Tuesday, September 15, 2026

I don't think I have said how much I will NOT miss the heavy traffic sounds that I hear on Old Shakopee Road every day - the big heavy semi trucks and trailers and the multiple sirens every day. It is my only complaint of living in this place. Other than that I have loved looking out my windows at the nicely wooded yard, the fence with beautiful perennial gardens, walking through this neighborhood, and meeting up with the many friends I have made over the last six years.  

Today is the anniversary of my engagement to Mike - waaaaay back in 1967.  For years I have remembered it as the 23rd of September but reading my old diary the other day corrected that memory. He left for active duty in Long Beach the next week. 

My car is getting an oil change today whether it needs it or not (I couldn't find the little sticker from the auto shop).

Sunday, October 13, 2026

 Ben texted me this morning and wanted to get together, and since I had just gotten up (finally got a full night's sleep), I suggested that he come here and we would walk to Perk-Up Kitchen for a coffee and pastry. The bees were buzzing around our outside table so we asked for take-out boxes, finished our coffee and headed back to my place. Ben went through a box of stuff that belonged to Mike and some of Grandpa Bridge's toys from his childhood.  He ended up taking a box home, but I still have lots of stuff that my boys will have to go through at some point. I guess that's what happens when you were a collector of many things and also when you had a house that was big enough to store lots of stuff.

It sure was nice to hang out with Ben and we plan to get together the next couple of weekends too. 

I packed up the glass shelves for my TV stand, my plant pots and most of my fancy glassware. I'm making progress and feel comfortable that I will be ready for the big move on the 30th.  

Saturday, September 12, 2026

 My days have been filled with walks, phone calls to change/cancel accounts, reading Doug's book, working on Charlotte's sweater, and packing and organizing.  

I have learned a lot from reading (and editing) Doug's book and was not aware of the role that his ship the USS Valley Forge played in Vietnam back in 1967.  Most of my comments have been regarding acronyms and terminology used that I don't understand, nor would other novice readers.  I also went on You Tube to watch a video and that gave me a better understanding of what was going on.  I feel bad for what those guys went through - no wonder many of them have and still are suffering.

I met Mavis for lunch at the Yankee Tavern on Wednesday and it was nice to see her again.  She wants to take a bus to Madison to come and visit some time in the future, once I get settled in.  We had a really nice visit and I learned that she will be having knee surgery in November and will turn  89 next week. I can only hope that I am as mentally sharp and active as she is if and when my time comes.

I sure haven't been sleeping well lately. My body is either restless or my mind is going with moving plans and coming up with things that I need to get done before I move.  Dawn sent me a walk thru video of my new apartment and I really feel like I am going to be comfortable there. I was asked if I was up to a 'farewell' gathering here at Penelope and that will be on the 23rd from 2-3:00 pm.

Tom and I had a nice phone conversation on Thursday and we reminisced about some of the travels we have had in the past. Looking back, we covered some ground together.

Yesterday was busy - I had to get Joey in to the vet for his annual checkup, so I dropped him off at 9:30. He has been licking his paws a lot the last few weeks and has refused to jump up on the bed lately, so I asked them to check that out, in addition to nail trims and anal gland expression.  He was prescribed some pills to help with the itching and also some prescription shampoo that I need to use on his feet at least once a week.  All of this to the tune of $175 that I wasn't counting on.  Oh well, anything for the little guy that keeps me company and keeps me moving every day. 

Monday. September 7, 2026

 The week has been busy with fitting in a bit of packing here and there and, of course, everything that comes off a top shelf or cabinet needs cleaning because it hasn't been done in a couple of years.

Deb came over got the things off the top of my cabinets and in the shelves that were hard for me to reach. What a great friend! I proceeded to wash and pack. I'm the 'handle it once' kind of gal, so things are getting done.

I received the book "Boredom to Bedlam" that my friend Doug just finished, about his experience in Vietnam.  I offered to edit it for him and so have started working on that.  I've also been working on getting Charlotte's birthday gift finished - have one sleeve almost done and the other to finish and that should be it.  It's going to be so cute! 

This morning, I met Ben at the Neill Lake Walking Trail in Eden Prairie, a 1.75 mile trail around a nice, clear lake.  One side of the lake was covered in native flowers and were full of butterflies - they must be getting ready for their big migration. We also saw two beautiful swans and a couple of Egret.  It's a very nice trail and it was great hanging out with Ben for a couple of hours.  We were looking for a place to have a coffee and pastry but most of the places were closed.

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

 Happy 15th Birthday to my sweet granddaughter Charlotte today.  I went to her first JV Swim Meet last night and I'm so glad that I went.  I got there early enough to see both teams doing their rev-up cheers and I get why she is hyped about it.  She swam in two events and placed 2nd in the 100 yard freestyle, only 4 seconds shy of 1st place.  Of course, it made me feel proud and wish her the best.

I spent three hours on the phone today with my health insurance benefit provider, to choose a new policy for Wisconsin.  I ended up with a United Healthcare policy that covers all of my current doctors and medications.  

I have also made arrangements for movers on both ends. Life is good.

Monday, August 31, 2026

This afternoon I got the news that I have been waiting for over two years to hear - an apartment at Greenspire in Stoughton is available for me and I did not hesitate to accept it.  The person I spoke with is with the management company so I will have to work with her on the lease, deposit, and rent but will chat with the manager at the apartment for a move-in date. Based on the new address that she gave me, my apartment is on the first floor, faces east, and I will have a small patio to enjoy.  Carol and Richard are still willing to move me with his snowmobile trailer and I have already touched base with Dustin to load it up with my stuff.  

I talked with both of my boys and Pat was happy to hear the news and Ben has mixed feelings, as do I.  I am confident that I am doing the right thing, as my long-term plan since way back when has been to get back to my roots.  I think Stoughton will be a good place to age gracefully and I will have many contacts to keep an active social life going.  

Charlotte's sweater is coming right along, I started on a sleeve today. I will be going to her first high school junior varsity swim meet tomorrow - dang - she is growing to be quite the young lady and is excited about high school. 

Sunday, August 30, 2026

 Tom and I managed to fill up the days this week, mostly with walks around the neighborhood, daily naps, and dinners.  I had a haircut appointment with Shirley on Tuesday and he and I went to Costco and Cub to do some shopping on Wednesday.  

Thursday was laundry day, as Tom was getting ready for his trip back home to AZ on Friday. We had a nice steak dinner that night and watched a good movie with Liam Neeson called "The Land of Saints and Sinners".  

I got Tom to the airport around 11:30 on Friday for his 1:15 flight back to Phoenix.  I heard from him around 5:30 that afternoon that he had gotten back to his trailer, his truck was still there, and all was good.  The last three weeks have been nice having him around and we manage to find things to do, but we both kind of enjoy doing our own thing too - reading, napping, watching shows on TV.

I stopped at an estate sale and a couple of garage sales on my way back home and then it was time to get accustomed to living a solo life again.  I bought a couple of books but that was about it.

Yesterday, Jill called to see if I wanted to come by for pizza and birthday cake for Charlotte.  I took along the 'work in progress' gift that I am making for her (I need some measurements before I can continue) and she really liked it. She is really excited about high school, has made several new friends on the JV swim team.

Charlotte's Birthday Gift

Me and the Birthday girl, Charlotte

Camille and Norah