Month: April 2014

Despite a more than a two month pain flare-up, I have managed to carry on day-to-day activities.   In last week’s post, I “showed off” my Container Garden and Outdoor Furniture Refinishing projects.  In case, you didn’t see this post, take a few minutes, have a look, and tell me what you think.

Also, doing a bit of “showing off” in this post.  Though it was a challenge, as a first-time user, I created the above graphic on the same day I found out about PicMonkey.  Admittedly amateurish, but I feel confident that as I continue to work at it — the graphics will improve.

However, this post is about a Seasoned Sistah, an Elder, an Older Woman who wants to “live life to its fullest … and to make the little things in life good and wonderful”.  Yes, this post is about me.

Let me just share two of the many little things that fill my days.

Facebook

Since joining Facebook in 2010, I found new friends and reconnected with family members and old friends.  Not only is Facebook a social outlet; I engage and interact with like-minded people who share my political views.

I just took a few minutes to view my  Facebook Friends.  Of 239 friends, only 13 are over 65 years of age; and one of them is Hubby.  So, the majority of my Facebook community is made up of (1) the children of my older friends and family members; (2) my children’s friends; and (3) new friends.  Though I have a large number of friends and family members over the age of 65, most view communicating and/or interacting via Facebook, E-mail, Internet, Texting and Blogging as new technology and reserved for the younger generations.

Blogging

Within a few keystrokes the world-wide Blogosphere was within my reach.  I can raise my voice, express my views, share my memories, and, sometimes, just rant.

Reading the posts written by other bloggers introduced me to more information than this 71 year-old-mind can sometimes keep up with.  I follow a number of diverse blogs covering nutrition, exercise, mindfulness, lifestyles, DIY, recipes, book reviews, hair care, grand-parenting, older people, health related, and many other topics that attract my interest.

I am so proud of my blog, which I almost ditched in the beginning stages.  The first hurdle was getting through the step-by-step WordPress instructions.  Once mastered, I had to overcome the fear of writing and publishing the posts.  Slowly, I began to let go of what others might think; and to stand strong and write about what I wanted without seeking the approval of others.  I am neither a writer nor an author, but I wish to blog about my life.  Blogging is an outlet that has brought me peace, happiness and joy.

I am grateful for having broadened my life experiences through Facebook and Blogging.  The only regret is that so many of my older friends and family members failed to embrace this new technology.  But, we continue to communicate via the telephone and snail mail.

Though I am aging daily, I will continue learning as I journey down the path of “living life to its fullest.”

There is a forty-eight percent chance that African-Americans who marry before the age of eighteen, will breakup within ten years.   (Source:  Center for Disease Control and Prevention)

• Five months after MY 17^th Birthday, I married the love of my life.
• Five months after MY 71^st Birthday, WE celebrated OUR 54^th Anniversary.

When Hubby and I married, on April 11, 1960, few believed the marriage would last past the first year.

MY Belief

OUR marriage lasted for fifty-four years because WE spent the first two years in Germany.   Separated from family and friends, I couldn’t pick up the telephone or run home after an argument. I couldn’t even go to another room.   We had to work out our disagreements, absent the advice of others.

Our First Two Years

Hubby unable to find a job, enlisted in the Army.   Six months later, He was assigned to a base in Gonsenheim, Germany. Within four months, I joined him. Because of his rank, PFC (Private First Class), We were not eligible to move into military family housing.

Hubby rented an apartment on what was referred to as the German Economy. We lived in a one-room, third floor apartment and shared the bathroom with another military couple who lived across the hall.   There was no hot water, no bathtub, a dorm size refrigerator, a coal stove for heat, and a hot plate to cook on. I soon adjusted to living without a television; and fell in love with Our transistor radio.   The one English-speaking station was Our only entertainment.   During the day, We listened to mostly country music. But, every night, We anxiously waited for the half-hour mystery, cowboy, and comedy shows.

The first six months were the most difficult. Hubby was assigned to work on the base for 24 hours every other day. Even though I had the radio and Our Little Girl, I missed the face-to-face communication with an adult. The other people who lived in the building were friendly but there was a language barrier. Though there were three women living in the apartment building, they did not speak English.

Later, we met other military families; and I became friends with a few of the women. However, we rarely communicated. We didn’t have telephones, cars, or access to public transportation; and, this pretty much ruled out any “quality time spent with the girls.” So I learned to value and appreciate every minute spent with Hubby.

During those first two years WE built a strong foundation which solitified Our marriage. Our teen-age love developed into a strong friendship and even a stronger love for each other, which has lasted for more than fifty-four years. Hubby is not Only the Love of My Life, He is My Best Friend, the Father of Our Three Children and the Grandfather of Our Five Grandchildren.