My Bucket List and Random Life: November 2010

Good friends : Carol. my sister Deb and Sandy -NOW all over 50 -jeeze

With Face Book and emails I am not posting like I should or writing like I want to -sigh- but I am busy and NOT just with doctor appointments. I continue to gather info from travelers who have been to Alaska and sign up for emails on cruise/land tours to Alaska. I am getting so excited. I think we had decided on Princess for our maiden voyage, They seem to offer the best cruise/land tours for our money and what alot of money.I just bought an all weather zip out lining coat that i needed but will also be good for the trip. Marian is in love again and hasnt quit smoking yet but is slowing down -she says- well ok -i can do this alone -but I would rather not.

I have been on a waiting list for a Bucket List wish -for a while and got a call that the next Book Binding Class had an opening -Was I still interested? OF COURSE. The Book Bindery is located in Atlantic City in the Older Jewish Services Building on Atlantic Ave. The free Course is taught by Emmy Todd for 6 weeks. In exchange for the free course you agree to volunteer your new skills to them, when they get books to repair from non profit community organizations. I like that. So far I have gone to two classes (once a week) and really really enjoy it. We have three in our class -all of us are over 55 /all have ALWAYS wanted to learn this skill and I am the only retired person. LOL I heard about this course from a man in my creative writing class and then from a newspaper article.It really is a lost art.

This past weekend I visited an old friend from work who taught me haw to crochet -well maybe she taught me -I havent done it on my own yet -I just have always wanted to learn . smile Thanks Fran. I had a wonderful time visiting her. She lives in a retirement community and I am so envious. I would love to be as active as she is.At 81; she still plays Tennis three times a week. 20 years ago when she moved there no one thought it was a good idea -now I am approaching the same age she was and i can see the sense it makes.

I continue to downsize my stuff in the house and took 80 tops to the ARC thrift store that I have out grown. Wish I could say it made a difference but I have plenty -I am blessed. Wish the weight would come off faster -but I am doing well and steady loosing on Nutrisystem Diabetic meals. Yes it is VERY expensive -but so very Healthy -I am down 20 lbs and off the insulin needle completly. Soon the pills. I still have trouble with drinking enough water =ie maybe the slowwww weight loss. Which has no one upset but me. sigh I am skipping any Thanksgiving visits -that day is not a dieters friend. I can NOT overeat /it is a sickness/ I will not put myself in situations where i will fail. My mantra smells like turkey and cranberry and stuffing and sweet potatoes. So I go to the gym every day now.

Stapling the plastic on my back porch -almost done -then I will take out my air conditioners and hopefully my wildflower mixture will arrive and be ready to sow after the first killing frost. I am excited. I always wanted windflowers of RED poppys and sunflowers and wildfowers in the back of my yard. My house is on the hummingbird and butterfly migratory trail. Cape May County is a beautiful place to live. I shall miss living here.

My parents drove down to see me for the first time in a couple of years .it was nice but crowded in my little house. Took my Mother to see her sister and we had a lovely visit. My creative writing group published our second anthology "Writing From the Heart" my heart attack story was included. My friend Oliver was Christened and turned ONE. My little Sister turned 50?????
It has been a great couple of months. God is good. I am blessed.