And NOW, the Rest of the Story.......

Ok, probably should 'nap out' (that's supposed to be 'map out') a route before I embark on my journey......hindsight is always 20/20!

Someone suggested last week that a 5 minute walk would be to Aaron's and back...through the fence row, that is. So I figured that was a good place to start.

The morning air was cool so I just kept on going to Ninth Street. Left, then I thought I would go to Huggins and around the block. But the road just kept calling me and I 'remembered' a street where I could cut across. Thinking that I would walk until I was 'half tired', that would get me back home feeling good.

Well, I do feel good.....BUT (there always seems to be a 'but').....that cut-across-street I 'remembered' was almost to Page Ave....Broad Street by name. So left on Broad BUT (there it is again) as I'm walking past the swamp and the 'three leaf ivy' and the empty 'spirits' bottles and cans, the road seems to be curving away from home.....and I am at my 'half tired' limit.

Then I see a really WIDE piece of payment, perhaps a road, on the left ahead. It is Eighth Street.

Let me see, I remember 8th Street....where DOES that come out, I wonder? I just can't remember. Either walking is giving me too much oxygen or too little 'cause Eighth Street comes out the other side of the Sewage Filter Station, which is the other side of my side yard! DAH....I can see it from my living room! So, at least give me credit for recognizing the name....please.

I make it home and I find I am not worn out, just relieved. Tomorrow is another chance to 'explore'. I think tonight I might make a list of the streets around me so they are easy to recognize.......whether I am getting too much or to little oxygen.

Put One Foot Infront of the Other, and Soon You 'll Be Walking Out the Door

The weather is cooperating, still cool outside and I am lovin' it. After last night's really fun time and laughing so much, I am feeling GOOD. Besides, I've got this ache behind my left knee and I think walking will help iron it out....either that or it will make it bad enough to get it looked at. You know me, wait until it's almost 'cured' before I find out what is going on.....giggles.

I had thought about taking Ike with me, Lord knows he needs exercise just a much as I do, but he has no tags and after a quick look, I didn't find his collar nor his leash, so I will check with Karen when she gets home from work for those things. Besides, he doesn't look all that enthused about going for a walk anyway......

FACEBOOK.....Another Frustrating Communications 'TOOL'

Ok, I don't really like Facebook (no big secret there).....BUT, I can see the merits and I would like to use it to communicate specific sentiments as they might arise.

Like today, I wanted to wish Steve and Chelsea Knierum Happy Anniversary. Because (and I am not sure, but I think this is the reason: I don't have something set up correctly....perhaps groups?) I had to find the email confirmation I received when we became friends on Facebook to get to his link to post my 'Happy' wishes.

I think it should probably be a lot easier than that.....so any advice you can give, other than log out of the computer and don't turn it on again.....would be greatfully appreciated!

Congrats Zachary -- Great Party!

Today we had an open house on each side of the family, Heimerdinger andRichardson. Mom and Ruth went to Kelsey's open house and Phil, Mary, and I went to Cedar Springs to Zach's Open House. These are some of the pics from our trip.

Phil had a great time....first in line for food ('somebody has to be first'), then to the swings for a little exercise. Start by adjusting the chains...........

then swing and swing until you remember what is was like when you were a kid! Giggles, actually that is Rogan but even watching it in person it looked like Phil went back in time.....

After Phil gave up his swing to Rogan, they both really began to have fun. Kristy, don't look!

Today is World Wide Knit in Public Day

Ok, forgive me if I seem a little dense, but they need a day for that? It's made to sound like an indecent public display of some kind.

Well, maybe it's the needles....they can be dangerous if not used properly......I can see that. So, does it mean that there will be extra law enforcement persons on duty for today while more people knit in public?

All this makes me wonder what else I have missed by not taking the time to actually read the email from JoAnn Fabrics I have received over the years.......(smiles while chuckling and sighs............)

So They Call THIS Retirement?

Well, it's a start!

I am not retiring from working all together.....have you seen my car, my yard, my house.....LOL (Keep your comments civil....this is a 'Family Show' you know ....giggles.) I am just leaving the employment of Merillat, well Masco Cabinetry, where I started just a little over 28 years ago. At a time when most of the 'guys' I work with now were either little ' pipsqueaks' (I know that because they are BIG 'pipsqueaks' now) or they weren't born yet...some for several years!

Though I didn't breakdown in front of the group, that last image of Chad and Jason walking me down the hallway, then opening the doors and standing there while I walked away made me 'wobbly'. My knees went weak and my elbows turned to jelly. They went back in the building, back to business as usual, but I stood with my camera equipment on the trunk of my car and fumbled to get the key in the door, unlock it, put the equipment in, and sort of fall in myself. I sat there with tears slowly rolling down my face......then I began to think...'wait a minute, you are a long way from home. Better pull yourself together and hit the road. There'll be plenty of time for sentimental blubbering once you get there!'

The quickest route was through the gate at the South entrance, so I took it and then a left turn down Dixboro to Plymouth Road. Left again and South on US23 to the Saline Exit. My plan was to stop at my Mom's on the way home. Everything was going fine until I sort of became conscience that to my immediate right was the Saline exit ramp and I was still on 23. A quick calculation and I figured I'd just take some other westerly exit on down the road a ways. I finally decided on Exit 17 to Tecumseh....M50 goes right by Mom's. Besides, I wanted to check on an anti-gravity chair at Cabela's.

Do you have any idea how far it is to exit 17? LOL, by the time I got there I was too tired to do anything BUT keep on heading home. Somehow I managed to get on down the road and stop at Mom's. Ruth, Ashley, Denver, Mom, and Phil were all there and we had a nice visit. We rehashed the party last night and are still in awe of what a nice time it was.....memories that 'roasted' me and all. Ok, so mostly my family liked the 'memories that roasted me'....that, and the food was good too!

What Are You Going to do Between 5 and the Party?

Everyone seems to be worried as I have heard this question over and over. I really didn't know for sure but there were lots of possibilities:

1) Finish clearing out my desk. I will be 'working' out of Ann Arbor tomorrow so I need to load up all the odds and ends tonight.

2) Take a nap. I have been getting up around 5:30 AM every day this week and running on adrenaline. Now I am getting really tired.

3) Go shopping, which requires money, so that's out of the question!

4) Just chill and try not to get too emotional....now, THAT'S a plan I should probably give some serious consideration!

I had brought a clean shirt with me because each day this week I have gotten something on the front of my top while I was eating lunch. I figured today would be the perfect time to have it happen again......but it didn't. Nonetheless, I decide to change. So I go to the restroom and use the handicap stall because there is more room. I hang my purse on the hook, then start to take off my shirt. While I am maneuvering my arms around to get my top off, my hand bumps the slider, the door swings open and I am standing there all tangled up in my shirt. I feel for the door and get it closed.....what a sight that must have been! Luckily I am all alone.

Finished with changing, I am now brushing my hair and putting on my earrings. When I lay my brush down I bump my glasses which are laying on the counter and they slide into the sink. I reach in to retrieve them forgetting that the water turns on by a motion sensor....and get my hand, part of my sleeve, and my glasses wet during the process.

I knew retirement wouldn't be easy but getting to the party.....I thought that would be a piece of cake. HELP....I need a keeper!