, took a shower/cleaned it/scrubbed floors, hung rugs on the deck railing, vacuumed, and now have to put heat on my back. It doesn’t take much to rile up the pain. It gets pretty frustrating.

I’m trying to get the house very clean for a few days so I can get acquainted with my new sewing machine tomorrow morning. I want to finish cleaning and write tomorrow’s blog today, before we go to Gavin’s baseball game tonight. Should be able to finish in a reasonable amount of time. I have an hour class Saturday afternoon to ask questions, etc. Hopefully, I should be able to play enough beforehand to understand basic operation of the machine and see how it works for fancier stuff. It should be fun!

There is something about cleaning up that feels good and makes you appreciate your home, your respite from the world. Knowing it is your style and reflects your taste is freeing. How lucky if you and your partner agree on how things should look. The Babe surprises me sometimes, if we go look for pictures for the living room or bathroom. He has good taste. (Of course he does, he picked me)!

Making another Hello Fresh recipe for dinner – Chicken Strips, roasted brussel sprouts, greens, etc., in a salad. Sounds good. Eating before we go to Gavin’s game. More vacuuming to do, too. Hope you have a beautiful evening and we’ll see each other tomorrow. Take care.

A Few Days Off; A Few Off Days

It’s been a weekend that started early and has just hours left. We hosted the Honor Guard Banquet last night, and it was a beautiful night. I’m proud to sit by my husband’s side and support his endeavors. He is a much happier retiree when he is busy. We both are. We’ve been lucky to find groups we can support and further their efforts to make the world a better place.

Of course, being human, there are little dust ups that get in the way. We are usually over tired when that happens. Most of the time, there are no problems. After losing so many friends last year and three so far this year, I tell myself, “I’ll miss this someday.” Because my friends who lost husbands last year told me so. I know I will miss it someday. I cannot imagine. Life does not prepare you for it. “Live Like You Are Dying,” has never rung truer in our lives than right now.

That said, I am reflecting on my writing today. Just about the time I think I have a schedule down, things change and I use my time up. I couldn’t fit everything in the last couple days. Whoever thinks retirement is boring needs to become involved in life. Get to living.

I know of people who sit on the couch and wither away. They have no purpose after the job. Possibly a job they hated, but it paid the bills, so they kept at it. They may have been unhappy all their lives. The world is at their fingertips and they won’t venture out. Out of their comfort zone; their safety net of monotony. Sad. I have so many things I want to do, writing, hobbies, learn to draw, and not enough time. How to get it all in?

I need to learn to pace myself. That may involve a couple of things. Devote one day a week to every task I want to do. I know I’ve said this before, and it’s hard to implement. Life gets in the way often. We will have family in town this week for a funeral and wake; that will affect our getting things done. This most likely will not be the week to implement a change in schedule like that.

This will be a week to do what we can and enjoy family. I can take some time to work out some schedule changes in my mind. I want to enjoy as much as I can for as long as I can. With a big birthday coming up in May, I have to think about these things. I imagine everyone feels they have a lot of time left; one can only hope. The reality appears to be we don’t have all the time in the world. I have way too much to do.

I remind myself the sky is the limit to what we can do. We have to be dedicated to our goals and act accordingly. Let’s do this. Action, not reaction. Have a beautiful day, get some fresh air, and we’ll see each other tomorrow.

Fulfilling Friday

What a beautiful day it has been. Not just the weather, but the warmth in my heart tells me what a great day it’s been. A friend from the Auxiliary and I went to a homeless shelter and delivered our donations today. Ron Hernandez, Moving Veterans Forward, led the way to our destination. We had a van full of donations collected by the coat/clothing/food drive we helped with and some purchased goods.

The look on the gentlemen’s faces at the shelter was one my heart will not soon forget. The excitement of 400 pairs of socks was funny yet heartbreaking. As a medic, my dad talked a lot about guys getting trench foot in the jungles of Korea. Or in streams of Europe. Bottom line is, even a girl like me realizes the feet must remain dry to remain healthy. So many homeless people have no one even think of them. No one who ever thinks of their situations. There is a plethora of reasons people are out there, on the streets, and we cannot judge how they ended up where they are. Whenever they decide they need to change their ways and get help to exorcize their demons, they can. It’s available. No different from anyone else who has trauma issues, which is a primary cause of veteran’s issues. It may relate to childhood, not PTSD from combat. It’s up to the counselors to help them sort it out. There, But By the Grace of God, Go I. Or my husband. Or my dad. Or my uncles. Or my brother.

Bottom right: Ron Hernandez, Kathy Raabe, Mary Dalton-Quilliam at New Visions Omaha. Should Ron’s organization receive any cash donations during the month of December, the foundation will match the contribution, dollar for dollar. A thought for anyone in the Omaha, Nebraska, area, and I can assure you, it goes directly to the Veterans in need. I’ve seen it for myself. It’s a beautiful thing.

I love to see people have hope. I love to see people have dreams. I love to see people in a position to make others’ dreams come true. Life is full of possibilities, and sometimes, those possibilities become realities. Period. It happens. Don’t you love it when a plan comes together? I believe God’s hand is present in these alliances. It has to be in His grand plan. I feel so humbled to be part of it.

Friends, I think we’ll make a break here, and talk again tomorrow morning. I am still overwhelmed at all I saw and felt today. I’m letting that simmer on my soul tonight. Have a beautiful evening, and we’ll see each other again tomorrow. Thank you, sincerely.