Being a Senior Citizen in Florida I

Last year when I returned to Florida I had already applied for Medicare and had a certain number of days to obtain Supplemental Coverage.  Fortunately I had some good friends who could refer me to an agent who helped me make a decision by the deadline.

What I'm finding one year later is that this was one of several areas where my decision making skills were taxed. It was quite difficult for me to decide how much was a reasonable amount to have to pay for different services; how it would all work together and what the bottom line would be.

This year I have reached full retirement age and have begun receiving Social Security Benefits. The bottom line has become a lot more clear. My real needs are more evident.

On my return, there were many things I felt very strongly about.  Some of those things I put into practice immediately, other things I put on hold.  Now I'm finding it's time to make some changes.  I'm really glad to be able to think a bit more clearly and not have strong emotions guide me so much.

One by one, step by step, little by little I'll get there.

September First

This last week has been one to be glad to be finished with. Two days without air conditioning and then a good sized repair bill to follow. Waiting for the repairman I missed one day of volunteering at school and my usual Wednesday at church doing sewing with the ladies.  The week finished up with the funeral of a church member who has been a great example of a servant leader.

So, I'm happy to see the first of a new month and the first of the week coinciding and the feeling of having a new start. Tomorrow, of course is Labor Day and laundry day. Hopefully I will get two days in at school as well as my Wednesday sewing. One more solid month of hot weather  with the hope of cooler temps in October.

I received an email from the couple who replaced me at the Guest Home. They reminded me that it has been a year since they moved to Japan. Soon it will be a year since I left.  Many things have changed and many have stayed the same for me. It's time to get settled in and move on from here.

Friendly Advice

My dear friend Julie's comment on yesterday's post inspired me today. I have been back in my U.S. home since early October and except to test my sewing machine to see if the lights still lit up when I turned it on, I have not spent any time in my sewing room doing any sewing.  What have I been thinking?

So this morning I installed the sewing machine in it's table, running the wires in the proper places and did a tiny job of repair on a shirt I noticed needed doing on laundry day. I also put my serger into it's table, oiled it and attempted to thread it.  I had made an appointment to get my hair done and had to stop before I succeeded in the job, but it felt like such progress!

At the hairdresser's I had an opportunity to talk about Japan and my trip to the UK to someone who hadn't heard any of it before and asked interesting questions. I was invited to come sit while she set another lady's hair and talk.  I didn't even blink when one of them asked if I could see Mt Vesuvius from where I lived in Tokyo.

Now, back to that serger.  I'm sure I can master it!