When I moved my investments from Ameriprise to Charles Schwab I had lost quite a bit. Everything seemed to be losing value. With Rick (who now works at Schwab) helping me, I’ve bought and sold some of my holdings.

Just today my personal holdings at Schwab have gone up $17,341.75.

I’ve almost regained what I’d lost earlier this month.

I wouldn’t mind reading up on good investments and buying a few shares by myself. It might be fun if I could see my “shopping” brought me some rewards.

I have three La Crosse clocks that show the time, date, inside temperature and outside temp. All three of them quit reporting the outside temperature when my place was power washed. I replaced the AAA batteries and went through the set-up procedure without fixing the problem. Yesterday I spend several hours trying to get them work. I finally gave up and put them back in their three places so at least I’d have clocks and inside temperatures. I was so sure I’d done everything that I went on Amazon and shopped for a new weather station clock but didn’t order it.

I was ready to head to bed when I noticed that the temp was showing up from the outside sensors on all three clocks. I went to bed realizing that they were now working fine!! I’m relieved. I enjoy having them throughout my place so I can read the time/temp from almost any location. I probably view the one in the great room the the one in my master bath the most, but the one outside the guest bath can be seen from the kitchen.

Similar clocks sell for at least thirty-five dollars each so if I’d replaced them I’d have spent over one hundred dollars. It was time well-spent working on them yesterday.

I haven’t been sleeping well. Because I love to read in bed (or watch TV) I got in the habbit of going to bed early (about 8pm). I hope to fall asleep before about 11. But lately I find I twist and turn until 1am or even later. I need to change the pattern.

I used to think reading helped get me relax, but recently I’ve been considering reading a problem. A lot of my books are exciting and I find I don’t want to leave the tale.

Another problem is when I must get up early. Every eight days I work at the Squad, also when I have meetings or my bi-weekly cleaning lady comes, I must set an early alarm. Those frequent times are enough that I can’t create a regular pattern. Last night I was in bed about 9:30 but I only got a little over four hours of sleep before I had to wake up for Cathy, my cleaning lady.

TV sometimes helps. The one TV program I like to watch, Naked and Afraid, sometimes lulls me to sleep. I have seen most of the episodes, so when I get sleepy, I just shut it off or fall asleep while it’s on.

Our country responded beautifully to the health crisis we were faced with. Most folks adhered to the CDC instructions. Other countries are still in the midst of a lot of deaths. Our vaccinations made the difference. Most knowledgeable folks got their shots. I’ve now had two innoculations and two boosters. And I will go for more when it’s suggested. If 100% of the folks listened, we’d be even safer.

Four years ago today, John and I were on a train heading back to Michigan from Florida. It was really hard on John. The train took us as far as Flint. They had a horrid job getting John off the train because he couldn’t walk and the aisle was too narrow to have a guy on each side of him. No skinny wheel chair was available. When he finally got off and we were in the limo to take us the last lap home, I could tell he was failing fast! I suggested that we take him to the hospital, but he wanted to be home (he knew the end as very close).

When we got home he could still speak (and he gave me the door code to get the garage door to go up). The limo driver and the nurse (an RN) who’d taveled with us walked him from the car. He collapsed in the garage. I put my arms around him and helped lower him to the garage floor. The nurse had started CPR immediately. Very soon the ambulance crew arrived and all worked to resuscitate him but he was never conscious. I think he died when he collapsed.

He was declared dead at 12:30 a.m. on May 12th. That’s what the death certificate says. I am certain that he died on the 11th. Today is May 11th.

I’m finding it more and more difficult to do what’s necessary here in Kings Point. Maybe I should consider an assisted living place, or maybe I should hire someone to come in a couple days a week to do the stuff I can’t do. I hate doing laundry (carrying the basket to the garage.) I need to sweep the lanai and get my grill working. These are easy jobs but becoming difficult for me.

I’m going to watch for someone who would help.

I remember the helper I hired in Michigan (Becca) who worked hard and made packing so much easier. Someone like her would sure be awesome.

I am out of umph!! I really don’t care if I go anywhere or do anything. I love staying home with Sophie.

Example: Tuesday there’s a senior dance. I don’t really want to go. Saturday is the Kentucky Derby party and that’s enough. Even if Ken goes, I doubt that I’ll have a “good time.”

I’d rather try the Karaoke again rather than the dance. Even though I can’t say I had a good time last week when I went to Karaoke, I think there’s a better chance for fun. Or Euchre in Kings Point. I had fun going to Euchre and I’d probably enjoy it again if I went.

I don’t want to depend on the Senior Dances because they’ve been discouraging.