Saturday, June 19, 2021

Out of Sight, But Not Out of Mind

 Hey, guys.

Yeah, I know it's been a long time... nearly three months. Sorry about that, but I've been.... shall we say... occupied.

In a good way. 

Believe it or not, there's a wonderful new man in my life, and I'm so happy, I feel like a giddy teenager. We're acting like teenagers, too. We're so happy, it's nuts. I had no idea something like this was even possible. Not for me. When Mike died, I thought I was done. Kaput. Done for. I figured my raison d'etre was simply  to clean out my house and get things in such good order, it'd be easier for my kids to handle things when I kick the bucket. A personal life for me? Forget it... I expected only to live for my family and friends. I was just gonna be spinning my wheels and coping as best as I could until I stopped breathing.

Screw that.

Turns out, the universe wasn't done with me, and I'm not done living yet. Forget that whole stupid notion of merely biding time until I shuffle off from this mortal coil. No way. Thanks to Larry, I'm more alive than I've ever been, and I feel like ME again. Our plan is to squeeze as much pleasure from each day, each moment, as we possibly can... together. For the past few weeks, we've been splitting our time between our two houses, but I'm gonna be moving in with him in a month or so. My daughter Sunshine and her hubby are gonna move into my house. WooHOO! Yeah, I know... it's a lot, isn't it?

But it's absolutely right, and I'm so freaking excited about the future, it's ridiculous. (And not just because of Larry. In October, my cousin and I are going on a trip... to ITALY!) I honestly didn't know it was possible to be this happy. Please don't interpret any of this to mean I didn't love Mike. I did. But quite honestly,  between you and me, it wasn't always easy. Being a grunt in Nam changed him in ways from which he never fully recovered. I know he loved me as much as Nam would allow, but Larry loves me unconditionally and accepts everything about me. We are so much alike, loving him almost feels like loving myself. 

So THAT'S what I've been doing. Just to show ya what kind of guy Larry is, he's the one who suggested I write some kind of a post to let you guys know how I'm doing. And here I am. (He's VERY smart...)

Update on the house: last weekend, we finished taking down the last of the antennas and towers. WooHOO! The local club has removed a ton of stuff to sell at upcoming hamfests and whatever. They should make a pretty penny on all of that gear, and it'll be going to the club's education and scholarship funds... which is doubly cool, because I helped established those things when I was the club's president.

 When the weather turned warm, I jumped into gardening with both feet. Felt good to be outside, and for some reason, I didn't feel as alone outside as I did when I was within the confines of the house. One of the gardens I created is for dahlias. A couple are just now starting to bloom. Can't wait to see them in their full glory... even if it's as a visitor to my daughter's place... 

Life is good. It is truly good, people. I hope it's been treating you as well. Really. What's new with you? Dunno if I'll ever get back to blogging as I used to do it. Maybe, but who knows? I've got lots of trips to make... lots of hiking to do... lots of new things to discover. Being an old broad ain't half bad. I feel blessed beyond belief.

Love you guys. Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other.


59 comments:

  1. I am beyond thrilled for you. My smile is threatening to split my face.
    And huge thanks to Larry for suggesting that you stop by and tell us how you are doing.

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    1. Thanks, Sue. I'm pretty doggone thrilled myself. :) I sure hope things are going well for you, too.

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  2. You know what I think! It's wonderful and as always your attitude and happiness spur me on to bigger and better things too. I wish for you and Larry, all the best and more! Keep us in the know, your happiness is catching! Love you!

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    1. Thanks, sis. I've got more than enough happiness to go around right now, so help yourself! Love you, too.

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  3. Italy? lucky you, and lucky Larry too. I suppose this all makes you as "Happy as Larry"?
    I'm happy for you.

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    1. I KNOW!!! Lucky, lucky, lucky!!! Thanks, sweetie. I appreciate it.

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  4. Wow! I'm so happy for you and Larry! You know, when I read your opening paragraphs, I thought you were pulling our leg ..... that you'd purchased a slick new set of wheels or something and named it Larry. HA.
    Now please tell! How in the heck did y'all happen to meet one another?

