This is National Senior Health & Fitness Day and our Vi was filled with activities and events. I joined an 8:00 AM walking group of 10. Two miles on the trail before morning refreshments at 8:45 AM. We moved pretty fast in the warm almost 70 degree sunshine. The foliage is quite lush with all the spring rain. I would have stayed for more activities if I had not had an appointment with my Dermatologist. What wonderful news--no serious skin bumps or lumps that require a biopsy. I am OK for another six months. That's the first time that has happened in a long time. Happy day.
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I am off to Zumba class. Your probably wonder, "How can they teach Zumba at a retirement community. Zumba, a musical dancing exercise class is for the young ones--what do these people do?" I wondered too but about a year ago I decide to try it. And it's great and the ten of us regulars show up Saturday morning after Saturday morning. Our wonderful young leader and her Latin music keep us going nonstop for 45 minutes. Recently a 30 something grandaughter visited and I learned how the young ones Zumba. It's the same music, the same steps, but she jumped and really moved in contrast to our actively walking.
Unfortunately I haven't posted in a while, I'm embarrassed to say,it is because I couldn't figure out how to get back onto my blog. I had a password mix up but hopefully it is now solved. Every new thing we older ones master on the computer doesn't come easy and often doesn't last. We're always playing catch-up to beat the level of a 10 year old.
I just returned from my monthly writers group meeting of 10 members. I presented my article on the challenges of technology, which led to a discussion of how each of us write our articles. Five write long hand and then type, two outline and take notes by hand and then use their computer, only four of them think on the computer as they write. I seemed to be the only one who admitted to now being almost unable to think long hand and must use my computer to think and write. I shared with them how hard it is to write a longhand letter to my sister who doesn't use a computer. My choice to keep in touch with her is to write on the computer, print it out and send it snail mail. Enough--hopefully I'll remember how to get back on in a few day to continue sharing the adventures of life over eighty. Our Care Center is a separate building adjacent to the Lodge. Residents who need Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing and Memory Support live there. Frequently someone may have a brief stay in Skilled Nursing and then return to their apartment in the Lodge or to their Cottage. I along with many others have a love/hate relationship with the Care Center. We are glad it's there if we need it, but we want to avoid needing it at all costs.
Had dinner with friends in the Bar. That means I can eat in the jeans that I had on all day. There is a dress code which prohibits jeans, even designer jeans, in the Dining Room for diner. It's not my favorite rule around here, but those of us that wanted to change the dress code two years ago were defeated. Men do not have to wear jackets but men and women both are encourage to dress well to dine. Brunch on Sunday is more relaxed because of all the family guests and as we know some of our kids and grandkids don't own anything but jeans. If you chose to be casual the Bar which is adjacent to the Dinning Room is the place to eat. There is a different menu and reservations are not required. Tonight our group of 4 had to wait for an available table, but only for about 10 minutes. We had a delicious meal and lots of good conversation.
It's a beautiful spring day in Highlands Ranch. Although I seldom take a walk after my Strength and Flex II exercise class, I couldn't resist it today. Not my customary two mile walk on the trail, rather a stroll around the Vi property. I found lots of baby plants waiting to be planted by the landscapers and other residents like me outside enjoying the spring sunshine. I view exercise an important part of my personal wellness and mental alertness and try to make two exercise classes, two yoga classes and one zumbla class during the week. Days I do not exercise I take my trail walk.
I forget my key. That means someone has to open my apartment door for me. I find it so embarrassing. Of course I am not the only resident to do this, but that doesn't make me feel any better to have a staff member walk me to my door to let me in. I feel like a child. It wouldn't be as bad if they loaned me the pass key to open my door and then immediately return the key, but that's not the policy. When I lived in the cottage I had a hidden key I could use when necessary, but with the apartments in the Lodge there is no place for a hidden key.
I had dinner with a man that had just moved in a week ago. When they brought the check for him to sign he smiled and said it was so nice to have a good meal and not need to pull out his credit card.
To quote a friend, "Don't complain about growing old. It is a privlege denied to many." May 5--I was leaving my apartment and happened to see my next door neighbor, Marion, in the corridor. Marion, who appears quite elderly in her movements and manner, though not as old in her pretty face, was holding onto the wall to get back to her apartment. I reached out to help her but she was almost to her door. Was she OK? She told me she always put her used Sunday paper under the door for my across the hall neighbor Dorie, which she had just finished doing. The only problem was that when she carried the paper, she could not carry her cane and she was having trouble with her balance.
Marion lives with her friend John. They had met while living in a senior housing situation they did not like. They found an apartment at the CCRC I live at and decided to share an apartment. May 3, 2014-- Saturday afternoon is Duplicated Bridge. Mary and Herb have been running the games since they moved in about two years ago. The game has been very popular and it has given a lot of casual bridge players a chance to improve their skills with competition. As I have been playing bridge at a Bride Club twice a week, I perhaps, take my bridge more seriously than many and for a while would only play if my friend from the Bridge Club played. However I changed my mind and decide to be available to play with anyone who needed a partner. I played with Dorothy and we had a good game together.There were 8 tables, 32 players, and that is all the room can hold.
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