Neglectful Me Celebrating Life

I’ve neglected my blog terribly lately – and most writing. I’ll try to do a bit of a catch-up instead of being topical on this one.

Life has been fun, though I have been a bit tired lately. So much going on and I left my energy somewhere.

I turned 65 on the 19th. It’s such a weird age, though I admit it comes with a crazy pleasure. I’m eligible for almost every discount out there!

The day was weird. I learned a long time I alone am responsible for the quality of my days – especially my birthday. Most years I’ve been getting it right. This year four of my girlfriends took me out to a lovely dinner with not only a birthday cannoli at the restaurant (which we all shared), but chocolate cake and Moose tracks ice cream afterward. It was fun and there are a lot of laughter. Plus I took home enough food for two more meals.

Three of these ladies are going to Mexico with me when I go back for a tad more dental work in September. That is if I book our rooms and rent an SUV soon. Yes, I have decided to drive there. I watched when I was there and decided “why don’t I just drive?” With four of us and luggage, it seems to make sense. I rode one route and it was easy driving. Parking? More of a problem. But I’ll figure it out. People are nice there.

Anyway, back to my birthday. As I reflected on the day I realized I get melancholy on my birthday. I’m not sure why, though I suspect it’s because I think birthdays are a bigger deal than I truly like to admit. I’ll do better next year and plan out my whole day in advance. It may be a travel day.

There have been two peripheral celebrations. A group of my long-time girlfriends had an awesome pool party and dinner the night before at my friend Jan’s for our July birthdays (my friend Patrice also has a July birthday).

Then since it was a five year birthday for me, my friend Debbie took me for a spa day. We used to go to an amazing day spa that had fun things to do all day long. They have quit doing it, so it’s not as appealing. Instead we went to a great spa in Asheville and had 90-minute massages – one of my best of all time. After that we went to the Thomas Wolfe house, which was way more fun and interesting than I expected. Plus we were in Asheville, so it was breakfast at old favorites Early Girl for breakfast and dinner at Tupelo Honey. We decided next time we need to try some new places – there are so many great ones and a lot of new ones. Next year Debbie has a 5-year birthday, so the spa day is on me!

Trip reports – I’ve been to Mexico, Wales and Maine.

Mexico was on my own – three weeks of lots of dental work. Well, not lots. An implant and root canal (that was supposed to be another implant but they saved it!) – but yes, you can have a great time even with lots of dental appointments. The care my team gave me was amazing.

My main contact and one of my oral surgeons was Miguel Padillo in Leon. I met Miguel when he was in dental school 13 years ago, when he was on my balloon crew at their festival there (I was crew chief) so knew he was trustworthy and smart.

So smart he didn’t do it all alone – he brought in my endodontist Andres and his team to do my root canal (honestly a miracle – as I said back home they said I needed another implant) and his friend Alejandro and his team to help with my implant. Alejandro specializes in bone grafts and Miguel knew my last implant had failed for no known reason. I love that he cared enough to bring him in because it gave me the best shot at a successful outcome. All was done in Miguel’s office – the doctors and their teams came to me, with huge cases and backpacks in hand. Since I have come home people have asked me about my experience – I could not have had better care of been more cared for. The cost for the whole trip was less than one implant (based on my last one) and that includes my travel costs!

Wales – my aunt Beryl turned 80, I got to spend the whole day with her. Note she had her party when she turned 78, because she said she would not make it until 80. She fooled herself and is still quite vital (despite a lifetime of lung issues and the recent addition of emphasena). I met my cousin Lynne’s son, and saw cousins Paul and Jill.

I’m very close to Kerry, my third cousin who we shorten to “cousin”. I adore her and she lets me stay with her every trip. I adore her parents, brother Peter & wife Susan, their children & spouses and Kerry’s daughter Emily and her partner Jack, and spend a lot of time with them. The. Her friends – they are great and make time for me when I visit. When I’m lucky I get yo see other third cousins Nick, Tim, & Simon (none this time – Simon is in Germany and tells me I need to visit him. He should know I will. )

Then there was a trip to Maine with my cousin Lea Ann (shown above) and me. We did the scenic route and slowly but beautifully made our way to Maine. Along the way we stopped in Massachusetts and saw our friend Barbara, who has known me all my life (I was born in Methuen). She is now 90 – and who you want to be if you are lucky enough to reach that age. One of those precious people in my life.

I used my national park pass! I was unreasonably excited and thrilled Acadia was the first place it was used. It was quite foggy when we were out there, but still lots if beauty.

I’m home for August unless something fun comes up. Then September it’s off to Leon for a small amount of dental work and hopefully a ton of fun with my friends. It’s Mexican Independence Day, which could be interesting.

Hope you’re enjoying July. Get out there and play. I have joined the Y (free with my newly acquired Medicare) and am slowly getting back to a regular routine. It’s about time.