The first thing that I want to explore with you is the North Olmsted Senior Center.  It is one of the first places that I began my search for friends, activities and fun. I had moved to Cleveland from North Carolina.  Why? You ask.  My daughter married a fellow from Ohio and this is where they were.  I,of course, wanted to live near my only offspring as I neared and faced my "golden years."  I know why they call them golden, but it has nothing to do with money.

Although I live in Olmsted Township,but I was eligible to go to the senior center in North Olmsted.  I am very glad that I decided to try it out.From my first visit I felt at home. THE STAFF IS OUTSTANDING.  I decided that a place to start my journey was to go to lunch. They serve lunch on Tuesday and Thursday and they only ask for a donation.  The table that they suggested I sit at was actually the best.  The people I met that first day were welcoming.  The view was wonderful in that I could see everyone in the room from my perch and could assess what was going on.  As we started the conversation, I found that most people at my table were older.  I was so pleased to hear the conversation about their lives, their perspectives, and welcoming nature.

The meal was really pretty good.  It was well balanced.  They always serve a protein, one or two vegetables and at least one fruit, sometimes two. Bread, butter, and other condiments are always available. I was taught a little trick on that very first day.  It serves you well to bring a little survival package.  The "silverware" is plastic, disposable and very flimsy. Bring your own.  There is always salt and pepper on the table, but bring other condiments.  In their little packages, in addition to utensils, you might find cloth napkins and an assortment of mayo, ketchup, mustard, and on and on.  I was taught to "collect" little packets as I went to Wendy's, Bob Evans, Jimmy Johns, Pizza Hut and on and on.  You can always use a packet of chili peppers, yummy brown mustard, or croutons.  My collection began and now I carry my zip lock full of extras on meal days.

Bonnie Warren,  Comfort Keepers

Sharing is a great activity at our table.  We all bring little goodies to share with each other.  It may be as simple as a Hershey's kiss or a bakery cup cake. In our lives it is the little things that mean so much.  There have been times in my life that I would not have appreciated these little treats.  I believe that it is one of the gifts of aging and living on a limited income.  You are truly grateful for tiny pleasures, gifts and occasions. We will frequently have an added attraction of yummy deserts that are given by local businesses.  I am looking forward to our Mothers Day goodies that will be provided by Comfort Keepers http://concordtownship-384.comfortkeepers.com/home/about-us/meet-our-comfort-keepers.  They provided me with some care when I first got to Olmsted Township. They have a great owner, Bonnie Warren.  I am hopeful that others who need the service will choose her care givers. Having spent over fifty years in health care and doing accreditation for over a decade I choose them and was never disappointed.  You have to be careful with choosing the right franchise for the service.  All Comfort Keepers are not the same.  I only speak for her franchise.

At the North Olmsted Senior Center the staff work hard to provide other activities.  I particularly enjoy the weekly movies on Tuesdays.  The show chosen by our staff is a recent one and I have yet to find one that I did not enjoy. Where else can you go to a movie, have a bag of popcorn and a nearby restroom--ALL for a contribution of .50.  There is always a little discussion after among the participants.  You don't get that watching a movie on HBO.  There is a card playing group, an art group with a place to exhibit in the lobby, and opportunities to volunteer.  I don't want to make a list because the reason for this blog is to talk about the limited budget issue.  I just get carried away.

At the center we have our own Farmers Market in season.  The local farmers bring their goods right to us in our lunch room. There are tons of fresh, local, reasonable and yummy vegetables, fruits and jellies.  For those of us that find it a little difficult to get to these places, to have an opportunity to take home fresh tomatoes, okra, peaches, and tons of other produce is just wonderful.  Knowing that next week you can buy a little bag that is easy to carry gives us such a sense of relief. There are bargains every week.

Enough about the Senior Center, but I could go on and on.  Twice a week you will find me  drinking an bottomless cup of coffee, eating a nutritious meal and socializing with my new friends -- all for a donation. Thanks North Olmsted and the Staff of the Senior Center.

WELCOME TO MY BLOG

Living on a FIXED INCOME presents challenges, pain and creativity. Today I told my painting mentor , JoAnn Depolo, about my activities and once again she urged me to step outside my comfort zone.  Writing I can do.  Painting, maybe.  Giving financial advisement, never. But since I have not been able to hang on to a considerable fortune, maybe I have the best information of anyone to write about being on a very FIXED income. My nephew, Jim Turner who writes a wonderful blog has also inspired me over time. Check his out. http://hawksbillcabin.blogspot.com/  He has always aspired to be a farmer and this is a wonderful look into the life of a "gentleman farmer."  Another inspiration is so IMPORTANT.  My daughter gives me daily encouragement in life. She never lets me stay down for a single minute. Our little encounters from day to day is why I live, continue to love, AM GRATEFUL, and know how good life really can be.

I have never found myself unhappy no matter how much or little money that I had in the bank account.  I have been able to keep a very positive attitude as I prepare to meet my eighties despite an assortment of issues.  

I was describing to JoAnn  a venture that a few of my Senior Center friends and I did in April.  I began going to the North Olmsted Ohio Senior Center ,

hereafter referred to as NOSC,for an objective of socialization.  I was guided to a seat by one of our wonderful people and immediately was made to feel at home.  That was almost a year ago. This April we decided to try to find places to eat and food that was minimal in cost or free.  We love to go out but eating out is a lot above our incomes or what we feel comfortable spending.  The search began!!  NOSC offers lunches on Tuesday and Thursday.  They only ask a donation, if possible, of $1.  That is wonderful but what abut the rest of the week? month?  What else is available?  We found that churches in the area offer free meals every so often.  There were other senior centers that offer special occasions.  Many of the businesses that cater to us old folks sponsor meals, programs with food, deserts at different places in the area...you can learn and eat for free.  You cannot beat that.  It is a matter of research and that is right up my alley.  This blog discusses how we are finding fun and food as we go through our blues and blahs of a fixed income.

You can expect to find in this blog stories about our ventures.  You may find some hints on how to find things in your community. I hope you will follow me and become my friend in this venture called AGING whether you are an Elder, a caregiver, a supporter, a provider or just an interested observer.  WELCOME.