Depression

Today it has been raining all day.  All day I have worked with people that are depressed.  It is the rain or the darkness or cooped up feelings.  I think it is a combination of all that.   Depression is a real illness and sometimes it is impossible to rid.

Do you feel the anti depressant pills work?  What I have found out more and more people are on them both men and women . Age is no factor. It is happening with teenagers too.

Depression comes in so many disguises - over weight - widow or widower - loneliness. Death ,unemployment, breakups, divorces , money and the list goes on................................

So to combat depression today with clients- turned on every light in their space.  Brightness  helps combat the situation.   Writing can help. Go walk in the rain with proper gear(not in the lighting)

Write a to do list
Write a shopping list
Write a friend list
Make a date with a friend or spouse or  lover  or cousin
Write a chore list
 Just don't  think about what is bad what hurts  
Do a productive activity
Cook a new recipe
Call a friend or foe
Reorganize your kitchen, pantry,draws,closets, car, garage, yard  etc etc etc


How do you fight depression- comments welcomed!

Another dog

Today is April 28,2017.  I have been thinking about my beautiful faithful  four legged friend Charlie who died of cancer last month. I have lost so many dogs and friends to cancer. We can travel to the moon but we can't cure cancer. I miss him so much. we were together for many years. He seemed to know me better than I did. He was a rescue dog but he rescued me.   Pets are so much a part of our lives.

I am looking for another companion dog.  I been searching and searching the internet.  There will not be another Charlie . My family wants me to get a small dog but I am a big dog person.  I feel safe with bigger dogs.  They bring comfort to me and protection. I want a young dog to explore adventures with.

My sister is now living with me and she took Charlie's death hard.  She does not want another dog or pet at the house.  We are both up in age 68 for me and 78 and half  for her.  I am the one that takes the dog for walks.  Animals are great responsibility.  For us we are both now widows .  I still work and my sister is retired.  

Do we need a dog ? Should we have another dog come into our lives?  I say yes.

Miami 2014

Here I am back in Miami Florida were I grew up.   It was a quieter time in the 50' and 60's.

Literally my parents never locked our doors.  Today everyone panics if you come home to an unlocked door.  I couldn't see the beaches at all because on the beach today there   are skyscrapers of buildings.Visiting the beach is on my weekend plans schedule. 

My  schools were Sable Palm  Elementary, JFK junior high  and Miami Norland Senior High.  My niece Missy and my nephew Drew attended these schools except in their generation  North Miami Beach High School appeared.


Greynolds park was the hang out .  Family gatherings, exploring etc. Today they are building condo's there.  Florida has enough condo's and we need our beaches back.  I live now around rivers.

  Cloverleaf for billiards which I was great at with my friend Debbie. 

The food is fantastic now and my hips are showing that.. I miss my walks on the beach and am just walking the neighborhoods of the subdivision Adventura.  So many crowds and people. 

I like the quite that I grew up on in North Miami Beach.  Street parties with neighbors- everyone knew everyone. 

That is why I feel so close to my now home in Creve Couer area. I see neighbors at restaurants,  grocery stores , gas stations , malls and parks.

Remember the days at the Jockey Club we all had memberships to from the family business which is still going. Since 60's my parents owed King Realty Century 21 and now my sister and nephew run it.

I am enjoyed the weather - warm and sunny today.  St.Louis is cold and wet.  I certainly don't miss the creatures - a lizard was climbing up the wall out side. My sister lives in a gated community- and no one seems to know their neighbors= slowly I am.  I like walking about the round about.  Charlie my dog would love it here.

Changes in My House

Life is always changing for me.  I am starting a new direction. My house goes up for sale this week. My son and I have moved everything. There are no pictures on the walls and newly painted walls.  Shampooed rugs and yet I walk as a stranger in my own home. It saddens me to move but than again it's time for me to downsize and perhaps have new adventures with new neighbors when I find a smaller location for my life.

Going from 3000 square feet to probably a 1000. What do I keep- what do I not?

I even considering joining  a walking group and changing some other things that I do. My dog  Charlie is a bit confused. He will be walked more if I can't find a  closed in backyard.I miss that comfort. We will probably both will be in better shape.

