Revealed Reflections

The Golden Years: Too soon old, too late smart!!

2009-09-29T17:07:00.005-05:00

Have you heard the saying, "too soon old, too late smart" before? I grew up hearing that saying. The older I get the more truth I see in it too.

While we were on our four month adventure as full time RVers this summer, my husband and I just enjoyed the journey. Each day was a new adventure for us. Each day held its own excitement. It was almost magical.I found myself in awe of whatever it was that was enabling us to live life in the moment this way, and to see each day as an adventure. My husband and I both are task oriented so we tend to give each day a value according to how much we accomplish. To take each day as it came was not "normal" for either of us. I'm still not sure how or why we were able to take each day as it came, but am forever grateful that we could and did.

Furthermore, I am finding that as we embark on our "journey" of remodelling our little rental house, making it into a home for us to "winter" in, rather than wanting everything done yesterday which is my norm, I am finding myself just enjoying the journey, the process, each stage as it comes.

Right now we're in demolishion stage. Up to our eyeballs in torn down wallboard and debris of all sorts. Soon we'll move into repair, rewire and redo stage. Right now, though, I am finding joy in the vision I have for the finished product, and am at peace with the process.

Was it our four month journey that made these changes in us? OR is it simply we have finally lived long enough to get smart? Tomorrow is promised to no-one, the bible says. So, all we have is now, today.

We'll have to put a mark in the "pros column" of the balance sheet for the "Golden Years." We are indeed getting older, but we're also getting smarter about how to live this time in our lives. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could learn this when we are a lot younger? The years we're raising our children, for instance. Hmm...

I'm backkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

2009-09-25T16:51:00.005-05:00

I have neglected you all terribly these past months. I haven't blogged at all! All of my blogs are without updated content. I don't know if I want to keep them all. I think I may just post a link to this one so my followers will know that I am blogging again here. Now I have to work at getting people to read my posts again.

Where have I been, you ask? The picture here is of us on Lake Superior. My husband and I sold our house, put our stuff in storage and took off in our RV for four months. We have had a blast. I could go on and on about all of our experiences, but that will be content for future blogs. We are back now and are in the process of getting bids to remodel our little house that was a rental before, and once completed we will move into it. We will live there during the winter and our summers will be spent up North where it is cooler. We will do this as long as we are able.

So, for now, I plan to try to not bore you with my tales of our travels and of our experiences as we try to turn a sows ear into a silk purse and do it on a budget. Stay tuned.

It's good to be back. Tell your friends I'm back and please leave a comment so that I know you're still there. I missed you and hope you missed me as well.

For now,

Mary

My friend's birthday

2009-07-05T16:33:00.002-05:00

Last Wednesday was my best friend's birthday. She doesn't live anywhere near me so I looked for some sites for greeting cards online. I found a really cute one with animation and that said just what I wanted to say. She loved it and thanked me for it saying that I had made her day. We've been friends for so long. I certainly wouldn't want to miss her special day.

There was a time when I felt that in order for a card to be meaningful I had to pick it out at the store and send it through the mail. Well, I have finally gotten with the times and find that as long as I take the time to pick out a card that is just right, it can be every bit as meaningful as and anything.

I truly think that with gifts, cards and anything like that. It's the thought that counts. If one's heart's desire is to give joy you just can't go wrong no matter what venue you choose.

She had a happy birthday. I'm so glad to have her in my life after all of these years.

Vacationing in the Carolinas

2009-06-20T14:53:00.002-05:00

My husband and I are giving full-time RV-ing a try. So far we're loving living life in it's simplest form. I didn't expect to love this lifestyle as much as I do. We are both adjusting very well to it and are looking forward to seeing a lot of this beautiful country of ours.

We've traveled a lot over the years, but have never gone through the deep South and have only seen the East coast from Washington DC up to Massachusetts. We both are anxious to visit Georgia and the Carolina's. I received an email advertising Outer Banks rentals with photographs showing the beautiful view on the waterfront properties there. Of course, we are RV-ing so don't need a rental. It is certainly pretty there, though, and I am anxious to see it all.

Be prepared to be seeing a lot of pictures as we go about the country.

Researching .....

2009-06-20T10:22:00.003-05:00

I have blogged about diet pills a lot lately. I guess that's because in my circle of friends this has been the hot topic of discussion. We're all senior citizens and our health, our weight, and getting exercise is the main focus for us all these days. For that reason I have been searching for sites that give diet pill reviews.

Our generation has a resource available to us that no other generation of seniors has had, and that is the internet. No matter what the question, we can research and find the answer and it's all at our fingertips. There just isn't any reason to not be informed on whatever it is that catches our interest. Everything and anything one wants to know is right here.

