101 Auntie E Street, Bloggersville, USA

101 Auntie E Street, Bloggersville, USA
Welcome, Back door is open, come in a sit Aspell..Let's talk...

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Tuesday's News- Setting Site on Retirement.

As we reach retirement age, one thinks of where they want to live. Most folks think of downsizing cause the kids are gone and the house is too large. However does that really matter in the century?
The thing I have notice in the neighborhood and with friends  is the kids come back home in their 30's. Also the Parents and brother and sisters seem to move in also. It seems harder in this century for them to keep a job and hold down a apartment at the same time.  Families are more and more occupying one  house, Living together and sharing the expenses.
Do not think this is a bad thing. Just need a bigger place, so we are not on top of each other. That is why we are looking into a five bedroom, three bath large home. So no down sizing for us. Looking at the options make us realize that we can surely do this. Location  is the thing to look at. A place that will provide the activities we seek as well as the health care we think we will need. The more we look at places in the United States the more we learn about areas.

The questions one need to ask are:
  1.  What kind of seasons are you looking for? Do you want snow sometimes. Maybe you want hotter or cooler seasons.  Perhaps you want it drier  with less humidity.
  2. What kind of activities are offered?   Outdoor fun is high on some list. Even plays, shows  are a desire. Not to mention the festivals throughout the year.  Different cities and towns have various activities that are a constant reoccurring item.
  3. What about Health Care? The Most important thing in aging folks. Is there good medical facilities. Does the area take our insurance. So many aspects to look into to with this question.
  4. Are the colleges and school good? Ratings of the school is important. Even if one thinks I will be in this home forever, that might not happen.For many reason one might need to move. You want to make sure the house is marketable. We found that some college give free admission to seniors. Giving them the abilities to  keep their minds going. We are always learning until we die.
  5. How close to family do you want to be? Another question to be explore.
  6. How close is the church? This is also important so we can be involved in  week activites.
  7. How close to a city do you want to be? Country or City living, Which one? We prefer City living, however country is nice also. So our choice is within a 15 minute drive to a fairly large city with a international airport. We still love to travel.
We asked ourselves all this questions and keep them in the back of our minds. Often the answers change and make us rethink things. However the size of the home is still steady. The area might change. Our likes might differ from time to time. The one thing we did decide is that we will probably purchase a New home in a New community near a big city. It is important to make friends and will be a lot easier  in a new community. Also a large city offer an array of activities. Living in a tri-city area has spoiled us.Baltimore, Annapolis and Washington DC area has been so great for us. So many opportunities in the area.

Retirement can be an exciting time. We just need to plan it out, leaving the move to be less stressful. Allowing ourselves to enjoy the relocation. Making our hearts leap with joy with the new adventure in our live.

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Grinding with Auntie E: Left Out Syndrome

Ever have that feeling that you are missing something? You know that notion when something just doesn't seem right. Yeah it is a very strange feeling. Trying to just let it go is not easy.

I feel that way often. Not sure why but the awkwardness of it is uneasy. For years I have been okay with it. Now in my older years things are creeping up. Feeling I will be left out and end up all alone. Okay I know you are saying, Aye but life doesn't always turn out the way we think. That might be so.

Let's look at how things could be. Family members that do their own things. Live their own way. Yes I did that earlier. Only looking at the now. As we age our thoughts broaden making one aware of the changes in life. Changing the viewpoint on oneness. Creating a need to include others in the family. Even changing the way we think about where to live. Making us think about what really matters.

The Changes of growing old , Retirement Ideas and Love ones being far away. We are in a strange generation, one that has aging parents. The children in their 60's having to take care of their 80 plus parents. Some loving it and dutifully do it. Others that only want the "Lord to Come Now" cause they can not bare life anymore.

