Fast forward 7 years Part 3. Hurricanes, Family and Retirement.

Despite concerns about hurricanes, we loved living in Florida. As a major storm approached, we readied shutters and a generator, then stocked up on essentials like batteries, lanterns, propane, food, gas, and cash. Trusting our preparation, we waited and left the rest to God. Meanwhile, our son called with a local job offer and visited briefly before Hurricane Ian intensified—we were excited for the possibility of family nearby but remained cautious as the storm grew.

With the news constantly on, we waited, the morning of arrival we got notification to evacuate. Thank God we had friends that were not in the evacuation area and so we continued to prepare and readied for a hurricane party. Together with another couple we went to our friends out to wait for the storm. Being Italian of course I brought Pasta, wine and plenty of food. You know I wasn’t even afraid.  We made the best of it, and after it hit with the full force of mother nature, we were glad that we were together.

We went back to our homes to check on the damage and by the will of God most of our home was spared and although some of our friends lost a lot more, none of us lost our life.

We were incredibly lucky, as we drove home the telephone poles littered the roads like toothpicks. Trees were down and intersections had no lights. There was no gas, and stores were closed. We were grateful that we had prepared in advance. 

The community was broken, but yet positive in rebuilding. We met neighbors, helped each other, and learned how good humanity can be. 

                                                              

A few days after it hit, with power still out, our son moved here.  His job was still available, and they really wanted him.  It was nice to have him here to help but I felt bad that he had to leave his family back in Colorado to do everything so they could all move here.

We recovered and as each day came and went our paradise came back, before Christmas the rest of Nick’s family came out and it was a blessing to have them with us as they prepared for a new adventure.  I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

With that said, our son Anthony informed us that he and his girlfriend were also moving here. My heart leapt with joy to have family close by.  The new adventure had become a family affair and was so grateful.

Next will be "Were we really prepared for Retirement"

Lesson learned, never underestimated the power of mother nature, whether it is a blizzard, a tornado or the biggest hurricane in 100 years.  Be smart, be prepared listen to the experts and God will bring you through it. Also, God knows what you need before we do, you can never measure what a smile from your children or grandchildren can do for your soul.

Fast forward 7 years Part 2. Life after the loss of my father

 

After the loss of my father everything changed.

The loss of my father hit me hard, I knew that he was happy, and with the Lord, but my world seemed empty, as did our house.  I had a lot of talks with my father as he was facing the end of his life.  We spoke of regrets and dreams.  He told me “Don’t have any regrets” it was one of the things that made him sad, that he had too many regrets in his life.  He knew that we wanted to move to Florida, He knew how much I wanted to be near the water and how being near the water made me feel close to God.  He told me "when I’m gone, go live your life, enjoy the adventure". So, as hard as it was, we put the house up for sale and with lots of hugs and tears we said goodbye to family, friends and Colorado and found a new home in Florida. 

“Just the two of Us”. That’s the song that kept running through my mind as we drove across country to our new home, that we had only seen online.  I was filled with anxiety as we got closer. We pulled in the driveway, and it was exactly what we wanted.  I took a breath and felt like it was the first time in quite a while that I could breathe.  We walked through the house and other than some small changes it was perfect, I ventured outside and smiled as I looked up, I had a palm tree in my yard, something I never thought I would have. As we sat by the pool and just took it all in, I cried. It seemed like I had dreamed of this for so long and now it had come true.  

All I could think is God is Good.

                                                       

I had never lived outside of Colorado and felt like a fish out of water.  Everything was different, the scenery, the weather, and the flatness. It seemed to bring my husband and I closer together as we had no one else to lean on. With the help of some great neighbors, we found our way around, a place to shop, where the home depot was, (very important when you have a new house), where to eat (especially pizza, a true necessity) and most importantly a Church. Bert had promised that we would meet friends so as soon as we could, we ventured off to a meeting for new residence and that night again changed our lives.

We met a group of friends that moved to Florida all with the same dream and immediately felt like they were family.  I tell everyone, “I met family I didn’t know I had” Even though that was over 3 years ago I feel like it was yesterday.  Our lives here were busy, our days were filled with fun, friends, sun and relaxation. 

This move refreshed my sole and allowed me to feel like the next chapter of our life as Seniors in paradise was going to be amazing.  But was it........

I will leave it there for this week, except my son Anthony said that "I should leave each blog with a lesson learned".  So here is it: No matter how old you are don’t settle. Don’t let the fear of change put walls up around you. If you have a chance to reach for your dream, stretch out your hand and grab it.  If it is meant to be God will show you the way.  Have faith not only in yourself, but your partner and most of all in God.  If you fail it is okay at least you tried and you will as my father said you will “have no regrets”

Slow Going

Benvenuto.  Welcome.

