Welcome back to SOLO at SIXTY!
Last week was so much fun for me, being with my kids at my favorite place. Missed my son who already had travel plans, but will get to meet up with him at the beach later this summer. We had good weather for the most part, just a couple of days with a shower here or there. Read 5 books. Ate lots of fresh seafood. Even met up with a high school friend. Truly a fun vacation. And to top it off, I stopped by Winston-Salem on my way home to have lunch with my sweet momma, my sisters, and my great-nephew (who we all adore!)
“I have always loved the beach. The smell of the salty water, the wind in my face, the gentle roar of the waves all combine to create a sense of peace and calm.”
But it was back to the real world Monday morning. Hard to get up early again after staying up later and sleeping in all week! But I did. As much as I love the beach, it was kinda good to get back to my home and my routine. My early morning runs through UVA, working with and seeing my friends, and being very busy again (month end financials). Are you a routine person or a spur of the moment person? Admittedly, I am a routine person. I like to know what is going to happen and when it is going to happen. Part of it comes from keeping up with the full academic and sports schedules of 3 very active kids. I had to keep organization in my family to make sure everyone was where they needed to be, when they needed to be. So it continues as I plan my activities and trips, SOLO. Already planning my next beach trip (no surprise there – you should see my calendar!). I function better when I am in a routine – I like a head’s up when someone is planning to move my cheese! My older daughter is exactly the same, younger daughter totally opposite, my son right in the middle.
“Sometimes, a break from your routine is the very thing you need.”
Speaking of being out of routine, at my physical recently, my doctor informed me I needed to get the new Shingles Vaccine. Did you know there is a new Shingles Vaccine? It takes 2 shots, the second following 2-6 months after the initial shot. And did you know that these shots are given by the pharmacist, not your doctor?!? (When did that start?) Oh how I hate shots. But I would hate to get shingles more! So several weeks ago I stopped by CVS (just to make sure my doctor knew what she was talking about!) and asked about the Shingles Vaccine, especially since I had the “old” one several years ago. Yes, they assured me I should get the new vaccine, and yes, the pharmacist would give the shot, but they were out of the vaccine, as were many pharmacies. While on vacation, they called to tell me the vaccines were in and I could come any time. My friend and I slipped out of the office and walked to CVS Monday morning before lunch. Got my shot. It wasn’t too bad. Until an hour later when I could barely lift my arm because it hurt! OUCH! Yes, they had warned me. Told me to keep moving it, but I was working at a computer and forgot. Took a couple of Advil and it felt much better – good enough to go to a weight lifting class! Back to my routine.
“Always believe something wonderful is about to happen.”
And what is with all of this RAIN? Several friends are vacationing at the beach this week and the forecast looks very dreary. Even here we have rain in the forecast every day for the next week. Rain definitely takes me out of my routine – prevents my outdoor runs. But it gets me back into the club for cycle or step classes, which I love as well, and forces me to take a break from running. Gives my hip more time to recover and maybe I won’t need as much dry needling to heal it. So a nice break in routine. I would say all the rain is good for my garden, but Sunday night, after I got home from the beach, I picked my last beans and tomatoes and pulled those plants up. Left the okra and cucumbers as they still have some blooms. But this summer, with all the rain, the mosquitos have been brutal! Even wearing long pants and long sleeves, I leave my garden and rush home to shower hoping to alleviate the effects of the mosquito bites! Deciding what to do about next year’s garden, if I am going to have one or not. I am away so much I am not able to give it the attention it really needs. And the mosquitoes! This would be a change in my routine!
“You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.”
It’s not so bad to deviate from your normal routine every now and then. You’ll find that you really will survive and maybe even thrive. It may force you to do something you did not even know you were missing out on. Something fun. My routine went haywire 2 years ago when I found myself SOLO and it forced me to readjust my whole life. And I discovered that I truly was missing out on many things. Not any more! Do something fun for yourself. Find what makes you smile and do it. Because as we all know, none of us is promised tomorrow.
Best,
Leslie
SOLO at SIXTY 
Leslie, you amaze me. Where do you get all that energy ? Its a fer piece down the road to the beaches you frequent. You run all over “hail” and half of Georgia, and your social life is a storm. Son Jim is just six years older than you, but he is a snail compared to your routine. Be careful as you light the other end of the candle !
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Oh Ed! Life’s a BEACH!
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