June - Pollen and Heat

I seem to be among many flowering trees. It was tough for my allergies and my car.

I figured out how to use the car wash and like everything else, it's right next door.

The catholic church is right across the street within in walking distance. What can I say - I take the easy route.

I got involved with the church flea market and met so many nice folks. Some of them live here in this complex and some live at Alton Woods down and the street and some from McKenna Purchase - a condo place not far from here.

Today I am volunteering at the church bookstore/gift store.

Gator and I have been taking early walks to avoid the heat. It's raining right now, so maybe if the rain stops, we'll get out there and do our two miles.

Some of my old friends from Boston are visiting this weekend. I have missed seeing them and am so excited about the visit.

Time to start a new project.

Dating for Seniors

I finished all the unpacking and wandered into the senior dating scene. Interesting!

Most sites offer three days free so what the heck. However, I wasn't too impressed. It would be nice to have a friend but the price is too high.

Most men close to my age are pretty needy.

It seems that the guys close to seventy are looking for someone sixty. I live in a senior complex and there are no men in here. We killed them all.

Since we seem to outlive our mates by at least ten years, it should go the other way around. Oh well, on to the next project.

My daughter, son-in-law and I went to a construction auction on Saturday at the Regal. Lots of good stuff, but no luck. Sometimes the price is just too high. I recognized a guy I saw on Senior People Meet and we had a nice time chatting. I never have trouble meeting new friends.

Am deciding where I should volunteer. Senior who lost their life savings in homes that are now worthless need some sort of protection. I might check out Senator Shaheen's office and see if I can help.

Life is good.

Boxes, boxes and more boxes

I am down to six boxes. Allelujah!

Having Goodwill right across the street is choice. I am realizing that less is better.

Concord makes me feel like I'm home. I lived here previously and always liked it. The convenience at my age is a huge appeal.

Gator is adjusting, but misses his dog-mate Snoopie. He pretended he didn't like her, but I know better.

I miss my best friend of ten years, but life goes on and we have to be able to make tough choices when the timing is right.

There doesn't appear to be much, if anything, to offer seniors in the Concord area. This is a great concern to me. There's a senior bus that comes into the complex, but no senior center and it appears that the closest center is in Allenstown.

More research needed, but maybe this will be my next mission.

Concord, NH - New address - new life!

I never imagined I would move again and especially so soon. I was in Newburyport almost two years.

The end of February I got a letter from a senior complex in Concord, NH saying they had an opening. I had sent them a letter updating my address and phone number.
I was on the list for three years.

I missed my family so I decided to take it. My CLS was able to get into a gorgeous senior complex in Pennsylvania two days later. We had been on the list for three years there as well. He signs his lease today.

If you are over 65 and unsure of what lies ahead, take my advice and put your name into a few senior places. It takes a long time for your name to come up and it doesn't cost a dime to be on the list.

My apartment is just wonderful and Gator has adjusted well. The location is ideal as I am near all the good shopping stores, yet enough off the main road to have quiet at night.

This was the right decision for us at our age. We need to be near our families "just in case".

My children showed great fortitude in getting me moved - again - in a 26' U-Haul. Someone suggested we should have hired a mover to which I answered, "The Champagnes hire a mover? You can't be serious!"

I am still in the unpacking stage, but the apartment is looking good.

Another new adventure awaits.

January Blahs!

The snowstorm was ineventful.

Today I work at the Thrift Store. I really enjoy going and learning the business. The people who own the store are really nice and they donate 10% to the local charities. Last month they donated $15,000 - not bad at all!

I am feeling so much better and glad to be catching up on things I have been neglecting.

I missed hearing from a lot of my friends over the holidays. Don't you miss snail mail? I know I do.

I hope all my friends have a Happy New Year!

Christmas in Newburport

What to do on Christmas Eve when you know you are at the height of being contagious?

I did what anyone would do and missed the big Champagne family party in Nashua at Jim Naro's house. I was so disappointed.

Last year I spent Christmas Eve in the hospital. I just isn't fair!

We went to a Christmas Eve candlelight service at the Baptist Church and I felt like we got in a little bit of Christmas.

The kids finally came after New Year's. The good part is we got to meet Chris's new friend Gabby. She is a keeper.

Today is the 13th of January and I am FINALLY recovered. Amen to that!

Kimmel Reunion

December we went to New Jersey on the 18th to the Kimmel family reunion.

On the way, Marv took a detour through the Bronx. I know he wanted to see where he grew up and he was driving.

I'm sure we looked very out of place in our old Buick with two dogs in the back seat and our white faces.

Let's just say the Bronx is not what it used to be.

We continued down to 34th Street where we narrowly miss several taxi cabs. They were tooting at us and I'm sure - giving us the finger for driving down "their" street.

You have to remember, I'm from a little small town in New Brunswick. I think I kept saying I was going to have a heart attack.

We made it to our hotel in Princton, New Jersey and had a memorable evening with all the Kimmels at an Italian Restaurant.

Another party followed the next day at Robin and Richard Kimmel's house. Marv really enjoyed himself. I was a bit under the weather as I was coming down with the worst cold I've ever had.

We made it back home at 6:30 in the evening - in the dark - in the snow. Traffic had slowed to 30 mph, so we got off 495 in Haverhill and took all the back roads back to Newburyport. Whew!!

Thanksgiving and Santa

We celebrated Thanksgiving on Saturday, the 27th of November.

The kids came and we had the usual huge turkey dinner. Made the traditional old-fashioned French stuffing - always a hit.

Kell and Jeff stayed over and we had a wonderful, relaxing evening.

Sunday we went down to the boardwalk and saw Santa being delivered by the Coast Guard. It was so much fun watching the children and how excited they were.

Newburyport was packed with people with their families and we made our way up to Market Square and watched the lighting of the Christmas tree in the middle of the square.

Kelley said she didn't remember ever going to a tree lighting. I don't think they did that back when my kids were growing up.

It was magical!

Back to Haloween

I missed a few months. My apologies! Catch up!

Haloween was so much fun. We missed seeing all the sweet children when we lived out in the hinterlands.

We bought candy and put together 52 bags, then headed out on a cold, brisk night. We were pointed in the direction of Marlborough Street and sure enough, there were lots and lots of kids, all dressed up and having a ball.

With the parents permission, we handed out all our candy bags in no time.

An added bonus was meeting quite a few new folks who lived on Marlborough Street.

Next year, bring more candy!