Week 2 into my new life journey and I’ve learned that patience is not a virtue of mine. As I said last time I need instant gratification, so this slow process is driving me crazy. First update as to my fitness trek, I’m back to working out at least three times a week.  I now hate mornings more than ever because that is the only time I have to work out, and I like my sleep, 10 lbs. and a few more inches to go, then I can celebrate.  I have made some baby steps toward my travel agent career. I created an LLC.  (Yes I now am registered with State of Colorado).   I have continued to teach myself the beautiful language of Italy. Slow going but I guess an old dog can learn new tricks.  I just hope that someday this journey will lead me to Italy where I can utilize this new skill.  Hopefully, next week I will start training on actual travel agent education.  I did put a contact list together.  It’s amazing when you begin to look at all your friends, family and acquaintances, how fast the numbers add up.   Yes, some of you will get information from me either through email, mail or of course that wonderful social network.  Now now please don’t roll your eyes, as I’m sure (or at least hope) you will all want to know when and how to contact me as I create my new career.  I have started to “follow” and “like” all kinds of travel pages so that I can be very informed.  Didn’t know you could actually spend hours reading blogs and Facebook pages.  I know a few of you have asked me about scheduling some travel for you already and I’m so excited to start.  I should have some answers for you next week.   I would love to hear some comments from you all. Please let me know about  trips you have taken, (good or bad), questions you may have as to what a travel agent has to offer, as I know most of you use online travel sites,  some words of encouragement,  or share links and websites with me. As you see my goal is to be one hell of a kick ass travel agent.  Oh if you know Italian I would love to practice so please feel free to comment in Italian.  Well I guess that’s it for this week.  Please follow me, share my posts, as I love to make new friends.  May God keep you all well, happy and may love fill your lives each day.   Grazie e arrivederci.

The Journey Begins

Have you ever looked in a mirror and can’t see anything, but a silhouette.  For years when I looked in a mirror I saw an active young mother.  That was who I was, that was my identity.  Then all of a sudden I turned 50, my sons moved away and I looked in the mirror and I thought OMG where do I go from here?  My husband and I had never been” just a couple”, since I came with a readymade family, and now that the kids were gone, all I could think about is what if we don’t like each other.  I had no real career just jobs to pay the bills, no real hobbies to throw myself into, so I decided I needed to make some changes.  I needed to make myself more desirable, interesting and necessary. 

Step one- my son got me a WII for Christmas and the overhaul began.  Now you have to understand I haven’t played or used a video games since Pac Man, so I wasn’t really sure this would work plus  I haven’t really exercised (other than the first few weeks  at the beginning of a new year with each resolution) since gym class in 9^th grade. I had a lot of work to do. I read everything I could, did lots of online investigation on exercise, created an at home gym, (because face it we all have all the equipment that just keeps gathering dust) and the journey began. It was very hard to stay disciplined but I knew I had to keep going.

Step two – For the last 20 years it became routine to eat on the run, between practices, games, school events, PTA meetings and other kid activities, healthy eating wasn’t a priority. My husband worked nights for 20 years so making nice dinners became a weekend thing. I am a very good cook but eating well on Sundays only, isn’t good for the waistline, and I had developed a very good relationship with fast food.   So I overhauled my shopping list, started watching my calories and fat intake, NO PILLS or special diets and it’s amazing with a little hard work and sacrifice you CAN lose weight.  It doesn’t come off as fast as you would like it to.  You see I have a little bit of an instant gratification mentality and I had to get over it.  But 6 months later I’m 30 pounds slimmer.  Now don’t get to excited I’m not that flat stomached super model everyone wants to be. You see I am a 50 year old 5 foot 1 and ½. (Don’t forget the half) Italian lady that still loves to eat, but I’m a lot better than I used to be, and I recently ran a 5K which in my world was as monumental as climbing Mt. Everest.  

Step three – Learn to be a wife.  I decided that I needed to rekindle a new, exciting and grownup relationship with this man that I have been married to for 28 years.  Love sure is different when your 50 than when you are 15.   This step I am still working on.  Date nights, trips and a lot of moral support are helping. 

So Now, I am healthier, slimmer, learning how to be a wife, not just a mother, and it was time to decide what I wanted to be when I grow up. You know 50 is the new 30, or is it 40 oh well it doesn’t matter because anyone who knows me knows that I may get older but will never grow up. 

Step four – Make myself and my life more interesting.  So I looked deep into what I would love to do and get paid for.  It had to be legal. It couldn’t cost me much and I needed to have a passion for it.  TRAVEL, it’s what I always wanted to do and I loved planning trips and events in my past jobs.  That’s it, that’s the direction I would take, but after searching and searching no one was going to pay me to travel to new and exciting places.  The world was not yet my oyster.  But maybe I could get paid to plan other people’s adventures.  After networking (thank God for Facebook) the world of a travel agent is within my grasp. I can plan trips for groups, families, corporations, learn about the world and all it has to offer.  That’s it I will get paid to live vicariously through other people’s travel.  A new and exciting life is just beginning and I want to share it all with whoever will listen.  So I hope someone out there is reading this and will talk back to me.  As I’ve been told I’m a little crazy but haven’t gotten to the point where I talk to myself, (well not in public, at least.) 

So stayed tuned in see where this new path in life takes me.  I will keep you updated on all the ups and downs of my journey, downs because I’ve been told you can’t have rainbows without the rain and I need that rainbow to keep shinning so I can find my pot of gold.  (I will share).  Please post your comments, encouragement s ideas and suggestions so I don’t feel all alone.  I will try to write at least once a week, cause face it I’m not THAT interesting yet to write daily. Love you all; wish me luck and God Bless.