Retirement is hard Work ( Norcross, GA)

 

I know, you are thinking, how hard can it be?  Well let me tell you, until you have tried it, you can’t even begin to imagine.  First there is no alarm clock, so we have to decide what time to wake up in the morning.  Usually after 9AM.  Then we have to decide what to eat for breakfast: cereal, eggs, toast. The list is endless.  Then Ann will want me to vacuum the whole place.  Upstairs and downstairs.  All 400 square feet!   Exhausting !!  Then it is, what to eat for lunch.  It can’t be to big a meal because dinner is right around the corner, more choices.  Are you beginning to get the picture?  Then after  a short nap, what to eat for dinner?  Decisions, decisions . Do we go out to eat?  Do we cook?  If we cook, do we take something out of the freezer, or do we go shopping?  You see every month or so we spend a weekend cooking and freezing meals for just such an occasion.  I think you are starting feel for me. 

Now dry your eyes, and don’t cry for us.  We will survive.

On a happier note.  Ann is progressing with her physical therapy,  She goes twice a week and does her home exercises daily.  We are joining the local YMCA. They have a pool and great machines for a workout.  It still looks like she will still need the knee replacement, but the therapy will make it an easier recovery.  We will keep you posted.

The weather here has, so far, been great.  The other day we went to Stone Mountain.  It is a beautiful park with a Big Rock in the middle.  We took a cable car up to the top.  Great views.

Fran, Ann’s sister, told, us about a carousel in a mall just north of Atlanta.  Well, Ann, of course, could not resist.  BTW, the mall and the surrounding strip malls have all of our  (Ann’s) favorite stores!!

So that is my story, and I am sticking to it. 

Life is hard on the Roan Road…

Things Change ( Norcross, GA)

 

We are now in Norcross, GA.  Norcross is a suburb of Atlanta.  We are staying in an RV park about 15 min. from downtown Atlanta.

We had a great time in NY seeing all of our friends. Of course, a lot of our friends names end with DR.  With a clean bill of health for both of us and after the last doctors appointment,  we tried to get out of Dodge.  Even though it was a holiday the Lincoln Tunnel came to a stop. So we headed north across the GW bridge and onto I-80.  Ann wanted to see all of her old friends she left behind from work.  The company had moved from Maspeth to NJ, so on our way out we stopped so Ann could pay a visit.  Ann really enjoyed it.

After the visit we headed south to Atlanta.  Two days later we reached the campsite where our home was stored.  I had to jump start the truck to get it started, but we pulled into a long term site in the same campground.  This was to be our site until Ann is all better.

Thursday morning, Adam, our nephew, suggested to call the doctor Ann was scheduled to see on the 18th to see if there was a cancelation.  Ann called and asked, they said no, but 15 min. later they call back and we had an appointment for 2 PM that day.  Whoopee!

Off we went to see the man that would change Ann’s life.  We both really like the Doc.  but he said that he thought Ann needed to strengthen her leg and get some physical therapy before knee replacement could be considered.  We both had had mixed feelings.  We expected to just go for the operation but maybe he was right.  Our schedule is flexible and we want the best outcome. 

So here we are in Norcross, GA, just north of Atlanta.  The plan is to stay here until after Christmas, get Ann’s leg strengthened and see what happens.  We are looking into joining a gym, short term, to build up her strength.  Of course, I may do some exercise too.  Although I do not really need it.  Really.

For now it is on a month to month at the campsite.  It is nice to just relax in one place for a change after Alaska.  Atlanta is great town, with all of the same amenities.  There are lots of Micky D’s and all of the fast food.  All of the same stores we are used to.

A word  about retirement.  First, there are no weekends.    All of the days are the same.  Second, you have to make a ToDo list for each day.  Only do one thing each day, save the others for the next day.  If it doesn’t get done today, there is always the next day.

Never put off until tomorrow, unless you can put it off until the next day.

Life is Good on the Roan Road.

14 Days and Counting (Roslyn, NY)

 

We left the camper and the truck in storage in Atlanta and rented a car to come to New York. We have been staying at Bev’s house, thanks Bev, for the last 10 days.  We have been been doing nothing but seeing doctors.  Mostly my doctors.  All is well on the medical front.  We both passed, had our oil changed and our front end lubed.  Now we are ready for another year cruising the Roan Road.  Well almost.

On Monday we head back down to Atlanta where our home is stored.  On October 18th, 14 days from now, Ann has an appointment with an Orthopedic Doctor from Emery University Hospital to see about a knee replacement.  Her knee has been getting worse each day.  It is about as bad as it has ever been.  Ann keeps counting the days until the appointment. She says, “If I can have the operation on the 19th, that will be OK”

We will stay in Atlanta for the main part of Rehab.  Then head to Florida for about a month.  When Ann has recovered well enough we will start heading west toward Texas and Arizona. Still not sure when or where.  All plans are fixed in Jell-O.  The only sure thing is we have to be in Texas the end of April for a NHOG rally.  That is New Horizons Owners Group.  It is a rally for people who own the same make of camper we have. 

Life is good on the Roan Road…