Those long legs go for third.

t-ball

Crossing home plate

one of life's most embarrassing moments

I'm embarrassed. I jumped the gun, not to mention the wrong conclusion. I labored under a misconception. I made an unwarranted assumption. I quit the blog to save money by ending my internet and land phone service. Yes, it's harder to stretch retirement dollars from month to month simply because there's not as much of them as there used to be. But my announcement was a little premature.

Two things happened to save the day. Dorothy graciously stepped up to the plate and found a job. She's working today, on a trial basis, at a bakery/cafe in Siloam Springs. It's a trial to see if she likes the job and if the owner likes her. I have confidence that after today the owner will not want to let her go. Dorothy can outwork any two people and once her baking skills are discovered that will clinch the deal.

The other thing is that I called the phone company and believe it or not was actually able to talk to a human. We went over the monthly bill (which had jumped 25% in the last month) and we were able to trim some unneeded services which will cut the monthly bill to less than half of what it was.

I'm a little uneasy about sharing such personal aspects of my life but this blog is about, not only the joys of retirement life, but the unplanned speed bumps that I encounter as I try to find my way in the post work world. Perhaps my story will help other people contemplating the big jump into retirement to prepare a little more carefully.

At any rate, I'm gratified by the responses I've received, both in phone calls and emails. I wasn't aware that so many people were paying attention. I use a stat counting service but can't always identify my readership.

Well that's enough of that. I have some photos of Marley Kate's T-ball game I need to upload so I'll see ya later.

back to the grind

This will be the last post for me for awhile. The dream of retirement just didn't materialize like I thought it would. I'm going back to work. I'm also going off-line. I have access to another computer and I'll be reading all of your blogs from time to time and maybe even post one or two here, but they will be few and far between.

When was the last time you watched a small town parade? Here's a glimpse of Westville's Annual Loyalty Day Parade.

The long haired kid, third from the rear, carrying the saxophone is my nephew, Bryce.

We were honored to drive four of our trucks in the parade. Two other communities sent their trucks also.

Our #1 brush truck, good for supressing grass fires.

This is one of our brush trucks. It has four wheel drive and will climb a mountain if needed.

marleyisms

After a school field trip to the Wild Animal Safari park, Marley told her mom that she touched a snake.
"You did?"
"Yes, my friends made me," Marley replied.
"That was brave of you. I've always been too afraid to touch one."
"I touched it with a stick."

Marley, Hunter, and I bought some popsicles from the ice cream man. We were crossing the street behind the ice cream truck and I told them to look both ways and be careful because it's hard to see around the truck. Marley said, "It's hard to see around you too, Grandpa."

recognized by the community

another milestone

Last night I went to bed and actually remained there for the entire night. That's the first time that's happened since surgery. So I am making progress even though sometimes it doesn't seem like it. I'm walking around more, but then I have to sit in the recliner awhile because my stomach begins to feel like it wants to fall off. Dorothy's outside mowing the lawn. She has her cell phone in her pocket and it's set to vibrate so in case I need a refill of my iced tea I can give her a buzz. This is so hard on me.