Welcome to the Misadventures of Widowhood blog!

Welcome to my World---Woman, widow, senior citizen seeking to live out my days with a sense of whimsy as I search for inner peace and friendships. Jeez, that sounds like a profile on a dating app and I have zero interest in them, having lost my soul mate of 42 years. Life was good until it wasn't when my husband had a massive stroke and I spent the next 12 1/2 years as his caregiver. This blog has documented the pain and heartache of loss, my dark humor, my sweetest memories and, yes, even my pity parties and finally, moving past it all. And now I’m ready for a new start, in a new location---a continuum care campus in West Michigan, U.S.A. Some people say I have a quirky sense of humor that shows up from time to time in this blog. Others say I make some keen observations about life and growing older. Stick around, read a while. I'm sure we'll have things in common. Your comments are welcome and encouraged. Jean

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Hard Hats and Temperature Checks Required

 

It’s been a busy week with a bright highlight smack-dab in the middle. It came with do's and don’ts and signatures promising that I’d read a safety-on-a-construction-site document and I hadn’t lied on the standard, half page form we Michiganders have to fill out before we’re allowed around others who have taken the same “blood oat” that none of us hasn’t tested positive for the Covid-19 virus or live with anyone who has it. I’ve had my temperature taken so many times for that form this past month that I’m thinking about gluing a forehead thermometer bar on my head. I don’t trust those temperature guns they point at our heads. Do they remember to clean them in between foreheads? (Medical offices yes, hair salons no.) How do we really know they aren't crawling with covid cooties or even the common variety, kindergarten cooties?

The construction company building the continuum care campus where I’m planning to live sends out a newsletter explaining stuff like: “This summer has flown by and progress on site continues on at a fast pace as well. July was an extremely busy and critical month for the project as we reached our first big milestone on the project. On buildings one and two, the pre-cast concrete columns, beams and floor planks were completed, enclosing the parking garage below. This was a critical time for us because the pre-cast installation drives a huge portion of this project. It now allows us to open buildings one and two for the remaining concrete work, and shortly after that, wall framing can begin.”

Honestly, I don’t know why they made us wear yellow hardhats, goggles and vests. The tour took place in the late afternoon after all but four of the workers had left for the day so we weren’t in any danger of a crane dropping a steel beam on our heads or us getting run over by a cement truck. There wasn’t even any wet cement around and, trust me, a few of my future neighbors on the tour have a mischievous side and were hoping to write their names in the construction zone cement. They should be fun to live near as long as they don’t lick door handles or otherwise do stuff to endanger our lives like make s’mores over an open flame on their decks. Did you know you can buy a s’more maker? (Just one of the things you can learn from reading smut romance, action adventure books.) Amazon must have nearly two dozen styles of s’more makers from indoor electric to hibachi style with chafing fuel cans. But I digress...

The tour was on a perfect summer day with a light breeze and a bright sun overhead. And at the risk of sounding like a broken record their chef out did himself again. Before the tour he served two kinds of sliders, shrimp kabobs, a Gouda cheese and pretzel thing to die for, and we each got a box of four homemade raspberry truffles to take home. They served liquor as well but I don’t drink and drive. I am, however, looking forward to the day when I can have wine at the CCC’s restaurant where I’ll be eating this chef’s food every day, if I want, and walk home if I get a little giddy at the bar.

I’m still not sure how I’m going to like living in what is essentially a three story apartment building complex with 52 units. The only time I’ve lived in something other than a single family house was when I was in college where I was on the third floor in a women’s dorm and the bathroom was down the hall. But, hey, it was college where we didn’t care if it was noisy or you didn’t have a lot of privacy or you ate your meals on a cafeteria tray. Mostly what I remember about that building (nicknamed spinster hall) is how we all huddled around a small television set in the public room watching Kennedy talking about the Cuban Mission Crisis and then the calls started to and from families (including mine) arranging to pick us up, emptying out the dorm before the sunset. If there was going to be a war, we’d all die in our basements with our parents. If danger from man or nature comes to my future home in the CCC I’ll just go one floor down to the underground parking garage/tornado shelter.

Being in the health care business with another campus in town and an older section on the same lake where the 52 units are being built, their sales crew, CEO and chef who work at the CCC were super careful with the masks, hand sanitizer stations and having tables and chairs set up with social distancing in mind. Our state has had a mask requirement for a long time, now, but there was still a need for the speaker to remind people that their masks needed to cover their mouths AND noses when we weren’t eating. Except for picking up our food, the event took place almost entirely outside and it felt safe. The cherry on the top was the four construction workers who gave us the tour. Not only were they able to answer all our questions but they were easily the best eye candy I’ve seen in a long time. Ya, sure, I know what you’re thinking but just stop it. At my age, raspberry truffles was the only candy I was interested in taking home.  ©


 

37 comments:

  1. I'm glad some progress is being made. Fingers crossed you will love it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I don't think there's wrong with liking eye candy. Beauty is beauty, regardless of gender. Or, at least I think so. I like looking at people who're easy on the eye. Not so much if they open their mouth and turn out to be awful people!

    I'm looking forward to reading about your experience switching from house to flat. Following your example, I visited a few retirement homes but they didn't appeal. I'm not a gardener but like pottering in my backyard and getting dirt under my nails, which I find therapeutic.

    While not yet affected by COVID19 as yet, I think its just a matter of time that a second (and third wave) will hit. ~ Libby

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Libby! It's been a while. I don't think there is anything wrong with looking at eye candy either. I'm a people watcher, no matter what they look like. I just don't want to sound like a cougar. LOL

      This CCC has another campus and they grow their own herbs and vegetables in raised beds. The residents can sign up to help or get their own little plot of garden to grow whatever they want. They plan to do the same thing on this campus. Not my thing but I'll be their photographing things to maybe paint.

