Author: Peg

Still soaking up the sunrises. For Carlton’s last year we had “enjoy every sandwich” time. Maybe for my last weeks here in the apartment will be “enjoy every sunrise” time.

Moving forward. Got an appointment with my doctor for my asylum physical. Since they are going to take care of me – they want to be sure that I don’t need any care. After the physical. I have to go for a mental exam. I already passed the most important exam. That would be the financial exam.

Had no problem going to the old Lincoln Theater in DC last night. I would never have done that while Carlton was still alive. He would have worried to death. And, of course, he wouldn’t have wanted to go with me. So, as good wife – I wouldn’t have even considered going. The Blind Boys of Alabama. For the Innocence Project. Good music. Good cause.

Now, if I had gone to the shopping center in Wacko Texas yesterday. That might have been a problem. And does anyone really think that the name of the Twin Peaks Restaurant has anything at all to do with a geological formation?

Summer here today. It was 90°.

AND

I was lazy today. Napped the afternoon away. Ignored the Fitbit. Heading out to see the Blind Boys of Alabama at the old Lincoln Theater tonight. A fundraiser for the Innocence Project.

Note to Carlton: Yes, I am going to U Street in DC at night. And, I’ll be perfectly safe. So, chill. Oh, but they most likely have you on ice over at Georgetown Medical School.

But there are a couple of good things about the asylum as well. Mostly mental. I am looking forward to living the same streamlined life here as I have in Kona. Well, not quite as streamlined. I’ll have more clothes. And a better food prep area. Maid service once a week.

When looking around the unit yesterday – I discovered that what I thought was a microwave is actually a microwave/convection oven. I am not sure what that means it does. Guess it means I could bake something if I wanted to bake something. If I want something baked, I go to a bakery.

The building has wifi and my unit is very near one of the routers. The signal seems to be strong and the speed is no worse than my current snail internet. It might even be better. And, my iPad picks up a nice strong LTE signal – so I can always tether my computer to my iPad in case of building wifi failure. Starbucks is a block away if blazing fast is required. My unit is in the old building – if I move to the new building – they seem to have some sort of wired service.

I will no longer pay any extra bills – here I pay for water, gas, electric, phone and internet. I use old rabbit ears for TV. Don’t know if the rabbit ears will work at the new place. A very limited selection of channels is provided by the building. I get lots more from my rabbit ears. Hope the bunny ears work.

My unit comes with a 4x4x4 foot storage unit. This is huge. Depending on how safe and climate controlled it is – I can see using it. For example – my 3 foot square coffee table that I would like to keep will fit in it nicely. I could also put the quilts in my old army foot locker and put that in the storage unit. I haven’t seen the unit. Seeing it – that is on my to do list.

Looking forward to living with less stuff to take on dust. That is good.

Here it is my 367 square foot final resting place. Well, semi-final. I am hoping to upgrade my accommodations.

After making my “reservation” and boy do I HAVE reservations. And made a sizable down payment. My little tape measure and I were let loose in the unit. It is old tired and musty. The furniture will be removed. The carpet replaced and the joint painted. And hopefully it will be seriously cleaned.

I reviewed the physical exam form. I think I’ll pass. My coworkers suggested that I “throw” the mental exam. Maybe, maybe – if I tell them about the talking giraffe named GingerBread who follows me everywhere I go??? Maybe that will keep me out. Maybe anyone who would be willing to move into that unit is crazy.

(Note to Laurent – in the US there is a literary tradition of imaginary animal friends. This dates from at least 1944 – Harvey, the anthropomorphic 6 foot tall rabbit.)

The previous occupant seems to have moved in in 2012. And, I feel sure that this is his obit. Check it out Celestial Change of Address March 20 or so… It might seem that the asylum didn’t move quickly to reissue the unit. But, remember, I was #7 on the list. So, 6 folks were given the chance to look at it, think about it, and ultimately pass on it. Then they came to sucker #7.

