FARMER'S MARKET DAY

Saturday morning traditionally means farmer's market to me, so today I ventured out to find one nearby. 

Thank goodness for GPS or I would probably be lost somewhere and would never have made it to the market. 

Gotta love the spelling

Google maps likes to take you by the closest route, which often takes you on side roads. Today was no different and as I wove through new to me neighborhoods I thought about the variety of life in the Atlanta area. 

I was heading to the Brookhaven Farmer's Market which is less than 3 miles from me. 

I consider it to be early in the season, but I was surprised by the local produce that was already on display.

I knew that it was late for strawberries here, but I was able to get in on the last weekend and buy a quart. Next year I will know to get out a little earlier in the season. Fresh local grown strawberries are my favorite, and I will definitely be enjoying mine. 

I remember when I was a child and my mom would make strawberry jam from the strawberries we got from my Aunt and Uncle's farm. I can still remember the smell and taste of that jam to this day.

I also love peaches. What would summer be without them, and I was so happy to see that they were being sold already. Yum!! I'll be sinking my teeth into this one later today.

Fresh picked green beans and some delicious chicken salad rounded out my purchases this morning. 

I love summertime. 

Oh, and look what is popping out on one of my tomato plants.

Can't wait to have some of my own homegrown veggies. 

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IT WAS THE BEST OF DAYS...IT WAS OOPS

Sunday was definitely one of the best Mothers Days I have had in a very long time. Looking back I realized it had been 25 years since I had spent Mothers Day with my oldest daughter Cary and 16 years since I had spent it with my other daughter Katy. 

Yes, there were always gifts or flowers along with phone calls and later Facetime, but we were never in the same place on that special day. 

This year that all changed and I have never been happier. 

Cary was treated to a delicious breakfast by her husband and children, so we went out late in the morning for brunch. It was just me and my girls, and along with amazing gluten free food, mine was eggs benedict, we had a chance to just sit and talk.

source

We ate at a restaurant and bakery in their neighborhood that is strictly gluten free. I love it there. It is described as rustic and chic and as we are all three gluten free it is a perfect place for us. It's called Mediterranea and if you are ever in Grant Park and love amazing gluten free, healthy food you should definitely try it.

After brunch we went back to Cary's home to meet up with her husband and Tessa. They have season tickets to the Atlanta United soccer team games and there was a game that afternoon. Jack Henry can't maneuver all of the steps at the stadium and I'm not sure how much Sidney likes going to the games so they nicely gave up their tickets to Katy and I. 

I loved it. Along with over 68,000 other fans, and yes I am definitely a fan now, I spent the afternoon cheering for our team to win, and they didn't let us down. 

When we left the stadium it had started to rain, but I wasn't about to let that spoil the day. As we hurried back to the car that is when it happened. As I reached over to help Tessa put up her umbrella, I took a step and there was a step down off of a curb that I didn't see. I tried to catch myself, but my momentum was too great and I sprawled out on the pavement. 

Ugh, all I could think of was please don't let me have broken something. A very nice man who was behind me helped me up and I appeared to be okay. I didn't feel like too much of a klutz when another  woman who was close behind me did the same thing. She was lucky not to go all the way down though. 

I feel really lucky that I didn't break something. I'm sore and have a few bruises along with a bit of a goose egg on my forehead (although I didn't even realize I had hit my head), but I am really counting my blessings. 

It really was the best of days, even with an oops. 

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IS IT FRIDAY AGAIN ALREADY AND WHAT AGE AM I?

I can't figure out what happens to Monday through Thursday. It seems like it is always Friday and the weekend is upon us once again.

I don't remember that happening when I was working. Back then weekdays seemed to drag on forever. 

As you know if you read my blog regularly I recently moved from an independent senior apartment in Kentucky to one in Atlanta. I had to meet with the on sight social worker this week. Apparently it is mandatory here. 

She was very sweet and had a number of questions for me to answer. They ranged from questions about my health, (she seemed to be perturbed that I wasn't in worse health, and was excited to punch in mild cataracts). questions about my relationship with my daughters (am I welcome at their homes anytime? Ummm I have yet to test that out, but I am not one to show up on their doorsteps on a daily basis. I value my life.), to the question of do I have a special friend (am I an kindergarten?).

I left feeling like I needed to take an online test of my apparently dwindling cognitive abilities. 

Then yesterday I decided to drop by the Sprint store to upgrade my data to unlimited. I have quickly used up my data using GPS in Atlanta. As my mental faculties are quickly on the decline I am in terrible danger of losing my way while cruising around Atlanta and having to call up said daughters to give me a ride to "the home". No one wants that to happen.

The nice young man who helped me suggested I call into Sprint customer service where, because I am over 55, I could get the unlimited plan for $10 less. I am never one to turn up my nose at $10 off a month so I hurried home and quickly put in the call. 

