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Last Year at this Time of Year

12/31/2015

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I just read all of my posts for December of last year. Some things have changed and some, sadly are the same. I did move to another facility in Florida and left that awful one I lived in at that time.

I have realized that I really do not want to live in a senior facility. I miss the "life" that is found in younger people. I miss discussions of events that happen outside of the apartment complex. I miss talking about books, places, TV movies, and everything that happens in life - not a waiting for death scenario or the next or past illnesses,

​I looked at last year's New Years resolutions. You might want to refer to them, too. They were pretty good and I did do some of them. However, there are those that I did not do, and they would have made me very happy.

​I am going to copy those resolutions down and try to do them all this year; plus, I am going to go one better. Someone posted something on Facebook that spoke to me. It basically said to write down everything that you like to do and do it in 2016. What a concept.

​As in last year, my funds are limited, but there are things I love to do that cost very little. Therefore, I am going to write down everything that I love to do and post it on the bathroom mirror to remind me to do ALL of these things. Life has a way of interfering in my plans, so I am going to reread my list so Life can just go suck an egg.

​Happy New Year to all of you who read my blog. I appreciate you so much and want you to be as happy as you can be in 2016.  Peggy




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The New Year

12/28/2015

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As the New Year approaches, I cannot help but wonder what it will bring me. I feel a bit staid right now and I am bored. I might be old, but I need stimulating activity. I am not ready for a life in front of the TV, just yet. As long as my health continues to be OK, I will continue to live life, not just bide my time.
I am starting a new part-time job subbing in a local Catholic school in late January. I will only work about 3 hours per day and I will be teaching my loves, Literature and English. Of course, the teacher on maternity leave will leave me lesson plans, so my “creative” nature will have to take a back seat and get what she wants done accomplished.
I have not taught in elementary school in a very long time. That is where I had my first experience, and it was in a Catholic school, too. I then moved on to high school English and then to computer trainer with a government agency in DC. My life HAS been one of instruction so I feel I will be OK in this position, in spite of the fact that the teacher I am subbing for could be my grandchild. This should be an adventure, not just a memory of past times.
I also want to meet some new people who are a little like me. I know, from past experience, that there is not really anyone just like me. Most people I meet do not understand my need for adventure (for want of a better word). I have moved a lot in my adult life, and most of my friends accept this, but still wonder if I am a little weird. Of course, if I had not moved often, I never would have met most of them. I love meeting people who are different from me and who have lived a different life from mine. My high school friends are mostly Facebook friends now, because I have changed so much and they cannot accept it.
I really want this year to be monumental. I cannot afford to move again so I will have to “visit” new places and “create” new experiences. Although my new apartment is nice, it does not provide the “adventure” I need in my life. I will let you know how it is going, as it happens. There is a big world out there, and I can drive to some very interesting places. I will be “talking” to you soon, I hope, about new places and new friends.
 
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Discrimination

12/18/2015

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OK, my friends, I feel I am being discriminated in this modern world. I am not talking about the "age thing." We all know that this does happen and we cannot do a thing about it, even though our voting clout is very high. No, I am talking about something else.

​I do not have a new phone, and it seems that if I want to download a coupon or respond to anything electronic these days, I must click on their app. I am totally computer literate and follow all types of websites, and I even help people with their laptops, computers, AND phones.

​But it seems that because I live on a fixed income that is not getting any larger, and I cannot afford this new fangled phone and its exorbitant monthly fees, I am not allowed to take advantage of everything out there.

When I contact people electronically with my laptop, they always want to text me back. I have to explain that I do not text, since I do not have that type of phone. Younger people do not even understand why.

​For example, I know a younger person who had to go to court because she was being sued for non-payment of her bills. When I asked her what amount she owed, it was $3000. I said why didn't she pay a little along the way and she could knock this balance out. Her reply was that she could not afford it. NOTE: She works - she has a job - she receives a paycheck - she gets raises and bonuses.

Well, after the court judgement she was told to pay $50 a month. She told me that she could do this because HER PHONE was on a plan that cost her $80 a month and it was expiring. She could get a cheaper plan at a local retailer and it would cost her only $40 per month. That, she said, would almost make the payment.

