REACTIONS

 It's funny the reactions I am getting to my moving news.  First of all I am a little taken aback by how many people even give a hoot how or where I live.

  It kind of amazes me that people I feel know me well can't trust that I know myself well enough to know if this is the right time in my life to make a senior establishment home.  It's kind of like the people that think Monte is taking advantage of me, freeloading.  Jeez!  I am not stupid.  I think I would know if that was the case and I would do something about it.  How is it people always know what is best for you...and none of those people have even ever visited me here?

Now when Bill was alive we moved five times before he died, buying each time.  And finding the house, negotiating and completing the purchases was on me.  He kind of stayed out of it.  Every single purchase was a successful move.  There was never a whisper that the move was maybe not in our best interest.  It reminds me of my life before I hooked up with Bill.  People constantly were telling me how to live my life.  The minute Bill entered my life it stopped.

Since being alone, this next sale of my house and move will be my fourth and last house I sell.  I made fifty thousand on each of those sales and on this house I stand to make 175,000.  In total in ten years through buying and selling I have netted 325,000.  It isn't a fortune but it isn't losing anything either.  But this time it isn't the money driving this boat.

I am so ready to not spend my nighttime wakies thinking, planning and worrying about this stupid house and all the repairs and nitpicking things that need to be taken care of.  I won't be laying there making my next shopping list that accommodates the two of us and our separate diets.  I won't have to worry about the next huge insurance bills, house and vehicles.  I am just tired of doing all that and bored to hell with it all.  I want to go live in a cruise ship atmosphere.  And fortunately for me  my favourite group of people to spend my time with are the aging boomers.  They have stories to tell, they are smart and experienced just because they are old.  Consequently they understand verbal shorthand.  I love it!!!!

Now my kids are another thing.  Aryn just responded to my last post...that was the first she heard of this move and she was so excited for me!  No censure there.  And April has been a godsend.  She judiciously asked all the 'make sure' questions then gladly jumped on board.  She even had the grace to tell me that her best friend told her she was happy that I was so willing to take this pretty major decision on myself and not land it on my kids.  She was saying that so many of their friend group are worrying and stressing over their senior parents and how they resist talking about it, never mind doing it.  Kevin doesn't know yet but he won't care.

Kerry's awesome sister Wendy is a big draw for this place for me.  I have always truly liked and enjoyed her.  She is a true hoot!!!  She made a very astute comment.  She said people wait too long to move into these senior establishments.  She said if only they would not wait until they are ninety and just waiting to die.  Come in much younger and enjoy the freedom living and take advantage of all the entertainment they bring in and provide (games, music, plays, tours etc) and learn new things (painting, pottery, crafts).  She was saying you could be super busy or relax in your gorgeous suite staring at amazing views out your window.  And this particular building is right in the busiest hub of Lonsdale...all kinds of restaurants and shopping and the library and Jack Lonsdale Pub...a North Van iconic stop!!!!

Now it is time to spend my money, not make it!  And I know that even though Monte and I will super miss each other, we both are feeling very happy with our new lifestyle coming up.  I know there will be worries and we are setting up a check up on each other system to assuage some of that.  I just wish I had a 'Pat' nearby to keep an eye.  This is going to be the hardest part of this move.  I think I will get the girls to give him a weekly call too just to let him know we are all here and ready to help him if necessary.

Okay enough.  Today we go see another mobile home and Ange and I are going to sit down and make out a timeline and plan for decluttering this house.  I foresee many important lists coming up!!!  TFL and TTYL

I apologize for the totally self centred post but I want to thank you all for reading this blog.  You folks are better than any therapist could ever be.  And on a final note think of all the stories that are going to arise out of living in a senior residence!!!!