That being said, we should all be experts in at least a few fields. Right? Maybe not experts, but informed and have a knowledge based opinion.

TV overload?

2009-06-05T10:25:00.002-05:00

How many televisions televisions do you have at your house? We just moved out of our four bedroom house and we had five tvs. We now live in our RV and have two in here. Two televisions, two laptops, two cell phones etc. etc. etc. What did we ever do without all of these devices?

I was raised in the 40s and 50s. We had radios, and one phone until the early 50s when we got our first tv. I really do love this time of technology, though. It is comforting to know that if I need to reach my husband, my children, or grandchildren, I can get to them wherever they are.

These are exciting times and I look forward to all that is to come in my lifetime yet.

Winners and loosers

2009-06-01T21:28:00.002-05:00

These hard economic times have effected everyone in one way or the other. Sadly, I know many who have lost their jobs, their homes, or their savings. Some have lost it all. It's sad to see that happen.

On the other side of this economic coin are those who have the means to take advantage of low property prices, distress sales and so on. Many people have been able to get the home of their dreams because of another's hard times.
Some realtor friends of ours have been advertising Outer Banks homes in North Carolina. Some water front properties, usually so expensive, have become affordable for many.

Well, we're just glad that we're doing okay and so are our children. I'm praying that he economy will take a turn for the better soon and we can all stop worrying about it.

Mesothelioma

2009-06-01T19:06:00.002-05:00

Do you know anyone who has contracted mesothelioma? My dear cousin has it and I constantly worry about him and wonder how he is doing.

This disease is relatively new. I don't know a lot about it other than it's causes by exposure to aspestos. Some of the treatments they use are the same that are used for cancers, surgery, chemo, radiation etc.

There is testing being done in genetics in relation to this disease and it is being found that the prognosis of a patient can be predicted through genetic testing. This, of course, affects the treatment plan.

I find myself praying for the researchers working on this terrible disease. I hope we will soon be hearing of new drugs for treatment.

So good to hear from an old friend

2009-05-20T16:19:00.002-05:00

I got an email from a friend and neighbor of mine the other day. It was so good to hear from her. I blogged on the fact that they were moving to North Carolina a while back, those of you who read my posts regularly.

Anyway, she sounded so happy with the house they bought, the neighbors she has met and just everything about their new life. I'm so very happy for them.

She did say that they had a stressful situation arise when her son had an attack of appendicitis and had to have surgery. Luckily, though, she found a good doctor and the surgery went well. Dale is recovering nicely. She also mentioned how great her insurance company was and how well the claim was handled. They're with Blue Cross NC, and they have a great agent who is taking care of everything.

I miss Anne, but certainly was happy to hear from her and to hear how well everything is going for them. It's hard to relocate, and it helps when things go so well.

A wedding in the family

2009-05-08T16:33:00.003-05:00

My brother's granddaughter is getting married in August. She is a very sweet young lady and is so happy. We're happy for her and for our niece, her mother. When a couple that are such a good match find one another it is truly a time for celebration.

I'm trying to find something to buy for her bridal shower and came across a site online that has some good prices on women's lingerie am considering sending her something like that. Everything is marked down and they have a good selection.

Well, now to decide which one she'd like the best. The company has a fair return policy so if she doesn't like what I get her she can always return it for what she would rather have. Now, which one should I buy!????

Wood flooring

2009-05-08T16:23:00.002-05:00

I really like wood flooring. I would never have thought that it's easy to care for but it is and it's amazing what a difference it makes when a person is allergic to dust. Since we installed wood flooring I find that my allergies are so very much better. I use my inhaler half as often as I did with carpeting in the house.

I have added area rugs for color too. I found a good site with great prices so have ordered a couple more for our bedroom. At www.rugsale.com they have some rugs that are 70% and 80% off. Now that's a good sale! I like the kind that have rubberized backing so that they don't slip around. This site also sells the non-skid backing that you can put under woven rugs. I've used that before and highly recommend it for safety purposes.

If you order one of these rugs do let me know what you think. Feedback is always welcome.

President Obama, the first 100 days

2009-05-07T01:30:00.004-05:00

I'm a registered Republican as is my husband Gary. Originally I was a republican because my father was one and how could he be wrong? =)

Well, I've grown up a lot since then and am not a dyed in the wool Republican as much as an American who votes for the person she believes in the most.

I didn't vote for Obama, though I came close. Now that he's been elected our president, I must say that I am very happy with what I see and hear from him. I love that he stands for old time values and for returning our country to what it has always stood for. Respect, fairness, goodness, values and so forth. I'm not alone. I understand he has a 60% approval rating and that "aint bad"!!! As a side note, if I didn't like anything else about him, he would have my regard anyway because watching him dance with his wife at the election night balls and seeing him hold her hand as they go about doing what they do simply warms my heart. They have something so special between them. I love that!

