The Adventures of Hazel and Fred – Part III
Fred and Hazel Douglas relaxing in their new home
Fred and Hazel Douglas spent their first night in their cottage at Wesley Homes Retirement Community and were having breakfast in their café-style kitchen when we talked about their “move experience”.
How Goes The Move?
“We’re quite satisfied with the way we’ve been treated,” reports Hazel, “The move went smoothly. The packing was done last Friday and Monday, and the movers came yesterday and moved it all into the trucks and put it all in our new home where it belongs.”
“I found out there are some draw backs to high-backed furniture,” she shared, “our high backed love seat won’t fit through the door, but that was the only thing that didn’t go as planned.”
They still have pictures to hang and plan to spend take their time this week getting all situated. “It’s all in the house; some of it’s not unpacked – whatever we don’t need immediately, but it’s all here,” said Hazel, “and it will all get where it belongs in due time.”
The plan for that day was to revisit their home in Tacoma to prepare for a Sunday open house. “We’re just going to do a walk-through and see if any clean-up is needed,” said Hazel, “the realtor is handling it and is “staging” the house to include some pieces of furniture that we left there for that reason.”
Getting Oriented to Their New Neighborhood
Fred and Hazel identified several local shops and local attractions while on a New Resident Bus Tour hosted by Wesley Homes.
“It was nice to tour the nearby town. They pointed out all the shops – like where the Fred Meyer is, and it gave us an overview of Des Moines,” said Hazel. Fred took note of the location of a hiking trail about two miles long along Puget Sound and within walking distance from the Wesley Homes Campus.
Following the tour they were treated to a luncheon hosted by Wesley Homes where they met more neighbors and made new friends, and are now on a first-name basis with several of the staff. “I learned that there’s a nice fishing pier that I look forward to enjoying with the grandkids,” said Fred.
Talking to resident Bob Ewing over lunch inspired the Douglas’ to mark on their calendar the date of March 25th, to attend a Chrysanthemum show at Furneys. “We’ll be going to the show to pick out some Chrysanthemums for our back yard,” said Hazel.
Exploring a New Lifestyle With Grandchildren.
When Ian and Logan, ages 10 and seven, came calling on Grandma and Grandpa it prompted a walk with Grandpa Fred around the campus and facilities. “They were really impressed with the frozen yoghurt machine at The Gardens,” laughed Fred, “and the indoor gym.”
“When they saw the exercise equipment along the walking trails on the campus grounds, Ian got all excited about being able to work out,” said Fred.
And then they discovered the skateboard park, a school yard and a baseball field!
It Just Goes to Show; if you have a fun place to live, you’ll never have a challenge getting your grandchildren to come visit.
–ilene little for Wesley Homes
