Hazel's First Snow

She is there.  Right in the middle.  She didn't know what to think of it at first then she discovered that she loved it.  Not surprising, I have trouble getting her to come in. 
She has grown so much in the last few months.  Bill was gone for 7 weeks and was amazed at how big she was when he got home. 
Hazel is a cuddlebug in the evening.  We enjoy watching Hallmark movies and snuggling on the couch.
Life with Hazel is busy but I wouldn't change her for the world.

Hazel at 6 months

Bill has been gone for over a week and Hazel seems to be doing fine.  Thank You, Jesus.  I was very concerned that she would become disobedient when he went off to work in South Carolina.  Yes, she seems sad and mopey sometimes.  She has started laying in his chair in the evening.  But she is in good spirits.  We play tug and fetch outside in the morning and take our walks in the cemetery most evenings.  Can I just say next to the garage door opener, the invisible fence was the best investment ever! 

Hazel update

Hazel is now  4 1/2 months old.  She weighs 21lbs.  She can reach  tables, chairs, and anything else she wants.  

She has reconciled with Molly.  Molly has been a good teacher They go for walks together most evenings. Bill and I enjoy taking them out. 

Holly has introduced her Golden, Dani to Hazel. 

 It's nice to see them play

 together

Let's talk about Love

Hi, it’s Joyce from the YMCA!

Today, let’s talk about LOVE.  Something we all want and need, but most of us don’t really understand.

In my 20 years at the YMCA I have seen many relationships start here. I’ve seen young adults workout with their friends then meet up for a drink afterwards.  I know of many people who go out for coffee after a class. The YMCA is where they connect, renew friendships, or even find love.

I see married couples come in the front doors together then go their separate ways, one to the Fitness Center and the other to one of our many Group Exercise classes. Sometimes they workout together, walking side by side on the treadmills, but more often doing their own thing,  meeting up in the lobby again when they are finished.

We have many single members as well as widows and widowers that attend classes, play Pickleball, or enjoy time in the Fitness Center. 

Which leads me to the main subject of this story:

Love the second time around.

But the second time around isn't the same as the first time. You're older, and what you want in life has changed. Many of the goals of a first marriage such as buying a house, working a new job, and having children, are no longer goals in a second marriage. Instead, you're looking for someone to settle into retirement with, to share travel destinations with you, and to be your bridge or Pickleball partner.

Some people may think that they are “too old for that silly stuff” but today’s Active Older Adults have much to offer.  They are stable, financially secure, wise to the ways of the world, and know what they want. Society can also put a huge downer on senior romance but I think people deserve to feel happy and loved at any age. Whenever I see an older couple walking hand-in-hand down the street, I smile and think, “good for them!”

Homecareassistance.com says, You can’t compare this love story to your first time.  You are not the same person you were then.  You have don’t have to plan for the future because the future is now.  You can just enjoy each day as it comes.  As a retired couple you will be spending lots of time together so you will want to make sure you have similar interests.  But you are bound to have differences so you must respect them.  Give each other room to pursue your different hobbies.  Be ready to downsize.  You can’t keep all your stuff and his stuff and start a future together.  It’s time to let go.  There will be an adjustment period.  Be patient while you sort it all out.  This is a new beginning.

So if you are looking for love, come to the YMCA and meet some of my Amazing Older Adults.  Actually, we are having a Senior Prom on September 28^th at the YMCA of Laurel Highlands.  It is a fundraiser to recognize and support the Twilight Wish Foundation of Westmoreland County.  There will be food, fun, and dancing.  What better way to make new friends and who knows, maybe find love!

More Hazel

So I promised to post Hazel Pictures so we can all watch her grow up:

The good news is that Molly seems to be tolerating her, the bad news is that Molly doesn't like her much. 

She loves taking walks with Bill in the cemetery.  They also play fetch and floppy dog in the morning.  I love that Bill enjoys training her while he is off this summer.  I worry about what will happen when he goes out of town.

We entered Hazel in a Pet Competition at the YMCA.  She got to meet lots of other dogs.  I was very proud of how she behaved.  She didn't win, but I think she picked up some pointers from the older dogs on how to act in public. 
That's all for now, stay tuned...

Meet Hazel

Meet Hazel. She is an 8 week old English Cream Golden Retriever. 
Our 15 year old Westie, Misty, has been declining for the last 6 months or more.  She was to the Vet's and he said she was failing and would not give her her yearly shots, knowing that it would be a waste of time and money.

So we said a sad goodbye to her on Tuesday.  Bill got on the internet and found a breeder for English Cream Golden Retrievers in Ohio.  I was off on Wednesday so we drove 3 hours into Amish Country to meet our new baby.  We had a nice drive through the hills of West Virginia and Ohio.
She was raised by a Mennonite family that had 3 little girls.  I felt a little guilty taking her from them, but I guess they are used to it.  She came from a litter of 9 pups.  Her mom is Kylie and her dad is Toby. 
Our 13 year old Molly is not too sure about Hazel.  Hopefully they will become the best of buddies or at least learn to tolerate each other.
Hazel is a beautiful girl.  She is a little skittish, but I guess that is to be expected.  She smells like a fresh new puppy with sweet puppy breath.  I have already fallen in love with her. 