A very confident woman informed me that according to my social security number I wasn't over 55. Ummmm!!! WHAT??? How can you tell how old I am based on my social security number? Is there a secret code embedded in there that I don't know about? 

I guess my mental status has declined so much that I no longer know my age. After a couple of minutes arguing with her she said not to worry she could give me the same price as the old person's plan (okay, she didn't actually use those words, but I could feel the pity oozing through the phone). If they offer that plan why don't they just come out and say so. 

Now I am worried that my iphone 7 is getting ready to kick the bucket so I am sending up prayers.

Please Lord, don't make me have to call that woman back again. There is no telling what age I will be if that happens.

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BALLERINAS AND HONEYSUCKLE

It was a gorgeous day on Saturday. The forecast called for thunderstorms. and although there were apparently some around the area they didn't materialize where I was.

Honeysuckle outside my building.

I was so excited to be here to watch my granddaughters' ballet recital. 

I am amazed at how far Sidney has progressed in the three years that she has been studying. She is so dedicated and works so hard. I can remember that feeling. Ballet and books were the most important things to me and she seems to have inherited those loves. 

Tessa decided to take ballet this year after watching her older sister. She seemed very serious at the recital and was so adorable. 

Of course they both received lots of flowers.

Kudos to their big brother Jack Henry who walked up and down stairs on his crutches in order to watch them. It is wonderful to see how supportive they are of each other. 

I am still busy pulling together my apartment. The trip to Ikea was a success. It was fun spending the afternoon with my daughters and granddaughters and I was able to buy some things I wanted. 

Now I will have to wait for another afternoon when they are available to help me assemble the cabinet I bought. I used to be able to do things like that by myself, but these days I need help. 

I did find out that maintenance will hang my plate rack and curtain rods when I get ready. 

Hooray for life in Atlanta.

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FINDING A NEW NORMAL

Atlanta is a wonderful new experience, and although a lot of things remain the same in my life there are also new things. 

I have committed to a new healthier me. There is an exercise bike downstairs in my apartment building and I have been faithfully riding it for 20 minutes every other day. 

As of yesterday I am eligible for the Silver Sneakers program. I have been wanting to start water aerobics for awhile and so now that I can I am looking for a place to do that. I have even purchased new swimwear. 

There are also some wonderful parks with walking trails nearby. I'm hoping Tessa and Sidney will come and walk with me some days. 

Over the last couple of weeks I have been checking out nearby groceries. I wanted to see what the Publix was like, as we didn't have one in Kentucky, but I was disappointed. I couldn't find some things I wanted and it was more expensive than Kroger and of course Aldi. 

There is a Whole Foods not too far from me, but a new Whole Foods has opened in Midtown and it is the largest one in the southeast. I have a $10 off if I shop there in the next two weeks, so of course I will be checking it out.

Today if the stars and moon align just right my daughters are going to meet me at Ikea to shop for some things I need. Then hopefully they will be able to come over and help with a few things here. 

My grandson broke his ankle in two places and had surgery last week so it has been hard for us to get together. I feel so bad for him. He is going to be missing out on some wonderful activities he had planned. 

I hope to be able to start sharing photos of my new apartment soon, but here is a tease of things to come. I am trying to decide where to hang pictures so I have propped these two here to see if I like them. 

I think I just need to hang them now. 

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CONTENTMENT

I think I am feeling more contented than I have for a long time. 

No, I am still in the midst of the chaos of unpacking, but it isn't bothering me. 

It's a gorgeous day. The sun is shining, the temp is pretty much perfect, I am sitting next to the open window in my comfy chair, and James Taylor is playing. 

I think this may be the first time in my life that I have moved to a new town and not felt somehow displaced. 

This is the first day that I haven't had to run errands. It's nice to be able to enjoy my new place. 

The last two days I have been doing something I really enjoy. I was lucky to be able to score a garden space here and I have been buying and planting veggies. 

I did a little research on what grows well in Georgia, so I hope to have luck with what I have planted.

Hopefully in a couple of months I will be enjoying fresh tomatoes, peppers, basil, eggplant, cucumbers, and spaghetti squash. 

I don't even have to worry about watering, because the sprinkler system here does it automatically. 

I got up this morning, went downstairs and rode the stationary bike, checked on my garden, and walked around enjoying the woods. 

I call that contentment. 

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SETTLING IN

It seems like forever since I've posted, and in fact it has been over a month. I can't believe that I have actually made the move to Atlanta. It is something I have wanted for years and it now has happened. 

As I sit here typing I am looking at a lot of boxes left to be unpacked. I moved in last Tuesday and I have been working pretty much every day unpacking, but I have so many boxes. 

Also, I took some time off this weekend for family. I love being able to hop in my car and spend time with them. Saturday was Sidney's ballet concert for her youth ballet company. I wish I had photos, but there was a sign that said no photos or videos allowed so I wasn't able to take any. I did however, find this photo of her that they used for their promotion. 

