WOW...you know (or rather hope) it is coming.  After all, every year you have a birthday.  But, today I am 70 years old,  I probably do look it but I sure don't feel it.  I have my aches and pains, but when I look around I realize how fortunate I am.  I don't have the best family genes, health wise, but also don't have the health issues others have.

Birthdays were always considered "your" special day.  Ron made sure the kids and I had that special day.  So today, I got up a little late, had breakfast and my morning coffee on the patio.  Thanked God for such a beautiful day and worked in the garden, yard and with my plants.

I intend to Skype with Jen and kids in Illinois and Matt's are here for the day and dinner.  So many Happy Birthdays on facebook to me makes me feel very humbled.

Just wanted to post a little something not just for my "big" birthday but also wish everyone a very Happy and Healthy Easter as well.

Okay...it's been a while, however I have decided that I need a little more income to play.  I have been employed by Tractor Supply.  It is not even 10 minutes walking from my home.  YEAH.  I am working partime...15 hours a week.  I started on  March 7th.  Lots of on line training.  I actually started March 11th on the cash register.  I have NEVER worked on a cash register.  AND on a Saturday.  Wow, was it busy.  Lots of questions, but, after 6 hours on it I think I did pretty darn good.  This is play money.  The only think I kind of am leary of is that the store is VERY busy and it is easy to work overtime with the staff they have.  I was a bit scared that I have never worked retail and maybe I could not handle it.  However, a lot of retail is plain ole customer service.  Take care of the customer and everything else falls into place.  I am a very outgoing person and that will be to my advantage.  I can do this!

Thirteen days into January 2017.  Gizmo (my little dog) and I have been walking at least 6 or more miles a week.  There's something about walking...you go at your own pace, you go where ever you want  and for as long as you want.  I have thought about getting back into running but I remember the feet, knees and hips pain.  I am older and walking fits fine.

 I also am into hiking with my bestie Ellen.  We enjoy the Usery Pass area.  There is a trail, that by our mile keepers says it is over 10 miles.  I think it depends where you go in.  However, we have completed this a few times and always feel so good (and tired) when we finish.  Of course it does not hurt that the views are beyond outstanding.  No picture can capture what we see.  We have a friend that lives right next to the Pass and takes wonderful photos with his phone's camera.  I love seeing those.

My garden(s) are doing great.  I have peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, peas, sun flowers, etc. all growing.  I can't wait to start eating from it.  I have tried the summer gardens and it is just too hot.  Very proud of this accomplishment, as Ron was the green thumb in our family.  Jennifer also has the gift.

Gizmo...he is a Carin Terrier.  I adopted him when his owner died.  He about 2 years old and I got him on October 25th.  So have decided that that is his birthday and he will be 3 October 2017.  He is a little guy and does shed a little but by keeping his hair trimmed and brushed it is not bad at all.  He is fiesty and loves to run and play and especially cuddle.  Ron would have loved him.  I had to think a long time before getting a dog.  For a while I was gone a lot and that is just would not have been fair to him.  He gets along great with the grand boys and the grands in Chicago have not really met him but are in love with him when they see him on skype.

Well,  that is all for now...till next check in!

WOW...it can"t be 2017!
The last 2-3 years have really past by quickly.  Losing Ron to cancer and retirement really changed my life.  I think it has taken these last few years to accept those changes.

I hope that this year I really start living.  Of course it is the time to make all those resolutions, but living is not a resolution.

I am very fortunate to have a loving family and really great friends.  I need to cultivate these friends and more.  Be more involved with my neighborhood and community.  Get out of the house and meet new people as well.

So, 2017...here I come.

(And I hope to keep up with blogging...something I have definitely not been good at these last few years.)

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!