I am sure two cats on the hat are better than one...

 

Don't ask me what my title means; I don't have an answer!!! Just thought the photo is cute!

 

I have not posted as there has been nothing, nada happening in my first winter as a retiree that would be of any interest to my few readers! But of interest to me is that my hubby TM is alive and well after a stunning diagnosis and triple bypass [including the "Widow Maker" artery] in November. That forced us both to sit back and reflect - plus change our winter plans and TM's retirement plans. A lot of 'Nurse Good Body' {ha; I wish} on my part and more healing on TM's part. Then in January the leg vein bypass collapsed and he had a stent put in. But all is on the up and up again...he is back to cardio rehab and recovery!

 

As I read through your blogs and live vicariously through your travels and photos, I much appreciate all of you who take the time to share your daily, weekly, monthly, or whenever you get a signal adventures/misadventures. Your personalities shine through and I connect via your words -- that is the magic of the written word no matter its medium. Blogging is just another way to communicate, and you do it well!

 

In case some of you are getting too much warmth and sunshine, just box it up and send it to west-central Illinois please. Heck, send it COD and I'll be happy to pay the shipping costs! Or at least keep sharing those photos of your enjoyment of those rays of Vitamin D.

 

Remember to scatter kindness...



Nuclear TM...will he glow???? Homer did!

 

 

What a long time since my last blog. As usual, nothing unusual happening worth writing about. We have had a busy summer with a little remodeling of our downstairs bath = UGH! I did what I could and TM worked after he got home from his job...weekends, too! It is almost done.

 

TM needs to have a torn meniscus repaired but needs to have a nuclear stress test done first. That is scheduled for October 27th - his 66th birthday...what a celebration. Hey, maybe TM will glow like Homer Simpson! Just kidding, honey.

 

Well, my usual summer of not working (teacher) has come and gone; now I am understanding I am indeed retired. I LOVE not getting up at 4:30 AM anymore!!!!! That is the best part so far. I am such a meanie, I enjoy sitting on our front porch drinking coffee and waving as the school bus goes by...lol! Do I miss being in the classroom? NOT!!!! :)

 

TM and I plan on being in FL with Jazzy December 15th. We are spending a few weeks at Cedar Key RV Resort as we like the rural aspect and being close to the Gulf. I am stoked for our first 'retired' winter! I really want to experience Quartzite at least one time; so we may sashay to AZ -- who knows! Safe travels to all.

 

Til we meet on the road, remember...

 

scatter kindness!

I can "slowly" get used to this retired lifestyle...

 

 

My it has been quite a while since I last posted. I've really had nothing too exciting to blog about BUT... Friday was my last day!!!!! Yippee --- I am retired now! However, retiring from teaching with the summer a usual 'downtime', I won't feel retired until mid-August  when school resumes.

 

TM retires in October, and we have reservations our first winter in Florida to be able to visit the grandkids. The following winter we plan to check out Arizona. I am excited just because!

 

I have been reading a lot of your blogs daily; I live the RV lifestyle vicariously through many. Thank you to those who blog daily or at least weekly. Yes, your posts are interesting and educational in so many ways.

 

I am going to go get my 89 year old mother tomorrow so she can stay with us for a while. She deserves a bit of spoiling, I think! I am glad to be able to spend the time with her; I feel blessed.

 

Welcome back, Mike and Pat! We missed you in Blogland!!!!!

 

Remember to scatter kindness!

 



Road Ahead

 

 

I am encouraged, as the time draws closer, that our road ahead will lead to more opportunities for both TM and I to have more peaceful minds!!

 

I have approximately 4 months 3 days to my retirement...YEAH! Of course, that depends on any snow days factored in. However, I am on the downhill run and IT FEELS GREAT!!!!!! TM is still adamant he is working up to his 66th birthday on October 27th. We shall see.