Needless to say she was wonderful and I was so proud. 

Yesterday of course was Easter so I spent most of the day with family. There was brunch, blowing bubbles with Tessa, and playing games with Jack Henry, who broke his ankle a few days ago, and my daughter Katy. 

Jack Henry has an appointment with a surgeon today to see what needs to be done. I feel so bad for him because he had so many activities planned that he will now not be able to do. Whitewater rafting and horse back riding don't work well with a broken ankle. 

Tessa informed me that she would start to come over to my apartment soon so I need to add to my craft supplies, and that I might need to keep a couple of my packing boxes so we can make a fort.  She's making a list for me. We are also going to have some peanut butter picnics as we explore local parks. 

I am feeling very happy and very much at home in Atlanta already.

Well those boxes are not going to unpack themselves so back to work.  

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ALL BOXED IN

Where does the time go? I can't believe we are already into the second week of March. 

I have been so busy getting ready for my move that I haven't had time for much else, and as you can see I am becoming surrounded by boxes.

I finally have a moving date. I will be leaving here on April 15th and moving into my new apartment in Atlanta on the 16th. 

Later this month I will be taking a trip down to Atlanta to tie up some loose ends and to deliver a car to my daughter. My mom left me her car, but I am gifting it to my daughter whose car bit the dust recently. Everything has a way of working out. 

I do know one thing, I won't be sorry to leave the crazy weather behind. I am ready for spring.

In the meantime I am living surrounded by boxes and I have to work on finding movers. I'm so glad that I gave myself plenty of time to pack everything up because I don't seem to work as quickly as I once did. 

Sorry that I haven't been able to do much visiting lately, but hopefully after I get settled in my new home I can get back to my routine. 

I am looking forward to more family time, regular walks, exploring my new city, and so much more. And I can't wait to share it all with you. 

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I'M STILL HERE

How is it possible that it has been so long since I've posted? Time is really ticking on.

I have been so busy packing, finishing up the work on my mother's estate, and battling sickness that I haven't even felt like opening my computer.

Last week I woke up in the middle of the night with my arm killing me. I knew I must have pulled something packing so I got up in the dark to get some Tylenol. When I did I jammed my toe into a packed box. 

I had three choices. I could burst into tears, cuss, or start laughing hysterically. In the heat of the moment I think I may have done all three. 

Thank goodness I already had an appointment with the doctor the next day for what I knew was a sinus infection.

Diagnosis was yes, a sinus infection, a strained tendon in my arm, and I told him not to bother looking at my toe as there wasn't anything to be done about it anyway. 

He told me to go home, take my antibiotic, and rest. The antibiotic taking was easy. Resting, not so much.

I am next in line for an apartment in Atlanta so I am waiting for a call. Once she calls me I have to move in 30 days. It takes me a lot longer to pack than it used to, which is why there are boxes stacked all over my apartment. 

Meanwhile, I am trying to sell off everything in my booth as I won't be having a booth in Atlanta, and to add insult to injury I got a jury summons notice for February 28. My doctor has written a letter to try and get me excused, but I have to show up that day and present it to the judge. 

My father used to say "life gets teejus (tedious)". He sure was right.

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FEBRUARY THANKSGIVING WITH FRIENDS

Saturday morning I was up early to put the turkey in the oven. 

Wait??? What??? Isn't this February? Well yes it is, but I had a turkey in the freezer that was waiting for a special occasion. 

What could be more special than a Groundhog day lunch with friends? 

(Puppies and grandchildren toes are good too)

I sort of missed Thanksgiving in November. My mom was too ill to eat, although I went out and got her a meal, and a week later she passed away. 

Two months have passed and as I am looking forward to moving in the near future I am trying to clean out my freezer. I suggested a Saturday potluck to a few friends and they were quick to jump on the bandwagon. 

We divided up what each person would bring for our February Thanksgiving and as I had the turkey and a southern pecan pie that was from my mom's freezer I put my name down for those. 

I have lost many friends over the years so I have learned to value friendships while I have them. 

My two closest friends from college both passed away 20 years ago. My close friend in California passed at the age of 46.

I had two best friends growing up in Canada. I lost track of one of them, and although I have since tracked down where she is, I was told she didn't want anything to do with the people from her childhood and so I have respected that. 

My other friend and I were keeping in touch sporadically and I was hoping to go and visit her soon. I knew that things seemed off with her the last few years, but was shocked to learn from another childhood friend that my smart, sassy, lawyer friend was now in a nursing home with early onset dementia. 

Friends are a blessing. They are people who choose to spend time with us just because they like us. We don't know how long they will be with us, but they are a very important part of our lives. I appreciate mine every day.

P.S. I didn't post any photos of my friends because they didn't want their pictures taken. They are all wonderful and beautiful. 

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