Periodic Update
I just finished a 4000+ mile road trip on my own. Several people commented on how brave I was to take such a long journey myself. I really didn't think it was extraordinary as I had been over the route many times with my husband. Living and traveling full time gave me a sense of confidence about traveling. It was different doing it on my own I really miss my companion. What we did as a team I now have to do on my own.
Usually I would plan where we were going to stop for the night while we were driving now I had to stop and take the time to check my resources for possible motel and eating spots. My estimate of how long it would take me to drive to Wisconsin and back to Tucson were reasonably accurate. I only had one minor problem when the shifter was reluctant to move in and out of park. I stopped at a Kia dealer in Des Moines and since they didn't have the part they took the part with the push button off and I used the shifter without the comfort of a knob. I wouldn't want to put my hand on the top the way I did when the shifter was complete as it now had a hard pointed plastic part that I had to grasp with my fingers meanwhile pushing down to move from park. I only lost about half a day of travel time and I still made it back to Tucson by late afternoon on Saturday.
The major purpose of the trip was to hold a Memorial Service for my husband in Madison when my children and grandchildren could attend. My daughter and son both did a reading. I was going to read the Eulogy but I had such a bad cold that I had to stop in the middle and my daughter finished reading it. She did a great job doing a cold reading. My granddaughter offered to sing a solo and she did a terrific job singing "Simple Gifts." We lived in Madison from 1970 until we retired and there were people attending whom I had known from the first year we moved there up to friends we made the past few years. Several people came from out of town to be there. It really helped to see everyone. I wish there was more time to talk with everyone.
My plans are to continue to live in Tucson. We bought a place here and I have a good community here. I left a great place but I could not longer endure the winter weather. I would like to visit Wisconsin/Minnesota and Washington/Oregon each year for a longer time than I was able to do this year.
I developed knee problems last year and had to postpone surgery as I needed to take care of wayinder38. I have the proverbial bone on bone in my right knee and the pain interferes with activities and with sleeping so I am having a knee replacement this week. The surgery is Tuesday morning at 10:30 a.m. I asked to go to a rehab facility after the hospital until I can manage on my own. a
I don't know if I will have any internet access for the next two weeks. Two weeks of LJ and Facebook will be almost impossible for me to catch up with. I hope I have cell phone coverage as I can use my iPhone for some limited contact.
The only other tentative plans I have made for this year is to visit the Pacific Northwest in October to help celebrate my granddaughter's 13 birthday and to see my Mother. My sister in Phoenix and I would like to take a long weekend trip to Las Vegas. Plus I signed up for a free pass to Disneyland on my birthday so November 8 will find me in Disneyland. The rest of the time I'll be exercising, walking, birding and playing contract bridge.
Usually I would plan where we were going to stop for the night while we were driving now I had to stop and take the time to check my resources for possible motel and eating spots. My estimate of how long it would take me to drive to Wisconsin and back to Tucson were reasonably accurate. I only had one minor problem when the shifter was reluctant to move in and out of park. I stopped at a Kia dealer in Des Moines and since they didn't have the part they took the part with the push button off and I used the shifter without the comfort of a knob. I wouldn't want to put my hand on the top the way I did when the shifter was complete as it now had a hard pointed plastic part that I had to grasp with my fingers meanwhile pushing down to move from park. I only lost about half a day of travel time and I still made it back to Tucson by late afternoon on Saturday.
The major purpose of the trip was to hold a Memorial Service for my husband in Madison when my children and grandchildren could attend. My daughter and son both did a reading. I was going to read the Eulogy but I had such a bad cold that I had to stop in the middle and my daughter finished reading it. She did a great job doing a cold reading. My granddaughter offered to sing a solo and she did a terrific job singing "Simple Gifts." We lived in Madison from 1970 until we retired and there were people attending whom I had known from the first year we moved there up to friends we made the past few years. Several people came from out of town to be there. It really helped to see everyone. I wish there was more time to talk with everyone.
My plans are to continue to live in Tucson. We bought a place here and I have a good community here. I left a great place but I could not longer endure the winter weather. I would like to visit Wisconsin/Minnesota and Washington/Oregon each year for a longer time than I was able to do this year.
I developed knee problems last year and had to postpone surgery as I needed to take care of wayinder38. I have the proverbial bone on bone in my right knee and the pain interferes with activities and with sleeping so I am having a knee replacement this week. The surgery is Tuesday morning at 10:30 a.m. I asked to go to a rehab facility after the hospital until I can manage on my own. a
I don't know if I will have any internet access for the next two weeks. Two weeks of LJ and Facebook will be almost impossible for me to catch up with. I hope I have cell phone coverage as I can use my iPhone for some limited contact.
The only other tentative plans I have made for this year is to visit the Pacific Northwest in October to help celebrate my granddaughter's 13 birthday and to see my Mother. My sister in Phoenix and I would like to take a long weekend trip to Las Vegas. Plus I signed up for a free pass to Disneyland on my birthday so November 8 will find me in Disneyland. The rest of the time I'll be exercising, walking, birding and playing contract bridge.