      Delete
  3. These people are really good at taking care of their clients. You picked a great place to live.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I follower their Facebook page for their other CCC and I'm so impressed with what they for their employees and residents. Being non-profit makes a huge difference.

      Delete
  4. Hmmmm.....eye candy? Would have liked to go on that tour too! Construction guys eye candy is the best!

    ReplyDelete
  5. It really is coming along and I think it is neat that the person providing the great eats will also be your chef. These people seem to really be doing everything right.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They do. The chef says if we have a family favorite recipe they will make it and put it on a temporary menu.

      Delete
  6. No matter what type of building this move will be a big change in lifestyle for you, I suspect you will come to love the increase in interaction and friendship opportunities.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm certain it will turn out that way, but the stress of getting from point A to point B is killing me.

      Delete
  7. So great to see progress. Wishing you much happiness in your new home! Sounds really nice!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It won't be move-in ready for a year. It's great to see progress happening because the pandemic shut them down for weeks! Just hope it doesn't happen again.

      Delete
  8. Oh that Lake, Male Eye Candy AND Raspberry Truffles with a Buffet to gorge upon Alfresco... sounds like a slice of Heaven on Earth my Friend! The progress had to excite you, I think you'll enjoy every aspect of this way of Life!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a small like but most of the property around it is owned by the CCC and they are hoping to acquire the rest over time. We have a lot of lakes here in MI and this one is within a mile of just about any kind of store you'd want including Trader Joe's. I still keep thinking before I get to move in they're say, "Oops, we made a mistake in our math and you can't afford to buy in and live here.

      Delete
  9. It's exciting to hear about the progress. Here's hoping it all continues to move forward as planned.

    ReplyDelete
  10. SOOO exciting! You have really chosen the best of the best. And non profit. Thanks for sharing with us ... I'm envious! Levi is going to LOVE the walks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Levi is going have a bigger life style change than me and parts of it's not going to like at all. I'm worried about his transition but by then I'll have lots of time to deal with it.

      Delete
  11. This week I went to the dentist to get a crown fitted and the progress looked great! I think of you whenever I drive by. The details of how they are managing it, the food, the gatherings, etc., all sound wonderful! And eye candy thrown in - who wouldn't like that? We're not young, but we're not dead, right? LOL

    I totally understand how it can be exciting and stressful at the same time, but I think you will love it and it will all work out. Can't remember if I mentioned it, but I lived in the condos across from the dentist when they were first built. That is just a lovely area and close to everything. Keep the faith!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Next year when it gets closer to move in I'll have to get your recommendations for everything from hair salons to vets to where is the post office and nearest Starbucks are. I don't the area well at all. It will be an adventure.

      Delete
    2. We can meet for coffee and chat in person! :-)

      Delete
  12. Progress often feels slow or faster then expected

    ReplyDelete
  13. Exciting to see the progress! Looking forward to the future post where you talk about stumbling home from bar 🤣🥂

    Deb

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Won't that be fun. I'll only have to go from the building farthest away in the top photo to the first tall elevator area of the other building on the right and in between is going to an outdoor gathering place so it could take me an hour or more to walk home.

      Delete
  14. This is exciting to see the progress: it’s real! It really sounds lovely.
    I have been reading your blog through the months but I’m not always able to comment so I don’t always try after that for a while. Something is amiss when I press publish because sometimes the post disappears.
    Regards,
    Leze

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Someone else on another blog said she's having the same trouble commenting on Bloggers blogs. They make it so hard with all the loops starting out with picking out an identity to us and proving your human and miss any step and a comment goes to ether apparently.

      I'm glad to hear from you again, so thanks for trying again.

      Delete
  15. You write so well, and in so amusing a fashion, that I am compelled once in a while to drop by and check it out!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by. I feel the same way about checking your blog out occasionally for all your beautiful and artful photographs.

      Delete
  16. Love that lake! I'm so glad the tour went well, that there was no change of heart and that lunch rocked! It does sound very good. The progress is exciting and what's not to love about truffles. You'll adjust to the apartment style but I think it will be a leap. But safe and a good move.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. To me, it makes sense for me to choose my future instead of letting fade do it meaning if something health-wise happened that I couldn't stay here, the place I'd end up in would be a rushed decision based on availability of rooms and costs and would stress out my nieces who don't live close enough to deal with my house and its contents. I saw it happen to my sister-in-law and she was in three different nursing homes before they found one that wasn't a nasty hellhole.

      Delete
  17. You lived in Spinster Hall in college? I love it. I lived in what was nicknamed the Warm Dorm, because it caught on fire often. It was a time of cigarettes and candles. I'm glad you got to take a tour of your new *dorm*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was actually named Spindler Hall so it wasn't much of a stretch for a woman's dorm to be 'spinster'. But you've given me an idea. Our new buildings are named 1,2 and 3 and I think they'll need nicknames. Thinking cap on....

      Delete
  18. This is exciting. Everything will be new and clean, and shiny. You will love being able to eat that chef's food whenever you please. Raspberry truffles, oh my!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In 6 years they're going to build a new nursing home on the site and tear down the old one....just in time for me to move up the line...LOL...or rather down the line.

      Delete

Thanks for taking the time to comment. If you are using ANONYMOUS please identify yourself by your first name as you might not be the only one. Comments containing links from spammers will not be published. All comments are moderated which means I might not see yours right away to publish through for public viewing as I don't sit at my computer 24/7.