What I learned in 2017

The year went swimmingly until September when hurricanes struck in a one two punch.  First Irma, then Maria.  Life as I knew it was knocked silly by wind and rain.

What did I learn?

BE FLEXIBLE

Making the best of the new normal.  Morning ice run, living without power for two months.  The hurricane diet and exercise plan.  I've lost weight, gained stamina and strength.  Cut time off my morning walk.  I feel great.

EMBRACE CHANGE

A volunteer position opened up at my favorite flea market.  I am now the book lady, working four mornings a week, unpacking/sorting/shelving book donations, helping customers find books.  I'm in my element.

LET GO

Haven't had cable tv in three months.  Who knows when it will be restored?  There were other things I thought were essential to my life that I learned to live without when I had no power or internet.  Now that both have been restored, I find I can continue to live without the time wasters. 


BE GRATEFUL

I thank the lovely men at the hardware store who gifted me with pine twigs from the trailer of Christmas trees they were unloading.  I put them in water and they have filled my kitchen with the lovely scent of pine during the holiday season.

CASH IS KING

I believe in cash, not credit or debit cards, for my daily life.  With no power, no access to an ATM, stores without internet selling for cash ONLY, cash was essential in hurricane post recovery.  A cash stash is number one on my list for emergency planning.

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Hoping for a hurricane free 2018.


Penny Pincher

Christmas 2017

Christmas in a hurricane recovery zone is subdued.  No boat parade this year, minimal lights (many areas still do not have power), minimal Christmas goods in the stores, no scratchy band Christmas music filling the air in the pre-dawn hours.  I miss all of it.

I'm grateful for what I do have, that my home is intact, that I have power.  I'll celebrate the positive.

However you celebrate the holidays, may they bring you joy.  To all, as in previous years, wishes for a new year of peace and prosperity.

Penny Pincher