I feel really bad because I didn’t even wish any one a Happy St. Paddy Day yesterday. I guess I was more concerned with Bill’s doctor visit and finding out more information about Diverticulitis. The Dr. put him on antibiotics to clear up the inflammation.

Last year he had a colonoscopy and except for the diverticulosis everything came back normal and we were happy about that and when he told us about the divericulosis he said it was a normal aging thing, he didn’t make it sound serious, so Bill has steadily been eating his corn and nuts up until a few weeks ago.

He went to his doctor yesterday because of all the pain and he pulled up the report that the other doctor had sent him and he had put severe diverticulosis in there, now correct me if I’m wrong, but that doctor could have let him know how serious and life threatening that could be so he would really pay attention instead of making it sound so unimportant, I was there so I know it wasn’t emphasized.

He started feeling very tender and was in a lot of pain and he had been eating lots of peanuts so he did his own deducing and decided he felt horrible everytime he ate nuts. I had already stopped eating corn and nuts and things that had seeds in them because I have always had stomach problems and he has always thought I was nuts because I always play Dr. for myself.

No one knows your body better than you yourself and only you know how you feel after you do  certain things or eat certain things and where you might hurt and as we get older we need to start writing things down so we have a list that we can tell our doctor about our symptoms so he will be better able to diagnose our problems.

Doctors are not Gods they do not know everything about everything. I always advise anyone to get a second opinion or third on any major decision you are going to make in your life.

We are only human and we are all subject to make mistakes so always get a life changing opinion seconded and thirded. Yes I know that’s not proper English, but who cares unless it’s someone really anal.

This computer is starting to act up so I think I will have to shut it down for awhile and give it a rest. I just recently was able to totally remove the Mcafee virus protection that has really been messing everything up.

It’s not easy for older people to learn all the new things that they need to know about keeping everything going, but just because I’m older doesn’t mean I’m stupid and can’t learn because I can and anyone else can also.

The older I get the faster my time speeds away except when I’m anticipating something then it never gets here, but that’s the way it goes. I’ll be very happy when spring gets here and Bill and I can start riding again on a regular bases. I know some day we will have to get a trike and that will be fine with me and I know it will probably be safer. I wouldn’t mind having one of those Boss Hoss Trikes like this one.

Of course it would have to be in a different color because I don’t like that shade of yellow, but I can see myself and Bill on one of these. I have seen several around our area and they are just too cool, I’d really think I was a cool old broad on one of these. I see a lot of young people riding trikes, they aren’t just for seniors and handicap riders.

Bill and Billy went up to the Harrisburg swap meet today. I stopped going to those because it’s a waste of money for me to go in and look at all the same stuff I’ve seen before and this one was 15 dollars a person what a waste, I could buy a 5th of vodka for that. However Bill likes to have something to be able to do with his son and that’s good that they share their love of bikes.

We use to ride with Billy and Chris on the weekends before they had the 2 little girls, now we never get the opportunity unless it’s Bike night in York and that’s in Sept. or something else that’s special like Gettysburg bike week. Maybe when the girls get older when can all ride together again. I know Bill would like that, he also likes riding in a group.

Bill made a low profile windshield last year out of an old one he had and he really likes it and he did a really good job of cutting it down and it looks like he bought it that way, but he’s been talking about getting a tinted windshield like on a street glide, so he found a brand new 4 1/2 inch tinted one today for 50 bucks, which he was all excited about. We both like good deals. So now we have 3 different looks for our bike.

Life is full of transitions and one of the biggest transitions that you will have to adjust to will be going from a busy adult life to the more relaxed lifestyle of retirement and senior citizen status. Retirement from a full time job to learning how Medicare works to becoming a full-fledged member of AARP, your move to senior citizen status is another of life’s big transitions. 

Probably one of the most difficult transitions you will face will be the decision to move out of your house to an apartment, a condo or an assisted living facility if you decide to go that way. Bill and I will continue to live here because it’s paid for.

Many people will have to make a choice and for many the initial idea of  moving out of your house comes from your caregiver or your children. The idea almost always is hard to hear because, even if you knew this day would one day come, you may have bonded with that home in a very deep way. 

If this is the house you have been in for a long time, perhaps even raised your children there, every room is filled with memories.  If your spouse has passed on, the house is a shrine to his or her memory as well.  So if  your own children have suggested that its finally time for you to give the old place up, that can strike deep and hard and cause you to put up a lot of resistance to the idea.

We need some guidelines on how we can accept this transition and how to walk away from a place that you have loved so much.  Perhaps the first step of dealing with the explosion of emotions you feel when the idea of moving out of your house is brought up is to recognize that what you are going through is genuine grief. 

To a large extent, that house is more than just a building you live in.  Because it has been the stage that the drama of your life has played out on, it is more than a place.  It may have become a member of the family by now.

So in a way, letting the house go is like seeing a close member of the family pass away.  So before you even try to “talk yourself into it”, just recognize that you are going through grief just as you have when you experienced the passing of a dear friend, your spouse of a member of the family. 

 And like those other times, grief will pass and when it does, the final stage of grief is acceptance of the new world you live in and peace. Next, sit down with a cup of coffee and talk some sense into yourself.  The resistance you are feeling is almost entirely emotional. 

But its time to “debunk” some of the myths that your sentimental side has allowed to grow up around that house.  The truth is, none of your memories are going to die out just because you move into a new building.  Your memories will stay with you and be just as precious in a new home as they are now. 

 Your kids will love you just as much.  You will continue to go to the same church and keep the same friends.  Start to see that home as what it really is, a building and one that has been good to you but its time to move on.

Finally, begin to more time thinking about why this move is a good idea than looking at the negatives.  Maybe the money that will come from the sale of the home will enable you to buy that cozy little retirement condo you have always wanted. 

Maybe that money will help with your medical expenses so you can stop worrying about the future.  Furthermore, when you are living in an apartment or assisted living center, you don’t have to fuss with mowing the lawn, keeping the place painted and maintained and all of the other stuff that goes with owning a home. 

Your life will become simpler and more relaxed because you took the time to learn to walk away.  You will be glad you found a way to learn to walk away from the old and embrace the new.  Now get with the program and make this move yours so you can enjoy the adventure of a new stage of life.  You will be glad you did.