Kelly and Dave, my daughter and SIL, have been visiting for nearly a week. We’ve stayed really busy and for the first time, I’ve gotten to know Kelly’s awesome husband. They are a perfect couple. Considerate of each other, helpful, and wonderfully sensitive.

They have been married since 2003 but since they live in California, I really have never gotten to know Dave. Yes, we visited them in 2006 but we stayed in our RV parked in their driveway. Kelly flys here often, but this is Dave’s first visit. I hope he’s enjoying himself as much as I’m enjoying having him here.

Twice this week I’ve had the pleasant experience of meeting some nice guys. In both cases they were widowed only a few months ago and are at loose ends. They’re lonely and afraid to venture out.

I met the first one at a singles dance. It was his first time out. The other I met in the clubhouse. Both are pleasant and a bit older than me (80’s). I don’t want anything beyond a friendship but I feel both of these guys need someone to talk to. I would love to have a male friend who wanted to go to dinner or just talk on the phone.

My experiences are pointing out that men are more “lost” after the death of their mate. Women reach out to other women and can fill in with those friendships.

The first guy definitely wants a lady companion and I didn’t feel any attraction between us for even a casual friendship. I doubt if I’ll ever hear from him.

The other guy approached me and was chatty. After he found out I’m a widow, he wanted to know how I manage to fill the loneliness. I told him I got myself a dog.

We enjoyed a pleasant conversation. He was very nice. I hope he’ll call. I enjoyed talking with him.

I am certainly not trying to replace John, but I feel could help these gentlemen be more comfortable in their situations and I’d love to have a male friend.

You’d think a 5 pound dog would like small toys but her favorites are as big as she is. She drags them around and carries them up to her favorite relaxing spot: the couch.

Surprisingly she’s pretty good about keeping all of them in a “basket.” She usually only takes out one or maybe two at a time. (But she expects “Mom” to put them back at the end of the day.)

After Kelly leaves, I know I’ll feel a let-down.

I plan to have some new “projects” ready to go.

I want to bring in a professional to do window treatments in my two bedrooms and dining room. I’ve heard about a new place in Apollo Beach which I’d like to visit.

I finally need to do something about the big crack in the garage floor which will first require organizing everything out there and purging most of it.

And the decorative pavers still need to be put down on the driveway and sidewalk.

I really need to get rid of more stuff. My lovely storage room was supposed to be a solution, but I have stored a lot of “stuff” I don’t need or use. If I haven’t used it for the year and a half I’ve been back here from Michigan, I can get rid of it. That includes ice cream makers, pressure cookers, and lots more. John never got rid of anything so when we got a new toaster, the old one was stored away. Same is true of coffee pots, cookware, etc. I will get them out of here.

I’d like to figure out how to make better use of the dining room. Do I want it to become a den? Do I want a more modern light fixture? At least I need to make it a ‘pretty’ asset instead of a dumping spot. Same is true of the guest room. I’m sure I can make it a comfortable retreat for guests but more attractive.

I still need to get a replacement for the loveseat in the great room and a vanity for the master bathroom. I might get rid of my huge file cabinet in the master bedroom. (I don’t need something that big.) Kitchen cabinet doors still need to be up-graded, and my washer and dryer should be replaced. (It continues to do the job but they are old!!!)

I want this place to feel organized and more spacious by eliminating the extras. I am lazy so I’ll hire a lot to be done by others rather than doing it myself. This condo is my retreat and it’s nice but it can be “lovely.”

My new storm rated windows have been installed. I said I’ve never spent so much with so little to show for the expense. For the most part, the windows look like the old ones. They are easier to open but only the master bedroom is a different style (slider style instead of sash).

Before we changed the end of our greatroom from crank awning type multi-pane windows to sliders, we had a problem with whistling windows whenever there was a strong breeze. The storm rated sliders eliminated a lot of the sounds we had heard during a storm. The patio roof also helped. I thought it was as good as it could be. I never gave it a thought.

But now with all the rest of the windows very secure and double-pane, I’m noticing that the whole condo is quieter. I can’t hear the rain, the wind, the mowers or the garbage trucks.

The temperature variance over-night isn’t is pronounced. My room stays comfortable when I used to get really chilly when there was a drop in temperature.

It’s all peaceful and cozy.

I received a piece of mail marked “IMPORTANT JURY SUMMONS ENCLOSED.”

In Michigan, I was asked about 38 years ago to be on a jury but I had just had a brain tumor removed. When I explained that the surgery left me deaf on one side, the court permanently excused me. My inability to hear well could create a chance of a mistrial so they didn’t want me.

I realize jury duty is a privilege but I really don’t want to drive to downtown Tampa to “serve.” I don’t do much driving and the heavy traffic near the courthouse scares me.

I don’t know if my one-side deafness would excuse me, but I’m now 77 years old. Reading the summons, I found that if I’m over 70, I can ask for an exemption. I will. Chances are I will permanently be exempted.

Sorry I’m such a poor citizen but I’d hate to drive in that area.

Tonight, at my Nantucket V Association Christmas party, I sat with my neighbor, Terre. I really like her. She’s fun, cute, and energetic. She hinted strongly that I’ve let her down because I haven’t been posting to this blog regularly. She would like to be able to read my “adventures” daily.

I promised I’d do better but there really isn’t that much going on in my life.

My storm rated windows have been installed. A crew of three workers came in yesterday and finished up about 5:00 today. Hillsborough Country’s inspectors will have to approve before some of the trim boards can cover up the mounting screws but things can be put back in place and the interruption the past couple of days is now history.

I was pleased to hear from a lady at my table who installed the high end windows a couple years ago that her electric bills tumbled. She said she usually pays about $40 a month. I pay closer to $120-$140 most of the time and in the no heat/no air conditioning periods it’s generally $70-$80.

I commented to the installers that I’ve never spent so much and had so little to show for it. The windows don’t really look that different. They do open and close which the old ones didn’t but that’s about the only difference. In my bedroom, I have an awesome horizontal slider rather than the up and down (sash) windows).

Next big expense: window coverings. I think I’d like long room darkening drapes or else roman shades. I definitely want to get rid of the antiquated blinds. They’re dirty and don’t really filter out the light. I want to call a decorator. BUT not now. I don’t want to have things in upheaval when Kelly comes and she’ll be here in TWO weeks. Can’t wait.

The dinner tonight was excellent. It would have been more fun with a little more socializing and/or entertainment but after two days of workers, I was anxious to get home, put on a robe, and relax.

Sophie enjoyed some prime rib I brought home for her. I started by giving her half of what I’d brought but she devoured it so fast I didn’t have time to even get in the other room. I gave her the rest and she finished it all off. Actually I was glad she had a good meal. She didn’t eat while the guys were here working. Her food got old in her bowl and I finally tossed it.

I’m pooped. Cleaning guy, Ron, comes tomorrow at 8:30. The place is picked up but dusty and dirty. It needs a good cleaning, now that the renovation is complete.