Think about all the things in your home that might freeze, break and create a mess. Now think about gathering them all up. There is all the stuff under the kitchen sink and then the stuff in the medicine chest…and then the cooking things like vanilla. So now I have in my kitchen over 5 boxes of stuff I have to find a new home. I had that many boxes or more at Mom’s house as well. I pawned that stuff off on my sister. I plan to take my stuff to the senior center and “donate “ it. I sure hope it works!

11/3/2003
We had supper with Don and Jan Brahms last night. With all these great send offs I won’t have to cook for a spell.
The weather is rainy, cold and downright ugly. It could be worse if the temperature were a few degrees colder. I do not believe we are getting out of here any too soon.
I am forced to wear my heavy cold weather clothes. I’d rather be sweating in my shorts!

Butch needs to get his flu shot. I got mine at the senior center last week. So we will be going to Atlantic this afternoon. Butch had one more day of vacation to get in so today is it. Next week is also a 4 day week for him due to Veterans Day. Butch asked me if we were going to the senior center for lunch since we are eligible. My first day off and he wants me to go back! I said,”No”.

We have been quite busy the past few months getting ready for our big life change…and then a few things have happened. My mother passed away on October 2nd. She had been bedfast for over a year so her passing was something she had wanted for a long time. What that means for me is additional duties as executor of her estate. Things seem to be getting done. It will be a relief to get the things I need to do down to one household.

We are 12 days away from departure. It is getting colder every day. I was hoping for a warm fall but it seems that is not going to happen. I am having trouble staying warm! I think my mind has already traveled south.
From our cold backyard in Iowa we are heading for Missouri to stay in the vicinity of Harrisonville to visit with our Missouri kids, Gary and Susan. They are building a new house in Lees Summit so we will have to look over the site and give our opinion. Yeah, Right! If it is warm in Missouri we may stay a while, if not we will head to Arkansas.

My wrist surgery went off without a hitch. It took longer to heal than I anticipated but the end result is satisfactory. Yesterday I opened about 80 jars of home canned food at my mothers place…dumped it in the garden…but a few months before my wrist surgery that would not have been possible.
Butch is pumped about his retirement coming up on November 14th. Since we have been taking month long vacations in the past it will probably be some time before the reality of it hits him. Neither of us has feared change in our past so I think the future will be the same…no fear.
I retired on October 31st and the seniors at the center where I have been manager for the past 14 years gave me a fancy send off. They had some very nice things to say about me and gave me a lovely gift…cash! I plan to get something special with the money and then let them know about it. I will miss them but I know I left them in good hands.

Our house has not sold yet although we did have an interested looker yesterday. My mothers house will also be on the market but not till next spring. Too much chaos before take off and the weather is pushing us.
I keep promising to get better about my blog reports. I hope to make them daily now that I am retired so mark it in your favorites and check in now and then.
Till tomorrow!
Barb