 I have so many great memories in my house. Great parties on New Year's Eve. Celebrating holidays. Dinner parties,  brunches, dinners, birthdays, graduations,  bunco's, Halloween and more.

After 35 years of living here - do I stay and suffer this snow ice and freezing weather or should I move to warmer locations.

I have so many great and fun friends and relatives  here. It's nice to go to the grocery store and see familiar faces. I live in a small town in  a big city.   And love it!

Surviving Being Single Once Again

All of sudden you are a pair and now you are not. When I became a divorced mom and single again. Never thought I would ever meet anyone like my first husband. He broke my heart and trust in men.   It's a difficult step in the process of one's life. Men think that you're lonely and all I could think about was worrying about being able to survive and raising my son without negative judgement.

I came to St.Louis for a wedding and met my prince charming . I live in Florida and He in Missouri. We met once a month one each other's home. And fell in lust and love.  He was 13 years older, a lawyer (first husband was a lawyer)  and had two boys. I had a 3 year old son. Could we make it work. I met him in June and Married him in January.  It was magic.  It was hectic. It was very trying. It was a change. It was new. It was a huge move. It was stress. But it was the best choice.  Raising my son  in this hometown community.Never having to move again (except from a townhouse to a house). Keith had new brothers, new aunts and uncles, cousins and friends that he still has. I have lifetime friends .

When after 32 years became a widow. It was depressing. Feeling lost. And learning how to really survive.
Dating is not for me. I seem to like my dog better than my past dates.  The other night I went to a wedding reception by myself. It was tough going and leaving but I did it.  Do I like being single not really but than again it's the first time in my entire life that I am living alone(except for my dog) . No meals to cook unless I am having company. I do cook for Charlie my dog. I hate cleaning and at times it shows. But I have been running my household by myself. I miss decisions working with a companion. But I plan to make it. When I was divorced I cried a lot and wondered what had I done wrong. My mom Lee was strong woman and she told me you have a son to raise and you can do this. Depend on only you and you will survive. You have no choice you need to stand and do it. And you never did anything wrong.  So for women are afraid to face it. You are going to make it. You learn to barter ( I did for babysitting) but that's another chapter.

Harmony is  where I am going to achieve!!!

I HATE CLEANING MY HOUSE!!!!

I hate cleaning my house because it takes forever. I am one of those characters that have to clean one room at a time. If company shows up at the door -trash bags come out and i throw everything in to one and sought it later that evening.  I collect books and cookbooks and ceramic frogs(rewaiting for my prince)  and tea cups  and tea and..........................................the list can go on.

Now I am downsizing and realize wow do I have so much things.  I don't want to get rid of it all - just a little.
One chapter of my life has closed and new chapter is opening.  I don't like the word widow so I have just accepted MS.

Life is like a mountain- you start climbing and there you are looking out at the top and wonder what is next. I used the words roller coaster - every turn changes and never sure what to expect. I am in my golden years which 60 is the new 40 and not sure which direction I am headed. I expect to work till at least 75, I expect to coexistence with at least two dogs. I am not a grandmother since none of my boys have children- their choice.  I have wonderful great nieces and nephews and extended friends that have become my family. I doubt I will remarry again.

The word Normal is not me. And I don't know anyone that is normal anyway. We all have our little non perfections. I still love to cook and bake. I love to entertain guests at my house. I love to garden, I love watching tv and going to the movies. I love walking in the parks. I love being with children.   I love being with my friends and family.

I hate trying to lose weight. I hate painting my house or anywhere else. I hate ironing but like ironed shirts and pillowcases.  I hate cleaning leaves up. I hate ice roads. I hate cleaning out the refrigerator. I hate cleaning out the basement and finding unusual creatures.


I like washing my car. I like watering my flowers and plants. I love watching  things grow. I walking in light rain. I love walking on the beach. I love sitting and watching lighting in the sky. I love listening to music. I love  concerts in the park. I love watching my watching children play baseball and soccer.

I hate cleaning my house~

Terri