Countdown -12

The countdown now is at -12; not the election, silly; departure for Florida! I have all these goals I've set for completion before I leave and lists and lists. Not doing too bad in that department.
I didn't realize how different it would be to prepare for spending 6 months instead of 3. And then there's all the "stuff" for the condo. At least it will be staying there and this process ought to get easier.

The ideal easier would be to keep a car down there, but I don't think I'm in that bracket yet! I am so tempted to start packing the car to see how much is going to make it, but I'm afraid I'll get in trouble with my brother, who takes great pride in his maximizing the space and what he can put into it. I think I'll leave it to him.

Now that I've committed to being there half the year I am eager to meet more people and establish a network of friends there. It won't be like here, but there have to be other single women in the same circumstances there; it's just a matter of finding them.

I have spent the last two weeks seeing all my doctors and getting prescriptions and appointments for next spring. I think I'll feel like that's a second home once I f ind a doctor I like down there.

I know I am hung up on this friend thing, but I know so many people here and feel supported by all those people that I am a little concerned about reaching a point where I feel that there when
Rich and Patty aren't there. I am so lucky to have them there for 3 months. I think they like it too.

I have already voted, so am trying to put election out of my mind. (And yes, Richard, I got some really great audiobooks for the ride.) When I am so invested in a candidate I get nervous for him or her. Besides the big one, we have some local contests that include friends and then in April a mayoral contest that is shaping up to be one that doesn't offer any really good choices.

I have had to fight my way out of leadership in some of my organizations; people wanting me to stay involved when I'm gone for 6 months of the year! Flattering, but not even tempting. Part of this change in my life is to start using my time differently. I really believe a person can hang on to leadership too long. It is definitely time for the next generation to take over when you've
reached my age.

So that's what I'm thinking and doing these days; it certainly hasn't been doing any writing, one o f the things I'm looking forward to in Naples. And the sun, and the warm breezes, and the slower pace, and the beach, and the time to read, the time to write and the sun!