Summer 2014 June 30 Monday (And How the Winds Do Blow)

Summer 2014 June 30 Monday (The Winds of Change)

82 degrees this morning.

Felt the “normal” wind yesterday.  (perhaps that is enough said right there).

Aliene has been having severe headaches for the past week, so we decided at breakfast at the “First Watch”  cafe to go to Urgent Care facility literally around the corner. An excellent PA examined Aliene and recommended she go to a nearby Emergency Room for further examinations, including a “cat scan” of her head.  The PA was concerned the headaches COULD be caused by bleeding on the brain.  

Went to Mercy ER, again, excellent service, an excellent Doctor.  Cat Scan ok, Doctor thought was a severely irritated nerve.  He gave her some medicine and hopefully it will clear up the headaches within a week.  

I think the realization that “home was here” hit a little bit yesterday and our lives have permanently changed.  Probably the planning for the furniture to arrive, changes of address, looking for a new bank, the scheduled installation of a “home phone” and internet etc. for today (Monday) all made us realize that the changes are happening.  

Yes, and we do have AC now!!!  The problem (after the problem was fixed Saturday) was low coolant in the unit which was fixed yesterday.  Probably leaking coolant out of the coils.  It feels so good to have AC, although it never was that bad, we used ceiling fans only had to open the windows Friday night.  

I hope to start exercising today (walking since my bike is being moved).  I can just about do my usual walk by walking up to get the morning paper, if the morning paper is there.  (There goes one of my decisions not to buy the local paper!)

I hope the internet can be installed today, I really miss having the internet.  It is wonderful First Watch, Starbucks, McDonalds and the malls all have Wi Fi, but it is difficult to remember to do everything while you are there.  It is just an internal part of my life.  Thank goodness for my “smart phone” and the little bit of data program I have on my iPads.  Helps me stay sane, if that is possible 

We are planning the house, as far as where furniture goes etc. and realizing we have way too much stuff.  The house is slightly smaller then our Lakeland house (actually about 400 sq ft), but has a 3 car garage, meaning we have one garage for storage since we will never have 3 cars!  WE also have a dedicated study and exercise room and I can install my “punching bag” in the  garage.  

We are steeling ourselves to “give away, donate and toss” anything we can.  I plan on tossing anything I haven’t used for a year (with some common sense) that is relatively inexpensive to replace.  We (at least I) have let our possessions own us.  I just realized that I am letting items that, in most cases cost less than $100, many less than $20 own me!  Never again! 

Internet, cable tv and home phone to be installed today.  A bunch of other actions also (turn in final “move in” inspection of house, call and make address changes, start a new health insurance plan, a new bank, new exercise routine, AHHH!  the list goes on as do the everlasting  and continuous winds of change. Sometimes the wind blows hard, sometimes there is calm.

Like it or not, we are here, blown and blowing by the winds of change.  

That’s it for now, Monday, June 30, 2014.

Winter 2014 February 20 Thursday

68 degrees (Edmond, Oklahoma), 63 degrees, Memphis

And how the wind does blow!  Always surprised (I shouldn't be) when in Oklahoma, open the car door and almost get blown away by the wind!  Even worse than usual today, winds up to 60 mph.  I was happily adjusted to living without the wind!  Even to the point i didn't ride my bicycle in high winds.   Of course, in Oklahoma, if you don't ride your bicycle in the wind, you don't ride your bicycle at all!

In Oklahoma for a "baby shower" for Aliene's Grandson and his wife.  How time passes!

I am always surprised when hotels don't seem to "get" it that they don't really save any money by apparently adjusting their heating so it doesn't heat!  We just stay in another hotel!  I wake up early and I always resent having to sit by  HVAC unit blowing cold air when it should be warm!  A complain always brings apologies, but no corrections.  I'll try to complain here before I name the hotel because it otherwise is a nice, reasonably priced motel.

My favorite hotels are the Hilton group, followed by Marriott.  I find Marriott rooms too small and a little pricy usually, but the staff is always wonderful.  My favorite hotel in OKC is a Hilton Garden Inn, with a wonderful swimming pool and HVAC that isn't noisy!  I even have visions of living there full-time, just so I can swim in their wonderful pool every morning.  (Not really, but the pool is absolutely wonderful, always the right temperature, water clem and most of all it opens at 6:00 am. so I can swim with no one else in the pool!  I am not a swimming as such, I just like to paddle around, but I really enjoy it).

This thought came up this morning when I noticed an ad touting the "best" Hampton Inn's , one of our favorite hotels to stay at.  What surprised me was none of my favorite Hampton Inns were on the list, but several were that I have stayed at and didn't really care for.  (It wouldn't be fair to name them, some of them I only stayed in once and/or it was several years ago,).  Of course, to be absolutely honest, I sometimes judge my stays on whether I am upgraded or not and the quality of the HVAC.  I was surprised my all time favorite Hampton Inn (Clarksville Arkansas) was not on the list, if nothing else for their wonderful swimming pool and the cheerful lady at breakfast, as well as the excellent staff.

I always miss my house when I am out of town, although I expect with the change of Lakeland,  we will be moving before the deterioration starts.  We'll miss Lakeland, but Lakeland won't be Lakealnd in four years anyway.  

Winter 2014 January 28 Tuesday

18 degrees this morning, wind actually made it seem colder.  Walked this morning, didn't bicycle because of wound to hand.  I am ready to start bicycling again.  I dread the day when I realize I will never bike again due to health reasons or whatever.  Kind of like when you are sick and you hope you will be able to feel how it will be to feel well again.  Actually, I should be able to bike Friday, as soon as I get the stitches out Thursday.  Assuming the  weather cooperates.  I don't ride in the rain and, at least as long as i live out here where there is little wind, I don't usually ride much in the wind, although  I'll  ride to the gym etc.

I thought this morning, I am wearing clothes I haven't worn literally for years this winter.  It just wasn't cold enough in past winters to hasten with the cold weather gear, but this winter I am glad I have it!  I have coats I have never worn for at least 12 years that I am wearing.  Not something I really  wanted to find out when I am focused on "weeding" what I own!

Pete Seeger died last night, I saw the news this morning.  As I recently mentioned, his singing (especially the song "Little Boxes" had a major effect on my life, especially on my thinking when I was a teenager. Much later, in Oklahoma City, I believe in 1989, I saw him personally and heard him sign the song.  

I am amazed at the influence of news media on your thoughts and thinking.  I know about sports figures that I never watch  or read about, "reality  shows" winners etc. that I never watch etc, it is just amazing what I pick up.  I don't specifically read about sports stars, singers or "celebrities" but I probably can remember their names or at least associate their name with what they do. 

I remember in college, in Economics, I learned for the first time that advertising can be good!  (Provides information etc).  It was a revelation to me, although I realize the truth in it.  Of course, it also pays for much of our entertainment (tv, news media etc.)!

Expect some important news today (Tuesday) or tomorrow conceding my future plans, although I have found that important news or major Change Agents have a way of jumping out at me when least expected.