So
instead of thrilling you with my life story--again! (LOL)--I've decided
to just list a few of the things I am grateful for as I approach the
age of 19  (76) and not in any particular order.
I am thankful that:
I woke up this morning
I
have a great, large one bedroom apartment overlooking the inter-coastal
with cable TV with 65 stations, including HBO and Showtime. for $31 and
my electricity and water are included in the rent plus I get a $14
credit on my phone. Trust me when I tell you that you don't want to hear
what I pay for rent.
I only have myself to worry about, to be responsible for.

I have food in my belly, clothes on
my back and plenty of flip-flops and shorts, along with short sleeved
shirts, that I never have to buy anymore if I don't want to.
I live alone but I am not lonely having great friends when I want them and even when they aren't here they are.
In
spite of congestive heart failure 11 years ago and an aorta valve
replacement two and a half years ago not to forget having COPD and PED
all in all I am in pretty good health. Of course that is because I
haven't been to any of the specialists since July and may all change
when I do go to them this July. Meanwhile my cholesterol, high blood
pressure (today 110/80) and all other signs are good!
I sleep well at night and mostly through the night except for the old man's 'walk'! LOL

I've
been writing for over 65 years, having books published, articles printed
in magazines and papers since I won an essay contest on "Why Bing
Crosby is my favorite singer," even though he wasn't. I won a Bing
Crosby shirt!!!
I recently got a job being the drama and
movie critic for www.corinescorner.com  Though I don't get paid I do get
2 tickets for each opening night of a Broadway touring company which I
couldn't afford--we are talking  tickets worth about $2,000-- plus it
let's me pay back Allen for all his kindnesses in helping me get around
and do things like go food shopping, visiting the Dollar Tree store, eat
out, go to the movies, etc.
I am very thankful to the more
than dozen friends I have met through blogging and don't anyone tell me
they aren't real because I know otherwise.
Though I
haven't had a car since 2004, because my insurance rates were
ridiculous, gas prices started to go up, and I couldn't keep up with
repairs, I have been very lucky to have the use of Allen and/or Jill's
cars when they go on vacation plus people like Edie and Norman loaned me
their cars so I could go food shopping on Thursdays.
One
of my joys in life is eating out and because I am selfish wanting to,
and living alone, not to mention all the expenses I save on not having a
car, I have more disposable income to spend on just myself and have
been able to eat out 1-2 times or more a week in many different kinds of
restaurants. I should mention that in my old age I have become a great
2-4-1 restaurant coupon clipper! If you had told me that I would become a
coupon clipper in my old age I would have laughed in your face. At
least I don't steal the Sweet ' Low in restaurants---yet! LOL

Talking
about being old I am thankful that I haven't had to use Viagra and I am
still active in that department. Also I am thankful that I still can
blush!
I am thankful that Mother Nature is so amazing and I
can observe her in her fierceness and when she is calm. I live near the
ocean and get all the benefits of that though I don't get to the beach
as much as I use to.
I have all the 'needs' of life plus a
few 'wants' and have learned the difference between the two getting rid
of a lot of 'things' the past few years.
I have quiet
neighbors, neighbors who bake cakes and pies for me. I live in a senior
residence on some of the richest and most beautiful property, surrounded
by water, yachts, million dollar plus homes, in Fort Lauderdale and I
would be remiss if I didn't mention the 'mindless breezeway
group'--John's words--that get together every sunset.
I have friends that send me mementos like Toodles, cookies, candy, books, restaurant gift cards--and not just for my birthday!
I
haven't even started to get near the end of all that I have been, and
am, thankful for and this is only the short list but let me end with
that I hope you are as happy, content. lucky and as grateful as I am
when you reach 76!
Less than a month until my next birthday when I will be 19--February 29, 2012!

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