I can see and hear all of my Republican friends bristling as they read this post. My husband says little when I say something about how much I like what our president is trying to do, though I can tell that he doesn't agree with me. That's okay, though. It isn't important that Gary agree with my opinions. If President Obama continues doing what he is doing in four years I just may be voting to re-elect him. (I'm prepared for a fight on that. Bring it on, folks.)

I really like Michele Obama too. I like that she's a "real person". She is one of us and that is so refreshing in a first lady. I don't ever remember that quality in any other first ladies. I also love their dog and you have to agree with me, those little girls of the Obamas are delightful.

Anyway, that's my opinion and I'm sticking to it until something happens to change it.

Taking care of our bodies

2009-05-01T10:02:00.003-05:00

Having good health is by far the greatest gift one can have, and one that needs to be taken care of. It's such an easy thing to do too, when you think about it. If your body signals that it's hungry, give it something from nature and not man made products. If it tells you that it's tired, rest. If not tired, move!! Do something that requires you to engage rather than just observe.

A lot of people make staying healthy a big deal. Our bodies are amazing and are made to protect themselves. Many feel that things like a colon cleanse to rid ones body of toxins is essential. I'm not a doctor so can't speak to the validity of that. A good rule of thumb to follow is to always check with your doctor first to be sure.

Take care!

Swine flu

2009-05-01T09:52:00.002-05:00

I don't know about the rest of you, but I am unsettled with all of the buzz about the swine flu that is spreading. Beside washing our hands and avoiding crowded, enclosed places, they are also recommending that people work at home if possible. That is a good idea if possible.

In a report I was reading on the flu, it said that electronics were the biggest carriers of bacteria, TV remotes, keyboards, the computer mouse, cell phones, regular phones etc. It was suggested that we all spend some time disinfecting these items and again, washing our hands regularly.

Today I am going to spend some time cleaning our office furniture and all of the things that we use daily. Door knobs are another thing that we should clean.

When you think about it, though, regular hand washing is the biggest illness prevention tool we have. Not only with this current scare, but everyday.

So many toys, so little time

2009-04-21T18:00:00.004-05:00

I think that as an adult that I have more toys than I did as a child. I also think that I'm not alone in this, that the rest of you adults out there have way too many toys too. This isn't going to stop any of us from buying more of them, though. Right?

Everyone I know has a cell phone now. Next to my computer, my cell phone is my favorite toy. We recently has texting added to our features. I am enjoying that, though my friends and family may wish I didn't have it as I do a lot of text sending.

A Bluetooth headset will be the next addition to our "toy chest". Many states are outlawing using cell phones while you drive, so this may be a mandatory toy purchase. Mandatory toys! That's a great idea. Don't you think? =)

A friend in need.....

2009-04-21T17:27:00.001-05:00

My friend and I went to lunch today. She ordered a salad and was telling me that she was determined to lose the extra weight she has put on in time for summer. I applaud her determination and know that she will accomplish what she sets out to do. She always does.

She was also telling me about an appetite suppressant that she is taking that is called nuphedra. She said it was really helping her avoid snacking which has been her biggest problem.

Well, I did some research on it to make sure it's safe for her and was pleased to know that it contains all natural elements, herbs and even some vitamins. I was so relieved to see that. I would hate to have her take something that is going to harm her. She's a good friend and I treasure her. If this product wasn't good for her, I wouldn't hesitate to tell her so. Friends have to do that once in a while.

The "If it tastes good, spit it out!!" diet

2009-04-21T17:09:00.004-05:00

Maybe it's the fact that we raised our family in California that I get excited to think of summer being right around the corner. We always spent a lot of time at the beach and often camped on the beach as well. What wonderful memories we all have of those years.

As a young woman I didn't have to watch my weight. I was usually too thin. A young mother never lacks things to keep her moving. Right?

That isn't the case now, however, and I do have to watch what I eat. When I gain a few pounds I keep track of my intake for a week or two and also try to increase my exercise to shed those added pounds. I think about taking appetite suppressants but just don't know which would be the best weight loss pills. So, I end up not taking any and doing it the old fashioned way. You know what I mean. It's the "If it tastes good, spit it out" diet. =)

RV-ing! We love it!

2009-04-19T19:41:00.003-05:00

My husband and I have always camped. When the children were young our family vacations were at campgrounds around the country. We have so many wonderful memories of places we went, things that happened, and new friends we all made. When we all get together we almost always go down memory lane and relive some of our trips with other families and the fun times that we had.