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    1. Thanks. Considering my track record, I'm not surprised you thought I was joking around. :)

      Short version of how we met: more than 20 years ago at our local amateur radio club. Maybe I'll add some details next time around. Interesting fact, though: we didn't know each other back then, but we grew up about 7 miles apart from each other. :)

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  5. I am so happy for you, this is wonderful news! I wish you lots of happiness together. Enjoy your new life, hugs, Valerie

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    1. Thank you so much, Val. I really appreciate it. :) Lots of hugs back atcha.

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  6. Susan, that is awesome to hear! You don't need to exist - you need to live.

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    1. Thanks, Alex. And you're absolutely right about living vs. existing. I choose life. :)

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  7. Huzzah! I'm so glad to hear your good news, Susan!

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  8. That is fabulous news, Susan. Thanks for letting us know how things are going.

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  9. Iam so happy for you and the new guy in your life. How blessed you are to have met someone. I've been alone now over 20 years and it's no fun living by yourself. You are bleessed ! Have fun and blog when you have time. I love that you can just live, love and enjoy each day !

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    1. Thanks, MA! I know how very very lucky I am... we both are. He lost his wife to cancer, too. Neither of it thought it was possible to be this happy again. I'll try to do better about keeping in touch with y'all through this blog. I promise you... we're enjoying every minute of every day.

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  10. I just discovered your new post. Blogger has been acting weird and posts have been showing up late on my reader's list.

    I'm delighted to hear all the wonderful things going on in your life. Congratulations - it's an inspiration for all of us. I don't know what's more exciting - - a new love or a trip to Italy.

    The most exciting news here in the wilds of TN is that within the past three weeks I've had two snakes in the house. I captured the first one but don't know where the hell the second one went. I don't scare easily and am not about to lose sleep over it.

    Please keep updating us on your adventures when you get a chance. Big Hugs!

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    1. Thanks, cowboy. I'm pretty doggone delighted, too. :)

      Which is more exciting? The new love, hands down.

      Yipes! Snakes in the house is NOT my idea of excitement... not the good kind, anyhow.

      I will. Big hugs back atcha.

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  11. Thank you, thank you, thank you for the update! Can you tell I'm thrilled for you? I hope you'll return to blogging regularly when you can. I've missed you.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. Thanks, Janie. I'm pretty damned thrilled myself! :)

      I dunno if I'll ever get back to blogging regularly again, but I'll at least try to pop in from time to time, okay? I've missed all of you guys, too. Y'all always give me warm fuzzies. :)

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  12. excellent news. You are too good and fun a person to not be sharing that joy with the world (look out Italy), a man (yea for Larry), and yourself. Keep laughing and enjoy your summer bliss.

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    1. Thanks, girlfriend. With as open as Larry is to taking me wherever I want to go, who knows? You and I may be able to share our imagined park bench for real one of these days. :)

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    2. absolutely! It's gonna happen someday. And c'mon to Texas - we'll show you a good time, for sure.
      Take care

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  13. Oh, maybe you can blog about this wonderful new phase of your life?!

    Love Italy! The food! The art! I would rather return there than actually go anywhere new. :)

    Wishing you all the best, always! :)

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    1. Hi-ya. Indeed. Maybe that's just what I'll do. (It really IS wonderful! Who'd a thunk it...?)

      Yeah, I'm pretty excited about going to Italy. We haven't finalized any plans yet, but we're definitely going to Sicily. Might even take a cooking class! WooHOO. (Again... who'd a thunk it???)

      Thanks, Madeline. I wish you all the best, too. Take care.

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  14. How sweet you have found someone. Enjoy being a teenager again!

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    1. Thanks. It's more than sweet... it's a miracle. I'm totally enjoying it!

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  15. Dear Susan, The wonderful love you are experiencing is precisely what I what I'd wish for my wife should she outlive me --and she doubtless will; her relatives are all several hundred years old. Your joy brings me joy. Thanks for that.