I'll try to post more often,so we can all watch Hazel grow up.

Easter 2019: What's Your "Quit Line"? - Week 3 (Full Service)

Shifting

“Shifting”

Hi, it's Joyce from the YMCA.
Recently I read a post on Facebook called “Shifting.”  This reminded me of how I am shifting as I get older.  I’m not the same girl I was at Southmoreland High School.  I would giggle and have fun with my friends in the cafeteria and on the band bus. Or complain about teachers and homework in study hall.

I’m also not the same young woman I was when I married my High School Sweetheart.  We began our life together thinking that we knew everything about everything only learning later that we knew nothing about most things.  Many years and tears have passed and we continue to learn about life and each other.

My values have shifted and changed just as my body has.  I used to get upset and argue about the headlines in the newspaper or “Breaking News” on TV.  Thinking how life was so unfair.  Now I remain quiet, knowing that I can’t control how people act or what people say.  But I can control how I act and what I say.

I used to eat and drink what ever I liked and not worry about the consequences.  Now I consider how long I will have to workout in the Fitness Center to fit comfortably in my clothes. I don’t do Step Aerobics anymore or Kickboxing because I have developed arthritis and have torn meniscus in my knees.  So again I have to shift my workout to what is comfortable to my body.  I am enjoying Yoga, Pilates, and Barre classes at the YMCA.  But even more importantly, how will this affect my health as I get older?  I have a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

No, I’m not the Joyce I used to be.  I hope I am a better Joyce, a new and improved version of the Joyce I was.

When I look back at who I once was, I cringe and think that the new Joyce would have handled that problem so much better.  I would be kinder, wiser, gentler, and a better listener that I was then. 

We can’t remain as we were. If there is one certainty in life it is that we must change.  We must shift.  And in the shifting become who we were meant to be.

Shifting

As you are shifting, you will begin to realize

That you are not the same person you used to be. 

The things that you used to tolerate have become intolerable.

When you once remained quiet, you are now speaking your truth.

When you once battled and argued, you now choose to remain silent.

You are beginning to understand the value of your voice

and there are some situations that no longer deserve your time, energy, and focus.

Training: Learn, Eliminate, Practice - Week 1 (Full Service)

The Band Perry - If I Die Young

March for Life

March for Life
1995
I used to make it a priority to go to March for Life.  I usually went with groups from St. Joseph's Church.  I planned my own trips with my Girl Scout Troop and with the Youth Group again from St. Joseph.  I made sure that my 3 daughters realized how wrong abortion was.  I made them carry signs and march down Pennsylvania Avenue, past the White House to the Capitol Building.  We listened to speakers talk about how many babies have been killed and how we were going to change the world.

Yesterday was March for Life again in Washington DC.  As usual there was not much reported on the news.  Babies are still being killed.  I try not to be cynical but it is difficult.  But I guess if one of the kids that I took to be a part of this protest learned that abortion was not right, I accomplished something. 

Rethink - Week 1 (Message Only)

My word for 2019 is PEACE

While everyone is making resolutions for the New Year, I decided to pick a word to be a guiding light for this year.  For the past few weeks as I have been reading my daily devotions and Bible, I kept reading the word Peace.  

2 Corinthians 13:11
Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.  

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you.  I do not give as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Isaiah 26:3
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

peace

/pēs/

noun

1. 1.

   freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility.

   "you can while away an hour or two in peace and seclusion"

   synonyms:

   tranquility, calm, restfulness, peace and quiet, peacefulness, quiet, quietness.
2. 2.

   freedom from or the cessation of war or violence.

   "the Straits were to be open to warships in time of peace"

   synonyms:

   law and order, lawfulness, order, peacefulness, peaceableness, harmony, nonviolence; formalconcord "we pray for peace"

exclamation

1. 1.

   used as a greeting.
2. 2.

   used as an order to remain silent.

I like that, tranquility, calm, order, harmony.  Yes, that is what I want in my life this year! 

I will need some help, I'm easily excited, disturbed, and distracted. 

I will make a plan to wake up earlier, 

try to get to where I have to be on time,

spend more time listening to peaceful music and less time watching TV.

Make time for crocheting, sewing and reading.

Ok, sounds good!

Prince of Peace,  You know my strengths and weaknesses.  You know I will need your help to make my life more peaceful. Hold me in Your arms when I get upset.  Wrap me in Your love when I get anxious.  And surround me with Your Spirit when I want to lash out or get mad.  Teach me to trust in Your peace, so I won't be afraid or troubled by the world I live in.  I Your precious, peaceful name I pray.  Amen.