Hi,

I appreciate your comments. It is hard to loose someone close. I lost my parents at an early age and that was traumatic at the time. Loosing someone so close is really hard. I asked a friend the other day how she has got through her situation of loosing her spouse? She replied; " Never when you love someone so deep", "one day at a time".

I still socialize and fortunately I've got a great network of friends who were very close with my Anne. She was a great friend and close to everyone she knew.

I know that my life will continue but the adjustments are hard. So I do have council from close family and friends that will help me through these trying times. I try to keep active but having physical problems keep me from doing a lot of extra curricular activity. I go out and still go to community activities but I can't dance because of the limitations. I miss that.

I'm hoping to try the coming golf tournament but if I do have to withdraw then I'm sure everyone will understand. I really enjoy golf as a activity and fellowship with friends.

Hi,

Back in Florida now. Broke my trip down to three legs; from central Illinois to stop over in Murfreesboro, Tn (480 miles) then to Valdosta, Ga (500 miles) and then to my daughter's house in Lake Nona, Fl (220 miles) to off load her mothers stuff that she wanted. I then went on on to my home in Davenport, Fl (40 miles). The kids came over to help me off load trailer with the rest of the stuff here. I have been sorting stuff into places in the house. My daughter wants to help me but I prefer to do it myself so I know where things are going. My stuff, my system. I told her that I do appreciate the offers but no. Let me do it my way. I might be slow at this but at least it's getting done and I know where things are. Thankful I did filter what was brought back since my home here is half the size of the one in Illinois. Our farm house was 5000 sq. ft. and we had downsized to 2840 sq. ft. in town. I waiting for the house inspection, C.L.U.E.S report and deed search. It should not be a problem since this had been done about 9 years ago. But Inspection can pop something up, I really do not know of anything to cause issue(s) but you never know.

Sure, my daughter doesn't like changes in the way her mom set the house up but I have made some changes here that help me. It is my house and that's the way it will be. I love my family but do not need anyone hovering over me and trying to control me or the way I want things. They mean well but it's time for them to understand that I am living independent now. I won't isolate myself but it's time for them to remember there are boundaries that should not be crossed.

I have a lot of close friends here while others will be returning soon. Our community is small right now but I can play golf when I want. Share time with friends that are here. Snow birds will be returning in late summer to early fall.

I had to report to Social Security about my wife's death. I tried to get an appointment in Peoria, IL but no office appointments due to covid-19. A call appointment was to be made on 07-08-22 @ 10:30 and that was made after I had returned to Illinois in mid May. I was upset about the late appointment but it went well yesterday. I had to jump through some hoops. I have to get a certified copy of our marriage certificate via OfficialRecordsOnline.com which was the easiest way for me to get the required copies. It cost me $36 but worth it to expedite everything from my end to Social Security.

Again,
Thanks to all.
-Gary

Hi,

I want to thank all of you for the support. I have been active getting ready to move back to Florida. I am planning on leaving here on July 2 with some help from a couple of football players to load my things. My old body is limited on how much can be lifted. I am planning at least 3-4 days traveling pulling the trailer for the 1126 mile trip by my new F-150 Lariat that my wife got me for my birthday last year. If I make at least 400 miles per day then closer to 3 days. It's been a while since I pulled a large load over the road but then I was driving a F-350 dually with a larger trailer loaded. So I will be extra careful.

The hard thing here is to get someone to handle the estate. This is peak sales time for auctions & estate sales. The company I've been planning with will get the estate moved out/off the property sometime in July and the sale sometime in September. I have no problems showing the house. Several families are interested and my attorney said remote sale will not be an issue.

The core house is one of the oldest here in Eureka that were built back in mid 1870 by the Pickerill family. We are the fourth family to own this property. It is now clad in brick with a beautiful expansion for a kitchen with Amish built cabinets, island all with Granite tops, large master bath upgraded and walk in closet. Plus a large family room. It has five bedrooms with the master on the first floor. Anne and I did a lot to the interior to bring back to present era. I really love the house but it is too much for one person and I have a nice home in Florida that is just right for me. I will miss my wood working shop that I had built but stocked by me.

Plus I will have family closer to me there and I will be able to play golf whenever time is available.

Again, a big Thank you to everyone!
-Gary