One Month Gone

No, I am not going to post a month to month update but I would say that the end of January is very important.  The first month of retirement is gone and it has been a busy one.

Of course I did the beginning of a new year cleaning.  Wow, the stuff you have that you don't know you have.  Well you do, but you ignore it.  So all the cabinets, drawers, closets, etc.  lots of things for a garage sale!  Then I started thinking about all the outside stuff that needs to be gone through.  With this I needed some help and found a wonderful young man, a friend's son-in-law and vet and he was so much help.

Next, getting ready for a garage sale.  Staging stuff on tables in the house garage is helping...can't park my car inside (what was I thinking?)  So on garage sale day I can just carry out the tables.  However there are lots of things that need to be cleaned and placed as well.  Hopefully will all be ready by the end of February or first of March.

Trying to develop habits...good habits.  Still working on the eating thing.  Tend to not stop and eat and than am munching on whatever later.  Got to definitely stop that habit.  Noticed that since I have no need to be anywhere the first of the morning it is easy to sleep in as well and stay up late.  Not sure I want that as a habit either.  So, working on all of that.

I do enjoy the ability to check various stores, etc. out that I haven't had time to do in the past.  And to see changes in areas that I have not visited for a while.  Oh and the gas mileage...wow, it's amazing how much gas I burned just going to and from work....the lower prices help too!

I wanted January to be a month of nothing....no plans, no commitments.  Do what I wanted when I wanted.  I have gotten so much done.  Now, I need to cultivate my friendships.  I have many and so different friends.  It seems like I have probably been ignoring them in January.  However, I am now ready to do more things together.  I am however, also a solo type person too and I like my freedom to do what I want so I want to keep that as well.

Well, that's it for now........

Hello 2015

2014

2014 Has been a very different year for me. Learning to live as a single has been the biggest change. I know lots of people do this, however this was not my choice. Learning how much stronger not as much physically but more mentally that I am and especially knowing your true friends. Lot of emotions over the year. Not only in my home life but also my work life. I have worked all of my life beginning at high school graduation. I feel I have always been a very dedicated employee. The last twenty years I have worked with Banner Health System. They are a great organization with a lot of growing pains and changes. The changes, especially in the electronic world can be very overwhelming. So, the BIG news for the end of 2014 and the beginning of 2015 is that I, Donna Fischer, am actually going to retire! I know, it is a bit unbelievable for me too. Ron would be proud of me and I hear his encouragement all the time. Yep, a little scary too. Another change, Jennifer and her family have moved to Chicago (NW side of). I miss them more than words can say. It is good for them and I am happy for them. AND, of course, vacation location in the HOT summer!!! I am pleased that Matt and his family are here with me and I will be able to visit with them more. They might get tired of seeing me! :) I don't feel old and when I address myself as an ole lady and I always say not OLD but OLE! So, 2015 is coming in strong with a lot more changes happening in my life. I am looking at possibly selling the home. It will be very difficult leaving this place. Ron and I both worked very hard on it and every time I sit on the patio and look over everything I...well you know. However, there is lots to be done before that can happen so I will be busy. I am going to enjoy visits from family in the Spring and am really looking forward to that. I won't be as good a tourist guide as Ron was but there is so much to see in Arizona that is so different from Indiana and I think I will be ok. I look forward to spending more time with friends (lots who are also retiring) that I couldn't while working. Maybe a little travel, however, again, Ron was the traveler and driver. Think I might be flying, not driving! I also look forward, at least for a while, to no time frame/limits. Maybe even sleep in sometimes and not worry about being Late! AND, I am really going to blog more. I know I said that last time, however....I should have more time. Well that is it for 2014. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

First Class....Coach

OMG...night and day. Well maybe not that extreme. I have never flown first class and was able to via the miles collected by my son-in-law from all of his travels. My daughter, Jennifer and Jon sent me a first class ticket to visit them in Chicago from Phoenix last weekend...the end of October. OK, first boarding...great! Why yes, I would love a glass of wine. Definitely the beef with the appetizer and nuts and roll and OMG it was wonderful...wait...I am talking about Airline Food here...it was wonderful. (Ron would have been impressed!). Oh, and in glass and china...Oh yeah. I have to admit as I was getting ready to stand in the pre-board line I just felt like "I don't belong here" However...why not...? I was a little disappointed that I sat next to (going and coming) a young (40ish) business man...suite...sit down, connect up and leave me alone type guys. I don't like to chatter a whole flight but come on...hello, I'm so and so. Oh well. It was great...TSA special security...a quick line...pre boarding...food...lots of room...wonderful and I just can't say thank you JJ and Jon enough. Yep...Coach will never be the same again!

This and That

Not the post I started. It was bit of a whine so erased and doing something different. The weather has started cooling off and it is outdoor time. Cleaning out the front of the house where all the tea roses were. Been there too long and needed to be replaced. Took half them out and replanted in the back. Planted two lantana plants which will spread out nicely. Will finish taking out the rest and plant more lantana next weekend. Lot of work and wore me out so doing half at a time. Decided to do more of a flower garden than vegetables for the winter garden. Got my geraniums and plants. Ron and I always had them every year. Might go back and get some more. My spider plants are doing great as well as most of the other flowers. Guess it kind of helps when you water them regularly! HA HA! Love the rain...it has made the grass grow and everything is green. Yep...got to mow more but I keep thinking of it as exercise! Wears me out but that's okay. In fact had to buy a new spade...oh my word...how old was ours? Might have to buy a new wheelbarrel too...might just buy a new tire...so many decisions!!!! Got to get after the big tree in the front yard too. It is really overgrown and I need to cut some large limbs so will have a lot of work in not just cutting them but getting them cut up and either pitched or burned. Well, that's it for now.

AIR

AIR CONDITIONING....definitely a MUST in Arizona especially in July and August. How in the world can your AC be frozen over when it is encased in metal, on the top of your roof with the temperature of 106 and the Sun beating down on it? Is that really possible??? Well it is. So I had to put a new AC/Heat unit on my roof. WOW...it should be made of gold or at least have gold in it somewhere. And the best part is I now have a new thermostat that I can actually utilize. It even has a light that comes on so I can check it at night without turning lights on. I love it. However, the silver lining is that it is replaced, and I should have no problems again for a long time. That is piece of mind if nothing else. AND, of course the cool air when I walk inside from the heat!

HOME

I was so excited to come home and visit everyone.  The grass, trees...everything so green.  Weather great...not too hot, almost cool.  Seeing family and friends, visiting and seeing the old roads, homes, businesses and all of the new.  Walking thru the cemetary, checking out the family graves, remembering dates, going thru lots of memories.
However, I found out something.  This "was" home and Arizona is home now.  I am thankful for the past, that is what got me here today.  I love seeing and being with family, however I am missing Arizona too.  It's a different lifestyle, and color!  So I think I am a bit homesick.
Not really going anywhere with this, just needed to express it.