Cheri Woolsey

My Amazing Grace Filled Life

Simplify

by

FacebookFacebook

Simplify. A word that brings thoughts of peace and quiet and soothed souls. Rory has been longing for this and I am more and more convinced we have too much “stuff” in our lives. How far the simplification will go is still up for discussion between us. Will we just get rid of “things” and stay in our house? Or will we sell almost everything and start over again in a smaller, sleeker space?

Right now, what we really know is that we are tired of all the clutter that needs attention (and cleaning). Our minds are tired and our bodies are slowing down. We want to spend time together doing fun and relaxing activities. Spend more time with our children and grandchildren making memories.

Continue Reading

FacebookFacebook

Five Great Bucket List Ideas

by

FacebookFacebook

I know 63 is the new 43, right? I know I am not “old”, at least not in my mind! However, the pace of life these days, the ages of my “children” and this damn Rheumatoid Arthritis have really slowed me down. I am seriously working on getting healthier, but this all started me thinking about what is on my “bucket list”. I’m not a fan of these lists, but I can tell you of a few things I have always wanted to do or see, so here we go!

1. See the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis. I really plan on doing this some time soon. Maybe if we take another Alaska cruise this year, I will get to see them. The mystical element and sheer beauty draws me in.

The lights are electrically charged particles from the sun entering our atmosphere near theContinue Reading

FacebookFacebook

What You Think You Know About Vietnam Veterans May Be WRONG.

by

FacebookFacebook

The Story

It was hot and humid. The hissing overhead lights around the compound were drawing bugs of all kinds. All he wanted was to go get dinner at the mess tent. Then the darkness of the night exploded with the sound of bullets whizzing in from the dark jungle outside the fence. Snipers were using everyone out in the main area as targets and at least 3 men were down that he could see from the doorway of his quarters. The big overhead lights made it easy for the snipers to pick off anyone who tried to move in any direction. Hearing groans and knowing that there were men who needed medical assistance, he grabbed his M-16. Making a dash for the relative cover of a picnic table in the yard, he set up to shoot—not at the snipers, who he could not see. No, he shot out the lights, one after the other, until the snipers bullets stopped coming and help could get to the wounded in the cover of darkness. Though he was not a “combat” soldier, he was awarded the Bronze Star medal for his bravery and the lives he saved.

This was my dad. Thirty-five years old, career Air Force—had a wife and three children waiting for him at home. It took 20 years but this is what he finally told me about why he received the Bronze Star. He was never one to talk about the war and not one to talk about himself. A lifetime of hunting and fishing had prepared him for the marksman’s medal he received before even heading in-country. A marksman’s medal that saved many lives one hot, humid night at Pleiku AFB in Vietnam in 1967.

Many of those who came home from this horror of a war were Continue Reading

FacebookFacebook

Five Baby Boomer Realities

by

FacebookFacebook

woman laying in snowSo, this is me—flat on my back on the snow-covered driveway not long ago. Slipped on the snow, boom—down for the count. As I lay there laughing (the snow padded the fall well), Rory took my picture. He then texted this to our four adult children—none of whom found it funny. Their first reaction was “why was he taking a picture instead of taking care of me?” Overall, a blow to my self-esteem more than my body. However, it did get me thinking about the pitfalls and truths of the aging process, so here are five realities I am learning about being an aging baby boomer.

Falling Happens

Last year, I fell on the sidewalk during a parade while visiting my daughter and granddaughter. As you can see, I fell in the snow a month or so ago. Just the other day, I fell on the back deck while playing with our dog.

I haven’t sustained any broken bones or serious injuries from these falls (knock on wood!)—yet. I am personally acquainted with people about 10-15 years older than me who have sustained broken arms, hips and wrists, so I am always worried about it, though.

Honestly, I never feel dizzy when I fall—I just fall!  I do know it hurts a lot! I seem to have lost my ability to catch myself and stay upright when I trip. I am suddenly falling and unable to keep my balance or even try to land softly.

The causes can be myriad why we seem to fall more as we age, but my arthritis and its medications; old bone damage from a long-ago accident; dehydration (I drink too much coffee and not enough H2O). Scratch that—there is no “too much coffee” in my world!

At any rate, the aging process brings with it many changes that can cause unsteadiness and lack of balance. The outcome for me is worried kids and a husband who is seriously talking about ordering the “help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up button”! Probably the only thing saving me from that fate is that I can get up and usually am just fine.

Disappearing Words & Thoughts

Wait, I forgot what I was going to write about here—oh yes, I remember. How many times have you forgotten the word you just had in your head? The movie title that won’t come to you, so you start describing the whole thing in hopes someone will know what you are talking about? I literally start playing charades but using words to help. So frustrating!

Then there is the purposeful walk from  Continue Reading

FacebookFacebook

Top Posts

UA-91516709-1