Sunday, August 5, 2012

Time for planning

I didn't do much planning for this summer. My husband Art's knee surgery was June 8 and I knew, for the two months after, I'd be fairly indisposed, as I was his primary caregiver and his ride. I knew it would be tough. It was tougher than I'd expected, though. He was kind of cranky and I was kind of isolated and let's just say I'm very glad that's over with! After a short introspective transition I'm feeling like myself again and ready for what's next. If I claim to be saying "yes" to life, I need to get back to that.

What's coming up first is our fifth six-day cruise on the schooner Heritage, a windjammer sailing out of Rockland, Maine. We leave three weeks from today and I have nothing to wear. Sigh. I hate to shop and I've recently lost 10 pounds. I have older stuff I can drag out but nothing matches. Maybe I'll go as Raggedy Ann or maybe I'll race through Penneys this week and see what's on sale. I shouldn't be complaining, but I am.

Art's daughter Laura is having a destination wedding in October - we're flying to Cancun and driving an hour to Akumel. We'll be there six days. Again, nothing to wear. The last time I bought a dress was five years ago for Art's son Jason's wedding. I've been tasked with shopping for Art's outfit at Tommy Bahama, and I logged in today and found some simple dresses that I hope will work. As I've said, shopping is nowhere near on my top ten list of things to do. For our gift to Laura we have bought plane tickets for three of her siblings and one sister-in-law. I heard today there's a wedding video being planned, so I'll be looking through old photos in the upcoming weeks. Last I heard it was going to be a very simple affair. Not so much, though, I guess.

I'm also beginning to plan for a fall weekend gathering of some women I met online. Most likely all I'll do is coordinate, and hopefully other people will be in charge of the food. At my house, Art does all the planning and shopping and cooking, so my abilities in that area have gone pretty much dormant.

Then, in early December, we'll be having a holiday celebration for daughter Laura and her husband Brian. I thought she wanted something simple for her west coast gathering, but her mother Nancy and I talked today and I believe the event has expanded a bit to include "a few friends" as well as relatives, so now there are too many people being invited to fit in either of our houses. Nancy is checking out the venues at nearby wineries, says we don't need to cater because there are several good food people available, and wonders if we need a DJ. I'll talk to Laura this week and then it will be up to her and Nancy to hash out the details. This one isn't mine to plan, fortunately.

In January we are driving to Tucson for two months of snowbirding. Our first time. One of the weekends in January we drive to Las Vegas for the wedding of a college roommate of mine. I got a timeshare for one of the weekends and we'll be hosting another of our roommates and her husband. We roommates now live in Washington, Massachusetts and Toronto, but we still get together every couple of years. I think I'll be able to wear the dress from Tommy Bahama. That will be a relief!

Good things happening, fun things to plan. Yes!

17 comments:

Galen Pearl said...

Loved catching up on your news.

Terra said...

Your schedule is keeping you busy, now that your hubby is healed.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

I wanna go - everywhere with you. Seriously, I understand the husband and replacement parts. Mine did his hip last summer. Not fun. I hear knees are much worse.

But cruising, Cancun, Tucson...

The good life.

Sandi said...

Linda,
Reading this post tires me out! I'm glad you are able to say "yes" to so many things. You have many exciting and wonderful adventures coming your way, and I hope everything turns out as planned.

I'm glad to hear that your husband is recovering nicely from his knee surgery. Now that I'm a year out, I am mostly glad that I did it. Living with the realization that it will never be a 30 year old knee again was hard to accept, but I think I'm ok with it now!

DJan said...

Quite a bit on your plate for the upcoming months, it seems. And just go ahead and do some clothes shopping. Who knows, you might even enjoy it a little! :-)

Out on the prairie said...

You just aren't shopping with the right people, I should take you out.LOL tucson will offer some good hiking areas, I went to school there for one of my degrees.Did a lot of exploring.

Barb said...

It sounds like youll be a very busy gal. Im looking forward to some fall and winter travel....I've never been to northern arizona, just the phoenix area.

Muffy's Marks said...

You are one busy lady. I'd need a list just to follow where I should be and when; let alone wardrobe!! Good luck with it all.

Ms Sparrow said...

You have a lot to look forward to and to be thankful for! Lucky you!

Olga said...

An ailing husband to take care of...you deserve a whirlwind of fun activity!!! Enjoy to the max!

Rosaria Williams said...

Your plate is full! Enjoy every minute.

Tom said...

. . . and congrats on losing the ten pounds!

Friko said...

Heavens, that sounds like a busy six months coming up. Rather you than me. I like socialising, but I don't want to do all the work.

Nancy/BLissed-Out Grandma said...

Sometimes new clothes are an investment in maintaining one's new body, or just being ready for life. I just bought a few new tops from Orvis, because everything I owned was showing its age (and not in a good way).

Linda Reeder said...

Wow, that's a lot of shopping - ugh-, and traveling - yay!
I always wonder about these destination weddings. How do people afford to go? But now I know. You pay!

Jenn Flynn-Shon said...

Regardless this time, especially knowing you'll be in-state for 8 weeks, we will get together! Even if its just for a cup of coffee or something.

Enjoy the trips, sounds like a lot of fun is on deck for you guys!

Deb Shucka said...

You are living the most amazing life. I'm so glad I get to be on your itinerary for a part of it. I hope the time in Maine is everything you want it to be.