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    1. Dear sweet Geo. Joy really is contagious, isn't it? For the past couple of months, it's been bubbling out of me like an eruption from an uncorked bottle of champagne after it's been shaken in a paint mixer. I wish the whole doggone world could be this happy! I hope you and Norma are. Cherish your time together, dude. It's truly precious. And so are you guys. Watch out: here comes a great big bear hug. Take care.

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  16. Hi Susan - this is just wonderful to read - gosh I'm so pleased for you and it's made me happy reading this post and just generally thinking about life ... delightful. I am so dog-gone happy for you!!

    Brilliant news ... and life is obviously very good - and how well unmade plans are coming together ... Larry sounds just perfect - and he'll travel with you, after Italy with your cousin, - oh I'm so delightedly happy for you.

    I know you'll keep us up to date a little with some vicarious tales you can share with us ... amazing news ... just happy smiling days when I think of you both now. With lots of thoughts and joy - Hilary

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    1. Hi-ya, Hilary! It's great to reconnect with you. :)

      Thank you. I never wanted to be a "carrier," but I'm honored to be this kind of contaminant, if it means spreading my joy. I'm so doggone happy, I want EVERYONE to feel this good.

      Yes, I'll try to stay connected to y'all through this blog. Not gonna be an every-week kinda thing, but I'll try not to let three months slip through my fingers next time. (Oops!)

      You take care, dear lady. I'm sending lots of joyful wishes and love back atcha. Cheers!

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  17. Wow, that's fabulous! I am SOOOO pleased for you. You must be as happy as Larry!
    CLICK HERE for Bazza’s previously punctual Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

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    1. Thanks. :) I think it's pretty darned fabulous, too. We're both over the moon happy.

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    2. Have you read 'Love in the Time of Cholera' by Gabriel Garcia Marquez? It's about finding love in later life.

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    3. No, I haven't, but I'll check it out. Thanks. (Sounds like a book I could write! HA)

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  18. That is great that life is going so well indeed. No curling up and waiting to croak is always a good thing lol and with so much on the go you may never blog again.

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  19. Hi Susan, I am over the moon, as no one is more deserving of happiness than you! How wonderful that your darling daughter will be moving into your home, as you move on to a very exciting chapter in your life. Not only does Larry sound like a great guy, but he’s sharp enough to truly appreciate all you have to offer. Traveling to Italy will be a great adventure, and I’m so glad you can finally start taking care of yourself. Please keep us posted.

    Julie xoxo

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  20. I am so happy for you. Thrilled is a better word. You deserve every bit of happiness you can squeeze out of life. Hugs and congratulations!

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  21. I hope you'll give us some photos to feast upon after your trip in the fall. :) I am living vicariously through people's travel pictures right now, since I can't go quite yet over here. Venice, NYC and London are on my list (2 out of 3 I've been to, but I'd like to see them MY way, if that makes sense). Congrats on your new beau. It's wonderful to hear you are so happy. That's wonderful news about your daughter too. I'm sure it will be special for her to live in the house you had!! Wishing you every happiness on your new move.

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  22. I have only one thing to say, You go girl! :)

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  23. I am so happy for you, dear Susan.

    Love is lovelier the second time around
    Just as wonderful with both feet on the ground
    it’s that second time you hear your love song sung
    makes you think perhaps that love, like youth, is wasted on the young.

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  24. Oh, my gosh - I am SOOOO happy for you! You sound so joyful in this post. Love, love, love it!

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  25. I'm so glad for you. This post made me happy reading it.

    Love,

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  26. Wow, such an inspiring post. Good for you. You go, girl! Enjoy Italy and your new man!

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  27. Wow !!! absolutely fantastic blog. I am very glad to have such useful information.
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  28. I'm so happy for you. Here's to life! :-)

    Greetings from London.

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  29. I hope you are doing well and that the new year will be kind to you.

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  30. Glad to hear someone else found life is still worth living. It's going on 10 years for Ed & I. He'll be 90 the 24th of Feb. & I'll be 85 in March.

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