We Get What We Need….

It’s so true that we can’t always get what we want; but, for me, looking at life in a retrospective lens, we do Get What We Need!  And I need a vacation!!!!

How can I say that I need a vacation when my last posting here was of our New Year’s Eve Cruise?!!!!  That cruise was REALLY fun and REALLY amazing.  But a day or two before we left, my brother-in-law’s sister passed away unexpectedly. So my sister and him did not go with us, understandably. So it changed the overall feel of the trip; but it was still a lovely experience and I would do it again happily!

This vacation is completely different!

Leaving for Scotland Saturday, May 18, 2019. Have the plane ticket, the car rental, the cottage rental and a strong desire for the fresh air and scenery of the Scottish Highlands!  Don’t need much more than that!

So far, these first 4+ months of 2019 have brought some additional loss.  My beloved Sonny, the dog who loved me more than anything else in the whole wide world, just finally had too much life battles to continue.  It’s only been less than 2 weeks as I write this so I am still at that “I will NEVER have another dog again…it hurts too much” stage.  I had completely renovated the new house/property for him, adding stairs off the back of the deck and a small fenced in yard; even got a doggie door installed for him. Bought huge carpets for my new vinyl flooring because his hind legs couldn’t secure on the slippery floors. But he started declining really from the time we lost Pebbles until he had to be put to rest last week. 😦

The passing of my ex-mother-in-law brought with it a lot more reflection of the past than I had anticipated. Around that same time my bestie Linda H’s mom passed away as well. She was a wonderful woman who lived a couple blocks away from me in Brunswick and I spent a bit of time over there. But mostly I felt for Linda as I know all-too-well how big this loss is and is going to continue to be for some time to come.

The 55+ mfg home park I live in is lovely, but Feb 1st we were advised it was sold to a group of investors who have now collected 18 such parks nationwide in their portfolio. So suddenly, I became keenly aware of what a vulnerable situation I’m in with rent, etc. These investors are going around jacking up rent and the residents have no outlet but to pay whatever they ask. So, I channeled my fears/concerns into forming a FB group of home owners and hope that we will all work and continue to investigate and employ whatever means necessary to ensure that they cannot be too predatory toward us. The NPR and John Oliver segments about the predatory nature of these types of owners have fueled fear in all of us.  I know we have made an impact because shortly after the Lorain County Prosecutor agreed to help us look into the transfer of the property, etc. we received a lease notification for 1/1/20 through 12/31/20 guaranteeing our rent raise will only be $20! While this was good news, I am still wary of where they can go in rent rates in the future. They currently are charging “new” incoming homeowners $594 a month as opposed to our next year guarantee of $407.  It’s upsetting because, for many of my new friends and neighbors, even the $20 raise will have a significant impact on their bottom line at home.  Hopefully we will be able to successfully get the city or county or state to enact some protections and/or rental cap percentages so that we no longer have to fear this 54% increase they’re imposing on newcomers. l should also add here that no one has yet signed one of these $594 lease agreements!

So I am truly alone in my home now; and in my day-to-day life. I’ve never been afraid to be alone, but society places such impressions upon all of us that we are never truly “whole” unless someone else loves us and is willing to commit to us, etc.

But, in all that’s gone on, I’m still very fortunate to have the love of my two grow “kids”, much family and friends. Many people cannot say that so I am extremely grateful. And getting to go back to Scotland again, as a total vacationer, is a real dream-come-true. I did not get to spend any time experiencing much of the Highlands so this will be fantastic. And Rosemount Cottage and Bothy, where I’m staying (pic below) is owned and operated by my dear friend who shared hospital time with me over 30 years ago when we were having our sons! We have managed to keep in touch; they’ve retired and refurbished this string of cottages and another lovely home in the Highlands as well. And they have made it very affordable and attractive for me/us to go there!  So…..better get packing…..

because Scottish Highlands…HERE I COME!!!

Sonny’s Yard!

Rosemount Cottage and Bothy, Garve, Scotland