Alone, Not Lonely

Some love the constant give-and-take of the company of other people, but in my world, alone is good.

Some love the constant give-and-take of the company of other people, but in my world, alone is good.

Alone-ness is typically equated with loneliness, but that is just not the case with me.  I like being alone!  It is during the time I spend with myself and my own thoughts and feeling where I find the best refreshment and regain perspective on every topic.  I live alone and I am almost never lonely. I am also rarely bored or at a loss as to how to use my time.  In fact, I am convinced that my life will run out before I have the opportunity to pursue all my interests.

Maybe you are like me and actually need hours alone every day. Continue reading

Change is Hard

The fire started in the kitchen which is often the case in apartment living for seniors who for a variety of reasons find the kitchen to be less manageable as they age.

The fire started in the kitchen which is often the case in apartment living for seniors who for a variety of reasons find the kitchen to be less manageable as they age.

I know a woman whose home was damaged in an accidental fire. The fire started in the kitchen which is often the case in apartment living for seniors who for a variety of reasons find the kitchen to be less manageable as they age. Independent living including the regular tasks of housekeeping can create fire hazards as we age. In this case, cloth items were on top of the stove. While emergency personal were taking her out of the apartment for a medical need, the stove was inadvertently turned on resulting in the fire which started while no one was at home. Continue reading

A New Plan

Management is problem solving every day and I have chosen to see this responsibility as a privilege.

Management is problem solving every day and I have chosen to see this responsibility as a privilege.

Retirement is not in my plan.  At age 65, I started a whole new career as housing has always been and area of interest.  After communicating on line with with Mary Peterson at The Hamilton in Savage, I came over for a visit to see the property for myself.   I asked Mary to describe in a nutshell, what it was like to manage a big apartment building.  She said, “It’s just like taking care of a very large home.”

Glendale Place was right next door, so I took a tour that same day.  Continue reading

Remember When…

My dads words come to mine. “How many room can you live in at one time?”

My parents would be glad to see that their message of contentment got through to me. Thanks dear ones. I love them more every day and with each fond memory of their wise words.

When I was young and just starting out, I got that first apartment and savored the freedom of finally being on my own. Then the dreaming and striving turned to ward getting a house. It was all so “right” as the family grew and our needs changed over the years.

About the time age 40 came around, if your like me, you almost thought that you and your peers were sort of running the word. That “illusion” was in place for a very short time and before you could blink, it seemed like all the kids were gown and gone. Maybe they moved far away or it may have been you and your spouse that moved far away. Continue reading

The MAN Cave

I thought... make it a “workshop” so the men at Glendale Place could have there own space to work on projects they enjoyed?

I thought... make it a “workshop” so the men at Glendale Place could have there own space to work on projects they enjoyed?

I found a room in our garage that was designed to be a workshop, but it was empty except for a few things that were being stored. Recalling some conversations in the beauty shop with former clients, I remembered the whole discussion about husbands not wanting to leave their homes for apartment living. The thought of giving up their garage space was just too much! Continue reading

Circling the Wagons

Families helping each other navigate the season of life after 55

Families helping each other navigate the season of life after 55

I have seen that this is exactly what families do when parents are getting older. There is this pragmatic need to get mom and dad back into the neighborhood or at least in the same metro area so that travel time to get to them is a doable effort. Families helping each other navigate the season of life after 55 are really a time of discovery that can be rewarding for everyone by choosing a mood of caring cooperation. The key term is PRO-active. Getting in front of the needs, with a realistic assessment is what is really needed. Continue reading