Seems like today is Thursday. I thought that yesterday was Thursday. Oh well. But Wednesday and Thursday – have both been fine days. Lovely sunny warm not hot spring days.

Making lots of mental progress on the downsizing front. I wonder, how am I going to dispose of everything I don’t want to keep. Tables, chairs, tube TV’s, a sweet little sound system, Carlton’s Desk – AKA – the arc of the covenant. Kitchen stuff. Suppose someone knows who to call. I am not having a sale. I am not putting anything on Craig’s list. I am sure that this is a problem that can be solved with a little cash money.

Some silly things are hard to get rid of – take a picture of it and pitch it.

I just checked. Thacker Caskets in still in operation. And they have a website. Check it out.

BTW – I parted with the comb.

Did some downsizing today. I knocked off one of my kitchen cabinets. I usually replace my spices every year. Haven’t done that this year. Replacing spices really didn’t seem very important. So, I pitched all the spices scheduled for replacement. Don’t imagine I’ll be doing much cooking in the studio. Also, in the kitchen – I bagged up all of my “plastics”. You know, those semi-reusable food storage boxes. I’ll either give them to someone or pop them in the recycle box. Who would want more semi-reusable food storage boxes? We all have too many of them. Will move them to the recycle box.

Carlton’s 15 pound dictionary and cobbler’s last are headed to new homes. My matched set of point and shoot cameras are also relocated. And, I had a nice visit with one of Carlton’s friends.

Pool opens here in 10 days.

Going forward with the migration to the asylum. I hope that I am over all the self imposed drama. Think move forward. Positioning myself for my last act. Leave them laughing.

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to the Goddess.

That sounds better than leave them laughing. But, it doesn’t sound very peg-like does it? I didn’t think so either.

The stuff to move list:

My bed
Cat print
Tahiti picture
Kona print
The old man picture Carlton’s great great grand dad
Studio photo peg & carlton
All the quilts
The sword, the bolt and the little steam engine
My desk/the Hillary chair
The 5 little book cases – use it as DIY shelving in the studio
The small oriental rug
The big oriental rug – even it it has to stay folded up
The coffee table – maybe
Carlton’s trunk – maybe
One of the lamps – maybe

There will be some serious measuring going on.

This was not my very bestest day.

1.  The government wants more numbers – so, more digging in the database at the volunteer job.

2.  Got an email from an old friend who pointed out that am all alone and must plan to take care of myself. I know that. I just don’t like to think about it.

3.  I missed a chance to have lunch with an old park service friend.

4.  A friend of Carlton’s (and mine) who lives in an asylum – told me that if he were alone (there is that alone again) he would get rid of almost all of his stuff and move into the studio. And after getting the hang of asylum living – move into more gracious digs – with nice new furniture. And, that I should sign up at the asylum for the “full service” plan. Since I have no “backup”. More of that alone theme.

5.  And then the mail came. A note that my 50th College reunion is at hand. Send Money. Feel VERY OLD.

6.  And more mail. The IRS wants more info about Carlton’s return. They said they are missing a schedule. I think they lost it. But, not going to argue. Going to send them another copy tomorrow. Via registered mail, of course.

But, look at the bright side.

I think I have made up my mind about the asylum. By this morning, I was leaning towards getting one of the units – for peace of mind. Carlton’s old friend’s advice was the final nudge. I will get Studio #2 – the one on the 7th floor. It seems to be the more liveable of the two. I could just get rid of all my furniture. Take my pictures, rugs, quilts, clothes, computers and books and pick up a real shiki Japanese futon and live a very minimal life. Something to think about. And, I don’t have to move to the studio unless I want to. I can surely wait until fall. And enjoy summer here upon the roof. 4th of July. Etc. Or not. Not problem. Options.

And, Thanks to everyone for chiming in with ideas. I don’t “need” to move to an asylum “yet”. At this instant I walk 5 miles a day. Do pretty hard yoga classes. My brain still functions at maybe 75% of what it did 50 years ago. You have to pass a mental and physical exam to get into my asylum. That is one reason to move in sooner not later. I have a friend who funked the physical. They don’t want to let you in the asylum if you need to be there. It is like long term care insurance. You can not get long term care insurance if you need it. You have to get in the asylum before you need to be in.

