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Freepik

“Either you run the day or the day runs you.” — JIM ROHN

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I’ve spent a lot of my life with ‘the day running me.’ I felt swamped by my to-do list which only expanded day by day. It didn’t matter how hard or how long I worked, I could never make enough headway to feel I had really accomplished anything.

That changed when we decided to sell everything we owned and move to Thailand to retire close to our son at the first of April. The reasons for the choice were complex, but suffice to say we couldn’t keep up with everything we had built in the states anymore. We were ill and getting frailer. We needed to be in a simpler situation where we could gain strength and enjoy life again.

We made it to Thailand – just barely, since my husband needed a wheelchair by the last two flights, but we did it, mainly thanks to the good planning and arrangements made for the easiest method to get here made by our son. He tried to be in front of us, beside us, and behind us the whole trip, and did an incredible job of that.

We made the choice to try to do what we could to get healthier. My husband agreed to try to adhere to a more strict low carb diet, allowing Brian to choose what we ate. He also agreed to take a walk daily with Brian and me to try to build up his strength. We chose to try to fit into the Thai culture as much as we were able.

Then he had his fall and stroke and ended up in the hospital. We suddenly had to choose a nursing home when he was released because there was no way he could live in the air bnb we were in at the time or the condo into which we planned to move when the purchase was complete. This place isn’t set up for wheelchairs, hospital beds, home health, live-in help, etc., and there was no way Brian and I could take care of him here. Thankfully, we found a place we can trust to do the best possible for him.

I have chosen to live each day to the fullest. I never thought I would get to ‘retire.’ My workload since I stopped working for others simply grew and grew, taking on the jobs my husband could no longer do in the states.

My life is such a gift now! I choose what I would like to do most days. Sure, we have appointments, plus we spend 3 hours going to visit Harvey three times a week to visit, make sure he’s getting the best of care and is staying as comfortable as possible. Otherwise, I live in relative luxury. I LOVE my condo. It is full of huge windows and light. It’s comfortable and welcoming. I’m choosing how to decorate it a bit at a time.

I’m writing my blog posts, a thing that is a constant joy to me, finding and sharing things I think are wonderful with my readers, reading and responding to comments, getting to know some of my readers and considering them friends. I’m working jigsaw puzzles – free to leave the table in the living area covered with pieces until I am finished – a luxury I’ve never had. I have an art alcove where I’m trying to improve my drawing skills and painting my sketches. I’m reading books on my Kindle. I’m watching old movies and YouTube music videos. I’m seeing new people, shops, and interesting things on a daily basis, traveling around with Brian.

I’m going to the gym daily and improving my strength and balance by walking on the treadmill, enjoying virtual vacations by watching the videos on the screen. (Today I was walking on a beach.) I’m within 10 pounds or so of finally reaching my goal healthy weight (having given up on ever getting TALLER). and eating healthy (breakfast and dinner – eating less and paying attention to eating good things for me.)

SO – I am determined to ‘run my day’ now, rather than letting the day run me. I’m treating myself to weekly massages, plus mani/pedis and a haircut every 5 or 6 weeks, and splurging on something for the condo every once in a while. I’m healthier, happier, and determined to make each day count.

Freepik

We’re enjoying a quiet, laid-back morning in the office.

I just had a nice chat with our son. That doesn’t sound like a big thing, but he’s in Koh Lanta, Thailand for a week and then will head back to Chiang Mai, where he lives now. When he left about two years ago now, he set up things so that we could readily communicate – a chat program, where we can type at each other in real time, leave messages, send pics, etc.: regular email, of course, if the chat program ever isn’t available; a Skype type program that is much better than Skype, where we can see each other and talk real time.

We are very lucky. We’re really close to our son and communicate almost every day in some fashion. He’s a good communicator, so it doesn’t seem as if he’s across the world from us. His friends sent some pics a couple of days ago. I would share them, but I promised both my son and my husband I wouldn’t post many pics of them. :0( (Amber doesn’t mind me posting pics, so you see her playing with a squeaky ball. She wants to chew on her toys in your LAP for some reason, which can be a bit disconcerting at times and causes us to be ever vigilant.) Brian was telling me how great it has been to ‘watch’ Amber grow from a fat puppy at 10 weeks and 16 pounds to what looks like a full grown dog now, at 6 mos. and over 62 pounds.

While I’m chatting with our son, my husband is working at the computer, trying to rebuild a sensor type driveway detector. And, to top off our nice morning, our friend, Carla, comes with her dog, Nikki, for a play date. Amber is just learning socialization skills, and Nikki is the perfect dog to put her in her place. There is a bit of growling on Nikki’s part, when Amber is too exuberant in her hellos right in her face, but that is a great way to show Amber the limits. Amber didn’t want to share her bowl of water, but with the encouragement of the three two-leggers, Sweet Nikki got a good, long drink before heading home. We’re going to try to do this once a week.

We’re regrouping now in the office. Amber has spread out all over the plastic roll-around covering for the carpet, panting. I think she’ll probably be asleep in a matter of minutes….

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