I love my Life! Love to go places see the world and spend time with Love ones. Yes even though I have those moments of that  Left Out Syndrome, That joy of a new life or a new discovery makes my day brighter. It brings me out of that Left out moment. All the changes of Children leaving home. Job changes and the aging process that bring retirement closer. Those things are big hurdles in life. Finding fillers and nor losing ourselves in the process is a challenge.

Traveling brightens up my spirit. There are so many things we haven't enjoyed. That Bucket list we all carry around in our heads. Someday I will....... those words spoken...... when I get older we will do this or that. Now is the time to be sure we do not miss out doing those things that we put off until later. Later has come!   We are getting ready to spend another vacation in Tennessee. Looking forward to new adventures and discoveries. I know we will so enjoy that time together.

England is on our list, maybe soon! Any friends out there? Let's go.


"Grinding with Auntie E" is a thoughtful post that takes a feeling and puts a spin on it. Hopefully making one think and changes a thought into a positive view.







Thursday, August 7, 2014

Tell me More: When Family Matters


So, recently a family member made it very clear to me that he wishes to have nothing to do with me. Boy I just do not know what I did to deserve such a mean thing!? However, I will honor his wishes. For a "Family" man, this is not right.  He made it clear I was not in the circle of  his Family members. This really hurts, but I guess that is how some folks are. He has been making it clear for some time, since the Christmas Holidays,  I thought it was just a busy time for them. Now I know, that was not the case. It is Sad to have to be distant from a family member when I Love him so much. Well Such is life. I have my husband, my daughter and my Dad and hopefully my other brothers. That will have to do. I wish him happiness always.

I have to say he seems to  be nice when he wanted  something from me. After my Mom's Death he seemed better.  I am thinking now he wanted something. He has always stated he wants a family that stays together. That is why he home schooled  his kids as long as they let him. It is why he moved out to the hills. To keep them true to his ways. These kind of things can sometimes backfire.

I would say that his kids are like normal kids, into normal things of the world. They are all sweet and kind and seem to be great folks. Sometimes I wonder if trying to shelter them is for not. Kids seem to grow into their own identity. Becoming whom they dream of being. Nothing can stop that process, not even  Aunts, Uncles and Grandparents.

I have a close relationship with my Parents. When I was in my 20's I realized how smart they were and that I need some of their wisdom and guidance. We talk about everything, even the family members and issues. Wills and Estate Planning, politics and religion, we spoke of even though sometimes we did not agree, we still get along great.

We went on Vacations together  and even lived together during my husbands overseas duty. We celebrated our special occasions together. When Mom got Cancer  she called me right away and I was there for her til the end of her watch. I really miss her. Dad and I are still the same, love being together and spending as much time as we can.

Even though my brothers are all over the place, it has not hindered my relationship with them. I even thought my relationship with the former one was somewhat okay. Recently I visited my older brother and he is doing well. I plan to see more of him in the near future. My Younger brother I see when I visit Dad. He is struggling some but I love him and will be there for his needs. The Nieces, nephews Great nieces and Great nephews  want us to visit and be part of their family. That I am very grateful for. Love spending time with them.

Overall I feel that my Family Matters to me and I only wish that my one brother would come out of his box and join the fun times.  Holding on to decades of memories is not good. People grow up and change. I say that because one of my  brothers told me something  that was said to him years ago. That made me think that, just maybe my brother is harboring things of the past.  We all Grow up and the teens years are difficult years. A time when one is spreading their wings. Sometimes the other family members do not know the situation and draw the wrong conclusion. Which they hold onto for years, making it a fact in their mind. That leads to Harboring things that separate families.

Well I will still love the family members and have as much to do with them as they let me. Family Does Matter and we all should embrace each other for the time here on Earth.


Monday, August 4, 2014

Monday News: Family and Moving


We had a busy weekend. first of all we move my daughter into an apartment in her college town.
Had to buy furniture. It was an unfurnished place. We got a bed, two end tables, a love seat bed. a kitchen table, a dresser and a Media Cabinet. Of course it all had to be put together. I purchased her a new 32 inch TV as a gift. She had been using my small one in the dorm.  I took the small one back.

