A Variety of Events

So much has been happening and I haven't taken the time to update my blog.  All is so positive and I usually don't have any trouble writing about the good things!!   

Best news for Gilbert Public Schools is that the Override and Bond passed.   I continue to be impressed with the hardworking and dedicated community members who did so much work and made sure that this passed.   I can only hope that our entire state (and country) can come together on such important issues and find a common ground to solve problems. 

October was a busy month for me.   My dear friend, Susie and I, went to the Garth Brooks concert in downtown Phoenix.  We took the light rail and had dinner and then saw Garth.  It was an amazing concert!!!!    I couldn't believe the energy that  he had for the entire concert.  It was well worth going to it.  And taking the light rail was fun!  It was filled with people going to the concert.    

The next day I went to Vegas with my dear friends, Elise and Jessie.  They picked me up in the morning and we drove to Vegas.  While waiting for them to get here, I felt something crawling up the leg of my pants.  My worst nightmare--a scorpion!  I was stung three for four times before I could get it out.   Having never been stung by a scorpion, I wasn't sure what to expect.  Although it burned and stung most of the day, I was very happy that was the extent of it.   

We got to Vegas and met some friends from Douglas who flew in to meet us at the Palms.  We had tickets to see Bill Maher.  This is the third time that we have gone to Vegas to see Bill and he didn't disappoint!!!!   I love his humor and I love his politics!!!!   It was a great evening.   We stayed until Tuesday.  I love to play slots, but haven't done much lately as my luck on them has not been good.  I hate to put money in and lose it all right away!!! So I did other things while Jessie and Elise played the slots.   The Palms is a great place to stay and they have a movie theater so we saw a couple of movies.  I have been to more movies in the last few months since I moved back than probably in the last 20 years!!!

Tuesday night after getting back, I met my friend, Patty for drinks and dinner at the Red Robin.   We had been there a little over an hour when a Mesa Police Officer came in and asked if anyone had a red CRV.  That was me!!!!   He told me that a school bus had backed into my car after letting the band kids off to eat at a fast food restaurant nearby.  The bus was from Safford.  So I went out to the parking lot.  The bus driver and band director were really upset.  I told them not to worry because I totally understood and I know that schools have great insurance.  If they had to have an accident, I think it was good it was someone like me!!!   All is fixed and now I am just waiting to be reimbursed for my deductible!!!

Then on Friday, we had tickets to the "Book of Mormon" at Gammage.  My friends, Jessie and Elise, came up for that and stayed with me.  Once again, we took the light rail to Tempe, had dinner and then walked to Gammage.  We saw the musical in Chicago a few years ago and it didn't disappoint at all.  It was great and we had a fun evening!!!!  I love being able to take the light rail to events!!!

Elise and Jessie spent the weekend.  Saturday night, Lloyd and Amanda (more friends from childhood) came to dinner.  We had a great time and played my favorite board game--Cards Against Humanity!!

I can't begin to explain how much I am enjoying my retirement.  I have one project I am working on through ASU in that I am mentoring a first year principal.  I have had to go to several all day workshops so at least I am keeping current on a few things in education!! But for the most part, I have time to do just what I want.

I have Teresa often.  She was with us for about 10 days and we ended up in the emergency room last Saturday night after church.  I was really worried about her, but it turned out to be a UTI and she is well on the mend.  It continues to sadden me to see the decline in her mental faculties. Teresa having to leave Douglas has been and continues to be very difficult for her as she was born at 858 in 1922.  However, her being with us is the best thing for her (and us).   When she is here, I try to take her out with friends and keep her mind going, but it is getting harder and harder to get her out and about.   My cousins came over for lunch on Tuesday and brought the three darling little girls.  Teresa loves the babies so that was really good for her.

I joined 24 Hour Fitness several weeks ago.   It is free with my state retirement insurance.  So I go to the gym several days a week and have really enjoyed working out.  I think I am in the best shape of my life!!!  I have been involved in a "fitbit challenge" and I have won it three out of the four weeks!! Never won any kind of athletic event in my life!!!!

So this kind of sums up the last several weeks!  Just want to keep a little journal for myself and what is happening!  It is fun to go back and read after time has passed.

I absolutely love this time in my life.  My 43 years of hard work have paid off and I am so happy to be back in my house and back seeing old and dear friends and being able to see my wonderful cousins much more often!!!!  LIFE IS GOOD!!!!!