 

We are keeping our home for now. That is unless someone pulls in our drive and just has to have it...sure. As stated in the previous post -- just a tad up in the air with our plans. For one, as a retiree of a state pension in IL [scary enough already...politics - ugh!], my insurance would be higher for me anytime I reside, albeit temporarily, outside of IL by a bit over $200.00 a month. I am not complaining - just stating a fact for us to take into consideration. This is just one more 'thing' to add to our stew pot of planning.

 

TM and I are living through your blogs vicariously and enjoy all the helpful information you so willingly share. We know we can pull one of our bikes on a swivel wheel trailer as Rene and Jeanette do. OMG -- can I go back to riding behind TM again???? I would pull his ears off probably. I have been riding my Dyna in front of him and his Wide Glide way too many years, me thinks...hmmmmm!

 

Whether you are in AZ, CA, TX, NM, LA, GA, FL, or Mexico, we read your blogs as often as we can and can not wait to cross paths with you! What a life!!!!!!

 

Till next time....remember to Scatter Kindness!

 



Is there a steel building "home" in my future?

 

 

Do you think you could live in a steel building? TM and I have been hashing and rehashing this concept for several years. It's not that we don't think we could; it's where and when! I have researched different structures and amassed interior and exterior photos, prices, and ideas [including Mike and Pat McFall's pics]. I'd be as snug as a bug in a rug.

 

We both like the above pic and concept. TM and I would put a small 2BR apartment in front and use the back as a garage/workshop/storage area. Again - where and when???? This would be a homebase for summer months and a place to call home that doesn't "roll" -- lol.

 

As we have moved our retirement up to 2014, we have more rehashing to do. For the first year or so, we'll keep our house and travel in "Jazzy" as we wish. Then we'll feel ready to either stay put or downsize and move on. As so many of you say, our plans are set in jello -- or something like that!

 

TM and I hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving. It was just the two of us as TM is recuperating from hernia surgery. He is sore but getting stronger every day. Life is good!

 

Remember to scatter kindness...

From a huge tenderloin to 70 degree sun bathing...

I think I can... okay, maybe not...



Another day at the beach. Hey, wait - there's no beach here!

 

 

Oh, my man TM never fails to entertain. He heard about this bar in Mt. Sterling, Iowa that served a "big" tenderloin and wanted to check it out. We took a nice 1 1/2 hour drive and found AJ's Bar and Grill. They are super friendly and the tenderloin did not disappoint! I had tenderloin bites - much smaller. We had a blast while there, and yes, TM brought most of his home. He ate on that for two more meals... well worth the trip!

 

Today, even though it barely hit 70 degrees and was a bit brisk, he decided a little sun bathing was in order. Dreaming of being retired in a year, I'm sure. After the sun went behind the clouds, we winterized Jazzy :(

No RV'ing south just yet for us.

 

We both are stoked over the St. Louis Cards heading for The World Series. Chaka laka, BOOM... GO CARDS! As TM turns 65 October 27th, I went online to check out ticket prices for a surprise gift. Well, hold on Hilda... I don't want to take out a second mortgage - so no go on those expensive things. We'll watch from the comfort of home and be content.

 

To all of you snowbirds migrating south, be careful and have fun travelling. We know you'll have tons of fun when you reach your respective winter spots.

 

Always - scatter kindness!

 





 



Life is precious...

 

This is a photo of my fun-loving nephew, Brent, who drowned along with his girlfriend in a freak car accident June 1st. You can see the joy and fun he had for life in this pic. I LOVE this photo of him! He was the first born to any of my siblings; I had just turned 10 on August 24th, and he was born on October 2nd - more like a 'little' brother to me. Brent was 'dreading' getting closer and closer to 50... he was a few months shy of his 49th birthday when he died. Forever young...rest in peace. 

 

 

On a brighter note, this IS my last year of teaching. We have moved our collective retirement year up to 2014 ---  YEAH! TM and I are keeping our house for now and wintering in the south. Who knows where we'll meet up with some of you!

 

Any of you traveling south for the winter that come close to Hannibal, MO are welcome to 'driveway dock' with us. Just send me an email and we'll work out the logistics!

 

Until then remember life is precious and... Scatter Kindness!