We had some help but it took a couple days to finish. of course with the apartment we had to get a rug and window rods. Even though we had some things it still needed some other items. when we were all done the bill was around 1000.00, an that was only the furnishings. it was the budget so we did manage to stay close to it.

Now that she is in the apartment, it will be better. No more having to move her out and store stuff in the garage. That part I am happy about.

Managed to see my older brother in Ohio. That was nice. He just retired from the IRS. Just seem to surreal to have a brother on retirement. He said he is enjoying it.  Will have to go up again sometime in October.  They have a nice home. We had so much to Remanence about. Grade school through High school, family houses and places we lived, events that marked times and just about all the photos we took and shared. I wish we would have had more time. However next time and soon we will be able to do more.



 It was a long  four days. Moving and visiting. The drive was long, we will have a couple of week to recoup before heading south to Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia.

Monday, June 16, 2014

What a Weekend- Game, Internet Show and Dinner



 Saturday we went to Critters Soccer game and had dinner with the family at Olive Garden in Centreville VA. Can you believe he is  getting so big! He was playing in an All-Stars team. Critter got picked to play on the team. They were playing for the All-stars championship, at this point they were tied.

Sunday I treated my hubby and I took him to David's in the Kitchen show at West Chester Pennsylvania .  I had gotten the tickets some time ago.  The show is on QVC and we watch it every Sunday and Most Wednesdays. David is a delight to watch. Loves his show and cooking. It was a blast, showed on the Internet and QVC plus channel all day Sunday.



 After the  3 hour show we went to UNO's for Dinner. Hubby loves anything Free. They had a special the Fathers Day yesterday. Yes he had his Steak.



Called my Dad when we returned to Wish him a Happy Fathers Day. I  miss seeing him. Need to plan another trip down there.

While we were at the game a little girl came up to Hubby and started talking to him.We had those chairs that have the cup holders in the arms. She said " Oh I have something for you". Brought back her sippy cup and placed it in the cup holder. Then she Posed for my camera.


She was Flying!

We saw a plane over head at the game earlier. I guess that got her going,haha. Loved her energy!!

So, what did you doing over the weekend? Leave a comment or link to your post.

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Summer Ready Yet?

The weather has been pretty good lately. Which make us want to get outdoors. Love sitting out on the deck. As you might remember our Gazebo went down due to a winter storm. We decided not to get another instead  we are using umbrellas. They are working out well. We have more room now. The fountains and flowers are all working and in bloom. We have a cardinal that loves to bath under the small fountain.

Started up the   Hot tub and discovered the harsh winter did a pipe in. So, now we are having  it repaired. We are also having some Landscaping done.  We need to fix a drainage problem. I will be posting the progress on my Garden site. Will let you know the date next week.

 Overall we are enjoying the outdoor living space. Looking forward to more summer fun time.

Thursday, May 29, 2014

A Wedding To Attend

 My Niece is getting married this weekend. I am so excited for her. We first met her fiance in Bar Harbor Maine. He was so pleasant and nice.  since then we have had the pleasure of seeing him several time at different occasions.  He reminds me of my husband in the early days. I wish them a happy life going forward.  With many new adventures ahead of them, I know they will grow together. Making their marriage a special one for the years to follow.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

The Empty Nest Syndrome : Sewing Returns With Help!



With my daughter off to College, I have decided to pick up the craft of the Thread and Needles. One thing I really enjoyed doing was Sewing, needle point, knitting and quilting. Even though I did do some Quilting with my daughter, she wasn't into the Sewing thing.

I decided to rekindle the Sewing part of my past. In  recent times I have made some Costume for Critter and Daughter. However the clothing was something that really stop when my daughter no longer wanted to wear dresses and home made things.  You know the tweens years. Everything was black with little color.