Now, I think I need a beer.

Every year I try to get an iris photo that I like. This is today best effort. Nothing to hang on the wall.

Had a fine day downsizing-wise. Found good homes for Carlton’s 15 pound dictionary, his cobbler’s last, and my matched set of pretty darn good point and shoot cameras. The dictionary and cobbler’s last are being picked up. I don’t mind pitching lots of stuff or giving stuff to Goodwill – but some of the better stuff – it makes me happy to send them to “good homes”. Sort of getting into this extreme downsizing. I am going to be runing light.

Readers who were amongst Carlton’s AA friends… You all know about Carlton’s Little Book. I still have it and most days I look at “today”. Well, today, last year. Carlton underlined “Calmness is trust in action”. And he wrote his radiologist’s name in the margin. I don’t know who was calm – Carlton or the doctor. But, it is an interesting concept.

It was an AA day around here. Two of Carlton’s AA friends called to check on me and they had to hear all about my thoughts about moving to the asylum. No good deed goes unpunished!

Now, you can read my ramblings. Or just want and see what I decide. If anyone anyone at all has any input on this – chime in.

Moving – now or later.

Here is the deal. I am on the waiting list for almost every unit at the asylum. I only excluded the biggest ones. Because they are just bigger than I would ever feel comfy in. They also cost more than I feel good about. This is a popular place to live.  There are two establishments.  The sister asylum is not within an easy stroll of a grocery store. It isn’t within an easy stroll of anything except another old folks asylum. So, I am pretty much homed in on the asylum in a really tacky commercial area. The neighborhood could always improve. I shouldn’t say “improve” – it could always become “gentrified”. Which isn’t always an improvement. So, the building is decided on.

Very surprisingly – I went from #7 to number #1 on the waitlist for studios in less than 30 days. (I am #21 or more on the lists for more desirable units.) Being a resident gets you ahead of all the non-residents on the waitlists. In fact, I have 2 studios to choose from.

Studio #1 – becomes available June 1. It is currently unoccupied. But, someone is a faux-resident. Paying the fees to get a better position on the waitlists for more desirable units. Her selected unit will be available June 1. This is a really undesirable unit. It is handicap accessible. And the accessible nature of the unit sacrifices a lot of storage space. I could drag out occupancy on this thing until well into August.

Studio #2 – is available now. It’s owner “transitioned”.  It is better as far as studios go. On the 7th floor. No view. Inadequate fenestration. I could occupy this thing between now and mid-July. 

Actually, I don’t have to occupy either of them. Just pay for them. But, that would leave me paying rent here on the apartment, on the empty studio and in Hawai’i this winter. I was Carlton’s wife for way too long to do that. He would find a way to come back and kill my ass!

My lease here runs to the end of April 2016. I would have to pay 6 weeks rent penalty to bail early. My rent and uts are pretty high – and 4 months at the asylum make the early move a wash. 

Tuesday is decision day. Here are the options as I see them.

Do nothing. Just say thanks, I’ll pass. Call me next time. I don’t have to go to the end of the line. I just have to wait.

Pro: It is what Carlton would do. “Let time be your friend” That is what he would say. Carlton loved our apartment maybe more than I do. He had a tennis court across one street and an AA meeting across another street. Another 4th of July. Another summer around the pool. (the asylum pool is indoors. not the same. not even close.)
Con: It is just kicking the can down the road. And mentally, I am out of here already. 

Take Studio #2. Move in and settle in for the long haul. Just take what fits nicely in the studio. Timing depends on terms and conditions for bailing out of my lease.

Pro: This option will save money. It gets me an improved position for a better unit sooner.
Con: I might have to really haul ass with the downsizing. And moving company scheduling might be really difficult.

