We walked over to one of our favorite Italian restaurants, Piazza Italia, last night for dinner. We hadn’t been there in a couple of years since most of our dining-out was limited to Date Night and the rule of trying a new place each time. Other nights we chose restaurants that were convenient to our home like Outback, Skyline Burgers, and The Veggie Grill. We now have a whole array of options in our new neighborhood – all within walking distance. Yesterday, I even called the insurance company to lower our annual driving mileage to the minimum, saving a few bucks. After all, we can walk to the dry cleaners, hardware store, movie theater, shoe repair shop, bar, grocery store, and even Goodwill. However, I will continue to drive at least once a week to meet my friends for the Leadership Lunch. 

Apartment life has its advantages and disadvantages, mostly related to lack of living space. My wife and I have decided that 2,000 square feet was too big and 1,000 square feet is too small. Somewhere in between is where we’ll look for a more permanent retirement home when the time comes. In the meantime, we’ll continue to strip ourselves of unnecessary possessions. Where ever we settle will require pricey long distance movers and more organizational hassles. I’m not exactly looking forward to it. I think I finally got my last picture hung. 

I could tell from my run this morning that it was the weekend, even though I woke up at the SAME time and went through the SAME motions. There weren’t as many cars to dodge, but just as many homeless. With being retired or homeless, every day is exactly the SAME. Not quite like the movie “Groundhog Day” but there are many similarities. Believe me, I’m not complaining. It’s somewhat comforting to take it easy, knowing that soon we’ll be traveling again.  Right now, it’s the SAME place…SAME routine…SAME run…SAME bedtime…SAME Sopranos on TV.   It’s In-SAME!