I can remember making dresses for her and my niece Diana, what a joy. With today clothing cost so high , it is time to start again. So, I finally ordered a Dress Form. Have always wanted one, never was able to afford it. Or maybe just thought it was a luxury. Either way never purchased one. Today I made the decision to buy one.

My daughter will be in a Wedding and I had to , of course, order a Dress that was larger than her measurements. That means it will need to be altered. Felt like that is something I am really able to do. The problem is she is , as many of you know, away in college. This makes is difficult to tailor the Dress. Now with the Dress Form I will be able to Tailor it with out her being here. Of Course that will save money  in the future and it might even be cheaper than have it altered by a dress maker.

Recently  I was with the Bride when they told her the alteration would be around 300 dollars. The dress was under 600.00. That meant almost half  the cost to do the alteration and we are only talking about Hemming!  Maybe I should get back in the alterations business again.

Well there you have it, My sewing days have returned. Stay tune to see what  turns out in the near future.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

The Family Syndrome

Okay you are probably wondering what I mean by this title. Well it has to do with Family matters and how it is viewed by others.  On one hand a member might be the one who always contact the family members. I think this is a normal thing. However on the other hand that person can get tired of always being the one initiating the call.

I often wondered what would happen if one stops contacting the family. I learned that this year. They really have no idea. That made me realize that Family  does not really matter to some folks. They are but a fleeting thought. Now after stating that, I need to say that family does matter to some.

During the Holiday we had a outburst in the family. It was not pretty and has cause some rethinking in my family.  Thinking that some of the family is  a pleasure to be with and some not so.  It also made us think that saying you sorry is not in  their makup. Still waiting for the apology. When it comes to social media, maybe some folks just need to not  be informed. That should give the desire to call to catch up. This make more sense to me.

Social media can really cause more problems than one needs in their family. Perhaps the wrong message is received or  prejudgment on things posted. These things can cause ill feelings between family members. There use to be a privacy with in a couples or family home and life. Being able to only share the things that we want to. Now days we tend to share every thing on the social media form. Allowing all to view and judge and convict. Folks can not tell if they are joking around or serious.

When my Husband was in the hospital very sick. I posted it on the facebook and all the family could view it. I know they were active, however no one called or commented,  I felt so alone. when I call family they said they had no idea. What I told them in a message and on social media. Having to go through the whole thing by myself. Not a great feeling. At the point the feeling of Screw them was very high on our minds.

Hubby and I made the decision that when we died there will be no Funeral no Family burial. We are simply going to donate our bodies and that is all!! You see it is pointless to have folks come and say how much they will miss us or how close we were, when none of that is true. At least not while we were living. We are always the ones who would visit or call. Oh yes family have been in our area but no call or visit. Now that is just rude. We would hear they were hear visiting family....so there you go...we are not Family to them!

So the Family Syndrome to me is this. When  one leaves the family to get married, have children or just to work, The family gets fragmented. That fragment can not be repaired, cause there has to be a willingness on both side. When one side is not calling or doing something to renew their relationship,
Then there is no need to continue to try.

We have a wonderful relationship with some ex family members. These are people who have divorced family members.  They are closer than our Blood relations.  I call them family. Our adopted daughter is very close. Very accepted by our ex family members. She is treated just like family. Not so with some of our Blood.

Trying to balance a relationship with Blood relations is very hard. The time has come to see how much they are willing to work on the relationship. Are they willing to come see us,  willing to call and carry some communication with us. Willing to have a active relationship? All these things are part of this Family Syndrome.

Maybe I will be able to update this Family Syndrome  article. It would be nice to have folks would even show that they care.  This feeling of loneliness really sucks. I think hubby and I are at the point in life where we are going to do what make us feel good and is very enjoyable to us. It is time to have fun and not drama. Family is welcome to embrace the fun with us. Just want to join in , come to our neck of the woods. We have been to theirs several times.