​I was in awe about the whole thing. In addition, she has a new car, goes shopping all the time, and she pays for that phone. Who knows how much the actual phone cost her, but that did not matter.

​So I feel that because I am a senior and live on a fixed income that I am being culled out of the way.  I want to move with the times but cannot because of lack of funds. I guess I have to accept this along with other "gifts" growing older gives.
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This Time of Year

12/16/2015

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​As the holidays approach, many seniors do not have family or close friends nearby. This lack of contact with "loved ones" can make us feel very alone. The circumstances in my life at this time, make me one of them. However, even though there is a tinge of loneliness, especially with all the Christmas movies and programs on TV, I am OK with celebrating alone this year.

​Over the years of my recent "alone" situation, I have developed some traditions of my very own that I can celebrate without others present. I plan some special treat for myself on Christmas Eve and watch my favorite Christmas DVD, "A Christmas Carol," featuring Alastair Sim as Scrooge. I challenge anyone to resist the happiness in this actor's laugh when his character, Scrooge, discovers that he has not missed Christmas. I always feel wonderful when it ends.

​I always cook for Christmas and watch "Toy Story" on TNT. I love this movie - it is so happy. However, this year I will cook, but I stream and do not have cable, so I will find something else to watch while my dinner is cooking. Right now, my Roku has gleaned several Christmas shows from their library, and I am sure I can find something to enjoy.

​I am baking a few sweet things to give to special neighbors, and of course, I will have my lovely Pekinese, Bobby Socks, with me. I have bought him special treats, as well. He loves it when I am home with him. That is all he needs.

​
I might even visit the beach on Christmas Day and rejoice in its beauty. I always feel closer to God there than any other place, including most churches.

My point is this...just because you are alone at Christmas does not mean that you cannot celebrate and be happy. Your own happiness is up to you.

​My wish to you is the old and true: Have a Merry Christmas, and I mean that literally.



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Our Focus

12/2/2015

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I saw an interesting news item today about our constant use of electronics and the effects of this. The study revealed that constant checking of our phones, laptops, tablets, etc. destroys our ability to focus on long term tasks. The individual who reported this noticed that he could not retain what he read on a page of a book. And he loves reading books. He had to keep rereading that page. He said that now with all the electronic devises being used, the brain seems to deal only with info that is entertaining, stimulating and such. It does not process information that does not meet the new qualifications. He suggested that we “detox” for a week so we can regain our retention skills. Put away all the devices and do not look at them at all.

I have noticed this happening to me since I write on this website, check email a couple of times per day, and go to Facebook and Google several times per day. I do not own a new phone since I do not believe that I should be wired all day to someone else. I imagine I would become addicted to that kind of phone, and I do not want to have this happen. But I still overdo the electronic situation.

What really worries me is that our young are so focused on inane stuff that appears on their electronic devices. I understand that they check them far more than I do. They even wake up in the middle of the night to read texts that are sent. They are not expanding their brains, and they are not letting their brains and bodies rest.

Unfortunately, our young’s focus is not on the big world any longer but on the minutia that appears on their devices. Most of the communication is coded in a special short language for the small screen. I worry that they do not see the world around them. They walk by events and sights without seeing them because they are focused on that little screen.

They do not actually talk or interact with their friends in person – they have been seen at restaurants and other places together but looking at their phones. Sometimes they communicate with the person across the table by texts on phones. No personal interaction.

What can we do? I hope parents and people who are in charge of these wonderful young people of our future can persuade them to stop focusing so much on their devices. (Could a parent employ and enforce a rule to do so?) I know this will probably not happen because many of their parents or relatives are engaged in similar activities and are focused on minutia, also. I do so enjoy being with people who come to visit me,  go shopping with me or out to lunch with and they do not even check their phones while with me. Sadly, these people are very few and far between.

That is a sad statement about our new electronic world. Instead of these devices enhancing our lives, they have taken them over. They are limiting personal communication and conversation.
​
I wonder if the time is coming when Robots and computers do the thinking and we just entertain ourselves. I hope I am gone by then.
 
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    I am a retired teacher and IT trainer who has travelled a bit and learned many life lessons.

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