Now that the children are grown, my husband and I continue to enjoy traveling with our motor home. Staying in different rv parks
RV-ing is rich in new experiences and is something that we wouldn't want to miss out on. If you haven't tried it, do consider it. You won't be sorry you did.

Information is power

2009-04-19T14:59:00.008-05:00

Information equals power. I truly think that that statement applies no matter what the subject matter is or the issue that is bothering us. Get all of the information you can on a subject before you make a decision.

That is most important when it comes to something that we put into our bodies and especially so when it comes to deciding which are the best on the market. Research sites that give you information regarding how they work, what is in them, how much they cost. The most expensive isn't necessarily the best option.

A friend of mine is using nuphedra . She says it really is working well for her. "Information is power", so do research before you use any product.

I'd like to hear from anyone out there who is using this product. Other's experiences are are invaluable when we are doing our research.

Getting Healthy

2009-04-11T15:35:00.002-05:00

I called my daughter Cheryl about our Easter plans. We're looking forward to joining them at their church for services.

Both of my girls watch their weight like hawks. Neither of them are into using strong appetite suppressant, but our younger daughter, Wendi, swears by herbal products and claims that they help her a lot.

With obesity at epidemic proportions in our country, I think we all need to take this issue seriously. We need to watch our food portion size and find ways to move more. I'm not talking about exercise, but just getting up off of our computer chairs and move around.

I'm talking to myself as I say these things to you my readers. Maybe we can all start a new fad. Easter Resolutions! What do you think? =)

Earning extra money

2009-03-28T14:05:00.002-05:00

The economic issues in our country has everyone I know is cutting back and looking for ways to make some extra money. We all have some skill or hobby that can be put towards earning some extra cash. If the only thing you have is time, then put that to use. Some ideas to consider would be walking dogs, house sitting, pet sitting, selling crafts at garage sales or flea markets. How about babysitting?

I do believe we're only limited by our imaginations when it comes to the things we can market. You could even offer payment by credit card by using a portable credit card machine. Many people use only credit cards rather than cash for services so that they have a record of their expenses.

If you have any other ideas along these lines do share them with us. All comments are always welcome.

Good Credit, a Valuable Asset

2009-03-20T16:27:00.003-05:00

There are many things that affect ones credit and it's a good idea to check with credit report services at least yearly to find out what your credit rating is. How much interest you are charged by credit cards is affected by how good your credit rating is. A good credit rating assures you the lowest interest rate available.

We have always worked hard to keep our credit clean by paying our bills on time and living within our means. The current crisis in our country's economy has put a strain on us in many ways and I find that before this is over, we just may have a black mark or two against us. That saddens me and also makes me angry. These things are out of our control and years of careful planning have gone by the wayside.

It's an extremely helpless position to be in. This whole experience has taught me that control in this life is an illusion and something that we will never have.

I guess that's a good lesson to learn.

Time to reassess

2009-03-14T14:40:00.002-05:00

Spring is just around the corner literally. Doesn't it seem like winter went faster than ever this year? It seems that way to me.

I guess it's time for spring cleaning again. It's also getting nice out side which makes me think about getting daily exercise in the form of a mile walk each day. Along with walking, I also re-evaluate my nutrition habits and consider taking nutritional health supplements
to make sure that I am getting all the right things in my diet. It's funny how bad habits seem to keep creeping back into our lives. Being aware of what we're eating is half the battle, however. It's never to late to get back on track and to start eating right again.

Safety when traveling

2009-03-06T13:27:00.002-06:00

My husband and I will be married 50 years this coming November. It doesn't seem possible that it's been that long. We have been very blessed.

We're talking about taking a special trip to celebrate our anniversary. We aren't sure yet where we'll go. Because both of us have some health issues a friend suggested that we consider getting some travel health insurance. I did some research to find out just what types of things they cover and was amazed to see the total packages that are available. Some of the things that are covered are the medical expenses in case of an accident or an unexpected health problem were to arrive. They even cover things like airfare home in the case of an untimely death. Heaven forbid, but one needs to be prepared just in case.

I'm hoping we can go to Europe. However, no matter where we go, as long as we're together we'll have a wonderful time as always.

Save money while fighting the battle..

2009-03-06T13:16:00.004-06:00

My neighbor came over for coffee today. We have such a good time when we get together, laughing, chatting and just plain girl time.

Judy has always had a problem with her weight and is once again trying to shed some of the pounds she has gained. I certainly know what that's like and so I try to support her in every way I can.

She had been using some herbal weight loss pills to suppress her appetite but found them to be costly. Well, I got on my computer and found a good site that compares weight loss pill's prices. It also lists ingredients and gives the top ten products.

She was pleased to see that she could save some money buying the product she is currently using by ordering them online. We all need to save money wherever we can these days.