Take Studio #1 and use it for a storage unit. Delay moving as long a possible. Then move everything I might want in a larger unit. Keep most of my clothes, kitchen stuff etc in boxes. Keep the rug rolled. Make the bed accessible. The kitchen usable. The bathroom functional. But don’t waste any time of effort making it “nice”. It is just a storage unit. Well, a storage unit with maid service and a meal plan! Once I get “settled” – I could go to Hawai’i early. Circumnavigate the planet. Take a train trip. 

Pro: I will not waste any time or money making the unit “nice”. It is just a storage unit. And I can just travel around until it is time to settle into a more suitable unit. You all know that I have jack rabbits in my boots.
Con: Biggest downside is that I might get impatient living in a storage unit and will be tempted to jump on the first available one bedroom. Just like I am thinking about jumping on the first available unit.

 

Strange sort of a day today. Scanned some of Carlton’s stuff into the computer. Sort of his personal balance sheets and ledgers – going back to 1983. Don’t know what happened to his pre-1983 stuff. I discovered he recorded every cent that he ever “gave” to me as a “gift”. I didn’t consider his minimal contributions to my household operating account a “gift”. But, he did. Fortunately, I could afford to support him.

Walked down to the farm market. I got there too early and too late. Too early in the season and too late in the morning for a nice selection. So, I headed off to Whole Foods, I was going to get some chicken legs for the crockpot. Well, Whole Foods was stuffed with people. It could have been Thanksgiving Eve. Not waiting in those lines. Headed back home. Looked into Trader Joe. No huge line. Got chicken legs. They went into the crockpot with cinnamon and suspiciously old apples. Had chicken legs with sweet potato for dinner. I had an entire day of real food. Nothing frozen or takeout. Good for me.

I have about accepted moving to the asylum. More about that tomorrow – after I think about it for another day. I was always in charge of thinking about options. Carlton was “the decider” but I laid out the options. So, I’ll lay out my options. Then, I’ll be “the decider”. Or I’ll flip a coin.

Another one from yesterday.

 

And now for a couple of planes.

It was a grand day.

 

Today, Carlton got an invite to a FREE LUNCH with a cardiologist at our hospital. Now, anyone who knew Carlton knows that he loved FREE. Since he died of “cardiac arrest” – I am thinking that maybe this invite comes too late. Too late for him to donate money to the hospital foundation too.

Well, I went to see two (2) studio units. The occupant of one of the units “transitioned”. I don’t plan on “transitioning” – I plan on moving my game to the next level. The other unit belongs to a person who never moved in – she was just using it to get herself a more desirable unit. She is getting her nicer unit in June and will give up her place holder unit. I told you it was a game.

Think I am too frugal to pay rent on a unit and not move in. Especially since I am already paying a sweet chunk of change for my apartment. And, I pay for my digs in Kona too. That would have me paying rent on 3 places this winter. Carlton wouldn’t be pleased it I did that. I wouldn’t be so very proud of myself either.

Well, I will make a decision by Tuesday afternoon. Options:

1. Get the one that is available now.
2. Get the one that will become available June-ist.
3. Just say no to both of them. And wait for the next one.

The most economical thing to do is to move to the Asylum ASAP. Just get it over with. Leave my trendy urban yoga studio sidewalk cafe zipcar driving area in a nice blue county. Move 5 miles down the road to a gritty ESL working class bus riding guard in the grocery store area in a red county. I am perfectly comfortable with the neighborhood. I like gritty working class. The bus service is fine. Not as fine as living right over a subway stop. But fine.

Speaking of bus riding. Half the young women on the bus have knock off Michael Kors bags. You can buy them at any big bus transfer site. So, why, why do non-bus-riding-women buy real ones. I know. I know. Real ones are “real” and fake ones are “fake”. I guess it is like breast implants. Something that I will just never understand. I could never understand why I would want to wear someone else’s name on my clothes or have their initials on my luggage.

Well enough of this. Going to turn off my brain. Do a little yoga. Have a little dinner. Plan tomorrow’s photo event. The war birds. See yesterday for details.

I lied – this is a good article.